Who Said a Study Servant Can’t Win the Imperial Exam?

By the White River.

After Cui Xian finished his poem, the surroundings fell into silence. He stood with his back to the crowd, watching the flock of white geese frolicking in the water, feeling a slight thrill in his heart.

Originally, he planned to first gain fame through “Rainbow Cat” and calligraphy, then enter the Pei Family clan school to study. Later, he would find a suitable opportunity to compose poetry. But unexpectedly, he was challenged to a poetry duel.

Well, they couldn’t blame him for being ungracious!

After today, with the release of “Ode to the Goose,” his name as a genius prodigy would be firmly established!

However, the next moment-

Zhao Yaozu and the group of young boys behind him, after exchanging silent glances, burst into laughter.

“What is this!”

“Is that what you call a poem? It doesn’t even meet the basic criteria for parallelism.”

“The first line has three characters, and the rest have five. That’s not how it’s taught in books!”

“Moreover, Brother Yaozu’s poem is a more challenging Seven-character poem, with profound meaning and beautiful imagery.”

“It’s the first time I’ve seen someone write a poem about a goose. Truly laughable.”

Cui Xian: ?

Hearing these mocking voices, he slowly turned around, his face filled with disbelief.

Seriously, guys…

Is this right?

Zhao Yaozu and the others laughed arrogantly, mercilessly criticizing “Ode to the Goose.”

Cui Xian looked to Pei Jian for help: Brother, say something!

Speak up for me!

However, Brother Pei Jian only offered an awkward smile, unable to utter a coherent sentence.

Gone was the previous bravado.

Even Zhuang Jin and the other young masters, along with the students from the Pei Family clan school, looked as if they had lost a loved one.

Clearly, they thought the same.

Without parallelism, can it be called a poem?

The books all say that writing poetry requires parallelism!

Xian’s “Ode to the Goose,” the last two lines, at first glance, seem somewhat decent.

And they even rhyme.

But the first two lines, honestly… don’t quite cut it.

Seeing this, Cui Xian understood, feeling utterly absurd.

“Ode to the Goose” losing to an unknown, trashy poem.

The reason being the opponent’s ignorance and blind arrogance.

If Luo Binwang (Author of Ode to the Goose and a renowned poet of the Tang Dynasty) knew about this, his coffin lid might not stay shut!

Yet, faced with such a group of uncultured novices, Cui Xian found it impossible to reason.

Never again would he engage in ‘low-level games’!

The opponents were all trash, not only lacking skill but also adept at undermining one’s morale.

After mocking “Ode to the Goose” for a good while, Zhao Yaozu’s side declared victory, arrogantly claiming to be the most talented prodigy in Nanyang.

And he lectured Cui Xian: Practice more if you’re weak.

Before leaving, Zhao Yaozu feigned magnanimity, smiling at Cui Xian, “Is there anything else you want to say?”

Cui Xian remained silent for a long time, sincerely suggesting, “In future poetry duels, remember to bring a judge. If you can’t find one, inform your opponent to bring one.”

Had there been even one Scholar Candidate present today, the result wouldn’t have been so absurd.

This is what happens when you start rambling after losing!

Zhao Yaozu didn’t bother to understand and didn’t care to ask.

He snorted coldly, leading his group of rookies away with triumphant cheers.

“Once we return, make sure to copy my masterpiece along with Cui Xian’s ‘Ode to the Goose’ and spread them quickly through every street and alley!”

“The name of Nanyang’s Prodigy belongs to none other than me, Zhao Yaozu, hahaha.”

This was Zhao Yaozu’s ultimate goal for the day.

To step on Cui Xian and make a name for himself!

And indeed, he succeeded.

‘Rainbow Cat’ is currently a sensation in Nanyang County Town, and the fact that an eight-year-old who hasn’t begun formal studies wrote a storybook has become a popular topic of conversation.

It was truly a case of being in the right place at the right time with the right people!

The more Zhao Yaozu thought about it, the more excited he became, so much so that he didn’t even return home.

He went straight to the school, asking his classmates to help copy his masterpiece for distribution!

Strangely enough, back at the White River, everyone thought Zhao Yaozu’s ‘Ode to New Bamboo’ was well-written.

But now, as they copied it, they found they couldn’t recall it at all.

Instead, Cui Xian’s ‘Ode to the Goose’ came to mind effortlessly, without the need for any thought.

Moreover, the more they read it, the smoother it felt.

It had a catchy rhythm.

After copying it several times, someone hesitated and suggested, “Brother Yaozu, should we consult your grandfather about these two poems before making a decision?”

Zhao Yaozu was displeased upon hearing this: “No need. Can’t I tell which poem is stronger? Hurry up and copy!”

Oh.

Everyone feared Zhao’s family’s influence and didn’t dare say more, so they continued copying silently.

