In the second year of Renzong Jiayou (1057), Su Shi and Su Xun, like more than 1,300 other candidates, walked into the palace with their heads held high with some excitement and nervousness, and devoted themselves to the strategy examination.
At that time, the chief examiner was Ouyang Xiu, who wanted to reverse the unrealistic style of writing at that time and test the candidates' ability to apply what they had learned.
At the end of the exam, the transcription is completed one by one, the candidate's name is sealed, and the marking procedure begins.
The examiner, Mei Yaochen, found that there was a different kind of strategy, which said that rewarding loyalty is rather lenient, and punishment should be compassionate, so as not to kill the innocent. When Yao, Gao Tao (the magistrate) was a soldier and would kill people. Gao Tao said the third killing, and Yao said the third of You. It means advocating that the monarch treat the people of the world with benevolence.
Mei Yaochen thought so, but he had never seen this dialogue between Emperor Yao and Gaotao, so he handed the test paper to Ouyang Xiu, who claimed that he had never read it.
After Ouyang Xiu finished reading, he praised endlessly, and put forward the pen to judge the first volume, but he suspected that this article was from the hand of Zeng Gong, who was afraid of giving people a handle, so he had no choice but to change the second sentence. It's just that he doesn't know where the allusions in the text come from.
On the day of the release of the list, Su Shi ranked second, and Su Zhe was also on the list, which can be described as double happiness.
Su Shi sent a letter overnight to thank Ouyang Xiu for his wisdom and discernment.
After Ouyang Xiu received the letter from Su Shi, he happily read it.
Before he finished reading, he couldn't help but say to his son, reading Zizhan's text, I didn't feel overjoyed, it seems that the old man should quit the literary world and give way to this person.
The son said that his father is the leader of the literary world, and the poetry and literature are passed down all over the world, Tang does not lose to Han Liu, and Song does not let Fan Yan, why do you say this?
Ouyang Xiu said, what is a leader in the literary world? If you remember my words, after thirty years, no one will talk about the old man, only Su Shi.
The people of the time said that scholars do not know the horror of punishment, the gratification of promotion, and even the lack of joy in life and fear of death, but they are only worried about Ouyang Xiu's praise and disapproval.
In other words, if your writing is not good, Ouyang Xiu has the final say. It can be seen that Ouyang Xiu has supreme authority in the literary world.
Later, Su Shi came to visit his teacher, just when Ouyang Xiu and Mei Yaochen were discussing in the study.
Ouyang Xiu got up and descended to greet him, and Su Shi saluted reverently. The guest and host sat down, and after a few words of joy, Mei Yaochen couldn't help asking, I don't know where the allusions in Zizhan's text come from?
Su Shi was speechless, not knowing what to do.
Ouyang Xiu saw that Su Shi was a little uncomfortable, so he encouraged, in the old man's study, he knew everything.
Only then did Su Shi muster up the courage to say, the students of this department did not know the height of the sky, and they made it up temporarily.
Mei Yaochen was surprised when he heard it, and said, can the allusion also be made up?
Su Shi was scared and was about to admit his mistake.
Ouyang Xiu asked with a smile, what is the reason for making up?
Su Shi said timidly, the students are ignorant, they just speculate wildly, with the holy virtue of Emperor Yao, the three criminals are also expected.
Ouyang Xiu Jie praised, well made! The ancients are not muddy, and the ancients have not spoken, this is to truly understand the ancients.
This remark shows that Ouyang Xiu is open-minded and open-minded, which is admirable.
Su Shi is outstanding, and his future life is terrifying. Ouyang Xiu is far-sighted and discerning. The two met each other, which can be described as a meeting of bosom friends in the mountains and rivers, and the beautiful mountains and rivers are happy to meet!