Chapter 98: Academic Supervisor Li

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The few continued their casual conversation. After returning from the counter, Yu, the shopkeeper, smiled and asked, “Are you all enjoying your chat?”

Yu Yunruo stood up upon seeing him and said, “Since uncle has arrived, Yunruo will take her leave now.”

With that, the others withdrew.

Yu the shopkeeper, observing this, glanced at the expressions of the three and smiled, saying, “I have already prepared the accommodations for you all. Please, follow me.”

“Thank you.”

Yu then led them to a room in the backyard.

In front of Yu’s residence was the shop, above which there was a loft where the shop assistants lived. Behind the shop lay a small courtyard, separated by a hanging flower gate. The main house in the courtyard was a three-bay, south-facing large room, with a side chamber on the east side.

The side chamber was prepared for Zhang Yue and the other two to reside in.

That evening, Yu set up a table with wine and dishes to entertain everyone. Heqi Yan, though having acquaintances in Jianyang, did not attend the banquet. Yu brought out his wife and two sons, as well as a young daughter still in swaddling clothes, to meet the guests.

Except for the men, the women dined in another room.

Yu said to Zhang Yue and Guo Lin, “My place here is rather cramped; please forgive me.”

Zhang Yue smiled, “Master Yu, providing me a place to stay is already a great kindness.”

Yu spoke with some meaning, “Well, in the past, when guests came, they could all stay in the side and rear chambers. But now, the rear chamber is occupied by my niece, so the courtyard isn’t very spacious.”

“It’s not that I’m stingy with my niece. When my elder brother was alive, he was deeply kind to me. But my wife does not look favorably upon my niece, making our home quite unsettled.”

“Yunruo is now of marriageable age, and I dare not carelessly find her a husband. She said she wants a scholar as a husband, so I’d rather turn all this money into her dowry, hoping she soon finds a good match.”

Zhang Yue glanced at Guo Lin and laughed, “Brother Guo is a good man; he would surely be a fine match for your niece.”

Guo Lin nearly choked on his food upon hearing this and hurriedly said, “Not at all, not at all.”

Yu, noticing the awkwardness, said quickly, “Eat, eat.”

After dinner, the two returned to their rooms. At that moment, He Qi also returned.

He had a place to go in Jianyang but chose not to. Believing Zhang Yue and Guo Lin had connections there, he had hoped to borrow their favor. Seeing now that they were only lodging at a merchant’s home, his interest waned.

Earlier, He Qi had asked some acquaintances about his prospects but was told the list of successful candidates for the national academy’s scholar exams in Bianjing and Nanjing was already finalized, leaving him little hope.

Despite his repeated requests, they all shook their heads, leaving him disheartened.

Returning now, he saw Zhang Yue and Guo Lin smiling in the room and said, “Did that Master Yu offer either of you to marry his niece?”

Guo Lin was surprised, “Brother He, you truly are perceptive.”

He Qi smiled slightly, “Just as I suspected. That lady seemed interested in you earlier; this is truly a fortunate match.”

Zhang Yue laughed, “Brother He, don’t tease. I was just recommending you to Master Yu.”

“Me?” He Qi sneered, “That lady would never choose me.”

“Why not?” Guo Lin asked.

He Qi smiled but said nothing.

The next day, the three dressed neatly and hired a donkey cart to go to the prefectural academy.

Upon arrival, besides Zhang Yue and the others, many students from various counties stood there as well.

Counties like Shaowu, Ouning, Jianyang, and Chongwu were represented, though the majority came from Jian’an County. The prefectural academy was originally located in Jian’an County, but after a fire in the second year of the Zhiping reign, it was moved to Jianyang.

In the Jia You second year’s list of successful candidates, Jian’an County produced nine scholars, and the entire prefecture nearly twenty. Many were admitted through the national academy’s examination or by transferring their registration to Kaifeng Prefecture.

So, was it difficult to become a scholar?

Both yes and no.

By the time of Emperor Renzong, the distribution of scholars between north and south had become severely unbalanced.

To what extent? Each exam cycle saw over ninety percent of successful candidates from the south. Yet interestingly, the highest government posts continued to be dominated by northerners, following the founder Emperor Taizu’s injunction that “Southerners cannot serve as chancellors.” Exceptions were rare, like Zhang Dexiang and Wang Qinruo.

Hence, it is understandable why Wu Yu and Wu Chong sought marriage alliances with prominent northern families.

At this moment, the students had formed their own groups, about half from the prefectural academy. The quota for admission to the national academy was selected from the prefectural academy, giving these students an innate advantage.

This time, among the nine scholars from Jianyang, three were students of the national academy, which typically reserved eighty of the three to four hundred scholar slots for its own students.

Everyone chatted among themselves. Zhang Yue was not keen to continue talking with Guo Lin and He Qi, instead wandering around to absorb the scholarly atmosphere, meet some people, and expand his network.

“Brother, you are from the prefectural academy’s scholar hall, yes? I am Zhang Yue, a student from Pucheng County.”

