With the poem "Wo Chun" serving as a prelude and the two couplets recently matched, the scholars present had already acknowledged Zhan Feiyu's talent in poetry.
Scholar Zhang's eyes turned more sinister and twisted. His terrifying expression instantly stunned Zhang Tianhao, who had been about to voice his dissatisfaction.
"Don't embarrass yourself!" Scholar Zhang's warning was laced with coldness. He then stood up as if nothing had happened and walked towards the back of the main hall, as if he had drunk too much tea and needed to change.
Not wanting a young girl like Zhan Feiyu to steal the spotlight, a young man in his twenties stood up and cupped his hands towards everyone present. "Please, everyone, do not hesitate to offer your guidance. I will present the first line: Wine guests in wine houses, drunk together with wine."
After a long moment of contemplation, a scholar smiled and responded, "I will offer the second line: Poets in poems and paintings, chanting poetry with pleasure."
Several children, around twelve or thirteen years old, watched with eager eyes, filled with both admiration and envy. Someone as quick-witted and intelligent as Zhan Feiyu was rare. They were a few years older, yet as soon as the first line was presented, the second line was already matched by someone else.
Instructor Zhao stroked his beard and glanced at them, then smiled and said, "I will present the first line: Idly watching wood within a gate."
This first line was much simpler than the character-splitting couplets presented earlier by Scholar Zhang and the round-faced youth. Everyone present understood the implied meaning. Time truly made people grow old. They, too, had been such vibrant youths in the past.
The eyes of several young children lit up, and they quickly began to ponder the second line.
"I've thought of the second line!" Zhang Tianhao, unable to contain his desire to show off, sprang to his feet. He looked at Instructor Zhao with immense pride, eager for the instructor's praise after he revealed his matched line.
"I haven't thought of it yet," the plump young boy said with disappointment.
The boy, who looked no more than ten years old, had come with his elder relatives. He now wore a dejected expression. It was a rare opportunity to encounter a simple first line, especially one presented by Instructor Zhao, and yet he had been thinking for so long without coming up with a response.
Finally, Zhang Tianhao, feeling like a salted fish that had turned over, burst into laughter. "That's because you're stupid. Time waits for no one. In future imperial examinations, will you ask the chief examiner for more time to answer your papers?"
The young boy, already dejected, flushed red with shame at being mocked by Zhang Tianhao in front of everyone.
Zhan Feiyu looked speechlessly at the self-satisfied Zhang Tianhao. How blind could he be not to see the contemptuous glances from everyone? What was there to be proud of in bullying a child?
"I will offer the second line: Thinking between the heart's fields," Zhang Tianhao said loudly, then looked expectantly at Instructor Zhao, waiting for his praise.
He imagined that in the future, when he entered the county school, Instructor Zhao might even take him as a personal disciple. Then, he would drive that girl Zhan Feiyu out of the county school! Zhang Tianhao grew more pleased with himself as he thought about it.
However, Instructor Zhao didn't even glance at him, calmly sipping his tea.
"I..." Zhang Tianhao couldn't help but want to remind Instructor Zhao, but as he uttered the first word, Zhan Feiyu interrupted him.
"I will present the first line, do you dare to match it?" Zhan Feiyu looked at the young boy two tables away and said crisply, "Less water, sand appears."
The young boy was stunned for a moment, then his eyes lit up, and he quickly matched the second line, "Earth embankment then forms."
"A gust of wind, thunder, rain," Zhan Feiyu's first line came out as soon as she spoke.
This time, the young boy was stumped. However, a young child next to him stood up and matched it, "Three lights, sun, moon, stars."
Several other scholars presented simple first lines, allowing the younger children to match them. The atmosphere in the hall became lively again.
"Chicks of the phoenix sing clearer than the old phoenix's voice," Instructor Zhao praised gently, looking at the chattering children matching couplets. His gaze towards Zhan Feiyu grew even more satisfied.
Imperial examinations were held every three years. How many top scholars had gathered in the Hanlin Academy? The court was a treacherous place, and one could not stand firm solely on poetry, songs, and the Four Books and Five Classics.
Ultimately, in addition to talent, one needed strategy and composure. Zhan Feiyu, though young, acted with a steady and experienced demeanor. Even more rare was her pure heart.
