Ming Dynasty: Empress Ma and I swapped clothes!

Chapter 18 I, Ma Wenxiang, am content with a modest life!

Although the private school in Majia Village is small, it has all the necessary functions.

Candlesticks and scrolls were all present. Although Wang Yangsheng's study lacked luxurious and valuable items, the antique books and small ornaments he had collected made it quite elegant.

"What is contemporary writing? It is the standard writing style used in the imperial examinations."

"What is a standard writing style? It is something with clear rules: how many paragraphs an article should be divided into, and how each paragraph should be copied. For example, the essay that the student just wrote follows this principle."

"Generally, there are eight paragraphs, paired in two, namely the beginning, middle, end, and conclusion. They can also be called the first section, the second section, the third section, the fourth section, and so on up to the eighth section. This is the name 'eight-part essay'."

"The fourth section is also known as the summary, or the final conclusion."

"Next, let's talk about the first one, which is the 'breaking the topic' that has existed in contemporary essays since ancient times. The so-called 'breaking' means to decipher the meaning of the topic, which can only be done in two sentences, no more and no less, and the meaning of the topic cannot be directly stated. Since you have already passed the imperial examination and become a scholar, I suppose this way of breaking the topic is naturally not a problem for you."

"The second part is the 'response to the topic,' which follows from the introduction. Since only two sentences can be used before the introduction, students also have a rule for this 'response to the topic,' which can be a maximum of three sentences."

"If the initial statement is a positive exposition, the follow-up statement will be a negative supplement; if the initial statement is a negative approach, the follow-up statement will be positive evidence. In short, it is necessary to both build upon the initial statement and explain the meaning of the statement as comprehensively as possible."

"Part Three..."

Ma Wenxiang's words are substantial and logically clear. He dissects the eight-legged essay into its segments, making each segment interconnected and echoing the previous one.

If Wang Yangsheng's initial astonishment and desire to become Ma Wenxiang's disciple in the bamboo grove was partly a gamble, then seeing Ma Wenxiang's eloquent and insightful discussion of the crucial policy essays for the imperial examinations in this study, Wang Yangsheng was now completely convinced.

For the rest of his life, Wang Yangsheng was fortunate to encounter a truly unparalleled child prodigy.

When Wang Yangsheng got to the third stock, he deliberately stopped explaining, intending for him to digest and absorb the main idea first, then apply it to other stocks, study it thoroughly, and then continue explaining.

Otherwise, you'll know too much at once.

Not only does it seem like he's aiming too high, but it also suggests he's trying to do too much at once, which will only do him harm and no good for his future writing.

Wang Yangsheng attached great importance to the imperial examination system.

Especially now that he has a chance to pass the imperial examination, he is tempted by petty gains and momentary greed.

He was still able to hold back.

Looking at Ma Wenxiang, who was standing close at hand, Wang Yangsheng stroked his long beard, smiled, and nodded with satisfaction.

Given time, when his student rises from humble beginnings to high office and passes the imperial examination, perhaps Wang Yangsheng himself could become the mentor of the leading figure in the literary world of the North.

From Ma Wenxiang's description of the power of the eight-legged essay, Wang Yangsheng only glimpsed a corner of it at this moment, but he could already imagine how great an impact this method would have on the literary world in the future.

Even Wang Yangsheng might benefit from this and be remembered in history.

This is what many literati pursue throughout their lives.

Thinking of this, Wang Yangsheng suddenly felt a strange sense of guilt.

He now owes this young man a huge favor, and he will likely owe him even more in the future.

He couldn't help but ask, "Wenxiang, is there anything you want? Be bold and say it. As long as it's within my capabilities, I will definitely find it for you."

Wang Yangsheng was full of sincerity.

As for the old story of wanting to become his disciple in the bamboo forest, it was just a little secret between the two of them. Ma Wenxiang dared not actually let Wang Yangsheng, who was over thirty years old, become his disciple, nor did he dare to accept such a title.

