Chapter 47: A Thousand-Year Literary Work Shakes the Capital

Boom.

Boom.

Boom.

A sudden thunderclap exploded at this moment.

The entire Da Xia Capital gathered black clouds.

As if the world were ending.

As if disaster had descended.

Such a heavenly phenomenon instantly stirred all sides.

Da Xia Capital.

Inside the imperial palace.

Emperor Yongsheng walked out of the great hall, he gazed at the heavenly phenomenon, his expression extremely solemn.

"Someone, summon the Supervisor of the Surveillance of Heaven."

He spoke, though his expression was calm, his eyes were filled with worry.

The heavenly phenomenon cannot be spoken of.

The Da Xia Capital, normally peaceful, now finds itself in this situation; he is worried, fearing that disaster has arrived.

As the emperor, if disaster truly befalls, it poses a great challenge to his rule.

At the same time.

The entire capital also boiled over.

The common folk were somewhat panicked and uneasy.

Even some commoners directly lit incense and bowed to Buddha, praying for peace under heaven.

Manor of the Duke who Guards the Nation.

Grandfather Gu gazed at the heavenly phenomenon, his eyes also filled with curiosity.

The Gu Family had already returned to calm; yesterday they held a banquet, and Grandfather Gu forcibly demanded everyone stay and drink until dead drunk.

Today he gradually came to his senses.

Yet he did not expect the capital to suddenly display such a heavenly phenomenon.

"Father."

"What is going on?"

"Such an omen—could it be that Heaven is dissatisfied with Da Xia?"

Gu Qianzhou gazed at the heavenly phenomenon, then asked Grandfather Gu.

"I don't know."

"It should be impossible."

"If I had to say, perhaps something happened in Jiangning Commandery."

Grandfather Gu spoke.

He felt some worry; such a sudden heavenly phenomenon naturally causes concern.

In less than half an incense stick's time.

Inside the Da Xia imperial palace.

The Supervisor of the Surveillance of Heaven, Xu Taiyi, had already appeared.

"Your subject Xu Taiyi pays his respects to Your Majesty."

Xu Taiyi spoke.

He bowed to Emperor Yongsheng.

"Your Majesty, these heavenly phenomena reveal an omen of disaster."

"I cannot determine it at once, but it is highly likely related to Jiangning Commandery."

Xu Taiyi spoke, gazing at the heavenly phenomenon, giving this reply.

"Jiangning Commandery?"

In an instant, Emperor Yongsheng's expression changed slightly.

He did not want Jiangning Commandery to encounter trouble, nor did he want to invite such a heavenly phenomenon; for the imperial authority it is a great humiliation, and also a great challenge to him.

His own ascension to the throne is not legitimate.

If the heavenly phenomenon changes, he fears he will be unable to silence the murmurs of the world.

"Investigate thoroughly."

"I do not want any mishap."

Emperor Yongsheng spoke, he was very overbearing, not wishing for any major mishap.

Even if it is a heavenly phenomenon, what can it do? Though his words are overbearing, the worry in his eyes is apparent to anyone.

But, just at this moment.

A beam of light.

It shot straight up from the southeast direction.

Boom.

The light was like a pillar.

It pierced straight into the clouds.

The sound was even more deafening.

"What is going on?"

In an instant, the Eternal Prosperity Emperor widened his eyes, he looked toward the southeast direction, and asked the Supervisor.

"What is this?"

"A Confucian-Daoist omen."

"Hiss."

"Your Majesty."

"Congratulations, Your Majesty, congratulations, Your Majesty."

"Da Xia is blessed."

At this moment, the Supervisor also widened his eyes, he was a bit dazed, but in an instant he understood what had happened.

"How so?"

Upon hearing the good news, the Eternal Prosperity Emperor couldn't help but directly inquire, full of curiosity.

"This is a Confucian-Daoist omen of the ages; someone has composed a timeless essay, and Da Xia will produce a remarkable scholar."

"It will destroy all evil influences, turn into Da Xia's sharp sword, and open an eternal prosperous era for Your Majesty."

