Famous
In an extremely short time, Feng Bingwen's policy essay spread throughout the entire Daqian region at an extraordinary speed. From the streets and alleys to the fields, from high-ranking officials to ordinary merchants, people in every city and every place were talking about Feng Bingwen's article and this thirteen-year-old examinee.
The imperial examinations, held every three years, were the only path to upward mobility for ordinary people and those from poor families. However, the vast majority of people were indifferent to them because they couldn't afford to send their children to school; being literate was enough. The imperial examinations were irrelevant to them.
Therefore, even the top scholar in the imperial examination was not known by many people in the countryside, and even if they heard of him, they would forget him as soon as they turned their heads.
The reason is simply that it has nothing to do with their daily life. What difference would it make if they knew? It doesn't matter if they don't know. They would rather spend their time digging a few more hoes in the field.
But this time was different. Someone suggested reducing or even abolishing agricultural taxes during the imperial examinations, and even exempting low-income people from taxes. Such unprecedented words could hardly go unnoticed, even by illiterate farmers.
"I heard that this year's top scholar in the imperial examination is a star deity descended to earth?"
"What top scholar? Where did you hear that? The provincial examinations haven't even started yet, how could there be a top scholar?"
"Hasn't the essay written by this year's top scorer already been widely circulated?"
"You mean that piece about reducing agricultural taxes? I heard it was written by a scholar who was only thirteen years old."
"Thirteen years old? He's so young! He's definitely going to be this year's top scholar!"
"Yes! I heard that this candidate named Feng Bingwen is a star deity descended from heaven. When he was born, there were extraordinary phenomena and the room was filled with red light."
"Isn't Feng Bingwen going to become prime minister in the future?"
"That's for sure. This kind of person is born to be a prime minister."
"It would be great to be prime minister. If such a virtuous person were to become prime minister, the lives of us ordinary people would be much better."
Ordinary commoners and farmers, with little knowledge and little concern for others, only knew that a young candidate in this year's imperial examination had suggested reducing or even exempting them from the heavy taxes they were originally required to pay.
This alone was enough for the people who heard about his deeds to praise him, saying that he was a star deity descended to earth, calling him a saint of the world, and wishing that he could take charge of the court, become the highest-ranking official, and then turn what he wrote into reality, even if only a part of it.
However, compared to the unanimous praise and heartfelt expectations of ordinary people, the opinions of wealthy merchants and powerful officials were not so favorable towards Feng Bingwen, showing a clear polarization.
"Feng Bingwen? A mere child who hasn't even grown up yet dares to talk nonsense about the tax system? What does he know!"
"For the past three hundred years, our dynasty has always relied on agricultural taxes. Not to mention our dynasty, but even the previous dynasties, every dynasty recorded in history has levied agricultural taxes, and no dynasty has ever abolished them."
"What a ridiculous child, full of wild ideas!"
"How could someone like that participate in the imperial examinations, and even get first place? It's truly laughable!"
"The chief examiner of Jinglin Prefecture is truly blind and dim-witted. He is so lacking in the ability to recognize talent that he should retire and never be employed again!"
Those who received the favor naturally praised it, while wealthy merchants who felt their interests were seriously threatened cursed and said nothing nice.
Although some praised Feng Bingwen's benevolence and lofty aspirations, these words of praise were insignificant and negligible compared to the vast class of people.
Jinglin Prefecture, Longchuan Prefecture, Qingshan County
In a public school converted from an abandoned mansion, several hearty laughs rang out in a room belonging to a teacher, followed by a slightly excited conversation.
After a long while, a middle-aged man, his expression agitated and face flushed, dressed in a plain white robe, stepped out. After crossing the threshold, he turned back and earnestly addressed a man inside who appeared to be about his age.
"Mr. Feng, if your worthy grandson returns, I will certainly pay him a visit!"
"good."
In this room, a gentleman dressed in a plain scholar's robe smiled and nodded. Apart from the white jade pendant at his waist, he had no other luxurious items on his body. In terms of clothing and appearance, he was not particularly eye-catching.
However, he looked very healthy, with a rosy complexion, bright eyes, and only a few shallow wrinkles on his face, making him appear slightly old.
"Bang!"
After smilingly seeing off the young teacher with whom he didn't usually have a close relationship, Feng Lingjun, who looked like a middle-aged man, closed the door. The smile on his face quickly disappeared, and he even became somewhat gloomy.
He walked back to his desk and sat down. He picked up a policy essay that he had discussed with countless people over the past few days. After glancing at it, he saw the content that he knew by heart. His face grew even more gloomy, and he looked quite annoyed.
"My dear grandson, how could you write such an article?"
