Chapter 57: The Gathering of the Golden Carp Scholars (Part 2)

  Lin Zhiyuan stayed behind the fake mountain until Jiang Gongzi and Yao Chengyun left, but he still couldn't think of anything, looking like a meditating old monk.

  "Old master, old master!" Han Sheng followed a young servant from the Tong mansion and walked quickly over. Seeing Lin Zhiyuan sitting under the artificial hill, he took out a few silver coins from his pocket and rewarded the young servant.

  "But have you found out?" Lin Zhiyuan raised an eyebrow, asking his trusted aide.

  Han Sheng, being a martial arts expert, naturally heard that there was no one else around and leaned in close to Lin Zhiyuan's ear, lowering his voice to say: "Master, I've already investigated clearly. It's the Xianyuan County Princess's household that has caused trouble. Their eldest son had just gone out drinking with several young masters from the Ministry of War's household, but unexpectedly broke the leg of Lord Pei from the Censorate at the wine tower. Lord Pei's family wants to report it to the Emperor. The county magistrate is furious and ordered his servants to tie up that eldest son, taking a stick to beat him to death. The Xianyuan County Princess tried to stop the county magistrate but couldn't, so she called for the steward to invite Lord Tong to intercede."

  Lin Zhiyuan couldn't help but laugh, "I said that Consort Taifu's face was so strange just now! The princess had said before that the virtuous and talented ladies in the capital were the most spoiled children. If the Marquis wanted to kill the eldest son, how could she just watch? Consort Taifu must be afraid of offending the virtuous and talented lady, but also didn't want to get involved in their feud with the Pei family. It's just that the steward was urging him so anxiously that Consort Taifu had no choice but to go."

  "Old sir, what grudge does this virtuous lady of the county have with Lord Pei? To actually use such ruthless means?"

  Lin Zhiyuan stood up, dusting off his clothes, and walked with Han Sheng to the pavilion in the courtyard. "Lord Pei is an imperial censor of the Ducha Yuan, every day thinking about impeaching others. Last year, Xianyuan Junzhu's family bought 3,000 mu of good land in the suburbs of Beijing, surrounding a villa. Unexpectedly, this matter was exposed by Lord Pei to the Emperor, saying that Junzhu's family had forcibly purchased the people's fields. The Emperor had just ascended to the throne and was looking for someone to be his scapegoat. Xianyuan Junzhu was the niece of the previous emperor, with a noble status. The Emperor instructed the imperial censors to find evidence, which confirmed that Junma had used improper means to obtain this land. The Emperor was furious and ordered Junma to be flogged twenty times outside the Golden Hall. From then on, Xianyuan Junzhu hated the Pei family."

  Han Sheng nodded and smiled: "Old man, the young master of the county lord's house is also a reckless fellow. He carelessly injured the imperial censor, but in the end, he will be the one to suffer."

  "This is not necessarily the case." Lin Zhiyuan shook his head, "Recently, there have been rumors that the Pei family and the Nanan County Wang family are discussing a marriage alliance. This Nanan County Wang is the trusted right-hand man of King Zhongshun, what is the wise and virtuous county lord's family thinking, who can be certain?"

  "Could it be what this person means?" Han Sheng's left hand index finger stretched upwards slightly as he carefully observed his master's expression.

  Lin Zhiyuan didn't respond, only saying in a low voice: "Don't mention these things for now. Just send someone to investigate the young master of the Jiang family's household and see who he has been associating with. Also, find out about the current situation of the Yao family."

  Han Sheng was able to become Lin Zhiyuan's confidant, naturally with a clear mind. As soon as the master mentioned the Yao family, Han Sheng understood that he was referring to the late Lin family's old lady's maiden home. Although he didn't know why he suddenly brought up this family, the master had always been farsighted and must have had his reasons.

  Lin Zhiyuan watched Han Sheng leave, then slowly paced back and forth.

  "Zhiyuan brother, let me find you quickly!" Pang Wen'an hastily rushed over from the north, "Lord Tong has already returned and is about to ask everyone to write an essay on a classic text. Now only you are missing, come with me quickly."

