Top Scholar

Chapter 210 The Father-in-Law Tests His Son-in-Law

Seeing that Su Lu had already broken out in a fine layer of sweat before he even started, Prefect Jia couldn't help but laugh and say, "Hongzhi, back in the Lantern Festival at Daguantai, you weren't afraid of the heads of the seven families. Why are you so nervous now, facing Huang Bingxian alone?"

“The lantern-shooting game during the Lantern Festival is just a game. What we are testing now is serious knowledge. Besides, the military and censors are very powerful, and I am afraid of them,” Su Lu replied with a wry smile.

"Hahaha." The two adults and Zhu Jie burst into laughter. The old man still hoped that the young man would have a sense of awe.

"Don't worry, I'm not a tiger, I don't eat people," Huang Bingxian said with a witty laugh.

“That’s right, Hongzhi, don’t be nervous. Huang Bingxian is a great master in our study of the Book of Rites. It’s your good fortune to receive his guidance,” Zhu Jie said with a smile.

"Yes." Su Lu quickly sat up straight and said respectfully, "Please examine me, Your Excellency."

“Alright.” Huang Ke took a sip of fragrant tea and asked with a smile, “Then let’s start with the simplest question… The ‘Marriage Ceremony’ says, ‘Marriage is to unite two families,’ so why must it be arranged by a matchmaker?”

"..." Su Lu's forehead was covered in white sweat, which turned into beads of sweat. Could Huang Bingxian know something?

Master Zhu chuckled inwardly, while Prefect Jia was utterly puzzled. This child wasn't like this last time, so why is he so nervous today?

Fortunately, a top student can answer questions correctly regardless of their state. Being covered in sweat didn't affect Su Lu's performance, and he said in a deep voice:

The Book of Rites states, "Men and women should not meet without a matchmaker." The Book of Rites also states, "Men and women should not associate without a matchmaker, nor should they meet without gifts." Matchmakers can distinguish the surnames of men and women to prevent bloodshed; they can also clarify the social standing and moral character of both families, ensuring that the marriage is between equals, and that "people should be respectful, cautious, and upright before getting close," thus avoiding disputes.

"Excellent answer!" Huang Bingxian praised, somewhat surprised. That's the nature of questions about the *Book of Rites*; the knowledge points are clear, but extremely complex, with numerous sources. The skill lies in being able to accurately locate and answer them precisely.

Then, upon further reflection, he couldn't help but chuckle. How could Gangshan's esteemed student be so incompetent? He then asked, "Then why can't they pledge their lives to each other privately?"

"..." Then I saw that Su Lu was already drenched in sweat. Are you sure you're not targeting me?

"Hongzhi, are you feeling unwell?" Zhu Jie asked with concern. "You're sweating more and more."

"Maybe it's because I was wearing too many layers, and it suddenly felt like summer overnight," Su Lu said with a forced smile.

“If you’re not feeling well, we won’t take the exam,” Huang Bingxian said with a smile. “It was just something we did out of boredom anyway.”

"It's alright. The provincial examination is in the height of summer; students shouldn't give up just because it's hot," Su Lu replied loudly, wiping his sweat with a handkerchief.

"Private engagement is a violation of propriety and social norms. The Book of Rites says, 'If betrothed, one becomes a wife; if one elopes, one becomes a concubine.' Without a matchmaker and betrothal, one has no proper status and cannot 'serve the ancestral temple above and continue the lineage below,' which is unfilial. Moreover, marriage is a union of two families, not a private matter. Private engagement does not conform to the principle of 'propriety and engagement should be established,' damages the reputation of both families, and corrupts social customs. Therefore, it should be strictly prohibited."

“That’s right.” Huang Bingxian nodded without any unusual reaction, and then asked, “The ‘Ritual of Drinking in the Countryside’ has a rule that ‘those who are sixty years old should sit, and those who are fifty years old should stand and serve.’ If there are sixty-year-old elders and fifty-year-old newly rich people at the banquet, who should be respected?”

“This is the distinction between respecting age and respecting rank.” Su Lu realized it was a false alarm and relaxed. He said calmly, “The Book of Rites says, ‘The Yu clan valued virtue, the Xia clan valued rank, the Yin people valued wealth, and the Zhou people valued kinship.’ Our dynasty follows the Zhou rites. In official banquets, rank should be the most important, with the newly appointed nobles in the highest positions. In clan and village gatherings, age should be the priority, with the elders being respected. Only in this way can the distinctions be clearly defined.”

