"The Yuehua Building is three stories high, and the eaves of each floor are made of special colored glaze. Whenever the moon is at its zenith, the lights on the building are turned off, and the four corners will emit a hazy glow under the moonlight, just like the name Yuehua."
Although there were a lot of people going to Yuehua Tower today, Zhang Shou finally persuaded the old lady and Zhu Ying's grandparents to split into two groups. One group would go around Yuehua Tower to see the excitement, and the other group would go directly to Yuehua Tower, so as to avoid being too conspicuous. Although he didn't say how to divide them, the old lady naturally understood and took Zhu Ying away directly.
At this time, listening to an idle person nearby explaining the origin of Yuehua Tower, Zhang Shou couldn't help but wonder, did Princess Yongping choose this place to hold the literary meeting because she was born on August 15th and therefore had a special liking for the word Yuehua
If Mother Li hadn't pointed it out earlier, he would have thought that this monthly literary gathering was her son-in-law selection meeting...
Wooden fences had been erected near Yuehua Tower, and fully armed guards were stationed at all entrances. Whenever a scholar took out an invitation and went in, there would be cheers. The scholars bathed in the cheers would often hold their heads high and look very excited. Of course, Zhang Shou could also clearly hear some sour words from those around him who had not received the invitations.
Today he put on his hat and veil again, and with Qi Liang and Deng Xiaodai as his followers and Ah Liu as his escort, he finally managed to find a free space against the wall in the crowded crowd. But even so, he did not immediately show his name card and go to the more spacious Yuehua Building to join those complacent winners, but listened to the conversations of people around him with interest.
Soon, five or six young scholars came in a group, and the people around them made way for them. However, these people also talked loudly, as if no one was around.
"The last topic was 'Master's Articles'. I wonder what the Princess Yongping will ask this time!"
"Xie Wanquan, the Imperial College student who solved the best question last time, was so angry at a country boy that he stayed indoors this time. I'm afraid he can't come. Humph, even if he is a disciple of Grand Master Ge, what's his ability if he only studies mathematics? Wasn't Grand Master Ge famous for being the best in contemporary literature?"
"Hey, Princess Yongping holds such a literary gathering every month, where everyone discusses the Four Books and classics, recalls the past, and also lets those who have forgotten their ancestors take a good look. Those foreign ghost paintings are nothing compared to our sages! The imperial examinations only test contemporary writings. This is the system of our ancestors, how can it be changed?"
"I heard that more and more contemporary essay selectors are invited to Yuehua Tower by Princess Yongping every month. As long as this becomes a system, the outstanding contemporary essays can be compiled into a book every month and become famous in the capital, and even in the world. This is truly a good policy. Since the emperor has sent someone to come in person, it is clear that he supports contemporary essays!"
Zhang Shou heard Qi Liang talk about the so-called contemporary essay selectors. Contemporary essay selectors, or eight-part essay selectors, are simply like editors of outstanding essays in later generations. They are responsible for selecting outstanding eight-part essays after the imperial examination, commenting on them, compiling them into books, and finally selling them to the Confucian students who are taking the examination. Of course, to do this, most of these selectors have the reputation of being contemporary essay masters.
If it weren't for the hat and veil blocking his view, he could guarantee that the people around him who heard the loud conversation would definitely see the extremely disapproving expression on his face.