Chapter Sixty-Two: The First Examination on the Classics

That solemn and dignified voice drifted slowly from the northern building of the examination academy. All the examinees in the hall were ordered to immediately enter their exam rooms; soldiers began to enforce martial order, their eyes fixed intently on the candidates assigned to each room, as if they might strike with their spears at any sign of misconduct.

From the upper floor, the “Grand Literary Statutes” were being recited, while squads of soldiers distributed brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones to the examinees.

Song Mu felt as if he had returned to the examination halls of his own past, though never before had the atmosphere been so severe, nor had he ever been subjected to the piercing gaze of a fierce soldier, as if the slightest misstep would lead to a fatal thrust of a spear.

As the statutes were being read aloud, a solemn procession emerged from the northern building. Clad in robes embroidered with golden threads and adorned with characters, these dignitaries escorted three objects through the exam rooms, moving slowly towards the very center of the courtyard, where a tall, stone altar stood in an open space.

Upon reaching the altar, they placed two bronze statues on either side: one of Confucius, the other of Master Zhang. Master Zhang—Zhang Ce, the world’s first great scholar to cultivate the power of literature—had saved humanity from disaster and was revered by all.

At this moment, Dean Fan also ascended the altar, raising his hands in a grand salute to the north. As the statutes concluded and a single command—“Bow!”—echoed, Dean Fan knelt toward the north, and all others in the exam rooms knelt as well.

Song Mu, too, fell to his knees, as did every scholar, willingly and with heartfelt reverence.

After the rites to Confucius and Master Zhang, the most distinguished official among the officiants stepped forward, holding a bronze casket, and ascended slowly to the summit of the altar.

Song Mu looked up, easily taking in the full view of the altar. The exam rooms, arranged in a circle, all faced this central platform. Song Mu could sense the importance of what lay within the bronze casket.

It must be the Literary Star.

Master Xun had once said: to gather literary power, a scholar must be aided by a Literary Star—a fragment of the celestial core fallen from the heavens.

Compared to other fragments fallen from the stars, these pieces contained an endless and mysterious power.

That profound force could nourish literary energy, stir the power of words, and wield subtle influence beyond measure.

Step by step, the elder carrying the casket reached the top of the altar, then bowed deeply to the north. As the chanting began, he placed the bronze casket gently upon the altar, beams of literary power streaming from his fingertips into the box.

Tiny points of light began to flicker across the casket’s surface, and under the astonished gaze of countless students, it slowly unfolded.

It was, in fact, an exquisitely crafted mechanical box, which, activated by literary power, gradually opened, revealing something within.

What emerged was a plain stone, no different from a pebble by a brook, yet as it came into view, all present felt a sudden hush.

For at that moment, everyone sensed their own literary energy tremble within.

As the elder continued his chant, the patterns carved on the altar began to glow, and the small stone shone with light.

This was no ordinary warmth like sunlight on one’s skin; it was a heavenly azure glow, spreading outward and enveloping the entire examination academy, bestowing a sense of cool tranquility.

Even more astonishing, as the light touched each scholar, their literary energy began to flow involuntarily, circulating gently throughout their bodies.

Far from causing discomfort, it filled the dantian with a gentle warmth.

The younger students, experiencing this phenomenon for the first time, could not help but gasp in wonder, while the seasoned scholars immediately steadied their minds, focusing all their efforts on perceiving this state of enlightenment.

This was the very key to gathering literary power. The transformation brought by the Literary Star filled Song Mu with joy, for he could sense that the threshold to a higher realm was now right before him.

“Distribute the papers! The examination begins!”

Once again, a clear voice rang out. Squads of soldiers began handing out the exam questions.

Receiving his own sheet, Song Mu drew a deep breath and bent his head to study the classics questions for this session.

The first ten were interpretation questions, drawn from the Four Books and Five Classics, requiring not only thorough familiarity with the texts but also clear explication. Song Mu, having long since committed them to memory, was immediately at ease.

These ten questions were straightforward—little more than transcription for someone as well-versed as he.

He did not rush to write but continued scanning the page.

Next were five analytical questions, each involving lengthy passages from the Four Books and Five Classics, requiring interpretation and personal reflection. These questions, subtle and profound, tested the depth of one’s scholarship.

