Chapter 144: Spot Examination, Responding in Kind...

Everyone always says how glorious it is to be a successful imperial scholar. Yu Feng, the Assistant Magistrate of Lantian County, spent a full ten years slogging his way up from the *jinshi* examinations to reach this rank, and now, he was already well past forty years of age.

Outside, rumors had just started spreading that Du Shiyi had been ambushed and waylaid by assassins on his return journey. Whether it was Yu Feng or the other candidates taking the examinations, most were skeptical. However, at this moment, Du Shiyi stood before them with bloodstains splattered across his clothes, his movements appearing somewhat stiff and restricted. Instantly, the low murmurs and whispers among the crowd grew even louder. Under normal circumstances, Yu Feng would have raised his voice to scold and silence them, but right now, he had no mind to spare for such trivial details. After briefly scrutinizing the young man, he nodded slightly and said, "Since you were delayed on the road by unforeseen events, please take your seat, Master Du."

No sooner had his voice fallen than a discordant voice of protest rang out from a corner: "The time limit for the first session is almost up! Even if the Nineteenth Master Du was indeed delayed by affairs, surely we cannot delay the schedule for his sake alone?"

As soon as these words were spoken, some people chimed in with agreement while others retorted. The examination hall, which ought to have been solemnly quiet, grew as noisy as a vegetable market. Faced with this cacophony of conflicting opinions, Du Shiyi suddenly let out a heavy cough, then raised his voice and declared: "Established precedents cannot be broken! Since the time for the first session is nearly up, I ask Master Yu to collect the test papers and examine me right here and now on the ten scriptural passage identification questions just given. If I hesitate or falter even slightly, Nineteenth Du will walk out of this examination hall immediately!"

Although everyone present in the hall was a direct competitor, Du Shiyi's words were resonant and powerful. Moreover, while some harbored reservations due to his renowned breadth of learning and memory, others admired his character and this forthright spirit. Suddenly, someone blurted out a word of praise, and sounds of agreement immediately echoed through the room. Yu Feng, who had intended to be flexible anyway, now felt the last vestiges of his hesitation vanish. He broke into a rare smile and proclaimed: "In that case, collect the papers! Those who are redeeming their scripture tests with poetry shall immediately compose a poem on the theme *Morning and Evening Drums of Jingzhao Prefecture*, with a time limit of half an hour!"

The candidates who had been waiting to redeem their scripture tests with poetry let out a collective sigh of relief. Composing a poem within half an hour was hardly a daunting task for those who prided themselves on their literary talent. Liu Ximing, who had long since learned the poetic theme designated for redeeming the scripture tests today, instantly brushed aside the shock and anger he had felt upon Du Shiyi's entrance. With absolute confidence, he grabbed his brush and began writing furiously. At that same moment, the answer sheets for the scripture identification were being collected. Seeing Du Shiyi standing tall and proud before Yu Feng, receiving a scripture test paper with both hands, the somewhat chaotic examination hall fell silent once again. Whether harboring good intentions or malice, everyone held their breath and remained utterly still.

Compared to the relative ease of the scripture identification tests in the early Tang dynasty, the examinations had gradually evolved. Now, both the opening and closing lines of a passage were masked, leaving only an ambiguous middle section calculated to baffle the candidates, or even drawing nearly identical sentences from two different classic texts to trick test-takers into misjudgment. Therefore, even though many felt confident they would pass today, everyone still wanted to see how Du Shiyi—who had aced every single scripture question in the Wannian County examination—would answer.

"First question: 'It is impossible. Without the lord's assistance, we would not have reached this point.' The characters to be identified are 'lord' and 'assistance'. The passage is from the *Spring and Autumn Annals of Zuo*, specifically 'Zhu Zhiwu Retreats the Qin Army'."

Seeing Yu Feng nod slightly, everyone knew the answer was undeniably correct. Instantly, those who had guessed correctly beamed with joy, while those who had missed it wore looks of utter frustration. Even among the candidates frantically composing poems to redeem their scripture scores, quite a few could not help but look up.

"Second question: 'Do not fail to make haste to serve the western lands, exert yourselves, O scholars!' The characters to be identified are 'make haste' and 'exert'. The passage is from the *Book of Documents*, specifically the 'Books of Zhou'."

