Chapter 121: If the People Are Prosperous, Who Is Not?

Cheng Ke immediately chimed in, "Indeed, Brother Qu. While Dingbang is a scholar, it is difficult even for him to produce such excellent eight-legged essays in such a short time. Although Zhou Zhi is a commoner, he has repeatedly bragged about his ability to write these essays. It would not hurt to let them compete."

Qu Renbin had been hesitant when Cheng Dingbang first suggested an on-the-spot competition. Cheng Dingbang was a licensed scholar and known as the "Child Prodigy of Qingdu," while Zhou Zhi was merely a village lad without status. Pitting a scholar against a commoner felt like bullying, and it struck him as unfair to Zhou Zhi.

However, with Cheng Ke fanning the flames, Qu Renbin finally made up his mind. His expression darkened, and he asked Zhou Zhi, "Zhou Zhi, are you willing to compete against Cheng Dingbang in writing an essay?"

Zhou Zhi had never studied under a famous master. His foundation came from the old scholar Wang Ding, with further guidance from figures like Fan Jin and Lü Xingchuan. Most of his techniques and methods for writing eight-legged essays were self-taught through studying collections of contemporary works. He privately doubted his level was a match for Cheng Dingbang.

Yet, faced with Cheng Dingbang’s blatant provocation, Zhou Zhi found himself in a difficult position.

Just then, Kou Peihan’s beautiful eyes turned toward him. "Zhou Zhi, are you going to compete or not? Don’t tell me you’re actually afraid of this piece-of-trash Cheng Dingbang?"

That such a stunningly beautiful young woman would use such rough language showed just how much she loathed Cheng Dingbang. She was clearly desperate for Zhou Zhi to win.

Encouraged by the beauty, Zhou Zhi’s courage surged. He said in a deep voice, "This young man is willing to compete with Scholar Cheng in writing an eight-legged essay."

His words left Qu Renbin, Cheng Ke, and Cheng Dingbang in astonishment. Zhou Zhi’s sheer confidence alone was enough to shock them.

Qu Renbin pondered for a moment before saying, "Very well. Both of you shall write an eight-legged essay on the topic: 'If the people are prosperous, who will not be prosperous?' You must finish by the end of the You hour at sunset."

The topics for eight-legged essays were all drawn from the Four Books; this particular one came from the *Analects of Confucius: Yan Yuan*.

A servant boy soon brought a wooden table and chair for each of them, along with brush, ink, paper, and an inkstone.

Cheng Dingbang sat down with an air of arrogance, knitting his brows as he began to contemplate how to break the theme.

Zhou Zhi walked to his table and sat down calmly, desperately trying to recall the many contemporary essays he had read. He did not intend to plagiarize, but rather to imitate. Of course, this imitation was limited to the structure of others' work; as for the opening and development of the theme, he had to rely entirely on himself.

He knew clearly that if he wanted to match Cheng Dingbang or outperform him, he needed a fresh perspective—in short, his opening must be striking and novel.

***

With nearly two hours remaining until the You hour, Cheng Ke and Qu Renbin each picked up a book from the table to read.

Kou Peihan, having nothing to do, found the prospect of sitting idle for two hours unbearable. She blinked her beautiful eyes, cast a sly look at Qu Renbin and Cheng Ke, then stood up and walked over to Zhou Zhi’s table. "Zhou Zhi, write well!" she whispered.

After casting an encouraging glance at him, she walked out.

Time passed quickly. An hour went by, and Cheng Dingbang had already drafted his essay on scrap paper; he was now frowning as he made revisions. Once he finished correcting it, he would transcribe it, and his essay would be complete.

Meanwhile, Zhou Zhi remained sitting there, perfectly calm. Cheng Ke nudged Qu Renbin, his meaning clear: *Look at that? This Zhou Zhi is ignorant and incompetent, and now his true colors are showing. An hour has passed, and he hasn't written a single character; it's clear he can't do it.*

Qu Renbin was also convinced that Zhou Zhi could not write the essay. However, since the agreement was for two hours, scolding him or kicking him out felt improper. He sighed in frustration and went back to his book.

Suddenly, the door to the hall creaked open. Zhou Zhi remained oblivious, but Cheng Dingbang looked toward the entrance.

Kou Peihan had returned. Behind her walked a middle-aged scholar dressed in a green robe. The scholar had a refined appearance and seemed to exude a sense of authority. Behind him stood an incredibly brawny man in his twenties with a fierce countenance. Yet, this giant stood behind the scholar with his head bowed and eyes lowered, acting with extreme decorum and remaining silent.

Qu Renbin and Cheng Ke hurriedly stood up upon seeing the scholar. Just as they were about to speak, the man in the scholar's robe made a gesture for silence, then pointed toward Cheng Dingbang and Zhou Zhi.

His meaning was obvious: the two were in the middle of writing and should not be disturbed.

Cheng Ke, his sallow face full of confusion, carefully and respectfully moved a chair for the scholar to sit at the table. The burly man behind the scholar remained at his side, standing stiffly and looking straight ahead, appearing most formidable.

Kou Peihan, wearing a playful smile, sat down across from the scholar. She continued to wave her folding fan, but soon stood up again and walked over to Zhou Zhi’s table. Seeing him sitting motionless like a meditating monk, with not a single character on his paper, she flared up. "Zhou Zhi, what is wrong with you? Why aren't you writing your essay? Did you come here just to sleep?"

Her sharp reprimand gave Zhou Zhi a start, but fortunately, he had already mentally drafted his response and made several revisions. He felt he had done his best and there were no flaws.

Cheng Dingbang chuckled, but upon noticing the middle-aged scholar, he realized it was inappropriate and hurriedly covered his mouth, returning to his revisions.

***

Zhou Zhi nodded hurriedly and gave his forehead a hard slap. "Oh! The essay, the essay, I'm writing it now!"

With that, Zhou Zhi picked up his brush and wrote the title on the paper: *If the people are prosperous, who will not be prosperous?*

Seeing Zhou Zhi finally start, Kou Peihan returned to her seat, still looking indignant.

Zhou Zhi then began to break the theme: "The people are prosperous from below; the ruler is prosperous from above."

Next came the development of the theme, and then, in one continuous flow, an essay of over five hundred characters appeared on the paper.

After finishing, he reviewed it from start to finish, blew the ink dry, stood up, and said to Qu Renbin, "Master Qu, this young man has finished!"

The servant boy took the essay and delivered it to Qu Renbin, who began to examine it carefully.

Setting aside the content for a moment, the elegant and refined small regular script alone made Qu Renbin’s eyes light up. *He thought to himself, the handwriting is identical to that "The Master Said" piece. It seems this Zhou Zhi truly has talent and is not some charlatan. I misjudged him at first.*

With this mindset, he read the essay more closely. His face shifted from astonishment to a look of gradual relief, and by the end, he even wore a look of delight.

After reading it, Qu Renbin said nothing, but passed the essay to the middle-aged scholar, who began to read it with a calm expression.

Seeing that Zhou Zhi had finished and submitted his work, Cheng Dingbang broke into a cold sweat. He quickened his pace, his heart descending into a state of frantic agitation.