Chapter Ninety-Nine: The Perilous Peak

Jianyang.

At this moment, within the Prefecture School, Assistant Instructor Sun stood before Prefectural Scholar Li.

Prefectural Scholar Li had read Zhang Yue’s examination papers from start to finish, then picked up the three historical policy essays and read them through once more.

"Does the Prefectural Scholar still have reservations?" Assistant Instructor Sun asked.

Prefectural Scholar Li pointed to another bundle of papers. "Look at these. They are the model essays submitted by the various counties and our Prefecture School. As far as Confucian scholars go, they are all the finest talents of their respective counties."

"But if they were to take the Nine Classics and Eleven Fields examination, I fear they would fall far short."

Assistant Instructor Sun pondered for a moment before saying, "If you are finding it difficult to make a decision, is it still because of the 'Three-Character Poem' affair?"

Prefectural Scholar Li nodded. "That is the crux of the matter. If he were a candidate for the Advanced Scholar (Jinshi) examination, everything would be easily explained, but he is a candidate for the Confucian Scholar (Jingsheng) track. No matter how well he performs in the Confucian Classics, he should not be able to write such poetry."

Assistant Instructor Sun replied, "The first-tier talent becomes an Advanced Scholar, while the second-tier becomes a Confucian Scholar. Perhaps Zhang the Third came from a humble background, which is why he chose the secondary track."

"Back when Master Ouyang took the Jinshi examination, he was too poor to afford rhyming dictionaries, and because his exam poems failed to follow the rhyme schemes, he failed repeatedly. Perhaps Zhang the Third also lacked the money for rhyming books and was forced to study the secondary tracks. I have come to know this young man’s character; he is certainly not the type to seek fame through deceit."

Prefectural Scholar Li said, "With your word, I feel at ease. Indeed, when seeking talent for the sake of the nation, why should one be so meticulous?"

"Regardless of these concerns, based solely on his performance as a Confucian scholar, Zhang the Third’s public exam results are the best in the prefecture. In both reason and sentiment, I should recommend him to the Imperial Academy... but..."

"But why?" asked Assistant Instructor Sun. "Does the Prefectural Scholar have other concerns?"

Assistant Instructor Sun knew well that in these times, the practice of using connections was rampant, often leaving talented individuals without recommendation.

After Fan Zhongyan launched the Qingli Reforms, he appointed three great reformers—Hu Yuan, Shi Jie, and Sun Fu—to reform the ethos of the Imperial Academy and strictly enforce the academic assessments of its students. From then on, students recommended by various military prefectures across the country were subjected to re-examinations. If anyone was found to be unworthy of their reputation, they were immediately sent back to their hometowns and barred from entering the Imperial University.

Only then was the vile practice of cronyism in local prefectures finally curbed. Even so, it could not be completely eradicated. Every year, many truly talented but impoverished students were still screened out.

"Could it be that the Prefect or the Vice-Prefect have..." Assistant Instructor Sun speculated. He assumed the pressure weighing on Prefectural Scholar Li must have come from the Prefect or Vice-Prefect.

To his surprise, Prefectural Scholar Li shook his head. "Quite the contrary. I have actually received three private letters recommending this Zhang the Third."

"Oh? Which three?"

"You might guess one of them, but as for the other two, you would never imagine them," Li replied.

Assistant Instructor Sun said, "I suspect one must be a letter from Zhang Boyi."

Prefectural Scholar Li smiled. "Correct. Master Boyi is one of the premier Confucian scholars in this prefecture. He has taught countless students, and many officials in the imperial court have studied under him. His student, Zhang Ziping, is even the current Zhuangyuan (First-Place Scholar)! How could I not grant him this favor?"

Assistant Instructor Sun felt relieved. He thought, with someone like that recommending Zhang Yue, what was there to worry about? Yet, he remained curious: who were the other two?

"And the other two?"

"The first is the eldest young master of the Wu family, who is from the same hometown as Zhang the Third," Li said.

