The situation of Zhan Feiyu was something the scholars who came to Shangsi County knew like the back of their hands, if not intimately.
It was true that she possessed talent. The poems from the Zhiwen Assembly last year had circulated, and her aptitude for mathematics was even more remarkable. For a young girl who had been studying for less than a year, she could indeed be called a prodigy.
"Brother Tao, have you heard? Zhan Feiyu is setting up a lecture hall at Leshan Residence, like the sages of old, to show us what a prodigy and genius truly is!" The man speaking was filled with indignation. After decades of arduous study, who wouldn't wish to achieve fame overnight? But studying was difficult, and the imperial examinations were even more so!
Especially for those from humble backgrounds, without the guidance of teachers or elders, they could only study in isolation, reading books rigidly and rigidly. Scholar Gu University was like a floating log in the eyes of drowning men, a hope for salvation, a ladder to ascend to heaven.
"Hmph, utterly ignorant!" Brother Tao, who had also heard the rumors, slammed the table and cursed loudly, "She has only been studying for a few days, and she dares to lecture like the sages!"
"How could Scholar Gu University accept such a person as a disciple?" The man lowered his voice. They dared to criticize Zhan Feiyu, but they dared not casually discuss Gu Qingzhou. "A mere child dares to speak such wild words, utterly unaware of the immensity of heaven and earth!"
Similar conversations were circulating in various inns. Wherever scholars gathered, they would talk about Zhan Feiyu. Compared to the curiosity and jealousy of before, there was now more criticism, disdain, and contempt.
"They all say Scholar Gu University has taken a disciple, but what if this is just a false rumor spread by hearsay?" someone couldn't help but ask. With Zhan Feiyu's arrogance, how could Scholar Gu University possibly take her as a disciple?
"Brother Zhang speaks the truth. Perhaps Zhan Feiyu is spreading these rumors herself to force Scholar Gu University to accept her as a disciple! Or perhaps she is using the name of Scholar Gu's disciple to swindle and deceive!"
"What? How could she act like this?"
"Hmph, a cunning villain who stops at nothing to achieve her goals!"
In reality, as long as one could become a disciple of Scholar Gu University, the process was not important! The scholars present had mixed expressions. They were talented and diligent, but without seeing Scholar Gu, it was all in vain!
Just as everyone was verbally castigating Zhan Feiyu, another piece of gossip emerged: Scholar Gu University had not yet taken a disciple, but indeed intended to, and Scholar Gu, who had achieved the top rank in six examinations, only accepted the most talented and gifted scholars.
On the long table in the study, various essays and poems were scattered messily. Zhan Feiyu held the freshly copied poem towards the window, urging the ink to dry quickly. "Teacher, this poem 'Wild Bamboo Ascends the Azure Sky' can be called a masterpiece."
"You, with your blockhead, can also appreciate poetry?" A mocking voice sounded. Gu Qingzhou, on the other side of the desk, continued reading without looking up.
Some of these essays and poems were indeed good, but as a Grand Scholar who had achieved the top rank in six examinations in the Great Qing Dynasty, and with his subordinates in the Hanlin Academy all being top or second-rank scholars, Gu Qingzhou truly found the writings of these Shangsi County scholars unimpressive.
"Teacher, isn't this a typical case of 'why don't they eat meat porridge'?" Zhan Feiyu, holding the poem, shuffled closer to Gu Qingzhou and recited in her clear, small voice, "Wild bamboo grows tall for years, clumped together ascending the verdant screen. Originally low on the ground, green, why do they also reach half the sky... When one reaches the highest peak, one builds a pavilion for the gentleman of virtue."
After listening, Gu Qingzhou said, "The first two lines clearly point to the wild bamboo, and the next two lines subtly allude to ascending the azure sky. The fifth to eighth lines vividly describe the ascent, and the ninth to twelfth lines directly depict the azure sky. Each layer is meticulously detailed, tightly adhering to the title. For a regulated verse poem, it can indeed be considered a masterpiece."
