Generals of the Great Song Dynasty.

Summary

As the Spring Festival approached, government officials were busy with annual affairs, but this year was different due to the influx of scholars preparing for the imperial examination. Long Chang Qi, despite setbacks, actively promoted his teachings and held successful lectures, while Er Cheng and Zhang Zai also gathered large followings. The Liu Yi Academy, however, was quiet due to its teachers being preoccupied with court duties, and Fan Zhongyan's poor health. Ou Yang Xiu, the renowned founder of the Liu Yi Academy, arrived in the capital and had a lengthy discussion with Zhao Zhen, leading to rumors of his appointment as chief examiner. This stirred excitement among scholars eager to succeed in the examination. As officials prepared for the New Year, tensions arose between Ou Yang Xiu and Qian Nuan, a high-ranking official with a contentious family history. Their confrontation highlighted a long-standing feud rooted in past grievances. During a banquet, Wang Ning An warned Ou Yang Xiu about Qian Nuan's intentions. Meanwhile, Ou Yang Xiu shared a significant discovery about historical governance, challenging traditional Confucian narratives. As discussions unfolded, Wang Ning An was abruptly called to the East Palace, where he learned his son had been involved in a conflict with another child, escalating tensions further.

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