Top Scholar

Chapter 117 The Magistrate's Extravagant Spending

Sure enough, Magistrate Lu was deeply moved and said to Su Lu, "It is certainly commendable that you have such a heart. But child, to tell you the truth, I also have my own selfish motives—I originally wanted to cultivate you into a child prodigy, to take this opportunity to make one last gamble and see if I could turn my life around!"

"In that case, the higher your achievements, the more beneficial it will be for me! If you can pass the imperial examination and become a Jinshi, please put in a good word for me when you submit your letter of thanks, and I will get what I want! If you can become the top scholar, I can become the prefect! No, the governor!"

"It's a pity that I'm far from being a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations)," Su Lu said with a face full of shame. "Becoming the top scholar is something I wouldn't even dare to dream of."

"The hope is indeed somewhat slim, after all, our Hejiang County hasn't produced a single Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) in the hundred years since the founding of the People's Republic of China." Magistrate Lu gave a wry smile, then changed the subject, saying proudly:
"But now that we have your 'Hongwu Zhengyun' phonetic symbols, we don't need to rely on luck anymore!"

"I'm going to rely on this to make solid political achievements! I'm going to walk out of these mountains step by step! And not only will I walk out of these mountains, but I'll walk higher and farther!" Magistrate Lu excitedly patted the edge of the bed, then winced in pain, gasping for breath as he said to Su Lu:

"But then you can no longer be my student! Because after I successfully implement it in Hejiang, I plan to report it to the imperial court! So that all the children in the two capitals and thirteen provinces will learn the phonetic symbols!"

He couldn't help but burst into laughter, saying, "Then let's see what face those successful candidates will have to laugh at me! They couldn't educate the people, but I did! Hiss..."

“If one truly reaches that level, it will be the achievement of a sage.” Zhu Liu nodded and said, “One will have attained at least one of the three immortalities.”

"Therefore, this 'phonetic symbol' must be, and can only be, created independently by the child prodigy, and cannot have anything to do with me! Do you understand?" he raised his voice again.

Su Lu understood somewhat, but at his age, it was better not to understand, so he shook his head and said, "I don't understand."

“That is indeed the case.” Zhu Liu then explained for Magistrate Lu: “It’s because the upright people discriminate against the corrupt ones—how could such a wonderful tool that greatly facilitates the education of the people be conceived by the corrupt ones? I think the officials in the court would rather keep it on a high shelf than promote it, otherwise how will they discriminate against the corrupt ones in the future?”

"How shameless!" Su Lu sighed, then asked, "So it's alright if it's under my name?"

"Of course, no problem! This dynasty cherishes child prodigies the most! Why would the elders be jealous of you? They'd love for you to be even more amazing! When you create the 'Phonetic Symbols,' they'll only see it as a great auspicious omen, understand?" Magistrate Lu said excitedly.

"Moreover, you will receive a lot of intangible assistance when you take the imperial examinations to become a Juren or Jinshi!"

He then changed the subject, saying, "As far as I'm concerned, you are a student of this county, someone I discovered long ago! I was also the first to promote and implement the phonetic symbols, and no one can change that! So it's enough for you to call me 'Sir,' there's no need to add anything more!" Magistrate Lu concluded resolutely.

Zhu Liu also said in a deep voice, "Su Lu, the county magistrate has put in a lot of effort and has given it careful consideration. Just listen to his arrangements!"

"Yes, disciple pays respects to Master Lu." Su Lu then bowed deeply to Magistrate Lu, and emphasized, "But in my heart, Master Lu is no different from my true teacher!"

"Good, good boy." Magistrate Lu was overjoyed upon hearing this and immediately ordered his servant to wrap ten taels of silver in fine cotton cloth and give it to Su Lu as a gift.

Su Lu was startled as he held the heavy blue cloth bag, and hurriedly said in a panic, "Isn't this too much?"

Just now in the front hall, Magistrate Lu rewarded the ten students with cheap, ordinary writing materials, totaling less than one tael of silver. Afterwards, the students couldn't help but mutter under their breath, "Their parents are so stingy..."

Unexpectedly, they became so generous again in the blink of an eye.

One could only say that Magistrate Lu was a man of principle, using his resources wisely. He spent money where it mattered, and lived life to the fullest...

Seeing that the poor boy was about to be knocked unconscious by ten taels of silver, Magistrate Lu smiled with satisfaction; this was exactly the effect he wanted.

"This is for your studies. Studying is an expensive endeavor. You may not realize it now, but the expenses will only increase as you go on. Ten taels of silver won't last long."

He added humorously, "If we don't have enough, we can go to the county to do some 'auction'. Although I'm not exactly a savory figure, I can still afford to support your studies."

"It's an honor to receive such a generous gift from an elder, please accept it, sir," Zhu Liu said to Su Lu from the side, thinking to himself, "Damn it, the money's coming from the customer anyway..."

When the magistrate came to visit, the academy gave him over a hundred taels of silver, of which fifty taels went to Magistrate Lu!

Su Lu thanked him repeatedly and accepted the gift with great trepidation.

Magistrate Lu then gently encouraged Su Lu, telling him to study hard and to tell him if he encountered any difficulties.

“I should have taken you under my wing and taught you, but my knowledge is certainly inferior to the headmaster's. Therefore, for the sake of your studies, you should continue to be taught by the headmaster,” Magistrate Lu said with great self-awareness.
"However, you can talk to me about anything outside of your studies. Although Yongning Guard is not under my jurisdiction, I handle many matters on your behalf. Even if it's not my responsibility, I can help you coordinate something..."

He smiled faintly and said, "What you might think is a huge problem is nothing to me. So don't panic when things happen, it's not worth it if it affects your studies."