"That is the family of the current Prime Minister!" Assistant Instructor Sun was shocked. "Zhang the Third comes from a distant branch of the Zhang clan... I wonder, how could the Wu family take notice of him?"

"Perhaps it is the eldest young master’s own intent," Li said. "As everyone knows, while the eldest young master of the Wu family does not care for books, he is widely connected and socializes with people from all walks of life. Since he and Zhang the Third were both at the Pucheng County School, it is reasonable that he would recommend him."

"The eldest young master of the Wu family is understandable, but who is the third?"

"This person I never expected: it is Chen Shegu (Chen Xiang), who is currently the official in charge of the Ministry of Rites and Ancestral Temples!"

Assistant Instructor Sun was surprised. "Chen Shegu served as the Magistrate of Pucheng, where he promoted the county school and oversaw local affairs. But at that time, Zhang the Third was still very young. How could Chen Shegu possibly know him?"

Prefectural Scholar Li stroked his beard. "I am not clear on the details, but I have heard that Zhang the Second—that is, Zhang Zihou, who withdrew from the exam list last year—is a prized pupil of Chen Shegu."

Assistant Instructor Sun said, "That is true, but in Pucheng, I heard that Zhang Zihou was at odds with his brother. After he passed the exam, he didn't even send a letter home. Why would he ask Chen Shegu to recommend his brother for the Imperial Academy?"

"That is exactly what I don't understand," Li said. "But Chen Shegu’s letter is earnest, praising the Third Young Master’s talent highly. He has always had a reputation for being a good judge of talent. If he knew nothing of Zhang the Third, why would he recommend him to me? It must have been at the behest of the Zhang family's second son."

Assistant Instructor Sun laughed. "Regardless, it is hard for us to guess. But one thing is certain: you no longer need to struggle with who to recommend."

"When recommending talent for the nation, one must rely on public duty," Li said. "I intend to recommend Zhang the Third to the Imperial Academy based solely on the fact that his classics score is the best in the prefecture. If word gets out that he entered through connections, it will damage both our reputations and his own."

"Then what is your intention?" Assistant Instructor Sun asked with concern.

Prefectural Scholar Li smiled slightly. "I will reply to the three of them, stating that the recommendation came from my own initiative, independent of any influence. I suppose I will have to disappoint them."

Assistant Instructor Sun laughed heartily and bowed. "The Prefectural Scholar is truly impartial!"

"However," Li sighed, "I will have a hard time explaining this to Master Chen and Wang Jiefu."

Assistant Instructor Sun smiled. "What is difficult about that? Whether one is a true talent is like an awl in a bag; eventually, the tip will show. As for the true depth of this young man, let Master Chen and Wang Jiefu judge for themselves."

Prefectural Scholar Li laughed. "Exactly."

That day, Zhang Yue, Guo Lin, and He Qi returned to the bookseller Yu's shop.

As they spoke, He Qi saw Yu Yunruo walking in with a light, graceful step. He Qi coughed intentionally. When Zhang Yue looked over, he saw that Yu Yunruo was wearing a vibrant, deep red dress today.

Zhang Yue had been talking with the bookseller Yu at the counter. When they saw Yu Yunruo dressed in this manner, the clerks at the counter and the customers in the shop all stared, looking completely spellbound.

Yu Yunruo paid them no mind. Instead, she bowed to the three of them and brought out a plate of pastries. "These were prepared by my own hands. I hope you will not find them lacking."

Zhang Yue nodded and took a pastry along with the others. They were indeed crisp and delicious, and all three praised them in turn. Yu Yunruo smiled slightly but said nothing.

The next day, the three of them went to the Prefecture School.

When they arrived in front of the Hall of the First Teacher, the same group from yesterday was chatting there. As the trio approached, the chatting suddenly stopped. Zhang Yue felt the atmosphere was a bit strange, noticing that everyone was looking at him, whether intentionally or not.

