Great Zhou Wensheng

Chapter 70: The Young Man Breaks Through 46,000 Volumes! (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

The maids and servants of the Duke of Xue's mansion held their breath and followed behind with their heads bowed.

Xue Chonghu and his wife went together to the side hall.

He pondered what to do after taking office in the prefecture.

It's been about three years since we last met!
In my memory, Jiang Xingzhou was a stubborn and arrogant boy in his early teens.

"cough!"

Xue Chonghu had barely coughed half a sound when the century-old rosewood door in the side hall creaked open automatically, signaling the commotion to the side hall.

"Father!"

"Your son greets Father and Mother!"

The Xue brothers, Fu and Gui, immediately cowered like quails, hanging their heads and not daring to raise their heads.

Jiang Xingzhou sat upright, waiting quietly.

The flickering candlelight illuminated the boy's tranquility.

"Greetings, Uncle and Mother!"

Jiang Xingzhou stood tall and bowed respectfully.

His tall and composed figure, clad in a moon-white long robe, was a far cry from the stubborn and naive boy he once was!

Xue Chonghu stared intently at the screen.
The young man before me still faintly resembled Jiang Yan's spirited and dashing figure from back then.
In a daze, he seemed to see Jiang Yan riding through the streets as a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) back then, wearing a scholar's robe that exuded a thousand kinds of elegance.

The boy, however, was far more composed than his father; he was quiet and deep.

It seems this child has studied diligently for many years.

He must have suffered a lot.

Xue Chonghu was filled with emotion.

"it is good!"

Xue Chonghu sat down in the armchair and gestured with his hand, "Sit!"

It's good for young people to be more mature; it's always better than being frivolous and reckless.

He picked up his teacup and casually asked, "Xingzhou, how many books have you read in Langhuan Pavilion these past few years?"
As the saying goes, "Travel ten thousand miles and read ten thousand books." Only through deep accumulation can one truly grasp knowledge!

"Return to Shibo!"

Jiang Xingzhou remained calm and cupped his hands, saying, "During these five years living in Langhuan Pavilion, I had nothing to do, so I read through all 46,000 volumes of books."

"Oh!"

Upon hearing this, Xue Chonghu paused slightly in his teacup and looked up at the young man.

He only wanted to offer a few words of encouragement, urging Jiang Xingzhou to read more books and be influenced by the literary classics in Langhuan Pavilion.

To everyone's surprise, the young man replied casually, "I've finished reading it?"
The Langhuan Pavilion houses 46,000 volumes, including Confucian and Taoist classics, military strategies, agricultural and water conservancy, and works by various philosophers. Not to mention the obscure and difficult classics of sages, even ordinary miscellaneous studies require a lifetime of study to even begin to grasp the basics.

Even those who passed the imperial examinations or were successful in the provincial examinations needed to spend several years of hard work to master even a small part of it.

He had only read five thousand volumes when he was young.

Now, as an important official in the court, he rarely has the leisure to peruse numerous classic texts.

But Jiang Xingzhou... a mere novice who has only lived in Langhuan Pavilion for five years, has actually read it all?

Even a cursory glance at it is enough to be horrifying!
"Could it be that you lied and said you'd read it all because you were afraid of my scolding?"

Xue Chonghu thought to himself, his brows furrowing almost imperceptibly.

The key to reading for young people is to be diligent and read as much as they can. If they claim to have read extensively in order to gain the approval of their elders, they are actually doing a poor job.

Thinking of this, he became somewhat unhappy.

This is not okay.

Xue Chonghu casually picked up a book of classical texts from the desk beside him, opened a page, and asked in a seemingly casual manner, "Have you read the 'Three Strategies on Heaven and Man' in the *Chunqiu Fanlu*? What are your thoughts on it?"

Jiang Xingzhou pondered for a moment, then cupped his hands and said, “In Dong Sheng’s ‘Strategy for Recommending Worthy and Virtuous Officials,’ he said, ‘The great origin of the Way comes from Heaven. If Heaven does not change, the Way will not change.’ I believe there are still some points that need to be addressed.”

The theory of "Yin-Yang and Five Elements" differs considerably from that recorded in the Huainanzi.

Dong Sheng advocated for a unified imperial court, emphasizing the veneration of the Way. In contrast, the Huainanzi advocated for a flourishing of diverse schools of thought, each pursuing its own path.

I was just about to ask my uncle for some knowledge about it!

