Fang Yun immediately remembered the voice; it was his cousin Fang Li.
Turning around, I saw Fang Li leading Fang Zhongyong standing outside the door. Fang Li was wearing a bright red robe, looking very happy. He took off his red melon-shaped hat with his hand, hunched over, and showed a flattering smile.
Next to Fang Li stood a young man with sunken eye sockets.
Fang Yun took a closer look and felt deeply moved. He had heard of Fang Zhongyong's name several years ago. At that time, this cousin was full of vigor and vitality, but he was not only unknown, but also had difficulty in getting a full meal.
When Fang Zhongyong followed his father to show off his poems and essays to wealthy families, Fang Yun was still working in a restaurant to support himself.
Before the Tongsheng examination, Fang Yun met Fang Zhongyong. At that time, Fang Zhongyong's reputation had reached its peak, and he was almost the only candidate for the top spot in Ji County. Fang Li wanted to celebrate in advance, and Fang Zhongyong even wrote a poem to get out of the county in the imperial examination.
However, Fang Yun defeated Fang Zhongyong with the help of the wonderful book "World".
Afterwards, Fang Yun studied hard and slept only one hour a day. In the later period, he relied heavily on his talent, but in the early period, he relied purely on the blood ginseng and other things rewarded by the Queen Mother. He persisted slowly and made rapid progress.
While Fang Yun was studying hard, Fang Zhongyong, as he was the second best student in the county, was taken by his father to visit relatives and friends, where he continued to show off his poetry and had no time to study at all.
Fang Yun took the examination for the scholar in Yuhai Prefecture and ranked first, but Fang Zhongyong failed in Dayuan Prefecture. After all, he was still young, so Fang Li and others did not care.
Then, Fang Yun became famous, but he hardly ever socialized and always studied hard. Even when he was training in the army, he went to the military library every day to study military tactics.
On the other hand, Fang Zhongyong, because of his famous relative Fang Yun, not only did Fang Li not let him calm down and catch up, but he even rushed out of Ji County under the name of Fang Yun and went even further to show off in various places in Dayuan Prefecture, making a lot of money.
Fang Li's most glorious time was when he took Fang Zhongyong to the provincial literary academy and asked Fang Zhongyong to recite Fang Yun's poems to those young students.
Until two days ago, Fang Li took Fang Zhongyong to visit Cai He, the magistrate of Ji County, and asked Fang Zhongyong to write an article listing Fang Yun's evil deeds. Although his words were not as vicious as those of the people of Qing, they were still disgusting.
Cai He also tested Fang Zhongyong, and finally wrote in his letter to Fang Yun that "he has lost all his talent and is no different from ordinary students." This means that Fang Zhongyong has lost all his talent and is no different from ordinary students, but Cai He obviously did not want to say anything harsh. At this time, Fang Zhongyong might not be as good as those students.
At this moment, Fang Zhongyong's eyes were dull and lifeless, and his look at Fang Yun was full of fear. He didn't look like a county prodigy at all, but just a child who had never seen the world.
Fang Yun felt extremely sorry, but he also knew that in a society where rulers ruled, subjects governed, fathers served, and sons served, Fang Zhongyong was simply unable to disobey his father.
If Fang Li came alone, Fang Yun would have asked someone to kick him out, but seeing Fang Zhongyong's look, he sighed and said, "Zhongyong, cousin, come in."
"Thank Wenhou! Thank Wenhou! What are you standing there for? Why don't you thank your uncle Wenhou!" Fang Li slapped Fang Zhongyong's head hard, and Fang Zhongyong's body swayed and he almost fell down.
"Stop! There is a saying in the Three Character Classic that if a son is not taught, it is the father's fault. Even if the fault lies with Zhongyong, why do you have to beat and scold him at will?" Fang Yun shouted softly.
Fang Li was stunned. He quickly smiled and said, "Yes, yes, Lord Wenhou is right. Don't worry, I will never hit you again. I dare to hit my son, but I dare not hit your nephew. It is a blessing for Zhongyong to have you support his uncle so much. Zhongyong, why don't you thank your uncle?"
Fang Li looked at his son with a smile on his face.
