Top Scholar

Chapter 340 Who in Sichuan doesn't know you?

After the Grand Master delivered his farewell speech, most of the students took their leave. Only seventy-one students of the second rank or above remained to line up and receive their provincial examination papers issued by the Provincial Education Office.

The provincial examination ticket was the official proof of participation in the provincial examination. It contained the candidate's name, age, place of origin, three generations of ancestors, academic background, appearance, etc. It was stamped with the seal of the provincial education official and had a seal across the seam. The candidate used this ticket to report to the provincial education office in the provincial capital and have the examination paper printed.

With this certificate, one can stay at inns along the way to take the exam, but the cost must be borne by oneself.

Su Lu was in line when a clerk came over and whispered, "Master Su, the Grandmaster requests your presence."

He nodded and followed the clerk to the back hall.

Then he saw that Xiao Tixue had his back to him, as if he was looking up at the hanging scroll on the wall, which was a copy of "Ding Feng Bo: Do ​​not listen to the sound of rain pattering through the forest" by the former Tixue.

"Teacher." Su Lu bowed deeply.

“Looking back at the desolate place I came from, returning, there is neither wind nor rain, neither sunshine nor gloom…” Xiao Tixue did not look at him, but only softly recited to the hanging scroll:
“Hongzhi, your article is really well written. That state of mind of ‘I do not cling to myself, you do not cling to yourself, what obstacles are there in my actions and whereabouts’ is very similar to the poem by your ancestor.”

"Teacher, you flatter me. This is a bit of insight I gained from studying with Master Yangming in Longchang," Su Lu said softly.

“Master Yangming…” Xiao Tixue sighed, and said sourly, “He was truly a good teacher. No wonder you went to such lengths to become his student.”

He couldn't help but mutter under his breath, "I was here first."

"Huh?" Su Lu didn't quite hear.

"It's nothing." Xiao Tixue blushed, thinking to himself, "Why am I acting like a woman?"

Su Lu had actually heard a little of it, so he explained softly, "I am extremely fortunate to have received your favor, but Headmaster Zhu had already arranged for me to become a disciple of Master Yangming. Last year, Master Yangming suffered a great calamity. If I were to abandon him and become a disciple of you instead, wouldn't that be contrary to the way of a gentleman?"

"Oh, so he was here first..." Xiao Tixue was no longer so upset. He turned around and said with a slightly lighter expression, "You really are a child. Why didn't you tell me about something so important?"

“Master Yangming is ranked eighth on Liu Jin’s list of treacherous officials. How could I dare to cause trouble for you?” Su Lu hurriedly replied.

"You underestimate your teacher," Xiao Tixue said solemnly. "Every word I spoke to you just now came from the bottom of my heart. After returning to the capital, I will be irreconcilably opposed to the eunuch faction!"

"Take care, sir," Su Lu advised softly. "The determination to fight is important, but there are also methods to fight. Right now, the eunuch faction is powerful, so it's better to avoid their sharp edge, wait for the right opportunity, and deliver a fatal blow."

“You’re right, but before this strike is delivered, who knows if it will be fatal?” Xiao Tixue waved his hand, not wanting to discuss court affairs with him, and asked with a smile, “It’s been over a year since the marriage proposal, why haven’t you gotten married yet?”

"How could I dare to get married secretly if you, sir, don't come to my wedding?" Su Lu said with a smile.

"Hahaha, your words are sweet as honey!" Xiao Tixue couldn't help but laugh. Although he knew that wasn't the case, he still liked to hear it.

"However, I will be returning to the capital after the autumn examination, so you'd better hurry if you want to invite me."

"The wedding date will be set after the autumn examinations," Su Lu said, taking out a red invitation from his sleeve and presenting it with both hands. "Please make time for the wedding, sir."

"Oh my, you really brought it?" Xiao Tixue was overjoyed to see that he wasn't just talking. It turned out that he had really misunderstood this kid.

He took it personally, unfolded it, looked at the date, and said, "Alright, your teacher will definitely be there."

"That's wonderful." Su Lu was also very happy to hear this. He brought the invitation today without much hope, after all, the two places are too far apart, and a grandmaster has his own schedule, how could he come all the way to attend a wedding?
But a grandmaster might not come, but he couldn't refuse to invite him. For him to come after being invited would be an immense honor…

After this back and forth, their relationship became much more harmonious.

Xiao Tixue pulled him down to sit, and said regretfully, "Alas, my biggest regret is that I couldn't personally teach you for a few days."

"This is also the biggest regret for the students." Su Lu's mouth was also at the level of a minor trio.

“Then let’s make up for this regret.” Xiao Tixue patted his shoulder and said, “It would have been best if you had come back to the provincial capital with me, but I have to go to Xuzhou for the imperial examination. I won’t be in Chengdu until late July, so you should go with your colleague.”

"Yes," Su Lu replied.

"When I return to Chengdu, you must go to the Provincial Education Office. I will introduce you to the Vice Minister and the Provincial Governor. They are both very interested in you," Xiao, the Provincial Education Commissioner, instructed.

"Huh?" Su Lu was so surprised he couldn't close his mouth. "Even the Grand Chancellor and the Provincial Governor know about the student?"

"Don't underestimate yourself. Is it common for you to be a 'minor scholar'?" Xiao Tixue was very satisfied with his reaction and stroked his beard. "Moreover, your 'phonetic symbols' have been promoted throughout the province and the results are very good. The Grand Chancellor and the Provincial Governor have wanted to meet you."

