At Ink Wisdom Academy in Pearl City, an elderly Academy Student stood on the dais, facing the Child Scholars in the classroom, his face radiant as a spring breeze.
"You have probably already heard the poem 'Spring View,' but you do not understand its true significance. All poetry can be broadly divided into two categories: war poetry and non-war poetry. War poetry is classified by literary rank, which is simple enough to understand. Who knows how non-war poetry is classified? Luo Meng, tell us."
A young Child Scholar stood and answered in a clear voice, "Yes, teacher. Non-war poetry can enhance literary fame. From lowest to highest, the classifications are county-exceeding, prefecture-reaching, state-ringing, nation-quelling, and transmitted under heaven. Above those is saint-shocking. Generally speaking, poetry does not shock the Sages. Only an essay written well enough can do that."
The elderly Academy Student nodded. "Sit down. Luo Meng answered very well. Within these two categories, there is a very special kind of poetry, called 'world-passing.' All war poetry that is not world-passing can be called exceptional poetry. What does world-passing mean? Dong Da'an, tell us."
An honest-looking boy scratched his head as he stood, his face reddening. "I dunno."
Many of the children covered their mouths and giggled.
"Sit down," the elderly Academy Student said kindly, then asked, "Who knows the origin of 'world-passing'?"
Many children shook their heads.
The elderly Academy Student said, "You have not even finished studying Sage Kong's scriptures, so it is perfectly natural that you do not know. The term 'world-passing' comes from Xunzi. In 'The Way of the Ruler,' it says, 'Keep to one's duties and follow one's occupation, daring neither to diminish nor augment them, and one may pass down through the ages.' This is world-passing at its lowest level, no more than