Top Scholar

Chapter 303 Enrollment
After the wedding banquet, Zhu Zi and Zhu Zigong did not return to Luzhou directly, but instead went back to Hejiang with Su Lu's family.

Because in two days it will be the first day of the seventh lunar month, the day the county school starts.

Su Youjin originally wanted the two brothers to stay at his home, but it turned out they also had a house in Hejiang, complete with maids and servants.

How foolish must those two brothers be to abandon their carefree, unsupervised lives and go to the Su family to act like obedient children?

Upon arriving in the county town and making contact, it was discovered that the other six individuals involved in the same case had either rented houses or stayed temporarily in inns in Hejiang, waiting for the start of the school term.

At the warm invitation of the Zhu brothers, Deng Dengying and Lin Zhihong, who were staying at the inn, also moved in to live with them.

The first day of the seventh lunar month arrived in the blink of an eye. Early that morning, Su Lu and his brother met up with the Zhu family and the four of them went to Xuegong Street.

Bai Yunshan, Lei Jun, Xiao Tingjie, and Xu Chengye were already waiting under the archway bearing the inscription "Huang Jia Chuan Lu" (meaning "The Yellow-Clad Scholars Pass the Imperial Examination").

After exchanging greetings, the ten new scholars chatted and laughed as they headed to the academy.

"Brother Hongzhi, I heard you're engaged?" Xiao Tingjie asked with a smile.

"Yes." Su Lu nodded and smiled, "Both families have agreed, but the formal betrothal ceremony hasn't been held yet."

According to the order of seniority, he and Huang E had to be placed after their two older brothers...

He glanced at his elder brother beside him, never missing an opportunity to put pressure on Chun-ge.

Chun Ge sighed helplessly. His parents and grandparents were pressuring him to get married, and his younger brother was pressuring him to go to school. It seemed that he couldn't live without getting married.

"It's such a pity you weren't in Luzhou back then," Bai Yunshan joked. "The scene of arranging a marriage for Brother Hongzhi was truly spectacular."

“Indeed, all of our fathers passed away, as well as our two great-great-grandfathers,” Deng Dengying said with great familiarity, “In the end, it was our old abbot and the grandmaster who made the final decision!”

"Did they really make such a big fuss?" Xu Chengye exclaimed in surprise. "I thought the rumors were just exaggerations."

"Brother Hongzhi, why is your family making such a big fuss?" Xiao Tingjie asked, puzzled. "Aren't you afraid your father-in-law will think you're trying to force him out of his position?"

"Haha, you all don't understand," Baiyunshan laughed. "Brother Hongzhi only has this one path, Mount Hua. Even if he's a day or two late, things could change!"

Everyone here has eyes to see; as soon as Yang Shen arrived in Luzhou, they all knew why Su Lu was in such a hurry to hang himself…

"Yunshan." Lei Jun coughed lightly, signaling him to be careful with his words. It's one thing for everyone to know something, but it's another for it to spread.

Lin Zhihong also skipped over Yang Shen's topic and laughed, "After the county examination, we took a boat to Luzhou together. Brother Hongzhi said that he and Miss Huang were in love. At the time, we all thought he was bragging and none of us believed him."

“Remember, I never lie,” Su Lu said solemnly.

"Don't even mention you guys, we don't believe it either." Bai Yunshan also laughed, "Miss Huang is incredibly talented and beautiful, the dream girl of all the young men in Luzhou. Many of us still don't want to believe it's true!"

"No wonder Brother Hongzhi wanted to go back to Jiang for school; it turns out he angered many people in Luzhou!" Xiao Tingjie joked.

"Maybe this is the truth." Everyone burst into laughter.

“No.” Su Lu shook his head and said, “I’m planning to take a long leave to travel and study, so I don’t want to take up a spot at the prefectural school.”

"No way, we came here for you!" the classmates cried out in despair.

"You didn't tell me you wanted to choose the same school as me," Su Lu said innocently.

"Haha, isn't it obvious?" all the classmates laughed.

"I won't leave right away; I need to finish my studies at the county school first," Su Lu said.

"Does Brother Hongzhi plan to take the provincial examination next year?" Xiao Tingjie asked.

“Of course, it only happens once every three years. It would be such a pity to miss it,” Su Lu said matter-of-factly.

"That's good, we'll wait for you to come back," the classmates said happily.

Even if Su Lu didn't come back, the nine top students learning from each other's strengths and weaknesses together would be far better than listening to the water and studying the sutras at the state school.

~~
Upon arriving at the entrance of the academy, the ten new scholars presented their admission documents to the gatekeeper, who then led them to the Education Office behind the Minglun Hall.

The instructor was already waiting for them, and he and the other instructors sat in the hall, receiving the apprenticeship ceremony from the ten new disciples.

The ten newly appointed scholars presented six gifts as tuition: dried meat to express their gratitude to their teachers; celery to symbolize the importance of diligence in learning; lotus seeds to pray for the teachers' painstaking instruction; red dates to wish for their early success in the imperial examinations; red beans to wish for good fortune; and longan to wish for their academic achievements. These were ancient gifts, which even a virtuous and incorruptible teacher would not refuse.

After accepting the apprenticeship gifts, he solemnly addressed the new students, saying, "Today you are admitted to an official school, to receive the teachings of the Holy Dynasty, and to seek the right path for self-cultivation and learning. There are a few rules you must remember!"

"Students are ready to listen to the teacher's instructions!" The new students quickly assumed a posture of listening attentively.

"Firstly, one should respect the way of teachers. Instructors and teachers teach you the meaning of the classics and correct your writing style. If you do not respect your teachers and do not listen to their instructions, even if you have talent, it will be difficult for you to become a useful person."

