Transmigrating to the Ming Dynasty’s Imperial Examination Ch. 146

Chapter 146

Before the Former Seven Scholars raised the banner of ‘poetry must be like the flourishing Tang Dynasty, prose like the grand Qin and Han, Dynasties’, Li Dongyang was already the literary master of China, with a reputation surpassing the thirteen provinces. In a letter to Lu juren, Cui Xie mentioned that he had earned Li Dongyang’s favor and would be studying poetry under him. Teacher Lu had been as excited as if he himself had become Li Dongyang’s student.

Li Dongyang had taken a liking to his student and wanted to teach him poetry!

Why?

Obviously, it was because his student’s poetry had structure, depth, and charm, surpassing the current trend of ornate and overly meticulous styles?

It was because he taught Cui Xie well!

After drinking three glasses of wine, Teacher Lu recited the bamboo branch poems Li Dongyang had inscribed on the Cui Residence to County Magistrate Yan. They praised them together and then delved into a discussion about pedagogical methods. Teacher Lu even used the exam papers Cui Xie had set for his brother Cui Heng as examples, spiritedly explaining, “Students must study diligently! Even though my student rarely set examination papers for himself early on, he was meticulous when setting them for his younger brother. No matter how gifted he is or how well he remembers everything, one must rely on hard work to succeed!”

These educational methods had been endorsed by the Crown Prince and his instructors of the Eastern Palace; how could they be anything but excellent?

County Magistrate Yan listened with great interest and agreed, saying, “Indeed, strict management is necessary! When I occasionally lecture at the prefectural school, I see students who rarely attend, some only coming for the sacrificial meat distribution and then leaving. Such inattentive and careful students, even if they pass the biannual examinations in the top ranks, how can they expect to pass the Imperial exams?”

Although their prefectural students couldn’t compare to the Crown Prince’s studies, they should still be given regular examinations to assess their progress. Even those who take leave should be given assignments to complete and be handed upon their return…

Their conversation about education grew more engaging and detailed, the two getting along better and better the more they talked, to the point where they forgot about poetry altogether.

Although Teacher Lu was passionate about education and could forget about poetry when engrossed in teaching, when he wasn’t teaching, he was still a dedicated and pure talented poet…

Though not particularly romantic, he was indeed a talented poet.

After reading Li Dongyang’s bamboo branch poems¹, he naturally felt inspired and wrote two responses in matching rhyme schemes. Cui Xie, knowing his deep admiration for Li Dongyang, took the poems to his Master during their study sessions after classes, asking him to critique them.

It would  be best if there was a critique, but even if there was none, having Li Dongyang read the poems would fulfill Teacher Lu’s wish.

Master Li often mentored the younger generation and encouraged the learning of poetry. In addition to Cui Xie as a disciple, he was surrounded by many young poets, all eager for his guidance and revisions. Therefore, he took Cui Xie’s poems seriously, making extensive deletions and revisions. He even changed the matching rhyme scheme to a more flexible one, transforming the poems entirely beyond recognition.

After the revisions, the imagery in the poems became much clearer, as if one could see the vividly depicted scenes of light rain in Teacher Lu’s hometown, green wheat fields, and farmers working in the mulberry gardens and wheat fields.

Li Dongyang, who was also well-versed in music, cleared his throat and softly sang a few lines: “The husband has returned by the end of spring, testing the new silk clothes in the cool rain by the small pond. The mulberry tree leaves are green, the silkworms are just mature, and when the wild wheat turns green, the pheasant starts to fly.”

Reading the poem was one thing, but hearing it sung was entirely different.

Cui Xie originally felt that the ancient-stylepoem was merely a lively, free-verse depiction of scenery, but hearing it sung, it took on a more delicate and wistful tone, like the thoughts of a young girl.

Since poems could be sung and melodies could be composed, could Li Dongyang also write musical pieces? Cui Xie wondered, contemplating how to persuade his Master to revise some melodies and add a touch of brilliance to his play he was thinking of drafting.

Li Dongyang finished singing, full of enthusiasm, and seeing his student deep in thought, he assumed that Cui Xie felt his revisions were too severe. So, he explained, “Harmonizing poetry is difficult, especially when following a set rhyme. If adhering to the rhyme scheme compromises the poetic charm, it is better not to write poetry at all. The essence of poetry is not about reason or logic. Your mentor’s poems are filled with too many references and logic, losing the true charm of bamboo twig poetry. Major cuts and drastic revisions were necessary to save it.”