Xiao Tixue was in charge of education, so the phonetic symbols were naturally considered one of his achievements. It's only right that he treats Su Lu well, remembering those who helped him along the way…

He paused for a moment, then laughed and said, "And your copy of 'The Difficulty of Coloring the Book' was also highly praised by both of you. The Grand Chancellor even planned to present it to the Emperor. Unfortunately, His Highness the Prince of Shu intercepted it, saying he wanted to take a look at it, and it hasn't been returned yet."

"I see..." Su Lu never expected that his draft would actually become a treasure.

Why is no one asking for my calligraphy? "So you've already accumulated enough experience; all you need to do is make a name for yourself in Chengdu," Xiao Tixue said in a deep voice.

"Yes." Su Lu nodded gratefully, then asked worriedly, "The provincial examination is just around the corner, and you still have to preside over the examination. Won't that be too much trouble for you?"

"It's alright, you still have to let your teacher do something for you." Xiao Tixue waved his hand and laughed, "With your talent, it's not difficult to pass the provincial examination, but to become the top scholar or even the provincial champion, you must have a great reputation... Although the chief examiner is a Hanlin scholar from another province, the examiners are all instructors from this province."

"This disciple will follow Master's arrangements." Su Lu hurriedly stood up and bowed again.

"We must pass the imperial examination with top honors!" Xiao, the provincial education commissioner, said with great anticipation, "to slap Liu Jin in the face!"

"..." Su Lu was taken aback. Had he become a symbol of the civil service group's resistance against corrupt officials?

~~
Xiao Tixue was busy with official duties, so the two chatted for a few more minutes and agreed to meet again in the provincial capital. Su Lu then took out the ticket.

His classmates from Longgang Academy had all prepared their examination papers and were waiting for him at the entrance of the academy.

There was no official celebration banquet after the imperial examination, so they went to Yangjiang Tower, the best restaurant in Luzhou, and had a small celebration with a large table.

During the meal, someone asked when they would depart. After a quick discussion, everyone realized that time was still very tight.

"The provincial examination is on the ninth day of the eighth lunar month. We need to arrive at least twenty days in advance to familiarize ourselves with the environment, hold two literary gatherings, and learn about the province's literary style and current affairs," said Su Man, the oldest among them.

“That’s July 19th,” Zhu Zihe said. “Today is the fifth, so there are still fourteen days left.”

“Then we can only travel by land, not by water.” Baiyunshan, who had been to the provincial capital, explained, “To get to the provincial capital by boat, you have to go upstream, and the whole trip takes more than half a month.”

"How long will it take by land?" Su Lu asked.

“The whole journey is 500 li. We’ll take the East Road and travel 60 or 70 li a day with ease. We’ll arrive in eight days,” Baiyun Mountain said.

The Dongdadao he mentioned, also known as the Sichuan-Chongqing Post Road, is the main road connecting Chengdu and Chongqing, and also the most important and busiest post road in the province. Therefore, the province has always invested heavily in its maintenance, and its road conditions, safety, and post station facilities are all top-notch.

“Then let’s take the East Road.” Su Lu made the decision. “Everyone go back and pack your things. We still need to hurry up and set off. In case of wind and rain on the way, we need to leave enough leeway.”

After thinking for a moment, he said, "I think we should set it for the eighth day."

"Yes, Senior Brother." The fellow disciples nodded with smiles.

Su Lu then said to Xiao Tingjie and Xu Chengye, "You two don't need to come to Luzhou anymore. We'll meet up on the way."

"Okay." The two nodded in response.

~~
Over the next two days, Su Lu went to say goodbye to the old headmaster and Lu Zhaoye.

The old abbot didn't say much; it wasn't necessary for him to exert himself to help someone pass the imperial examination.

When Lu Zhaoye heard that the group of scholars were traveling together, he instructed Wang, the head of the militia, to lead a team of his men to escort them and help carry their luggage.

This is a great opportunity to build ties with the local gentry! Headman Wang happily agreed, patting his chest and guaranteeing that he would deliver the gentlemen to Chengdu safely and well!

His men were also willing to take on this mission; 500 li one way wasn't too far, and the road was easy to travel.

Moreover, these gentlemen are all very generous; they already made a fortune from announcing the good news. Now, with the escort and attentive service, the gentlemen are sure to treat them well.

~~
The house was a complete mess.

Zhu Yin, She Yunluo, Huang E, and Xiao Tiantian all pitched in to pack the luggage for the four girls who were about to take the imperial examinations. Although Su Youcai and the landlady were both physically disabled, they didn't hold back at all, running around making the four girls run errands...

These days, traveling far from home is no easy feat. Although there are inns along the way, no one can say for sure whether you'll be able to find lodging. So you have to pack according to the standards of living outdoors, being prepared is always the best policy.

The luggage was divided into four main categories. The first was essential items such as the provincial examination papers, three generations of family records, travel permits, and silver, which were all carried in a purse close to the body.

Secondly, all the necessary examination supplies, such as writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones, were packed in the examination basket.

Thirdly, bedding, changes of clothes, toiletries, and other living necessities. Additionally, there were study books and exam papers; all of these were packed together and loaded onto the accompanying carriage along with the exam basket.

Fourthly, emergency and essential items for the journey, such as umbrellas, wooden clogs, dry food and water bottles, fire starters, and commonly used medicines, were packed in a book box and carried by a page boy for easy access at any time.

Although the total weight was only a couple hundred pounds, the variety of items was outrageous. It wasn't until the afternoon of the seventh day of the lunar new year that everything was prepared for the four of them and all the instructions were given.

(End of this chapter)