Ming Dynasty: Empress Ma and I swapped clothes!

Chapter 21 The North has suffered greatly for too long, while the Central Plains are in dire straits

"The Master had only given me a brief hint before!"

Ma Wenxiang walked into the courtyard in a very open and generous manner.

Seeing this scene, he already had a guess in his mind; it was nothing more than the eight-legged essay required for the imperial examination.

"I am aware of the presence of all of you gentlemen today. I am ready to accept any challenge you may have in mind. Please, gentlemen, set your questions."

Ma Wenxiang slightly extended his right hand, but did not sit down. Instead, he stood with his feet together, his face upright, and a smile on his lips. His humble yet dignified demeanor immediately gave people a rare sense of goodwill.

One can't help but sincerely admire him, exclaiming, "What a fine young man!"

"How can ordinary questions possibly test the prodigy my brother speaks of?"

"Since the name of this child prodigy originates from the style of essay writing, also known as the eight-legged essay, then we might as well study it more carefully."

"We already know the previous eight-part structure, three-part structure, breaking the topic, continuing the topic, and starting the discussion. Let's ask the little prodigy to continue today."

Huo Tianlang patiently guided him.

Although he was already mostly convinced, he needed to be absolutely certain before he could continue reporting the matter, so that it could be considered a meritorious achievement for the two of them, rather than a baseless charge of negligence.

Especially the higher the level of reporting.

The greater the responsibility they bear, the greater the burden they carry.

If this were to reach the ears of the Emperor one day, his wrath would cause millions to die and rivers of blood to flow for miles.

These two powerful local families are likely to face the infamy of having their entire families executed and being accused of deceiving the emperor. We must be wary and think this over carefully.

This did not surprise Ma Wenxiang.

He only pondered for a moment before reciting the draft he had already prepared in his mind.

"Having discussed the first three stocks, today we will talk about the fourth."

"Together with the third section, it is called 'China and Belgium,' which is the core of the article and is intended to expound the main idea of ​​the article."

"The fifth and sixth paragraphs together are called the 'Later Paragraphs,' which are also an important part of the poem and the text. They should be closely related to the main theme of the article and make full use of it to fill in any gaps that have not been explained in the previous paragraphs."

As mentioned earlier, "Those who diligently cultivate the land for the past three seasons have spared no effort, and they also live within their means, avoiding extravagance." In this fifth section, we can then discuss the concept of "diligence and frugality," arguing that "Thus, diligence in focusing on the fundamentals leads to inexhaustible wealth; frugality in utilizing resources ensures limited expenditure. With inexhaustible wealth for limited needs, who can surpass this?"

"In this way, the entire article will flow more smoothly."

Ma Wenxiang was preparing to continue explaining the seventh point.

Suddenly, the two officials in front of them, Magistrate Li Zizhi and Assistant Magistrate Huo Tianlang, did the same thing as Wang Yangsheng, the teacher in the private school, and stopped them in time.

"The Eight-Legged Essay has been taught three times today by the little prodigy. Together with the previous three, that makes six essays. As for the last two essays, when this matter reaches Daming Prefecture in the future, it would be best if the prefect himself examined them."

"The name of the Ma family prodigy is truly well-deserved. Why should it be known in my Qingfeng County, or in my Daming Prefecture!"

Finally, Li Zizhi and Huo Tianlang left behind these words of affirmation, having come in haste and departed just as quickly.

It's not hard to predict.

They will likely follow in the footsteps of their predecessor, Wang Yangsheng, and devote themselves to using the name of the Eight-Legged Essay to pursue education and culture, riding the wave of success to great heights.

At this moment, Ma Wenxiang, inside the Ma family courtyard, looked puzzled and confused.

He asked Wang Yangsheng, "Master, what was your intention in what happened just now?"

After hearing this, Wang Yangsheng looked at Ma Wenxiang, his eyes showing both relief and a hint of amusement.

If Ma Wenxiang were not only well-versed in the eight-legged essay system but also in the intricacies of officialdom, he would truly suspect that this precocious child prodigy might be some kind of ancient monster reincarnated.

Now it seems that he only gained some insight into classic contemporary literature, which made him feel very relieved.

This child prodigy is not without flaws, otherwise his teacher...

The pressure is immense!

"It's just about seeking credit!"

"For example, Confucius, relying on the eight-legged essay and the three-legged essay, has already found his place; if he were to further seek advancement, it would be detrimental to him."

"After the three bribes, if the magistrate and the assistant magistrate gain further merit today, their official careers in Daming Prefecture will proceed smoothly and peacefully, and promotions from their superiors will be just around the corner. But if they also listen to these last two bribes, wouldn't the auspicious events of our Great Ming Dynasty and the achievements of the sage's revival be entirely monopolized by these two?"

"At that time, how could the prefect of Daming Prefecture, and other officials in the Central Plains, possibly be willing?"

"Perhaps they cannot stop your fame as a child prodigy from spreading far and wide in education, and that it will one day reach the ears of the emperor. They may even dare not cause you any trouble in the present moment. But how it will end after many years is anyone's guess."

"Wenxiang, today I will teach you your first lesson on your future career in officialdom: there is no good end to hoarding wealth. Officials protect each other because they have merits and benefits; otherwise, where would this protection come from?"

Wang Yangsheng paused, then sighed with a touch of melancholy.

After careful consideration, Ma Wenxiang had an epiphany.

He already knew this principle beforehand.

In the face of a deluge of information from later generations, Ma Wenxiang heard about everything, useful and useless.

But hearing about it and seeing it with your own eyes, especially when it happens to you, are two completely different feelings.

Suddenly, Ma Wenxiang asked again, "Master, is there anyone secretly obstructing this achievement in education? Has no one been tempted to steal the credit? For example, to embezzle the credit and then falsely attribute it to someone else?"

"The merits of education remain unchanged; only the teacher and student have changed?"

Before considering victory, consider defeat.

Ma Wenxiang had already thought about these things before. The reason he was not afraid was not because he was truly fearless, but because he had a trump card.

Empress Ma Xiuying.

In addition, when he first changed bodies, he had already sent Ma Jin, a relative of the Ma family, to Qingfeng County in Daming Prefecture in secret. Judging by the time, they should have arrived by now.

Ma Jin did not come alone; he brought men with him. Given his status as a member of the Ma family, the garrison commanders and centurions throughout Qingfeng County would likely not dare to disobey him.

This is Ma Wenxiang's true source of confidence.

But why shouldn't Master Wang Yangsheng, who is right in front of him, be worried?

Ma Wenxiang was completely baffled.

Upon hearing this, Wang Yangsheng first glanced at Ma Wenxiang in surprise, then remembered that there was a record in the classics that "a child carrying gold across the street will surely suffer disaster."

It is understandable that Ma Wenxiang would have such concerns.

He then said seriously, "The North has long suffered from a lack of talent, and things are valued for their scarcity. If this were a prosperous era, with powerful clans and factions dominating the times, this matter would not have been handled so simply and crudely as it is today."

"only……"

Wang Yangsheng suddenly curled his lips into a smile, whether it was mockery or a bitter laugh, and finally shook his head repeatedly, saying, "The Central Plains has been desolate and plagued by problems for many years. Its culture and education, military and politics, people's livelihood, and finances are all in no condition to withstand any further disruption."

"Where are there any members of powerful clans left?"

"Some are just impoverished households, and others are local officials who have only risen to prominence in recent years. 'No houses for a thousand miles, no cities for ten thousand miles,' this is the northern Central Plains of our Great Ming Dynasty today."

"Its true state of affairs!"