Great Zhou Wensheng

Chapter 86 is best summarized as a poem titled "Shooting the Pot" for leaving the county; it's the easiest way!

Zhou Yuanjun and Prefect Xue, along with six top students including Jiang Xingzhou and Shen Zhiyun, traveled to several places during the Grain Rain Literary Gathering before finally arriving at the "Arrow Shooting Pot" sub-venue.

"You should all seize this opportunity."

Prefect Xue stood with his hands behind his back, his words carrying a profound meaning.

Jiang Xingzhou's performance was already beyond what was expected, and he completely outshone the other five top students from the five counties of the prefecture in terms of literary talent.

If they fail to perform well this time and leave a deep impression on Dean Zhou, their chances of passing the prefectural examination will be slim!

At that time, Professor Zhou can only grade the papers "fairly" and assign them the appropriate grade.

It's impossible to expect special treatment or leniency when grading papers.

It's possible that he might be sentenced to "discretionary scholar" status, greatly disgracing the scholars of the county.

"promise!"

"Your Excellency's instructions are truly appreciated, and I will do my utmost to uphold them!"

The six chief scholars responded in unison and lined up in front of a row of bronze pots.

Shen Zhiyun gazed ahead, his fingertips lightly stroking the arrow fletching, and suddenly said, "Brother Jiang, I am the best archer in Jiyang, and I am afraid I must yield to you today."

After speaking, he raised the corners of his lips slightly, a hint of pride in his eyes.

He didn't believe it.

Jiang Xingzhou is proficient in everything. He writes poetry and prose well, has studied the classics of sages and virtuous men, and can even put together a show for gatherings and banquets with ease.
The six chief scholars of Jiangzhou each had their own strengths, and the game of shooting arrows into a pot was traditionally a pastime for the sons of noble families at banquets.

Gambling games were frequently held there, with each game costing a hundred taels of silver, which was the annual expense of a poor scholar!
Therefore, students from poor families naturally avoid it.

He had long heard that Jiang Xingzhou spent his days studying diligently behind closed doors at the Xue residence and had hardly ever played such games as archery.

This is something you can't learn from books!
This requires careful calculation, using your own strategy to maximize the probability of winning against your opponent while minimizing risk.

This requires a lot of practical experience!

How can a novice like this possibly grasp the intricacies and understand the game?
"Ah, Brother Shen, you are mistaken!!"

Lin Haizhou laughed heartily, his sleeves fluttering slightly: "I often play this game of archery, and I'm no less skilled than you!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zilu, the top scholar in Fucheng, Du Qingyin, the top scholar in Kunshan, and others all appeared calm.

With Jiang Xingzhou, a poor student, at the bottom, there's a clear advantage.

No matter what, they wouldn't be the worst performers.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xingzhou smiled but remained silent.

[Arrow Shooting at a Pot] is an ancient etiquette and competitive game originating from the Zhou Dynasty, used by scholars at gatherings and banquets.

The Book of Rites states: "[Those who play pitch-pot do so to cultivate their minds and spirits, and to eliminate laziness.]"
Extremely elegant!

The rules are also very simple.

A bronze pot with a slender neck and a large belly, featuring a spout and handles.

Arrows without arrowheads are used, usually made of mulberry or thorn wood, with feathers at the tail.

The firing port is "middle", so we get a result.

The character "射耳" (shè ěr) is composed of two parts, and the result is two.

If the arrow deviates and bounces back, miraculously re-entering the pot, it is called "Xiao," and one receives three calculations.

Each person throws four arrows at a time, in sequence.

The first to obtain ten points wins.

The loser is punished with a drink, while the winner receives "victory tokens"—elegant items such as jade pendants and poem slips.

If we're going to be more vulgar, then it'll be silver.

However, making the shot easily is not so simple.

Because the bronze pot has a sealed opening with inscriptions, arrows need to be inscribed with corresponding inscriptions in order to break through the pot's opening and enter.

Normally, the words are simple seals like "clouds, rain, wind, and snow," but the difficult ones are those with obscure characters, which even experts hesitate for a long time.

Only after calculating their own arrows will they throw them.

Zhou Shanzhang stood with his hands behind his back, his piercing gaze sweeping over the six students at the top of their desks, a meaningful smile playing on his lips.

"You are the top candidates in the civil service examinations of the prefecture and six counties."
Another expert in stone throwing, with top-notch skills.

That's it!

