Chapter 23

In the world of Zhongyuan, the old-fashioned patriarchal ideology, like that of the head of the Wen Academy, is prevalent. The constant battles with beasts have led to heavy human casualties, and the phenomenon of more women than men in human society has triggered various issues in marriage, family, and society.

Out of self-interest, powerful men like to use patriarchal ideology to constrain women, but have women ever been willing to become a weak group that only gives birth and serves as playthings for men?

Women have always been striving to improve their status. Female warriors are not uncommon, and spirit masters prioritize the cultivation of women. Some intricate crafts in the artisan industry can only be handled by women. The number of women among scholars is the smallest, so the patriarchal ideology is mostly propagated by civil officials, which is one of the reasons why scholars are not favored by women.

A hint of surprise flashed in Wen Xinyue's eyes. She didn't expect Yue Heng to say such things in public and cleverly shift Kuang Qing's attack to the controversial topic of "women being inferior to men," which is a different argument from Kuang Qing's original intention of "you hiding behind a woman and not daring to show yourself," revealing Yue Heng's cunning.

"You are sophistical!" Kuang Qing was furious and about to raise his hand, but he was intimidated by Yue Heng's fierce glare and hesitated to act.

"Brother Kuang Qing, I've heard you call yourself a romantic talent. I have long admired you. Why don't we spar after the exam?" A tall and muscular female warrior in the crowd clenched her fists, her knuckles cracking.

"How about the Kuang brothers sparring together? I am not so delicate and can withstand the two of you at the same time. Hehe~" Another fat girl in black attire deliberately licked her lips and tried to put her hand on Kuang Qing's shoulder, scaring him into retreating, which caused the crowd to burst into laughter.

A low-level scholar and warrior sparring is basically asking for a beating. Only when a scholar reaches the fifth level can their combat power be compared to a fifth-level warrior. The Kuang brothers did not dare to respond, especially since the woman was clearly teasing them.

"The re-exam is about to start. Why are you all making a commotion here instead of focusing on preparing for the exam?"

A man shouted from outside the crowd. County Magistrate Qi and the head of the Wen Academy, among other exam supervisors, walked in, scaring many people into sneaking away. However, the group led by the Kuang brothers, Yue Heng, and Wen Xinyue, who were under everyone's watchful eyes, did not dare to disperse casually.

"What is causing such a commotion? If it's a trivial matter, disperse quickly!"

County Magistrate Qi frowned and asked. He knew that the Kuang brothers were the head of the Wen Academy's favorite students and was also aware of the relationship between Yue Heng and Wen Xinyue. His question was intended to quickly separate the two conflicting parties.

Kuang Yun had a sudden idea and thought of a vicious plan. He respectfully replied, "Your Excellency Qi, Master Wen, just now, Brother Yue gave a poem praising a woman to Miss Wen. Then he sang a strange ode praising women going to war and joining the military. I was curious and sincerely asked Brother Yue for guidance."

"Oh? A poem praising a woman and a strange ode?" County Magistrate Qi and the head of the Wen Academy exchanged glances, both feeling a jolt in their hearts. They thought of the resonant text and wondered if Yue Heng had created another excellent piece.

"Brother Yue, with County Magistrate Qi and Master Wen here, why don't you recite the complete ode for everyone to appreciate? It would also show everyone the talent of the student who is determined to win the top place in Hong County." Kuang Qing quickly understood his brother's intention and quickly bowed, respectfully asking Yue Heng for guidance.

"Yue Heng is determined to win the top place in Hong County?"

Not only were County Magistrate Qi and the head of the Wen Academy slightly surprised, but the candidates who hadn't left also found it absurd, and some even laughed out loud. Hong County is full of talented people, and the Kuang brothers are well-known. Ji Cong is even called a prodigy and the top student in the spring exam. How could it be Yue Heng's turn?

Yue Heng cursed inwardly. These two scoundrels are trying to force me to embarrass myself in front of the highest official of Hong County. If I make a mistake in etiquette, I will definitely leave a bad impression on the two examiners!

The head of the Wen Academy was about to speak to dissuade them, but County Magistrate Qi stopped him with a glance. The two quickly exchanged glances, their默契 (默契 means默契, which can be translated as "mutual understanding" or "harmony") formed over years of working together.

With Wen Xinyue and the specially recruited Yue Heng on one side and the head of the Wen Academy's favorite students on the other, if they intervened now, it would be easy to be accused of favoritism, which would damage their reputation and make people suspicious of the situation.

Moreover, as the highest civil officials in Hong County, they could control the situation at any time. Even if Yue Heng were exceptionally talented, could he create another resonant text?

Even if he did create a resonant text, they, as third-level scholars, could recognize it. They could interrupt him at any time with any excuse.

"Yue Heng, there are not many texts in the world of Zhongyuan that praise women going to war and joining the military. If you really have such a text, reciting it for everyone to hear would be good. If it's a good piece, it could at least win the favor of the female candidates present, and they might help you during the re-exam!" The head of the Wen Academy smiled at Yue Heng, speaking kindly.

