Chapter 48: Candidates from All Over the World
Yang Shen can be called a weirdo in the history of the imperial examination system.

In the third year of Zhengde, Yang Shen took part in the imperial examination. The chief examiners Wang Ao and Liang Chu had already listed his essay at the beginning of the volume.

Unexpectedly, the candle flame accidentally fell on the test paper and burned it, causing him to fail the exam.

If Fan Jin had encountered the same thing, he would probably have hanged himself.

But Yang Shen said it didn't matter, and he continued to study and practice diligently for a few more years.

So, Ou Zanghua met him
Yang Shen, 24 years old this year, is in the happiest time of his life. When he heard that Ou Zanghua was only 18 years old this year, he said with emotion: "It is true that the waves behind push the waves ahead, and the new people in the world replace the old people! When I was 18 years old, in order to learn from each other and exchange ideas with each other, I formed a literary group with several like-minded friends."

Yang Shen recalled that he and his brother Yang Dun returned to their hometown from the capital to participate in the provincial examination in the second year of Zhengde. Although he also won the first place, he was already 20 years old at that time, so he was naturally not as good as the young Ou Zanghua.

Thinking of this, Yang Shen looked at Ou Zanghua with a little more admiration.

Ou Zanghua looked at Yang Shen speechlessly and asked, "Do you want to listen to what you are saying?"
"Cough cough."

He coughed awkwardly, cupped his hands and said in thanks: "Thank you, Brother Yongxiu, otherwise I might be in trouble for a while."

"Jingyu, you're welcome. I've read your article. It's very thoughtful and full of inspiration." Yang Shen smiled, held Ou Zanghua's hand and said, "Brother Shijie is organizing a meeting today. Jingyu might as well go with me."

"Who is Shijie's classmate?" Ou Zanghua asked with some confusion.

"You'll know once you go to Jingyu."

Seeing Yang Shen's enthusiasm, he couldn't refuse, so he said, "Then I will respectfully obey your command."

"This is right!"

Yang Shen pulled Ou Zanghua out. His carriage was already waiting outside.

Ou Zanghua waved at Qu Feiyan, and when she came over, he said, "Today, Brother Yongxiu and I are going to attend the party. Feiyan asked Qu Bo and Da Nian to go back first, and you go with me."

"I?"

"You can go during the New Year, I'm fine with that."

"Then I'll go!" Qu Feiyan immediately agreed when she heard Ou Zanghua say that.

Ou Zanghua smiled and asked Qu Feiyan to go over and tell Xiang Danian and Qu Yang.

Yang Shen witnessed the whole process and said with some amusement: "This little girl is very interesting!"

"Yeah!" Ou Zanghua nodded. Tease Feiyan was the most fun.

But soon, Qu Feiyan came over with a somewhat unhappy look, and behind her was Xiang Danian who was driving the carriage.

Qu Feiyan pouted, "Grandpa said that it would be inconvenient for the young master to come back after the dinner, so he asked Brother Da Nian to drive the carriage with us."

"also."

Ou Zanghua didn't care. At Yang Shen's invitation, he got on the other's carriage.

Yang Shen was a bold and free-spirited man, and his poetic talent was unique in the Ming Dynasty.

The poem "Yellow Leaves" written by Yang Shen at the age of fourteen caused a sensation in the capital. Li Dongyang, the leader of the Chaling Poetry School and the chief minister of the cabinet at that time, was greatly impressed after seeing the poem. He not only accepted Yang Shen as his disciple, but also called Yang Shen "little friend."

With the addition of the fact that his father is a Dongge Grand Secretary, Yang Shen looks more like the male protagonist in a cool novel than Ou Zanghua.

This cool male protagonist of the novel, the most talented scholar in the Ming Dynasty, is like an elder brother at this moment. He gently introduces the buildings and history along the way to Ou Zanghua, and asks about the situation in Huguang area from time to time.

Ou Zanghua naturally answered all the questions, and the two of them had a very pleasant communication.

Not long after, they arrived at a mansion. The two got off the carriage and saw that several carriages were parked at the door. It was obvious that some people had arrived a long time ago.

"Come on, let's go and hear what Chen Shijie has to say today." Yang Shen pulled Ou Zanghua into the mansion. The courtyard was full of pine, bamboo and plum trees, but the trees were covered with snow.

