My family has been wielding knives for generations, but now it's my turn to wield a pen!

"Please be patient, everyone!"

Jiang Xiaobai waved his hand, looking at the students who were laughing, his face still smiling: "In my opinion, what Wu Ti needs to do is to have a question in his heart."

As he spoke, Jiang Xiaobai waved the white paper in his hand: "Don't write this question; read it as you work on it, that's the best way."

These words were spoken.

Inside the Lanting Tower, there was a moment of silence.

Then, the discussion started again.

"Writing and reading at the same time? That's quite an arrogance!!"

"Exactly, articles aren't poetry; you can't just spout off about them."

"Jiang Xiaobai is undeniably talented, but... I suspect he's treating the article as a couplet!"

"OK!"

Sitting in the Jia section, Du Chong finally couldn't help but sneer upon hearing this, saying sarcastically, "That Young Master Jiang, he's actually reading aloud while he's writing!"

Read while writing?

It's ridiculous. The most important thing about an article is its structure, which should be progressive. Even the slightest mistake or omission can break the flow of the entire article.

Even he had to put pen to paper, think it over and over again.

Jiang Xiaobai is now saying that he wants to write and read at the same time?

Do you really think articles are like street tunes that you can just hum along to?

The writer also looked at Jiang Xiaobai with a look of surprise.

If it were before, he would definitely have thought Jiang Xiaobai was being ridiculous.

But after the first few matches, he no longer dared to draw any conclusions easily.

Above the fourth floor.

Li Bingzhang raised an eyebrow slightly.

"Read while you write?"

Lin Fengshuo stroked his beard, a hint of anticipation flashing in his eyes: "I wonder if this article can reach the level of 'On Teachers' and 'On Horses'!"

Fan Xinghe didn't speak, but his gaze was already fixed on Jiang Xiaobai.

That's right, he wanted to see what kind of article Jiang Xiaobai could come up with!

Jiang Xiaobai ignored the discussions below and slowly unfolded the white paper.

The paper was blank, clean and tidy.

But when Jiang Xiaobai looked at the blank sheet of paper, the smile on his face faded somewhat.

Many articles did indeed flash through his mind; it's no exaggeration to say that they were all timeless masterpieces.

But what the Orchid Pavilion truly needs at this moment is neither a gathering of refined scholars nor a lavish display of youthful talent.

Today, here you will find scholars from humble backgrounds, high-ranking officials of the imperial court, and princes and princesses.

Therefore, this article should not only describe the scenery, nor should it only describe talent; it should describe the heart of a scholar.

Thinking of this, Jiang Xiaobai cleared his throat and slowly spoke.

"I have heard that the sages of the past rebuilt the tall building, which overlooks the long lake and connects to distant roads, so that scholars come and go day and night, and literature from all directions gathers here."

The sound faded.

The once noisy Lanting Tower gradually quieted down.

Ok?

This opening...

Unlike typical exam essays, it inexplicably possesses an indescribable grandeur.

Jiang Xiaobai continued in a calm and unhurried voice: "I have observed the beauty of the Orchid Pavilion, which embraces distant mountains and swallows the long lake, vast and boundless."

"The morning sun and evening shadows create a myriad of changing scenes."

boom!

Upon hearing these words, the expressions of several elderly men on the fourth floor changed simultaneously.

It embraces distant mountains and swallows long lakes, vast and boundless.

The morning sun and evening shadows create ever-changing weather.

It was just a few words, yet it seemed to unfold the entire scene: the lake outside the Orchid Pavilion, the distant mountains, and the morning light.

The writer stood beside Jiang Xiaobai, his gaze gradually becoming serious.

This article... is quite something!

The cold smile on Du Chong's face froze slightly at that moment.

Jiang Xiaobai glanced at the people around him, his expression indifferent.

What he was reading was the famous "Yueyang Tower Inscription" from his previous life.

But the reign title from his previous life doesn't match the current one, so... he just made some simple repairs.

Although it was just a simple renovation, the songs that were sung and the spirit behind them remain unchanged.

What he had to do was to display his literary treasures from his previous life in a grand and magnificent manner before everyone.

With a calm expression, Jiang Xiaobai continued, "However, it connects to the capital in the north and the scholarly community in the south, and many exiled officials and poets gather here."

"Aren't our feelings upon viewing these things different?"

Inside the Lanting Tower, the silence grew even more intense.

Many students originally wanted to find fault.

But upon hearing this, I unconsciously sat up straight.

This doesn't sound like something hastily put together; the flow and energy of the writing are already evident in just a few simple sentences.

Jiang Xiaobai held the white paper in his hand and glanced at everyone in the building: "If the wind howls, the waves surge, the sun and stars are hidden, and the mountains are concealed."

"Travelers cannot travel, masts are broken and oars are shattered, dusk is falling and darkness is falling, tigers roar and monkeys howl."

Jiang Xiaobai lowered his voice, and the atmosphere inside the Lanting Tower also became subdued.

Even though it was bright outside, everyone felt as if a dark wind was pressing down on the lake and turbulent waves were churning.

That desolate feeling made many people's hearts tighten.

"Upon ascending this tower, one feels a longing for one's homeland, anxieties about slander and ridicule, and a sense of desolation that overwhelms one with sorrow."

