Top Scholar

Chapter 165 Looking Back Suddenly
In the days that followed, Su Lu would report to Zhu Zhang's residence early every morning and study intensively from morning till night.

For ten days straight, without a single day off, not even during the Lantern Festival. Every night after returning home, I would organize a large amount of class notes, summarize and connect the knowledge points taught by the teacher, and gradually build my own knowledge system.

After finishing his work, he still had to preview what the teacher would teach the next day. Although he had memorized the "Xiaodai Liji" perfectly, that was far from enough. He needed to use the "Liji Jishuo," the official book for the imperial examinations, as his foundation, and combine it with Zheng Xuan's annotations and Kong Yingda's commentaries. Only by thoroughly understanding the "Han and Tang exegesis" and the "Song and Ming principles" could he keep up with Mr. Gangshan's pace of teaching.

If you slack off even a little, there will definitely be parts you won't understand the next day...

Even a prodigy like Zhu Zihe, on whom the entire clan had pinned their hopes, had fallen to the point where he needed Su Lu's notes to stay alive. Without his adoptive father's support, he couldn't even keep up with the pace!
Su Lu finally understood why scholars were unwilling to study the Book of Rites. It was simply because the pressure of studying it was too great... In addition to the three rites, one had to supplement them with commentaries from various dynasties, as well as the inner and outer commentaries of the Spring and Autumn Annals, and at the same time, one had to combine them with the entire three rites to corroborate each other.

The complexity of its content and the vastness of its system far surpass the other three classics, and only the Spring and Autumn Annals, its fellow classic, can rival it... Although the Spring and Autumn Annals has a small number of plain texts, to understand the basic historical events, the Zuo Zhuan alone has 200,000 characters, so very few people study the Spring and Autumn Annals.

That's why the Mingjing examination in the Tang Dynasty designated these two classics as major classics.

But why are there still scholars willing to study the Book of Rites? For example, Mr. Gangshan, even after giving up the imperial examination, still devoted himself to studying the classics until his hair turned white.
In Zhu Zhang's own words:

"The *Yili* and *Zhouli* are the orthodox classics of Confucianism and the foundation of Confucian scholarship; the *Liji* is an auxiliary work by Confucius's disciples to interpret the meaning of the classics. As for the *Lunyu*, it is actually a compilation of Confucius's teachings, answers to questions, and dialogues between teacher and students, and is not the true source of the classics. If modern scholars abandon the *Yili* and *Zhouli* and focus solely on the *Lunyu*, they will only waste their time and will never be able to enter the gate of knowledge. Wouldn't that be a mistake?"

Su Lu understood. What Master Zhu meant was that the *Yili* and *Zhouli* were the authentic Confucian textbooks, while the *Liji* was a compilation of teaching materials put together by Confucius's disciples. The *Analects*, on the other hand, was merely a selection of answers from Confucius's teachings, or rather, a collection of memorable quotes…

Therefore, to become a true Confucian scholar, one must study the Book of Rites! Moreover, one cannot be perfunctory; one must immerse oneself in it year after year, studying it thoroughly and meticulously, combining internal and external approaches!

In short, in Master Zhu's view, those who study the *Book of Rites* are the true Confucians. Those who study other classics are all opportunists, shirking responsibility, and driven by self-interest—pseudo-Confucians…

These words sounded familiar to Su Lu, like the hierarchy of contempt he encountered in college in his previous life, but he just listened to them without really understanding what they meant.

In his eyes, the Five Classics were all stepping stones to officialdom, none of them more noble than the others...

Of course, this brick is really too difficult. Although there are officially designated teaching materials, during class, Mr. Gangshan said that the "Collected Explanations of the Book of Rites" is too popular and insufficient to elucidate the profound meanings. It is necessary to supplement it with Zheng Xuan's "Commentary on the Book of Rites," but Zheng's commentary has many obscure parts, so Kong Yingda's "Correct Interpretation of the Book of Rites" is used to explain Zheng's commentary...

In short, besides reference books, there are reference books for reference books, and reference books for reference books for reference books... Without a master to guide you, it's impossible to even get started. Even if a master leads you through the door, you still can't learn the skills on your own, because once the master lets go, the disciple is completely lost.

Su Lu then understood why Zhu Zhang had such a bad temper. Teaching the *Book of Rites* was truly exhausting! That's why Master Zhu only accepted him and Zhu Zihe as students…

Later he learned that Zhu Zhang had originally planned to only accept Zhu Zi and one other person this year, but Zhu Liu had forced him in. And Su Lu was late too; how could the emperor not be angry?
~~
At the local government office, Magistrate Lu finished his social engagements and returned home on the eighth day. Before leaving, he specifically instructed Steward Tian to take good care of his precious student. This caused a stir among the officials, who wondered if young Master Su was the son Magistrate Lu couldn't bring home...

As for Young Master Su, with his thick legs and big stick, he's clearly a bodyguard that Magistrate Lu hired for his 'son'.

However, this bodyguard is really incompetent, staying at home all day and never going out.

Second Brother didn't go out, of course, to avoid She Yunluo. But he wasn't idle either; he diligently studied and wrote all day long, following Su Lu's teachings.

But some people, you can't escape them...

~~
On the fifteenth, Mr. Gangshan had an appointment with Huang Bingxian, and since Heshan Academy was starting school the next day, he ended get out of class an hour early...

As soon as Zhu Zihe stepped out of his third uncle's courtyard, he breathed a long sigh of relief, tears welling up in his eyes: "School's finally starting, I've finally made it through..."

Because after the academy opens, Mr. Gangshan's courses will be halved, and he will finally no longer have to face the unbearable burden of coursework.