This is going to be a bit more intense for you guys!
"Ten arrows from the quiver!"

After saying this, Lord Zhou instructed the instructors to replace one ordinary bronze pot with ten bronze pots.

The instructors carried in ten bronze pots in single file. The ten bronze pots were arranged according to the Big Dipper, and each pot had a seal on its mouth.

"The Three Treasures of the Word-Making Pot!"

With a light tap of his fingertip, Zhou Yuanjun caused the first three teapots to light up with golden seal script characters: "Wind," "Elegance," and "Ode." "They must be deciphered using the art of characters and literary techniques. One teapot yields one calculation!"

"Three Treasures in an Idiom Pot!"

As he spoke, the words "flowing like clouds and water," "the finishing touch," and "every word a gem" appeared in ink on the three teapots in the middle. "It must be deciphered using idioms and linguistics; one teapot yields three benefits!"

"Three Poem-Inscribed Teapots!"

On the latter three teapots, famous lines from the Book of Songs, the Songs of Chu, and the Yuefu poems swirl like dragons, "One must use the corresponding literary arts to obtain five points from one teapot!"

Suddenly, the supreme pot at the very center shone brightly, and an unfinished poem appeared on its surface, with only the title of the poem visible.

Zhou Yuanjun's voice suddenly rose slightly as he said, "If one can compose a poem on 'Shooting the Pot' at the level of [leaving the county] or above, and break this Supreme Pot, one will receive ten points!"

In an instant,
There was a sudden silence in the field.

The oppressive aura of the Ten Stars Shooting Pot completely subdued the children, filling the air with a suffocating, scholarly pressure.

Shen Zhiyun, Lin Haizhou, Zhao Zilu, Du Qingyin, Zhou Wenyuan, and other top students in the preliminary examinations looked ashen-faced.

I almost collapsed to my knees on the spot.

"Do all scholars who passed the imperial examinations play the game of archery in a pot at such a high level?"

The Three-Character Pot, with its word-based literary techniques, directly references the "Book of Songs" ("Feng Ya Song"). This isn't just a game of shooting pots; it's clearly a true test of the "Book of Songs"!

The three poetry-themed pots, with their poetic and literary techniques, are even more outrageous—they are supposed to unleash the poetic and literary techniques recorded in the Book of Songs, the Songs of Chu, and the Yuefu?

How could a mere student possibly master such literary skills?
They are already quite capable of understanding the profound meaning of classical texts when they read them, let alone using literary techniques to drive them.
The most crucial thing is that the Supreme Pot can immediately compose a poem titled "Shooting the Pot" that can be written at the county level or above.
"Let's forget about composing a poem!"

Zhao Zilu's throat bobbed, and cold sweat beaded on his forehead.

He had never heard of anyone in Jiangzhou Prefecture, or even Jiangnan Circuit, who had written a poem or lyric about shooting at a pot at the county level!
His poems, written outside the county, were enough to stir up the literary scene of the entire county.

These young scholars usually struggle even to hear about a village or visit a town, let alone leave the county.
Someone who can write county-level poems, what can't they write about?
Why waste your talent on writing a county-level "Shooting Pot" piece that's not very useful and is only good for banquets?
"I am skilled in elegance and refinement, but I have not yet mastered the art of writing the [Ode] character!"

The folding fan in Shen Zhiyun's hand fell to the ground with a "thud," leaving her completely stunned.

He mastered more than five thousand word formulas and was proficient in the literary arts of the [Feng and Ya] word formulas, but this did not include the word "Song".

"Damn it, how do I unleash the idiom '[Every Word a Gem]'?"

Lin Haizhou's forehead was covered in fine beads of sweat.

He felt bitter inside; this wasn't a game of archery, it was downright harassment!

"At most, I can only get three or five points at most! There's no way I can win!"

Zhao Zilu's face was ashen.

He quickly calculated the amount of money he could obtain.

The chief investigators looked at each other, and in each other's eyes they saw despair.

After all the calculations, the limit is only five or eight!
"hiss--"

The hundreds of onlookers gasped in shock, some even instinctively taking a half-step back.

"Isn't this arrow-shooting game as difficult as passing the imperial examination?" A tall, thin student asked, his voice trembling.

"More than that!" The round-faced student next to him swallowed hard. "The academy exam tests rote memorization, but this one requires you to demonstrate your literary skills on the spot!"

I think it's even three times harder than passing the imperial examination for the lowest degree!

