Chapter 3: Does a humble room diminish the spirit of books and swords (Part 2)

The difficulty is too high! He Fang shook his head, fortunately, there are multiple paths to becoming an official and acquiring wealth. For instance, the Mingjing examination—this is a civil service examination that is slightly less difficult than the Jinshi examination; or serving under some high-ranking officials, accumulating merits while waiting for recommendations; or directly purchasing an official position—this is referred to as "Jinna" at this time

Although in Han Gang's memory, the Hengqu Academy had not yet been established at this time, and the four lines of inscription that would be passed down through the ages had not yet appeared, when recalling that profound imprint left in Han Gang's memory, only Zhang Zai, who was well-versed in both literature and martial arts, with a broad perspective on history and a heart concerned for the world, could possess such grandeur

The lottery ticket that can only be purchased after three years has a pitifully small chance of winning. He Fang is completely uninterested in testing his luck. Unless the court can change the examination questions for the Jinshi degree to topics that he is more familiar with and that do not require high literary talent, he has no hope of becoming a Jinshi!

Waking up just over ten days, He Fang has gradually become familiar with Han Gang's memories, but he still finds Han Gang's identity strange, always viewing his former self from a third-party perspective, including his poetry and prose. Upon seeing Han Gang's great works, He Fang does not expect to use them as a means to an end. If He Fang were to replace Han Gang in an examination, let alone passing the imperial examination, he would probably struggle even to pass the provincial examination.

The two masters of Confucianism, Er Cheng and Zhang Zai, gathered together to discuss the issue of "Heaven and Earth originally have no heart, but humanity gives them a heart"

As seen in Han Gang's room, there hangs a three-foot-long recurve bow, made of yellow birch with a silk and hemp string. Its craftsmanship is not particularly exquisite, yet it possesses a certain rugged beauty. He Fang took the bow down and pulled on the string, but it did not budge at all. It felt very stiff, and his arms, still weak after recovering from a serious illness, could hardly draw it back.

After half a month, He Fang gradually integrated and comprehended a portion of the memories of his former self, and he was already able to effectively utilize the vocabulary of the present time. He could also understand the meaning of the few lines of regular script on the bamboo pen holder, which had a somewhat notable background.

The design of these pieces of furniture is quite simple, consisting merely of several straight and horizontally aligned poplar wood planks joined together. They have not been polished, giving them a rough appearance. Not a single nail has been used; only mortise and tenon joints are employed. Particularly, the bookshelf has somewhat loose tenons, swaying and creaking with the slightest touch. Several compartments on the bookshelf are stacked with around one hundred to eighty volumes of books, most of which were painstakingly copied by Han Gang himself and carried back from his place of study. These include the Nine Classics and Three Commentaries, along with some annotations and commentaries on the classics, and even more than ten volumes of excerpts from the Records of the Grand Historian.

After putting down the book, He Fang often thought that if he could return to a thousand years later with Han Gang's memories, relying on his eloquence in both human and ghostly speech, it should not be a problem for him to make a name for himself on the Hundred Schools Forum

Archery is one of the Six Arts of a gentleman. In ancient times, Confucian scholars were well-versed in both literature and martial arts, holding a book in one hand and an arrow in the other. Han Gang's teacher, Zhang Zai, emphasized the importance of the Six Arts as well. In Han Gang's memory, he had the privilege of accompanying his mentor and had encountered many renowned scholars, including the legendary founders of Neo-Confucianism, Cheng Hao and Cheng Yi, who happened to be Zhang Zai's distant relatives.

If the poetry and prose of the scholars from Shaanxi are of such a level, it would not be surprising at all if they were utterly defeated by the scholars from Jiangnan. He tossed aside the eight volumes of poetry that were laid out on the table, which he had been reciting with a group of tedious literati, causing the bookshelf to shake violently.

To establish a heart for heaven and earth! To establish a destiny for the people! To carry on the unbroken teachings of the sages! To open up peace for all generations!

He Fang learned from Han Gang's memory that those scholars who passed the provincial examination were referred to as "gongsheng" and could also be called "juren." However, unlike the juren of later generations, this was not a lifelong qualification but rather a one-time eligibility. If one passed the provincial examination and then failed to pass the imperial examination in the capital, they would need to participate in the provincial examination again three years later and pass it in order to qualify as a gongsheng once more; otherwise, they would still lack the qualification.