"Zhan Feiyu, you did that on purpose!" Zhang Tianhao, ignored by everyone, cursed furiously. "You narrow-minded villain, you can't stand to see me shine, you can't stand to see others be better than you!"
*Pfft!* Someone, no one knew who, spat out a mouthful of tea. The hall fell silent for a moment, followed by uproarious laughter.
Not to mention Zhang Tianhao, who was fourteen or fifteen years old and had been studying since his enlightenment for ten years, while Zhan Feiyu had been studying for less than half a year. Based on the two character-splitting couplets Zhan Feiyu had just matched, Zhang Tianhao had the audacity to believe he was smarter. His thick skin was truly unparalleled!
Scholar Zhang, returning from changing in the back, felt that something was amiss. Seeing Zhang Tianhao pointing furiously at Zhan Feiyu, his eyes bulging with rage, Scholar Zhang almost spat out a mouthful of old blood.
"My son has been rude, please forgive him!" After apologizing, Scholar Zhang grabbed Zhang Tianhao's arm and pulled him back to his seat, gritting his teeth. "Shut up, don't you know where you are!"
His classmates sitting with him were so embarrassed they wished they could hide their faces and leave, but since he was the instructor's son, they could only lower their heads and act like turtles.
The literary gathering began with a "flying flower" game, and couplets were matched in the middle. However, because there were many scholars present, and they would be participating in the provincial examinations in Nanxuan Prefecture in the future, Instructor Dou of the county school first posed a question related to the imperial examinations: "The Master said that Zi Chan possessed four virtues of a gentleman. What are these four?"
This was a question about textual interpretation, taken from the fifth chapter of "Gongye Chang" in the Analects. A scholar in his thirties stood up and replied, "In his self-conduct, he was respectful; in serving his superiors, he was attentive; in nurturing the people, he was benevolent; and in employing the people, he was righteous."
...
"Can a person be inferior to a bird? The Odes say, 'Brightly shone King Wen.'" After the old scholar presented the question, the scholars present were all dumbfounded. Had they misheard, or was the old scholar mistaken due to his age?
Zhan Feiyu also frowned in thought. "Master, the first half comes from the Great Learning and the Doctrine of the Mean. The Odes say: 'The yellow birds are chirping, resting on the hillocks. The Master said: 'Regarding their resting, one knows where they should rest. Can a person be inferior to a bird?'"
The Book of Songs says: "The chirping yellow birds only perch on the hills."
Confucius said: "The little yellow birds perch on the hills; it is because they know where they should rest. Can a person be inferior to a bird?"
Instructor Lin nodded and asked further, "Where does the latter half come from?"
"It comes from the Book of Songs, 'Brightly shone King Wen, in his diligence, he was reverent and abiding!'" Zhan Feiyu felt fortunate for her good memory, otherwise, let alone answering the question, she wouldn't even understand its meaning.
"King Wen, of noble character, was bright and upright in his conduct, and always solemn and cautious in his actions." After explaining the meaning, Zhan Feiyu looked at the众人 who were deep in thought and asked in a low voice, "Master, these two unrelated sentences are put together, how should one answer?"
Not only was Zhan Feiyu confused, but even the students from the county school who had already achieved academic titles frowned so deeply they could have caught a mosquito, indicating how formidable the old scholar's question was.
"Answer this kind of mixed couplet question as it is, as long as you can logically connect the two sentences with sound reasoning," Instructor Lin said, smiling at the troubled Zhan Feiyu.
Zhan Feiyu couldn't help but roll her eyes. The slight sense of pride she had felt was now completely extinguished by the perverse mixed couplet question.
Let alone two lifetimes, even if she lived three lifetimes, she might not be able to answer such a question. How could King Wen and a bird be put together to answer a question? Should she call it a bird-man?
The old scholar leisurely sipped his tea, feeling that it was worth the months of painstaking thought to stump these spirited scholars.
The round-faced boy, his face puffed up with anger, directly uttered, "A person being inferior to a bird is a disgrace!"
His classmate sitting beside him nodded with feigned seriousness, waiting for the boy's next line. Then, there was no next line...
The boy, who felt scorned, held his head high and glared back, "If you have the ability, you match the next line!"
And so, the children in the hall watched as the students of the county school, as if possessed, repeatedly chanted, "A person being inferior to a bird is a disgrace!"
