Xu Feng said at this time: "My father is also a firm supporter of ancient texts, saying that those 'too academic style' that are just selling literary rhetoric but not paying attention to the intrinsic nature of the article cannot last long!" In the end, this ancient text, which is easy to access, will definitely occupy the mainstream of the literary world! Our students at Songlin Academy have always been proud of writing ancient texts! ”

When Ouyang Xiu heard Xu Feng's words, his face couldn't help but darken slightly, and he smiled: "Brother Likun and the old man are also like-minded!" In the early years of Qingli, Brother Likun made a special trip to Tokyo to discuss ancient texts with the old man, and we chatted quite speculatively, alas, more than ten years have passed. Pen %Fun %Pavilion www.biquge.info"

Zhong Hao felt that Ouyang Xiu had no need to be pessimistic at all, because he knew that the low tide of the "Ancient Literature Movement" at this time was only temporary, and three years later, after the second year of Jiayou's scientific examination, which Ouyang Xiu personally took the lead examiner, he would turn the situation around in one fell swoop.

Moreover, Ouyang Xiu vigorously advocated the ancient literature movement, which would reach a magnificent point in the following decades. Ouyang Xiu's friend Su Xun, his students Su Shi, Su Zhe, Wang Anshi, Zeng Gong, and Su Shi's disciples Huang Tingjian, Chen Shidao, Zhang Lei, Qin Guan, Chao Buzhi and others are all experts in ancient literature, and they will hold high the banner of the ancient literature movement, so that the influence of ancient literature will reach a very high height. And Ouyang Xiu will also be the head of the six Song families among the eight families of the Tang and Song dynasties.

It's just these things, although Zhong Hao knows about the later developments, but he can't say these words for the time being. It can only be a general comfort, Ouyang Xiu said that the ancient text will be prosperous.

Xu Feng is actually very much in agreement with ancient texts because of his family inheritance and teaching. However, Zhong Hao actually didn't feel much about the so-called dispute between ancient texts and pun texts, because he didn't know how to write articles in the first place. In fact, relatively speaking, if Zhong Hao is asked to write a prose similar to ancient Chinese that does not pay attention to the rhythm, he can still make it, but if he is asked to write a prose that pays attention to couples, rhetoric, rhythm, and allusions, he will not be able to write it to death.

However, in the eyes of others, they all thought that Zhong Hao could make a rhythmic rhyme book like "Liweng Fishing Rhyme", and he must be a master of rhythm, plus the wonderful words made by Zhong Hao, they all think that he is a master of rhyme! Of course, in the real situation, Zhong Hao is naturally not good at dealing with outsiders.

Although Zhong Hao can't write a pun, he actually admires people who can write a pun that pays attention to couples, rhetoric, rhythm, and allusions, and this pun is quite rhythmic to read, and he thinks it's still good. Of course, Zhong Hao doesn't like it very much, if he pursues too sinister and obscure like "too academic style".

At that moment, Zhong Hao raised his own question to Ouyang Xiu: "Ouyang Gong, forgive me, the student actually wants to ask, this ancient literature movement, in addition to the clear opposition to the 'Taixue style', should also put the ancient text on the opposite side, right?!" However, the students feel that there are some excellent works in this pun text, and this pun is quite rhythmic and beautiful to read, is it really not a little meritorious? ”

If Xu Feng asked such a thing, maybe Ouyang Xiu would be annoyed, but when Zhong Hao asked, Ouyang Xiu was not annoyed, but rather approving. When recommending Zhong Hao as a co-recommender, Fu Bi once told Ouyang Xiu in detail about Zhong Hao's life experience in a letter.

Zhong Hao used to study with his grandfather at home, and it was normal for him to have never heard of this ancient literary movement in a small place. Later, Zhong Hao only studied in Songlin Academy for more than half a year, and then he was recommended to go to the bitter cold land in the northwest. In that kind of place in the northwest, it is not easy to survive, and the literary style is naturally not prosperous. In other words, when Zhong Hao actually came into contact with the dispute between ancient texts and pun texts, that is, in the Songlin Academy, he did not understand this very thoroughly, and it was normal. Ouyang Xiu was still very pleased that Zhong Hao would ask questions if he didn't understand, instead of blindly fitting his own personality.

At the moment, Ouyang Xiufu said: "The ancient prose advocated by the old man refers to the prose of the pre-Qin and Han dynasties, which is characterized by simplicity and freedom, mainly scattered single sentences, not bound by format, and conducive to reflecting real life and expressing true ideas. The so-called punwen refers to the style of writing that pays attention to couples, rhetoric, rhythm, and allusions since the Six Dynasties. Although there are some excellent works in this prose, a large number of them are rigid in form and empty in content, most of them are in the form of duality, rhythm, allusions, rhetoric, etc., and do not pay attention to the essence of the content, so they are flashy and unsuitable for use.