The Han family is now destitute, and the thatched cottage they reside in is still rented. Although they used to be among the more prominent families in the village, a glance at the furniture brought from their old home reveals a sense of poverty. A bed, a writing desk, a bookcase, and two wooden stools—this is all they have.

To establish peace for all eternity

Whenever He Fang thinks of Han Gang's teacher, a scene flashes through his mind. A middle-aged man in his forties, of average height and ordinary appearance, yet his demeanor and bearing are extraordinary, exuding a sense of integrity and resoluteness. He is lecturing a group of ten to twenty students in a relatively spacious earthen house: "Where there is ignorance, there is knowledge; where there is no ignorance, there is no knowledge. Therefore, it is said: the sage has never possessed knowledge; it is through questioning that knowledge arises. The Master inquired about the Dao from Laozi, and asked about music from Shikuan..."

What is this called, poetry? No wonder no one from the Kansai region can become a scholar

This is the demeanor that a Confucian scholar should possess

He recited each character aloud, a surge of lofty ambition welling up within him. For the first time since his time travel, he felt a direct connection with history, and in a daze, his consciousness became inseparable from Han Gang, "So this is my teacher..."

"Buying an official position?" He Fang glanced around the room and let out a bitter laugh. At least for now, it is more difficult than passing the imperial examination.

The teacher is explaining the Confucian classics above, while a group of bookworms below are writing furiously. Regardless of the structure of the classroom and the attire of the teacher and students, such a scene is actually quite familiar to He Fang.

According to the data in my memory, this is a powerful bow that requires a draw weight of one hundred and thirty pounds, which is equivalent to one stone and three dou. It was a gift from my second brother when I went out to study. Compared to the ordinary hunting bows that have a draw weight of five to six dou, it is significantly stronger. Relying on this bow, Han Gang repeatedly ranked among the top five in archery competitions attended by over a hundred classmates. His archery skills are undoubtedly impressive, as evidenced by the calluses on his fingertips that have yet to fade.

The green jade branch, its texture is strong and straight. One should remember its heart, and embody its joints. This is a gift for the jade gentleman

Day after day, He Fang found himself feeling somewhat frustrated while reading the scriptures. He had long since memorized the Nine Classics and the Three Transmissions, able to recite the entire text as soon as he read the first sentence, and he could even recall the extensive commentaries, which were several times longer than the original texts, with remarkable accuracy. He Fang had successfully inherited these memories, and generally, as long as a prompt was given, he could recite smoothly. However, He Fang still made a point of reciting daily; even the most profound memories would fade if not regularly reviewed. These memories had been smoothly inherited by He Fang, and typically, with just a cue, he could recite them effortlessly. Nevertheless, He Fang remained committed to daily recitation, for even the deepest memories would wear away if not revisited frequently.

Looking at his own large hands with prominent knuckles, He Fang thought that once his body improved a little, he would strengthen his archery practice. The abilities his body once possessed had gradually become blurred after more than half a year of inactivity and the upheaval of changing masters. He Fang was a frugal person, unwilling to let these abilities fade away without a fight. Not only in reading, but also in archery, he needed to practice again. Having multiple skills would not weigh him down; the more abilities he had, the more choices he would have in the future. He Fang remembered his father's teachings from his previous life very well. He Fang was a frugal person, unwilling to let these abilities fade away without a fight. Not only in reading, but also in archery, he needed to practice again. Having multiple skills would not weigh him down; the more abilities he had, the more choices he would have in the future. He Fang remembered his father's teachings from his previous life very well.

The more than twenty volumes, however, are authentic Song editions, but they are all from Fujian, rather than from the Guozijian or Hangzhou, and certainly not privately printed versions. In terms of the number of books published and their widespread circulation, Fujian editions rank first, while private editions are the least. However, in terms of quality, the books sold by Fujian printing houses are the worst. Han Gang can only afford books produced in Fujian. However, in terms of quality, the books sold by Fujian printing houses are the worst. Han Gang can only afford books produced in Fujian

The Song Dynasty has enjoyed a century of peace, with a rich literary atmosphere and a plethora of talented individuals, leaving behind timeless verses that are found everywhere. Speaking of the scenery at the frontier, there is "Long smoke, setting sun, solitary city closed." When it comes to farewells, one recalls "At the long pavilion in the evening, the sudden rain has just ceased." In terms of feelings in the boudoir, there is "With tearful eyes, I ask the flowers, but they remain silent, as the scattered petals fly past the swing."