"Congratulations, Your Majesty, congratulations, Your Majesty."

Xu Taiyi knelt on the ground, appearing extremely excited, congratulating the Eternal Prosperity Emperor.

"Is this true?"

The Eternal Prosperity Emperor also showed a look of surprise and joy; he truly hadn't expected that just after an ominous celestial sign appeared, a timeless essay would also appear—how could he not be delighted?

"Your Majesty, rest assured, this celestial sign is precisely a Confucian-Daoist omen; it can destroy all evil influences."

He was extremely excited.

And the Eternal Prosperity Emperor turned his gaze toward the southeast, his mind also pondering slightly.

"Is it Mister Wen Jing?"

"Attendants, quickly go investigate who brought about this omen; I will reward handsomely."

He muttered to himself, not knowing who had caused this celestial sign, and then had people investigate who had brought about the omen.

Meanwhile.

Inside Small Stream Village.

A scene that left everyone stunned appeared.

In the examination hall.

A fierce wind rose.

All the examinees furrowed their brows, they dared not put pen to paper, as a terrifying aura permeated, tightly suppressing everyone.

But at the center of the examination hall.

Gu Jin Nian's writing shot out strands of golden light, which ultimately gathered like a sea, piercing straight into the clouds.

This light.

Holy Punishment's Light Shooting Upwards.

This light.

Heaven-shaking, earth-shattering.

A shaft of divine light that pierced the darkness rendered Gu Jin Nian as holy.

Immense righteousness flooded everything here.

But all this.

Gu Jin Nian did not notice any of it.

Because his entire mind and spirit were immersed in this essay.

Four-String Essay.

A simplified version of the Eight-Legged Essay.

Taking the breaking of the topic, entering the topic, middle couplet, and concluding couplet as its themes.

This world lacks the Eight-Legged Essay, but has the Eight-String Essay, which is similar to the Eight-Legged Essay yet not entirely the same.

The Four-String Essay basically appears in regular examinations; otherwise, truly writing an Eight-Legged Essay would not be finishable even in ten hours, let alone one.

At this very moment.

Gu Jin Nian wielded his brush boldly, his strokes vigorous and unrestrained.

He transformed all the resentment in his heart into talent, which shone forth at this moment.

The people are paramount, the state comes second, the ruler is light.

He used this as the breaking of the topic.

Then he entered the topic.

No matter which ruler, one who wins the people's hearts wins the realm; the people's hearts are not obtained by words, but must be earned through respect.

The common folk are most important, the state next, the emperor lightest.

This is the true way of the state; if you do not place the people first, no matter your talents and strategies, you will waste your life.

The realm comes second; with the people's support, the realm can be stabilized, thereby governing the state, with favorable winds and timely rains.

The emperor ranks last.

This somewhat contradicts the notion of heaven, earth, ruler, parent, teacher; but heaven, earth, ruler, parent, teacher is a Confucian-Daoist idea, and Gu Jin Nian's essay is a strategy for establishing the state.

Brush and ink fell.

On the xuan paper, each character burst forth with golden light, drawing forth a terrifying omen.

Such a terrifying omen.

It also left everyone present dumbfounded.

Whether it be those scholars or the Great Scholars of the Da Xia Academy.

Who could have imagined that Gu Jin Nian not only had talent, but could also attract such a terrifying phenomenon?

Gu Jin Nian had previously attracted such phenomena as well.

In many people's eyes, although such phenomena were astonishing, they ultimately remained within reasonable bounds.

But the phenomenon now is different.

Heaven and earth were shaken by it.

With Small Stream Village as the epicenter, everything within a thousand li was affected—how terrifying is that? 'This... this is a timeless work?'

"Gu Jin Nian actually wrote a timeless work?"

"Impossible, how could he write a timeless work?"

"Every word is a pearl, yet I cannot even look directly at his writing—what on earth did he write?"

"A timeless work, with the state as its theme—just what kind of person is Gu Jin Nian?"

At this moment, all the Great Scholars were dumbfounded; they pointed at Gu Jin Nian—some couldn't believe it, some were shocked, and others wanted to view the timeless work he had written.

