Top Scholar

Chapter 331 Another exam is coming...

For Yang Bin, the most advantageous option was naturally to return as the Pacification Commissioner of Bozhou. Otherwise, he would only be able to become a "retired emperor" if he went back.

Yang Bin had studied history and knew that being an emperor emeritus was no pleasant profession. As time went on, once his son had completely seized power, this old magistrate would be no better off than someone standing by the roadside…

Firstly, this official position was granted by the imperial court, so how could it be changed around like child's play? Secondly, his son Yang Ai was already over forty years old and had been the "crown prince" for most of his life. He had finally ascended to the throne, so how could he easily hand it back to him?

Of course, having served as the Pacification Commissioner of Bozhou for over thirty years, coupled with the halo of being the 'first Tusi Provincial Surveillance Commissioner,' his prestige among the tribes and various factions far surpassed that of Yang Ai, whose position was still unstable.

If they force Yang Ai to return it to him now, Yang Ai can only reluctantly agree, but there has to be a legitimate reason! Otherwise, not only will the father and son become estranged, but it may even lead to the destruction of Bozhou.

Therefore, when Yang Bin came to see Wang Yangming, his deepest thought was that this wise man could help him have a legitimate reason for his actions.

Wang Yangming had a keen eye for human nature and could see at a glance what Yang Bin wanted.

So, while his words seemed to be educating the Yang family, urging them to pull back from the brink and submit to the imperial court in order to preserve their family, they were actually teaching him how to hold a large meeting to criticize Yang Ai when he returned.

Although Yang Bin was not a good judge of the position, he still had basic political acumen and could naturally understand Yangming's subtext—you should go back and gather the elders, and like me, explain the pros and cons thoroughly, and even place the responsibility for resigning on Yang Ai's shoulders!

The imperial court's plan to repair the river was meant to intimidate us, yet Yang Ai arrogantly blocked the river. Wasn't this like an old man eating poison—wanting to die?
Huang Ke has already taken the matter to the imperial court. Eunuch Liu is furious, feeling that the Yang family is utterly ungrateful. That's why I had to resign – it's all your fault! What do you say you're going to do about it?!
If Yang Ai readily relinquishes her position, fine; but if she refuses, he will have a legitimate reason to discipline his disobedient son!

~~
After seeing off the satisfied Yang Bin, Wang Yangming smiled at Su Lu and said, "At least while Yang Bin is alive, the Yang family will no longer block the Chishui River."

“Yes.” Su Lu nodded and smiled, “He crippled Yang Ai on charges of blocking the Chishui River, so he certainly can’t do that again.”

"What if his other sons take over?" Su Tai asked in a low voice. Since it concerned She Yunluo, he naturally had to get to the bottom of it.

“By then, you brothers will have grown up, and who would dare to mess with the Su family of Erlang?” Mr. Yangming laughed and said, “It might not even take that long. Maybe they won’t dare to do it next year.”

"Teacher, does my brother mean that he can now rest assured to marry my second sister-in-law?" Su Lu also asked with a smile.

"Of course, as long as Anzhi's mother-in-law has no objections..." Wang Yangming laughed heartily, "Have you two decided who will marry whom?"

“Of course…” Su Tai patted his chest and said, “She married me!”

“Actually, it’s about setting aside the dispute and having separate families for the marriage,” Su Man bluntly exposed him. “It’s also good that Qiu-ge’er came up with such a solution for them.”

"How can a marriage be between different cousins?" Wang Yangming asked with great interest.

"It means that both parties can define the marriage according to their own understanding," Su Lu explained. "For example, the man can say he is marrying a wife, but the woman can say she is marrying a husband, and we can't interfere."

“Anyway, Governor She is not yet forty years old, and it will be at least twenty or thirty years before my second sister-in-law takes over.” He continued with a smile, “We can let my second brother and sister-in-law live their normal lives for now, and decide based on the situation when the time comes. Maybe then we won’t need my second sister-in-law, and we can let my eldest nephew take over directly.”

"Hehe, that would be best." Sutai scratched his head happily.

“Indeed, being the father of a Pacification Commissioner is much more comfortable than being his husband,” Wang Shouren stroked his beard and laughed. “It seems that Hongzhi can also use his knowledge of Confucianism to solve problems.”

"..." Su Lu was speechless for a moment, after all, his worldview and methodology had been integrated into the study of the Dao, so what Old Wang said was not wrong.

"When are you setting off?" Wang Shouren asked again.

"Sir, the imperial examination is on the second day of the seventh month. We must leave tomorrow," Su Man said respectfully.

He and his fellow students studied with Wang Shouren at Longgang Academy for more than two months, and also formed a teacher-student relationship.

"It's already June 20th today, is it possible to make it in time?" Wang Shouren asked with some concern.

"Don't worry, teacher, we'll travel by water this time, we'll make it in time." Su Lu asked, "Won't you feel lonely after we've all left?"

"I just want a few days of peace and quiet," Wang Shouren said irritably.

"I'm afraid it won't be peaceful, there are still those Miao children around," Su Lu said with a smile.

“Those children are innocent and carefree, with pure hearts. Being with them makes me feel very relaxed,” Wang Shouren said.

"It's just that we're annoying people," Su Lu said with a deliberately shrug.

"If you know you're annoying people, then study hard for the exam. Once you pass and become a Juren, go to the capital for the next exam. You don't need to bother me anymore." Wang Shouren took a deep breath and looked at Su Lu and Su Tai, who had saved him from the brink of death and accompanied him through his most difficult years, and said, "Thank you, Master."

