Sword Roaring in the Sky

Chapter 173 The Youngest No. Scholar in History
Although Sun Yanwan's body has not yet fully developed, he has never thought of himself as a child.

Because the eldest senior brother Zhang Qingxi is too talented, his master, uncles, brothers and sisters do not treat him as a child.

There is even a tacit little thing within the Songyang Sect - although Grandmaster Zhang Yuanqiao's teaching level is low, his vision in selecting disciples is unparalleled in the world and unmatched!

But no one in the Wenkui Hall could ignore his age!
Whether it was the emperor at the top or the great scholar beside him, there was an unusual eagerness in the eyes they looked at Sun Yanwan.

The moment the emperor personally named him, everyone knew that the youngest number one scholar in the history of the Dalang Dynasty was born!
A top scholar at the age of thirteen is unprecedented and will be extremely difficult to surpass in the future.

Although the great scholars in the court had some debates, no one opposed naming Sun Yanwan as the top scholar. Sun Yanwan was extremely talented in poetry and had already surpassed the rest of the world. Many great scholars even believed that this boy would be the future leader of the literary world in Dalang.

All the candidates in the hall showed extremely shocked expressions when Sun Yanwan was chosen, but no one was dissatisfied. It was not even an outward dissatisfaction, but they were convinced in their hearts.

When the news of Sun Yanwan's participation in this imperial examination spread, almost all the candidates of this session recognized that he would definitely be the top scorer.

Sun Yanwan was the only one in the Wenkui Hall, and he didn't quite understand the situation.

The young prodigy was extremely talented and had no problem of "frivolous words". He had never written "I would rather exchange my fame for a quiet drink and a song". Even if his national essay today was not so good, the emperor would still have to hold his nose and give him a title. What's more, the "Six Kingdoms Essay" he wrote by heart was truly a piece of writing for all ages. The emperor was worried that if he didn't choose Sun as the top scholar today, this national essay would be circulated in the future, and he would have a stain in the history books.

After the roll call was finished, more golden flower imperial wine was given as a reward, and a banquet was held in Qionglin Pavilion.

Sun Yanwan finally made it to dinner time. Although he knew that the food in the palace was not that delicious, it was still something to eat.

At the imperially bestowed Qionglin Banquet, Sun Yanwan was undoubtedly the center of attention.

Countless people came to talk to him, and Sun Yanwan welcomed everyone, calling them brothers and being very friendly. This was a skill he had mastered before he traveled through time, and now he was trying it out. Everyone felt that this boy was graceful, modest, and of impeccable character.

While Sun Yanwan was dealing with the people who came to chat with him, he was also trying his best to fill his stomach. Although he complained a lot while eating that the imperial banquet was too unpalatable and far less delicious than the dishes made by Xiao Nanmeng herself, at least he filled his stomach.

He was almost done eating, so he patted his stomach and was wondering when he could leave when he heard someone call out, "We've both passed the imperial examination today, which is a great event. Why don't you leave some poems and essays to remember us later?"

"Today's exam is about national philosophy. I suggest that you each write a poem on themes like mountains, majestic passes, and heavy snow."

Sun Yanwan remembered this man, even though he was ranked eighth in the palace examination. His surname was Liu and his name was Buzhi. He was awarded the title of Jinshi. When he heard people mention him at the banquet, they all regarded him as a very famous poet among the young scholars.

In fact, if it weren't for Sun Yanwan, Liu Buzhi would be recognized as the best poet among young scholars today.

But when Sun Yanwan makes a move, it's either Li Bai or Cao Zijian, how can a mere Liu Buzhi be able to match him?
The Liu family's rising star was suppressed by the Sun family's son.

Although Liu Buzhi was impressed by Sun Yanwan's poem, he still had a desire to stand out. Seeing everyone cheering, he said with a smile, "Brother Yanwan is the top scorer today, so he should be the first to write."

