The Thirty-Third Chapter: The Case of the Unknown Meaning

  Yun Zheng put down the pen in his hand, placed his own scroll to one side, and listened repeatedly as the county magistrate recited "Tian Wen". This recitation, mixed with personal emotions, quickly allowed Yun Zheng to discern a hint of flavor. He always emphasized the last few sentences, especially the sentence "Yao chu zi wen" was read with gritted teeth.

  This is an insult, similar to "why does a bastard like you exist". I don't know who Xunzi is scolding, but this is the kind of stinky habit that scholars have - when they want to scold someone, they can't just do it straightforwardly, they have to nitpick and use other people's good works, like the "Tian Wen", to express their own feelings.

  Yun Zhen was so absorbed in thought that he didn't notice the county magistrate had walked up to him. After looking at Yun Zhen's paper, he picked up a red brush and drew a circle on it, placing it on his desk. He asked Yun Zhen, "You young man, since you've already finished answering the questions, why haven't you handed in your paper? What are you waiting for?"

  Yun Zheng came back to his senses, bowed and said: "Just now I heard the county magistrate recite 'Tian Wen', and couldn't help but think of Jin Fu Xuan's 'Imitation of Tian Wen', Liang Jiangyan's 'Sui Gu Pian', Tang Yang Jiong's 'Hun Tian Wen' and Liu Zongyuan's 'Tian Dui'. These ancient sages all imitated Qu Yuan's 'Tian Wen', their articles are considered beautiful, and the questions are considered clever. Why do I always feel that they are not as good as Qu Yuan's 'Tian Wen' in terms of grandeur and majesty?"

  The county magistrate suddenly stood up and re-examined Yun Zheng, saying: "I once heard that in the Dou Sha County government, there was a young boy who spoke loudly and said that he would definitely sing his name at the East Huamen Gate. It should be you."

  "It was late in life, Donghua Gate sang the name. This is the family teacher's will, and the young son deliberately spread it to the world, but actually gave himself a whip, reminding himself not to slack off, so as not to disappoint the family teacher's grand wish, rather than pretending to be arrogant and making people disgusted."

  The so-called speaking to people in their own language, and speaking to ghosts in the language of ghosts, first of all requires having something to say to the person you're talking to. The county magistrate is a scholar, and can be considered the most knowledgeable person in the entire Dou Sha County. When speaking with him, one must reach his level of thinking; if intimidated, it's likely that the county magistrate will beat them out with a stick.

  "Oh, but I didn't know that Young Master came from which noble family's gate. As the county magistrate sitting in Dou Sha County, it's actually letting a rural area have a leftover talent, this is indeed my fault." The county magistrate stared at Yun Zhen's eyes and spoke very respectfully.

  "My late master has already ascended to the west on the back of a crane, and I, his later-born disciple, have strictly followed his instructions. I did not go to the East Flower Gate to report my name, and I absolutely dare not mention my master's name, lest it bring shame to him. Please, esteemed county official, sympathize with me." Yun Zheng also responded very properly.

  The county magistrate nodded and said: "Well, Kunpeng has its own ambition to fly in the sky, giant whale has its own time to support the waves. Since you can know Fu Xuan, Jiang Yan, Yang Jiong, Liu Zongyuan, and even point out the origin of their articles, you must have come from a famous school. This county is able to personally appoint you as the top candidate, which will be a wonderful story in the future. I thought this year's children's test would be as dull as before, but you gave me a surprise."

  "Is it decided then?" Yun Zheng exclaimed, pointing at the other four old men who were still stretching their necks to answer questions. "The exam has not yet ended, and you have already determined that Wang Sheng is the top candidate. Is this not unfair to them?"

  The county magistrate glanced at the four old men with disgust, broke off a piece of incense, inserted it into the incense ash and said to Yun Zheng: "I have obtained the phoenix couple, the rest are just sparrows, let's not bother. After finishing speaking, he beckoned to Yun Zheng to follow him.

