Becoming a literary master starting from the story of Minglan

The censors held their breath and straightened their backs even more, while some of the candidates were so frightened that they almost dropped their pens, quickly burying their heads in their writing and not daring to look up, while others had their hearts pounding and secretly prayed that His Majesty would not come to their side.

Sheng Hong stood in the ranks of officials, watching helplessly as the emperor walked step by step toward the direction where his son was.

Her heart felt like it was being fried in oil. She both hoped that her son would be favored by the Emperor and feared that he would make a mistake due to nervousness. Fine beads of cold sweat instantly appeared on her forehead. She kept chanting in her heart, "May our ancestors bless us, my son Changquan, please stay calm, write well, and write even better articles... If we can win the Emperor's favor, the glory of our Sheng family will be on this day!"

He even subconsciously wanted to look at Changbai's face beside him for some comfort, but he was restrained by etiquette and could not move.

On the other side, Sheng Changbai's gaze also sharpened, and his hand holding the tablet tightened slightly. However, he was always calm and composed. Although he was concerned, he was more focused on quickly analyzing the deeper meaning behind His Majesty's actions.

He noticed that when His Majesty stood up, the brow of Grand Secretary Han Zhang twitched almost imperceptibly, while the Second Grand Secretary Qian Muzhi lowered his gaze as if studying his official tablet, and the Grand Secretary Xiao Qinyan seemed to have a faint smile on his lips, making him unfathomable.

The Emperor seemed oblivious to the reactions around him, his gaze fixed on Sheng Changquan's examination paper. He walked slowly, as if admiring some breathtaking scenery. And at the very moment the Emperor approached, the air in the examination hall seemed to freeze.

Sheng Changquan could clearly hear that Yuan Shen's previously smooth breathing suddenly paused almost imperceptibly not far to his left.

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed that the young master Yuan, who always prided himself on his infallible strategies and elegant demeanor, had slightly white knuckles as he gripped the pen, and his lips, which always carried a hint of reserved smile, were now tightly pursed into a straight line.

Clearly, the oppressive presence of the Emperor's power was causing this scion of a noble family, accustomed to being in control, to rapidly weigh the Emperor's true intentions and the potential impact on his carefully crafted, seemingly stable policy.

Almost simultaneously, from a slightly farther location on the other side, came a very faint, crisp sound of a pen pen striking the edge of an inkstone.

That's the direction Wang Youchen is heading.

This scholar, who came from a family of military generals, had thick, furrowed brows and an upright character. In his policy essay, he strongly advocated a thunderous northern expedition to avenge the previous humiliation, and his words were filled with the spirit of war and conquest.

Seeing His Majesty's presence, he was nervous, but his chest involuntarily puffed out even more. He hoped that his advocacy for war would win the Emperor's favor, and his eagerness to try was almost bursting out of his body.

As for Chen Jingshen, who was positioned to the side and slightly behind Sheng Changquan, Sheng Changquan did not turn around, but his keen senses could perceive that he still maintained his calm and composed demeanor. However, his writing speed was noticeably slower, and each word seemed to be carved on a board, striving to maintain the rigor and impeccability of the article in the face of this sudden change.

The official finally stopped not far from Sheng Changquan, not getting too close so as not to disturb him, but that distance was enough for him to clearly see the powerful and elegant handwriting on the paper, as well as the article's structure that unfolded like flowing clouds and water.

His calligraphy not only maintains an extremely high standard, but also incorporates strategic thinking and tactics, adding a powerful and majestic spirit of war. This composure and skill are far beyond what can be compared to his daily practice!
Looking at the calligraphy, which was even better than what he had seen in private, and at the essential phrases such as "strategic planning," "accumulating strength," and "waiting for the opportune moment" and the meticulous layout that he could vaguely glimpse in the article, the official's eyes showed even more admiration.

He couldn't help but nod slightly, lingering for about half a cup of tea's time before slowly moving away, and then symbolically pausing briefly at the tables of several other candidates nearby.

The suffocating tension in the hall eased slightly only after the Emperor returned to his throne. Everyone knew that this incident had likely left a very deep and positive impression on the young man from the Sheng family.

What about Sheng Changquan?

He had actually sensed it with his extraordinary spiritual awareness as soon as the emperor got up. He was slightly startled, but then he became more focused and concentrated all his energy into the policy essay he was writing. His handwriting became more steady and his arguments became more fluent and eloquent.

Sheng Changquan could even feel the almost tangible, burning gaze coming from his father's direction behind him, which made him feel both amused and warm.

"Father, your composure still needs to be honed."

He muttered a sarcastic remark to himself, but his pen continued to flow. He was deeply moved by the emperor's presence, but he was even more cautious in his writing, striving to ensure that every word was worthy of this special honor.

After an unknown amount of time, as the sun began to set, Sheng Changquan wrote the last sentence, "Your subject respectfully responds," and gently put down his pen, his voice barely audible.