This question was inherently somewhat simpler. Seeing Yu Feng nod once more, many of the candidates below also wore expressions of relief.

"Third question: 'My lord has heard: when sorrow and joy lose their proper season, catastrophe and ruin are bound to arrive. Now Prince Tui is endlessly dancing and singing, which is to rejoice in misfortune.' The characters to be identified are 'sorrow', 'catastrophe', and 'Tui'. The passage is from the *Spring and Autumn Annals of Zuo*, Commentary Twenty."

At this point, a wave of commotion rippled through the crowd. Among the Nine Classics, the three commentaries on the *Spring and Autumn Annals* were by far the most difficult—not because they were hard to understand, but because of their vast, boundless ocean of text. The *Spring and Autumn Annals of Zuo* contained nearly two hundred thousand words, and the *Spring and Autumn Commentary of Gongyang* and *Commentary of Guliang* were little better. These three classics were feared by scholars like tigers. With two out of the first three scripture questions drawn from these commentaries, most of those who had been relying on blind guesses to muddle through clenched their teeth in despair.

Another three passages followed in rapid succession, drawn respectively from the *Rites of Zhou*, the *Book of Etiquette and Ceremonial*, and the *Classic of Poetry*. Seeing that Du Shiyi had already answered six out of ten correctly, making his passage of the first round a foregone conclusion, Liu Ximing looked down at the poem he had spent days agonizing over, polishing to a brilliant sheen. His fists clenched so tightly they cracked, filled with a bitter resentment that he was merely making wedding garments for someone else to wear. And if Liu Ximing felt this way, Du Wenruo went without saying. Seated near the back, his eyes were locked onto Du Shiyi's back, wishing he could pierce two holes right through him.

Once Yu Feng saw that Du Shiyi had answered the first six questions flawlessly, he had no desire to test him any further. After all, he was well aware of how many nobles and high-ranking officials had secured patronage for their respective candidates in this year's Jingzhao Prefecture examination. If Du Shiyi were allowed to steal the absolute spotlight, the top spot—the *jietou*—would undoubtedly fall to him beyond dispute. Thus, his stiff face broke into a smile far more radiant than the one just moments before.

"Very well, very well! Since you have already passed six questions, Master Du, please return another day for the second session!"

However, while he was willing to let it go, the other candidates—who had calculated how many questions they themselves had passed—refused to drop the matter. Who didn't want to know their standing before the official results were posted? Amidst shouts and clamors from the crowd demanding that the test be completed, the insistent voices echoing for Yu Feng to proceed grew deafening. In the end, Yu Feng had no choice but to yield to public pressure. Looking at the calm and unruffled Du Shiyi, he said helplessly, "Nineteenth Master Du shall attempt the remaining four questions."

"Seventh question: 'The scholar finally completes his service at the upper level, as at the first. There is boundless music.' The characters to be identified are 'completes' and 'first'. The passage is from the *Book of Etiquette and Ceremonial*, specifically the 'Banquet Rites'."

"Eighth question..."

When Du Shiyi smoothly and fluently recited the answers and sources for all ten scripture identification questions like flowing water, the entire hall fell into a dead silence. After the earlier commotion, no one could possibly suspect him of having advance knowledge of the questions; after all, the leakage of poetic themes for redemption and the leakage of scripture questions were two entirely different matters. Following a brief moment of stillness, those candidates who were confident they had passed at least six cheered and applauded, while those who felt they had no hope ground their teeth and desperately contemplated redeeming their scores with poetry. As for Yu Feng, having allowed this undisputed top candidate of the first round to advance to the second, his expression and mood were exquisitely complicated.

No wonder Guo Quan had feigned illness just to escape this year's Jingzhao Prefecture examination! With such a tangled web of vested interests intertwined, coupled with an intractable figure like Nineteenth Master Du who left people trapped in a dilemma, how could anyone not be mentally and physically exhausted?

Unlike county examinations, prefectural examinations did not have the luxury of dismissals between sessions. Once the examinations commenced, candidates were required to remain inside the hall for three full days and two nights. Therefore, when the list of those who passed the first round—either by getting six right or by redeeming their scores with poetry—was finally announced and those remaining for the second session were determined, many had already anticipated it after hearing Du Shiyi recite the answers without missing a beat. Yet, now that their lingering hopes of luck had vanished, some rejoiced while others mourned. Even the few remaining candidates who had managed to answer all ten questions on their own—after spending an entire morning racking their brains—saw their sense of triumph heavily dampened by the sight of Du Shiyi effortlessly handling the same challenge right before their eyes.