Recalling the arguments and discussions that had arisen in the county school over the past few days regarding the policy essay written by his grandson, and the many compliments and comments he had heard during his trips back and forth to his home, Feng Lingjun took a deep breath.
A moment later, the increasingly youthful old scholar began to grind ink, then took out a few sheets of paper and began to write a letter to his son.
So, half a month later, Feng Zichuan, with worry and panic on his face, returned with Feng Bingwen, who was covered in dust from their journey. The puppet carriage they were riding in had been running day and night for almost half a month, and now when it stopped, white smoke was coming out of it.
However, these were not the main points. Upon receiving a letter from his own father claiming to be ill, Feng Zichuan rushed into the house in a panic, only to bump into his elderly mother who was leading a flock of geese on a walk by the lake.
"Mother! Where is my father?"
Seeing his elderly mother's puzzled expression, Feng Zichuan was taken aback and realized that something seemed amiss, so he quickly asked.
"He went to school, but he said you'd be back in the next few days, so he told me to keep an eye out. He said he had something to tell you and told you not to come back. Then he left in a hurry."
"Isn't my father sick?"
"What illness? Your father and I have been getting healthier and healthier these past few years, we haven't been sick once. Haven't you seen how robust your father is? How could this old man possibly be sick?"
Feng Zichuan's face stiffened; he never expected his father to write a letter to deceive him.
The old man gave a few words of advice, then looked at the composed Feng Bingwen with a broad smile, chatted for a few words with his grandson whom he hadn't seen in a long time, and then led a flock of honking geese, walking briskly towards Wolong Lake.
"See, I told you, Grandpa couldn't be in any danger!"
Seeing his anxious father at the door, Feng Bingwen immediately calmed down, having a clear understanding of the ins and outs of everything.
Half a month ago, the old man suddenly sent someone to deliver a letter saying that he was ill in bed and felt that his days were numbered. He said he wanted to see his son and grandson.
Under such circumstances, even with the provincial examination imminent, Feng Zichuan couldn't care less about anything else. He quickly pulled Feng Bingwen onto the puppet carriage that could travel day and night, and they bumped their way back.
But when he got home, he was surprised to find that there was nothing wrong with the house. His father even had time to teach at the county school and was not sick at all.
"You're about to take the provincial examination, and your grandfather writes a letter calling us back at this time, it's really..."
After realizing it was just a false alarm, Feng Zichuan wiped away his sweat, feeling relieved but also a little resentful. He complained to his son beside him.
"Grandpa must have something he wants to tell you."
"No matter what happens, I have to wait until you finish your exam!"
Feng Zichuan continued to chatter on and on; the bumpy journey had really worn him out.
His complaints continued until nearly evening, when the old man returned home under the cover of dusk.
"Zichuan, come with me!"
As soon as the old man entered the house, he beckoned Feng Zichuan into the study.
"Father, why did you call me back in such a hurry?"
Feng Zichuan was filled with resentment. Even though the old man had an indelible influence and a powerful presence in his heart, he still stubbornly questioned him.
"Can't you wait until Bingwen finishes his exam?"
"He can't take the exam anymore!"
Before his son could finish speaking, the old man waved his hand, interrupting him, a deep sense of depression and irritation appearing between his brows.
"What?"
Upon hearing this, Feng Zichuan was stunned, but then he realized what was happening.
What are you saying?
"Wen'er, we can't let him take the imperial examinations anymore. He absolutely cannot continue taking them."
Feng Lingjun spoke each word clearly and deliberately.
"Why?"
Feng Zichuan found it hard to understand.
"Wen'er, he's not cut out to be an official!"
The flickering candlelight danced in the room, illuminating Feng Lingjun's sharply defined face.
"Is it because of that policy essay?"
Feng Zichuan wasn't stupid. His grandfather, who spent most of his life studying the imperial examinations, suddenly asked his grandson to give them up. There must be some extremely important reason. Naturally, he thought of the policy essay that had sparked discussions throughout the court and the country.
"Yes, the content of that article is enough to make Wen'er cut off from officialdom. Once he passes the imperial examination, I'm afraid the bloodline of my Feng family will be cut off."
Is it that serious?
How has your business been doing all these years?
"I've saved up a thousand acres of fertile land for Wen'er!"
"Yes, that's enough."
Upon hearing this, the old man showed no shock on his face, but simply nodded calmly.
"The wealth you've accumulated should be enough for him to squander. He can do whatever he wants, whether it's wielding swords or spears, as long as he doesn't participate in the imperial examinations."
"..."
Recalling what he had seen and heard over the past few days, and the complaints of several businessmen he knew well, Feng Zichuan remained silent for a moment, then slowly uttered...
"I understand! But, Father, you've always wanted to be like Grandpa, so why don't you let Bingwen take the exam again?"
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