Confucianism under Heaven

Chapter 38: The Inter-County Literary Battle Begins!

Chapter Thirty-Eight: The Inter-County Literary Battle Begins!

Han Dingsheng.

Ye Ru was naturally very familiar with this name; he had heard it from crowds more than once.

Moreover, he had also read the history of Wenxing Private School, where students had achieved the highest rank of third class and the second highest rank of second class, and had even created a poem on cultivating virtue, thus becoming a student of the first year of high school. They were a very famous figure in Qingyun County.

But now, how did Han Dingsheng become a resident of Ningfeng County?

"This is a long story. The Han family of Ningfeng County is a branch of the Han Fei family, and the Han Fei family are members of the Legalist school of the Academy of Saints."

"I originally thought that Han Dingsheng had great ambitions and could enhance the reputation of Qingyun County, but I never expected that he would change his household registration and enter Ningfeng County in order to join the Han Feizi branch family."

Zhang Wenying explained in detail.

"Wouldn't his path to sainthood be hindered as a result?"

Ye Ru frowned. In the Confucian continent, the Three Cardinal Guides and Five Constant Virtues are fundamental. Such a person who deceives his master and destroys his ancestors will definitely be biased in the path of sages, and it is even hard to say whether he can become a Jinshi.

On Earth, Legalism is an important school of thought in Chinese history that advocates the rule of law as its core ideology and takes it as its mission to enrich the country and strengthen its military. Han Feizi is the great synthesizer of Legalist thought.

"No, although he desperately wanted to join this branch family, he was extremely good to his parents and made a holy oath to serve the country, which allowed him to circumvent the judgment of the Holy Council and be given a chance."

Zhang Wenying said solemnly.

"I see."

Ye Ru nodded. This should be a way for the various sage families to avoid obstacles on the path to sainthood.

"By the way, you can use your Celestial Star Chessboard to exchange for the treasures you need at the Literary Treasure Pavilion with other people who possess literary treasures."

Zhang Wenying suddenly remembered the star chessboard from that day, beckoned with her finger in a certain direction, and said.

"I'll change it after this literary contest is over."

"also."

After this intellectual contest, the people of Ningfeng County settled down and did not cause any trouble. Ye Ru also took the Heavenly Star Chessboard back to his residence.

"This Celestial Star Chessboard is quite remarkable. I can vaguely sense its burgeoning talent. It seems to be a fine literary treasure."

Ye Ru stroked the Heavenly Star Chessboard, which could increase the chess skills of chess masters by 10% or 20%.

He immediately put the Tianxing chessboard aside and began to read. He had two more days to study, and after the county-level literary contest ended, he would prepare for the imperial examination.

Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, two days have passed.

"Today is the inter-county literary contest. I wonder how Ye Ru is preparing."

Magistrate Zhang and Fang Zifeng looked at Ye Ru's tightly closed door, feeling somewhat uneasy.

"Uncle Zhang, can this Ye Ru really complete the poetry contest? That's the key to whether Qingyun County can increase the number of students taking the imperial examinations."

Beside Magistrate Zhang, a handsome young man dressed in a scholar's robe frowned and spoke.

This person is named Xu Qingyuan. He is quite accomplished in Go and was a three-time Go champion in Qingyun County.

"To be honest, I'm not sure, but his poetry and classical studies are all top-notch, without exception. Man proposes, God disposes, let's give it a shot."

Magistrate Zhang looked serious and solemn as he spoke.

As the two were talking, the wooden door creaked open, and a figure stepped out.

Ye Ru's hair was casually loose and his clothes were somewhat disheveled, but his eyes were exceptionally bright, with a hint of talent surging within them.

"Shall we begin the inter-county literary contest today?"

Ye Ru asked.

"Yes, I've been waiting for you."

Magistrate Zhang said.

Ye Ru nodded, then cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards Xu Qingyuan:

"Who is this dear friend?"

"My name is Xu Qingyuan, and I have heard a great deal about Brother Ye Ru."

Xu Qingyuan returned the greeting with great poise, but inwardly he still felt a bit disdain.

"So it is Qingyuan, the Go master from Weiming County who fought for three days and three nights and ended in a draw. It is truly an honor to meet you today."

Ye Ru showed a hint of surprise, but also spoke politely.

This made Xu Qingyuan put away some of his arrogance; the fact that the other party remembered his name was a sign of respect.

Ye Ru glanced at Magistrate Zhang, then strode toward the largest literary debate platform.

"Let's go! In this literary contest between counties, Shuxin will definitely not hand it over to Ningfeng County!"

……

This literary arena is located in the very center of the Four Pavilions and Three Bright Halls. When Ye Ru and his group arrived here, the place was already teeming with people.

The literary arena was divided into three areas: a music arena, a chess arena, and a poetry arena.

“Magistrate Zhang, I am Han Feng, the representative of the Han family from Ningfeng County.”

A middle-aged man led three people through the crowd to the literary contest platform and spoke to Magistrate Zhang.

One of them was none other than Han Dingsheng, who had previously had a falling out with Ye Ru.

"Brother Han Feng."

Magistrate Zhang gave a forced smile.

Ye Ru sized up Han Feng, who was dressed in the attire of a scholar who had passed the imperial examinations. It was said that the legal provisions of Ningfeng County were written by the Han family, which made them a prominent family in Ningfeng County.

“Magistrate Zhang, this is your last chance. If you lose this literary contest between counties, your books will belong to us.”

Han Feng lacked the composure of a Legalist, instead speaking with unwavering confidence.

"That's not right. As for success or failure, it's still too early to tell."

"I have long heard that Brother Xu is a master of chess, having reached the first level of chess, where every move is made with certainty. Today, I have come to learn from him."

"So it's Brother Zhang Yuan."

Just as tensions were rising between the two sides, an unfriendly voice rang out. Xu Qingyuan then turned to look at Magistrate Zhang, and after the latter agreed, he went to the chess playing area.

Ye Ru was also somewhat curious about the way of chess.

Go, also known as Go, originated in the pre-Qin period and is considered the ancestor of all board games. According to the pre-Qin classic "Shiben", "Yao created Go, and Danzhu was good at it."

The most famous person in the art of chess is the chess saint Yi Qiu. In ancient times, when the ten major demon tribes joined forces to attack human territory and successively captured seventy-two cities, causing the various holy families to live in constant fear, he scattered beans to create soldiers and almost slaughtered a large demon tribe, which shocked the entire demon race.

He rose to fame in one battle, becoming the first chess player recorded in historical records, and was known as "the best chess player in the country," and was also called a national champion.

Books have their own heart, chess has its own style, the zither has its own soul, and painting has its own essence. Each of these arts—zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting—has its own treasures for enhancing one's abilities.

Once both were seated, Xu Qingyuan, displaying a dignified demeanor, picked up a handful of chess pieces and addressed Zhang Yuan:

"Brother Zhang, shall you guess odd or even?"

Zhang Yuan frowned slightly. He knew that in chess, it was essential to gain the initiative; only by seizing the first move could one take control and establish their ideal formation.

Taking a deep breath, Zhang Yuan took out a white piece:

"one."

Xu Qingyuan took out the black stones he had caught and finally calculated that there were twelve, which is an even number.

"Brother Zhang, it seems I'll have to make the first move."

"please."

As soon as the words were spoken, the atmosphere here suddenly became tense!

The inter-county literary contest begins!