The core of the ancient literary movement advocated by the old man is "the way of the text", that is, the article should have something to say, and most of the literary style of the pun only pays attention to the ornificence of the text and the accumulation of rhetoric, but does not pay attention to the inner thought of the article, so the old man thinks that the pun has become an obstacle to the development of literature.

Many people talk about the ancient literature movement, and they all say that the old man is very good in the past and thin in the present, as if the articles of the ancients are good everywhere, and the articles of the present people are worthless. In fact, the articles of the ancients are naturally mixed, no matter how good they are! But the writings of the ancients were used to speak, remember, and reason. The first thing must be understandable, so that such an article can be useful, and it can be talked about in order to carry the truth. So in the old man's view, the article is to speak with the pen, and how to talk in ordinary times is how to write the article. ”

Zhong Hao listened to Ouyang Xiu's words and understood what he meant in ancient Chinese. In fact, in the final analysis, it is not to care too much about the form of the article, but to pay attention to the content of the article, so that there is something to say, rather than blindly pursuing the gorgeousness of the article.

However, Zhong Hao immediately thought of another question, and immediately asked Ouyang Xiudao: "Then why, there is a distinction between literary and vernacular?" Wouldn't it be better to write articles directly in the vernacular? It's the same thing to say, but the vernacular can make people understand better! ”

Ouyang Xiu was quite appreciative of Zhong Hao's temperament of asking questions if he didn't understand, and when he heard Zhong Hao's question, he couldn't help but smile and said: "Well, in fact, the reason is very simple, because the books of the ancients were not made of paper. Rather, it is a bamboo slip or silk book. When the old man was young, he tried to write on bamboo with a carving knife, but before he could write dozens of words, his hands were sore. What's more, bamboo slips also take up too much space. The ancients lectured on the rich five cars, but in fact, there were few books. At the beginning, Confucius screened 300 poems, and the bamboo pieces filled several carriages. This forces people. You can't be as verbose as you speak, cut down the complicated and simplified, and use the fewest words to express the meaning, which is 'literary language'. ”

"As for silk books, they don't take up space, and it doesn't take much effort to write, but they're too expensive. Rory wrote a book, and he was so poor that his family was surrounded by four walls. Therefore, we also have to use 'literary language'. ”

Ouyang Xiu's erudition and humor can always fascinate the listener, Zhong Hao couldn't help but suddenly realize: "It turns out that speech and article are so separated. Zhong Hao thought about it, isn't it, if it had been written in the vernacular before, he wouldn't have to be tired to death! No wonder Sage Confucius pays attention to "subtle words" in his creation!

Ouyang Xiu continued: "So the ancient Chinese is both concise and easy to understand. For example, the Analects, Mencius, Mozi, and Historical Records are all close to the vernacular and are easy to understand. And the more it came later, the more difficult the article became. ”

Zhong Hao thinks about it, it's really like this, and the more the article goes on, the more difficult it will be!

At that moment, Zhong Haoyou couldn't help but ask: "Then why is it more difficult to understand the later it is?" ”

"Without it, this is caused by the literati's talent and learning." Ouyang Xiudao.

"Oh......" Zhong Hao listened to Ouyang Xiu's explanation, and couldn't help but bow his head repeatedly. Only then did he understand that this "Punwen" had developed in this way. If the prose is a literati who sells his knowledge, then this "too scholarly" means that those literati not only sell their knowledge, but also go crazy!

Ouyang Xiu saw Zhong Hao's jaw agreeing, and couldn't help but nod slightly. In fact, he asked people to call Zhong Hao over today, mainly to ask him about some ideas during the scientific expedition.

Of course, Ouyang Xiu didn't talk nonsense with Zhong Hao and Xu Feng before, and the most important thing he wanted to tell was precisely about style and style.

In addition to this style, Ouyang Xiu also wanted to mention some of Zhong Hao and Xu Feng's style preferences about the examiner.

Ouyang Xiu's tips are still very useful.

Because speaking of which, Ouyang Xiu knows quite well about Wang Gongchen, the main examiner of this subject! They are both classmates, the same year, and brothers-in-law!

Of course, because of their different ideas, they have now become a pair of enemies. But this did not prevent Ouyang Xiu from understanding Wang Gongchen.

Speaking of the origin of Ouyang Xiu and Wang Gongchen, we have to start with the eighth year of the Heavenly Sage's palace test.

In the seventh year of Tiansheng, Ouyang Xiu won the first place in the Guangwenguan Examination and the Guoxue Solution Examination of Guozixue, becoming the supervisor and the Jieyuan, and won the first place in the provincial examination of the Ministry of Rites in the second year, becoming the provincial yuan, which can be regarded as "Lianzhong Sanyuan".

Before the palace examination in the eighth year of Tiansheng, Ouyang Xiu, as the provincial yuan, was naturally a popular candidate for the champion. Ouyang Xiu felt that he would definitely be able to win the champion in the upcoming palace examination, so he deliberately made a new set of clothes and prepared to wear them when the time came.