Having just arrived, He Fang was well aware that he had to engage in some superficial activities. At the very least, he could not allow Han Gang's family to see the differences between him and Han Gang. Every day, he read books and practiced calligraphy, replicating the homework that Han Gang had done in the past. Each morning, after brushing his teeth and washing his face, he would read. Fortunately, the memories of this body from the past eighteen years had mostly been retained, so He Fang found it not too difficult to imitate.

He Fang held the bamboo pen holder in his hand and gently read aloud. The calligraphy was exquisite, with characters flowing like clouds and water, yet possessing a dignified grandeur that was unmatched by ordinary hands. In the lower left corner of the inscription on the pen holder, the name "Zhang Zai of the Great Liang" was written in an even smaller font. This was the name of the giver, as well as the teacher of the original owner of this body

In He Fang's view, although Han Gang's level of poetry cannot be compared with those renowned masters, it should still possess a standard of at least one or two degrees. Unexpectedly, however, there are works that even He Fang finds utterly unbearable. Han Gang actually uses these pieces, which should be burned to ashes, to engage in mutual appreciation with his classmates! Moreover, the works recorded by Han Gang in the anthology are of the same mediocre standard.

No, one cannot be called a bookworm

To establish a heart for heaven and earth

The heavens and the earth are devoid of intention

To carry on the unbroken teachings of the sages

He Fang suddenly froze, almost crying out in surprise. How could he have only just remembered who Zhang Zai was! The famous quotes left by Zhang Zai of Hengqu had been hanging on the walls of the middle school classroom, and he had looked at them for a full three years. Moreover, before his time travel, he had seen them multiple times on television and in newspapers due to being quoted by others.

It is truly a case of being poor in both means and measures

He Fang shook his head. Han Gang followed Zhang Zai, and besides studying the Confucian classics, he also had courses in military strategy, water conservancy, astronomy, geography, archery, and music. Zhang Zai was certainly not a teacher who only taught students to memorize texts without understanding. Moreover, studying the Confucian classics was not merely about explaining empty grand principles; it also required a great deal of common knowledge in astronomy and geography. Archery was a subject that even the sages emphasized for students to practice extensively.

It is a pity... He Fang sighed softly, if Han Gang's talents were to remain in this time, they would merely be ordinary. What Han Gang left behind was not only memories and books, but also the articles he had written and the poems he had composed. The articles were one thing; with He Fang's level, he could not judge them, at most feeling that some parts lacked logic, and the conclusions did not match the arguments. However, as for the poems, He Fang casually flipped through them and found them unbearable to read. The articles were one thing; with He Fang's level, he could not judge them, at most feeling that some parts lacked logic, and the conclusions did not match the arguments. However, as for the poems, He Fang casually flipped through them and found them unbearable to read.

The name Zhang Zai sounds vaguely familiar to He Fang, as if he has heard it somewhere, yet he cannot recall where. His understanding of Song Dynasty history is quite limited, as he often slept through history classes at school. The names of Song people that he finds somewhat familiar must be those of notable figures in this era. Moreover, in the memories of the original owner of this body, this teacher of his is also respectfully referred to as Mr. Hengqu, without being named, and enjoys a high reputation among the scholars of Guanzhong.

The four treasures of the study on the table also reflect a sense of poverty. Two ink sticks have been worn down to only half their original length, a stone inkstone remains unrefined, a half-stack of somewhat coarse yellow paper lies nearby, and beside a brush rack that holds four or five brushes, there stands a half-foot tall bamboo pen holder filled with seven or eight brushes that are neither completely new nor entirely old. This is all the stationery that Han Gang possesses.

To establish a destiny for the people

Moreover, the time for the examination has already passed while he lies on the sickbed, and the tribute students in the province have already been selected, preparing to go to the capital next year to take the imperial examination. If he wishes to take the examination himself, he must also wait for three more years