J'ai passé mon bras autour de la taille fine de l'homme fort

Chapitre 69

Ouyang Xiu frowned slightly, but did not utter a rebuttal for the moment. The laughter of the crowd grew louder, and I was pondering how to help Ouyang Xiu out of this predicament when a scholar in a blue robe stepped forward first.

This man was around twenty years old, tall and slender, with sparse eyebrows, bright eyes, and a thin face. A faint smile played at the corner of his lips as he approached the man in brown and asked, "Are you Liu Ji from Qianshan?"

I've heard of Liu Ji from Qianshan before. Before the provincial examination of the Ministry of Rites, he was considered a top candidate for the top scholar as an outstanding student skilled in the Imperial Academy style. However, after the examination, the world was so surprised, partly because they saw that he failed.

The man in brown didn't try to hide it, raising his chin and laughing arrogantly, "That's mere mortal."

"My apologies." The scholar in the blue robe smiled and bowed, then slowly said, "Brother Liu's poem 'Drunken Penglai' is beautiful and graceful, a masterpiece worthy of being passed down through generations. Why attribute it to Ouyang Xiu and let someone else steal its beauty?"

Liu looked him up and down with some doubt, about to answer, but was stopped by the man: "In my opinion, this poem is already perfect, but Brother Liu is always humble. These past few days he has been repeatedly refining it and asking for opinions from many people. Unfortunately, he asked my friend from the same year, who then brought it to me. After reading it, I was greatly impressed. With such a masterpiece before me, I dare not change a single word..."

Upon hearing this, Liu Ji did not refute, but merely sneered. He assumed that, as the scholar had pointed out, "Drunken Penglai" was written by Liu Ji, deliberately misleading people into thinking that Ouyang Xiu was writing about his own love affairs.

Seeing that Liu Ji remained silent, the scholar leisurely walked over to the person who had just questioned Ouyang Xiu for writing the wrong exam question and said, "Although every sentence in the imperial examination questions must have a source, it is not necessary to list the original text word for word every time. Adding the word '而' to '通其变使民不倦' does not change the meaning, but it makes the tone more relaxed and rhythmic when read aloud, better reflecting the beauty of the poem's melody. What's wrong with that?"

After a brief pause, and receiving no response from the listeners, he turned to the scholars around him and proclaimed loudly: "Li Yishan, the founder of the Western Kunlun School, was renowned throughout the land for his poetry and prose. One day, he visited Bai Letian and discussed literary styles and poetic techniques, displaying a rather self-satisfied air. During the conversation, he asked Bai Letian where his ingenious ideas and metaphors came from. Letian replied: 'When I write poetry and prose, I do not seek ingenious ideas, but only that the language be simple and direct—simple and easy to understand, allowing readers to grasp the meaning at a glance; the words be straightforward and incisive—directly stating the facts, touching upon the truth, and deeply admonishing the listener; the events be factual and verifiable—the content is true, documented, and reliable, so that those who collect it will spread the word; the style is smooth and unrestrained—the language flows smoothly, easy to recite, and suitable for inclusion in musical compositions and songs.'" Upon hearing this, Shan withdrew in shame. "Now, since the Five Dynasties, education and culture have declined, and customs have become decadent. His Majesty sighed deeply, wishing to rectify the root of these ills, to attract outstanding, upright, and honest scholars, and to abolish frivolous, frivolous, and ornate writings. He issued this edict to the world, but the scholars, not fully understanding the Emperor's mind, overemphasized the importance of polishing their sentences, resulting in obscure and difficult-to-read texts. They cannot even achieve fluency, coherence, and clarity, let alone anything else. The lingering influence of the Western Kunlun School has not yet vanished, and new ills have resurfaced at the Imperial Academy. Ouyang Xiu, the Imperial Academician, personally holds the reins of literary power, determined to reform the examination system and recruit the most outstanding talents in the land for the Emperor's selection. This is a respectful act of obeying the Emperor's command and complying with his will; what crime is there in doing so?"

Liu Ji sneered and retorted, "Brother, you've been defending Ouyang Neihan at every turn; you must be one of the 'extraordinary talents' he's recruited. I wonder what rank you'll be in tomorrow's roll call?"

The scholar in the blue robe smiled and replied, “Before the provincial examination, I lived in a remote place. This is my first time coming to the capital. As a country person, I am not well-informed. I only learned after the provincial examination that Ouyang Neihan wanted to reform the abuses of the Imperial Academy. I used my usual writing style during the exam and did not try to curry favor. I had never met Ouyang Neihan before. Today, I happened to pass by and finally got to see his face. With so many candidates, he probably doesn’t know my name. During the provincial examination, like you gentlemen, my exam paper was sealed, my name was covered, and it was copied, so there was no way to cheat. Although I barely managed to get the Ministry of Rites to recommend me for the palace examination, I have no idea what the results will be when the names are announced tomorrow. I might fail like you gentlemen.”

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Note: "Neihan" is an honorific title for Hanlin Academicians.

The Lonely City Closes (The Princess Who Fell in Love with a Eunuch) I idly lean against the twelve balustrades. (2. Grammar)

Chapter word count: 3714 Update time: 08-08-21 17:33

2. grammar

The words "failed the exam" probably struck a nerve with the candidates, and they all glared angrily at the scholar in the blue robe. Some of them did not hesitate to speculate maliciously about his motives: "If you were strangers before, then your initiative to defend the examiner must be to curry favor with him, befriend him, and ask him to let you pass the exam!"

The scholar in the blue robe shook his head and said, "Although the announcement of the list of successful candidates will be tomorrow, the rankings of the Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) have already been determined. How could they be changed? If I were interested in befriending the Imperial Academy scholars, I would have visited them before the examinations were even held. Why would I wait until now?"