It can be said that the snow leaves no trace on the branches, and the pear blossoms cover the ground but no orioles are heard. Under the guidance of Yang Shen, Ou Zanghua just turned along the path and smelled a cold fragrance.

Turning around, I saw dozens of red plum trees surrounding the rockery, reflecting the snow like rouge, looking particularly lively and interesting.

Soon, Ou Zanghua saw a courtyard by the lake, with thatched eaves, earthen walls, hibiscus fences and bamboo windows.

Several maids and old women were there sweeping the snow, clearing the path, and burning the kang to keep warm.

As you get closer, you can see the three characters "Feng Jun Tai" written on the moon gate in the courtyard, with the strokes moving like dragons and snakes, full of strength and power.

Ou Zanghua thought of the dozen red plum trees at the corner and said subconsciously, "Today I have plum trees that are so beautiful. I want to meet you and enjoy the spring in the snow together?"

"Exactly."

Before Yang Shen opened his mouth, a young man in his twenties walked out of the courtyard. He had a nose like a hanging gall bladder, eyes like crystal, a fair and clear complexion, and an elegant and reserved demeanor. His appearance was no less handsome than Yang Shen's.

"My name is Zou Shouyi, courtesy name Qianzhi."

Zou Shouyi first bowed to Ou Zanghua, then bowed to Yang Shen and said, "Brother Yongxiu, please introduce this brother to me. I can't wait to meet him."

Yang Shen complained: "He is right here, why bother me?"

"Because this way, Brother Yong Xiu won't be left out in the cold."

After hearing this, Ou Zanghua could hardly suppress his smile. Where did such straightforwardness come from?
"Then I would also like to thank Qianzhi for his thoughtfulness."

Yang Shen was also speechless, then he introduced with a smile: "Ou Zanghua, also known as Jingyu, is the first place winner in Huguang, and is a neighbor of you, the first place winner in Jiangxi."

"It turned out to be Jingyu in person!" Zou Shouyi's eyes lit up and he said happily, "Jingyu and I have been friends for a long time, and we must have a good chat today."

Ou Zanghua was also a little surprised. He heard his teacher Wu Xun mention Zou Shouyi and praised his pure natural talent and heaven-given talent.

But I didn't expect that the other person was so young.

"Brother Qianzhi, I have heard a lot about you."

"Come on, Jingyu, follow me inside."

Zou Shouyi led Ou Zanghua inside and introduced, "This courtyard was built by Brother Shijie. Because of its beautiful environment, it has recently become a place for us to relax and gather."

The most talented man in the Ming Dynasty was forgotten by Zou Shouyi. No wonder he said he had ignored the other party before. It turns out he was capable of doing this.

In the courtyard, the heated kang was burning hot.

So, although it was covered with snow outside, it was warm like spring inside.

The cups, plates, fruits and vegetables have all been laid out, and the titles, rhymes and formats of the poems are also posted on the wall.

Three people were already sitting inside: a middle-aged man with delicate features and elegant temperament, a young man with a face as beautiful as jade and eyes like a star, and a young man with a handsome face and heroic air.

Zou Shouyi introduced them one by one: "This is the owner of this place, Chen Guang, with the courtesy name Shijie and the pseudonym Dongshi, from Guangdong. This is Wang Dao, with the courtesy name Chunfu and the pseudonym Shunqu, the top scholar in Shandong. This is Sun Mao, with the courtesy name Defu, from Zhejiang."

Ou Zanghua bowed to the three people and said, "I am Huguang Ou Zanghua, nice to meet you all."

The person who could be brought by Yang Shen and led in by Zou Shouyi was definitely not simple. The three people present were not fools and would not offend others for no reason. They all bowed in return.

As Yang Shen and another middle-aged man entered, the party officially began.

Ou Zanghua looked at everyone and found that none of them looked bad and none of them were over 35 years old. They were truly young talents.

Zou Shouyi, who was standing by, knew that Ou Zanghua did not know the middle-aged man who came in last, so he introduced him to him in a low voice. The man was named Wang Jun, with the courtesy name Shengzhi. He was a Hanlin scholar of the current dynasty and had also served as a bachelor of imperial studies.

He is also Yang Shen's senior brother and a disciple of the then Prime Minister Li Dongyang.

(End of this chapter)