Chapter 95: Understanding the Eight Hundred Words Essay
“Question: In front of the grass hut, there is a pine tree. What is the meaning of this sentence?”
Upon seeing the first question, Zhuang Qingbei immediately stood up and said loudly, “What kind of bullsh*t question is this? It’s just that there’s a pine tree in front of the straw hut. It’s the author’s description of the environment. What deeper meaning can there be?”
On the podium, Su Wen looked around and asked with a smile, “Do all of you think this way?”
No one replied.
Although that was what most people thought, most of the people here were people with deep and varied thoughts. Seeing Su Wen’s question, they were afraid that there was something fishy, so how could they open their mouths?
If they were to speak now, they would be slapped in the face by Su Wen. Wouldn’t that be laughable? Anyway, Zhuang Qingbei had already stepped forward, so why should they stand out?
Su Wen turned to look at Zhuang Qingbei and said, “Look, the rest of them aren’t as simple as you think. What is this? This is a Sage’s Record, and the essay was written by someone who went down in history as a Sage.
How can it be as superficial as what you think? You don’t even understand the first sentence, yet you claim to be familiar with the Five Canons and Six Classics? You only know how to memorize an article, yet you call yourself a talented person?”
Zhuang Qingbei was unconvinced. “Then tell me, what’s the meaning of this!”
Su Wen said in a deep voice, “Pine trees are tall and straight, and they never bend. In the cold, they retain the emerald green of spring, symbolizing integrity, strength, and simplicity! The author is clearly comparing himself to a pine tree and echoing his values despite the distance. He begins by pointing out his aspirations, preferring to remain straight than bending! You can’t even tell this, yet you dare to say that you understand the Sage’s Records!?”
Zhuang Qingbei was dumbfounded.
Was that the case?
He was not the only one. Even the other scholars had never heard of such an explanation.
They were all extremely shocked, but when they thought about it carefully, it really seemed to make sense.
Su Wen continued, “If that’s not the case, why did he have to use a pine tree? Why didn’t he just write about a random piece of green land in front of the grass hut? That there was a small blade of grass? Or how many stones were there?
This was clearly a metaphor that Master Chen used to explain his ambition. If you can’t even see this, you have read the Sage Book for nothing. Ask your comrades! Did they see it as well?”
What they didn’t know was that Su Wen was just using the article and forcefully reverse-engineering the explanation from whatever was present.
No matter how one explained it, it would resonate with the original text, so it naturally made sense.
When Su Wen said this, Zhuang Qingbei looked at his colleagues with a blank expression.
Many people nodded in praise. “Indeed, Instructor Su’s words coincide with mine!”
“Hmm, that’s indeed the case. The opening theme of this article is indeed brilliant!”
“This first question is indeed rather simple.”
Su Wen swept his gaze over these people and could not help but laugh in his heart!
Pride! These were truly prideful people! No one was willing to admit that they weren’t good at studying. Since he gave them a way out, they took it without hesitation!
If these people really worked together to debate with him, he might not be able to outtalk them.
However, they were moved by this vague explanation. Thus, there was really no room for resistance.
Zhuang Qingbei’s face turned red. His ego took a huge hit.
Su Wen was very generous as he waved his hand and said, “Sit down and quickly do the questions. If you’re not good at reading, you should properly understand the essence of the Sage’s Records! How can you still be so arrogant? This time, I’ll forgive you. Don’t do this again in the future!”
Zhuang Qingbei sat down blankly.
Looking down, he saw the second question: Why did the author write about one pine tree? Not two or three or four?
Question 3: Please use the pine tree as the topic to compose a poem that will correspond with the meaning of the original text.
Question 4: Please write an article of at least 800 words on pine trees.
Good Lord, these students would probably start dreaming of pine trees at night.
Su Wen sat on the chair and gently sipped his tea. Gazing leisurely at the scholars who were frantically scribbling, the corner of his eyes turned upwards in the hint of a smile.
How comfortable!
Meaning, Fei Chi was frowning as he listened from outside!
“Is there such a meaning? I’ve never thought of it before. If I look at it this way, Su Wen’s understanding of the Sage’s Records far surpasses that of ordinary people! Yesterday, he was humble and even said that he had no literary talent. It looks like Su Changqing’s family is quite strict. That’s right, Su Yu’s talent is quite outstanding. This Su Wen must not be too bad either!”
He turned around and left. He also planned to go back and read the essay again and try to understand its essence on a deeper level.
There were not many questions, but every one was extremely exhausting.
This was especially so for poems and essays. They had to consider the words and also the intentions.
Especially when Su Wen added a minimum word count to the article!
To these people, it was extremely uncomfortable to work on the questions.
Even when they felt that they had explained sufficiently, they still had to check the word count. If the word count was not achieved, they would still need to add more words.
The first lesson passed quickly like that.
As Su Wen kept the test papers, he smiled. “I will take your test papers back and grade them. I will also choose three outstanding essays and poems as examples. Of course, I will also choose an essay that is not well written to serve as an example for everyone to read.” As he spoke, he glanced at Zhuang Qingbei!
Zhuang Qingbei’s heart skipped a beat!
This was too embarrassing. If he was chosen as a negative example, where would he put his face?
They were usually talented people. If news of this got out, wouldn’t they become laughingstocks?
The others were also stunned. No one wanted to be chosen as a negative example!
Su Wen took the test papers before leaving the Profound Language Pavilion.
He discovered that being at the Profound Language Pavilion was actually even more relaxed than being in the Patrol Office.
After all, he was now posing as a scholar. Other than giving lectures, he had more freedom to manage his own affairs.
Of course, there were many old fellows who liked to chat and brag in the Profound Language Pavilion. To put it nicely, they liked to talk about the general trend of the world.
However, Su Wen was definitely not one of them.
He left the pavilion, heading straight for the Prime Minister’s residence.
“Where’s my father??”
Su Wen screamed loudly the moment he entered.
Unfortunately, he was stopped by the door guard. The guard said in a low voice, “Young Master, Old Master… instructed that you can only enter after we have reported your name to him!”
Su Wen was furious. “Is the old man crazy? Where is he?!”
“Cough, cough, cough! What are you shouting for? If I asked you to report your name before you enter, then so be it. Now that you’ve formed your own family, this is the rule!” Su Changqing came out from the front hall and said in a deep voice.
A smile immediately appeared on Su Wen’s face. “Aren’t I here because I miss you?”
Su Changqing threw him a dirty side glance in response. “What are you here for this time?”
“Nothing, what problems would I have?” Su Wen quickly denied!
“Lacking money?”
“What are you talking about? Am I that kind of person?”
“Then I shall go and see His Majesty!”
“No, no, no…” Su Wen smiled and said,” I just want to ask you for a small favor…”
As he spoke, he took out the test papers and stuffed them into Su Changqing’s arms. He smiled and said, “Please help me take a look at these essays. You can help me to write an evaluation of which is better or worse. You know my standard, I can’t tell if it’s good or bad!”
He was not lying this time. The essays written were mostly of a certain standard and caliber way above that of ordinary people..
Most importantly, from Su Wen’s point of view, these articles were too boring. What was so interesting about writing pine trees?
He preferred the kind where spring filled the garden (aka erotic novels).
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