It was only then, while straining his ears to listen to the roster being called, that Du Shiyi suddenly realized he had not heard the name Wang Wei.

How could such a renowned talent possibly fail to make the list?

Before he could voice his question, someone nearby raised their voice and asked, "Could it be that Wang Wei, the thirteenth master of Taiyuan, failed the very first round?"

Hearing this, Yu Feng was momentarily stunned. He naturally had an impression of the young literary celebrity who had made waves across the capital years ago, but upon recalling the papers he had just graded, no such name seemed to have appeared. He frowned slightly. At that moment, a runner stepped closer and whispered in his ear, "My Lord, I heard that Master Wang fell suddenly ill last night and was unable to attend the examination."

This moderate voice was loud enough for everyone in the hall to hear clearly. The entire room erupted into an uproar, and Du Shiyi found it hard to believe. Yet, sweeping his gaze around the hall as he watched the candidates pack up their testing gear and leave in dejection, he indeed failed to find any trace of Wang Wei. His heart sank. Before the prefectural examination, he and Wang Wei had frequently encountered each other at the mansions of various nobles and aristocrats. Though they shared a tacit understanding—speaking only of wind, moon, and art rather than the imperial examinations—both men harbored a quiet competitive drive in their hearts.

When it came to poetry and prose, he naturally conceded defeat; but when it came to rote memorization of the classics and the three essay questions testing historical judgment and political insight, he—having read extensively and received personal guidance and pointers from Lu Hong—was quite confident. With their reputations evenly matched, it was anyone's game as to who would deer stalk the prize. Who could have imagined that while he had managed to hurry back from Luoyang in time, Wang Wei would miss this examination session entirely!

At that moment, he heard a cold sneer come from behind him: "Since the Thirteenth Master Wang was unable to attend this year's Jingzhao Prefecture examination due to illness, Nineteenth Master Du must be quite pleased."

"A pity," Du Shiyi uttered casually. Hearing the voice behind him abruptly halt, he added calmly, "Whether the Thirteenth Master Wang is able to come or not, I will give my utmost to contend for the top spot!"

Such bold declarations were hardly rare in examination halls. However, backed by the prestige of having won the top spot in the Wannian County examination, the recent feat of instantly answering ten scripture questions without a pause, and the fortune of having survived an ambush on the road only to make it to the exam just in time, Du Shiyi commanded enough weight that no one dared to look down on him lightly. When Yu Feng ordered the hall to be cleared, leaving behind the seventy-four candidates qualified for the second session, the four seats surrounding Du Shiyi were instantly rushed and occupied by others.

One must remember that from the provincial to the county and prefectural examinations this year, the second session invariably tested *fu* (rhythmic prose)—this had long been a set certainty. If the assigned topic's literary allusions proved obscure, having someone nearby with a vast and ready memory meant one could enjoy the proverbial advantage of being close to the water to catch the moon first! Judging by Du Shiyi's usual character and demeanor, he would surely be willing to lend a helping hand in such minor matters.

By now, the sky was gradually growing dark. The second session would not distribute the test papers until dawn the next day, so everyone brought their own provisions for food and drink. Outside the hall, patrolling runners were hawking food and various overnight supplies. It was only then that Du Shiyi remembered the heavy bundle he had just received from the Thirteenth Miss Du. Untying it, the most prominent item he saw was a three-tiered food basket. The first layer contained writing brushes, ink, inkstones, and paper; the second was neatly stacked with exquisite pastries; and the third held several varieties of cured meats and steamed yellow rice. In addition, there was a gauze quilt and soft robes to serve as a pillow and bedding for the night (folded as a cushion by day, spread out as a mattress by night), a small charcoal brazier for warming food, and even six fresh eggs—everything was fully provided.

Filled with wonder at Thirteenth Miss Du's meticulous care, he took a gentle breath, unscrewed the bronze flask he had brought along, and took a sip to find it was a sweet-and-sour dairy beverage. A smile unconsciously formed on his lips.

Things had come this far; how could he possibly fail his younger sister's anxious waiting and hopeful expectations?