But they discovered they could not even look directly at it.

The wind howled, ruffling their robes; under the phenomenon, each of those Great Scholars was shaken to the core.

At this moment.

No one could remain calm.

Wang Fugui, standing beside Gu Jin Nian, gaped, unable to utter a word.

Among the crowd, Yang Hanrou also stood completely stunned.

She had never imagined that the Gu Jin Nian she had always looked down upon possessed such great talent.

In comparison, all the talented scholars she had ever seen were not even worth a finger of Gu Jin Nian.

But the one who truly changed color.

It was Cheng Ming.

His eyes bulged like a bull's; he never imagined Gu Jin Nian could write a timeless work. Even if Gu Jin Nian wrote an article, even if it were a top-notch piece, he would not have reacted so strongly.

But if Gu Jin Nian writes a timeless work, his previous actions will surely be condemned by the world.

To slander one who can write a timeless work as cheating.

This is no small matter.

Even mere suspicion is unacceptable.

He dared not believe, nor did he want to believe; above all, he felt an indescribable resentment.

Originally, he was in the wrong in this matter.

Now, Gu Jin Nian's single timeless work is like a harsh slap to his own face.

Moreover, he feels that trouble will only increase from now on.

This makes him somewhat fearful.

All the scholars held their breath, not daring to breathe loudly.

As for Gu Ningya.

He trembled all over.

He was outright stunned, his mind unable to turn.

He had watched his grandnephew grow up from childhood, never expecting such astonishing talent.

Just how deeply had this been hidden?

"Ten years to forge a sword, yet the frosted blade has never been tested."

"This sword, honed to such a degree, is truly terrifying."

"Hidden for over ten years—just what kind of person is Gu Jin Nian?"

At this very moment, a teacher spoke up, reciting the poem Gu Jin Nian had written when he first entered the examination.

In his eyes was astonishment.

But when his voice rang out, everyone suddenly came to a sudden realization.

Especially the scholars of the Da Xia Academy.

They naturally knew of the poems Gu Jin Nian had written before.

But they had not thought much of it.

But now, hearing this poem again and seeing the present scene left them utterly at a loss for words.

Within the Da Xia Academy.

At this moment.

Even Su Wenjing could not help but rise to his feet.

He stared fixedly at Gu Jin Nian, his breathing somewhat hurried.

"A timeless work."

"It is actually a timeless work."

"I never imagined he could actually compose a timeless work."

At this moment, even Su Wenjing had not imagined it.

"What does a timeless work mean? It means fame that lasts through the ages."

"Thanks to this article, the three characters 'Gu Jin Nian' can be passed down through eternity—a dream countless scholars yearn for."

"Who could have imagined that such a work would come from Gu Jin Nian? Yet the appearance of heavenly and earthly phenomena signifies heaven's approval—no one can say anything against it."

"Boom."

Golden light surged again.

It drove away the dark clouds.

Taking its place, the light bathed the entire Da Xia Capital, giving people the feeling of parting clouds to see the blue sky.

But it was only brief.

Above the firmament.

Rolling talent qi like a vast sea poured and sank into Gu Jin Nian's body.

Such a terrifying phenomenon directly caused ancient trees to bloom, nurturing one after another talent qi fruit.

In a short time less than half an incense stick.

It actually nurtured four talent qi fruits.

Because raising one's rank in the Confucian Dao requires more talent qi.

But likewise, the grown talent qi fruit has a greater effect.

At this moment.

Inside Brooklet Village.

Figures appeared one after another, there were strong people from the capital, but more were Great Scholars.

Some Great Scholars from the capital directly turned ink into horses, coming at the fastest speed, wanting to see who composed this timeless article.

Almost all the Six Ministries Ministers arrived.

Some Confucian officials even squeezed into the crowd.

Upon seeing who had composed this timeless article, they were all stunned.

Just then.

Gu Jin Nian finished writing the last paragraph, completing the final binding.

When the final character landed.

All light once again poured onto the xuan paper.

