Qing Yao

Chapter 102 You, a mere student, dare to dream of reaching for the heavens!

The officials who alighted from their sedan chairs looked at each other, all somewhat unaccustomed to the "welcome speech" that Professor Zhao from the prefectural school had never heard before.

Very awkward.

And what's the point of your presence and guidance?
Magistrate Wang of Yangzhou took another look at Zhao An, who was all smiles. If it weren't for the fact that Zhao An was wearing the official robes of a seventh-rank official and that all the staff of the prefectural school were standing behind him, they would have thought that this was some student from the prefectural school who didn't know the rules and was talking nonsense.

Ma Xuezheng and Tong Xundao, who were accompanying the principal to greet the leaders at all levels, also felt embarrassed. They felt that the principal's plain and straightforward way of greeting guests was uncivilized and not dignified at all. However, no one dared to show any dissatisfaction. Instead, they all forced smiles on their faces.

Teacher Lou, standing to the side, glared at Zhao An with exasperation, thinking to himself, "You're so ignorant, you keep nitpicking my words. You're supposed to be cultured, but you don't even know how to use the phrase 'I've been waiting for you for a long time'!"

How could a professor from a prestigious academy use colloquial language like an ordinary person on such an important occasion? Wouldn't he be laughed at by his colleagues if word got out?

"Thank you for waiting here, Professor Zhao!"

The awkward atmosphere was broken by Ma Weijun, the deputy envoy representing the Salt Administration. He was clearly a kind and approachable student's parent, and he stepped forward to bow to Professor Zhao to show his respect.

Zhao An quickly returned the greeting with a cupped-hand salute, unaware that Lord Ma was one of the students' parents he was trying to curry favor with.

"I never expected Professor Zhao to be so young and accomplished. He truly deserves to be called a master from Yangzhou."

The second to speak was Lord Zhao Dehan, the prefect of the gentry. Perhaps Lord Zhao did not realize that his polite words were actually a sarcastic remark to the young professor in front of him.

"The prefectural examination is a major event for the candidates in Yangzhou. We must come no matter how busy we are. We have kept Lord Zhao waiting."

"I've been wanting to visit Lord Zhao for a while, but I've been too busy with official duties."

The other officials also smiled and went up to greet Professor Zhao one by one. Regardless of whether Professor Zhao was learned or not, he was a professor of the prefectural school appointed by the emperor. Even if you don't care about the monk, you have to give him face.

Prefect Fang said coldly with a stern face, "Since everyone is here, let's go to the school temple so as not to keep the students waiting. The prefectural examination is about to begin, and the more time the students spend studying, the more confident they will be."

"well!"

When the prefect spoke, everyone naturally agreed with smiles. Zhao An was too lazy to be polite with the prefect and led his entourage into the prefectural school to the temple.

Upon arrival, they saw hundreds of students who had participated in the prefectural examination lining up in front of the temple, along with the prefectural school officials and teachers.

Since it was not a sacrifice to Confucius, there was no incense table with a pig's head.

The students had obviously been taught the rules by their teachers beforehand, so they were all quiet and still. No one moved around or dared to whisper. At most, they would quietly turn their heads to glance at the group of adults who were coming towards them.

Many people admired this, believing that a true man should be like this.

After the officials followed Principal Zhao to the students, they saw a flagpole with a large "拾" (pick up) written on it in front of the temple.
They all found it puzzling.

"My lords,"

Principal Ma Xuezheng explained that this was a reminder to the students that the prefectural examination was only ten days away, serving as a spur and encouragement.

"I see!"

The officials suddenly realized that this was a very good approach and that it could be promoted in official schools in various places.

Then everyone was taken aback.

what is that!
The Salt Commissioner, Zheng Bowen, was severely nearsighted. Seeing his colleagues staring blankly at the walls of the academy, he couldn't resist peeking closer. What he saw made his face pale, and he exclaimed, "To live in the Wenhua Hall and die in the Ziguang Pavilion?!" "Indeed," Zheng Bowen replied, "To live in the Wenhua Hall and die in the Ziguang Pavilion! This is the aspiration of all the students of Yangzhou Prefectural School, and it is also my earnest hope for you as a professor. I hope that inspired by this aspiration, our Yangzhou students will strive for excellence in their studies, bringing honor to our hometown and to Jiangsu Province."

Zhao An earnestly introduced his masterpiece to the officials, and elaborated on the signal, the concept, and his personal understanding of education.

In summary, the ultimate goal of education is "loyalty".

"To be born in the Wenhua Hall and die in the Ziguang Pavilion" is the best embodiment of this word "loyalty".

"Makes sense!"

The Prefect Zhao nodded in deep agreement, saying, "Although Professor Zhao is young, his insights into education far surpass those of this official. He is truly admirable."

Upon Ma Xuezheng's reminder, Zhao An, who already knew the identity of the man before him, hurriedly said, "The saying goes, a soldier who doesn't want to be a general isn't a good soldier. Similarly, a scholar who doesn't want to be a Grand Secretary isn't a good scholar. And if someone who serves the court doesn't want their portrait painted in the Ziguang Pavilion, how can they truly be serving the court sincerely?"

"Wow! That's a brilliant remark, absolutely brilliant!"

Master Zhao, who had no formal education, suddenly had his eyes opened as if struck by lightning.

Upon hearing this reasoning, the other officials also praised Principal Zhao for his dedication, and even the prefect, who had always been prejudiced against Zhao An, couldn't help but nod slightly.

Indeed, which scholar doesn't yearn to be born in the Wenhua Hall and die in the Ziguang Pavilion?

If all scholars take this as an inspiration in life, how can they not strive for excellence, and how can they not promote science and education?

A nation prospers when its science and education flourish!
Looking at Zhao Youlu, who was earnestly sharing his "insights" with Master Zhao of the Cangfu, he suddenly seemed much more agreeable: Hmm, this person who donated his official position isn't entirely useless, so there's no need to make things too difficult for him in the future.

Teacher Lou from the provincial education office, on the other hand, looked arrogant and didn't participate in the discussion at all, acting like the only one who was sober while everyone else was drunk.

He was truly the only one who was awake.

That little bastard is clearly using these people to build momentum for himself, hoping to "enter the Wenhua Hall in life and the Ziguang Pavilion in death" and appear on the Emperor's desk tomorrow.

Bah! Does a mere student like him think he can get into the Wenhua Hall?
Her puffed-out cheeks instantly deflated again.

The man who donated his prison sentence was staring at him.

The atmosphere was lively, and the rest of the process went smoothly.

On behalf of the prefectural school, Ma Xuezheng gave a pre-exam pep talk to the students, his passionate and moving speech deeply touched them. Two other scholars, representing the teachers, also spoke to the students about the importance of studying to serve the country, making the ceremony very successful.

Many students were so moved that they began to sob.

Just when everyone thought the ceremony was over, a staff member from the academy placed a blackboard covered with writing in front of the students. Before anyone could see what was written on the blackboard, Professor Zhao had already come to the students and called out to the group of students preparing for the exam: "Now, please join me in taking the oath!"

Swearing an oath? What oath?

Not only were the officials present surprised, but even the students looked bewildered.

This step wasn't in the process the gentlemen described earlier.

Amidst their collective confusion, Professor Zhao's impassioned voice rang in their ears: "I swear, I am loyal to the Emperor and loyal to the Qing Dynasty!"

(End of this chapter)