Any revision was fine. Teacher Lu would only be delighted to have his poems altered by such a distinguished master.

Cui Xie smiled and said, “This student also thinks the poems Master revised are more elegant and moving. This student believes Teacher Lu will be pleased as well. This student just knows too little about poetry, and it is my first time hearing you sing bamboo branch verses, which was surprising and left me a bit dazed.”

Li Dongyang smiled and replied, “What is surprising about this? Ancient poems were often sung, but as those tunes were lost, lyrics evolved. Once lyrics lost their musical accompaniment, they developed into tunes… Nowadays, only the Wu-Yue dynasties² are remembered for their singing poets. I have always loved poetry and know some Wu-Yue tunes, though I cannot sing well. Normally, I would not put one’s artistic incompetence on display in front of disciples or juniors like you.”

Cui Xie quickly praised him, “Master’s singing is melodious and pleasant, how is it bad! Although this student has studied for several years and seen some of the world, I’ve never heard of anyone else who can sing poetry—Master is the only talented scholar this student has encountered who knows how to integrate poetry with music!”

Cui Xie’s flattery was rather crude, and Li Dongyang initially wanted to laugh at him with a ‘how many people have you met’ comment. But on second thought, Cui Xie had indeed seen the world. Not just the Emperor and the Crown Prince, but also the Directors and Chancellors of the Imperial College, officials from the Eastern Palace, and Hanlin Academy’s academicians literati…though he had not met many people, they were among the most distinguished literati in the Ming Dynasty.

Among these top-tier literati, Li Dongyang was indeed the best in poetry. Even his junior brother, Yang Yiqing and Xie Qian, who had snatched the title of zhuangyuan from Wang Ao…could not match him.

From this point of view, it was not intentional flattery from Cui Xie, but simply the truth.

The truth was always pleasing to hear. Delighted, Master Li asked, “If you like it, I can teach you. The tune of bamboo branch verses is simple and easy to sing. You can learn it in just a few lines.”

He was enthusiastic about being a disciple, but Cui Xie was naturally lacking the five tones and six rhythms, so he was not the right material for poetry and lyrics. He could recite musical theories like ‘For all music, the Yuanzhong note serves as Gong, the Huangzhong note serves as Jiao, the Taicuo note serves as Zhi, and the Guxi note serves as Yu’³ but when it came to actual singing…

Even the two young boys studying in the side room couldn’t bear it any longer and came over to ask their father, Li da-ren to spare them.

The Eldest Young Master, Li Zhaoxian, looked at Cui Xie with a mature expression on his little face and sighed, “I thought shixiong, as a top scorer and a writer of vigorous and powerful essays and articles, a man with great talking ability, must also be skilled in poetry and music. Did not expect shixiong to be tone-deaf…”

To say Cui Xie was merely tone-deaf was being generous.

Li Dongyang lightly rebuked his son, “This is not your place to speak! At your age, you dare criticize your shixiong? Go back and finish today’s essay, or I’ll have your shixiong set a test for you!”

Li Zhaoxian had heard stories from his Father of how Cui Xie disciplined his younger brother, turning a delinquent who never studied into a bookworm who only knew how to study. He also heard of the Crown Prince’s diligent studies and daily self-assessment. At the mention of ‘test’,  his body suddenly tensed up, fearing such a fate might befall him, and quickly shut his mouth and left.

His younger brother, Li Zhaotong, was not as precocious. He simply followed his elder brother obediently.

Li Dongyang, proud of his gifted eldest son, could not bear to scold him too much. But fearing Cui Xie’s feelings might be hurt, he comforted, “As long as there is music in your heart when writing poetry and you can measure the rhythm and beat, you do not need to be able to sing. Just remember the rhythm and tune, and you can write good bamboo branch verses. I will teach you musical theory later—”

Cui Xie actually didn’t care if his junior despised and criticized his singing.

In his previous life, his singing was a bit better, though he was still off-key all the way from Beijing to Hebei. Now, it might even extend to Lasa, and he often got laughed at by his classmates. Whether the distance was short or long, he was used to the laughter and did not take it to heart.

Cui Xie smiled lightly and nodded, “This requires talent to master, how can everyone do it? Master has been immersed in poetry for years and is surely skilled in musical theory? This student recently heard a great chivalric story and plans to adapt it into a play with an editor’s help. If Master could offer some guidance, it could become an enduring masterpiece that will be passed down through the ages!”