Fang Zhongyong's eyes flashed with gratitude, and he bowed and said, "I, Zhongyong, thank you, uncle."
"We are all family, come in and talk." Fang Yun gestured to the two to go to the study with him to talk.
Those friends from Shengxu were originally talking in the hall, but when they saw someone coming to visit, they all came out.
Li Fanming asked, "Fang Yun, is this the child prodigy Fang Zhongyong from Ji County?"
When Fang Li saw that all of them were wearing the black robes of the Juren, he immediately smiled humbly and said, "No, no, there is only one child prodigy in Ji County, Fang Wenhou. The others are mediocre and not worth mentioning. My son Zhongyong is just an ordinary student. How can he catch the eyes of the Juren gentlemen?"
Li Fanming laughed and said, "Don't lie to me. I have also been to Wudao River and heard of Fang Zhongyong's name in Ji County. Why, you always take Fang Zhongyong to sell poems and essays everywhere, but now that you are here, you look down on us?"
"I wouldn't dare." Fang Li realized that the man's accent was not from Jingguo, and when he mentioned Wudao River, he immediately realized where these people came from. He was so scared that he broke out in a sweat. In the eyes of the common people, these children of semi-saint families were no different from kings.
Li Fanming sneered and said, "You really don't know what's good for you. You don't even want the benefits you get."
The other candidates shook their heads slightly and no longer took Fang Li seriously.
Fang Li was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized what had happened. He hurriedly said loudly, "Lord Wenhou, please test Zhongyong's poems. Zhongyong, why don't you come forward and ask for advice!"
Fang Zhongyong stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Please ask my uncle teacher to examine my poetry and prose."
Fang Yun wanted to refuse, but after seeing Fang Zhongyong's dim eyes, he made up his mind and said, "Okay, since he is your uncle and we are both scholars, I will test you. You are famous for your poetry and prose, so I will test you separately. I will not give you a difficult question, but the topic of this year's imperial examination, "Wei Min Suo Zhi", you can recite the meaning of the classics orally. I don't ask for a good answer, just your ideas for solving the problem."
"Student understands." Fang Zhongyong frowned and thought, but his eyes were uncertain. He had seen many scenes, but he still felt pressured when a group of black-clothed scholars stood in front of him, especially when his cousin was already a world-famous figure, a great scholar and a role model for literati.
After a long time, Fang Zhongyong still didn't say anything.
Fang Yun and the other candidates frowned and looked at Fang Li with dissatisfaction. This was a question on the meaning of the classics for the human race. There was no need to wait until the results were announced today. After someone gave up the exam, all the scholars in the ten countries should pay attention and try to solve the problem. Fang Li brought Fang Zhongyong with him, but he didn't even let him solve the problem.
Fang Yun said: "Zhongyong, you don't need to think too much, just say whatever you want to say, just talk about this opening question."
Fang Zhongyong hesitated and said, "Wei... Wei Min Su Zhi is the original text of the Book of Songs. This sentence refers to the place where the people of the Shang Dynasty live, and it means that they live and work in peace and contentment. Then this text should talk about the way to keep the people safe. Whether it is Confucius, Mencius or other saints, they all have ways to keep the people safe. Let me think about it..."
All the candidates present shook their heads. This question involved territory, which was the best answer. Among the 100 candidates who passed the exam, all understood the intention of the semi-saint. They all wrote about territory, but their luck was slightly worse than Fang's.
Fang Yun couldn't bear to listen any more, so he said amiably, "It's great that you can think of this. If you study hard for a few more years, you will have a great chance of passing the imperial examination. I heard that you are also famous for your poetry, so I will test your poetry."
Fang Yun was about to use the poetry test question for the juren exam, but he remembered that Fang Zhongyong had not paid any attention to the exam questions, so he looked around and said, "I will just come up with a poetry topic on the spot. You just need to write a poem."
This square house is relatively small, with few flowers and plants. Fang Yun pointed to the living room and said, "There is a square armchair made of rosewood. You can write a poem about the square chair."
The chair is located in the main seat of the main hall. It is painted to a shine and there is nothing special about it.
Those scholars nodded. Fang Yun really didn't want to make things difficult for his nephew.