Zhan Feiyu nodded. She had benefited greatly from reading many poems in the past few days.
"To learn strategy, first learn rigor. To learn the ethereal, first learn the practical. To learn carving, first learn clarity." Gu Qingzhou also knew of Zhan Feiyu's shortcomings in poetry and prose, and smiled, "Regulated verse poems and essay compositions are merely pathways to the imperial examinations. Mastering either one is sufficient."
Without passing the imperial examinations, one could not become an official. But looking at the court, how many officials still spent their days in the study pondering essay compositions?
Corrupt officials schemed on how to fawn upon superiors and exploit inferiors, how to make money without leaving any trace; upright officials thought of benefiting the region they governed; military generals spent their days training in the barracks, sharpening their weapons to defend the land.
"You are young, take your time, no need to rush," Gu Qingzhou patted Zhan Feiyu's small head. Rather than cultivating a little bookworm, he preferred the carefree nature of a young girl.
"Strict teachers produce outstanding students! Teacher, you are indulging my decline like this," Zhan Feiyu protested with a bitter face. If she were truly an eight-year-old child, she would surely become a prodigal who was both unlearned and wicked.
Amused by her bitter and resentful expression, Gu Qingzhou laughed heartily, "My disciple, Gu Qingzhou, even if she were devoid of talent, what does it matter?"
Before she reached adulthood, she would be protected by her teacher; after marriage, she would be protected by her husband; and then, thirty to forty years later, she would be cared for by her children. In a short hundred years, it would all be over.
Completely unaware that her teacher had already planned her entire life, Zhan Feiyu pulled another freshly copied poem from the table. "Teacher, look at this one, the title comes from Guanzi..."
"A plan for one year, plant grain; a plan for ten years, plant trees; a plan for a lifetime, plant people. One planting, one harvest is grain; one planting, ten harvests is trees; one planting, a hundred harvests is people."
"Using the rhyme of 'year', 'planting people' is like 'planting trees', yielding a hundredfold of outstanding individuals. When celebrating the harvest, why count the years? Without peerless pillars emerging, ten complete beams will rise..."
Gu Qingzhou glanced at it. "This person's command of language is stronger than the previous one."
"The first two couplets address the topic, highlighting the official rhyme of 'year'. The two characters 'peerless' in the third couplet fit the character 'one' in the title, implying peerless national scholars and indispensable pillars." Zhan Feiyu had already analyzed it before copying.
Although Gu Qingzhou did not demand excellence in Zhan Feiyu's poetry, he would still teach her diligently. "Good regulated verse poems emphasize the use of allusions. The words used should have sources, either historical allusions or phrases used by previous generations. They should be used correctly, borrowed, explicitly, or implicitly. Avoid forced connections, piling up, and obscure terms. Tell me."
"Shuo Yuan, Han Shi Wai Zhuan, Shi Jing," Zhan Feiyu was fortunate to have a good memory and had read widely after entering the academy, otherwise, she would not have been able to answer.
"Han Yu's 'Farewell to Scholar Wen' states: 'In the morning, select one person and promote the outstanding; in the evening, select one person and promote the outstanding'," Zhan Feiyu continued to ponder and answer. "The poem concludes with the words 'hundred' and 'one'. If one does not know the allusions, one will not understand the meaning of the poem."
In contrast, the first poem about wild bamboo was flawless in content and format, but the second poem, with its classical allusions, clearly showed that the poet's command of language was stronger than the former.
In the middle of their discussion, Gu Yuan brought tea and pastries. Seeing the teacher and disciple discussing essays, he quietly withdrew from the study.
The young attendant in green standing in the courtyard glanced in the direction of the study and asked in a low voice, "Brother Yuan, are we still continuing?"
"Yes, send people to continue collecting poems and essays. The price remains unchanged: ten coins for a new poem, thirty coins for an essay." Gu Yuan had, according to Gu Qingzhou's instructions, arranged for people in various restaurants and teahouses.