Xue Chonghu paused abruptly, closed the book again, and took a deep breath.

This involves the foundation of the Great Zhou Dynasty's theory of the unification of literature and morality.

Unexpectedly, Jiang Xingzhou had investigated this far. A glint flashed in Xue Chonghu's eyes. Undeterred, he casually picked up a blue-covered book, "The Vinegar Classic," from the bookshelf. The spine of the book was still stained with vinegar.

This is a book that the grain official gave him when he inspected the granary and vinegar workshop last month.

This book is also available in Langhuan Pavilion.

"What ingredients and how to make vinegar are recorded in this book, 'The Vinegar Classic'?!"

Surely you can't answer that now!
What scholar would bother reading this kind of book?

really,

Jiang Xingzhou remained silent, staring down at the mottled vinegar stains on the pages of the book, his expression suddenly becoming subtle.

His expression was somewhat strange.

The Prefect of Jiangzhou, such an important figure, also read the "Vinegar Classic"?
Xue Chonghu smiled, about to say something.

But then I heard...

"This book, 'The Vinegar Classic,' is an agricultural classic that records two methods of making Jiangyin white vinegar and Bingzhou aged vinegar."

White vinegar is made from sorghum. Steamed rice is fermented with yeast to make rice wine, which is then inoculated with acetic acid bacteria. It is clear in color and sour but not pungent.

Aged vinegar uses millet as its base and wheat bran as its filling. In winter, the vinegar vats are skimmed off and frozen to concentrate the acidity. Through summer exposure to the sun and winter freezing, the vinegar achieves its mellow aroma.

White vinegar is suitable for cold dishes.

Aged vinegar is suitable for stewing.

This has little to do with literature and philosophy; it is about agriculture and people's livelihood.

I never expected that despite his busy schedule, Uncle Xue would still care so much about the people, even paying attention to something as trivial as vinegar, with this book on his desk!

Jiang Xingzhou bowed and said in reverence.

Xue Chonghu was immediately taken aback.

The side hall was deathly silent!
Xue Gui almost burst out laughing, but Xue Fu slapped him back down.

Ok!

Xue Chonghu gave up; he had underestimated the young man!

No wonder he's a young man who can write poems in the style of "Dafu"!
"It's late today, let's go and rest first, we can talk about it another time when we have more free time!"

Xue Chonghu coughed.

The young maids on both sides of the side hall immediately covered their mouths, but could not hide the slight upturn of their lips, and dared not make a sound.

"Yes."

Jiang Xingzhou clasped his hands in response, his expression respectful.

"correct!"

Xue Chonghu suddenly remembered something and solemnly instructed, "Jiangzhou Prefecture is prosperous, but it is a place of debauchery—brothels and taverns are everywhere, and the music and singing never stop all night."

Since you have come here to study and take the exams, you should focus on the prefectural exams and pass as soon as possible to become scholars. Do not indulge in pleasure.

He paused and added:
"However, I still have to attend the literary gathering and poetry banquet."

Engage with other students to refine your writing and gain a better understanding of their abilities. Visit senior figures in the Jiangzhou literary circle to understand the examiners' intentions, which will benefit your chances in the prefectural examination.

Understanding the examiner's mindset makes it easier to predict exam questions!

"Yes, I will follow your teachings, Uncle."

Jiang Xingzhou bowed his head in response, but secretly pondered to himself.

The chief examiner for the prefectural examination has always been the prefect himself.

Xue Chonghu seemed to sense something and said calmly:
"Xue Fu and Xue Gui will also be taking the exam this year. I need to avoid having relatives involved, so I have already declined the position of chief examiner for the prefectural exam."

The chief examiner for this year's Jiangzhou prefectural examination is Professor Zhou from the prefectural school!

He will be emerging from seclusion soon!

Jiang Xingzhou suddenly realized, lowered his eyes, and remained silent.

After Jiang Xingzhou, Xue Fu, and Xue Gui took their leave,
Xue Chonghu shook his head and sighed, "That kid, he really knows how to talk!"

Madam Xue sipped her tea and smiled gently: "Has he been impolite?"

"That's not true."

Xue Chonghu stroked his beard and frowned. "But listen to what he said—'When he had nothing to do, he read through all 46,000 volumes of books.'"
This nonchalant attitude is even more arrogant than his father was in his youth!
His father had read over ten thousand volumes at the Langhuan Pavilion, and his talent had already become apparent; he could walk with impunity in Jiangnan.

(End of this chapter)