Zheng Yu smiled and said, "Let's go. I was just thinking of going to the bookstore today to see the newly arrived collection of contemporary essays." The two left the Minister's residence side by side.
We boarded the carriage and headed towards Zhuque Street, where there was the largest bookstore in the capital – "Hanmo Bookstore".
Before long, the two arrived at their destination. After getting off the car, they headed towards Hanmo Bookstore and found it bustling with people.
The examination hall is nearby, and most of the people who come to Hanmo these days are students preparing for the autumn examinations. Here you can buy the exam questions from the previous year, which was three years ago, and most importantly, the answers to those questions.
He could even buy the brilliant articles by the top scholar Pei Yan and the third-ranked scholar Gao Dekai. Zheng Yu scoffed at Gao Dekai's articles, saying, "Those are just stinky toes, they are a disgrace to literature."
Who does Gao Dekai think he is? What a sycophant!
[Tsk tsk, I have a feeling there might be something fishy going on behind Gao Dekai's achievement of becoming the third-ranked scholar.]
To be honest, although Gao Dekai's articles are ornate and wonderful at first glance, they are actually just a bunch of self-praising and whining nonsense.
On the contrary, the essays of the top scholar Pei Yan were the mainstream, and everyone liked to read them. Moreover, there were plenty of reference books in the bookstore, and everyone wanted to read more and figure out what the examiners and those who set the questions were really thinking.
The room was filled with the scent of ink and the aroma of newly printed books. Upon entering, one could hear a lively and bustling discussion.
Many people sat in small groups, debating the questions for this year's imperial examination. One of them stroked his beard and said casually, "If you ask me, the current emperor is very keen on reform, so he will definitely test us on current affairs! For example, border matters, canal reform, and so on!"
This man was absolutely certain of his success; in fact, he was just trying to promote a few books by his favorite author. As he spoke, he began shaking the books in his hands.
But the man opposite him shook his head vigorously, even showing a hint of disdain, "No, no! Brother Li, you are mistaken. In my opinion, since Minister Zhang of the Ministry of Rites is the chief examiner, he must be testing us on the classics of rites or filial piety! I think we should work on that."
"No, no, no, it should be a problem on the border. Nowadays, there are constant battles and disturbances on the border. It's probably more about governing the country."
One person spoke, and another refuted, making quite a scene. Zheng Yu and Sha Pingwei overheard it and both laughed. Sha Pingwei curled his lip and said, "It's all just clichés. If this were tested every year, I think the streets would be full of top scholars by now."
"Then what do you think we should test?" Zheng Yu looked at Sha Pingwei, who smiled mysteriously. "What to test? Of course, we shouldn't listen to what they say. What do they mean by 'too light or too heavy'? We should absorb everything, memorize it all, and then we can just adapt to whatever the test questions are."
Hearing this, Zheng Yu burst into laughter, just then he heard someone shouting—
"Exam questions! Exam questions! Brother Sun, you're the best at getting information. Didn't you say your second brother is in the Hanlin Academy? Quickly give us some hints..."
Predicting exam questions is fun for a while, and constantly doing it is even more fun.
Zheng Yu, you'd better not get involved, or you're finished...
[What do you mean by "all over"? Don't exaggerate.]
We'll just have to wait and see.
Zheng Yu just found it amusing. Three years ago, when he was taking the imperial examination, he saw many people trying to predict the exam questions. These people all thought they were divinely inspired old gods.
Unfortunately, almost no one could guess correctly, and gradually, this "predicting exam questions" became a refined pastime in the capital. Some even placed bets, betting that if the question actually appeared on the exam, they would bet it all.
Zheng Yu had never tried to predict exam questions in previous years and found the whole thing incredibly boring, but this year, for some reason, perhaps by some strange twist of fate, he brought Sha Pingwei along and squeezed into the crowd.
Sha Pingwei rested his chin on his hand, listening with great interest.
He would occasionally chime in with his own comments, while Zheng Yu seemed distracted, his gaze wandering back and forth across the bookshelf.
Suddenly, a student declared resolutely, "In my opinion, whatever the exam tests, it can't be separated from the Five Constant Virtues: benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness. These are the foundation of human nature and the basis for being an official! Look at the exam questions from the past ten years—when have they ever avoided them?"
These words gave Zheng Yu a slight boost of spirits.
He suddenly became very interested and walked over to the group of people who were discussing the topic with a smile.
Some time ago, he and Sha Pingwei discussed in private what this year's exam questions would be, and what they might be. Sha Pingwei said it would be about domestic affairs, but Zheng Yu was convinced that the exam would test the so-called benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness.
At this moment, Zheng Yu looked admiringly at the man who was about the same age as himself, cupped his hands in greeting to the young man, and said, "What this brother says is absolutely right."
He has never liked to show his face in public, but today was different. Zheng Yu walked confidently into the high-pressure room and smiled calmly at the students, showing a lot of ownership.
This immediately attracted everyone's attention. Zheng Yu first introduced himself before continuing his story.
"During this period, I have carefully studied the autumn examination papers of the past nine years. No matter how the topics of the policy essays change, their core ideas have never really deviated from the scope of the five Confucian virtues of benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom and trustworthiness."
Talking too much after something has happened is not necessarily a good thing.
Regardless of the consequences, everyone should take their own exams; otherwise, it could cause a scandal.
Hearing this, everyone looked at Zheng Yu with curiosity. Zheng Yu did not panic. Facing everyone's gaze, he continued speaking slowly and confidently.
"The Three Cardinal Guides and Five Constant Virtues may be tested on their meaning, or they may be used as stories to test other aspects. In my opinion, instead of blindly guessing the questions, it is better to study the essence of these Five Constant Virtues in depth and integrate them. No matter how the questions change, as long as you can talk about something meaningful, that is good."
[Zheng Yu: The Confidence of a Top Student!]
[A master of nine years of past exam questions! Hahaha.]
His insights were remarkably clear and thorough, hitting the nail on the head. Seeing Zheng Yu speaking so eloquently from his superior position, many students looked at the young man with admiration.
However, a few people rolled up their sleeves and prepared to go on stage to debate. Among them was a man dressed in a wealthy manner with an arrogant expression. He first clapped his hands, then stood up and walked onto the high platform.
"Zheng Yu?! So you are the son of Minister Zheng. My apologies. I think you speak well, but who doesn't know the Three Cardinal Guides and Five Constant Virtues of benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness?"
"The exam tests ability and the capacity for transformation, not these empty words!"
Seeing Zheng Yu's silver tongue, the man scoffed, "How could you or I possibly fathom the examiner's thoughts? I think you're just trying to attract attention."
Zheng Yu remained calm and composed, as if the man's fist had struck a cotton ball without any anger.
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