In the study, Song Jing sat in his seat examining the jieyuan model answer he had obtained.
As he read, he became completely absorbed.
This "An Exhortation to Learning"—its language was simple and unadorned, its metaphors apt and fitting, but most importantly, its conception was noble.
That's right, the word "noble" was not the slightest bit excessive.
Just like the opening stated—The gentleman says—
This was the learning of a gentleman.
It was hard to believe that a fellow like Song Shi'an could actually write an essay like this.
If one set aside the author himself, it truly could serve as a warning to today's students.
But without setting aside the author...
Song Shi'an was exactly the kind of person who needed to be warned by "An Exhortation to Learning"!
What kind of gentleman would indulge with disreputable friends in pleasure houses listening to singing girls?
Moreover, how could a brat who frequently visited brothels write such a noble essay with a clear conscience?
So while everyone else was listening to songs, he was secretly studying there?
The contrast was truly so intense that Song Jing felt embarrassed to continue reading. He put down the model answer of "An Exhortation to Learning" and picked up "Strategy for Military Farming."
Then he was shocked even more profoundly.
Why?
Song Jing knew about military farming and understood the advantages and disadvantages of garrison farming, but as an examination response, he wouldn't have thought first of using military farming to solve this problem.
Of course, this was because his mind already had another answer, so he would continuously refine that plan.
Policy essays were like that.
A skeleton filled with flesh and blood, then slowly growing wings.
Everyone had their own recognized strategy for governing the state.
And Song Jing, as a seasoned veteran of officialdom, had formed through years of accumulated experience a kind of political faculty—judgment.
Why say this?
Young, excellent students who had never entered official service would be confident in their policy essays and unconsciously embellish them in their minds. Then when comparing with others, they would argue internally that their own was more reasonable and more feasible.
It wasn't that they lacked basic judgment of good and bad, but rather that they lacked experience.
Their experience was hollow.
Song Jing, the Sheng'an Magistrate, with so many years of governing experience, could make extremely rational comparisons.
"Strategy for Military Farming" was simply more brilliant than the essay he had mentally composed for this examination!
The more Song Jing read, the more convinced he became.
His expression grew especially serious.
After finishing, he put down the model answer.
"This method is a sound strategy for governing the state."
This was the conclusion he reached.
If implemented, it would indeed touch upon the foundations of the aristocratic families.
But now with the war situation in the north pressing and the Qi army势 powerful, if the land wasn't reformed and the country truly fell, it wouldn't be good for the Song family either.
The Song clan of Huai Commandery wasn't some millennium-old family—they had only prospered for about two hundred years. Because of the examination system, Song family disciples who revered learning actually had more opportunities to distinguish themselves at court.
Our wealth and honor depend on the long-term stability of the Great Yu Dynasty's national fortunes.
Of course, other aristocratic families would certainly resist.
After all, reform meant painful adjustment.
And that the court had made this "Strategy for Military Farming" the top policy essay showed that it aligned with national circumstances.
His Majesty intended to implement military farming.
Being able to write "An Exhortation to Learning" meant writing "Strategy for Military Farming" wouldn't be difficult—that was fine.
But why did it happen to align with what the Emperor was thinking?
Was it a coincidence?
No.
Song Jing could see the consideration of "contradictory opposition" hidden within the essay.
From beginning to end, the subtext was all about weakening the aristocratic families.
That's right, he was guessing what the Emperor was thinking!
"Does this boy really have such insight?"
Song Jing found it incredible.
Or rather, he didn't dare believe it.
At this moment, someone outside the door said: "Master."
It was Jiang-shi's voice.
After Song Jing covered the model answers with several court documents, he said coolly: "Enter."
Jiang-shi walked in with undisguised joy on her face, smiling as she asked: "Master, now that we know where Shi'an is staying, shall I go find him?"
"Mm."
Song Jing continued looking at the documents without raising his head.
"Shi'an, he has at least achieved jieyuan."