After hearing the maddening refrain seven or eight times, Zhan Feiyu, who felt life was meaningless, let out a long sigh. She finally understood why the little demon was driven to suicide by the Tang Monk's chanting. Anyone would find it unbearable.
Disgrace! Disgrace! ...
Here it comes again. Unable to bear it any longer, Zhan Feiyu suddenly stood up. She had intended to slip outside to hide, but as she stood up, she moved her chair, and with a swish, all eyes turned to her, filled with intense and fiery gazes.
Uh...
Startled, Zhan Feiyu's eyes widened. She was still a young child, while they were already scholars who didn't bow to officials!
"Little Child Zhan, has the child prodigy thought of it? Such quick wit and talent, we are truly impressed!" Scholar Zhang said with a sinister smile, deliberately putting Zhan Feiyu on the spot!
Zhan Feiyu sneered, a flash of inspiration striking her mind. She blurted out, "It is a disgrace, a disgrace! If it is a disgrace, it is better to emulate King Wen!"
There was a moment of silence in the hall. Everyone recited the two lines together, and then their faces lit up with smiles. "Haha, the latter half is connected."
"Brilliant!" The round-faced boy excitedly slammed the table. The force was so great that his palm instantly went numb, and he cried out.
Instructor Zhao, Instructor Dou, and the other scholars exchanged glances, all filled with delight. Little Child Zhan was not a male, and even if she passed the imperial examinations, she might not be able to hold office. However, with such talent and disposition, she could become a great scholar in a region.
Scholar Zhang's old face contorted, especially when he saw the appreciative expressions on Instructor Zhao and the others. He understood that if he were to act against Zhan Feiyu in the future, there would be many obstacles!
Although Zhan Feiyu had been known as a child prodigy before, and even praised by Magistrate Chen himself, only the illiterate commoners in the countryside took pride in it. True scholars never paid any attention to Zhan Feiyu.
The imperial examinations did not test quick wit in matching couplets, nor did they solely focus on poetry and songs. What they truly tested were policy essays and literary compositions! They were about world affairs, rulers and the people, defending against foreign enemies, internal strife, and factions. What insight and perspective could a country girl like Zhan Feiyu have? To talk about imperial examinations was simply wishful thinking!
But now, it was different. She had even mastered the Four Books and Five Classics. Scholar Zhang calmed his mind. Fortunately, he had already made arrangements to curb this girl's arrogance!
As time passed, Leshan Residence refilled the tea for each table and served pastries.
The tea in the pot revealed nothing, but anyone with eyes could see that the pastries on Zhan Feiyu's table were of the same quality as those on Instructor Zhao's table, and even included an extra dish of creamy custard.
"It seems only child prodigies are worthy of enjoying this creamy custard. We ordinary folk are not worthy!" Suddenly, a strange voice rang out, sharp and piercing.
Everyone who was resting and drinking tea was startled. They looked up, but unfortunately, many people were standing and stretching, so they couldn't tell who had spoken.
Zhan Feiyu was slightly taken aback. This creamy custard must have been sent by the old shopkeeper, as they were considered allies.
"One is not envied only if one is mediocre. The ancients did not deceive me! Even a piece of creamy custard is envied." Zhan Feiyu chuckled and teased.
Seeing that no one was making things difficult for Zhan Feiyu, the round-faced boy called out loudly, "This has nothing to do with child prodigies or mediocrity. The old shopkeeper must have seen that you are the youngest, so he wanted you to eat more and grow taller."
"Haha, Wen Min, if you think Little Child Zhan is short, just say it directly." Everyone looked at Zhan Feiyu, who was barely taller than the table even when standing. She was pouting and glaring fiercely at the round-faced boy, looking fierce and adorable, as if she were about to pounce and bite him.
After a moment of surprise, everyone burst into good-natured laughter again.
The round-faced boy was even more delighted, wanting to secretly hug her home. A little sister who would sweetly call him brother and cling to his arm!
Zhan Feiyu, feeling mocked, angrily picked up a piece of creamy custard and popped it into her mouth, biting it ferociously. Then, her eyes lit up. It was delicious!
Instructor Lin shook his head with a smile. He was accustomed to the diligent and self-disciplined Little Yu, but now she was so childlike. It was understandable, after all, she was still a child.
Seeing the attitude of Instructor Zhao and the students from the county school towards Zhan Feiyu, a hint of reluctance flashed in Instructor Lin's eyes. He shouldn't have delayed her!
