Chapter 70. Let's see where this kid's imagination has gone...
Mei Yaochen was older and more experienced, so even though he was initially shocked by the unconventional approach of the two child prodigies, he patiently continued reading.
How could he not understand Yang Anguo? If a student had truly written a terrible article, this person would definitely have kept it hidden and would never have released it for others to see. The fact that he did so means that the article must have some merit.
Mei Yaochen then began reading from the title, word by word.
The essay "Ode to Lychee" lives up to its title, opening with a detailed description of how delicious lychees are. Beneath their hard, prickly shell lies flesh as white as honey, sweet as candy, and even sweeter when dried than candied fruit soaked in syrup. One bite after another, and you simply can't stop.
Sigh, I got a bunch from Zhao Xiaolang, and I finished them all in one night. But it still doesn't feel like enough. I'd need at least three hundred a day, right? Suddenly I understand Yang Guifei.
When Yang Guifei was mentioned, Su Shi launched into a heated discussion about historical anecdotes from the previous dynasty. His words, seemingly intended to exonerate her, made Mei Yaochen's brow twitch. Then, Su Shi abruptly changed the subject, saying that lychees were so delicious, yet the emperor could restrain himself from wasting resources and allow them to be dried in Lingnan and sent as tribute to the capital. He concluded that the sudden outbreak of the An Lushan Rebellion in the Tang Dynasty was precisely because there was no good ruler like the emperor.
The latter half improves, using small details to illustrate larger themes, and conveying a strong sense of satire and admonition. However… could you please stop mentioning "lychees are really delicious" so frequently? A rough count shows that similar content makes up more than two-thirds of the entire text. It's practically a food science article.
Yang Anguo said with a touch of self-satisfaction, "You've read it, what do you think?"
Mei Yaochen knew at a glance that this person was waiting for him to praise them. But he didn't want to see the person looking smug, so he pretended to be reserved and said, "No wonder the Grand Master of Ceremonies has a headache. This article is like an uncut jade, which shows the child's innocent nature."
Before anyone could speak, he shoved Fusu's article into his hand: "Take a look at this. Su Xiaolang's articles still have room for improvement, but I don't know how to improve this one."
Yang Anguo took it with some skepticism, and after a while, to Mei Yaochen's expectant look, his mouth opened into an "O" shape.
"...How dare he write that?"
Even Fan Zhongyan's reforms only involved the two aspects of land reclamation and hereditary privilege, without offering any suggestions for the army. One reason was that he had the will but not the ability, and another was that he had offended the monarch.
Mei Yaochen said with some relief, "Fortunately, only the two of us saw this article."
"yes."
Yang Anguo, hands behind his back, felt his initial speechlessness dissipate upon seeing "Ode to Lychees," replaced by a deep sense of helplessness. Both articles were unique enough to leave one unsure how to begin critiquing them. However, their writing style and precise word choice were undeniably excellent, even praiseworthy. Was this the dilemma of teaching geniuses?
He was silent for a moment: "Fine, he's already written it. You mustn't discourage him."
Mei Yaochen: "That's exactly what I think."
They were all followers of the new policies, offering suggestions on reforms to the Imperial Academy, the abolition of hereditary privileges, and the investigation of hidden landholdings—all measures that threatened the very lifeline of the gentry class. Why then were they so afraid of a proposal to make soldiers literate and knowledgeable in etiquette?
On the contrary, they should protect Zhao Xiaolang even more—once he makes his mark in the officialdom, he will surely become another one of us!
After seeing Yang Anguo off, Mei Yaochen ordered his servants to summon Fusu. In fact, Fusu hadn't gone far at all; he was worried about Mei Yaochen's reaction after seeing the article and had been lingering near the scholar's study.
Along the way, they also ran into Dr. Wang—the annoying guy they had previously wanted to complain about to the chief priest.
Fusu turned his head away, pretending not to see.
His respect was reserved only for teachers and elders who deserved it, never for those with malicious intentions. But then Dr. Wang approached him instead: "Young Master Zhao, you see a doctor and don't greet him? That's not right."
His tone was sinister, seemingly carrying a hidden threat, which made people very uncomfortable. Fusu wasn't afraid of him at all, and lied openly in broad daylight: "Hmm? I did hit him? Maybe you've been too tired lately, Doctor, and your hearing is a little bad, so you didn't hear me?"
Dr. Wang was speechless.
But now that no one is around, he has no evidence to accuse Fusu of lying. Why make a scene with the Chancellor? Wasn't the last outcome enough proof of the Chancellor's favoritism?
He had no choice but to continue threatening: "Young Master Zhao, I know you're going to take the imperial examination. You're a natural talent, but so what? We'll see."
Fusu looked calmly at Dr. Wang. He wasn't afraid at all. As far as he knew, the current imperial examination system used a system of anonymous copying. Rather than paying attention to this man's boundless threats, it was more practical to think about how to deal with Mr. Mei. Speaking of which, has Mr. Mei finished reading?
Speak of the devil, and he appears. Mei Yaochen's servant came to fetch him. Fusu ignored Dr. Wang and turned to follow the servant. After entering the study, he didn't mention Dr. Wang at all, looking down at his toes, appearing incredibly obedient.
But Mei Yaochen knew that this seemingly well-behaved little boy had ideas in his head that were more explosive than thunder. Anyone who underestimated him would be the one who got blown up.