“If this continues, I feel my confidence is about to be completely worn away… Now I doubt myself every day, am I a worn-out horse?” Zhu Zihe couldn’t help but laugh at himself, “I never thought I would look forward to the start of school like a parched land longing for rain.”

“The courses at the academy aren’t necessarily easy to handle either,” Su Lu said with a smile.

“Ah, there’s nothing difficult outside of the classics.” Zhu Zihe said confidently, “It’s nothing more than continuing to study the Four Books, and learning laws, regulations, and current affairs… Although there’s a lot of content, it’s not difficult for either of us. Just treat studying it as a break.”

"I hope so." Su Lu nodded. He never made judgments about things he hadn't encountered before.

"Just wait and see," Zhu Zihe said. "My father has already taken care of the enrollment matters for us, and the tuition fees have been paid. I will pick you up from the Hejiang Public Office tomorrow."

"Then I must go and thank Uncle." Su Lu was no longer being polite with him.

Speaking of which, Su Lu received a lot of care from the Zhu family after arriving in Luzhou. Mr. Gangshan devoted himself to teaching him, but he didn't even accept tuition fees... In fact, Su Lu had already prepared his tuition fees, but since they hadn't decided to formally accept him as a student, he hadn't sent them out yet.

Every day at noon, he would eat and drink for free at Zhu Zihe's house... Originally, Su Lu was going to bring his own lunch, but Zhu's mother liked him very much and invited him to eat there every day.

Talking about money with such people is an insult, so Su Lu could only shamelessly eat for free.

Now it's gotten to the point where even his tuition is paid by others. The ten taels of silver his aunt gave him still haven't been spent… "My parents must have already left by now," Zhu Zihe said. "Tonight is the Lantern Festival. The prefect will be holding a lantern festival at the Bell and Drum Tower, and all the officials, gentry, and celebrities of Luzhou will attend. Didn't you see my third uncle finished class early?"

"Today is the Lantern Festival..." Su Lu finally realized.

"Haha, Hongzhi is about to go crazy from studying, isn't he?" At this moment, Zhu Zihe's brothers came towards them, all dressed smartly, obviously also going out to see the lanterns.

"Come on, let's go see the lanterns!" The third brother, Zhu Zijing, put his arm around Su Lu's shoulder and said, "We came here specifically to invite you, so you can't refuse us."

They've all gotten to know each other quite well lately, especially Zhu Ziming, who's now become a huge fan of Su Lu. Just in case he doesn't agree, Zhu Ziming boasted, "My sister's going today too! She's a real beauty!"

"Then it's even more inconvenient for me to go." Su Lu shook his head and said, "Your sister finally gets to go out for a trip, wouldn't it be awkward to have a stranger following her?"

"Hey, brother, you're wrong." Zhu Ziming winked and said, "My sister knows you, and she even asked me specifically if you were going today."

"Why?" Su Lu asked in surprise.

"How would we know?" Zhu Zijing said, "Anyway, my sister said that she's going to arrest you today, even if she has to."

Without a word, the Zhu brothers escorted Su Lu out. Su Lu said helplessly, "My brother is waiting for me to eat."

"Don't worry, he'll be there." Zhu Zigen smiled at Xiaoyuer and said, "Go and call your second young master out to enjoy the lanterns. We'll meet at the Drum Tower."

“This…” Xiaoyuer looked at Su Lu. Su Lu nodded and said, “Go and call him.”

My second brother has been cooped up at home for a while, so it's good for him to come out and see the lantern festival and get some fresh air.

"Get your young master some decent clothes," Zhu Zigong instructed Xiaoyuer.

“That’s not necessary,” Su Lu shook his head and said, “I’m already dressed in the most presentable clothes.”

“This outfit is too ordinary.” Zhu Zijing looked him up and down and said, “You are about the same size as me, I’ll find you an outfit to change into.”

"Really, there's no need. I'm perfectly fine dressed like this. Besides, what's the point of wearing fine clothes at night?" Su Lu shook his head and said.

"Yeah, then let's leave it at that." Seeing that he insisted on not changing, the others didn't press the matter. At this moment, the usually taciturn Zhu Zixian said quietly:

"Just don't regret it later."

"That's right, don't complain about us not being brothers later." The brothers all nodded.

"..." Su Lu was completely confused. Seeing them all dressed up like little roosters, he wondered if they were going to a matchmaking event.
~~
The seven of them then split into two carriages and headed towards the Bell and Drum Tower in the city center, chatting and laughing.

Su Lu didn't see Miss Zhu, and thought to himself that his brothers were probably just making things up to fool him...

When the carriage reached Gulou Street, it could not go any further. When everyone got off the carriage, they saw that the street was already decorated with all kinds of lanterns.

Although it wasn't time for the lights to be turned on yet, the streets were already teeming with tourists and traffic was congested. All sorts of stalls had been set up along the streets, selling food, drinks, toys, flowers, lanterns, fireworks... a dazzling array of goods.

"Haha, now this is what a festival should feel like!" Zhu Zijing loves a lively atmosphere and gets excited whenever he sees a crowd.

"Don't rush to play, let's meet up with them first." The eldest brother, Zhu Zigeng, called out, leading his brothers through the crowded streets to the foot of the Drum Tower.

Su Lu spotted his second brother's towering figure at a glance and quickly waved and called out.

Su Tai saw Su Lu at that moment and quickly ran over, asking in a low voice, "Aren't you afraid of being found?"

"It's already the Lantern Festival, she should have gone home by now," Su Lu said. "Besides, the streets are packed with people today, even if she hasn't gone home, we're unlikely to run into her..."

Before he could finish speaking, he saw Su Tai open his mouth wide and point behind him.

P.S. I haven't proofread the last two chapters yet. Oh well, I'm finishing them later and later these days...

(End of this chapter)