Top Scholar

Chapter 129 The Last Day

The fifteenth day of the twelfth lunar month is the year-end exam, which is also the last monthly lesson.

This was also Su Lu's last day at Taiping Academy.

The following year, he will go to study at Heshan Academy in Luzhou with Zhu Zihe. Taiping Academy is a branch of Heshan Academy, and the headmaster can recommend outstanding students to study there.

But no one is perfect, and who can be without selfishness? Most of the time, the headmaster is unwilling to send his best students out, not even to the upper academy.

But Zhu Liu did exactly that, and naturally he was severely reprimanded by the teachers. However, since he was going to run away with the bucket anyway, let them scold him...

What if I fail the exam and come back dejected? We'll see!

However, this decision was advantageous to Su Lu, and Mr. Zhang also supported his going to Luzhou, so Su Lu agreed.

So today's exam will be his last exam at Taiping Academy...

~~
The sound of the clapperboard at the start of the exam pulled Su Lu back from his sorrow of parting. He turned all his attention to the exam paper and began to answer the questions with an almost devout attitude.

After finishing the inscription on the classics, Su Lu turned to the main event—the art of calligraphy.

The topic this time is: Everything has its root and its branch, and every matter has its beginning and its end.

This sentence comes from the third paragraph of the opening chapter of "The Great Learning," which Mr. Zhang taught in his very first class. The fact that the headmaster is asking this question is a return to the starting point, and also a summary of the past year.

It seems that the headmaster became sentimental as the time for parting approached and stopped causing trouble.

However, Su Lu discovered upon examining the question that it was quite challenging. First, it was a question that connected the preceding and following paragraphs, requiring the reader to connect the preceding meaning with the following meaning. Zhu Xi believed that this paragraph was a summary of the two opening paragraphs, and also required the reader to understand the unspoken meaning of the last two sentences, "Knowing what comes first and what comes last, one is close to the Way."

Furthermore, Zhu Xi elaborated on this point, saying: "Cultivating virtue is fundamental, renewing the people is secondary; knowing when to stop is the beginning, being able to attain is the end. The fundamental and the beginning come first, the secondary and the final follow."

It is also said: 'Virtue and the renewal of the people are two things, internal and external, respectively, hence the term "root and branch"; knowing when to stop and being able to attain one thing are two things, beginning and end are interconnected, hence the term "beginning and end."'

Therefore, these seemingly ordinary eight characters are imbued with so much meaning. When students create their artwork, they not only need to take all these knowledge points into account within a few hundred characters, but also to weave them into a coherent and logical essay, which is quite challenging.

Finally, after a whole year of study, students should not remain at the level of simply seeing a mountain as a mountain at the beginning of the semester. When students first study "The Great Learning," they cannot understand its true meaning. They can only appreciate the profound meaning of the sage's words when they review it after studying "The Doctrine of the Mean."

Therefore, the article cannot remain superficial as it was before; it must delve into the profound and explain deeper truths in a simple and easy-to-understand way!
If these three requirements cannot be identified and met, no matter how eloquently written the essay is, it will not pass. Therefore, this is a comprehensive question that serves as the final, most challenging question, and it is indeed just right as a summary of the academic year…

After some brainstorming and revisions, Su Lu switched to a brush in its best condition and meticulously copied the answers onto the answer sheet.

After copying the text and carefully checking for any errors, Su Lu put down his pen, let out a soft sigh, and looked up at the study.

From where he was sitting, he could see all his classmates without turning his head.

There were nineteen students besides him at the start of the semester, and now there are fifteen. In the second half of the year, the headmaster gave two more tricky questions, so two more students left early.

Now, it's time for me to leave.

A strong sense of reluctance welled up in Su Lu's heart. Mr. Zhang, his classmates, and this lecture hall all left him with incredibly beautiful memories...

It's wonderful to have been admitted to this academy.

~~
The gong sounded again, signaling the end of the final exam for the lower echelons of study.

After the proctor collected the papers and left, the students swarmed around Su Lu. There was no joy of a holiday on their faces, only deep reluctance to part.

Su Lu was equally reluctant to part with them, embracing each of them in farewell. Thinking that they would never be able to see their godfather again, many classmates couldn't help but have tears welling up in their eyes, and Cheng Wanzhou wept uncontrollably, as if he had lost his parents.

"Aren't we supposed to go to a farewell dinner together?" Ma Zhaizhang comforted everyone, "Why are you crying now?"

"That's right, it's great that you can study at Heshan Academy!" Qiao Feng laughed loudly. "Wasn't that the same goal we had when we took the entrance exam for Taiping Academy?"

“That’s right.” Lin Zhihong nodded emphatically. “Brother, you go ahead first. We’ll meet up in Luzhou next year!”

The top ten students in the entire college next year will also go to Heshan Academy to complete their final year of study, according to the policy announced before the start of the semester.

Su Lu and Zhu Zihe were specially recommended this time. But no one felt it was unfair, because the two were already far ahead, and the rest could hardly catch up. They really needed a greater challenge.

Moreover, after those two monsters went up, it freed up two spots for them...

"Alright, everyone, keep up the good work and try to sweep the top ten spots!" Su Lu encouraged everyone, "I'll be waiting for you in Luzhou!"

As he spoke, he stretched out his hand and shouted, "See you there!"

"Okay, it's a deal!" The classmates stretched out their arms, sixteen young hands tightly clasped together, and shouted in unison, "See you there!"

"Alright, alright, food is the most important thing in the world, let's go to the banquet!" Ma Qianli, a passionate banquet enthusiast, the lucky free-meal king of Taiping Town, and the highly respected headmaster of Shengshenzhai, called to his classmates, "I've also invited Cheng Wantang and the other three, don't keep them waiting too long!"

