Chapter 59

"Emperor Taizu had three laughs in his life. In his youth, he was mocked by his peers for his poor and humble circumstances, which was the first laugh; in his young adulthood, it took him half a month to memorize the 'Hundred Surnames,' and he was ridiculed by his classmates and scolded by his teacher, which was the second laugh; in his later years, he was the oldest among his peers in martial arts but the weakest, and he was often chosen for sparring and then mocked after being defeated, which was the third laugh... After that, the world fell into chaos, and the barbarians rose up. Emperor Taizu rose to power, sweeping across the land, unifying the four seas, and achieving unparalleled greatness. Since then, no one dared to laugh at him again!"

Yang Ji flipped open the test paper and saw this passage. This was the third section of the literary examination, and also the most important part.

There were many stories about Emperor Taizu of this dynasty. The most widely discussed among the common people was his humble beginnings.

It was a known fact that Emperor Taizu came from a lowly background. In some rumors, it was even exaggerated that he could only afford to wear a top but not trousers in his childhood, and was thus ridiculed.

In his young adulthood, because he started his education late, he had to spend more time reading and learning, which made his progress slower than his peers, a fact that could not be denied.

In his later years, he was the oldest among his peers in martial arts but the weakest. During sparring, others often chose him as their opponent, and after defeating him, they would mock him.

These could be considered the most humble experiences of Emperor Taizu's life. The court historians recorded them and summarized them as the "Three Laughs of Taizu." Compared to his great achievements, these stories were widely discussed and passed down.

No one expected that the theme of this essay would be this.

Yang Ji looked at the test paper in front of him, feeling a myriad of emotions. When Emperor Taizu was in a lowly position, he endured cold eyes, ridicule, and humiliation, but wasn't it the same for himself?

Compared to the ridicule from playmates, classmates, and peers, the suppression, exclusion, and oppression he faced came from his own kin, who should have supported him!

This story might have been widely known, and for many, it was just an exam question. Yang Ji could imagine many people writing phrases like "Heaven will bestow a great mission on a person, but first, it will make his heart suffer, and his body toil..." But for Yang Ji, this was a reflection of his own life!

Perhaps only he could truly understand the feelings conveyed in these words!

After pondering for a while, Yang Ji picked up his brush, dipped it in the ink, and wrote two large characters on the test paper:

"Se Han!"

The two large characters were strong and powerful, carrying a strong momentum, like a cold wind and snow, giving a sense of bleakness and desolation.

After writing these two characters, even Yang Ji felt a chill and a sense of desolation, momentarily becoming lost in thought. This was his first time participating in the literary examination, and he had originally only come for the rewards, a somewhat reluctant decision.

What Yang Ji valued was the "martial examination" a month later. After all, in this world, "martial arts are revered," and the status of the martial examination far exceeded that of the literary examination. Moreover, the "literary examination" only had two levels: "literary child" and "literary scholar." Even if Yang Ji was passionate about it, he would not achieve much.

But at this moment, Yang Ji suddenly had a different understanding and feeling about his first "literary examination."

In spring, the earth blooms, and the grass and trees are lush; in summer, the branches and leaves are prosperous, and all kinds of trees grow silently, showing no difference.

Only a severe winter, covering the sky and earth, can reveal the true strength of those who can withstand the cold, standing tall and proud in the forest, blooming alone!

"Si!"

Yang Ji took a deep breath and wrote the second line on the test paper:

"Then we know that the pine and cypress are the last to wither!"

In spring, the pine and cypress bloom with the grass; in summer, they grow with all living things; in winter, they thrive with all the trees. Only in winter, when the ice and snow are like a fierce fire, do the grass wither and the trees decay, leaving the pine and cypress standing alone, showing their true worth!

When Emperor Taizu was in a lowly position, he endured all kinds of discrimination. Those who mocked him probably never imagined he would achieve what he did today!

Yang Ji lifted the test paper on the table, tapped it, and looked at the strong and powerful characters, a smile appearing on his face.

From the "Book of Rites" to the "Four Hearts of the Confucian Scholar," and finally to the "Anecdotes of Emperor Taizu," Yang Ji vaguely understood the underlying meaning of this exam.

"Se Han, then we know that the pine and cypress are the last to wither!"

This was not only Yang Ji's response to the last essay question but also his understanding of the examiner's intent.