"Secondly, you must study diligently. Daily lessons must not be neglected; monthly and quarterly exams will be conducted without mercy!" He paused, his voice stern.

"The county school is not a place to foster laziness. Those who fail two consecutive quarterly exams will be dismissed! And there is no possibility of them being reinstated!"

"Thirdly, one must abide by the rules. In addition to the county school's regulations, one must also remember the ancestral precepts of the 'Lying Stele Inscription'—one must not speak recklessly about state affairs, one must not monopolize eulogies, and one must not associate with idle people!"

"You all wear scholar's robes and reside in the academy. Your words and actions should conform to the teachings of the sages. If you transgress any rules, you will be punished by copying scriptures at the very least, and at worst, you will be stripped of your student status. Do not say you were not warned!" Instructor Hai shouted in the end.

"Yes, students will keep your teachings in mind!" The ten new students hurriedly and respectfully replied.

“These are the words that students must say upon enrollment.” Instructor Hai softened his tone and looked at his instructors and other academic officials, saying, “But the sages taught that education should be tailored to individual students. These ten new students are outstanding students unlike any we have ever had in our county school, so their training should be different.”

"Yes." The instructors and others agreed wholeheartedly. When Instructor Hai told them that all ten of this year's top scorers, including the top three in the imperial examination, had chosen Hejiang County School, they thought Instructor Hai was joking.

Scholars always prioritized attending the state school, and even top students who could have received stipends at the county school would rather become supplementary students than stay at the state school.

How could all ten of them have come to the county school at once? Did Instructor Hai cast a spell on them?
But now, ten top students from Luzhou are standing in front of them, making them feel flattered and overwhelmed, and they simply don't know how to teach them!
"After a month of careful consideration, I have decided to implement small-class teaching for these ten people, and to keep them away from Minglun Hall and their association with those guys," Instructor Hai announced.

"Of course, the adults' decision is absolutely correct!" The instructors and others nodded in agreement. "One is influenced by one's company; we can't let those unambitious fellows lead these promising young people astray."

The instructor surnamed He explained to Su Lu and the others: "Most of your seniors had no hope of passing the imperial examinations. They came to study for three reasons: first, to maintain their status as a Xiucai (a lower-level scholar); second, to pass the tribute examinations; and third, to obtain the Xiucai qualification for life... It goes without saying that most of them had lost their drive and were just getting by. No amount of encouragement could motivate them to strive for improvement."

"Yes..." Hai Han nodded dejectedly. He had tried everything but to little avail. He was really worried that these young people would be tainted by the somber atmosphere of Minglun Hall, which would be a disservice to their trust.

He then stated frankly, "Actually, with your level of expertise, we can't teach you. Of course, the state can't teach you either, so you can only rely on self-study. We will provide all the necessary conveniences and support."

"..." Instructor He and the others blushed, thinking to themselves, "Why say it so bluntly when everyone already knows the answer?"

"Of course, we will still teach the things that the county school should teach, such as imperial edicts, memorials, judgments, policy essays, and current affairs. You must study hard, as these will be tested in the provincial examinations in the future," Hai Han concluded.

"Yes," the scholars replied respectfully once again.

“Okay, come with me, I’ll show you the classroom.” Haihan said, standing up and leading his ten precious children to a courtyard with bamboo groves, white walls, and paved floors, which was separated from the Education Bureau by a wall.

"This is for temporary use in preparation for the Provincial Education Commissioner's case," Hai Han said to the ten people with a hint of bitterness. "However, since the county school was built, there has never been a case for the Provincial Education Commissioner."

"That's normal. Sichuan is too vast; the Provincial Education Commissioner simply doesn't have time to inspect the counties," Deng Dengying quickly reassured Instructor Hai. This was a habit he picked up at Heshan Academy; he couldn't bear to see his teacher looking downcast…

“Yes, even though the Provincial Education Commissioner never comes, this house is the one that is repaired the most frequently and is in the best condition.” Hai Han pushed open the door of the main room, which he had transformed into a bright and clean classroom with ten sets of brand-new desks and chairs neatly arranged.

"It's such a waste to leave it idle all the time. This will be your classroom."

"Thank you for your kindness, Instructor! We will certainly not disappoint you!" The new scholars felt Instructor Hai's high regard and naturally reciprocated with respect.

“I’m never worried about that,” Instructor Hai said. “You are all aiming for next year’s provincial examination, so there’s no need for me to urge you on. I just need to provide you with the best learning environment.”

"Thank you, sir..." The students thanked him again, all feeling that Instructor Hai was very understanding.

"Alright, you can discuss how you want to learn in the future. Come up with a plan, and the county association will fully cooperate." Hai Jiaoyu said as he walked out of the lecture hall, turning back to say, "Hongzhi, come out here for a moment."

“Yes, sir.” Su Lu replied and followed Hai Han into the courtyard.

Once out of sight of the crowd, Hai Han respectfully asked, "Is Mr. Su satisfied with this arrangement?"

"Very satisfied." Su Lu nodded, then said apologetically, "We were just joking back then, so please stop calling me 'Master' all the time, Your Excellency."

"How can the dignity of a teacher be taken lightly?" Hai Han insisted, "A teacher for a day is a teacher for life, and the student's attitude will never change!"

"..." Su Lu knew Hai Han was stubborn and said helplessly, "Then let's be a pair of teacher and student."

"That's exactly right," Haihan said happily. "Everyone can be a teacher, everyone can be a disciple—this is the original intention of the sage!"

(End of this chapter)