"That's wonderful! As expected of the headmaster!" The classmates were all very happy to hear that everyone could be present today. "Of course, in the Self-Reflection Hall, not a single one can be missing!" Headmaster Ma said proudly.

It must be admitted that the unity of Sheng Shen Zhai is due to two main reasons: first, the adoptive father's exemplary conduct and selfless guidance; and second, the strong cohesive power of Master Ma.

The classmates, without carrying their books, crowded around Su Lu and led him out.

As they passed the preparation room, Su Lu said, "You all go to Hongyunlou first. I'll say goodbye to the teacher."

"Of course." The classmates wholeheartedly agreed. Su Lu was Mr. Zhang's most prized student, and he had been receiving special tutoring since the first day of school, continuing until yesterday.

Although what most people don't know is that the latter half of the year was mainly spent engaging in theoretical discussions...

~~
Su Lu walked to the outside of the lesson preparation room and gently knocked on the peeling wooden door.

"Come in," came Zhang Yanqiu's voice from inside.

He straightened his clothes, pushed open the door, and bowed respectfully, saying, "Sir."

This kind of action and dialogue has been repeated three hundred times this year.

"I knew you'd come." Zhang Yanqiu stood up from behind his desk, walked up to him with a smile, reached out to help his most prized disciple up, and looked him over repeatedly with reluctance, wanting to remember his appearance.

But he said, “From now on, there won’t be another stupid teacher who has to ask you for advice. The teachers at Heshan Academy are much better than me. If you’re lucky, you might even get a scholar to teach you.”

“But my teacher is the most important teacher I have ever had, and no one can replace him,” Su Lu said, his eyes slightly red and his voice thick with emotion. “I will never forget his teachings and his wife’s anxious concern…”

"Hahaha, I believe the second half of that. I knew you wouldn't forget your master's wife's cooking." Zhang Yanqiu laughed and pointed to the double-layered food box on the table, saying, "Your master's wife made so much for you, take it with you to the county and enjoy it slowly."

"Yes, when I return, I will definitely pay my respects to my master's wife." Su Lu accepted this heartfelt gift with gratitude.

As agreed, someone from the county will come tomorrow to take Su Lu to Hejiang to teach phonetic notation, so he will have to spend the New Year in the county.

"Why can't you come along, sir?" Su Lu had spoken to Zhang Yanqiu many times, and the headmaster had also tried to persuade him, but Mr. Zhang just wouldn't agree.

But he wanted to try again because he and the headmaster both felt that such an opportunity was too rare for Mr. Zhang.

As long as he goes to the county and helps the county magistrate promote the phonetic symbols, Magistrate Lu should at least find him a teaching position at the county school.

To become a county school instructor, one must be a Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial civil service examination) or a tribute student; without meeting these qualifications, it would be impossible. However, Su Lu had inquired and learned that the lower-ranking instructors could be senior students, and these were also officials appointed by the Ministry of Personnel.

Although the instructors were not considered high-ranking officials, they were still legitimate government officials who received a government salary.

Moreover, unlike instructors who had to go through a selection process, tutors only needed the county magistrate's recommendation, and after the provincial education official's approval, the Ministry of Personnel would issue the appointment. Headmaster Zhu said, in reality, it was just a matter of a single word from Magistrate Lu…

Alternatively, one could be sent to the Southern Academy to study without having to wait in line for the tribute, thanks to the merit of education. After graduation, one would become a noble tribute student of the academy, whose political status was second only to that of a Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial examination).

Furthermore, those who passed the imperial examinations could participate in the selection process of the Ministry of Personnel, serve as assistant officials in prefectures and counties, or directly become instructors...

Although no one can guarantee what will happen if you go, you'll only have a chance if you go; if you don't go, you won't have a chance—that's for sure!

"You've said this many times. I know you're a good child, hoping to share some of the credit with your teacher." But Mr. Zhang remained unmoved.

"But I've told you many times, what's the point of me going to the county? This is such a simple pinyin system, can't you teach it properly by yourself? Do you need a tutor to guide you? Aren't you afraid of being laughed at?"

"It's not just about teaching local scholars; there's still a lot of work to be done in promoting phonetic symbols," Su Lu said hurriedly.

“I know,” Mr. Zhang sighed. “But dealing with officials means bowing down. And when I go to the countryside, I have to socialize. I don’t like that.”

“Sir, nobody likes it, but sometimes it’s necessary…” Su Lu said softly.

"I know, I know." Mr. Zhang nodded and gently patted Su Lu's shoulder, saying, "If I were younger, I would have gone on my own initiative without you having to persuade me."

“But now I’m old. I don’t want to abandon my family and home to go to prison thousands of miles away, nor do I want to scheme and curry favor with the county school… It’s nothing like the academy there. How can I, for the sake of a green robe, spend my days doing nothing and have to endure the filth and corruption?” Mr. Zhang finished speaking, his smile becoming even clearer.

“I just love teaching in this remote mountain valley, and the children need me, so I never want to move again in this lifetime. Please forgive this unambitious teacher…”

"Yes, sir." Su Lu knew that everyone has their own ambitions. What is honey to one person may be poison to another. What you think is good for someone may be torture for them.

He was just worried that his husband was refusing to go to the county because he wanted to please himself...

But the master had already made up his mind, and it would be presumptuous of me to force him any further. So I had no choice but to give up trying to persuade him. I took a deep breath, bowed and clasped my hands, and said, "Before I leave, I have a favor to ask of you, and I beg you to grant it."

“Speak, that’s too much, I can’t agree to it,” Mr. Zhang said warily, fearing that he might be tricked into going to the county.

"Please bestow a name upon me in advance, sir!" Su Lu requested.

(End of this chapter)