"Alright! Those scholars are all gathered at Leshan Residence. From morning to night, people are writing poems and essays, and some are painting and playing music. It's so lively." The attendant had initially thought it would be a troublesome task. Scholars treasured their poems and essays, and outsiders could not see them, let alone copy them.
Who would have thought that these people, in order to gain fame, and with the free tea and ice basins provided by Leshan Residence, would gather at Leshan Residence for a literary gathering!
Leshan Residence had also hired several literate scholars to transcribe them, and any masterpieces were posted on the wall for appreciation and critique.
After the attendant left, Gu Yuan couldn't help but twitch his lips as he thought of the teacher and disciple in the study, one teaching and one learning.
Those scholars were slandering the young lady while displaying their talents like peacocks, thinking to gain fame by stepping on her. They never imagined that their cleverness would backfire. The master was precisely using their poems and essays to teach the young lady, under the guise of "knowing oneself and knowing the enemy leads to victory!"
...
Five more days passed, and the emotions of the Shangsi County scholars had reached their peak. Now, they couldn't even be bothered to slander Zhan Feiyu. Exhaustion set in, their spirits waned, and their energy depleted. They were too weary even to curse.
Through the exchanges and discussions during this period, Wan Yunhao had the highest acclaim. Compared to Zhan Feiyu, the "cowardly turtle," they would rather have Wan Yunhao as a disciple, as they were at least sincerely convinced.
"Scholar Gu University must not have met Brother Wan, otherwise, he would surely take him as a disciple!" In the teahouse, the young man speaking showed no trace of jealousy, only admiration and conviction.
"A noble gentleman, like jade being cut and polished, like stone being carved and ground. Majestic and dignified, brilliant and glorious. A noble gentleman, forever unforgettable. In terms of talent and brilliance, Brother Wan is truly worthy." His companion echoed his sentiments.
As the youngest Juren from Nanxuan Prefecture, Wan Yunhao came from a humble background, yet he achieved what he had today, making all disciples from humble families proud. As for the disciples from scholarly families, they looked down on Wan Yunhao, but apart from a better background, they truly couldn't compare to him in other aspects.
On the second floor of Leshan Residence, Tong Xu sat with a group of aristocratic disciples, all of whom looked displeased.
"They talk of respecting scholars and condescending to the worthy, but Wan Yunhao is merely fooling those people." A young master fanning himself with a folding fan scoffed.
Having witnessed deceit and schemes since childhood, they recognized Wan Yunhao's methods as skillful. However, with his current rising fame and almost universal support, it was clear that all of this was calculated.
"Zi Zhang, speak with caution." The man in the blue long gown chided his unrestrained classmate and then smiled at Tong Xu, saying, "Brother Tong, how well do you know Scholar Wan?"
Scholars from humble backgrounds were simple-minded, but for Wan Yunhao to become their leader, setting aside his machinations and cunning, his talent must at least be excellent, otherwise, how could he command their respect?
Tong Xu had always looked down on Wan Yunhao, but Wan Yunhao had achieved the Xiu Cai title at twelve and become a Juren after passing the provincial examination at sixteen, though unfortunately, he was only the second-highest scorer.
Afterward, the Qin family suppressed him, preventing Wan Yunhao from continuing to the higher examinations, stating that the imperial examinations were full of talented individuals, and to avoid becoming a mere concubine of the third-ranked scholar, Wan Yunhao needed further refinement.
Tong Xu did not conceal anything about Wan Yunhao. "There are rumors that Zhao Jiaoyu of Shangsi County is Wan Yunhao's former teacher. The two were only separated by a formal apprenticeship ceremony. After Wan Yunhao studied at the prefectural school, he defected to the Qin family and later married the Qin family's daughter. He claimed Zhao Jiaoyu was merely his initial enlightenment teacher, but he still sent formal gifts to Shangsi County every year, thus earning him a reputation for respecting his teacher."