The originally plain xuan paper also sublimated at this moment.

Gleaming brightly, eternal for a thousand years, it already possesses Confucian Dao divinity.

The phenomenon gradually faded.

But everyone remained dumbfounded, unable to recover for a long time.

As for Gu Jin Nian, only after putting down the brush did he gradually come to his senses.

At the same time, he immediately felt this terrifying phenomenon.

However, he felt no surprise.

Mencius's words brought about heavenly phenomena; this was not unexpected.

But most importantly, Gu Jin Nian had a breath of resentment in his heart.

It prevented him from feeling joy.

"Wen Jing."

"The article has been composed."

"Student, I take my leave."

He put down the brush, then turned and left, resolute and decisive, without an ounce of sentiment.

In an instant, Su Huaiyu rose to his feet and followed behind Gu Jin Nian.

And Gu Ningya also came to his senses, quickly following his own great-nephew.

His heart was filled with immense excitement and exhilaration, but countless words stuck in his throat, unable to be spoken.

Everyone was dumbfounded.

Gu Jin Nian wrote a timeless article, yet he actually intends to leave?

That slap was fierce enough.

Not giving any face to the Da Xia Academy.

But for some reason, Gu Jin Nian's actions did not make them feel arrogant.

The reason is simple.

One who can write a timeless article truly does not need to reside in the Da Xia Academy.

Let me say something unpleasant.

How many academies under heaven beg for such a person to enroll?

"Little friend Jin Nian."

"Don't be impulsive."

"Just now, old man's words were spoken in anger; please don't take offense."

"Your Highness the Crown Prince, old man didn't mean you; please don't take offense, we can discuss any matter properly."

"Cheng Ming, you truly have gall, envying my great talent in the Confucian Dao, you deserve death; Crown Prince, I will handle this matter, please don't take offense; old man dislikes biased people the most, rest assured, upon reaching the Da Xia Academy, if the Dean does not help you, old man will certainly help you."

At this moment, figures appeared again.

They are the Great Scholars who appeared later; earlier, they certainly hadn't mentioned Gu Jin Nian.

At this moment, seeing Gu Jin Nian just leave, they hurried over, wanting to detain Gu Jin Nian.

Just joking.

If such talent is not detained, who then should be detained?

Detain this bunch of good-for-nothings?

Moreover, although the Da Xia Academy is the best academy in Da Xia, it also has competitors; if such talent as Gu Jin Nian were to fall into other academies

That Da Xia Academy might really be in grave danger.

Of course, the most important thing is still just one point.

These great scholars, each of them, felt the urge to take on disciples.

Seeing Gu Jin Nian's talent so terrifying, who wouldn't be moved?

But Gu Jin Nian paid no heed.

Without looking back, he left directly.

He gave no face at all.

He said he'd go and just went.

It's just a Da Xia Academy; not staying is fine.

At this moment.

Inside the Da Xia capital.

After the omen disappeared.

In the imperial palace.

A figure also came running quickly.

"Your Majesty!"

"According to the report from the palace scout, the one who caused the omen is the grandson of the State-Protecting Prince, Gu Jin Nian, your nephew."

The figure appeared, and it was a palace guard.

He spoke excitedly.

"What?"

"Is he my nephew?"

At this moment.

The Yongsheng Emperor was also completely dazed.

But a group of people were equally dazed.

The State-Protecting Prince's manor.

Grandfather Gu, who was marveling at the omen, was suddenly stunned by a voice.

"Sir."

"Sir."

"Great joy, great joy, great joy!"

"The scout has come to report."

"This heaven-shaking omen was caused by the crown prince."

The voice sounded.

Grandfather Gu froze on the spot.

Likewise stunned.

And Gu Qianzhou.

Gu Jin Nian's father.

At 4:30 a. m., I wrote a chapter.

Really, don't scold.

Don't keep raising books.

I beg you all, sirs, to keep up with the updates.

From now on, if it really gets to the exciting point.

Either I won't release it, or I'll release it all at once.

Okay?

(End of chapter)