  The two men entered the hall, where the originally set wine and fine food had already been removed. Six red wooden tables were arranged in a row, with writing materials on top. Lord Tong sat at the main seat, sipping tea and chatting with the scholars. Seeing Lin Zhiyuan and Pang Wen'an arrive, he said: "You've come back just in time, I've just thought of a topic, and I was waiting for you to do it." Lord Tong put down his teacup, stroked his short beard with one hand, and announced the topic: "The way of great learning is to illustrate illustrious virtue, to love the people, and to stop at nothing but perfection."

  Everyone lowered their heads in deep thought, this sentence was all too familiar, it was indeed the opening chapter of "The Great Learning". But why did Lord Tong come up with such a question? Everyone couldn't help but speculate, could it be that His Majesty had a special fondness for "The Great Learning"? What was Lord Tong hinting at?

  Lin Zhiyuan found an inconspicuous spot and sat down, pondering for a moment before picking up his pen.

  Yao Cheng's heart was slightly shocked. Could it be that Lin Zhiyuan was indeed a genius youth as his father had said? Otherwise, how could he write so quickly?

  He didn't know that Lin Zhiyuan had been following Shen Aofeng to study, and every day he had to do three essays on current events. Adding to this, the question given by Tong Taifu happened to be one he had done before, so his writing was naturally much faster than others, which led to Yao Chengyun's misunderstanding. Pang Wenan and others were planning to brew for a while, but seeing Lin Zhiyuan and Yao Chengyun start writing one after another, they couldn't help but feel anxious in their hearts, hastily finding a position and starting to write in a flurry.

  Tong Taifu saw this and shook his head secretly, thinking that among these people, except for Lin and Yao, only the young master of the Jiang family and that young man named Pang Wen'an were somewhat decent, while the remaining three or four were not able to calm down.

  In less than half a stick of incense, Lin Zhiyuan stopped his pen and carefully read the manuscript again from start to finish. He stood up, walked respectfully in front of Lord Tong, and handed it over to him.

  Everyone saw Lin Zhiyuan being so quick, and their anxiety grew even more. A 25- or 26-year-old scholar was startled, and ink dropped onto the snow-white rice paper, and he couldn't help but secretly curse his bad luck.

  Lord Tong lifted the manuscript in his hand, and at first glance, he was taken aback by the excellent small script. The strokes were bold and powerful at the beginning, and the ending was effortless with a subtle flair. The overall shape was well-proportioned and tight, like an array of troops. He couldn't help but look up at Lin Zhiyuan, who was at the prime age of seventeen. At seventeen, Lord Tong himself was still studying under his father's guidance. A hint of jealousy arose in Lord Tong's heart towards Shen Ao Feng, wondering how he had gotten such a talented student. However, Lord Tong also admired Shen Ao Feng's foresight. If Lin Zhiyuan had taken the exam three years ago, even if he had done exceptionally well, the previous emperor would not have appointed a fourteen-year-old boy as the new top scholar. But now, with the passage of time and the change of emperors, the current ruler was looking to promote young and talented scholars, and Lin Zhiyuan seemed to have arrived at just the right moment.

  He came back to his senses, lowered his head and continued reading. The more he read, the more he liked it, and he even stood up without realizing it. As he read on, he muttered to himself: "Good, good article!"

  The whole article is over 600 words, with every word being a gem.

  Yao Chengyun saw Lin Zhiyuan hand in his paper, and Lord Tong was full of praise again. He felt a fire burning inside, so he took the manuscript with the ink still wet and handed it to Lord Tong. Lord Tong placed Lin Zhiyuan's carefully written paper on the desk. Yao Chengyun had exceptionally good eyesight, and with just a slight glance, he saw the opening passage.

