Top Scholar

Chapter 248 Interview
The interview was held in the main hall of the county government office.

As the sun rose, the forty-five students who had emerged from the circle, dressed neatly, lined up in nine rows of five and, guided by the clerks of the ceremonial office, entered through the central gate and went straight to the main hall.

Su Lu, positioned in the center of the front row, led the group to the hall and bowed three times before the master of ceremonies called out "Xing" (meaning "prosperity"). Only then did he dare to straighten up.

Magistrate Lu sat upright before the landscape-themed screen facing the sun, his hands resting on the table, gazing intently at the forty-five students who had been pre-selected. They were mostly in their twenties or thirties, with many young people around seventeen or eighteen, but very few were forty or fifty-year-old veterans.

He couldn't help but feel secretly delighted; this time, he wouldn't have to worry. Although it's said that mature writers are the best, the Ming Dynasty particularly favored child prodigies. If the ones sent to the prefectures were all old men in their forties or fifties, they would surely be executed by his father again.

Some might ask, wasn't there supposed to be a register of candidates for the imperial examinations? Magistrate Lu should have known their ages long ago.

Little did they know that most of the applicants had falsified their ages when registering. Apart from Su Lu and others who were already young, the vast majority of the students would underreport their age by several years. Some would underreport their age by more than ten years, and some even underreported their age by several decades.

There's nothing we can do; it's just that grown men love young boys.
Therefore, Magistrate Lu had to personally inspect the goods to determine their freshness.

Looking at the students' gait and demeanor, and seeing no apparent disabilities, he felt relieved and began to give them his instructions with practiced ease:

"The nation seeks out worthy men and does not abandon those from humble backgrounds. This county bears the responsibility of being the governor and the examiner. I am very pleased that you young scholars have mastered the classics and are able to stand before me. However, the Holy Dynasty selects officials based first on their upright character and second on their actual learning. Therefore, we must conduct a thorough examination to distinguish between the wise and the foolish."

"Now that you wear Confucian robes, you should know that Zhu Xi said: 'There are three hundred rules of etiquette and three thousand rules of conduct.' For when conduct is upright, the heart is upright; when the heart is upright, learning is upright. This is an immutable principle throughout the ages." He paused, then continued:
"As for examining the meaning of the classics, your answers must cite commentaries and explanations, distinguish the differences between Zheng Xuan and Zhu Xi, and clarify the unity of essence and function. Do not abandon the classics because of your personal opinions! Can you all understand this clearly?"

"Yes, students will heed the teachings of our late parents." Su Lu and the others bowed again in remembrance.

Magistrate Lu made it very clear that the interview would assess them in two aspects: etiquette and knowledge of the classics. Therefore, while answering questions, their behavior must also conform to etiquette.

Although this posed no difficulty for a student like Su Lu who was studying the Book of Rites, most scholars were still uneasy, fearing that they might make a mistake and fail at the last hurdle.

“Alright. Each of you, step forward and answer in your turn,” Magistrate Lu said.

After saying that, Zhang Sili began to call out names: "Second son Su Lu, step forward and pay your respects!"

~~
After Su Lu entered the hall, he touched his left sleeve with his right hand and pressed his belt with his left hand, straightening the hem of his clothes. This was the "tidying up ceremony".

When the master of ceremonies in the hall loudly proclaims "Solemn bow," he steps forward three steps to the center of the hall, clasps his hands together at his waist, pushes them forward, and leans his upper body forward, forming the "earth bow" posture—this bow is used to greet superiors, lighter than the "heavenly bow" but heavier than the "timely bow."

"Bowing again—" the master of ceremonies drawled. Su Lu moved his arms to his chest, elbows bent like he was holding a drum, lowered his body half an inch, and kept his back straight; this was called a 'solemn bow'...

After bowing three times, the master of ceremonies shouted "Enjoy!" Su Lu then stepped back half a step, stood up straight, and waited for the examination.

Magistrate Lu nodded in satisfaction. As expected of someone with formal training, every detail was impeccable. Then he asked in a deep voice:
"What meridian do you treat?"

