The destiny of all heavens begins in the Red Chamber

All we need to do is take out the imperial gazette and analyze, step by step, some seemingly ordinary but actually quite interesting matters for the Li family scholar to understand.

Unless someone is completely out of their mind, they would understand Jia Huan's intentions.

It is true that the Li family's scholar was learned, and he had a high chance of becoming a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) and an official in the future.

However, it was clear that the Li family, who were successful candidates in the imperial examinations, were not very familiar with some of the intricacies of officialdom.

Jia Huan spoke very bluntly. If you don't understand the ins and outs, you could easily fall into a trap and get yourself killed.

Every year, many officials suffer misfortune. Is it really all their own fault? How could that be?

He casually mentioned a few examples that Jia Huan knew, and the Li family scholar's arrogance was completely extinguished.

He understood Jia Huan's meaning: wasn't it a win-win situation for him to cooperate with the Jia family in the capital?

We should all help each other succeed, and no one should feel that they have contributed more or have a greater advantage. Just take it easy.

From then on, this Li family scholar, who had passed the imperial examination, taught and guided the students and teachers in the clan school quite seriously.

Indeed, one of the teachers in the clan school still held high hopes for further advancement in the imperial examinations and was quite eager to learn from the Li family's successful candidates.

As for the other teachers, they also frequently listened to the lectures of the Li family's scholars, hoping to learn and absorb knowledge to improve their own teaching and academic standards.

Even if they themselves lose their drive, don't they still have their bloodline and descendants?

In short, since the Li family scholar moved into the clan school, the learning atmosphere there has improved.

When the students saw that even the teachers were listening attentively and improving themselves, what else could they say?

As for Jia Huan, although he didn't put much effort into his studies, his learning progress and efficiency improved significantly after he had the warm jade in his hands.

According to the teachers at the clan school, with his current knowledge and abilities, he had no problem passing the preliminary examination and was even more confident of passing the county-level examination.

At that time, in the eyes of the teachers at the clan school, he was a true genius!

Jia Huan never commented on the gentlemen's suggestions.

After this happened several times, the gentlemen who were originally scholars under Master Zheng Er and had transitioned into their own ways began to notice Jia Huan's thoughts and helplessness, and they basically stopped mentioning it afterward.

Privately, however, I felt quite sorry.

Chapter 195 Keep a Low Profile (Please Subscribe)

What's there to regret?

The sons of noble families naturally have their own special way of advancing in the ranks. If they were to enter the officialdom, they would definitely become high-ranking officials, the kind that even the top scholar in the imperial examinations wouldn't be able to get a word in edgewise.

Master Jing is quite something, isn't he? I heard that when he was in the Hanlin Academy, he was almost driven to a mental breakdown by the passive-aggressive behavior of his colleagues.

Just like running a business today, if you rashly enter an unfamiliar circle, you are likely to be rejected.

The fact that the clan school excelled in the imperial examinations proves that Jia Rui and Qin Zhong were not isolated cases, and that it was indeed able to continuously cultivate students, which is quite remarkable.

Putting aside other matters, the Jia family's academy was unparalleled among the clan schools run by powerful and wealthy families.

Not only were they outstanding in the civil service examinations, but they were also quite remarkable in the almost neglected military examinations.

Also this year, the Jia family school produced two martial arts scholars!

The second master of the government neither commented nor denied this, and the clan school did not publicize it extensively, making it seem as if the Ming dynasty looked down on military examination candidates.

Privately, Jia Huan held a celebration and gave the two newly appointed martial arts scholars a warning.

"You've only just begun; a martial arts scholar is still too low a level!"

"If you join the army, you'll only get the lowest-ranking officer position. It would be best if you could pass the military examination and become a military graduate or even a military scholar. That way, your future prospects will be very good!"

"I requested that the clan school not hold a big celebration, mainly to avoid trouble!"

"You may not know this, but because our ancestors controlled the Beijing Garrison for too long, both the current emperor and other powerful nobles are quite wary of our Jia family members re-entering the army!"

"It's not worth arousing the suspicion of so many powerful figures for the sake of a mere martial arts scholar's title!"

"But if you become a military officer or a military scholar, the situation will be very different!"

"Whether it's the military or any other government office, you won't be at the very bottom, someone who can be easily crushed. Plus, the Jia family from the capital has connections in the military, which makes it relatively easy for you to adapt to the environment. That's already quite good!"

"I've said my piece. As for what you're thinking, I'm too lazy to guess. Just focus on your work!"

This advice should have some effect.

At least, when Jia Huan saw the two newly graduated martial arts scholars again, the two guys were training quite enthusiastically at the martial arts school.

They have now transcended the category of 'commoners' and can be considered a type of 'scholars'.

He simply didn't join the army or any other government office, thus gaining the right to not bow to officials at the county magistrate level, and he was also exempt from paying taxes. That was all.

