Confucianism under Heaven

Chapter 45 The Shock of the National Holy Academy

Chapter Forty-Five: The Shock of the National Holy Academy

"Popular fiction?"

Chen Sijun was surprised for a moment, then came to her senses and said.

"Yes, I want to write a novel based on the heroic deeds of our ancestors. I've been conceiving this novel in my mind for a long time, but I haven't had the opportunity to write it down before. Now I want to write it."

Ye Ru replied that writing books and establishing theories is something that can enhance one's literary reputation and also increase one's income.

With money as a foundation, things become much easier, whether it's studying or doing anything else.

"This is a good thing, but it needs to be reported to the National Academy. After all, it's unprecedented for a student to write this."

Chen Sijun pondered for a moment, then spoke in a deep voice.

"I can wait, there's no rush."

Ye Ru thought for a moment and said.

"Alright, after you finish your lecture, you can come with me to the State Holy Academy to obtain your qualification. However, the guy in charge of publishing qualifications at the State Holy Academy has a very bad temper, so be careful."

Chen Sijun gave Ye Ru a meaningful look, as if she had Ye Ru completely under her thumb.

"Of course, I'll go prepare first."

Ye Ru gave a wry smile; it seemed he had no choice but to speak this time.

"Okay, let's think about these two questions again. We'll write an article later to summarize your thoughts and then submit it to the National Academy. You can stay here for the next two days, and you can read any of the books here."

Chen Sijun said to Ye Ru.

Ye Ru nodded, and then Chen Sijun gave him a waist token, which he then took and left.

The school buildings here are much better than those at Ye Ru's Wenxing Private School, with all the necessary infrastructure.

"It's definitely not comparable to Wenxing Private School."

Ye Ru looked at the newly decorated room and clicked his tongue in admiration. Next to it was a row of bookshelves. Ye Ru picked up a book at random and began to read it carefully.

While Ye Ru was studying, several Grand Secretaries of the National Academy of Sacred Learning also began to get busy.

They sat around a table covered with several sheets of paper.

"Four poems that startled the sage, two poems that cultivated virtue, two poems that depicted the primordial chaos, and two treatises on scriptures—all written by this young scholar named Ye Ru?"

A gaunt scholar said in disbelief, he never expected that this student named Ye Ru could write such poems.

"That's right. The magistrate of Qingyun County and a teacher from Wenxing Private School submitted the report at the same time. Among the four poems that amazed the emperor, there were also two war poems."

Another somewhat overweight scholar swallowed hard and said earnestly.

Upon hearing the two war poems, everyone's expressions changed once again.

Is that all?

The gaunt scholar concealed the shock in his eyes and then spoke.

"I really hope that's all, otherwise we'll be so ashamed we'll die."

The bloated scholar gave a bitter smile.

"No, there are also ten absolute couplets and two Wenqu (a type of Chinese literary talent) luminaries."

Suddenly, a learned scholar walked in from outside and placed a stack of papers on the table, causing everyone to gasp in surprise.

Then they looked at each other, and both saw a hint of horror in each other's eyes:

"The revival of the Chinese nation is in sight!"

As Grand Secretaries, they naturally knew what it meant that someone could achieve so much with only the title of a child scholar.

Unparalleled in talent and learning!

"Take a look, these four amazing poems will all be published in the 'Sacred Journal'. Xiu De's poem and those ten couplets will also be published in the 'Congyun Sacred Journal'. That's it."

The scholar casually uttered a sentence that made the five Grand Secretaries break out in a cold sweat: even they could never achieve the feat of having all four of their poems published in the "Sacred Journal" at the same time.

Moreover, if all of them were to be published, it would undoubtedly cause a stir throughout the country, as there are two war poems among them.

After speaking, the great scholar left the place, which calmed everyone's emotions somewhat.

"If Chen Daru tells me that Ye Ru has made other contributions, I'm afraid my heart really can't take it."

The bloated scholar said with a wry smile, his expression seemingly showing surprise.

"It seems that the title of the greatest talent in the world has already been claimed."

The gaunt scholar wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and nodded frantically.

However, just as everyone was getting ready to get busy, Chen Daru returned again, causing everyone to stare at him intently, and their hearts began to pound with unease.

"According to the report issued by the Arbitration Office of Qingyun County, Ye Ru has solved the nine-square grid arithmetic problem and invented a method that applies to all nine-square grids. He also solved the chicken-and-rabbit problem in the Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art using two different methods. This report should be included in the newspaper 'Six Arts and Spirit,' and remember, it must be the front page headline! We must not let people from other countries look down on us!"

The Confucian scholar Chen seemed to be in shock as well, and then addressed the other scholars.

Upon hearing this, the scholars gasped in shock, their faces turning utterly horrified. The teacups in their hands shattered with a series of cracking sounds, followed by muttering noises that filled the room.

"Just who is this kid...?"

Immediately afterwards, these scholars hurriedly selected the poems, lyrics, and essays to be published this month. This news was a huge shock to them.

Ye Ru, who was at the center of the discussion, was naturally unaware of what had happened in the capital. After a day and a night of recitation, his spirits were becoming increasingly high.

"Ye Ru, Wang Xiaoyang's elder brother, Wang Ren, has returned from studying abroad. I'm afraid he might cause trouble when you're lecturing."

While Ye Ru was studying, Magistrate Zhang knocked on the door twice, and after receiving permission, he came in and spoke.

"Wang Ren?"

Ye Ru frowned and repeated the sentence.

"Well, Wang Ren's main study is Xunzi's theory of the inherent evil of human nature. If he hears that you use the words of Xunzi and Mencius to explain the ruler as a boat and the people as water in the classics, he will definitely use this classics as a breakthrough to target you. You have to be careful."

Magistrate Zhang said solemnly.

"This Wang family is really never going to stop!"

Upon hearing this, Ye Ru's face also flushed with anger, and then he clenched his fists and said.

"Well, there's one more thing, which is your lecture. It will be the day after the Book Tower, which is the day after tomorrow, at the No. 6 Hall. You will be the first person in the Four Pavilions and Three Bright Platforms to go in as a student to give a lecture."

Magistrate Zhang cast an admiring glance at Ye Ru, but unfortunately, his feelings were unrequited; otherwise, he would have definitely acted as matchmaker for his daughter.

"Thank you for your advice, Magistrate. I will definitely keep my appointment the day after tomorrow."

Ye Ru clasped his hands in a fist salute to Magistrate Zhang and said with great gratitude.

"Alright, I have some things to attend to at my office. I'll come and help you open the book tower tomorrow."

Magistrate Zhang nodded and left again, leaving Ye Ru alone at the door, lost in thought.

The next morning, everyone in the four pavilions and three bright platforms got up very early.

Because this day marks the opening of the Book Tower, if Ye Ru can obtain the Book Heart, it will benefit all the scholars in Qingyun County.

Ye Ru was also dressed very formally. He pushed open the door and saw Magistrate Zhang. The two walked towards the Sitai Sanming Pavilion one after the other.