Li Dongyang initially wanted to refuse, but his son had just mocked Cui Xie’s lack of musical talent. Although this student was generous and did not care, as Cui Xie’s Master, he had to treat him fairly and felt the need to compensate. Hesitating briefly, Li Dongyang asked, “What play? I don’t know much about opera tunes, but isn’t your College’s Chancellor Qiu good at writing northern tunes? Why not ask him for guidance?”

Chancellor Qiu’s adaptations of well-known plays did not attract much of an audience when performed. If Cui Xie let him adapt his script outline, it might end up as another main melody drama that no one wanted to watch.

Cui Xie could not outright say Chancellor Qiu’s skills were lacking, so he replied, “Chancellor Qiu is busy with official duties, how could he have time to help a mere student like me with a play? Since we have a father-son-like relationship, it is only natural to seek your guidance instead of troubling others, right?”

Indeed, by hierarchy and relationship, it was appropriate to ask Li Dongyang.

Although Master Li did not specialize in opera, his scholarly talent was unparalleled, and it would not be difficult for him to revise some opera lyrics. Smiling, he asked, “What is your play about? Have you written it down? If it is truly good, I will help you revise it. Even though I do not usually write operas, I can find some experts to help you.”

He agreed! Cui Xie’s eyes lit up as he grinned and said, “This student only heard the story and had someone start writing it, but it is not fully outlined yet. If you could give some guidance to improve the story, it would make a much better play!”

He cleared his throat and began, “The story is about a virtuous and heroic woman who plays the pipa. So, I thought of calling it 《The Story of Wang San Niang and the Pipa》

Their Imperial College’s Chancellor Qiu’s 《Complete Record of the Five Relationships》was adapted from 《The Story of the Pipa》. Borrowing a similar title was not a big deal. Besides, while Cui Xie thought Colonel Xie and his Jinyiwei were good people, he knew the notorious reputation of the Ming dynasty’s Jinyiwei. A play about them might not attract an audience like it would in later generations when flying fish robes and xiuchun swords were seen as cool. If anything, it was likely to scare away people with those names. A title highlighting a female protagonist, like 《The Tale of Yingying》, 《The Tale of Huo Xiaoyu》 or 《The Story of the Purple Hairpin》 would attract more viewers.

At least it would attract people to want to see a beautiful woman!

So, his new story was essentially a strong female lead drama. The character of Wang San from Madam Wang’s house was entirely reimagined as Wang Yao, the daughter of an official.

Wang Yao’s father was a minor official who was tasked with escorting tribute to the Emperor. The tribute was stolen by a bandit named Hei Yi Dao (Black-Clad Bandit) on the way, and her father, failing his duty, was exiled and later died of illness. Her mother, upon hearing the news, also died of grief. Wang Yao, heartbroken by her parents’ tragic deaths and learning that Hei Yi Dao was in the capital, vowed to avenge them by abandoning her family and career.

She sold her family estate to bury her parents and played the pipa to beg her way to the capital, where she met Feng Yun, a young, handsome Jinyiwei commandant responsible for inspecting the security of the capital.

The dashing male lead, the Jinyiwei’s Feng Yun, was moved by her story and felt sorry for her circumstances, placing her in an inn, promising to help her find the thief and avenge her father. However, he struggled to find the bandit alone and had to seek help from his superior, Colonel Xie.

Xie da-ren known for his fierce sense of justice, immediately ordered a citywide search for the bandit.

Thanks to the Jinyiwei’s strict law enforcement and their policy of not harming innocent citizens when sweeping for the thief and never taking anything from the masses, the people and Jinyiwei under Xie da-ren’s rule were as inseparable as the fish and water. The people of the Ming Dynasty supported them enthusiastically. This led to the discovery of clues leading to Hei Yi Dao’s whereabouts – he was a lecherous bandit frequently seen in brothels and taverns.

Learning this, Wang Yao volunteered to set a honey trap for the Jinyiwei to catch the bandit.

Feng Yun, not wanting her to suffer injustice, sought other women for the task, but Wang Yao, after telling her life story, expressed her determination and insisted on doing it herself to avenge her parents.

While Feng Yun was rendered speechless, touched by her determination and chastity, Colonel Xie decided to help her. He provided her with gold and silver to buy fine clothes from Tailor Yu, accessories and cosmetics from the Hall of Glorious Brocade, all famous shops in the capital. Most people in the capital would buy products from these two shops for dressing up, so it could not be considered as inserting advertisements in the play.