To become an official from a 'scholar', one needed at least the status of a martial arts graduate!

The road ahead is long, and if we slack off now, this will likely remain the same in the future.

Clearly, these two have no intention of slacking off, which is good, and they have set a good goal for the rest of their companions.

This is where the effects of Jia Huan's efforts at the clan school in setting up the Cuju (ancient Chinese football) field and other activities to train students through games came into play.

On the Cuju field, students unconsciously exercise their bodies through other games and activities that provide excellent physical benefits, and these exercises can be done for extended periods of time.

They weren't starving poor people, and they received a free lunch from the clan school, so it's fair to say they weren't lacking in nutrition and energy from the exercise.

Despite not having undergone specialized martial arts training, they were all quite robust.

If one is willing, it is easy to learn military martial arts and develop a certain level of skill.

According to Jia Huan's estimate, with a maximum of six months of training, students in the clan school who frequently play Cuju (ancient Chinese football) and other games that have a training effect can reach the level of a martial arts student or even a martial arts scholar.

Once they enter the army, they'll just be small-time leaders like squad leaders or platoon leaders. No matter how many there are, they won't attract much attention. The key is that their potential for growth is significantly stronger than that of ordinary soldiers.

In addition, having a powerful backer has a significant impact on promotions and advancements.

Jia Huan saw it clearly, but he had no intention of publicizing it; it was up to the students themselves.

As the saying goes, forced relationships are never sweet!

Since the foundation has already been laid, as long as you are still of the appropriate age, it's never too late to realize it.

After wandering around the clan school and chatting with the Li family scholar for a while, Jia Huan left.

At this time, because he often had to go to the farm outside the city, he rarely came to the clan school to attend classes in the morning.

Fortunately, the clan school has already established good practices, and with Jia Cong overseeing things, Jia Huan doesn't need to pay attention to everything anymore, which is great.

Nothing major has happened in the imperial court in the past year.

Or rather, there was basically nothing related to the Ning and Rong mansions, or Lin Ruhai.

There's something I have to mention: the Emperor Emeritus was so ill he couldn't even get out of bed, but the old man's vitality was terrifyingly tenacious, and he actually struggled back from the brink of death.

I heard that your health is recovering well, but you shouldn't overexert yourself.

In short, when the Second Master Zheng mentioned it while he was on duty in the Grand Study, all the nobles and bigwigs in the capital breathed a sigh of relief, finally they didn't have to directly face the current emperor.

However, it's hard to say whether this situation is a good thing for the nobility group.

After all, taking advantage of the Emperor Emeritus's serious illness, the current emperor has ruthlessly purged the faction of the deposed crown prince, leaving only a handful of people like Qin Bangye to maintain appearances.

The retired emperor has recovered, but there has been no news of any specific measures being taken.

It seems like this is a tacit acceptance of current behavior, which is not a good sign!

If the current emperor tastes the benefits and senses that the retired emperor has reservations, who knows if he will start suppressing the noble families?

The nobility group, believing they had the Emperor Emeritus as their backer, were clearly unprepared and could easily be caught off guard and suffer heavy losses.

After all, the retired emperor and the current emperor are father and son.

No one knows whether the retired emperor might have reached some kind of agreement with the current emperor in private in order to ensure a peaceful old age for himself.

This is something we really must be wary of!

In the original novel of Dream of the Red Chamber, the only collective action taken by the noble group was when they paid tribute to Qin Keqing.

In his previous life, Jia Huan had read many fan fiction novels about Dream of the Red Chamber, many of which confidently asserted that this was a collective rebellion by the noble class, a show of force against the current emperor.

Of course, some fan fiction suggests that this was a gesture of goodwill from the nobility towards the current government.

Jia Huan felt that the latter possibility was more likely, as evidenced by the comparison between the scale of Qin Keqing's funeral and the scale of Master Jing's funeral.

Although he knew what was going on, he didn't bring it up himself.

His behavior in the study over the past year can only be described as silent.

Without the previous interference and advice, things have completely returned to normal.

At first, the Second Master Zheng was not quite used to it and even asked Jia Huan for his opinions and views on matters of the court.

Jia Huan did not remain silent. Instead, he recounted a similar historical event in the style of the Zizheng Tongjian, explaining the causes, consequences, and subsequent developments and impacts.

As for how to view it, let Master Zheng Er figure it out himself based on historical records and his own opinion.

As time went on, Master Zheng naturally gradually reduced his communication with him in this regard.

If Master Zheng had truly possessed a shrewd political mind, he wouldn't have allowed a young boy like Jia Huan to have a place in the main study.

He insisted on making all the decisions himself, and the Second Master Zheng said he couldn't do it.

Jia Huan was naturally happy to have some free time, since he already had a place in the main study.