"Junior brother, why does it seem like they are all looking at you?"

Zhang Yue shook his head. "I don't understand it either."

"Let's go look at the list."

The three walked up the stairs, climbed the hill for a while, and reached the Hall of the First Teacher. Several clerks were brushing the wall with paste, and one was rolling up a list, meaning it had not yet been posted.

Zhang Yue, Guo Lin, and He Qi stepped forward together and asked, "We beg you to let us take a look first."

The clerk smiled. "Officers, please wait a moment, and you will be able to see the list."

He Qi said, "We are anxious, how can we wait? Please, be accommodating."

The clerk laughed. "Very well, very well. May I have your names?"

"Pucheng, He Bixing! Is my name on there?" He Qi couldn't help but ask first.

The clerk laughed. "You have been recommended to the Prefecture School."

He Bixing’s expression twisted. "This... how can this be? Why is my name not on there?"

Zhang Yue and Guo Lin exchanged a glance.

"And what of these two?"

"Senior brother, you ask first!"

"Junior brother, you ask first, I am a bit afraid!" Guo Lin smiled bitterly. He hadn't slept all night, and his heart was pounding as he came to see the list this morning, but at the last moment, he was afraid to look.

"Senior brother, please ask."

Guo Lin nodded and said nervously, "Pucheng, Guo Lin."

"Officer, you should know that you have been recommended to the Nanjing Imperial Academy."

Guo Lin stood there, stunned.

"The Nanjing Imperial Academy!" Zhang Yue was overjoyed and repeated the words. "Did you hear that right?"

"How could I be mistaken? I filled out this list myself."

Zhang Yue said, "The Nanjing Imperial Academy is the Yingtian Prefecture Academy! That is where Master Fan Wenzheng studied and taught. Senior brother, you can go! You can go study at the Yingtian Prefecture Academy."

Guo Lin wiped the tears from his eyes. "Yes. I dare not say it is certain yet, but I must return to Wuxi to tell my parents."

"And this officer?"

"Pucheng, Zhang Yue."

The clerk paused, repeated the name, and asked, "You are Zhang Yue of Pucheng?"

"Exactly."

The clerk looked at him with admiration. "So you are Zhang the Third! Everyone in our Prefecture School has heard of you. You took the Nine Classics and Eleven Fields exam, and you are recognized as the top Confucian scholar in the prefecture. Your three policy essays were also excellent. Why are you even checking the list? You have already been recommended by the Prefectural Scholar."

"Recommended where?"

"The Imperial Academy, of course! Your fame has already spread."

"Is that so?" Zhang Yue let out a long sigh. He could finally go to the capital.

Just then, they heard He Bixing shouting, "How can you spout such nonsense? How could I, He Bixing, not be on the list? I want to see the list!"

Zhang Yue and Guo Lin looked at each other, speechless.

The wind rustled through the forest as Zhang Yue and Guo Lin strolled through the Prefecture School. Since the original school had burned down, this Jianyang Prefecture School had been converted from a temple. With the birds singing and the pines whispering on the mountainside, it had the quiet elegance of an ancient monastery.

Yesterday, they had been busy answering the Prefectural Scholar's questions, and this morning they had been rushing to hear the news; neither had paid attention to the scenery.

The clerk had just told them, "While the Prefectural Scholar is busy, why not look around? There is a 'Cave of the Immortals' at the top of the mountain, a famous site in Jianyang. You should go take a look."

They followed his advice, walking and observing. Their state of mind was quite different now. Zhang Yue recalled the day he and Guo Lin stood on the mountain looking at Xianxia Ridge.

Though there were no chaotic clouds or towering pines here, there was the Cave of the Immortals, matching the scenery of that day with his current state of mind. As he climbed, Zhang Yue thought:

*In the twilight, I gaze at the sturdy pines,*
*The swirling clouds pass by, yet I remain calm.*
*Heaven created this Cave of the Immortals,*
*Infinite scenery lies upon the perilous peak.*