Chapter 40: Frustrated by Incompetence

The news that Wang Xuezhou was about to sit for the imperial examinations caught his family off guard. No one had expected that in just four short years, he would truly embark on the path of the civil service exams.

Wang Chengzu could not help but recall the days when his young nephew, with his small frame, stood at the Crane Pavilion betting on couplets with others. Looking now at the boy’s tall, slender figure, as upright as green bamboo, he felt a surge of emotion. "Zhou’er truly has some destiny on his side; having a good teacher is better than anything else."

"As your elder uncle, I am at least a licentiate myself, so let me impart some examination experience to you!"

Watching his uncle’s enthusiastic demeanor, Wang Xuezhou did not refute him but smiled and said, "Then please, Uncle, give me some guidance."

This brought great satisfaction to Wang Chengzu, who assumed a posture of authority and said, "With my experience to guide you, as long as your scholarship is sound, there will be no problems."

"The weather in February is still quite cold, and they won't let you wear thick padded clothing, so you should wear several layers of thin garments. You will go and return on the same day for the county exam, so there is no need to prepare too many things. Once you are inside, you must first inspect your desk board..."

The rest of the family nodded frequently as they listened to Wang Chengzu, occasionally turning to ask if Wang Xuezhou had remembered everything. Only after receiving his affirmative answer would they turn back to let Wang Chengzu continue. Most of these tips had already been covered by Master Zhou, but his uncle’s advice had its merits; after all, everyone’s experience was unique.

Wang Xuezhou listened earnestly for half an hour until his uncle finally finished, feeling as though he had learned quite a bit.

Once everyone had dispersed, Wang Xuewen ran over, looking at him with a mix of envy and jealousy. "Don't get cocky. I’m going to sign up too; I’m going this time as well!" He had been studying for six months longer than "Choudan" (Wang Xuezhou's childhood nickname). If even Choudan could take the exam, why couldn't he?

Watching his cousin’s defiant expression, Wang Xuezhou remained calm. "Then why aren't you rushing back to study? If you score lower than me, you can wait to be laughed at."

Wang Xuewen’s scalp tightened at the thought. "In your dreams!" He turned and ran back to his room, and within moments, the sound of him reciting aloud drifted through the courtyard.

Wang Xuezhou chuckled and returned to his own room to continue his hard work. Before he had left the academy, Master Zhou had given him a topic: "Three Times as Minister, Three Times Dismissed." The topic originated from the *Analects of Confucius*, specifically the *Gongye Chang* chapter. It tells of a man named Ziwen who, having served as a high minister three times, showed no joy, and having been dismissed three times, showed no resentment. Each time he handed over his position, he made sure to brief his successor on all the policies he had enacted. The passage served to praise his mindset of being indifferent to success and failure, and detached from fame and wealth.

After some thought, he decided to approach the essay from the perspective of moral cultivation: "The heart of a superior man is broad and impartial, loyal in his counsel..." He praised the attitude Ziwen held toward poverty and success, nobility and humility, arguing from the standpoint of a loyal subject’s duty to the state.

***

Wang Xuexin had been living and boarding at the Crane Pavilion and rarely returned home in recent years. Wang Chengzhi had placed a small desk in the space where he used to sleep to facilitate Wang Xuezhou’s studies.

In the middle of the night, Zhang shi woke up and noticed the light in the inner room. She quietly walked over and saw her son hunched over the low desk, pen in hand. Because the space was cramped, his legs were stretched straight, and his upper body was curved like a crescent moon. Feeling uncomfortable, he would occasionally stretch his legs or straighten his back to loosen his wrists.

The sight made Zhang shi’s heart ache, and tears welled up in her eyes. "Choudan, get some sleep! It doesn't matter if you finish a little later," she said softly, afraid of disturbing him.

"Alright, I'll sleep in a moment. You go back to sleep too, Mother," Wang Xuezhou replied without lifting his head. He had been pondering for a long time, and half the essay remained unfinished.

Zhang shi returned to bed, helpless. Seeing Wang Chengzhi sprawled out in his sleep, a sudden surge of anger rose in her, and she gave him a kick. Wang Chengzhi merely turned over and continued snoring. She glared at him in frustration. Her son had been studying for years, yet they didn't even have a proper desk for him at home. Tomorrow! Tomorrow she would discuss it with the elders and have a room built to serve as a study for Choudan!

***

Wang Xuezhou felt as if he had only just closed his eyes when it was time to leave for the academy. Seeing his son’s bleary eyes, Wang Chengzhi felt a pang of pity. "You can nap in the cart for a while, and I'll call you when we arrive."

He nodded and curled up in the ox-cart to sleep. By the time they reached the academy, he was much more refreshed.

In this final sprint, every lesson Master Zhou gave focused on the essentials. "For the Four Books, there are no shortcuts; you must memorize them by rote. Take this time to recite as much as you can. Don't freeze up in the exam hall and forget everything. As for poetry, prepare one piece each for bamboo, orchid, plum, and chrysanthemum, and for the four seasons—in case you encounter such topics, you will be prepared. The main point I want to emphasize is how to approach the interpretation of the 'Eight-Legged Essay'..."

With the real examinations looming, no one dared to let their mind wander. They listened with intense focus. Even when the school day ended, no one was in a hurry to leave; they all sat silently, diligently studying their books.

***

Wang Xuezhou brought his essay from the previous day to Master Zhou. His classmates were already accustomed to this routine.

"Master, I have finished yesterday's essay. Please provide your guidance." He handed over the paper and then habitually picked up a cloth to tidy up the study.

After a moment, Master Zhou nodded. "Your essays have always been well-written. I am not worried about that." He waved his hand. "Stop cleaning and sit down."

He looked at Wang Xuezhou, a mix of frustration and high expectations in his eyes. "Your coursework is fine, but why is your poetry so stale, rigid, and devoid of spirit? I truly wish I could open your head and see what’s inside!" He genuinely could not understand it. "When you were young, you had quite a talent for couplets. Logically, your poetry shouldn't be like this. Yet, over these years, you’ve made no progress in capturing imagery. Your poetry can only be called rhyming. I truly cannot comprehend it."

Wang Xuezhou felt a bit awkward. His way of thinking was fixed, and his ability with couplets was the result of years of practice, but poetry was different—it required intuition that could not simply be learned...

"Master... Master..."

Seeing him like this, Master Zhou knew that getting angry was useless. He had seen many geniuses, but all had some minor shortcomings; perhaps this was the area where his student fell short.

Sighing, he took a book from the shelf and handed it to him. "This is a collection of poems written by my older brother. I gift this book to you. Read it when you have spare time; perhaps it will provide you with some inspiration."

Wang Xuezhou took the book and read the title: *Essays from Leisure*. "Xianzhong" must be the courtesy name of the master's brother. "Thank you, Master!"

Master Zhou nodded slightly and continued, "I had originally intended for you to study for three more years to solidify your foundation, but I did not expect that seeing Zhu An take the exam this year would make you all restless. I am not worried about you, but I hope you will steady your mindset. Like Ziwen, remain calm in the face of favor or humiliation. Do not place too much weight on gain or loss; a single examination does not define everything."

Hearing the master’s concern, Wang Xuezhou bowed deeply and solemnly. "I understand your painstaking efforts, Master. Please rest assured, I will not fail your expectations."