After Zhan Feiyu received the letter of recommendation, Instructor Lin had not planned for her to go to the county school immediately. He had intended for her to wait until the following year, after she passed the county and prefectural examinations and became a Tong Sheng, before going to the county school.
At that time, with the guidance of a Ju Ren, Little Yu would surely pass the academy examination and obtain the title of Xiu Cai. The main reason for not letting Zhan Feiyu go too early was his concern that she might be ostracized and bullied. But now, Instructor Lin no longer had this worry.
After the break, the hall became lively again.
Some debated with each other due to differing viewpoints, citing classics and making extensive references, or arguing about whose poem was better, and where its brilliance lay.
There were even scholars skilled in calligraphy who recorded the excellent poems from the literary gathering, while those skilled in painting splashed ink and painted, capturing the day's events with their brushes.
Zhan Feiyu listened with rapt attention. Although she had memorized the Four Books and Five Classics, she was still a layman when it came to the imperial examinations. At this moment, she was like a sponge, frantically absorbing all sorts of knowledge.
...
"I heard that Little Child Zhan is a child prodigy who appears only once in decades in Nanxuan Prefecture. Jin has a question he would like to ask. Please, Little Child Prodigy, do not hesitate to enlighten me. When Jin returns to Nanxuan Prefecture, I will surely spread the word of Little Child Prodigy's fame!" The middle-aged man speaking wore a diagonally collared long gown inside and a black-trimmed tea-brown outer robe, dressed similarly to many scholars present.
However, the shrewdness and cunning in his eyes suggested he was more like a shrewd merchant than a scholar.
Not only Instructor Lin but many others present frowned. Someone had been targeting Little Child Zhan at the literary gathering today. As scholars, it was truly disgraceful to trouble a seven-year-old girl.
Zhan Feiyu seemed oblivious to the ill intentions of the other party and said with a smile, "I dare not presume to offer guidance. With so many learned seniors present, I merely possess some quick wit."
The man surnamed Jin got straight to the point without further ado. "There is a great general training soldiers. For every three people in a row, there is one person left over. For every five people in a row, there are two people left over. For every seven people in a row, there are four people left over. For every thirteen people in a row, there are six people left over. Please, Little Child Prodigy Zhan, what is the minimum number of soldiers in this troop?"
"A math problem?" Zhan Feiyu raised her eyebrows slightly. Was this a way to "take a different path" and avoid poetry and songs, and trouble her with mathematics?
The imperial examinations in the Great Qing Dynasty were different from the previous dynasty. The emperors of the previous dynasty were incompetent and indulgent, favoring poetry. Therefore, the imperial examinations focused on poetry and songs, and those with poetic talent were even recommended for official positions.
The current dynasty's imperial examinations emphasized policy essays and literary compositions. While poetry was also tested, it was merely a decorative addition. Mathematics was not included in the imperial examinations. Occasionally, an examiner would pose a math problem during the provincial examinations, but it was generally not too difficult.
A child like Zhan Feiyu, who had not even participated in the county or prefectural examinations, was not even a Tong Sheng, and had certainly not studied mathematics. Instructor Lin had not taught her the Nine Chapters of Arithmetic either.
"You are asking the impossible!" Lin Xiuyuan retorted. Not only was Little Yu only seven years old and had been studying for less than half a year, but even he, who had been studying for almost ten years since his enlightenment, could not solve the problem presented by this man.
Instructor Zhao and Instructors Dou and the other scholars did not speak, but their expressions turned colder.
Even the county school did not have a dedicated mathematics class. However, Instructor Niu of the county school was quite proficient in mathematics, and if any student also liked it, Instructor Niu could teach them privately.
But the students all aimed for the imperial examinations, spending their time on the Four Books and Five Classics, historical texts, and the Hundred Schools of Thought, which were required for the examinations. Only every few years would there be a student who liked mathematics.
"This problem is a bit complex," Instructor Niu said, then picked up a brush and paper to begin calculating.
The hall fell silent again. Because it was a difficult math problem, the students of the county school and other scholars gave up after pondering for a long time. The younger children could be expected to do even less.
However, there was one Ju Ren and three Xiu Cai who also enjoyed mathematics. They, like Instructor Niu, picked up paper and brush to write and draw.