The two of them can understand each other without any tacit understanding. Why go through such a conventional process and make them feel estranged for no reason?

Ma Wenxiang had a clear understanding of the situation.

Ma Wenxiang looked hesitant.

Wang Yangsheng was deeply moved upon seeing this, thinking that Ma Wenxiang was worried about him spending money, so he quickly and generously said, "Wenxiang, please speak freely."

"How about eating meat?"

Ma Wenxiang asked tentatively.

Although Mr. Wang Yangsheng did indeed have the title of Xiucai (a scholar who passed the lowest level of the imperial examinations) and ran a private school in the countryside, he should have had a considerable monthly income. However, Wang Yangsheng was not alone.

He has a wife and daughter to support, and he also needs to help some relatives from time to time.

In small towns, clan consciousness is still deeply ingrained. When Wang Yangsheng was studying, he received a lot of help from his clan. Now that he has some financial security, he naturally wants to repay the kindness.

Eating meat was indeed a luxury in ancient times.

It goes without saying that wealthy families in the county could afford meat, but even some landlords and rich men in this small village probably couldn't eat meat every meal.

Upon hearing Ma Wenxiang's request, Wang Yangsheng's face immediately lit up with a smile. After a moment's thought, he said, "I happen to have a few chickens at home, and they're all plump now. With this joyous occasion, we should celebrate and have a big drink."

"Thank you, sir."

Ma Wenxiang bowed respectfully behind him.

It is both a sign of respect for the elders and a way of expressing gratitude to the employer.

He didn't think he could be arrogant just because he had helped Wang Yangsheng so much.

When you're out and about, a few kind words can bring you three benefits, and Ma Wenxiang should always be mindful of this.

After watching Wang Yangsheng's figure disappear into the distance, Ma Wenxiang was not idle in the study.

He had obtained Wang Yangsheng's permission early on and began to browse through the other books in the collection.

He was a scholar who passed the imperial examinations.

The collection of books in Wang Yangsheng's home was far more extensive than that in the Ma family's.

Although the title of Xiucai (秀才) is not comparable to that of Juren (举人) or Jinshi (进士), it is a respectable status in the small county of Qingfeng, not to mention in this village and town. It is at least a significant position.

Ma Wenxiang picked up a piece of mung bean cake from the plate that was meant to be served to him, held a book in his hands, and chewed it gently.

The subtle sweetness assaulted his taste buds, and Ma Wenxiang couldn't help but let out a soft, blissful sound: "It's so delicious, so incredibly tasty! It feels just as good as the cloud cakes made by the head chef of the Imperial Kitchen."

In reality, it is naturally inferior.

However, it was because Ma Wenxiang's life in the Ma family was quite different from that in the palace that he had such a feeling when he tasted such delicious food.

Upon careful consideration...

In fact, before he arrived at this time and switched bodies with Empress Ma Xiuying, his life's ambitions were not great.

It is not about becoming the Grand Preceptor of the Ming Dynasty, nor is it about entering the imperial court as an official.

He was self-aware; at most, he only wanted to pass the imperial examination, change the status of the Ma family, and obtain the title of Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial examination). He was content with a modest life and nothing more. Ma Wenxiang never thought about anything else.

For example, in the third year of the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty, the policy on vassal kings was about to be promulgated.

After Zhu Yuanzhang established the Ming Dynasty, he implemented the policy of enfeoffing princes, precisely because the Central Plains had been plagued by war for years and the population had been depleted.

In many large cities in various provinces, there are only a handful of households.

Only by granting fiefdoms to vassal kings could skilled craftsmen and displaced people be attracted to settle here, and the registration of good citizens, military personnel, and garrison officers in the household register be implemented one by one.

The vassal kings were like a pillar of stability in the sea.

"With one king here, all things thrive."

Only in this way can the Central Plains be restored to prosperity, and the lively atmosphere of the Ming Dynasty's people be restored in various fiefdoms.