Chapter 312 — Examination
Purple Streets of Chang'an · Page 2 of 4
Hearing this, Song Yan's smile grew even warmer. "And what books have you read in your usual studies? Have you ever sat for the examinations?"
"In my usual studies I have only read the Four Books and Five Classics with my uncle. My uncle said my level is limited—"
Song Yan knew well that the literary culture of Jiangnan was flourishing and that even an ordinary xiucai there was far harder to obtain than in the north. Moreover, Song Yan's parents had both died, and Song Yumin had taken up a teaching post in Zhending—a journey of ten thousand li from Zhending to Jiangnan, and no small expense. That was likely one reason he had never returned home to sit the exams.
"Since you are preparing to sit for the examinations, I suppose you have gained some understanding of the craft of examination essays?" he asked with a smile.
Song Yan, as was his habit, made a show of modesty. "I have only just begun to learn to write them. I can only say I have not gone too far astray."
Song Yan said, "Last time in my father-in-law's room I saw a topic: 'Knowing how to cultivate oneself, joined with the following section.' The phrase 'knowing how to cultivate oneself' I know—it is 'knowing how to cultivate oneself, one knows how to govern others; knowing how to govern others, one knows how to govern the realm, the state, and the family.' But I do not know what this 'joined with the following section' refers to?"
At this, Song Yumin, Dou Yong, and Dou Huaide, who had been watching them with smiles, could not help but wipe the smiles from their faces.
This was a "patchwork topic," which required the examination candidate to have read the Four Books and Five Classics thoroughly. It was the hardest kind of topic to write on in the examination craft.
Song Yan said he did not know what the next line was, and naturally Song Yumin, Dou Yong, and Dou Huaide did not believe him. But Song Yan and the younger Song Yan had no grudge between them—what did he mean by making things so difficult for him?
Song Yumin could not help but sit up straighter.
The brothers Dou Yong and Dou Huaide exchanged a glance of surprise.
Song Yan had already smiled and said, "It is from the Zhongyong: 'In all things pertaining to the realm, the state, and the family, there are nine standards: cultivating oneself, honoring the worthy, loving one's kin, respecting the great ministers, sympathizing with the whole body of officials, treating the common people as one's children, attracting the various artisans, being gracious to men from afar, and cherishing the feudal lords.'"
He had caught the drift of it too—this Fourth Son-in-Law of the Dou family, the heir of the Yingzhen Duke's estate, meant to set him a topic and test him!
But why?
Compared with Song Yan, he was of low birth and had no scholarly honors to his name. He had nothing whatsoever to do with this noble scion—so why was the man fixing his eyes on him and refusing to let go?
Song Yan was utterly bewildered.
Then he saw Song Yan gazing at him without blinking and smiling as he said, "The principle of self-cultivation in the Zhongyong leaves nothing out in its application to governance."
For a moment Song Yan did not understand what Song Yan meant. Only after a good while did he realize that Song Yan was taking "Knowing how to cultivate oneself, joined with the following section" as his topic and composing an examination essay on it.
But why was he looking at him like that?
Song Yan muttered to himself in his heart.
Song Yan—the elder—looked at him, smiling without a word.
Only then did Song Yan suddenly understand.
Song Yan meant for him to carry on and finish the essay!
He could not help but gape.
Song Yan slowly took up his teacup, sipped lightly, and even praised it: "The silver tips are exposed—truly fine tea!"
What the Dou family was serving them today was Jiangxi Shuangjing green tea.