"Teacher, you flatter us. These past six months with you have been our most precious treasure," Su Lu said, bowing respectfully.

"Yes, sir, please take care." Su Tai, with red eyes, bowed deeply to Wang Shouren.

"You too, write letters often. Don't forget that in the remote and impoverished Longchang Post Station, there's a lonely old man." Wang Shouren, his voice slightly nasal, looked at the three Su brothers, who were in the prime of their lives, and smiled with satisfaction.

He could almost see his disciples, like fledgling eagles, spreading their wings and soaring into the sky.
The next morning, Su Lu and more than twenty of his classmates bid farewell to Mr. Yangming.

Wang Shouren had already been sentimental yesterday, and today he has returned to his serene and composed demeanor.

He sat cross-legged on a prayer mat, earnestly instructing his disciples:
"When you enter my school, there are no taboos, except one thing you must remember—no matter how difficult it is, you must keep your heart bright. There is nothing in this world worth sacrificing your conscience for!"

"Yes, disciples will remember your teachings, Master," the disciples replied in unison.

"Go on, if you encounter any problems outside, just ask your senior brother." Wang Shouren waved his hand and said, "All of you, do your best on the exam, and show the prestige of the Xun School!"

"Yes, sir." Su Lu led his fellow disciples in bowing to Master Yangming once more, saying, "Teacher, take care!"

After saying this, the disciples looked back every few steps, reluctantly leaving Longgang Academy.

As they left Longchang Post Station, the group heard Master Yangming's clear and melodious recitation echoing through the valley—

'The journey to Longgang Mountain begins with a clear morning sky, the wind tugs at your sleeves as you depart.'

On this journey, let our banners point north; let no cloud obscure the lamp of our hearts.

~~
Su Lu and his group set off on June 21st, and four days later arrived at Bijiewei, where they boarded a ship at Qixingguan.

Then they traveled downstream along the Chishui River, and as expected, the Yang family did not set up any roadblocks along the way. Two days later, they returned to Hejiang.

"It's really fast now that the waterway is open." Looking at the familiar gray city walls, Zhu Zihe exclaimed sincerely, "Before, it would take at least ten days to get from Bijie to Hejiang."

"Actually, for us mountain folks, whether it's a few days faster or slower doesn't matter. What's important is that we can now sail on the Chishui River during the high-water season!" Su Lu said happily. "In the past, you wouldn't see a single boat on the Chishui River at this time of year!"

"It's been a long and arduous journey!" Su Youjin, who came to greet them at the dock, was filled with emotion. "Two whole years have passed, and finally, we can give our fellow villagers an explanation!"

"Has the River Works Bureau completed its mission?" Su Man asked his father.

"No, the River Works Bureau will remain permanently stationed there," Su Youjin said. "The Chishui River channel is too fragile and needs continuous maintenance."

As he spoke, he raised an eyebrow and said smugly, "Your old man has now been promoted to co-director of the River Works Bureau, in charge of the section of the river from Erlangtan to Tucheng!"

"Good heavens, my apologies! Uncle is now a Dragon King!" Su Lu said with a smile, cupping his hands in greeting. "Shouldn't I promote you to a thousand-household commander?"

"Not so fast. Right now, we've just removed the 'trial' from 'trial centurion'." Su Youjin said with a reserved expression, "Well, that's all I'm capable of. Our Su family still depends on you young people."

"Did you hear that, Father?" Su Lu smiled at Su Youcai, "We young people still have to work hard."

"You brat, you have no manners!" Su Youcai punched his son, his smile somewhat weak, and said, "Even if I pass the imperial examination, I'll only be a companion in Chengdu. There are only a few dozen places available, it's impossible for it to fall to me."

"Second Uncle, there's no need to belittle yourself. We've all seen your hard work this year, and your writing has improved rapidly... In short, you've reached the required level; whether you pass the imperial examination is just a matter of luck," Su Man comforted Su Youcai.
"Actually, apart from Hiroshi, we all have to rely on luck, so everyone has an equal chance."

"Indeed." The classmates also agreed. There were too many experts in the provincial examination and too few openings, so no one was sure of success.

"Don't think that far ahead, everyone. Let's focus on passing the exams first," Su Lu said to his classmates.

"We will follow our senior brother's teachings," the classmates replied with smiles.

"Damn it, they demoted me..." Su Lu laughed and cursed.

~~
After spending the night in Hejiang County, the group traveled back to Luzhou by land the next morning.

When I arrived in Luzhou, it was only June 28th, three days before the imperial examination was to begin.

Bai Yunshan, Zhu Zihe, and others, whose homes were in Luzhou, went back to their respective homes. Those who didn't have homes in Luzhou stayed at their classmates' houses...

The entire Su family was heading not to Zhuzi Lane, but to Tan Lane in the northwest of the city, to the house that Magistrate Jia had given to Su Lu.

Su Lu hadn't been here since taking over the house. But Su Youcai told him that Steward Tian had already cleaned it up, and the family had moved in. The place in Zhuzi Lane was now just used as a shop.

The group followed Su Youcai to Beitan Lane, where they saw rows of houses with blue bricks and gray tiles, typical of Luzhou. There were no grand or wealthy families in sight.

Su Youcai walked to an ordinary black lacquered wooden door and smiled, "I'm home."

Su Lu then saw a rectangular stone plaque embedded above the door, with three seal characters engraved on it: "Jin Gui Xuan".

(End of this chapter)