He deliberately lowered his voice: "Is this the plan you came up with to eliminate the ills of the Song Dynasty, to teach soldiers to read and write and to be polite?"
Fusu had never seen Mei Yaochen so serious. Even when he was angry, he never seemed as frightening as he was today. He continued to strategically stare at his toes: "Yes."
"Did you write those things at the beginning of the article because you were afraid I would be angry? Does that mean you yourself know how outrageous this article is?"
"Hmm..." Fusu bit his lip, tentatively raised his eyes, and changed the subject: "So Mr. Mei, were you angry after reading it?"
"Of course I'm angry!" Mei Yaochen said sternly, making Fusu tremble. Then he changed the subject: "What do you think I'm angry about? It's that your suggestion was too outrageous, and I'm angry that I took on such a student?"
Fusu was immediately taken aback.
Huh? Isn't that right?
"I am angry because, in your mind, Zhao Xiaolang, I am an old-fashioned stubborn man who makes a fuss about everything and exaggerates everything. I don't even have the tolerance to forgive my own students."
Mei Yaochen even snorted after speaking; he was known for his avant-garde and unconventional style. Unexpectedly, in Zhao Xiaolang's eyes, he was seen as conservative. Then again, if Zhao Xiaolang's article were seen by Lü Yijian and Wang Gongchen—those well-known conservatives in the court—wouldn't they be terrified?
He then asked, "If someone doesn't believe what you've said in your article, how would you prove it?"
Without hesitation, Fusu replied, "Then I'll have to trouble Your Majesty to lend me two Imperial Guards. These two guards need to be roughly the same size and of similar quality, and then they should be trained separately. One guard should be taught to read and write and to follow etiquette, while the other should continue its regular training. Then, we can have the two armies fight each other, and the result will be clear."
Controlling variables, a common experimental technique in later generations, was quite novel in the Song Dynasty. Mei Yaochen, who had never heard of it before, relaxed considerably—at least his student wasn't just a talker, but someone who had a plan in mind. But what excited him even more than that was Zhao Xiaolang's words, "I would be grateful if Your Majesty would lend me the Imperial Guards."
How effortlessly and casually it was done!
He truly is a person with lofty ambitions!
If Fusu knew Mei Yaochen's thoughts, he would probably sigh and sigh: "I'm sorry, Dr. Mei. It sounds a bit like Versailles, but... asking the Emperor to lend me two armies is really just a matter of a word."
No teacher doesn't want their students to be ambitious. But encouragement is necessary, and so are words of caution: "Zhao Xiaolang, you absolutely must not write these things in the exam! Otherwise, even the most appreciative examiner will fail you."
Fusu thought for a moment: "Is it because if someone digs this up, it will be seen as him supporting me, which will then cause him trouble?"
Mei Yaochen: "It's good that you understand."
He rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on: "Never mind, it's actually my fault for asking you about the long-standing problems of the Song Dynasty right off the bat."
He was convinced that "Zhao Xiaolang is a child prodigy of unparalleled talent," and inadvertently set the bar too high. See how far he let the child's imagination run wild?
Mei Yaochen had to manually correct him: "Actually, compared to so-called policies for governing the world, the annual autumn examinations place more emphasis on practical matters. Agriculture, sericulture, corvée labor, water conservancy... are the key issues."
Rather than recruiting talents like Fan Zhongyan, it is more important to select officials who are familiar with the people and serve as their parents.
As he spoke, he took a booklet from the bookshelf, pondered for a moment, and said, “Go back and read this through, then write an article and bring it to me for me to see.”
Fusu picked it up curiously and casually flipped it open, finding it filled with densely packed handwritten characters: "Doctor, what is this?"
"These are the questions from the annual autumn imperial examinations in Bianjing (Kaifeng)."
Fusu: "!!!"
He suddenly felt the book in his hands become scalding hot. In that instant, he completely understood why the reform of the Imperial Academy and the reduction of hereditary privileges had provoked collective discontent among the powerful and wealthy. This thin book was worth a thousand pieces of gold.
Unlike later generations, when a single college entrance exam question was known nationwide, the disparity in educational resources was appalling. While students outside prison could only rely on rote memorization of classical texts to prepare for and take the exam, you had access to past exam questions and guidance from renowned scholars of the time. How is this any different from having a cheat code?
Fusu gently stroked the slightly faded cover of the book: "I will read it carefully."
He knew that Mei Yaochen was a supporter of the Qingli Reforms—he must be someone who despised privilege. But was handing this book to him out of favoritism? Perhaps, but he must have hoped that Mei Yaochen could successfully pass the imperial examination and then realize the grand ambition he had made that day in officialdom.
"I will definitely study it carefully," he repeated solemnly.
True to his word, Fusu spent several days in his dormitory meticulously studying the collection of past exam questions, becoming completely absorbed in the sections about ordinary people in the Song Dynasty. Just when he had almost forgotten the years, he was summoned to Mei Yaochen's study once again.
"Mr. Mei?"
"Perhaps this autumn's exam will include a question on border affairs," Mei Yaochen said solemnly.
"Border affairs...?" Fusu was taken aback at first, then his face immediately filled with tension: "Is there a war going on somewhere?"
“Guangnan,” Mei Yaochen said, “Nong Zhigao has rebelled.”
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