Unknowingly, the news spread that the Liao Kingdom sent scholars from semi-sage families to lead Liao students to Suzhou to engage in dragon boat battles, and it instantly became the most heated topic.
Originally, the list of dragon boat teams to face the Liao Kingdom had been confirmed, but after hearing that the Liao Kingdom sent scholars from semi-saint families to lead the team, some officials quickly resigned from the dragon boat race due to illness.
This move caused dissatisfaction among many scholars. This battle is related to the honor and disgrace of Yun State. Even if there is no guarantee of victory, one cannot be a deserter.
If you run away from the battlefield, you will suffer greater infamy.
But those who hold the title of examiner think that it is better to be insulted by others than to have their literary courage shattered by Liao students, right?
And with these people taking the lead, other people are ready to take action.
Even before the dragon boat battle began, the scholars of Yun State had already shaken their faith.
Although a small number of Juren temporarily withdrew, most Juren still chose to challenge the Liao students, even if they risked their literary courage to be shattered, they still wanted to maintain the dignity and honor of the Yun State.
At this time, Ji Changan published another article in the name of the Wenzong family. He first apologized to himself, saying that as a scholar of the Wenzong family, he should not hesitate to lead Suzhou Juren to fight against the Liao dragon boat team, but for the sake of the overall situation, he
, and had to give up this position and the position of team leader to Du Ning, and I felt very ashamed.
After apologizing, Ji Changan began to stand on the moral high ground and point fingers at those who fled the battle.
At the end of the article, another wave of praise was given to Du Ning, saying that Du Ning knew that the Liao Kingdom sent scholars from semi-sage families to fight on dragon boats, but Du Ning was not afraid at all, and did not back down at this time. He was simply learning from Suzhou scholars.
role model.
Suzhou Literary Academy.
In the pavilion outside the First Class of Scholars.
"Have you seen Ji Changan's article in Suzhou Wenbao? I have never seen such a shameless person. He himself did not dare to fight with the dragon boat of Liao students, but he scolded the others.
Shower your head."
"No wonder Ji Chang'an didn't dare to fight with the Liao students in a dragon boat battle. He was afraid that the Liao Kingdom had sent scholars from semi-sage families to come, so he imposed this quota on Mr. Du."
"What a descendant of the Wenzong family, bah! I look down on him!"
"Ji Chang'an must be worried that Mr. Du will be frightened by the semi-saint family of Liao like other Juren, so he praised Mr. Du excessively in Suzhou Wenbao. In this way, Mr. Du cannot be like those
It’s the same excuse as a scholar to abandon the war.”
"What a good trick! Ji Changan is really a good trick! He pressed forward step by step without giving Mr. Du any chance to breathe. He wanted to put him to death!"
All the students were filled with indignation and were simply disgusted by Ji Changan's flattery.
Luo Wenxuan looked very ugly and said to Du Ning: "Master Du, you have fallen into a trap! It turns out that the Liao Kingdom sent scholars from a semi-sage family to fight with our dragon boat. The semi-sage family not only has a very high status in the literary world, but also has a very high status in the literary world.
With certain privileges, the conditions for them to practice Confucianism and Taoism will be better than ordinary people. Moreover, this time the Liao Kingdom came to create a record of fifteen consecutive victories. From this point of view, the Liao Kingdom is bound to win this year.
!"
"There are already some people in the Juren class who are ill and unable to come out. They are not worried about losing to scholars from semi-saint families, but they are afraid of the risk of their literary courage being broken. Therefore, they would rather run away and suffer infamy than to keep their literary courage. This way
This puts more pressure on us Suzhou students!"
Du Ning's face changed slightly, then quickly returned to normal, and said calmly: "Since he is a scholar from a semi-sage family in the Liao Kingdom, his Confucianism and Taoism must not be underestimated. It seems that this dragon boat battle will be more powerful than those in the past fourteen years.
Any dragon boat battle is more intense."
Luo Wenxuan said anxiously: "What should we do now? Mr. Du has been approved by Mr. Ye as the team leader. If Mr. Du also abandons the battle, there will be no need to compete in the dragon boat battle this year. Suzhou can directly declare its surrender, but the opponent sent
He is a scholar from a semi-saint family. Even if Mr. Du's literary courage and talent are far superior to ordinary people, I'm afraid..."
"The dragon boat battle hasn't started yet, how does Brother Luo know that we will definitely lose?" Du Ning asked rhetorically.
Seeing that Du Ning showed no fear, Luo Wenxuan was surprised and said: "Do you still insist on fighting against Liao students? Are you not worried at all that you will fail? The opponent is a scholar from a semi-sage family!"
"Fighting against a scholar from a semi-saint family, it would be an honor to lose. As long as I can bring glory to the country, I will have no regrets even if I risk my literary courage. Even if others insult me behind my back, I can stand up straight.
A good person is not afraid of the world's abuse."
Du Ning held his head high and said loudly: "The head can be broken, the blood can be shed, and the scholar's spine cannot be bent. In short, if I lose this battle in Longzhouzhou, I will fight. If I can win, I will fight even more. I will never
It has insulted the integrity of scholars in Yun State!"
When all the students heard this, they were all in awe.