Poetry about objects can be simple or complex, as long as you are not stupid enough to only write about objects. A little expression of emotion will do the job. Moreover, it is extremely difficult to write well about inanimate objects such as tables and chairs, which are far less meaningful than the four treasures of the study. If you write poetry on the spot, the level of a scholar and a Jinshi is not much different.
Fang Zhongyong said: "Then I will write an ancient poem on the square chair. Please forgive my lack of talent and knowledge."
"Both quatrains and regulated verses need to be repeatedly polished before they can be written well. Just write in the ancient style." Fang Yundao.
Fang Zhongyong took a deep breath, and finally a bit of determination appeared in his eyes. After a little thought, he said: "The big red sandalwood chair is square, and it welcomes guests... fills the hall... fills the hall..."
After Fang Zhongyong finished the second sentence, he stuttered and couldn't continue. In the end, he just stared blankly.
Fang Li was furious and slapped Fang Zhongyong in the face with a loud slap, cursing, "This is not the first time you have failed to compose a poem recently, you idiot!"
Fang Zhongyong covered his face silently.
"Stop! Do you think this is your home?" Fang Yun said sternly.
Fang Li was startled and took a step back. He rolled his eyes and said with a smile, "Lord Wenhou, you have also seen that this child is getting dumber and dumber. Why don't you complete this seven-character ancient poem and give it to him to hang in his study to encourage him to study? What do you think?"
Li Fanming laughed and scolded: "Fang Yun, just now I said that your cousin is stupid, but now he has become smart."
Fang Li said with a smile: "I am stupid, but I became smarter after meeting Wen Hou. It is said that Wen Hou is the god of literature who has descended to earth. Just meeting him can increase your knowledge. Zhongyong, why don't you ask your cousin for a poem?"
Fang Zhongyong quickly put his hand down, bent down and said, "Uncle, please give me a poem."
Fang Yun was considering it, Zong Wude sighed and said, "Just give this child a poem, he is quite pitiful."
Fang Yun nodded and said, "Well, I will continue writing this poem impromptu."
If it was when he first arrived at Shengyuan Continent, this would have been extremely difficult for Fang Yun, after all, he was continuing someone else's poem. However, Fang Yun had been studying for many days and was no longer the same as he was back then.
So Fang Yun continued with the poem without thinking.
"The large red sandalwood chairs are square and welcoming to the hall where guests gather.
Dukes, generals and ministers took turns sitting, and I thought I was the king of the house.
The naughty boy set up a trap in front of the door, and the old chair in the hall was moved to the study.
Only when the scent of ink and the quiet bookshelf accompany you can you know that you have no writing skills. "
Fang Zhongyong lowered his head in shame, and Fang Li's face turned red.
Shi Tang smiled and said, "It is indeed Fang Quanjia. He just casually continued someone else's poem, but he expressed his own ideas. This poem is the best to spur Fang Zhongyong."
Yan Yukong smiled and nodded, saying, "Okay! It's not difficult to continue the poem, but the difficult part is to tell Fang Zhongyong the truth that suits him. Zhongyong, do you know the meaning of this poem?"
Fang Zhongyong said respectfully, "Student knows. My first two sentences only describe the chair's glory, which is difficult to continue. My uncle first describes the nobles and generals who took turns sitting on it, making the glory of the chair more specific. Then he wrote that the chair was arrogant, thinking that these big men sat on it, so it was the king of this house. But things change. My uncle borrowed the words of "Outside the door, you can catch birds" from "Records of the Grand Historian" and wrote about the children catching birds at the door, which indirectly shows that the owner of this house is no longer glorious, and the old chair is also placed in the study."
As Fang Zhongyong spoke, he secretly glanced at the crowd and found that many candidates nodded, which made him feel relieved.
"The fifth and sixth sentences are parallel and connected. The last two sentences mean that the chair didn't realize until it saw the bookcase with books that it had nothing when no one was sitting on it, unlike the bookcase which still had books in its belly. My uncle was warning me not to be blinded by fame and fortune, not to be a chair that can only be raised by others, but to be a bookcase full of knowledge." (To be continued..)