In short, this transformed Wang Yao into a dazzling beauty who sang for money in places where the bandit frequented, finally luring Hei Yi Dao into the trap. Xie da-ren instructed Feng Yun to protect her chastity by staying close, and when she finally managed to get the bandit drunk, the Jinyiwei swooped in and captured him.

The story reached the ears of an Imperial Censor of court who submitted a memorial to the Emperor, leading to a posthumous pardon for her father and her recognition as a virtuous woman by the Emperor. Colonel Xie also oversaw her marriage to Feng Yun, culminating in a happy ending as the couple married and the evildoers were met with justice.

The story was full of dramatic twists, featuring themes of a virtuous woman’s revenge, law enforcement on illegal publications, justice served by court officials and a wise Emperor, and a happy ending – exactly the kind of moral and didactic play that was highly popular and encouraged by the ruling class of the Ming dynasty.

Cui Xie eagerly narrated the story and asked Li Dongyang, “Master, is this play feasible?”

Li Dongyang pondered for a while, smacking his lips, clicking his tongue and squinted at him, “The pipa-playing Wang Yao is certainly virtuous and filial, and the Jinyiwei Colonel seems sensible… But isn’t Feng Yun, the future husband of Wang Yao supposed to be the main heroic figure? How come in your story, his presence feels almost negligible?”

A female-led drama naturally had a secondary male lead… Besides, as the chief planner, promoter, and investor, how could Cui Xie allow a minor character like Feng Yun to overshadow their core hero, Colonel Xie!

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Footnotes:

1. Bamboo branch or bamboo-twig poems is a type of yuefu 樂府-genre poetry. It is also called zhuzhi 竹枝 or zhuzhizi 竹枝子 and originates in folk songs from the region of Chongqing (Ba-Yu 巴渝) during the mid-Tang period 唐 (618-907). The oldest record concerning a zhuzhi ci is found in Cui Lingqin’s 崔令欽 (early 8th cent.) Jiaofangji 教坊記 (ch. Quming 曲名) and among Gu Kuang’s 顧況 (d. 814) poetry. The genre obtained public attention by the poems of Liu Yuxi 劉禹錫 (772-842), who was once regional inspector (cishi 刺史) of the prefecture of Kuizhou 夔州 (east of today’s Fengjie 奉節). He used the local mode of zhuzhi folksongs to describe landscape, nature, local customs, love, and sentiments. Each poem is a quatrain with four-syllable verses (qiyan siju 七言四句). ↩︎
2. Wu-Yue dynasty: one of the Ten States 十國 (902-979) ruling over southern China after the downfall of the Tang dynasty 唐 (618-907). The 4-juan book was allegedly written by Fan Tong 范垌 and Lin Yu 林禹, but more probably by Qian Yan 錢儼 (937-1003), younger brother of Qian Shu 錢俶 (r. 948-978), the last ruler of Wu-Yue. ↩︎
3. In ancient Chinese music theory, the pentatonic scale (五音, Wǔyīn) consists of five primary notes: 宫 (Gong), 角 (Jiao), 徵 (Zhi), 商 (Shang), and 羽 (Yu). Each of these notes corresponds to a specific pitch or frequency, which can be represented by various notes from the twelve-tone system used in traditional Chinese music.
   圜钟 (Yuánzhōng): Represents a specific pitch used as the fundamental note Gong.
   黄钟 (Huángzhōng): Represents a specific pitch used as the note Jiao.
   太蔟 (Tàicù): Represents a specific pitch used as the note Zhi.
   姑洗 (Gūxiǎn): Represents a specific pitch used as the note Yu. ↩︎

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TN: Have a good rest of your week everyone and enjoy the chapter! Currently taking a break for a couple of days from grad school because I’ve been feeling some burnout~ Funny how Cui Xie has an ulterior motive for this play, he’s so cute XD

Update 12/23/24: I just updated it so that all my advance chapters for TMD are up on patreon (and will be continually updated)! Sorry for being so lazy with it and apologies for taking so long to do so. I had to organize a lot of my random documents after a long hiatus last year.

Announcement: We have set up a kofi and patreon account! If you would like to support us or get early access to advance chapters for Blood-Sucking Empress OR TMD, those options are available for you (in support us page)! I have just added a patreon tier for Transmigrating to the Ming Dynasty’s Imperial Examinations in which patreons can have access to a google document with ALL of my advanced translated chapters for the novel. Since I am a grad student, there should usually be at least 10 advance chapters in the document at a time, but depending on my schedules, there may be fewer or more. I’m currently extremely busy, but I have translated out some new chapters for you all! But, I will still post each week with the same schedule. Thanks!

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