Prefect Jia and Master Zhu nodded with relief. Fortunately, they weren't nervous when answering the questions; otherwise, how would they have been able to take the exam in the future?

“Not bad.” Huang Bingxian also gave an approving look, and continued with a more difficult question: “The ‘Court Ceremony’ says, ‘The emperor should stand facing east, the dukes should face east, and the feudal lords should face west.’ If a barbarian chieftain comes to pay homage, how should he stand?”

Prefect Jia couldn't help but feel worried for Su Lu. Although he was not well-versed in the Book of Rites, as an official of the court, he could not do without etiquette in any situation, but he didn't know how to answer this question.

Su Lu has been practicing etiquette for less than half a year, so answering this kind of question must be quite difficult for him.

He underestimated Su Lu's study intensity. Under Mr. Gangshan's teaching policy of "study until you drop dead," Su Lu had already roughly learned the knowledge points of the "Three Rites" in just four months.

After a moment's thought, Su Lu replied fluently: "When the rulers of the barbarians come to court, according to the 'Autumn Official Grand Master of Ceremonies' in the Rites of Zhou, they stand to the south of the feudal lords and face east. This not only reflects the principle that 'the king does not govern the barbarians, but accepts all who come,' but also follows the distinction between the Chinese and the barbarians in the 'Royal System' that 'the Chinese are the inner circle and the barbarians are the outer circle.'"

"Good, really good!" Huang Ke said with an appreciative look, "It's really not easy to learn the 'Rites of Zhou' in such a short time."

"Because Mr. Gangshan taught the three rites in a comprehensive and integrated manner," Su Lu said modestly. "That's why I happen to know a little about the 'Rites of Zhou'."

"Yes, Brother Gangshan has devoted his life to studying the Three Rites, which is why he can do things so freely and effectively." Huang Ke laughed and said, "A great teacher produces a great student, this is indeed true."

Then Huang Bingxian asked Su Lu a few more questions, which Su Lu answered fluently and accurately. Huang Bingxian then concluded the examination with satisfaction and said, "Very good, Hongzhi is now qualified to be a student."

“Back in the Chenghua era, just one sentence from Huang Bingxian would have been enough for you to enter the academy and become a Xiucai,” Magistrate Jia said with a smile.

“In the early years, various places would recommend child prodigies to the capital. Those who passed the emperor’s personal examination could directly enter the Hanlin Academy to study.” Huang Ke nodded and smiled, “The current second prime minister, Li Chaling, as well as the famous Yang Yiqing and that unfortunate Cheng Minzheng, all entered the Hanlin Academy to study from a young age.”

"Unfortunately, these days it has become increasingly rigid. Not to mention recommending child prodigies to the Hanlin Academy, even entering official schools requires passing the children's examination. To be honest, this is going too far and hinders the selection of talents."

“Grandpa is right. A talented person as famous as Hongzhi should be given special training to help him become a useful person as soon as possible!” Zhu Jie said to Su Lu.

"Of course, I will do my duty as long as it is within my power." Prefect Jia nodded and smiled, as if making a promise, or as if he had not agreed to anything at all.

But this didn't stop Su Lu from quickly getting up and thanking her husband, Zu, for his guidance...

~~
The journey from Luzhou to Hejiang by water is nearly 150 li (approximately 75 kilometers). It took Su Lu two full days to go there, but only half a day to return downstream. This was even with the sails hoisted for a smoother journey… Su Youcai and his companions were on a boat with its sails up, and they were already close to Hejiang.

As evening approached, the familiar blue city wall of Hejiang County came into view in the distance.

Magistrate Lu actually came out to greet them in a small boat. On the turbulent river, he used both his hands and feet to climb up the rope ladder to the two officials' boat.

That was truly a chaotic and embarrassing situation, with his official hat almost flying off...

But that's exactly the kind of pathetic look he wants. A respectable appearance is for those below; those above like to see you disheveled.

"This humble servant greets Your Excellency, Magistrate Lu, and your father." Magistrate Lu, panting heavily, flicked the moss off his sleeves and bowed deeply.

