Chapter 94: Attending the Banquet

After the parade of the Xiucai ended, this year’s imperial examination in Jizhou Prefecture was also completely over.

When everyone returned to the prefectural school, they received word that the prefect would host a burning tail banquet at Zhangwen Tower in Jizhou City to entertain the newly promoted Xiucai.

The burning tail banquet had flourished since the early Tang Dynasty. It had begun as an imperial feast for guests and later evolved into an examination gathering. Alongside the burning tail banquet there were also the deer-calling feast for the graduates, the flower-appreciation banquet for the palace examination, and various other joy banquets, forming a long-standing tradition.

Of course, the occasion served both to celebrate the newly promoted Xiucai and to provide an opportunity for mutual acquaintance. At the same time, the officials could cultivate ties with these promising candidates, adding an element of interpersonal connection.

These matters were still new to Song Mu, and Kong Zong recounted them all in detail.

After all, in today’s burning tail banquet, Song Mu as the top candidate naturally occupied the center of attention.

In the carriage, after Kong Zong had finished explaining the procedures and precautions for the burning tail banquet, he glanced at Song Mu with a trace of emotion and said, “Song brother, do you still remember the scene when we visited Zhou Bo’s house for the longevity feast?”

Song Mu lifted his head, offering a puzzled look. Kong Zong smiled and continued, “This time, Song brother, you may need to compose a few poems as well.”

Song Mu understood, yet at this moment he could only smile and purse his lips. On the burning tail banquet, amid toasts and the rising literary atmosphere, it naturally became a small poetry gathering.

Song Mu had already prepared himself for this.

“No need to worry. With so many talented Xiucai here, they surely won’t trouble me alone.”

Song Mu spoke, and Kong Zong nodded.

The two carriages passed through the streets and reached the yamen. Today’s banquet would be held at the Zhangwen Tower behind the yamen. Zhangwen Tower, as its name implied, was a place to display literary works. It shared the same purpose as the Wendige towers on the city walls of each county, yet it was far grander. In times of war it served not only as a defensive stronghold but also as a beacon for long-distance signaling.

At this moment, quite a few Xiucai had already gathered outside the yamen.

Song Mu and Kong Zong had just alighted when they spotted Xun Fuzi and the education official talking in front of the yamen. Song Mu and Kong Zong stepped forward to salute. Xun Fuzi nodded, then turned directly to Song Mu and said, “Song Mu, perfect timing. Ouyang and I were just discussing your situation.”

Song Mu’s face showed surprise. Xun Fuzi continued, “By convention, the top ten examinees of the imperial examination may enter the prefectural school. As the top candidate, that is entirely proper. What is your decision?”

Xun Fuzi asked with evident pleasure. Ouyang Hong beside him then spoke up. “Song Mu, entering the prefectural school to study under the instruction of the Juren and the jinshi school principal, and returning for the provincial examination in three years, I believe you have a very good chance of success.”

Ouyang Hong’s gaze drifted toward Kong Zong, and he added, “Moreover, Kong Zong can also enter the prefectural school. You two are already acquainted, and mutual support in the future would be ideal.”

Ouyang Hong’s words were met with Kong Zong’s smile.

The conversation between Ouyang Hong and Xun Fuzi had actually centered on retaining Song Mu in the prefectural school. After today’s exchange with Fan Tixue at the school gates, Ouyang Hong had sensed Fan Tixue’s admiration for Song Mu. Admission to the prefectural school was virtually assured, yet Ouyang Hong wished to clarify the advantages and disadvantages with Song Mu just in case other considerations arose. Furthermore, he had learned from Fan Tixue that Song Mu’s disruption of the poetry circle had reached the border troops and other literary circles, with several places even preparing to recruit him.

The imperial examinations were fair to all candidates regardless of origin, yet some regions suffered from weak populations and scarce scholarly atmosphere, making the education commissioner’s evaluations consistently unsatisfactory. Someone had apparently devised a scheme to target academies in neighboring prefectures and states, seizing the best student resources. Jizhou Prefecture had at last reaped the rewards of past effort, with many promising talents emerging in recent years. Such a student as Song Mu would naturally be difficult to release.

Hearing these words, Song Mu smiled, having already made up his mind and nodding in agreement. “It is Song Mu’s honor to be able to enter the prefectural school.”

The answer brought smiles all around. Ouyang Hong finally relaxed and patted Song Mu’s shoulder with a grin. “Excellent, excellent. Let us proceed together. Today is your celebration banquet, and there will be plenty to drink.”

Everyone exchanged smiles and walked happily toward the yamen.

Inside the yamen, on the Zhangwen Tower, several banquet tables had already been laid out on the upper floor, with servants lighting lamps and serving dishes. Zhangwen Tower stood on a high ground within Jizhou City, offering an unobstructed view of the entire prefecture. At this moment the city was just beginning to glow with lights, and the nightscape of Jizhou was fully revealed.

