Volume 2: Residence in the Capital Chapter 72: Eight-legged Essay Conference?
"The Yuehua Building is three stories high, and the eaves of each floor are made of special colored glaze. Whenever the moon is at its zenith, the lights on the building are turned off, and the four corners will emit a hazy glow under the moonlight, just like the name Yuehua."
Although there were a lot of people going to Yuehua Tower today, Zhang Shou finally persuaded the old lady and Zhu Ying's grandparents to split into two groups. One group would go around Yuehua Tower to see the excitement, and the other group would go directly to Yuehua Tower, so as to avoid being too conspicuous. Although he didn't say how to divide them, the old lady naturally understood and took Zhu Ying away directly.
At this time, listening to an idle person nearby explaining the origin of Yuehua Tower, Zhang Shou couldn't help but wonder, did Princess Yongping choose this place to hold the literary meeting because she was born on August 15th and therefore had a special liking for the word Yuehua?
If Mother Li hadn't pointed it out earlier, he would have thought that this monthly literary gathering was her son-in-law selection meeting...
Wooden fences had been erected near Yuehua Tower, and fully armed guards were stationed at all entrances. Whenever a scholar took out an invitation and went in, there would be cheers. The scholars bathed in the cheers would often hold their heads high and look very excited. Of course, Zhang Shou could also clearly hear some sour words from those around him who had not received the invitations.
Today he put on his hat and veil again, and with Qi Liang and Deng Xiaodai as his followers and Ah Liu as his escort, he finally managed to find a free space against the wall in the crowded crowd. But even so, he did not immediately show his name card and go to the more spacious Yuehua Building to join those complacent winners, but listened to the conversations of people around him with interest.
Soon, five or six young scholars came in a group, and the people around them made way for them. However, these people also talked loudly, as if no one was around.
"The last topic was 'Master's Articles'. I wonder what the Princess Yongping will ask this time!"
"Xie Wanquan, the Imperial College student who solved the best question last time, was so angry at a country boy that he stayed indoors this time. I'm afraid he can't come. Humph, even if he is a disciple of Grand Master Ge, what's his ability if he only studies mathematics? Wasn't Grand Master Ge famous for being the best in contemporary literature?"
"Hey, Princess Yongping holds such a literary gathering every month, where everyone discusses the Four Books and classics, recalls the past, and also lets those who have forgotten their ancestors take a good look. Those foreign ghost paintings are nothing compared to our sages! The imperial examinations only test contemporary writings. This is the system of our ancestors, how can it be changed?"
"I heard that more and more contemporary essay selectors are invited to Yuehua Tower by Princess Yongping every month. As long as this becomes a system, the outstanding contemporary essays can be compiled into a book every month and become famous in the capital, and even in the world. This is truly a good policy. Since the emperor has sent someone to come in person, it is clear that he supports contemporary essays!"
Zhang Shou heard Qi Liang talk about the so-called contemporary essay selectors. Contemporary essay selectors, or eight-part essay selectors, are simply like editors of outstanding essays in later generations. They are responsible for selecting outstanding eight-part essays after the imperial examination, commenting on them, compiling them into books, and finally selling them to the Confucian students who are taking the examination. Of course, to do this, most of these selectors have the reputation of being contemporary essay masters.
If it weren't for the hat and veil blocking his view, he could guarantee that the people around him who heard the loud conversation would definitely see the extremely disapproving expression on his face.
When he had joked casually at Zhu's house before, he had simply felt that valuing articles over poetry and songs was a biased attitude, but now... he felt that he understated his words in front of Mother Li.
Today's Yuehua Tower Literary Gathering is a competition for eight-part essays, and it provides a one-stop service including competition, commentary, and book publishing. No wonder it attracts so many literati.
It is normal for a few students to study eight-legged essays and make progress in order to pass the imperial examination.
In order to produce more scholars, juren and jinshi, academies and private schools made eight-legged essay the main subject. This was also normal.
It is even more normal that a group of editors who specialize in collecting excellent eight-legged essays, compiling them into books and selling them to Confucian students to make money would always praise the eight-legged essay.
After all, the imperial examinations at all levels of the court still use this style of writing to select talents!