“Reporting to my elderly parents, I, your junior, have studied the Book of Rites.”

How many years have you been treating this condition?

"It has been a year."

"Very well, this county magistrate asks you, the *Quli* says, 'Rites do not extend to commoners,' Zheng Xuan's commentary says, 'Rites are not established for commoners,' and Kong Yingda's commentary says, 'Commoners are not involved in rites.' Which of these two interpretations is correct?"

Su Lu stood respectfully with his hands at his sides: "Replying to my parents, Zheng Xuan's commentary speaks of the system of rites, while Kong Yingda's commentary speaks of the application of rites. The two complement each other rather than contradict each other."

"So, etiquette doesn't extend to commoners?" Magistrate Lu pressed.

"Replying to my parents, Zheng Xuan's commentary on 'not establishing rites' does not mean that rites do not apply to commoners, but rather that commoners do not participate in the rites of the emperor and feudal lords; Kong Yingda's commentary on 'not participating in rites' means that commoners do not participate in banquets and sacrifices, but it does not mean that they are severing human relations. Rites are a public instrument of the world, and although there are differences between the upper and lower classes, there is no absolute separation, only differences in complexity."

"Good!" Magistrate Lu nodded and asked two more questions, each more difficult than the last, which Su Lu answered fluently and clearly. Even a scholar who was unfamiliar with the Book of Rites could understand them perfectly.

As the saying goes, "The layman sees the spectacle, the expert sees the details," but a very small number of students studying the Book of Rites were taken aback and gasped in astonishment.

To be able to study the Book of Rites to this extent in just one year? Your level is higher than those who have studied it for three to five years.
A child prodigy is indeed a child prodigy...

"Very good, very good." After examining the boy, Magistrate Lu looked at the prodigy he had brought from the mountains with satisfaction. He noticed that the boy was a head taller than two years ago and had grown from a village boy into a handsome young man.

The most obvious change was in his skin; it used to be yellow and dry, but now it was as smooth and lustrous as jade. His appearance had also matured; his eyebrows and eyes were relaxed like a spring mountain after a rain, and his eyes were clear as autumn water. If he stood next to Zhu Zihe again, it would be like comparing a jade mountain to a jade tree—it would be difficult to tell who was superior.

Magistrate Lu's eyes were practically overflowing with affection. He couldn't help but secretly applaud, "Lu Zhaoye, you truly have an eye for talent! And it's a priceless gem!"

"My lord, hurry up, there's another show to come," said Zhang, the clerk standing to the side, his voice barely audible.

Magistrate Lu then came to his senses and said gently, "That's right, I did not choose the wrong person as the first to sit down. Go to the back and rest. I have prepared a final toast to celebrate with you all."

"Thank you, esteemed parents." Su Lu bowed respectfully and followed the clerk out.

"Lin Zhihong of Lincheng, step forward and pay your respects!" Zhang Sili quickly called out loudly:
"Bowing respectfully..."

~~
Su Lu followed the clerk to the back hall, where he saw You Muyou waiting with a smile.

“Mr. You.” Su Lu bowed. “Oh, the interview is over.” You Muyou quickly helped him up and said with a smile, “Come on, let’s go have some tea at my place.”

"Isn't there a final toast?" Su Lu asked.

"What's a 'final drink'? It's a drink you can only have after both interviews are over," You Muyou said with a laugh.

"It won't be finished in two hours. Don't worry, I'll join in later."

"Alright." Su Lu then followed You Muyou to the small courtyard where he lived.

The pageboy had already prepared tea, clearly indicating that You Muyou had something to say to him.

After they were seated, You Muyou asked with a smile, "Were you frightened that day?"

"A little bit." Su Lu nodded with a wry smile. "I was there at the time. When the red notice was posted, I was almost cursed to death."

"That's exactly the effect we wanted!" You Muyou laughed. "Being a top case in a plain and ordinary way won't give you any boost, so we have to use this unexpected method to create momentum for you!"

Su Lu said helplessly, "Thank you for your trouble, sir."