As soon as he finished speaking, the expressions of many students from impoverished families changed.

These few sentences are so damn hurtful.

They left home to study and went to the capital to take the imperial examinations; wasn't that the same thing?

Du Chong's expression finally changed completely.

These few sentences are even more profound and accurate than his descriptions of the hardships of poor families in his "On Scholars".

But the next moment, Jiang Xiaobai's voice suddenly changed: "As for springtime, when the weather is fine and the scenery is bright, the waves are calm, and the sky and water are one vast expanse of blue."

"Seagulls soar and gather, fish swim and swim, and orchids and irises grow lush and green on the banks."

Inside the Orchid Pavilion, the atmosphere that had just settled was suddenly revived by the spring sunshine.

Many people seemed to see a calm lake, sunlight reflecting on the water, fish and birds swimming around, and green orchids on the shore.

"Or perhaps the long smoke clears, the bright moon shines for a thousand miles, the floating light leaps like gold, and the still shadow sinks like jade."

"Fishermen's songs echo back and forth; what boundless joy!"

"Upon ascending this tower, one feels refreshed and invigorated, forgetting both honor and disgrace, raising a cup to the wind, and experiencing boundless joy."

Writing about sorrow, writing about joy, sometimes somber, sometimes exuberant.

Everyone inside the Lanting Tower seemed to be emotionally swayed by the article.

Just moments ago, everything seemed desolate, but in the blink of an eye, I felt refreshed and happy.

Gu Zhiyan sat on the fourth floor, tapping her fingers lightly on the table, her eyes already brightening.

"What a beautiful sight: shimmering light leaping like gold, still shadows sinking like jade."

Lin Fengshuo also took a deep breath.

This is hardly an article that was read aloud on the spot.

This article contains scenery, emotion, and momentum.

More importantly, the article isn't finished yet...

Jiang Xiaobai paused slightly, then her tone became more steady: "Alas!"

Two words were uttered.

Almost all the learned elders on the fourth floor sat up straight at the same time.

Here it comes, the real message is about to be revealed.

Jiang Xiaobai slowly said, "I have sought the heart of the ancient virtuous men, which may differ from these two kinds of behavior. They are not elated by external gains, nor saddened by their own circumstances."

boom!

As soon as those words were spoken, the entire Lanting Tower seemed to be pressed down by something.

Not pleased, not to have compassion.

The teacup in Li Bingzhang's hand trembled suddenly.

A glint of light flashed in Lin Fengshuo's eyes, and Fan Xinghe immediately stood up, practically blurting out, "Great! That's fucking great!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Fan Xinghe was stunned for a moment.

But he couldn't help but say this.

Not pleased, not to have compassion.

These eight words are enough to make countless scholars in the world feel ashamed.

Jiang Xiaobai's voice remained calm: "When one is in a high position at court, one should worry about the people; when one is far from the court, one should worry about the ruler."

As soon as he finished speaking, the expressions of some court officials on the fourth floor changed.

The teacup in Xiao Qingheng's hand, who was the crown prince, also stopped in mid-air.

The eldest princess stood on the top floor, her jade-like hand gently resting on the railing, her eyes becoming serious.

This sentence is more than just literary talent.

It is about having a broad mind, and it is the question of self-cultivation for a scholar.

Jiang Xiaobai raised his head, looking at the students filling the building, and said clearly, "Whether we advance or retreat, we are worried; when will we find joy?"

Inside the Lanting Tower, no one spoke.

Everyone is waiting, waiting for the final answer in this article.

Jiang Xiaobai narrowed his eyes slightly, then slowly uttered, word by word: "It must be said..."

"Be the first to worry about the world's troubles and the last to enjoy its pleasures!"

boom!

The entire Lanting Tower was utterly silent.

There was no applause, no discussion.

Even their breathing seemed to have stopped at that moment.

Be the first to worry about the world's troubles and the last to enjoy its pleasures.

These words struck everyone like a thunderbolt.

The students were stunned, and the elderly were stunned.

Even the writer stared blankly at Jiang Xiaobai, his eyes slightly reddening.

He came from a poor family, and he knew better than anyone that the primary reason why scholars studied was to rise above others.

To change one's social standing, or to achieve academic success.

However, if by the end one's mind is only filled with personal honor and disgrace, then one has only read this book in a narrow sense!

Jiang Xiaobai's words directly captivated the hearts of scholars, elevating them to a position of universal appeal.

Du Chong sat there, his face pale and his body swaying.

His essay "On Scholars" depicts the hardships of those from poor families.

To depict the hardships faced by scholars is already quite remarkable.

Compared to this piece, it suddenly seems very small, as small as a sigh within a courtyard wall.

Jiang Xiaobai's work, however, has already reached the pinnacle of global influence.

As for Guo Zhan and Zhong Yu, both of them were pale-faced, and the Third Prince even lowered his head with his brows furrowed.

Chen Zhanqiu and Zhao Sheng, who were on the fourth floor, had faces that were even more somber.

Zhao Sheng, in particular, never expected that Jiang Xiaobai could write such a groundbreaking article!

Jiang Xiaobai didn't stop. Finally, he smiled softly and said calmly, "Alas! Without such a person, to whom shall I turn?"

……

(Wow, so many brothers have given me tips! I had already written three chapters, but I wrote another one! So, four chapters today!)