"I didn't expect Mr. Du to be so arrogant, but I was making sarcastic comments. I'm really ashamed. Even Mr. Du could go through fire and water for the Yun Kingdom. Those Juren students who escaped from the battlefield are simply a shame to Suzhou Academy of Literature. I only regret that I am not a Juren student.
If I don’t have literary courage, I would still be able to fight alongside Mr. Du.”
Luo Wenxuan handed over to Du Ning and said: "Since Mr. Du insists on fighting, no matter what, we will fully support you. On the day of the dragon boat battle, I will personally cheer for you. Even if you lose in the end, I will do my best.
To protect your literary name, who dares to say a bad word about you is like scolding me!"
"I am responsible for holding a placard for Mr. Du. I want all students in Liao to remember Mr. Du's name. We cannot go into battle with Mr. Du, but we can give you the support you deserve!"
"Master Du, just concentrate on preparing for war, we will handle other matters for you."
Du Ning looked at these people and nodded solemnly.
"Don't worry, we won't lose!"
Not far away, a great scholar was watching here, but the students in the pavilion didn't notice it at all.
This person is Ye Jinghong.
Ye Jinghong originally came to find Du Ning and told him that the strongest opponent in the dragon boat battle was a scholar from a semi-sage family in the Liao Kingdom. He hoped that Du Ning could retreat despite the difficulties. After all, Du Ning had excellent qualifications and was sensible and reasonable. Ye Jinghong
Even Jinghong doesn’t want Du Ning to be involved in danger.
There are so many people who do not take the lead, but it is unethical to let a ninth-grade scholar be the leader!
Du Ning can not give up the fight, but Ye Jinghong can replace him, and he will bear all the infamy!
If Duning is lost here, it will be the biggest loss for Yun Kingdom.
This is an idea that Ye Jinghong has thought deeply about and is very far-sighted.
But here he heard the conversation in the pavilion, and also learned about Du Ning's attitude towards the scholars from the semi-saint family. His eyes narrowed slightly, as if there was a fire burning.
"Now is the world of young people, and my time has long passed..."
Ye Jinghong showed a trusting smile, gave up the idea of persuading Du Ning to abandon the battle, and turned to leave.
…………
It’s the fifth day of May.
As the team leader, Du Ning led forty-nine people to the moat under the leadership of Ye Jinghong.
There is already a sea of people under the moat, and the streets and alleys and towers are full of people, making it very lively.
The moat is where dragon boat battles take place. According to the regulations of dragon boat battles, each country sends fifty people, five of whom ride a dragon boat. The total number of people on both sides is one hundred, for a total of twenty dragon boats.
Twenty dragon boats are engaged in a fierce battle on the wide moat. Just imagine how spectacular the scene will be.
"Mr. Ye, you are here."
A group of civil and military generals came over. They were officials from the state government and the general's mansion. The leader was Ling Zongde, the state pastor. The military general next to him wearing a military uniform was General Yue Tianyi, a Confucian and Taoist scholar who was in charge of Suzhou.
The military camp has 200,000 soldiers and horses.
Both of these two people are truly powerful people.
Military officials are also all scholars. Different from ordinary scholars, military scholars specialize in military art and strategy. They have little ability in government affairs, but they are real masters in marching troops and fighting.
Today is the Dragon Boat Festival, and it is also the day when students from the Liao Kingdom come to the Yun Kingdom to compete in dragon boat battles with Suzhou students. Today’s victory or defeat will be related to the honor and disgrace of the Yun Kingdom.
Therefore, both the imperial court and the military, as well as the scholars in the Guoxue Palace, attach great importance to today's dragon boat battle.
Ye Jinghong is the emperor of the Prefecture Academy of Literature and a great scholar in Confucianism and Taoism, so he does not need to salute the officials of the court. Instead, these officials must salute the emperor as scholars.
The status of the liberal arts academy is greater than that of the yamen and the military.
"I have met all of you, my lords."
Du Ning and other students bowed to the officials.
Ling Zongde returned the salute to everyone and said: "Today's battle is about the honor and disgrace of Yun State. I hope you can fight for Yun State and win today's dragon boat battle. On behalf of the people of Suzhou and the people of Yun State,
Please!”
"Don't worry, Sir Ling, we will do our best!"
"Even if our literary courage breaks down, we will never give up!"
"To win glory for the country, even if it means death, I will be willing to do so!"
The students were very motivated, and many of them were ready to compete with the Liao students for literary courage.
But some scholars who saw this scene secretly showed a sarcastic smile.
The officials' eyes fell on Du Ning, because among the fifty scholars present, only Du Ning was a ninth-rank scholar, and the others were eighth-rank scholars.
Therefore, Du Ning seems to be very abrupt, and everyone can recognize Du Ning's identity at a glance.
"Master Du, today's battle is up to you." Ling Zongde smiled.
"The Yun Kingdom will definitely win this battle!" Du Ning said loudly.
"The country of Yun will win!"
"Suzhou must win!"
The whole crowd shouted in unison, full of momentum.
Immediately afterwards, many scholars in Suzhou also shouted.
Banners appeared in the crowd with the words "Yun Guo must win" and "Come on Suzhou team".