  Only Lin Zhiyuan's manuscript reads: The Bible discusses the great man's learning, which is to exhaust his way. Since the Tao is inherent in people, it has already been good for each to stop. The great man's learning is only this, and the Bible is the first to hang it up, so that learners can establish laws? From ancient times, sage kings built countries, and the people established schools, which were used as tools to support the world and guide the people. They did not force what the world did not want, but their grand rules and etiquette were all natural for the world. Therefore, those who act upon the above are no different from teaching; those who follow below are no different from learning.

  Although Yao Chengyun was unwilling to admit it, but seeing this hundred or so words of opening, indeed stronger than himself.

  Mr. Tong reviewed everyone's papers one by one, pointing out each person's strengths and weaknesses.

  As the sky grew darker, Lord Tong didn't keep everyone for much longer. As he was about to leave, he told Lin Zhiyuan to come visit him in three days.

  Back in the study, the butler hurriedly presented the paintings that everyone had brought today. "Master, this is a piece from Mr. Pang's collection, Zhao Mengfu's 'Red-robed Arhat'."

  "Oh? Bring it here and let me take a look!" Lord Tong happily unrolled the painting, only to see a red-robed arhat sitting cross-legged on a green stone under a big tree, with his left hand stretched out in front of him, looking calm and determined, as if he was preaching. "This is really good stuff, it seems that this Pang family is indeed willing to spend money!"

  Tong Guan's family smiled and said, "I heard that this old man Peng has seven sons, but he only loves this one, it's really strange!"

  "I see what you mean, this Old Man Pang is indeed a shrewd person. The Pangs have been merchants for generations, and although the current dynasty doesn't emphasize agriculture over commerce, the social status of merchants is extremely low. If they want to rise above their roots, they need to produce a scholar. Today, I saw that Pang Wen'an's writing skills are not bad at all, it should be no problem for him to enter the second rank." Lord Tong replied to the steward's doubts while carefully appreciating the painting.

  Tong Guan helped the adults hang up the "Red-robed Arhat" on the wall, "Master, that young master Lin also sent a painting!"

  Tong Daoren hastily turned his head and asked with great interest: "What is it? Bring it to me quickly so I can take a look!"

  Tong Guan opened another scroll on the table, which was indeed "Peony and Golden Chicken". Mr. Tong was first stunned, then pointed at the painting and burst out laughing. He confused Tong Guan, "Sir, sir? What's wrong with you? Is this painting fake?"

  "Master Tong finally managed to hold back his laughter. 'You've been following me all these years, you should understand a thing or two. Take a look at this painting, is it real or fake?'"

  Tong Guanjia was a young book boy in the mansion, and he learned a lot from Master Tong. As soon as he heard the old master's words, he hurried forward to take a closer look, but after half a day, he still couldn't come to a conclusion. "Master, this is really difficult for me," he said. "I think this painting is indeed good, with bright and beautiful colors, elegant and refined tones, fine and steady lines, delicate and subtle shading and coloring. Is it a rare masterpiece?"

  "Indeed, this painting is good, just as you said." Lord Tong smiled mysteriously, "This painting is actually fake!"

  Tong Guanjia's mouth was agape in shock! Ah? Isn't this Lin Gongzi out of his mind? How could he give a fake gift to the future chief examiner?! Not giving anything would be better than this!

  Mr. Tong smiled and said, "I used to not believe Shen Ao Feng, but now it seems that the old fox's apprentice is also a little fox. He actually sent a fake treasure!" Seeing the housekeeper's puzzled face, he explained: "This painting is indeed not a true work of Huizong, but rather a masterpiece by a skilled painter in the palace. However, the signature of Huizong at the bottom is real! Lin Zhiyuan must have known what I like and was afraid of being impeached by the censor in the future, so he sent this special 'fake'."

  PS: Today's writing is very feel-good, Suru continues to work hard, Monday Kele helped arrange a strong push, and also got a golden pen point, (^o^/~ Next month on the shelves, Suru's dream is: everyone don't abandon me, let me also hang on the new book monthly ticket chart! Thanks biooil2010, ldxiii, Jialou Wei, CX Yu for the reward!! Roar~~~