He read through the entire text, confirming that there was not a single mistake or omission, not a single careless stroke, and that the paper was as clean and tidy as ever. An indescribable sense of satisfaction welled up in his heart.

This wisdom and practice that transcends time and space has finally been successfully completed.

He noticed that Yuan Shen beside him had also stopped writing, still maintaining the elegant demeanor of a young master from a prominent family. However, beneath that elegance, there seemed to be a subtle sense of gravity. Presumably, his strategy was also carefully crafted, and he wondered which was superior to his own "steady and progressive" strategy.

On the other side, Wang Youchen, though he had also stopped writing, still carried an inescapable sharpness between his brows, seemingly adhering to his pro-war stance. The other candidates were in various states of mind, some with radiant faces, some with dejected heads, and some still struggling to check their work.

Sheng Changquan waited calmly for Mo Gan. He knew that his answer sheet, which combined the wisdom of another world with the hard work of this world and was even witnessed by His Majesty, was bound to stir up waves in the court of the Great Hong Dynasty. When the time came, the answer sheet was put away.

At the clear and melodious announcement of the official in charge of rites, all the candidates stopped writing.

The eunuchs filed in and solemnly began collecting the exam papers.

At this moment, whether one has lofty ambitions or artistic visions, or whether one's pen can produce lotus blossoms, everything is already set in stone.

Sheng Changquan watched as his exam paper was carefully collected and placed in an exquisite box along with the other papers, feeling a sense of peace.

Subsequently, guided by the officials in charge of rites, the candidates bowed deeply towards the throne once again to express their gratitude to the emperor for personally attending the examination.

After the ceremony, they left the solemn and dignified Zichen Hall in order.

……

Stepping out of the Donghua Gate and breathing in the fresh, bustling air of the city outside the palace, many of the scholars couldn't help but let out a long sigh of relief, as if they had just emerged from deep water.

Some were almost exhausted and needed their companions' support, their faces as pale as paper. Others excitedly exchanged glances with acquaintances, whispering and eagerly discussing the test questions and answers, their voices trembling slightly. Many more looked anxious and couldn't hide their regret, gathering in twos and threes, quietly discussing their possible gains and losses, sometimes stamping their feet, sometimes sighing.

Sheng Changquan did not rush to find his own carriage. He stood in a slightly open area on one side of the palace gate and calmed his mind.

As far as the eye could see, Yuan Shenzheng was standing with two familiar scholars under an ancient cypress tree not far away.

In a short while, Yuan Shen had regained his usual composure, and a perfectly timed smile returned to the corners of his mouth. However, when his gaze occasionally swept over the majestic palace gates, a fleeting and elusive complex expression would flash across his face.

Upon seeing Sheng Changquan, he bowed respectfully from afar, his posture impeccably elegant: "Brother Sheng, congratulations on completing the scroll. Judging from your composed expression, you must be very confident."

His words were gentle, but the probing undertones were like fine needles in a spring breeze.

Sheng Changquan calmly returned the greeting and said indifferently, "Brother Yuan, you flatter me. I was just doing my best to put my mind at ease. Brother Yuan comes from a family with profound learning and has extraordinary insights. I imagine your policy essays are even more exquisite."

The two exchanged a knowing smile, both understanding each other implicitly, sensing the other's reluctance to speak and their mutual anticipation of the outcome.

On the other side, Wang Youchen spoke in a loud voice, surrounded by several like-minded scholars, his emotions slightly agitated: "...Only by launching a major northern expedition can we demonstrate our national power and deter disobedience! Appeasement and pacification are tantamount to raising a tiger to cause trouble!"

He caught a glimpse of Sheng Changquan out of the corner of his eye, strode over, and said bluntly, "Sheng Huiyuan, your article is certainly full of brilliance, but I hope you won't be too conservative and discourage the soldiers on the border!"

He was straightforward and his words carried the characteristic drive of a family of military generals.

Sheng Changquan knew his personality and was not annoyed. He simply replied calmly, "Brother Wang's sincerity and willingness to serve the country are admirable. However, weapons are instruments of destruction for the country. Even a wise ruler should not use them unless absolutely necessary. We must weigh the pros and cons and make a careful decision."

Upon hearing this, Wang Youchen raised his thick eyebrows, wanting to say something more, but was pulled back by his friend, so he could only snort and turn around to continue the argument.

Sheng Changquan had no intention of lingering any longer. After nodding slightly to a few acquaintances who were also scholars, he walked straight to the carriage where the Sheng family was waiting.

His expression remained normal, and his steps were steady. Only when he boarded the carriage and sat down on the soft cushions did a faint trace of fatigue flash across the depths of his eyes.

The carriage isolated him from the outside noise, and he leaned gently against the carriage wall, closing his eyes to rest.

His mind involuntarily replayed the details of the palace examination, especially the moment the Emperor paused, and the reactions of Yuan Shen, Wang Youchen, and others...

"Ha ha……"

Sheng Changquan's lips curled into a smile: "We've done our best in everything. The rest... we'll leave to fate..." (End of Chapter)