CHAPTER 174: CHAPTER 8 REVISIT

Today is the third round, referred to as the reassessment. The main focus this time is on strategy questions.

This session is particularly important as it relates to the final rankings; it’s time to showcase true ability. Those who have made it this far all have very solid foundations.

The first part of the entire test paper consists of the examination of classics and calligraphy, but the proportion has been greatly reduced, leaving the rest to strategy questions.

Gu Chengyu was not eager to look at the strategy questions. He first copied the classics and calligraphy questions onto scratch paper and wrote down the answers. Only after finishing these did he turn his attention to the strategy questions below.

The first question is "He who gains the Way helps more, he who loses the Way receives little help." This is from "Mencius·Gongsun Chouxi." The interpretation is that standing on the side of justice and benevolence can win the support of the majority; contrary to ethical principles will lead to isolation.

From this, one can naturally think of the King. A benevolent King naturally wins the hearts of the people: if the King is tyrannical and ignores the people’s livelihood, he naturally loses popular support.

Gu Chengyu raised his brush to write the interpretation first, then added some advisory words. Of course, writing like this is not appropriate. Can an Emperor be advised by you? Therefore, it’s necessary to follow with praises of the King, repeatedly affirming that the current King is wise and has won the hearts of the people, hence the state’s stability and people’s peaceful and prosperous lives.

This is only the county examination, so there is no need to delve deep into the principles of governing the country. The chief examiner is just the county magistrate, so writing some superficial content of about three hundred words is sufficient.

After pondering for a while and organizing his words, Gu Chengyu wrote his thoughts on the scratch paper.

After finishing, he looked at the next question, which was somewhat similar to the previous one.

"When the state is about to flourish, listen to the people." Gu Chengyu thought for a moment; this question should be from the "Zuo Zhuan·Zhuanggong’s 32nd Year." Its meaning is that the state will prosper if it listens to the people. Follow the steps above, and write about three hundred words for this question as well.

The final question was also quite similar. It seems County Magistrate Lu is determined to climb up! However, it also depends on how students answer; if he notices a student’s answer, they could ensure a good ranking.

From the results of the first two exams, Gu Chengyu realized that County Magistrate Lu’s intention to place him first might have other incentives. The first two exams had standard answers; as long as they were answered, rankings would naturally depend on handwriting quality. Although he had practiced calligraphy for three years and had some vigor, he should still be a little behind those who immersed in calligraphy for many years. This was not self-deprecation.

Gu Chengyu wrote the answers on the scratch paper, then checked them, finding no typos, and the entire piece was replete with classical references and elegant language. Only then did he begin to copy the answers onto the test paper.

County Magistrate Lu made his routine round, paused for a while at Gu Chengyu’s place, glanced over the scratch paper, and then slightly curled his lips, nodding somewhat satisfied, "This child can be taught!"

With a good mood, he continued his walk, taking a symbolic circle before returning to his seat, holding a tea bowl, and drinking tea.

When Gu Chengyu finished writing the strategy discussions, he realized it should be late afternoon. This exam took a bit longer; at noon, he ate steamed buns made of white flour, which were better than the flatbreads bought on the street.

After checking, he rang the bell beside him, causing the examinee on the opposite side to glance at him with resentment. He had only completed two strategy questions and hadn’t copied them onto the test paper! Unexpectedly, that kid who always handed in first had already finished. Such difficult questions, could he really write them? He was doubtful!

Seeing the other person seemed to be racking his brains for answers, suddenly disrupted by his bell, Gu Chengyu also felt a little apologetic. But the time was running out; he needed to rest for a while.

When Ye Zhiqiu and the others came out, Gu Chengyu noticed that Ye Zhiqiu seemed confident, indicating that he probably did well. Ye Zhiqiu’s performance in private school was well recognized, so the strategy questions shouldn’t be difficult for him.

Meanwhile, He Shunian and others also had strong foundations; strategy questions depended on individual skills, and whether they could pass or not left everyone uncertain. The most worried was Gu Wanhua; he found this exam quite challenging.

A day later, Gu Chengyu and the others were already waiting at the result announcement place. Soon, a constable came to post a red paper.

People nearby flocked to check it. Seeing so many people rush forward, Gu Chengyu felt his scalp tingle. Forget it! He decided to wait before going in. Those scholarly examinees lost all usual decorum, all transforming into wolves and tigers, striving to squeeze forward.

"Chengyu! Aren’t you going to look?" Sun Xian, planning to check the results too, noticed Gu Chengyu standing still and spoke up.

"Senior brother, you go first. There are too many people; I’ll go later." Among those checking the list were examinees’ families, the examinees themselves, and servants from wealthy families. Given this crowd, he imagined it would be hard. Staying behind, with his slight frame, he couldn’t see anyway and might as well wait here. He would find out eventually.

"You really aren’t anxious! Then I’ll go." He Shunian was also very anxious. Seeing Gu Chengyu didn’t intend to move, he called his father to squeeze into the crowd with him.

"Xiao Bao! Stay here; I’ll go see." Mr. Gu, unlike Gu Chengyu, couldn’t stay calm; he couldn’t wait. Although Gu Chengyu excelled in the first two exams, always coming first, there was no guarantee this time!

Mr. Gu’s feeling of joy and pride from recent days was instantly replaced by tension and worry.

Gu Chengyu hurriedly held Mr. Gu back from going. "Dad! We’ll know sooner or later, so why rush? Let’s wait here for a bit. After they see it, they might find me on the list; let’s wait a bit longer." He really didn’t want to squeeze in; Mr. Gu, not being young, definitely shouldn’t go and risk getting crushed.

From the crowd came cries of anguish and joyous exclamations. Watching from the side, Gu Chengyu couldn’t help but reflect on the diverse facets of life! Those who passed were visibly delighted, while those who didn’t wore mournful expressions, lamenting on the side.

"Hey? Who is the third name on the list? It’s the first place!" Suddenly, a student called out. He had passed but ranked lower; passing this exam meant success in the county examination was more than halfway assured, so everyone was understandably tense.

Those who passed then had the leisure to look at others’ results.

Gu Chengyu felt a lump in his throat. Well! He didn’t need to look; he was the third name on the list. As the number of participants reduced each round, the constable would reassign seat numbers. This time, he was exactly the third name on the list.

"Chengyu! Aren’t you the third name on the list? You’re first place again?" He Shunian found his seat number in forty-eighth place, finally feeling a great relief. When he heard someone say the first place was the third name, he reacted quickly, realizing once again, Gu Chengyu was first. This made him admire Gu Chengyu even more.

"What? This time’s first place is that kid again? Counting this time, hasn’t he been first for three times in a row? Passing the county examination would be a given then, wouldn’t it? Comparing oneself to him would surely make one frustrated!"

He Shunian’s words caused a stir in the crowd. Everyone was extremely envious; some sincerely admired him, while others doubted Gu Chengyu’s results, and some were disdainful, thinking no matter how well he did in the county examination, it wasn’t solely indicative of becoming a scholar. Opinions varied widely.