Sun Yanwan's meal wasn't particularly appetizing, nor was his mood particularly keen. Hearing about mountains, majestic passes, and heavy snow, his mind barely spun. When pen and paper were passed to him, he grabbed them and scribbled away: "A memorial to the emperor, sent to heaven, demoted to Chaozhou the next day, eight thousand miles away. To eradicate the evils of the holy dynasty, I'm willing to sacrifice my remaining years! Clouds shroud the Qinling Mountains, where is my home? Snow blocks the Lan Pass, and my horse can't advance. I know you've come from afar with a purpose; please gather my bones by the swampy river."

After finishing writing, he threw down his pen and said with a smile, "Today I have had a good meal and a good drink, and I have also met with you fellow students. It is truly a wonderful thing. However, I am too young and can no longer handle the wine. I would like to leave early. Please do not blame me, my dear brothers."

Everyone said in unison: "Not guilty, not guilty!"

By the time Sun Yanwan gracefully departed, someone had already spread the poem around the banquet. While the newly minted scholars were impressed, they also felt a sense of worry.

This poem was written by Han Yu, who was known for his "revitalizing literature after eight generations of decline and saving the world from drowning." How could it be bad? However, this poem is extremely taboo in today's society, and it just happened to be in line with a major event that happened in the court not long ago.

Sun Yanwan didn't care about court affairs, but how could they not care about them with their aspirations for the imperial examinations? This poem clearly describes the petition submitted by Han Shi, a doctor of the Four Disciplines, a deputy minister of the Ministry of Rites, and a secretary of the Central Secretariat. Without even trying to cover it up, it clearly states, "Demoted to Chaozhou, eight thousand kilometers away." Does this mean that Han Shi was demoted to the position of Chaozhou Tuanlianshi?
Many people regretted their decision, especially Liu Buzhi, who thought to himself, "This poem hits the heart of the current emperor so hard! If we offend the emperor, won't we be implicated as well?"

"My poetry talent is just not as good as his. Why must I be so unconvinced and force him to write some ridiculous poem?"

"Why choose mountains, majestic passes, and heavy snow as the theme?"

"Where are the Qinling Mountains in Dalang? There's no majestic pass over Chaozhou, and it doesn't snow either... He's not even pretending."

Half an incense stick later, the poem was placed on the emperor's desk. The emperor looked at the freshly written words of the newly appointed champion, smiled and said, "You are really brave, little guy!"

The eunuchs beside him were silent. After a long moment, the emperor sighed and said, "It's time to let Han Shi come back."

He glanced at the poem and said with a smile, "Have someone send this poem to Mr. Han quickly, eight hundred miles away, and tell him..."

"He has a new confidant in the literary world."

Zhang Qingxi walked in calmly after receiving the notification and said in a gentle voice, "My son greets his mother."

Seeing her son coming, Concubine Su smiled and asked, "But what's the news about your junior brother?"

Zhang Qingxi glanced at the little Taoist nun beside his mother and whispered, "Second Junior Brother wrote a poem at the Qionglin Banquet today. Father read it and ordered Lord Han to return to the court!"

The little nun shuddered slightly, her usual quiet and gentle demeanor completely gone. She asked anxiously, "Is my father really coming back?"

Zhang Qingxi smiled slightly: "Such a big thing, how can I deceive my young mother!"

He took out a piece of plain paper from his sleeve and handed it to his mother, saying, "This is the poem."

Su Fei took a look and couldn't help laughing. "Your Second Junior Brother is so bold, he's making such a blunder and writing about it so blatantly. What about the Qinling Languan Pass? Where did Dalang even exist? The Miasma River is indeed in Chaozhou."

She gave the plain paper to the young Taoist nun beside her and said, "I didn't expect that this boy is still admired by your father."

Han Youniang read it carefully, her eyes slightly red, and said, "It's hard for him."

Concubine Su did not want to mention the matter any further and said, "My son Qingxi, your marriage to Youniang should be arranged as soon as Han Shigong returns to the court!"

Zhang Qingxi replied in a low voice: "Everything is decided by my mother."

(End of this chapter)