Essence of the Classics

Finishing this sentence, she couldn't help casting a glance toward Su Ziji.

This person truly is a seed for scholarship. I originally thought this boy's desire to study was merely a scheme to attach himself to influence, but I didn't expect him to be one who has truly grasped the essentials. For someone only fifteen years age to be able to write such classical exegesis, one can truly sigh in admiration: the younger generation is to be feared!

Fang Wenshao did not know that Su Ziji was only able to progress with such astonishing speed and share a similar style because he had obtained his own experience, which made Fang Wenshao feel an even greater sense of kindred spirit.

Although his essays still lack a bit of seasoning, that is only relative to a Provincial Graduate.

As for a Cultivated Talent of the prefectural examination, I wouldn't dare say it's like taking something from one's pocket, but it is eight or nine out of ten.

Such a person, even if not necessarily a noble patron, will not find it difficult to pass as a Provincial Graduate—especially considering he is only fifteen years old, which means his future is boundless. If he can pass the Presented Scholar examination and enter the imperial court, our county will gain one more gentry household.

Don't look at the fact that the Fang family had a Provincial Graduate and was one of the two major clans in this town; compared to a lineage like the Zheng family, which had produced a Presented Scholar, they had already fallen behind. If they couldn't produce a Presented Scholar in his own generation or Fang Xi's, he feared this Three-Autumn Ferry would gradually transform into the Zheng Family Town in everyone's eyes.

Although the two families were on good terms, this was not something Fang Wenshao was willing to see, which was why he wanted to forge a good affinity on behalf of his son. Yet this youth still needed to be observed further.

This thought merely flashed past rapidly. In reality, Fang Wenshao merely gave a slight start, finishing his reading without a word, and seeing that the remaining few had finished their papers, he took them up one by one to read.

After reading them, Fang Wenshao sighed inwardly in his heart.

Zhang Sheng can be considered the lowest. One can only say he barely managed to secure the status of an Examination Student, and that still depends on luck.

Yu Lü and my son Fang Xi have already acquired some seasoning. Passing as Examination Students is a matter of course, and as for the prefectural examination, they can also try their luck.

As for Su Ziji, he is like an awl in a pouch—its tip soon reveals itself. Although he hasn't completely leveled the gap with a Provincial Graduate, the distance is not far either.

Fang Wenshao was a man of experience, profoundly aware that Examination Students actually required a bit of talent and could be secured through diligent study.

Reaching the level of Cultivated Talent from an Examination Student was also not difficult, but going from Cultivated Talent to Provincial Graduate actually involved a natural chasm of vast difference. How many child prodigies and talented youths who became famous at a young age were stuck at this very barrier.

Some people said it was destiny, and that did have a connection, but the greater reason was the inability to cross this chasm.

Yet this youth had actually come close to it.

His mood at the moment was extremely complex. He said to Su Ziji, "Worthier Nephew Su, this classical exegesis of yours can be called seasoned. I think the prefectural examination will be no problem for you; you only need not to have too terrible luck to pass."

This matter of luck generally referred to taboos or the preferences of the examiners.

Unless he happened to encounter examiners who were somewhat eccentric or bore an inexplicable aversion to a particular piece of classical exegesis, a steady and well-balanced essay like this would at least not drag him down.

Hearing Fang Wenshao's praise of him, Su Ziji felt a sense of internal shame. He knew he had merely benefited from the light of having just acquired Fang Wenshao's experience, so he hastily offered modest thanks.

Yu Lü picked up the writing to read, an expression of astonishment on his face, and even the casual Zhang Sheng changed color.

Su Ziji glanced at the two men, knowing they were startled by his progress. It was quite obvious that in the span of these few short days, his essays had advanced once more.

Fang Wenshao inwardly felt a wave of emotion. He had still harbored doubts just a moment ago, but looking at it now, judging by this standard, he feared that seeking to build a connection with him was already a bit late. He was just about to speak further when Fang Zhengshi smiled and said, "The hour is late, and I have already had the kitchens prepare wine and food. Why don't you all eat while you chat?"

It was rare to see her husband share such a meeting of minds with a junior, yet she had no choice but to chime in to avoid missing dinner and letting the guests go hungry.

Fang Wenshao's hand paused for a moment, and he apologized, "It was this old man who forgot the time. Let them serve the dishes!"

Even upon taking their seats at the table, he still did not forget to discuss with Su Ziji the matters requiring attention during the prefectural and provincial examinations. Everyone listened with rapt attention; for those with ambitions toward the imperial examinations, these reminders originating from a Provincial Graduate were all precious experiences.