Before coming to Shangsi County, Zhao Jiaoyu was a teacher at a private school in Nanxuan Prefecture. Wan Yunhao's family was poor, and he couldn't even afford to eat, let alone study.
It was said that Zhao Jiaoyu cherished talent. Seeing Wan Yunhao's intelligence and eagerness to learn, he listened to classes outside the private school every day. Zhao Jiaoyu not only waived his tuition fees but also provided writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones free of charge. He also arranged for Wan Yunhao to have his meals at the private school. Wan Yunhao began his studies at the age of five and achieved the Xiu Cai title at twelve.
The folding fan in his hand snapped shut. The young master exclaimed in shock, "Such an ungrateful hypocrite! Are those people below blind?"
In comparison, they suddenly found Zhan Feiyu much more likable. After Madam Lin was poisoned that day, Master Lin was almost identified as the murderer. Zhan Feiyu, disregarding her own reputation, actively helped and eventually found the killer, clearing Master Lin's name.
"Wan Yunhao's reputation has been too good over the years, and Zhao Jiaoyu has always remained tight-lipped," Tong Xu said with a disdainful curl of his lips.
When he was jealous of Wan Yunhao in the past, he had also considered tarnishing his reputation. However, the Qin family was a scholarly family, and their status among scholars in Nanxuan Prefecture far surpassed that of the Tong family. Secondly, Zhao Jiaoyu would not cooperate, so it came to nothing.
"May I ask where Juren Wan is?" Suddenly, a clear and resonant voice rang out.
The somewhat noisy hall immediately fell silent. Scholars looked towards the entrance and saw a middle-aged man in sturdy clothing, robust and tall, with bright and sharp eyes. He was clearly a martial artist.
Wan Yunhao, surrounded by the crowd, stood up and cupped his hands with a hearty laugh, "May I know who you are?"
Leshan Residence had been a place where esteemed scholars gathered and no commoners frequented. Much less martial artists. It was no wonder Wan Yunhao was somewhat surprised.
"This is a challenge letter from my young lady to Juren Wan." The middle-aged man strode forward and handed the challenge letter to Wan Yunhao. "At noon on the sixteenth of June, my young lady awaits your esteemed presence at the County School."
If the words "challenge letter" had not been explicitly stated, everyone would have almost thought it was a letter from a young lady of a noble family who admired Wan Yunhao and sent someone to deliver it, disregarding her modesty.
"This handwriting?" Several scholars nearby looked closely. Although the handwriting was somewhat childish, its spirit was evident. Within the strokes of horizontal, vertical,撇, and捺, there was a hidden fighting spirit. Judging by the handwriting, one could infer the writer's defiant personality.
"Zhan Feiyu?" Upon seeing the signature, someone couldn't help but exclaim.
In an instant, it was as if a drop of water had fallen into a pot of oil. Everyone in Leshan Residence exploded. The aristocratic disciples on the second floor no longer cared about their dignity and rushed downstairs.
"How audacious!" This was the impression everyone present had after reading the challenge letter. Compared to the rumors of cunning, maliciousness, and scheming, Zhan Feiyu, who dared to issue such a challenge, could certainly be called audacious.
The folding fan in his hand fell to the ground with a snap. The young master spoke blankly, "An eight-year-old child is going to compete with a Juren?"
Even if she were a heaven-sent prodigy! Zhan Feiyu had only been studying for a total of nine months.
Wan Yunhao was already a Juren. He began his studies at five and was now twenty-five. Twenty years versus nine months! This was beyond audacious, or more accurately, she had lost her mind, or was seeking attention!
"She is risking her own future as a wager. Do you think it's fake?" The man in the blue robe also expressed some emotion. Zhan Feiyu's wager was too great. If she lost, she would voluntarily withdraw from her sect, and even help Wan Yunhao become a disciple of Scholar Gu University.
But if she won, Wan Yunhao, a Juren, would abandon his scholarly pursuits from then on and could only farm or engage in business. This was equivalent to cutting off Wan Yunhao's path to glory, rendering twenty years of study in vain.