Great Song Dynasty Writer

Chapter 139 Erecting a monument in recognition
The torrential rain that had lasted for more than twenty days finally showed signs of fatigue.

The rain, which had started as a torrential downpour, gradually turned into fine, lingering threads.

Several more days passed, and it finally came to a complete stop.

In front of the main hall of the state school, the towering ancient ginkgo tree, whose leaves are washed even more translucent by the rain, stands quietly in the fine drizzle, witnessing the grand event that is about to take place below.

Unlike its usual tranquility, the Luzhou State Academy was bustling with people and a lively atmosphere in the normally solemn stele corridor area.

On both sides of the stele corridor, the stone tablets engraved with the deeds of Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) from Luzhou throughout history have long been soaked by rainwater, turning them a deep color. They silently surround this open space, adding an invisible sense of formality to the ceremony.

Prefect Liu Yong, dressed in his official robes, was flanked by Judge Li Pan, key officials of the prefectural government, and academic officials of the prefectural school, led by Professor Jiang Zicheng.

Opposite them were almost all the students of Luzhou Prefectural School—students from the upper, middle, and lower dormitories, nearly two hundred people, standing in separate rows according to their dormitories.

"quiet!"

Professor Jiang Zicheng's voice echoed clearly throughout the venue.

Prefect Liu Yong cleared his throat and began, “Luchuan has been experiencing more than ten days of continuous rain, and the Tuo River has swelled, causing widespread flooding in the city, destroying houses, and forcing many people to flee! At this critical moment, Lu Beigu, a student of the prefecture, disregarded his own safety and cared deeply for his hometown and the plight of the people, and offered the ‘Water Window’ plan to the prefectural government!”

His gaze swept across all the students, finally settling on Lu Beigu at the very front.

"His plan is ingenious and ingenious! Using hardwood as a gate and an iron axle as a pivot, it utilizes the force of the water to achieve an automatic opening and closing effect. When the water recedes, the window opens to drain the floodwater; when the water rises, the window closes to prevent backflow! This is a brilliant strategy to resolve the crisis of backflow and ensure the safety of the city!"

Uncontrollable gasps and whispers rose from the crowd.

These days, the story of Lu Beigu's creation of "water windows" to solve the city's flooding has already spread throughout the state school, but the weight of this achievement being personally acknowledged by the prefect in front of everyone is naturally quite different.

"I, along with Judge Li and others, wholeheartedly agree with his plan and have entrusted him with the task of supervising the construction!" Liu Yong's voice grew louder and louder. "Student Lu lived up to our expectations, leading skilled craftsmen, braving wind and rain, working day and night, personally overseeing dangerous situations, and finally completing the first water window at Dingbo Gate! Subsequently, the water windows at other gates were completed one after another, drawing water from the city into the river, relieving the housing difficulties of thousands of people, and mitigating the disaster that would engulf Luchuan!"

"To recognize this merit and encourage future generations, the prefectural government has decided to award him fifty bolts of silk and one hundred strings of copper coins!"

Liu Yong was very honest; there were indeed fifty bolts of silk piled up like a small mountain on the open ground next to him, as well as two large baskets full of copper coins.

In the Song Dynasty, silk was not only a form of currency, but also a more practical form of currency than copper coins.

Therefore, such a generous reward is undeniably tempting.

"Thank you, Prefect!" Lu Beigu stepped forward, bowed deeply, and spoke in a clear voice.

Liu Yong nodded slightly, then turned his gaze to the adjacent stele corridor.

There, a newly erected bluestone stele has been properly placed, and the red silk covering it stands out among the other steles.

"We must remember this spirit of responsibility that journalists emulate!"

Professor Jiang Zicheng of the state school took over and announced loudly: "Therefore, this stele is specially erected in the stele gallery of the state school, to be placed alongside the scholars and sages of past dynasties, and to be engraved in stone as a record, so that they may never be forgotten! So that future students who enter this school and read this inscription will all know that the way of learning lies not only in the interpretation of classics and literature, but also in applying knowledge to the world and relieving the people from their suffering! This is a model for scholars and the glory of our Luzhou State School!"

As he spoke, two state school teaching assistants stepped forward and gently pulled down the red silk covering the stone tablet.

The new stele has been revealed, and the inscription on it is clearly visible. "In the summer of the first year of Jiayou, Lu Beigu, a mere scholar, with his wisdom and wisdom, resolved the crisis of a city. He is truly a model for scholars, and also shows the benevolence of the Emperor and the power of cooperation between officials and the people! This stele is erected in the Stele Corridor of the State Academy to commemorate his virtue and ability and to inspire future generations of scholars."

The inscription is concise, yet every word carries immense weight.

It permanently engraved Lu Beigu's name and achievements in this academy, which has a history of hundreds of years since the Tang Dynasty, placing him alongside those who passed the imperial examinations.

Lu Beigu accepted the honor without hesitation.

Because he knew very well that what he had done was far more than what was written on the inscription.

The surrounding students were buzzing with excitement, their eyes burning with envy for the generous reward and even more so for the glory of being listed alongside the scholars of past dynasties in the memorial archway.

The name "Lu Beigu" became widely known throughout the state school after he won first place in the welcoming gathering and almost got into the upper dormitory in the first dormitory assignment exam.

"Brother Lu has made it big!"

Zhu Nanxing couldn't help but whisper to Zhu Zhen beside him, his chubby face full of excitement.

Zhu Nanxing wasn't jealous at all, because Lu Beigu was a really good friend. As soon as the state school resumed normal food service, he immediately brought him a roast goose leg from the dining hall in the middle dormitory, making him feel like he had "no regrets in this life".

Ji Yun, sitting in the other row, looked at the new monument, then at the blue-robed figure in front of him who was calmly accepting the gazes of the crowd, and felt a mix of emotions.

For the first time, he felt so clearly that beyond fame and fortune, there was another, more direct and more moving power.

As Professor Jiang Zicheng continued speaking, the state school's system of determining treatment based on examinations seemed to have its boundaries broken by the weight of this stone tablet.
"In addition, to reward this achievement, the state school granted him special permission to study on the fourth floor of the library for three days."

Upon hearing this reward, Lu Beigu was slightly taken aback.

He hadn't expected to get the chance to enter the library.

This was indeed a great help to him.

Even with Mr. Baisha's guidance, the importance of practicing problems remains irreplaceable.

However, the marginal benefit of entering such a practice paradise will gradually diminish. The first time it can indeed have a rapid effect, but as your own level increases and the number of practice problems decreases, the effect will definitely not be as strong.

Lu Beigu's current workload is too heavy. He studies from the moment he opens his eyes every day. He definitely won't have time to enter the library before the Four States Joint Examination. According to Lu Beigu's plan, he must be among the top 100 in the Four States Joint Examination, then participate in a five-day intensive training to improve his strength, and finally use up this opportunity to enter the fourth floor of the library before taking the state examination.

In this way, all favorable conditions are maximized.

That's how he was able to improve his skills so quickly in such a short time, pass the imperial examination, and obtain a degree.

After the ceremony held for him ended, Lu Beigu, who had briefly relaxed, found himself on edge again.

After that, nothing else went wrong.

—His only task is to do his best to pass the four-state joint exam and then shine in the state exam next month!
(End of this chapter)