Chapter 29029 Strategy First
"I transmit, I do not create; I believe and I love the past."
This sentence comes from the "Shu Er" chapter of the Analects of Confucius. It means to only narrate and explain the teachings of the predecessors, not to create one's own ideas, and to believe in and love ancient things. [1]
Faced with the vast ocean of knowledge, we should respect the research results of our predecessors and avoid blindly following trends or seeking quick success and instant benefits.
But it would be a big mistake to discuss this aspect alone.
While respecting our predecessors, we also need to actively innovate and achieve both inheritance and innovation.
In this way, the discussion was carried out on two levels, and a 1,200-word policy paper was completed in one go.
Du Qingtang did not make a separate draft, but wrote directly on the test paper. During the process, she accidentally wrote the wrong word, and she simply covered it with ink, leaving a black ball.
Anyway, it was not a formal examination held by the academy, but just an in-class test. Teacher Sun allowed them to make mistakes when answering the questions and would not deduct marks for it.
......
An hour passed in a flash.
Teacher Sun finished marking yesterday's homework, and most of the students had finished answering the policy essay questions.
"Hand it in when you're done."
"yes."
Everyone placed their answer sheets on the upper right corner of the desk and returned to their seats in an orderly manner.
Du Qingtang put down the answer sheet and almost bumped into Cao Xingcan behind her when she turned around. She turned quickly to avoid Cao Xingcan, but her elbow hit the corner of the desk with a crisp "bang" sound.
Feeling sore, Du Qingtang took a breath, frowned twice, moved sideways around Cao Xingcan, and returned to his seat.
Cao Xingcan: “…”
She acted as if he were some kind of monster.
He just challenged her on the first day of class.
Cao Xingcan looked unhappy, snorted coldly and left with a flick of his sleeves.
The student sitting to his left watched his "confrontation" with Du Qingtang and quickly offered compliments: "Mr. Cao, you studied under great scholars and are well-versed in poetry and literature. Your policy paper will surely take the top spot among all the others."
The student sitting to his right wasn't willing to be outdone, and he didn't forget to criticize Du Qingtang: "Du Qingtang is good at reciting and copying, but that's just because she has a good memory. When it comes to literary talent, she's definitely inferior to you, Master Cao. She stole the show last time, but this time I'm afraid her true colors will be exposed."
Cao Xingcan recalled the essays he had written and compared them with the two essays by Du Qingtang that he had caught a glimpse of earlier.
For the same test question, he and Du Qingtang had completely different perspectives on the issue.
Cao Xingcan already had the answer in his mind as to who was right and who was wrong.
His teacher, the former chief academician of the Imperial College, had once tested him with similar questions and explained them to him in detail.
Du Qingtang was born in a rural peasant family, and the one who taught her was just an ordinary juren, who was no match for the chief academic officer of the Imperial College who was a jinshi.
Such a comparison makes the difference obvious.
The students on both sides were still praising Cao Xingcan, but when they saw that his expression had visibly relaxed, they praised him even more vigorously.
Cao Xingcan, who was sitting at the table behind him, listened to them belittling Du Qingtang. He lowered his head and pretended to flip through a book. He felt mixed emotions and didn't know what to say.
Have they forgotten that not long ago, during the academy entrance examination, Du Qingtang, at the age of twelve, beat out one or two hundred candidates to become the top candidate?
It is true that there are dictation questions in the examination, but there are more questions on the Four Books, Five Classics, policy essays, and examination poems.
How can you stand out without literary talent?
I really don't know whether to say that these people have lost their brains in their flattery, or whether to say that this Mr. Cao is simple-minded and believes whatever others say. He has ambition but no opinions of his own.
......
At the top, Instructor Sun quickly reviewed the students' essays.
Taking advantage of this time, Du Qingtang and Fu Wen exchanged the two five-scripture essays they wrote last night and reviewed each other's work.
Among the compulsory subjects in the imperial examination, Du Qingtang was better at classics and policy essays, while Fu Wen was better at poetry and prose.
Du Qingtang wanted to help Fu Wen improve his ability to answer questions about the meaning of the scriptures, so he took the initiative to propose an exchange of comments.
Fu Wen naturally wanted it very much and presented his article with both hands.
Half an hour passed in a flash.
Du Qingtang and Fu Wen left dense comments next to each other's Five Classics texts, most of which were personal opinions.
Both parties took back their respective articles, read the comments carefully, thought deeply about them, and made slight modifications to the original version based on their findings and thoughts.
Fu Wen sighed, "I used to be a loner, with no one to discuss knowledge with. But since I met Qingtang, I've benefited greatly in just a few days."
Du Qingtang is the same.
She saw another novel and unique way of thinking from Fu Wen's comments, which made her ideas flow like a spring, and she wanted to write an article immediately.
However, time is limited. It takes at least half an hour to write an article. I am in the classroom here, so I can only put it aside for now and write it when I return to the dormitory.
"This is probably about using one's strengths to eliminate the other's weaknesses." Fu Wen said thoughtfully, "Using Qingtang's strengths to eliminate my weaknesses."
