Chapter 149 Grand Secretary

Bai Xingzhou looked up and down at Su Yang standing nearby, his eyes filled with complex emotions and a trace of appreciation, perhaps on account of Su Yang placing second in the provincial examinations, or perhaps because of Song Tiantian's parting words.

The other provincial scholars naturally noticed the provincial governor's gaze directed at Su Yang, and a wave of intense envy rippled through them. It seemed clear that Su Yang had caught the governor's eye.

In the future, if he passed the metropolitan examination and returned to official service within the capital, there was no telling how rapidly his career would ascend.

"All of you scholars have endured much hardship in the examinations these past few days, but achieving fame on the laurel roll is a truly joyous occasion. In the days to come, you will all undoubtedly rise to high office, serve the nation, share the Emperor's burdens, and now, let us all raise a cup!"

With those words, Bai Xingzhou raised his wine cup, and the gathered scholars quickly stood up to follow suit. Even if these men failed to pass the highest palace examinations in the future, their status as provincial scholars alone was enough to secure them posts as county magistrates in their respective regions.

Before long, the banquet settled into its proper rhythm, with guests exchanging toasts and discussing philosophy and history.

"My fellow scholars."

As soon as Bai Xingzhou spoke, the previously lively banquet hall instantly fell silent, and the gazes of over two hundred scholars snapped toward him in unison.

"From this moment on, even if you fail to attain the rank of metropolitan graduate in the upcoming spring examinations, you still stand an excellent chance of becoming county magistrates. In a very real sense, you have already placed one foot into the official bureaucracy."

"Today, this governor wishes to ask you all a question: What is the purpose of your studying and entering officialdom?"

Bai Xingzhou asked with a grave and dignified tone.

Following his words, absolute silence descended upon the gathering once again. Not a single sound could be heard.

What is the purpose of becoming an official?

To earn silver, to dally with women, to produce heirs, to live a life of carefree pleasure, to leave one's name in the annals of history, or to toy with the lives and deaths of the common folk?

"This humble scholar, He Daoyuan, believes that studying and becoming official naturally serves to relieve the Emperor's worries," one scholar offered.

"I believe it is for the sake of the common people under heaven."

"Naturally, it is to leave one's name in history."

"To become a clean and upright official."

"To safeguard our nation's borders."

"For the honor of our lineage and the glory of our ancestors!"

One scholar after another stood to state their names and give their reasons for pursuing officialdom, but Bai Xingzhou shook his head at each one, clearly unsatisfied.

Gradually, the atmosphere in the hall grew cold.

Everyone was racking their brains, desperately searching for the true purpose of becoming an official.

"There are many reasons you have given for wishing to serve, and fortunately, none of you study simply to become corrupt officials. Therefore, this governor hopes you will remember the words you spoke today. Should any of you dare to oppress the common people in the future, do not blame this governor for showing no mercy, and do not blame the unyielding laws of the nation."

When Bai Xingzhou finished speaking, many of the scholars lowered their heads, most of them nodding in agreement. The governor's gaze then shifted toward Su Yang, and he asked, "Su Yang, you are the runner-up of this examination. What do you think is the purpose of your studies? Just now, you were the only one who remained silent."

Swish, swish, swish!

Instantly, the gazes of every single scholar in the room converged upon Su Yang.

"Brother Su, surely your reason for studying isn't to become a corrupt official, is it? Is that why you were too embarrassed to speak?"

A scholar who had long harbored a deep jealousy toward Su Yang teased him aloud.

Whenever they visited the pleasure houses, if Su Yang hadn't stolen the spotlight, those courtesans would surely have cast their eyes upon him. By what right could this man write such peerless poetry? By what right did he command the favor of the courtesans?

Facing the sea of expectant eyes, Su Yang finished the wine in his cup, stood up, and replied, "Governor, my pursuit of scholarship rests upon four phrases alone!"

"Which four phrases?" Bai Xingzhou asked.

"To establish a heart for heaven and earth!"

"To secure a destiny for the living people!"

"To continue the severed teachings of past sages!"

"To establish eternal peace for all generations!"

Su Yang's voice resonated with boundless majesty, his eyes shining with unshakeable resolve.

Silence!

The entire banquet hall fell into a profound, breathless stillness.

Scholars comprehended the principles of all creation, making manifest the will of heaven. They brought material abundance and spiritual refinement, allowing the common people to live and work in peace. They carried on the immortal teachings of ancient sages that were on the verge of being lost, and forged the grand foundation of everlasting peace for thousands of generations.

"Magnificent... Spoken like a true scholar, truly magnificent!"

"Incredible!"

"For some reason, I feel my entire body surging with passion and fighting spirit at this moment. I truly want to plunge straight into the official bureaucracy and accomplish earth-shattering deeds!"

"He is truly worthy of being the runner-up of this session. With such profound enlightenment, he will undoubtedly pass the imperial examinations and rise rapidly to high office."

"From this day forth, Brother Su shall be my ultimate goal of striving."

"Ha, well said! Brother Su spoke wonderfully! These four sentences will surely be passed down through the ages, praised for eternity!"

The gathered scholars grew increasingly excited, their blood boiling within them. To establish a heart for heaven and earth, to secure a destiny for the living—this was the true pursuit of studying and serving as an official!

Even Bai Xingzhou looked at Su Yang with a hint of deep shock and astonishment, never imagining that Su Yang could utter such monumental words.

Rumble!

At that very moment, a muffled peal of thunder rolled across the firmament. Purple and crimson auras intertwined and churned in the sky, casting a glorious radiance for three thousand miles. The entire city of Jiangzhou was illuminated in a dazzling crimson and purple akin to daylight.

"Look! The aura of Confucianism has manifested! The Confucian aura has manifested, three thousand miles of it!"

"Could it be...?"

"If that is so, this man's literary and scholarly aura will undoubtedly surge, perhaps even reaching the realm of the Grand Master."

"Those four phrases are destined to leave a legendary legacy; it is only natural that they could summon the manifestation of the Confucian aura."

"Indeed, those four sentences will surely inspire countless scholars throughout the entire Great Zhao Empire."

The scholars whispered among themselves, their eyes filled with utter adoration as they looked at Su Yang. Even Bai Xingzhou wore an expression of solemn gravity when he regarded the young man.

This brat possesses truly terrifying talent in the path of Confucianism. A mere four sentences were enough to stir the manifestation of the Confucian aura into existence.

To summon the manifestation of the Confucian aura required one to perform earth-shattering deeds of immense significance and succeed, or perhaps attain the realm of a half-saint.

While there had been instances in the past where poetry and prose triggered the Confucian aura, they rarely exceeded a thousand miles. A spectacle of this magnitude, as seen with Su Yang, was utterly unprecedented.

A strand of purple aura descended slowly, carrying boundless scholarly energy and literary talent as it gently merged into his body.

Not only were the surrounding scholars dumbfounded, but Su Yang himself was stunned beyond belief, scarcely daring to believe that any of this was real.

Previously, despite composing numerous peerless masterpieces, he had never once touched the Confucian aura. Yet now, simply by reciting these four sentences meant to encourage learning, he had summoned the descent of the Confucian aura. It seemed that to earn the favor of the Confucian qi, one had to act to better the world, much like these four phrases he had just spoken.

They had undoubtedly charted a clear course for the scholars of the world, providing them with momentum and purpose. Such scholars were the most vital pillar of any nation.

That was why such a miraculous heavenly phenomenon had been provoked.