"Little Child Prodigy Zhan doesn't even need paper and brush, does she have mental calculation skills?" The man surnamed Jin said loudly, a look of admiration on his smiling face. He even took two steps forward.
"As expected of the child prodigy praised by Magistrate Chen, Jin is deeply impressed!" As he finished speaking, the man surnamed Jin bowed to Zhan Feiyu to show his respect.
Shameless scoundrel! Lin Xiuyuan clenched his fists in anger. Not only was this man deliberately making things difficult for Little Yu, but his actions were clearly intended to ruin Little Yu's reputation!
And what scholars valued most was their reputation. The people at the literary gathering knew the whole story and would not say anything harsh. But once it was maliciously spread, how would scholars outside of Shangsi County view Little Yu?
All show and no substance? Seeking fame through dubious means? Or perhaps ignorant and overconfident, or unaware of the immensity of heaven and earth? Lin Xiuyuan could imagine all sorts of malicious, mocking insults falling upon Zhan Feiyu.
Just as everyone was either sympathetic or worried, and Scholar Zhang and his group were smirking with satisfaction, Zhan Feiyu crisply announced the answer: "Fifty-three."
"Calculated it?" The round-faced boy was surprised and turned to look at Instructor Niu, who was still buried in calculations. The paper was already densely covered, yet Instructor Niu hadn't figured it out, but Little Child Zhan already had an answer.
Lin Fu Zi, Lin Xiuyuan, and the few young classmates who had been worried all along were also stunned. Their gazes all turned to Zhan Feiyu, but they didn't know if the answer was calculated or just a guess.
"Haha, Zhan Feiyu, you didn't just make up a number, did you?" Zhang Tianhao, as if he had caught Zhan Feiyu's weakness, laughed uncontrollably, his face full of mockery. "Look, even the instructors at the county school couldn't figure it out, yet you blurted out the answer. Do you think we are as stupid as you?"
"Are you even worthy of being compared to us?" The round-faced boy scoffed. Seeing Zhang Tianhao's arrogance, he said, "Even if Little Yu's answer is wrong, it doesn't matter. We scholars can't answer it either."
"Wen Min is right. It's just a math problem. If you have the ability, let's compete in poetry and songs!" A classmate sitting next to him chimed in. "Policy essays are also fine. What do you want to compete in, Zhang Tianhao? Bring it on!"
In the end, Zhan Feiyu was just a seven-year-old child. Scholar Zhang and others were resorting to unscrupulous means to trouble her. Wasn't it simply out of jealousy that the little girl had gained the reputation of a child prodigy, and they wanted to suppress her? Utterly shameless!
Zhan Feiyu looked gratefully at the round-faced boy and others who had spoken up for her. She looked at the indignant Zhang Tianhao and said, "Whether my answer is made up or not, you can ask the person who posed the question."
That's right! Zhang Tianhao only then realized it and eagerly looked at the man surnamed Jin. "You tell me, is this answer made up..."
Even Zhang Tianhao noticed the man surnamed Jin's expression was not right, let alone others. Could it really be fifty-three? But how did Zhan Feiyu calculate it?
His face extremely grim, the man surnamed Jin suppressed his shock and asked stiffly, "How did Little Child Prodigy Zhan calculate it? Can you explain it to Jin? Or is this answer fabricated, and you just happened to be correct?"
"You keep calling me a child prodigy, but your words are full of doubt." Zhan Feiyu narrowed her eyes and smiled mischievously. Then, she changed the subject and said, "How about I pose a math problem and see if you can fabricate a correct answer?"
"There is a wall five feet thick. Two rats are digging towards each other. The big rat digs one foot per day, and the small rat also digs one foot per day. The big rat doubles its progress each day, and the small rat halves its progress each day. When will they meet? How much will each have dug?" Zhan Feiyu truly posed a math problem on the spot, its difficulty no less than the previous one.
The man surnamed Jin was dumbfounded. He heard and understood, but had no idea how to calculate it.
The round-faced boy and the students from the county school were all stunned.
Could it be that Little Child Zhan's greatest talent was not poetry, but mathematics? Otherwise, how could she pose such a terrifying question? They were completely confused and had no idea how to calculate it.
Although Instructor Lin did not know if Zhan Feiyu had a talent for mathematics, he could guarantee that this girl definitely did not have a talent for poetry! She was only good at matching couplets!