The six top scholars stood in the center of the room, feeling the gazes of hundreds of students like thorns in their backs.

The instructor in charge of the event bowed to the crowd and said loudly: "[From the poem 'Pitch-pot': The arrow must be straight, the pot must be upright; in the contest of gentlemen, the arrow must hit the mark."]

Six pitchers!
Words alone cannot break the pot, idioms alone cannot resonate, and poetry alone cannot reach the heavens.

Students, please shoot the arrow at the pot!

Shen Zhiyun gritted her teeth and began throwing the four wooden arrows in her hand. "Clang!"

"Wind-blowing pot! Hit!"

He added a "Wind" spell to the wooden arrow, which then carried a streak of azure light.

With a flick of the wrist, the first arrow shot through the air.

In an instant, the wooden arrow transformed into a swift and powerful arrow.

The arrow flew like the wind, precisely piercing the narrow opening of the wind-blown pot and hitting its mark.

then,

Shen Zhiyun took a deep breath and added a [Elegant] incantation to the wooden arrow.

"Elegance means righteousness. It takes propriety as its foundation and music as its soul, which can ward off evil spirits and harmonize yin and yang."

This literary formula is a Yuefu (folk song) formula, which has the effect of driving away inner demons and warding off evil spirits!

It can dispel negative effects.
However, it has no function in combat, shooting, or throwing.

Moreover, it is forbidden to use other word techniques or spells to control this "elegant" arrow.

This means that the [Ya] arrow is just an ordinary arrow!

"Dang~!"

"Elegant pot! Missed!"

When thrown from a distance of tens of feet, the probability of an ordinary arrow hitting the mouth of the pot is not high.

Soon, Shen Zhiyun ran out of the four wooden arrows in her hand, and after throwing them into the Zhongfeng and Ya jars, she only managed to get two points.

Next,
It was Lin Haizhou's turn, then Zhao Zilu's.
The five men threw a volley of wooden arrows.
The wooden arrows clattered against the bronze pot twenty times, but when the counting rods were finally tallied, only a dozen or so were found.

"It seems we'll have to throw three or four rounds before someone gets to throw ten first, and then we can determine a winner!"

Lin Haizhou looked at the wooden arrows scattered on the ground and shook his head with a sigh.

Finally, it was Jiang Xingzhou's turn.

The stone-shooting venue fell silent for a moment.
Lord Zhou, Prefect Xue, the five top students, and the hundreds of students watching all looked at him.

He held four wooden arrows in his hand.

People couldn't help but guess,

He was steady and methodical, throwing each arrow with the lowest possible value to hit the target, ensuring that every arrow hit the target.
Or should we take a gamble and try throwing idioms or poems to get ten points as quickly as possible?

This requires careful calculation!

"Shooting the Pot on Grain Rain":
[The copper kettle first pours out cherry-like drops, and golden arrowheads whirl and fly with a thunderous sound.]

Drunk, I lean against the screen and laugh at Zhou Chu, who in his youth merely slew a dragon and gained fame.

The crescent moon shines above the pavilion as wine cups are raised, and the bronze dragon, winding and turning, pours forth clear spring water.

Having already judged himself to be drunk and no longer a sage, I suddenly heard music and singing that sounded like that of immortals.

The guests were all instructed to measure the grain by the bushel, and the wine cups and goblets were all calculated accordingly.

The outcome was unclear, and the penalty was determined by the number of rounds of wine served at Jin Valley.

A glint of light flashed in Jiang Xingzhou's eyes, a slight smile played on his lips, and he softly recited a poem.

—This is a poem by Nalan Xingde entitled "Shooting the Pot".

Before the poem had faded,

A green light flowed from his fingertips, and a wisp of literary energy wrapped around the arrow, actually condensing the artistic conception of the poet's "Shooting the Pot" onto the wooden arrow!
It should be noted that poems about shooting arrows into a pot are already quite rare.
Nalan Xingde, who was a master of the game of pitch-pot and poetry, was a true expert in this art.

Jiang Xingzhou flicked the wooden arrow.

"Whoosh-!"

The wooden arrow pierced the air, heading straight for the Supreme Pot, which was furthest away in the arena!
This pot is the hardest to hit, but if you do, one arrow is worth ten!
"puff!"

The arrow pierced the air and precisely entered the mouth of the Supreme Pot. The seal trembled slightly, and the arrow disappeared into the pot like a drop of water.