On the upper floor, quite a few Xiucai had gathered to admire the view, chatting amicably. The atmosphere was elegant and peaceful, enhanced by the faint strains of zither and pipa drifting from an elegant pavilion on the second floor.

Song Mu and his companions ascended the stairs. Several Xiucai immediately came forward to greet them, some looking their way and murmuring among themselves, clearly holding various opinions about Song Mu, the top candidate of the imperial examination.

On the upper floor, not only Xiucai scholars but also a number of Juren and xuezheng, along with a few jiaoyu, were present. Seeing Song Mu arrive, they exchanged a few courteous words with him. Some of these people Song Mu had noticed earlier but had not yet greeted; now they chatted together in a relaxed and harmonious manner.

“Song Mu truly possesses outstanding talent and writes superb prose and verse—truly enviable.”

“Your articles in Tianxia Wenkan were very impressive, and I greatly admired them.”

Someone voiced praise, and Song Mu modestly returned the salutes.

After roughly a quarter hour, Song Mu was finally able to take his seat. By now nearly all the Xiucai had arrived.

Before long, someone called out, and the prefect and education commissioner entered.

Everyone rose. Qiu Buchu and Fan Zhengxiong climbed the stairs, bowing to the assembly and inviting them to be seated. Only then did the burning tail banquet officially begin.

The first toast of the burning tail banquet naturally went to all the newly promoted Xiucai.

After the cup reached their throats, the prefect Qiu Buchu spoke with open candor and waved his hand. “No need for such formality. Today we may speak of family and state affairs as we please. Let us drink freely until we are thoroughly intoxicated!”

Hearing the prefect’s words, the crowd relaxed visibly yet still maintained straight postures.

Although formalities were light, after the teachers and school principals had toasted the various scholars, Song Mu rose as well, cup in hand. Dressed in his student robes, he approached the prefect and respectfully raised his cup, speaking with humble deference. “The student toasts the adult with one cup.”

The prefect nodded repeatedly, then clinked cups with Song Mu and said with a smile, “Excellent, excellent! The various scenes of this imperial examination were so thrilling that even this old man felt thoroughly entertained. Du Sheng’s arrival was also eye-opening. No doubt your poems will once again appear in next month’s Tianxia Wenkan.”

These words caused a stir. Everyone in the hall exchanged glances, surprised. The provincial imperial examination in the eighth month had produced countless brocade-like poems and articles from the talented scholars, making it far from easy to claim a place on the rankings. In previous years the quality of the works published had been exceptionally high, with even ordinary fourth- or fifth-rank pieces rarely making the list. Song Mu’s word had moved the half-sage’s arrival, so there was no need to elaborate. Yet it was surprising that the prefect also claimed his poems would grace Tianxia Wenkan. In this exchange, Song Mu had now had four poems published in Tianxia Wenkan.

The crowd could not help but recall that such a figure had not appeared in years.

A measure of surprise and disbelief showed on their faces, yet envy predominated. Praised so highly by the prefect, Song Mu’s future prospects were bright indeed.

“Song Mu takes the prefect’s auspicious words and will work even harder.”

Song Mu raised his cup once more, the prefect laughed heartily twice, and they clinked to drink.

After the prefect resumed his seat, Song Mu walked to Fan Tixue’s side and refilled his cup.

Fan Tixue had been waiting, smiling at Song Mu as he raised his own cup.

After the clink, Fan Tixue spoke. “Song Mu, you must work harder in the future. Do not forget today’s encouragement.”

“Song Mu will remember it,” Song Mu answered. Fan Tixue smiled and drank the wine.

Then the Xiucai raised their cups one after another. The prefect’s tolerance was limited, so soon groups of three or five gathered, and the clinking of cups and bowls grew lively.

Before long the banquet had become quite festive. Everyone was relaxed and friendly, and the fine wine and delicacies loosened tongues for eloquent conversation.

“Everyone perhaps does not know that the poem ‘The Chaos of Shiyang City at Night in the County School, Recalling the Past’ by the previous case chief Song Mu now has a ci title called ‘Night Recalling the Past’.”

A somewhat elderly Xiucai, face flushed with wine, spoke with drunken amusement. “It is rather strange. After filling the ci, the rhythm turned unexpectedly beautiful. Now in many places, wonderful versions of ‘Night Recalling the Past’ have appeared. When people sing it, they always mention the case chief’s talent and courage at that time.”

Upon hearing, everyone turned their gazes toward Song Mu, who was eating his dish. At that moment the Xiucai rose and walked toward him.

“Song case chief!” The middle-aged Xiucai raised his cup in salute. Song Mu hurriedly stood. The other said, “My talent is shallow and my learning is limited; I have no special skill. Truly, my interest has been stirred today, and I envy the case chief’s glory. May I ask the case chief to compose a poem for us all?”