The Romance of the West Chamber: The Bells are Ringing

Zhang Sheng then also recited a poem softly: "I go to Youyintai all the year round, and I always come back early because of the spring scenery. I feel ashamed that the apricot garden is in the scenery, and the Tongzhou garden is also the first to open." It is intended to persuade that life is not always the same. To be happy, just live the present moment.

The scholar was a little surprised when he heard Zhang Sheng's recitation, and raised his head to look at Zhang Sheng. The two people's eyes met in the air, as if there was an inexplicable tacit understanding. Zhang Sheng smiled and nodded to him, and the scholar came over knowingly and started chatting with Zhang Sheng.

"What's your surname, young master? Where do you live from?" the scholar asked.

"My surname is Zhang, my name is Gong, and I am from Luoyang. Where are you, sir?" Zhang Sheng replied.

"My surname is Bai, my name is Juyi, and my courtesy name is Letian. I come from Xinzheng. What do you think of the poem just now?" the scholar asked.

Zhang Sheng pondered for a moment and said: "There is no trouble in life. As long as we can let go of the baggage in our hearts and enjoy the beauty of the moment, then we will find that life is not that bad after all."

Zhang Sheng smiled, stepped closer to the scholar, and said softly: "Life is short, why be sad all the time. When flowers bloom in the apricot garden, there are also flowers in the garden first." His voice was warm and persuasive, as if he was saying to Bai Juyi, There is always a bright side to life.

Bai Juyi silently looked at the apricot blossoms in the distance, seeming to realize something. He raised his hand and pointed at the apricot blossom tree: "You are right. Although the apricot blossoms bloom first in this garden, in my heart, they always seem to be a little late."

Bai Juyi felt relieved after hearing Zhang Sheng's words. He found that he had similar thoughts and opinions to Zhang Sheng, so he felt close to him. The two of them began to talk freely, talking about poetry, life, ideals and so on.

Zhang Sheng smiled slightly and felt the sadness in Bai Juyi's heart. The two of them were speechless in the shadow of the flowers, as if they had a clear understanding of each other. Gradually, Bai Juyi broke the silence: "This is my first time coming to Chang'an. Are you a scholar who also came to take the exam?"

Zhang Sheng nodded and replied with a smile: "This is not the first time I have stepped into this ancient city. When I was young, I lived in Chang'an. Now that Chang'an is in its prime, why don't we travel together and share the beauty of this spring."

Bai Juyi was startled when he heard this, and then he said happily: "Okay, what Brother Zhang Sheng said makes sense. In this bright spring season, if you travel together, you may encounter more interesting things."

The two walked side by side and talked freely along the way, talking about literature, history, and life. Bai Juyi's mood seemed to be brightened by Zhang Sheng's appearance, and he began to talk about his mood and deeds. Zhang Sheng listened, and occasionally added a clever and witty response.

In the streets of Chang'an, the figures of the two scholars gradually faded away, as if they had merged into the customs and customs of this thousand-year-old city. Their hearts gained a wonderful resonance during the communication, as if they were destined confidants in each other's lives. Chang'an City also showed unusual vitality in their steps.

They discovered that each other was a scholar who came to Chang'an to take the exam, and they felt a kind of closeness and tacit understanding. Bai Juyi told Zhang Sheng that he was appreciated by the emperor because of his outstanding talent and was given an official position. But he didn't have much interest in officialdom. He just wanted to obtain a stable livelihood through the imperial examination.

Zhang Sheng also admired Bai Juyi's talent and conduct. He felt that he and Bai Juyi had different pursuits, but they both had the same beliefs and ideals.

In the days that followed, Zhang Sheng and Bai Juyi visited many places of interest in Chang'an and discussed the rhythm and connotation of poems. They spent many happy and unforgettable times together.

Through Bai Juyi, Zhang Sheng met a large number of scholars who were taking the exams. They were deeply involved in the famous academies and institutions of learning in Chang'an City. This was the palace of knowledge and wisdom, where scholars gathered to discuss various academic issues. Issues, participating in fierce debates, and inheriting thousands of years of culture.

Zhang Sheng made an appointment with the scholars and went to Shangshu Province to "let people know their names" and go through the registration procedures.

Then came the "Wenjie", which is the recommendation certificate issued by the local government to the child, and the "Family Statement", which is the family status form filled in by the child himself in terms of place of birth, names of three generations, etc.

The next step is to “settlement the insurance and residence”. Zhang Sheng, Bai Juyi and another scholar formed a group of three to guarantee each other and stated their temporary residence in Chang'an City.

On the morning of New Year's Day, the cold winter wind was mixed with anticipation and nervousness. Zhang Sheng entered the palace in Chang'an. His heartbeat accelerated in the shadow of this magnificent building, and he thought to himself: "Today, His Majesty the Emperor will personally receive us imperial examination candidates. Can I stand out among these many talented people?"