For some reason, after writing this short sentence, Yang Ji felt extremely hungry. He took a few pancakes from the table to satisfy his hunger.

After resting for a moment, Yang Ji organized his thoughts, feeling confident, and then picked up his brush and wrote a thousand words in a flowing manner.

Unconsciously, time passed, and all of Yang Ji's thoughts were focused on the last essay question. Gradually, everything else faded away, and he entered a state of complete concentration, leaving only the "words" in his mind.

In the three-story literary hall, it was quiet, with only the sound of writing and the flickering of the candles.

It was late at night, and when Yang Ji finished writing, there was no sound of writing around him.

Yang Ji looked up and saw that the vast literary hall was quiet, with only a few "students" still writing, while most had fallen asleep on their desks.

The sleeping postures of the students were varied, with some drooling, some with ink still dripping from their pens, and most with furrowed brows, as if still thinking about the questions from the day.

It was past midnight, and even the clerks were drowsy, leaving only the energetic guards of the literary hall, who were alert and vigilant, watching the surroundings.

If anyone moved suspiciously, these guards would immediately investigate.

Yang Ji glanced around, smiled, and quickly收回了目光.

The three major sections of the literary examination were all completed. Yang Ji checked his test paper again, finding the characters strong and powerful, the paper clean and neat, and the writing fully achieving his intended effect.

"Almost done. Eight years of study are all here, and I have done my best. Whether I pass this 'Child Scholar Examination' or not is up to fate!"

Yang Ji nodded in satisfaction at the test paper.

Tap!

Yang Ji packed his things, slung his bag over his shoulder, and walked down the aisle with firm and steady steps.

His movement immediately caught the attention of the "guards of the literary hall," and several sharp gazes swept over, the sound of their armor leaves startling the nearby sleeping clerks.

"Another one!"

Several tired clerks quickly sat up, not daring to be negligent, and hurriedly walked over. Yang Ji smiled, passed by them, and went downstairs.

The clerks were not surprised; Yang Ji was not the first to submit early. Some had even left the examination hall immediately after entering.

During this time, they had seen many students who, unable to answer the questions and knowing they had no chance of passing, left in despair. Yang Ji's submission was relatively late.

"Beautiful handwriting!"

When the clerks reached Yang Ji's desk and looked up, they were stunned. Even these rough men, who did not understand much about writing, felt a sense of beauty when they saw the ink on Yang Ji's test paper.

During this time, they had monitored the examination hall and seen many students' test papers, but few could surpass this.

"This must have been completed long ago!"

The clerks realized their initial thoughts were probably wrong and immediately gathered their spirits to seal the test paper of this student...

...

Leaving the "literary hall," the night wind blew, and Yang Ji felt a sense of lightness and clarity.

"The 'Child Scholar Examination' is over. Now there is only the martial examination in a month."

A thought flashed through Yang Ji's mind.

In this literary examination, Yang Ji expressed his eight years of passion. Regardless of the final result, he had no regrets.

However, the path still needed to be walked forward. No matter how much effort he put into this literary examination, he ultimately needed to excel in martial arts.

This world was one where "martial arts were revered." Whether to humiliate "Madam" or to uncover the truth about his father's death, he needed strong martial power.

Although the path of the martial examination was more difficult and intense, with the risk of serious injury, it also had a clear advantage: there were seven slots for the martial examination, four more than the literary examination!

"Each martial examination is filled with talented individuals and many outstanding figures. To achieve a high ranking and be among the seven, I need to work even harder!"

Yang Ji thought to himself.

Reaching the martial realm at the age of fifteen or sixteen was already an astonishing talent. Even in this martial examination, he would be among the top.

However, the martial examination was never about this. Being "good" was far from enough; one had to be the "best" and the "strongest." Only such a person deserved the title of "martial child scholar."

Yang Ji intended to practice outside the city as soon as possible. However, after looking at the direction of the city gate, he changed his mind. The walls of Pingchuan City were tall, grand, and smooth, far surpassing those of Jinan City. Even with Yang Ji's abilities, he could not climb over such a high wall.

"Better to return to the inn and rest."

Yang Ji calmed his mind and walked briskly toward the inn where he was staying.

"Kee!"

Just a few steps later, a high-pitched eagle's cry came from nearby. Yang Ji's heart trembled, and he quickly turned his head. In a nearby alley, a red light flashed, and a massive creature rose into the sky, creating a strong wind...

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