"Isn't it just because Yue Heng is County Magistrate Qi's illegitimate son? Is it necessary to speak so well of him?" Wen Xinyue rolled her eyes at her father, disliking such sycophantic behavior from the bottom of her heart.

Yue Heng opened his mouth but couldn't utter a word. He was truly cornered.

He quickly thought in his mind. The song he sang earlier was a Yu Opera, "Who Says Women Are Inferior to Men," performed by Chang Xiangyu. For a period, this song was performed every year during the Spring Festival Gala, making it a household name.

The song is an adaptation of "The Ballad of Mulan," based on the legendary Chinese heroine Hua Mulan. However, Hua Mulan is not recorded in historical documents and only exists in the folk song "The Ballad of Mulan" from the Northern and Southern Dynasties. He didn't know if Hua Mulan existed in the world of Zhongyuan, which was the main reason for his hesitation.

Seeing that Yue Heng was still silent, Kuang Qing added fuel to the fire, sneering, "There is not much time left before the official exam. If Brother Yue is truly confident, creating a good text before the exam would be like composing a poem in seven steps, becoming a famous story among scholars!"

When these words were spoken, many people became angry.

After the Divine Punishment Year, scholars have studied culture for hundreds of years. The "Seven-Step Poem" was discovered in the ruins of the ancient Wei Kingdom, and Cao Zhi, a talented and renowned scholar of the Wei Kingdom, has influenced millions of scholars in the world of Zhongyuan. Due to his literary achievements, he is venerated as a deity in the Fuxi Temple.

Kuang Qing's words were meant to destroy Yue Heng by praising him. How could a scholar who isn't even a child candidate be compared to the deity Cao Zhi?

More inappropriately, comparing a non-child candidate to Cao Zhi was a desecration of the deity Cao Zhi venerated in the Fuxi Temple!

"Kuang Qing, how dare you!"

The head of the Wen Academy shouted sternly, scaring Kuang Qing into kneeling down. The surroundings instantly fell silent, and no one dared to speak.

"Are the deities in the Fuxi Temple to be judged at will? Fortunately, it was an unintentional act; otherwise, the deities from the heavens would surely strike you down, and the stars of Fuxi would destroy your spirit palace, expelling you from the ranks of scholars!"

Kuang Qing, hearing the head of the Wen Academy's stern rebuke, turned pale and repeatedly kowtowed, "Master Wen, I misspoke. I had no intention of desecrating the deities! Master Wen, please understand, and the deities, please understand!"

"Hmph! You insolent child, with ulterior motives and disrespectful words!" County Magistrate Qi waved his sleeve. He was shrewd and could see through the Kuang brothers' plot to frame Yue Heng.

"Boiling beans to make soup, filtering beans to make juice. The stalks burn below, the beans cry above. Born from the same root, why are you so eager to boil each other? Kuang Qing, since you know the 'Seven-Step Poem,' do you not understand the meaning of 'brothers' in the poem? You and Yue Heng are both scholars and fellow students, yet you are so eager to force him, uttering such treasonous words. It is truly ironic! Why are you so eager to boil each other? Hmph!" Another examiner waved his sleeve and almost spat at Kuang Qing.

The head of the Wen Academy was anxious. One was his favorite student, and the other was Yue Heng, whom the Ministry of Culture protected. Even if he deliberately said Kuang Qing's act was unintentional, he couldn't control how others would view Kuang Qing.

Seeing that the situation was turning into a farce with no end in sight, Yue Heng finally spoke.

He wasn't doing it to save Kuang Qing but to give the head of the Wen Academy a face. Wen Xinyue had helped him, and the head of the Wen Academy had secretly protected him. He had to give this face.

"Brother Kuang, you flatter me. I am just a minor figure, how dare I compare myself to the deities venerated in the Fuxi Temple? Reciting the complete song requires preparation, and there might not be enough time now. How about this: I can recite it after the re-exam. Let me tell you another story first."

Yue Heng smiled at Kuang Qing, clearly seeing the gratitude in his eyes, but he didn't care.

The head of the Wen Academy felt relieved, understanding the goodwill Yue Heng was showing. He smiled and stroked his beard, asking, "Do you really have a prepared ode?"

Yue Heng smiled shyly, "I have a slight understanding of poetry and odes. I will try my best. I want to ask, has anyone heard of Hua Mulan?"

Everyone shook their heads, no one had heard of her. Even those who considered themselves well-versed in various fields shook their heads after deep thought.

"The Hua surname is rare, and I have never heard of Hua Mulan."

"According to legend, the Hua surname is descended from King Wen of Zhou, but I have never heard of a talented person with the Hua surname."

"Who is she from?"

The head of the Wen Academy, who had read the county academy's classics, also pondered but quickly determined that he had never heard of Hua Mulan.

It's best that no one has heard of her, Yue Heng sighed in relief. He smiled, "Then today, before the exam, I will tell you a story called 'The Ballad of Mulan'! Jiji, jiji, Mulan is weaving at the door..."

Boom!

As soon as Yue Heng spoke, the entire waiting hall suddenly changed. Everyone was floating in the air, like deities, and the environment around them suddenly transformed into the sky above a dilapidated thatched hut.

"Bad! It's an illusion!"

The examiners were startled and shouted.