"Dang——dang——"

The bronze kettle hummed softly, its lingering sound echoing gently.

The wooden arrow, bearing the poem "Shooting the Pot," landed steadily inside the Supreme Pot—it should be known that only poems about "Shooting the Pot" written by people from counties above the county level are qualified to open this Supreme Pot!

The poem is finished, the wine pot responds!
Just as the wooden arrow struck the Supreme Pot—!
"Om-!"

The entire archery venue suddenly trembled! All the arrows on the wooden frame moved on their own without wind, and the bronze archery pods resonated in unison, bursting forth with beams of clear light, like a cascading galaxy, with a continuous hum.

These ancient artifacts, dormant for many years, now seemed to possess a spirit, trembling and leaping in the bluish light, echoing the poetic rhythm of "Shooting the Pot"—

After all, these are exquisite poems written specifically for them, and rare works that have been produced at the county level or above!

After a long while, the blue light gradually faded, and the lingering sound finally subsided.

The room was completely silent.

The five top students, including Shen Zhiyun and Du Qingyin, were completely stunned.

"Brother Jiang, this is just a game of archery at the Grain Rain Literary Gathering!"

You can just throw it anywhere!

Why exhaust one's abundant talent to write a mere county-level essay on "Shooting the Pot"?

Shen Zhiyun looked dejected, on the verge of tears, unsure of what to say.

Jiang Xingzhou threw the wooden arrow seemingly casually.

This makes it seem that the five top candidates for the imperial examination were very incompetent!
The five scions of prominent families worked together to throw a volley of wooden arrows, and after much effort, they barely managed to capture ten arrows, which was roughly equivalent to what Han Shengjiang Xingzhou had captured alone.

"Concession!"

Jiang Xingzhou smiled and said calmly:

"There's nothing I can do."

Three wine pots with poems and inscriptions, each pot can yield five coins.

However, I am not yet familiar enough with the poetry and prose of the Book of Songs, the Songs of Chu, and the Yuefu poems, so I am prone to failure.

Those three idiom pots and three word-formation pots have a low hit rate and low score, only one or three points. It's very difficult to get ten points in one round with four arrows!
After much consideration, only the Supreme Pot is fit!

One arrow hits the mark, and that's enough for ten calculations!
It's the easiest!

Even if I miss the target, I still have three chances.

"The easiest way?"

Shen Zhiyun's lips parted slightly, a hint of confusion appearing in her eyes.

In Jiang Xingzhou's eyes, writing this poem "Shooting the Pot," which was enough to be published in the county, was just to save himself the trouble.

Could it be that the difference between the top six candidates in the imperial examinations from the five counties of this prefecture is so vast?

The more than two hundred students who had been watching were all dumbfounded, staring blankly at the Supreme Pot—the fletching of the wooden arrow was still trembling slightly, its momentum not yet dissipated.

"What a poem!"

Zhou Yuanjun took out the wooden arrow from the Supreme Pot, and his eyes showed undisguised joy.

[Having already judged myself to be drunk and no longer a sage, I suddenly heard music and singing that sounded like that of immortals.]

The outcome was unclear, and the penalty was determined by the number of rounds of wine served at Jin Valley.
On the arrow shaft, lines of golden light flowed, and the characters shimmered like starlight, shining brightly.

He could never write such ethereal and elegant poetry in his lifetime!
Professor Zhou couldn't help but clap his hands in admiration:
"A poem titled 'Shooting the Pot' can actually express such a transcendent, ethereal, and selfless state of mind."

No wonder, the poem was completed and he immediately left the county!

He paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "If all the scholars in Jiangzhou Prefecture who play the game of shooting pots were to recite this poem, 'Shooting Pots,'..."

I fear that within a year or two, this poem will reach even greater heights, earning the title of "Master Da"!

"cough!"

Without making a sound, Zhou Yuanjun tucked the wooden arrow into his sleeve.
His gaze swept over the crowd in the archery hall, and he announced in a loud voice:
"Is there anyone else willing to challenge Jiang Xingzhou to a match in this round of stone archery?"

There was silence in the field.

He nodded slightly, his voice booming:

"Since no one has accepted the challenge, I hereby declare Jiang Xingzhou the champion of this archery sub-venue!"

After a brief pause, he took out a brocade box from his sleeve: "The champion of this competition is rewarded with a single piece of 'Jishen Incense' of the Jinshi rank!"

(End of this chapter)