  Yun Zheng nodded sympathetically as he watched the bailiffs forcibly take away the four old men's scrolls and push them out of the hall, feeling sorry for them. Before he could feel any more pity, he saw the county magistrate's figure about to disappear behind the screen wall, so he quickly followed up with quick steps.

  After passing through the flower hall, they came to a very large garden. After the two of them sat down as host and guest, the county magistrate said to Yun Zheng: "You are making this official feel that the banquet for the children's examination is still somewhat worthwhile."

  Yun Zheng curiously asked: "What is the origin of this 'Burning Tail Banquet', why have I never heard of it before, please enlighten me, sir."

  The county magistrate happily held the book in his hand and patted his palm, saying: "From today on, you will start your own official career. Although being a child student is still far from being an official, it is very important. At least it has already separated you from the rural area. Since ancient times, beasts can become humans, but their tails cannot be changed. Only by burning off the tail;

  There are three versions of the origin of the name "Burning Tail Banquet". One says that when a new sheep enters a flock, it must have its tail burned off to be accepted; another says that when a carp jumps over the Dragon Gate, it must have its tail burned off by heavenly fire to become a dragon. All three versions carry the meaning of promotion and renewal, so the banquet was named "Burning Tail Banquet".

  Every three years, the imperial examination is held, and in my opinion, the most important thing for the country is the children's test. Those who have passed the children's test can initially understand the words of the sage, understand the laws and regulations of the state, and educate their children to be reasonable and law-abiding. Every three years, only about 100 people are selected in the Donghua Gate examination, and those who can reach that step are all naturally talented. However, more than 100,000 people are admitted to the children's test every year. From this, you can weigh what is heavy and what is light."

  Yun Zheng nodded in agreement, the county magistrate was right. Those hundred or so people were indeed favored by heaven, and he couldn't compare to the tens of thousands of Tongsheng. According to Yun Zheng's knowledge, the largest group of minor officials in the Song Dynasty were mainly composed of Tongsheng. In the Song Dynasty, even Xiucai were considered high-end talents, who continued to study in academies while receiving national stipends until they couldn't learn anymore. It was truly a case of "learning till old age".

  "The official has already started preparing for the banquet in the kitchen, it will take some time, I wonder if you have understood what was said?"

  Yun Zheng smiled wryly and said, "This is only natural, but the chess path of late birth is somewhat strange. Although I have been punished by my family teacher countless times, I still can't learn the middle and peaceful meaning of the scholar's chess path. Instead, I am clever and strange everywhere, with winning against my opponent as the first element. So, County Master, when you play chess with me, don't underestimate the despicable attitude of a student, you may lose this game."

  The county magistrate's interest was suddenly piqued, and he loudly called for the steward to quickly bring a chessboard. He had always been an avid chess player, but since taking office in Dou Sha County, he could only play against himself, as no one else's skills were worthy of his attention. Today, upon hearing that someone claimed they could defeat him, he was naturally thrilled and eager to take on the challenge.

  Ancient people playing chess didn't stick to the basics, even fools knew that going first with black would gain a huge advantage. The ancients' chess skills emphasized fighting spirit, they had a kind of perverted love for killing off the big dragon, often starting by quickly occupying the center, while completely disregarding the corners. Yet, the outcome of Go was determined by who occupied more eyes. This is simply a paradox - the county magistrate's pieces rapidly occupy the center, while Yun Zheng's pieces keep taking over the corners.

  The county magistrate proudly strangled a large dragon in the middle of his abdomen, just as he was about to speak. Yun Zheng smiled bitterly and said to the county magistrate: "You see, it's already like this, I've won."

  The county magistrate got a total of 151 points, and after the first calculation, his face turned black like a pot bottom. At the time when he was enjoying the thrill of hanging Yun Zhen's great dragon, Yun Zheng had already occupied half of the country, and the remaining chessboard only needed Yun Zhen to advance and block the child, and he would win for sure.