Each question was longer than the last. Song Mu frowned slightly; even with his background in classical literature, these were not easy.

After a brief moment of thought, he continued reading.

Finally came the major question: the composite essay.

The composite essay, as its name implied, took lines from different classical works and required the candidate to reinterpret and combine them, to offer both explication and personal judgment. The answer must be rooted in citation and genuine feeling, not only reflecting on the wisdom of the ancients but also presenting one’s own extension of their meaning.

Such questions tested the scholar’s cultivation in classical literature to the utmost. There were myriad possible interpretations, but only those with profound insight and striking originality could satisfy the examiners.

Song Mu gripped the question sheet tightly, deep in thought.

Outside Song Mu’s exam room, a soldier on duty noticed the young candidate’s intense concentration and hesitance to begin, and could not help but speculate.

Perhaps this young scholar was taking the exam for the first time and was at a loss for how to start after reading the questions.

The soldier sighed, thinking this candidate was probably just going through the motions, and might need another three to five years of study before he could truly compose an essay.

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Meanwhile, in the Gathering of Worthies on the upper floor of the northern building, a group of officials in ceremonial robes were engaged in conversation.

Dean Fan and the education officers from each county were present, along with several officials from the Jizhou Prefecture, their red robes gathered together in solemn assembly.

“Dean, the number of candidates in Jizhou has reached a new high this year. Truly, the literary spirit flourishes here.”

“Indeed. Our prefecture grows ever more prosperous; the people send their sons and nephews to study, and the number of private academies in every county has increased greatly.”

“This literary governance is a blessing for the realm.”

The education officers spoke, and Fan Zhengxiong, among them, smiled in satisfaction, moved by such a splendid scene—one to which his own labors had contributed.

The officials nodded approvingly as they observed the brilliance of the Literary Star illuminating the examination courtyard.

“Every time the academy holds its examinations, I most admire this moment. Under the rays of the Literary Star, scholars emerge and omens abound. It is truly stirring.”

“Yes, through all my years overseeing the examinations, to witness the emergence of brilliant scholars fills my heart with excitement.”

“Speaking of which, gentlemen, did you see at this year’s Spring Imperial Examination—the metropolitan top-scorer, Wen Chulan Feng? His essay, ‘On Cavalry and Infantry,’ caused a stir in the capital, its martial spirit resonating throughout the realm. During the palace examination, his brush was truly inspired, and His Majesty personally named him laureate. Even General Du took notice of such talent.”

“What a pity, though. That was Chang’an’s glory. We could not go to the capital and can only hear fragments of the event.”

The officials chatted animatedly. Meanwhile, in the examination hall, the questions were being distributed, and a large board with the topics was carried up to the hall.

Seated comfortably, the officials sipped their tea and changed the subject.

“Oh? The major essay this time is quite intriguing.”

One official, observing the topics before him, was noticeably surprised.

Others leaned in, raising their brows in interest.

“Indeed, this year’s topic was selected by the Crown Prince’s preceptor himself. It is more subtle and challenging than in years past, and will truly test everyone’s abilities.”

The group continued their lively discussion, with one official jesting, “Though the classics questions never stray far from the Four Books and Five Classics, what I most look forward to is the emergence of memorable lines and, if fortune smiles, a fine poem tomorrow.”

Hearing this, another official raised his brow and turned to Ouyang Hong with delight.

“Speaking of which, gentlemen, our Jizhou Prefecture has recently produced a talented scholar whose work has appeared twice in the ‘Universal Literary Journal.’ His two poems overflow with talent—even Grand Scholar Feng has praised them without reserve.”

“Oh? Now that you mention it, I recall—it must be a student from Shiyang County. Lord Ouyang, why don’t you tell us more?” asked Education Officer Zhan Bo from Wanan County, while Dean Fan looked on with satisfaction.

Ouyang Hong quickly stood, saluted the assembly, and said with a broad smile, “To tell the truth, this gifted scholar is indeed from my Shiyang County. His name is Song Mu, a scion of the Song family’s literary lineage.”

“The Song family’s literary legacy? The brilliance of Grand Scholar Song Wenrong in earlier days is still spoken of as a fine story.”

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