Ouyang Xiu had a classmate in Guangwen Hall, named Wang Gongchen, who was only nineteen years old and had also obtained the qualification for the palace examination. On the night before the palace exam, Wang Gongchen joked with Ouyang Xiu, put on Ouyang Xiu's new clothes, and said proudly: "I'm wearing a champion robe!" ”

Unexpectedly, on the day of the palace test, it was really Wang Gongchen who won the champion.

Of course, the open-minded Ouyang Xiu didn't care about the title of champion, but felt that Wang Gongchen was quite talented and had a sincere relationship with him.

A few years later, Ouyang Xiu Xuxian married the second daughter of the late Prime Minister Xue Kui. And Xue Kui's eldest son-in-law is none other than Wang Gongchen, who participated in the palace examination with Ouyang Xiu and won the champion. Later, Wang Gongchen's wife died, and he married Xue Kui's third daughter and continued to be the son-in-law of the Xue family and Ouyang Xiu's brother-in-law. Ouyang Xiu wrote a poem to ridicule him: "The old son-in-law is the new son-in-law, and the eldest aunt is the younger brother-in-law."

It can be said that Ouyang Xiu and Wang Gongchen had a very good relationship for more than ten years after they became a Jinshi.

But by the third year of Qingli, their relationship had gone the other way.

Ouyang Xiu was an active advocate and supporter of the "Qingli New Deal", while Wang Gongchen stood on the opposite side of the Junzi Party in the "Qingli New Deal", because the relationship between the two of them inevitably deteriorated. Until now, the two are in Tokyo together, but they don't get along with each other.

However, although this Wang Gongchen and Ouyang Xiu parted ways in terms of political concepts, they were still the same in terms of literary style. Ouyang Xiu knew that this Wang Gongchen didn't like "too much learning"!

However, Ouyang Xiu still knows Wang Gongchen's temperament very well! Although Wang Gongchen likes ancient texts that have something to say, he also hates the "Taixue style" on weekdays, and he is afraid that he does not have the courage and courage to suppress this "Taixue style", so I am afraid that this subject is both ancient and "Taixue style" is Chinese!

Therefore, Ouyang Xiu instructed Zhong Hao and Xu Feng that there was no need to have too many scruples this time, and they were good at what style they were good at, so they would use whatever style they were good at to take the exam.

Of course, in fact, this instruction did not have much impact on Zhong Hao, anyway, even if he wrote that policy according to the ordinary close to classical Chinese, even if he was asked to write that difficult and strange "too scholarly" article, he would not write it.

But for Xu Feng, it is still very effective.

Xu Feng's writing style is actually quite good, but the last subject was because he didn't use the "too academic style" to take the exam, so he fell off the list. He and Zhong Hao had a private conversation about this subject, and they planned to use the "Taixue Style" to take the exam.

But to be honest, Xu Feng is not very good at writing "Taixue style", because he has been influenced by his father who advocates ancient Chinese since he was a child, and he has long been familiar with this ancient writing method, and he is confident that he will be able to write good articles. But he is only a halfway monk for this "too scholarly", and I am afraid that he may not be able to write a brilliant essay in the exam, which is also where Xu Feng has been entangled.

Listening to Ouyang Xiu today, Wang Gongchen, the chief examiner of this subject, is actually a supporter of ancient literature, and he doesn't have to deliberately use the "Taixue style" to take the exam, Xu Feng couldn't help but be happy.

This time I came to Ouyang Xiu's mansion in vain, but this one mention weighed more than a thousand catties. Don't underestimate the difference between the genres! Whether a style of writing is good or not is also very important to whether or not you can write a good article.

At that moment, Ouyang Xiu also mentioned the test-taking writing skills of the two of them about poetry, fu, theory, and strategy, as well as other precautions during the scientific examination!

After finishing the business, Ouyang Xiu asked his family to set up a table in this Tingtao Building, leaving the two of them to eat.

If it was an ordinary scholar, Ouyang Xiu would not easily set up a banquet to entertain, but this Zhong Hao and Xu Feng, one is the son-in-law of an old friend, and the other is the son of another old friend, they are quite related, and he and these two young scholars are also quite speculative in their conversations, so they set up a banquet to entertain the two.

Zhong Hao and Xu Feng were naturally flattered!

During the banquet, Ouyang Xiu inevitably talked to Zhong Hao about Fu Bi's recent situation, as well as Zhong Hao's operation of the Cave River Tuntian in the northwest and some things about going south to quell the rebellion! Of course, Ouyang Xiu also talked to Xu Feng about some interesting things about his relationship with Xu Shanchang.

Ouyang Xiu is witty and open-minded, knowledgeable, and has no arrogance for the younger generations; Zhong Hao is a human being in two lives, with rich experience and a lot of knowledge; Xu Feng is also funny and humorous. Therefore, the three of them talked very happily, and the guests and hosts were happy!