"Yes, student will keep your teachings in mind." Su Lu hurriedly replied respectfully.

"Also, there's your 'phonetic spelling scheme.' I intend to promote it in all the schools throughout the county. What do you think?" Magistrate Lu asked politely.

“This plan was originally intended for you, sir. It helps people learn to read, and the more people learn it, the more useful it will be!” Su Lu said with delight.

"Good, good! Education is the most important of all virtues! You will surely have great fortune in the future!" Magistrate Lu said happily, "When I return, I will gather all the teachers from the community schools and open a course at the county school, which you will then teach."

“Isn’t my disciple too young?” Su Lu hurriedly said, “Let our master handle it.” “Go ask him, he will definitely tell you to go.” Magistrate Lu, who knew people well, said, “You can tell from his resolute refusal to sign his name that he thinks the same way as me.”

“We don’t have much help from our small place, so let’s not go against Mr. Zhang’s good intentions…” Zhu Liu also said frankly, “If we divide our efforts, our strength will be scattered; if we concentrate our efforts, our strength will be complete. We should first do our best to support you, and then help others when you’ve risen to the top. That’s the right way to do it.”

"I understand," Su Lu nodded, saying nothing more, but he was determined not to abandon Mr. Zhang... so he asked, "When does class begin?"

"No rush, we can't let your studies be delayed. Besides, I'll be busy with the autumn tax collection when I get back, and then there's the preparation for the community school, recruiting teachers... Things aren't easy. It would be quite an achievement if you could prepare everything before the New Year and start classes afterward." Magistrate Lu considered this and then asked:
When does the academy take its annual holiday?

"The holiday starts on the fifteenth of the twelfth lunar month, right after the year-end exams are over," Zhu Liu said. Of course, the regular students would have to stay another day…

“Alright, then I’ll send someone to pick you up during those days,” Magistrate Lu decided.

He really didn't miss a single day of his studies...

Lu Zhaoye finally said to Su Lu, "I should have invited you to have a meal with me, but look at my current state, we'll have to postpone it."

"Yes, student takes his leave. Take care of yourself, sir, and I hope you recover soon." Su Lu bowed deeply and withdrew.

Magistrate Lu watched his figure disappear through the doorway before slowly turning his gaze away.

"The county magistrate really has high hopes for this lad," Zhu Liu said with a smile.

“Isn’t Brother Dejia the same?” Magistrate Lu also laughed and said, “I think you’ve even ranked him above your nephew.”

"Hehe, this isn't about taking care of him, it's about his ability... He's topped the monthly rankings twice in a row, otherwise Zihe wouldn't be convinced," Zhu Liu explained with a smile.

“It’s such a waste for a student like this to study in Yongning.” The two spoke privately, and Magistrate Lu was even more blunt: “A golden phoenix can only fly out of the mountains if it can fly out first.”

“Yes, the academies in small towns are still not good enough. This place no longer presents any challenge for him. He needs stronger opponents and better teachers, otherwise his progress will definitely slow down or even stagnate,” Zhu Liu said with a wry smile.

“But I can only take him to Luzhou at most; Chongqing and Chengdu are not options.”

"I can't do it either, let's take it one step at a time." Magistrate Lu shifted his position, letting his servant massage his sore and numb shoulders, and asked in a muffled voice, "By the way, are you planning to take the imperial examination this spring?"

"Hmm." Zhu Liu had already made his decision. "I've decided to try one last time. If it doesn't work, I'll just teach for the rest of my life."

"Then you'd better hurry up and settle things here, then you'll have to prepare to go to the capital." Magistrate Lu sighed, "That's the capital, such a faraway place..."

"Let's wait until the students are on holiday before setting off," Zhu Liu said, unhurried. "It's already embarrassing enough that I decided to go take the exam at the last minute. I have to finish this academic year at least."

"Then you can only set off on the fifteenth of the twelfth lunar month. Is that enough time?" Magistrate Lu asked, looking up.

"Don't worry, there's enough time. I know the way well, it won't delay me," Zhu Liu said with a wry smile.

Magistrate Lu then gave him another twenty taels of silver as a travel allowance. He also prepared one hundred taels of silver and asked him to handle things in the capital on his behalf.

Actually, it would be more appropriate to prepare local specialties for those fellow villagers, but Zhu Liu was in a hurry to get on his way and it was impossible to send them local products.

"Alas, in our poor, remote area, this little bit of money is really not enough..." Magistrate Lu also felt that the money was too little to be presentable. But he knew very well that sending gifts through intermediaries was like sprinkling water on the ground; it was just a superficial solution and had no real effect.

So just a token gesture, enough to dampen the surface.

"It's alright, the sentiment is enough." Zhu Liu comforted him, "The adults in the capital are very frugal. If it weren't for the New Year, I wouldn't have been able to send it out for you."

"Thank you for your trouble, brother." Magistrate Lu supported himself with his arms and bowed to express his gratitude, then said with a self-deprecating smile, "For something as trivial as this, you have to go to such lengths to save face for me."

“It’s alright,” Zhu Liu said softly. “But at most, I can only let the adults know that there is such a person as the county magistrate. I can’t do anything for you.”

"Just knowing I exist is enough! Then I'll do something to prove myself," Magistrate Lu said to Zhu Liu with a smile, still focused on the future.
"We still have to rely on Brother Dejia. Once you pass the imperial examination, you'll give your brother a hand!"

"That'll have to wait until I win," Zhu Liu sighed, speaking softly.

"I hope I'll hit the jackpot this time. If I still don't succeed, I'll never go again..."

If Zhu Zihe were here, he would definitely criticize him; he said the same thing last time.

(End of this chapter)