When the banquet finally dispersed and the various guests went to the guest rooms to rest, Fang Wenshao still sat in a daze. Fang Zhengshi finished tidying up the bowls and chopsticks with the maidservants, and upon returning to see him like this, she couldn't help feeling surprised and inquired closely into the reason.

Fang Wenshao sighed. "I originally thought this person was just attaching himself to influence for personal gain, but looking at it now, I fear that my son and this boy became acquainted rather too late."

The next morning, just as Yu Lü woke up, someone knocked on the door. Discovering that it was Fang Xi who had come, Yu Lü hastily invited him inside. "Cousin, why have you come so early? Please sit!"

Fang Xi suddenly blushed a shade redder, gave a cough, took a seat, and smiled. "Thank you for troubling Cousin and everyone else yesterday. My face has finally been restored to what it was, otherwise I truly couldn't show my face—"

Yu Lü didn't take it to heart. "We're family relatives, this is nothing worth mentioning. Since you've come so early, is there some matter?"

Fang Xi originally had a purpose in mind, and following the flow of the conversation, he said, "Cousin, I've come this time indeed because there is a matter. I hear that you all often study together? Now that the prefectural examination is imminent, why don't you stay at my home? My father is your own maternal uncle, surely my family has room for you to stay?"

"Furthermore, Brother Su is alone at home and lacks proper care. You should persuade Brother Su to stay as well so we can study together as fellow students and occasionally visit friends. When the time comes, we can all go to the prefectural examination together."

The prefectural city was a week's journey from Linhua County, and basically all Examination Students had to set out a few days in advance. Seeing that there was very little time left.

"The ox-cart and book-boy at home were already chosen long ago, and the silver for travel expenses has also been prepared in advance." Yu Lü immediately understood Fang Xi's intentions. "As for Brother Su, I've known him since childhood and understand his temperament. I'm afraid he won't accept this kindness of yours."

He added, "If Cousin wishes to befriend Brother Su, there will always be plenty of opportunities in the future."

After a brief moment of reflection, finding it difficult to press the matter, Fang Xi smiled. "Then it seems I was too rash."

Su Ziji knew nothing of these matters. Having suffered no disturbances, he woke up fully satisfied in the morning, finished his breakfast, and took his leave. The Fang family prepared an ox-cart, and everyone rode back to the county seat together, with even Fang Xi seeing them off.

The previous night's rain had made Three-Autumn Ferry indistinct, but viewed now, shops stretched continuously to form a marketplace, with a temple to the Earth God not far away. From time to time came the cries of vendors selling small snacks, presenting a very prosperous appearance.

Seeing Su Ziji's expression of surprise, Fang Xi felt a trace of complacency and said, "This town of mine is originally Three-Autumn Ferry. Situated at a crucial transportation hub, it has gradually grown bustling, and not long ago, the county even established a Patrol Inspectorate here."

"In private, people also call it Zheng-Fang Town, precisely because at least thirty percent of the commoners bear these two major surnames."

"Both the Zheng and Fang families take pride in scholarship. My father is a Provincial Graduate, and the previous generation of the Zheng family produced a Presented Scholar. Both clans have clan schools capable of providing elementary enlightenment."

Su Ziji nodded repeatedly, feeling quite a favorable impression. Especially with regard to Fang Xi and Fang Wenshao—only through such farming-and-scholarship aristocratic clans could he upgrade himself overnight. Upon returning, he only needed to polish things slightly to raise the Four Books and Five Classics to level 7 before the prefectural examination.

What a wonderful town, and what wonderful people!

Fang Xi did not know what Su Ziji was thinking inwardly, but he could sense the change in Su Ziji's attitude, assuming that the scholarly atmosphere of this town had won Su Ziji over. While feeling immensely pleased with himself, his attitude became even warmer.

The distance from Three-Autumn Ferry to the county seat was not far. Once they arrived at the county seat, everyone parted ways, and Fang Xi drew a purse from his bosom, handing it to Su Ziji.

Su Ziji raised his brows slightly. "What is this?"

"Brother Su, thanks to your company in resolving my affair, this is a small token of my appreciation. It's some personal savings I've managed to accumulate; do not refuse it. The prefectural examination is right before us, and when you return from taking the exams, you can slowly repay me."

Su Ziji instantly knew that this contained the traveling funds Fang Xi was lending him.