Looking at him, Jiang-shi discussed: "When he returns, I don't dare hope Master will praise him, since he was at fault first, but..."
"I know."
Interrupting Jiang-shi, Song Jing's tone was somewhat impatient.
But saying this meant he accepted it—he was willing to show Song Shi'an a better face.
"Thank you, Master!"
Jiang-shi could feel that good days were coming for her and her son.
More and more, there was hope.
Just as she finished speaking, a servant suddenly came and reported: "Master, Minister Sun from the Court of Judicial Review is visiting."
"Which Minister Sun?" Song Jing asked in confusion.
"In reply to Master, Sun Heng-daren, the Left Monitor of the Court of Judicial Review."
Hearing this name, Song Jing instinctively stood up: "Minister Sun's eldest son has come?"
The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review was the head of the nation's highest judicial institution.
The Left Monitor of the Court of Judicial Review was roughly the fourth or fifth position there.
Above were the Minister, the Vice Minister, the Chief Justice (high-level subordinate official, grand secretary), and then the Left and Right Monitors in parallel.
An official of the fourth rank from the bottom.
Generally speaking, when people from the Court of Judicial Review came, capital officials would be quite nervous.
But the reason Song Jing showed no fear on his face was simple—logically, if he had committed an offense, it shouldn't be an official of this level who came to arrest him.
It would be the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review himself.
Of course, people with clear consciences wouldn't overthink when superiors came to investigate.
"What has Minister Sun come for?" Song Jing asked.
"In reply to Master," the servant relayed, "Sun Heng-daren says he has come on Minister Sun's orders to invite Young Master Shi'an to attend the birthday celebration the day after tomorrow."
Hearing this, Jiang-shi's eyes brightened.
Because everyone knew Minister Sun was looking for a son-in-law.
Could he have set his sights on my Shi'an?
That was the youngest daughter of the Sun clan of Yangzhou!
So beautiful too.
"For such a matter, he comes personally?" Song Jing was quite puzzled, murmuring to himself.
For such a trivial matter, a fourth-rank court official comes personally to invite?
How could that be?
"Then Master, how should I respond?"
Weakly, the servant asked.
"Go tell him to wait a moment, I'll go meet him personally," Song Jing said.
"Yes, Master."
After speaking, the servant left and closed the door behind him.
Song Jing fell into contemplation.
Because she was somewhat anxious and feared slighting Minister Sun's eldest son, Jiang-shi carefully asked: "Does Master have some concern?"
"That Minister Sun, though his position is high and his power great, his reputation illustrious, has quite a narrow capacity for tolerance." Song Jing continued speaking to himself. "Everyone with eyes can see he's hosting this banquet for students to build momentum for his jieyuan son. But now the one who passed isn't his son—if he goes, inevitably... he'll be made difficult for."
If it weren't for wanting to achieve the Triple Crown and become the Great Yu's first scholar in a hundred years, Sun Qian would have taken the jinshi examination long ago.
It was just ten years of sword-sharpening.
But to be stuck at the second stage—how could his mood be good?
"Though that may be so, surely Minister Sun, considering Master's face... wouldn't do such a thing?"
This statement made Song Jing pause for a moment.
At the same time, he relaxed. His heart clearly felt comfortable, but his expression was quite casual: "Indeed, even if he ranks among the Three Excellencies, what need is there to make an enemy of me?"
………
"Shi'an, are you going or not to Minister Sun's birthday celebration?"
Suddenly, Wang Shuishan asked curiously.
"Didn't you say that as one of the Three Excellencies, who wouldn't go?"
Song Shi'an, lying in bed reading a novel, said lightly.
"That was in the case of achieving sub-yuan." Wang Shuishan looked at him with great concern. "But now, his son didn't achieve jieyuan, you did—do you dare to go?"
Hearing this, the corner of Song Shi'an's mouth curled into a smile. He turned a page and said: "Then, all the more reason to go."