His eyes accidentally met Bai Juyi next to him. Bai Juyi is already a well-known celebrity in the literary world, with a calm expression and penetrating eyes. He smiled and said to Zhang Sheng: "Brother Zhang, your mind is so confused at the moment. You know that today is just a formality. How can your majesty remember everyone one by one?"

"Brother Bai makes sense." Zhang Sheng smiled slightly, but in his heart he could not conceal his admiration for this great figure in the literary world.

They passed through the vermilion palace gate and entered the glorious hall. The palace is resplendent with vivid murals, reflecting the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty. Zhang Sheng looked around and thought to himself: "This is the royal style. Every brick and tile reveals power and dignity."

In the center of the hall, Emperor Dezong Li Shi of the Tang Dynasty sits on a dragon chair, wearing a dragon robe, majestic and sacred. Zhang Sheng and Bai Juyi knelt down and saluted together with other scholars, and their voices were neat and solemn: "I pay homage to your majesty, and wish your majesty a happy new year!"

Li Shi glanced at the scholars and slowly said: "Dear ladies, at the beginning of the new year, I hope that your talents will burst out and you will be able to show off your talents on the day of the imperial examination!"

Bai Juyi nodded slightly and thought to himself: "The emperor seems to be in a good mood today."

Zhang Sheng thought silently in his heart: "Today I am summoned by the emperor. Only by giving all my strength can I show my true talent."

The emperor nodded slightly, with a satisfied smile on his face.

After the ceremony, the scholars left one after another. Zhang Sheng and Bai Juyi looked at each other and smiled, feeling something in their hearts.

A few days later, the spring breeze blew gently, and a group of scholars filed into the courtyard of the Imperial College, neatly dressed and with solemn expressions. Zhang Sheng and Bai Juyi were also among them. They walked steadily and their eyes sparkled with the desire for knowledge.

"Brother Letian, today's visit to the statue of Confucius is really an important event for a scholar." Zhang Sheng said softly, with admiration in his eyes.

Bai Juyi nodded in response: "Indeed. The way of Confucius is the foundation of our knowledge. Today's etiquette must be pious."

They walked through the corridor and came to the statue of Confucius. There was solemnity in front of the statue. All the scholars saluted one after another, and the air was filled with an atmosphere of awe and piety.

Zhang Sheng bowed slightly and said silently in his heart: "Confucius, may your wisdom illuminate my path forward." His expression was pious, with his hands clasped together and his eyes firm.

Bai Juyi walked calmly, and he saluted deeply, thinking in his heart: "Great Master, I hope I can inherit your knowledge and pass on the way of the saints."

After the ceremony, the scholars gathered together to discuss. Zhang Sheng asked eagerly: "Brother Letian, what do you think of Confucius' knowledge?"

Bai Juyi smiled slightly and said: "Confucius paid attention to the golden mean and valued benevolence, justice, etiquette and wisdom. In my opinion, learning is not only the accumulation of knowledge, but also the cultivation of moral character."

After hearing this, Zhang Sheng felt deeply and nodded in agreement: "Brother Letian's words made me enlightened. Indeed, learning is not just the study of knowledge, but also related to the cultivation of the soul."

The scholars joined in one after another, and everyone had a great time chatting with each other, and the discussion on knowledge became more and more in-depth.

In the Imperial College, Zhang Sheng interacted with many scholars and found that he claimed to be talented, but in comparison, he was not very outstanding. If he was not careful, he might fail the exam.

Zhang Sheng thought to himself: "I don't have much talent myself, but I am just deceiving myself. Compared with other scholars taking the exam, I am as arrogant as a yelang."

The originally complacent talent seemed so mediocre among this group of people. The more he thought about it, the more he felt that his future was bleak. He even doubted whether he could pass the imperial examination, and he couldn't help but feel anxious.

So Zhang Sheng hurriedly said goodbye to Bai Juyi, returned to his house, and began to pack up the invitations and gifts. Everything was carefully selected by him, hoping to gain some advantages for himself in this imperial examination.

He thought silently that every selection was to win the favor of the examiner, and every gift was to make his name remembered among the many candidates.

After preparing all the things, Zhang Sheng called Qintong and asked him to prepare the horses and prepare to go home to family to smoothen the relationship. Qintong nodded silently, thinking in his mind: "If Zhang Gong's actions were known to the scholars, they would probably be looked down upon."

But he didn't say much, just silently preparing the horses. Because after all, if Zhang Sheng can reach high school, he can marry Cui Yingying, and then the matchmaker can naturally become Zhang Sheng's concubine, and the matchmaker can get rid of her slave status as soon as possible.

Zhang Sheng rode on the horse, holding the invitations and gifts in his hands, but felt extremely relaxed in his heart. He thought in his mind: "My Zhang family and Brother Du, my eight-year-old acquaintance, have already taken care of everything. What am I doing? I am doing this to be more secure. Besides, how can those uncles and friends not move around? In the future officialdom, , we have to support each other among the many noble families."