"Oh dear, why are you doing this? Why don't you just wait on the shore?" Magistrate Jia quickly instructed Jiang Qingyun to use a handkerchief to wipe Magistrate Lu's official robe clean.

"Old Yinzhang" is a respectful term used in officialdom to address subordinates who are older than oneself, but superiors rarely give such courtesy. If Magistrate Lu hadn't come to board the boat, he would never have heard it.

"Yes, what my father says is true." Magistrate Lu nodded and said with a smile, "It's just that I miss my father and the military commissioner very much, and I can't wait a moment longer. I wish I could grow wings and fly up here."

"Hahaha..." Huang Bingxian and Prefect Jia were naturally very pleased and introduced Zhu Jie to him.

"Oh my, it's wonderful that Brother Zhu can come. Hongzhi sent someone to tell me the good news that you would be here to unveil the ribbon. I couldn't believe my ears!" Magistrate Lu hurriedly cupped his hands repeatedly, looking flattered.

Although Zhu Jie was a senior scholar from the Chenghua era, as Su Lu had just said, in public, he still had to respect Magistrate Lu. Besides, even if he didn't respect the monk, he had to give Su Lu face, so he was flattered and said:

"Lord Lu, you flatter me greatly. Your erection of a memorial arch for my younger brother brings honor to our family. Such a great act of kindness deserves my sincere gratitude; I would not dare trouble you with words of thanks."

After the two finished their pleasantries, Prefect Jia invited Magistrate Lu to take a seat.

Su Lu naturally stood obediently to the side and quietly greeted his elderly parents.

"Good, good, Hongzhi, you are a great hero." Magistrate Lu quickly shook Su Lu's hand and said softly, "We'll talk about it in detail later."

After saying this, he sat down in the seat that Su Lu had just been in and reported the upcoming schedule to the two officials and one distinguished guest.

Tomorrow morning, I will first inspect the county school and hear a report on the progress of the promotion of phonetic symbols.

At noon, I celebrated the Dragon Boat Festival with all the gentry of the city.

In the afternoon, he inspected the city defenses and the public granary.

The day after tomorrow at Chenshi (7-9 AM), the archway for Zhu Chuanlu will be unveiled, followed by a farewell luncheon...

"I know that your time is precious, so the schedule is a bit tight." At the end, Magistrate Lu said apologetically, "However, this is just a hasty plan by me, and you can adjust it at any time according to the actual situation."

“We’ll listen to the military governor.” Prefect Jia naturally followed Huang Ke’s lead.

"This arrangement is excellent." Huang Ke nodded in satisfaction. "Since we've come all the way to the county, let's explore as much as possible."

Then, remembering someone, he said, "By the way, has Commander Ma arrived yet?"

"Reporting to Magistrate Lu," Magistrate Lu said with a smile, "I specially sent someone to Taiping Town to invite him here."

"Old Yin is so thoughtful," praised Magistrate Jia.

"Your Excellency is too kind," Magistrate Lu said respectfully with a smile. "These are all things I should have considered."

"Ah, you haven't seen those young, successful county magistrates. They're all all talk and no action, they're so careless and incompetent, it's unbearable to watch them," Magistrate Jia said with deep feeling.

Since Magistrate Lu ended his complacency and started to work hard, he has finally seen what it means to be an experienced and shrewd person.

From the beginning of the year until now, Lu Zhaoye has stolen the limelight in the entire prefecture...

Sure enough, Huang Bingxian said regretfully, "When the position of Deputy Envoy of Yongning became vacant, I wanted to recommend Magistrate Lu, but he refused."

"It is my fault for being ungrateful and failing to live up to the military governor's kindness," Lu Zhaoye said apologetically. "The main problem is that we have just established more than a hundred community schools, and the county is making every effort to promote phonetic symbols. I really cannot give up halfway."

"I understand." Huang Bingxian smiled and said, "Education is a great undertaking, and its benefits will last for generations. So I've come along to learn from your ingenious phonetic system."

"I certainly won't let the military commissioner and the magistrate down," Magistrate Lu said confidently.

P.S. I've lost count of how many times I've written this, I'm so sleepy, I need to check the last two chapters...

(End of this chapter)