The other candidates refused to listen to his explanation and said, "Who knows if you've visited him before?"

"If cheating is so obvious that everyone knows it, then it's not cheating."

“Even if you have never interacted before, if you serve in the same court in the future, you will surely form a faction.”

The scholars became increasingly agitated as they spoke, and they turned around and surrounded the scholar in the blue robe, pushing and shoving him.

Seeing that things were going badly, I immediately raised my riding whip and lashed it down, striking the poplar tree by the roadside with a loud "whoosh," and shouted, "Stop!"

The candidates were startled by the sound, stopped, and turned to look at me.

I looked around at them and said, “A gentleman does not contend; if he does contend, it is with gentlemanly conduct. You are all scholars, yet you are here slandering your teachers and attacking your fellow students. Is this not an insult to scholarship?”

They all looked me up and down in surprise, probably guessing my identity. No one responded for a moment, so I continued, “Confucius said: ‘The way of the superior man has four aspects. In his conduct he is respectful; in serving his superiors he is reverent; in caring for the people he is benevolent; and in employing the people he is righteous.’ And you gentlemen today? Gathering in the bustling marketplace, you hardly possess the virtue of humility and respect; openly criticizing your teachers and elders, you are utterly disrespectful to those of higher status. You all took the exam with the intention of serving the ruler and bringing prosperity to the people. But if you cannot even now 'be respectful in your conduct and reverent in serving your superiors,' how can you expect to 'be benevolent in caring for the people and righteous in employing them' in the future?”

One person retorted, "The respect for superiors in matters of state refers to the monarch or emperor. How can you, as an examiner, substitute for that?"

I replied, “The examiners are the teachers of the candidates, and teachers are on the same level as Heaven, Earth, the ruler, and parents, and should be respected by all scholars. If one does not respect one’s teachers, it is difficult for one to be filial and fraternal. As Confucius said, ‘It is rare for someone who is filial and fraternal to be prone to defy his superiors; it is unheard of for someone who is not prone to defy his superiors to be prone to rebellion.’ If one does not understand the way of respecting teachers and being filial and fraternal, then one is not far from defying his superiors and causing chaos.”

At this moment, Liu Ji let out a cold laugh, walked up to my horse, and said, "Sir, your clothes seem to belong to the palace?"

I bowed and said, "I do indeed serve in the palace."

Liu Ji glanced at me sideways and said, "I admire your ability to quote from classical texts. However, I also thought of a saying by a sage that is quite fitting to describe you."

I knew he wouldn't say anything nice, but I nodded anyway: "I'd like to hear more details."

He suddenly raised his arm and pointed at me, saying sternly, "Those who are clever with words and flattering in appearance are rarely benevolent."

Before I could react, he continued, “A eunuch like you is used to being obsequious and flattering, always spouting words to please your master. You curry favor with the emperor and fawn over ministers. You have no integrity whatsoever when it comes to personal gain, and you even dare to quote the words of sages to criticize the scholars of the world!”

The scholars around him immediately echoed his sentiments, all turning their criticism towards me:

"How dare a eunuch presumptuously read the scriptures of the sages?"

"What is the purpose of a mere eunuch studying? Is it perhaps to corrupt the government and harm the people?"

“The eunuchs of the previous dynasty were arrogant and domineering because of the emperor’s favor. We thought that the dynasty would learn from their mistakes and that such a disaster would not happen. But you, little eunuch, have dared to attack scholars today. It is conceivable that you will become involved in politics and bring disaster to the people in the future.”

"The Han dynasty ruled for four hundred years, and the Tang dynasty ruled for three hundred years. The downfall of both dynasties began with eunuchs. Our Emperor Taizong clearly forbade eunuchs from interfering in politics. The selection and appointment of candidates through the imperial examinations is also a political matter. Your public criticism of the candidates is already interference in politics. To nip this in the bud, it is not unreasonable to execute you on the spot!"

They approached one after another, pressing closer and closer. I unconsciously pulled my horse back, and faced with the tidal wave of rebukes, I felt dizzy and my ears rang. My cheeks burned, and an overwhelming sense of shame, like the cold sweat on my body, seeped out from within.

Suddenly, someone shouted from not far behind me, "Prefect Deng, arrest all these traitors!"

That was the princess's voice. I turned around in surprise and found that she had gotten out of the carriage and had somehow walked up behind me. There were no maids or feather fans to shield her, only a veil covering her face.

Deng Baoji, who had come with her, received the order and waved his arm. The Imperial Guards who were waiting nearby immediately rode over. As dozens of cavalrymen passed by, dust billowed, horses neighed, dogs barked, and pedestrians cried out in alarm. After a brief commotion, the dozen or so scholars who had led the disturbance were forced to kneel on the ground.

Liu Ji and the others refused to accept this and struggled desperately while kneeling, angrily saying, "We just wanted to ask the examiners for an explanation, how can you say that we are committing treason?"

The princess pointed at me and said, "You have offended him, which is to offend me; you have offended me, which is to offend my father; and you have offended my father, which is to commit treason!"

Liu Ji was taken aback and asked, "Who are you?"

At this moment, Deng Baoji explained from the side: "This is Princess Fukang."

Upon hearing this, Ouyang Xiu immediately dismounted and came over to pay his respects. The surrounding people followed suit and bowed. Most of the troublemaking scholars remained silent, except for Liu Ji, who angrily questioned, "His Majesty treats scholars with respect and never indiscriminately punishes them. Yet now the princess is humiliating us for personal grudges. This not only violates the teachings of the emperor and father but also goes against the principles of benevolence and forgiveness of a gentleman!"

The princess laughed and said, "I am not a gentleman, but a woman, the kind of woman that your sages said is just as difficult to raise as you."