The other replied with a cold expression, “A scholar? Does the national academy even admit scholars?”

Zhang Yue...

“This brother has an extraordinary bearing. I am Zhang Yue from Pucheng County.”

“Greetings, brother. I am Yang Dangfeng from the prefectural academy.”

“Dangfeng, that’s a good name!”

“Indeed, but Brother Zhang’s name seems somewhat ordinary.”

Zhang Yue...

“This brother is from Pucheng County’s academy.”

“Hmm? Pucheng County’s academy?”

“Yes.”

“I’ve only heard of the Nanfeng Institute in Pucheng. The top scorer this year, Zhang Ziping, came from there. Only someone of that caliber deserves to befriend me.”

Zhang Yue...

“This brother...”

“I have no time to chat or learn your name. I came here as a national academy student. Who you are or what your name is makes no difference to me.”

Zhang Yue circled back, silently sighing, “What kind of scholars are these? Each one more arrogant than my second brother!”

Just as he was reflecting, an academic official descended and said, “Submit your three essay papers to me. When I call your names, come forward.”

Zhang Yue and the others handed over the historical essays they had written.

Soon, in the master’s hall, names were called in sequence. Three at a time, they entered the hall, stayed for over a quarter of an hour, then left.

Waiting from morning until noon, Zhang Yue, accustomed to having snacks, was now famished.

Guo Lin shared some baked cakes he had brought with Zhang Yue and He Qi.

As they chewed, the official called out, “Zhang Yue from Pucheng County, Guo Lin, and He Bixing!”

The three were flustered, hastily swallowing their cakes and tidying up before entering the master’s hall together.

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Inside, at the front were several long tables where the prefectural academy’s principal, assistant instructors, and lecturers sat. At the center sat Principal Li; Assistant Sun was also present.

As they reviewed the three’s essays, someone nearby remarked, “If the prefectural academy recommends you to the national academy, you will leave your homeland to settle permanently in the capital. Can you endure the hardship of leaving your family behind? No need to answer immediately; think it over carefully.”

After a moment, the man asked, “Have you decided?”

The three answered together, “To seek knowledge of the sages’ way, we dare not refuse hardship.”

The man nodded, “Hardship is one thing; the journey is another. From Jian Prefecture to Bianjing or Nanjing is thousands of miles, with perilous roads where bandits often lurk. One careless step could cost your life. If you reach Bianjing or Nanjing but fail the national academy exam, you must return to Jian Prefecture, wasting effort and enduring hardship.”

“Consider this carefully; no need to hurry your answer.”

Indeed, public security during the Song dynasty was poor.

Officials had petitioned that since military campaigns against the Western Xia, resources were drained, public resentment grew, and the court could not pacify the people, leading to widespread banditry. These bandits operated in groups both large and small, becoming a significant threat.

They brazenly raided even well-defended prefectural cities, so what would they not dare do, especially to travelers on the road?

Even wealthy and powerful families who hired guards could not guarantee safety, let alone these weak scholars.

No wonder Zhang Heng practiced archery so diligently—it was not just for fitness but for survival on the road.

The journey from Bianjing to Pucheng was thousands of miles, and if one failed the exam, they would have to return.

Thinking of this, Zhang Yue felt some apprehension.

“Are you willing to go?”

“We are!” the three responded in unison.

Their thoughts were alike: though chances were slim, they must try.

Seeing their answer, Principal Li smiled, “Do not hesitate. To travel a thousand miles with sword in hand—that was the way of scholars in Han and Tang dynasties. Why be less than our ancestors?”

He Qi’s expression moved as he spoke, “Principal’s words are well taken. It is said that reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles. Study tours are both reading and traveling, and I hold this ambition.”

Zhang Yue thought that He Qi’s eager display might catch examiners’ attention, but it could backfire if they encountered a rigid official.

For now, no one reprimanded him.

Li nodded approvingly, then looked at Guo Lin. Guo Lin said, “During the Spring and Autumn period, the great teacher led disciples westward through fourteen states, traveling thousands of miles, enduring hardships before returning and compiling the Six Classics, illuminating the ages.”

Zhang Yue added, “Li Bai wielded his sword abroad, wandering to the southern edge of Cangwu and crossing the eastern Mysterious Sea; Ban Chao ventured into distant lands alone, becoming a marquis of ten thousand miles. These two are models for us scholars.”

Li stroked his beard and nodded, “Indeed.”

He continued, “Even if the prefectural academy does not recommend you to the national academy, it can at least recommend you to remain here. Will you return to your county school or stay at the prefectural academy?”

This was a dilemma.

He Qi quickly answered, “I have long admired the principal’s esteemed presence. If given the chance, I would gladly go to the prefectural academy!”

Such an answer had its merits and drawbacks.

Zhang Yue and Guo Lin both chose to return to their county schools.

Li said nothing further, and other officials then questioned the three on their essays.

Finally, Li said, “We will review your essays carefully. You may leave for now; notice will be given tomorrow.”

The three bowed and left, taking about fifteen minutes.

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