Because there were many people, over a hundred copies of the poems were quickly completed.

Under Zhao Yaozu’s instructions, a group of teenagers took the poems and distributed them through the streets.

Of course, they didn’t give them to just anyone.

They specifically targeted scholars wearing Confucian robes, as this would ensure the fastest way to ‘make a name.’

Shortly after the students went out to distribute the poems, Zhao Yaozu’s Teacher arrived at the school.

Immediately, a student eager to please Zhao Yaozu proudly showed off to the Teacher: “Teacher, Brother Yaozu composed a poem today in a poetry duel, a masterpiece praising you!”

The Teacher smiled warmly and said, “Oh? Yaozu composed a poem again, let’s hear it.”

Zhao Yaozu maintained a modest smile and said nothing.

The student who was trying to curry favor understood and deliberately teased, “Let me first read the opponent’s poem to you, it’s called ‘Ode to the Goose.'”

Clearly, this was an attempt to ‘throw a sprat to catch a mackerel.’

But with Zhao’s family’s power, the Teacher pretended not to know, graciously listening.

“Goose, goose, goose,

You crook your neck, singing to the sky.”

Upon hearing the first two lines, the Teacher’s initially indifferent attitude suddenly brightened, eagerly asking, “What comes next?”

Such a lively and vivid description!

Though the wording is simple, it is full of childlike charm, and just the first two lines are already catchy!

Seeing the Teacher’s change in attitude, the student was puzzled but continued hesitantly:

“White feathers float on emerald stream,”

The Teacher instinctively stroked his beard, already picturing the ‘white goose playing in the water.’

Indeed, the poem paints a picture, vivid and lifelike.

“Red paddles stir clear ripples by.”

The Teacher was so excited that he accidentally pulled out a strand of his beard, wincing in pain. Yet, he couldn’t help but exclaim with a flushed face, “Wonderful! What a brilliant line, ‘Red paddles stir clear ripples by.’! This is truly a stroke of genius! Who is the author of this poem?”

“The entire piece is delightful and catchy, with a fresh and lingering charm! I am truly impressed!”

“I am not as talented.”

“To think that in Nanyang City, there exists such a master of poetry! Who is the esteemed author of this poem? Take me to meet them at once!”

As these words fell, a deathly silence enveloped the room. Everyone was left speechless.

Zhao Yaozu, after a moment of shock, turned pale. “Teacher! This so-called poem doesn’t even have proper parallelism. How can it be praised? It’s just a mediocre poem by an eight-year-old child.”

“My ‘Ode to New Bamboo’ is far superior, a thousand times better than this!”

“Earlier by the White River, after I finished my poem, I received a standing ovation, while that mediocre talent was met with ridicule. I won effortlessly!”

“Let me recite ‘Ode to New Bamboo’ for you…”

The Teacher, initially incredulous, watched as his face turned from excitedly flushed to… well… flushed with anger.

He looked at Zhao Yaozu, his voice trembling, “So you used such a flawed poem to win against ‘Ode to the Goose’? And the author of ‘Ode to the Goose’ is only eight years old?”

Upon receiving confirmation, the Teacher’s vision darkened, nearly causing him to faint.

An eight-year-old prodigy wrote a poem.

The classic ‘Ode to the Goose’.

And it lost to a flawed poem.

The drama couldn’t be more intense!

Without a doubt, this poem would become famous.

And with such a dramatic ‘poetry duel’, it wouldn’t just be famous-it would be explosively popular!

Once this story spreads…

Zhao Yaozu, along with the ‘mentor’ praised in his poem, which was himself, would become the laughingstock of the literary circles.

Realizing this, the Teacher, nearly pleading, hoped, “This matter… no one else knows about it yet, right?”

Zhao Yaozu proudly replied, “How could that be! I’ve already had my classmates copy over a hundred copies of the poems and distributed them throughout the city!”

It’s over!

Completely over!

Under the stunned gazes of everyone, the Teacher collapsed onto the ground, looking utterly desolate.

Zhao Yaozu, feeling wronged, protested, “What are you doing? Isn’t my line ‘first, they’ll brush the teacher’s silvered brows aside.’ better than that mediocre poem…”

Before he could finish, the Teacher suddenly sprang up and slapped him on the forehead in anger. “Brush my silvered brows’?! Who told you to drag me into your awful poem?! It’s because of dunces like you that my hair turned gray”

“You never show such respect for your teacher on normal days, so why today, of all days, did you write a flawed poem and drag me into it?!”

“From now on, whenever anyone mentions ‘Ode to the Goose’, the two of us will be mocked and ridiculed!”

“Fool! Do you even understand that a catchy poem can be passed down for years, even decades?”

“My entire life’s reputation is ruined because of you!”