Du Qingtang was speechless: "...you are so good at changing military tactics and twisting the meaning of words. You are really something."
Fu Wen chuckled, his eyes and eyebrows raised.
While chatting and laughing, Teacher Sun finished reviewing everyone's policy papers and tapped the ruler lightly: "Everyone——"
Everyone stopped what they were doing and waited eagerly.
Who will win the best?
Du Qingtang who was in the limelight a few days ago?
Or is it Cao Xingcan, who has a noble status and studied under a great Confucian scholar?
Or those classmates with excellent grades?
"I, the teacher, will combine yesterday's assignments with today's policy papers and select the three students whose essays are the most outstanding."
Everyone held their breath, their eyes wide open, staring at the answer sheet in Teacher Sun's hand without blinking.
"First, Yang Cheng, your essays on the Four Books are excellent. Although your essays on policy have some flaws, they are not enough to outweigh the merits, so you can be ranked third."
Yang Cheng, who was named, held his head high and grinned, full of the high spirits of a young man.
"The second is Cao Xingcan."
Cao Xingcan suddenly clenched the brush, and the pen shaft creaked due to the force.
Secondly?
So, he came in second?
Who is the first?
Du Qingtang?
No, no, no, it must not be her.
It definitely couldn't be her.
If he was outshined by Du Qingtang again, how could he have the face to stay in Qingyuan Academy?
When the news got back to Xia Jing, he would probably be laughed out loud by his brothers.
"Your essays on the Four Books and policy papers are ingeniously conceived, offering perspectives I've never encountered before. They incorporate rhetorical techniques like personification, making them second to none."
Nearly a hundred gazes came from all directions. Cao Xingcan lowered his head almost in panic, so as not to let them see his pale face.
They must be laughing at him, right?
He was born into a noble family, was personally taught by his grandfather who was the Prime Minister, and was also taught by great scholars, but he only got second place.
Cao Xingcan's face was burning hot, and he couldn't tell whether he felt more anger and disappointment, or shame.
But no matter what, Teacher Sun's comments continue.
"The best answer is——"
Teacher Sun deliberately kept the question a secret, causing everyone present to anxiously urge, "Teacher, please speak quickly!"
He slapped his ruler and announced loudly, "Du Qingtang's article!"
"To be honest, everyone here has some problems with their Four Books essays, whether it's the structure or the wording, they're not mature and perfect enough. Only Du Qingtang's Four Books essay follows a very standard eight-part essay format, from the opening to the closing, it's practically perfect."
"And her policy papers. Most people here only discuss them from the perspective of respecting predecessors, but ignore another level. Only Du Qingtang!"
"Her essay is concise yet comprehensive and to the point. I'm not exaggerating. I've been teaching the Enlightenment Class D for five years, and such excellent writing is truly rare."
Teacher Sun looked at Du Qingtang, his words full of pride and pride: "She is the well-deserved number one!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the classroom was filled with boos.
"I have never seen the Herald praise someone like this."
"Is it really that good?"
"She ranked first in the test, what do you think?"
The chaotic discussions poured into Cao Xingcan's ears, stirring up a storm in his heart.
Du Qingtang!
It’s Du Qingtang again!
Cao Xingcan gritted his teeth, wishing he could crush the three words and swallow them so that he would never hear this annoying name again.
The students on both sides of him looked embarrassed, looking up and down but not at Cao Xingcan, as if as long as they didn't look at him, it would be as if they had never said anything.
The student sitting at the back desk shook his head. Being too arrogant is not a good thing.
Especially when there is someone around who is better than him.
On the other side, Fu Wen excitedly screamed, "Qingtang! Qingtang! Did you hear that? You're the first place! You're the first place again, the one with the best essay!"
Du Qingtang: “…”
Of course she heard it, not only the praise from Teacher Sun, but also the envy from her classmates.
To be honest, she felt a little embarrassed at the moment.
The reason why she answered so well was that she had taken the imperial examinations three times and had done thousands of imperial examination questions.
Somehow I feel like it's a bit of the big bullying the small.
"I will post the six articles later. You can study and appreciate them and make up for your own shortcomings."
"Yes, Her Majesty."
Soon, the gong sounded, signaling the end of class.
After Teacher Sun posted the article, he left.
Crowds of people rushed over to see the "excellent articles".
Cao Xingcan also went to see it.
He wanted to see what was so good about Du Qingtang's article that it attracted Teacher Sun's endless praise.
"It's really excellent."
"If I could write an article like this, I would be willing to pass the imperial examination and become a student!"
"You shameless bastard, why are you eating and taking things at the same time?"
Amid the laughter of the crowd, Cao Xingcan read Du Qingtang's article with a serious face and came to her without saying a word.
Du Qingtang had just finished cleaning his brush and was about to go to the cafeteria for lunch.
Cao Xingcan looked down at her with an arrogant tone, as if to provoke and declare war: "Du Qingtang, you are indeed excellent, but I will soon take back the first place that belongs to me!"
Du Qingtang: “…”
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