But you, a princess, come to the eight-part essay competition once a month, and from the tone of the people around you, you are actually regarded as a call for upholding the retro trend? Become the backbone of the fight against some new-school officials who "forget their roots"?
What a joke! How can this be considered retro? There was no eight-legged essay in the Shang and Zhou dynasties, no eight-legged essay in the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, and even less in the Han and Tang dynasties!
It is indeed impressive to be good at writing eight-part essays, but if you ask those famous officials, who would pat their chests and say that what they are most proud of in their lives is that they write eight-part essays well! After passing the imperial examination, most people immediately threw away their eight-part essays! Mr. Ge doesn’t even know how well he writes eight-part essays now...
Zhang Shou turned his head and glanced at Qi Liang. He saw that he had a serious expression on his face, while Deng Xiaodai was pouting. As for Ah Liu, the young man had no expression on his face as usual. So he just laughed and took off his hat and veil.
Just such a light and skillful movement immediately attracted countless eyes around. After all, it was not uncommon to wear a hat and veil in such an occasion. Many powerful staff members, and even low-ranking officials who were about to go to the local areas, would quietly come here to recruit talents.
But Zhang Shou's age had eliminated all such possibilities, and his handsome and elegant appearance aroused many people's hatred of the enemy.
"Humph, this is another person who relies on his good looks to try his luck!"
"Everyone knows that Princess Yongping only values talent and character, not appearance!"
"A rookie like you wants to learn from those talented scholars?"
Amidst the voices that turned from whispers to loud criticisms, Zhang Shou greeted Qi Liang and Deng Xiaodai behind him as if no one was around, and then walked leisurely towards the entrance of Yuehua Tower.
Seeing the two guards coming forward together and hearing the ridicule and sarcasm around them becoming more and more unscrupulous, Zhang Shou nodded slightly at Qi Liang. When Qi Liang came forward and took out the ancient, polished bamboo post, those who were criticizing him seemed to have something choking their necks and fell silent in an instant.
The two guards looked at each other, and one of them took the note carefully. After taking a look, his eyes flashed, and then he said respectfully: "Sir, the princess sent a note, one note for one person, you can go in alone, but the servants..."
Hearing the buzzing sound coming from behind him again, Zhang Shou smiled nonchalantly and said, "Oh, that's why. But the person who sent the invitation said that I should bring students here. Since I can't, forget it. Qi Liang, you go in my place. I have to go to the teacher to solve a few problems anyway, so I'll leave first."
Seeing Zhang Shou nod to Qi Liang, then greet Deng Xiaodai and Ah Liu, and then turn around and leave, the two guards were stunned. Even more dumbfounded than them were the scholars and idlers who were watching.
How old is this boy who looks like he has a good face, and he already has students? Even if he has students, just because people can't enter, he just handed the post to the students and turned around and left, not giving Princess Yongping any face at all?
Qi Liang was holding the heavy bamboo post, also dumbfounded, and was very confused about whether he should persuade the young master or just listen to him. Fortunately, he soon stopped worrying because someone rushed out from inside.
"Master Shou, please stay, please stay!"
A fat middle-aged man with a big smile on his face chased after Zhang Shou. Seeing that Zhang Shou had indeed stopped and turned around, he angrily shouted at the two guards: "What's wrong with your eyes? Did you see the invitation clearly? The princess invited Mr. Shou and his disciples. Can't you see the word "disciple"? You almost offended the distinguished guest. What crime should you be punished for!"
Zhang Shou couldn't help but sneer inwardly. When did the word "disciple" appear on that note? It was clearly a message from Concubine Yu!
The two guards were so severely reprimanded that they dared not even raise their heads. The man then stepped forward with a smile and bowed to Zhang Shou: "Master Shou, please forgive me. It's all because of the ignorance of the subordinates. Come on, these three gentlemen are also like this, there is something going on!"
Seeing that Ah Liu was also included as a disciple by the visitor intentionally or unintentionally, Zhang Shou couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
To be honest, he wanted to take advantage of the fact that the two guards had just stopped him to run away.
As for keeping Qi Liang, it was very simple. Madam Tai and Zhu Ying would definitely take care of this kid. But now the people inside reacted so quickly. It seemed that even if Yuehua Tower was a dangerous place, he would have to go there first...