"Don't worry. Everything written on that red list is true. We read your article first, and were all deeply moved before deciding to do this!" You Muyou said with a smile.

"You didn't see how happy the Second Master and Third Master were! How can such a magnificent piece of writing be buried within a single county?"

"I see." Su Lu feigned realization.

"Only in this way will others become curious about your articles, seek them out to read, and learn about you as a person, thus making you famous throughout Sichuan!" You Muyou said solemnly.
"Most importantly, the Grandmaster will definitely investigate this matter, which will give the Master a chance to properly recommend you!"

Then, she reassured him, saying, "Don't worry, your writing is too solid! The Grandmaster will definitely be very impressed with you!"

"You've troubled my parents so much..." What else could Su Lu say but accept their gratitude?

“This is a last resort,” You Muyou sighed again. “If the late emperor were still alive, there would be no need for this trouble. You would probably already be a guest of honor of the Censor and the Provincial Governor.”

"Yes, it's truly a twist of fate," Su Lu wholeheartedly agreed. The rocket was already on the launch pad, ready to ignite and lift off, but it was abruptly pulled back...

“But the things that need to be done still need to be done! The old man’s biggest wishes now are twofold: first, to repair the Chishui River; and second, to make sure you pass the imperial examination with flying colors!” You Muyou said in a low voice.
"Don't underestimate this 'Little Three Excellence' award. Although it's essentially still just a Xiucai degree, it's incredibly difficult to achieve, with only a handful nationwide. So it's considered a lucky omen, and given your age, it's guaranteed to make you a highly sought-after talent in Sichuan!"

"Only in this way can you gain an advantageous position in next year's provincial examination! We dare not dream of becoming the top scholar, but there are very few who can master the Book of Rites. If you can get the top score in the classics, that would be a victory!" You Muyou said in the end.

The top five in the provincial examination weren't simply the top five, but rather the best in each of the Five Classics. Very few people specialized in the *Book of Rites* and the *Spring and Autumn Annals*. Su Lu himself was exceptionally talented; if he had gained enough fame, he certainly had a chance to benefit from the system's advantages and secure a top-five finish…

Of course, every advantage has its disadvantages. Top scorers in the provincial examinations are generally selected from major classics, and rarely from isolated classics.

But if he can get into the top five in the province, Magistrate Lu will be rich. Who needs a top scholar title? Doesn't he want to fly to the heavens?
Upon hearing Magistrate Lu and You Muyou's plan, Su Lu was dumbfounded. He was still thinking about the prefectural exam, while they were already planning for the provincial exam. Their plans were way too far ahead!

"This is what they mean by 'He who does not plan for the whole will not be able to plan for a part; he who does not plan for eternity will not be able to plan for the present'!" Seeing his stunned expression, You Muyou shook his head smugly.

~~
Just as You Muyou said, it's still a long time before dinner...

Magistrate Lu brought the top forty-five candidates to the court one by one for an interview. He would ask them questions, such as short talks, comparisons, or medium-difficulty questions, changing the questions four or five times to verify their true abilities.

This year is his first county examination since being promoted to Wenlin Lang. He must do his best to live up to the recognition of the literati!

Fortunately, they were lucky and no unqualified people were found. In the end, all forty-five people passed the test.

It was already noon. Magistrate Lu took a sip of tea to moisten his throat and immediately began the second round—selecting the final five winners from the fifty candidates on the supplementary list!
He was tired after the first round, and there was no need to expend too much energy on selecting five people. When the fifty students came to the court, Magistrate Lu said in a low, hoarse voice, "I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."

"You flatter us, sir. It is our duty to be interviewed by you!" the students said in unison.

"Alright." Magistrate Lu nodded and said, "You've already been tested three times, and your essays were all quite good, so you won't have to write an essay for this last one."

After a pause, he exclaimed in a startling statement: "Let each of you compose a test poem!"

"Huh?!" The students, despite being repeatedly instructed to observe proper etiquette, were still utterly astonished.

Composing poetry?! The magistrate has been in office for thirteen years; who doesn't know that he dislikes composing poetry the most?

Is the sun rising from the west?!

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(End of this chapter)