Chapter Forty-Nine: Recommendation (Second Update)

Zhang Yue was not particularly surprised that he had not been admitted into the Hall of Daylight Honors. Over the years, he had come to feel that many things seemed to go smoothly, only to falter at the final step.

But so be it—even without entering, he had nonetheless made the acquaintance of professors, officials, and Zhang Cai, which was no small gain. As long as he presented his Three-Character Classic, he would surely attract the attention of someone influential, so he could pin his hopes on the upcoming Prodigy Examination.

This was a road to meteoric success! Is this not how it’s always written in the transmigration novels? As soon as the protagonist arrives in another world, he can't wait to invent this or that, and money pours in effortlessly.

In the South Peak Courtyard, Zhang Youzhi spoke to Zhang Yue with deep apology. “Third Son, I had hoped to get you into the academy, but... this year the clan school admitted too many, each brought in by recommendation. I thought you were still young; even if you aren’t accepted this year, next year is just as well.”

“After midsummer, you can try again. A day sooner or later makes little difference.”

Zhang Youzhi’s words were tactful; he did not tell Zhang Yue the real reasons behind the decision, so as not to discourage his scholarly ambitions. He had seen too many talented students who faltered at setbacks and gave up halfway. He did not wish Zhang Yue to follow the same path.

Zhang Yue replied, “Thank you, sir. I am planning to register for this year’s county school entrance examination.”

Zhang Youzhi nodded. “The county exam is a good path.”

Zhang Yue continued, “The exam will be set and judged by the magistrate himself. In a few years, I’ll come of age and be subject to labor service. Though the official age is twenty, our county is short of young men, so light service begins at sixteen, and heavier service at twenty. Either way, study is not hindered.”

Zhang Youzhi sighed, “The labor laws of our dynasty have always been harsh on the people.”

Zhang Yue smiled. “Fortunately, this time our household was classified as third-class, or the corvée duties would truly be a headache.”

Zhang Youzhi said, “Go ahead and take the exam. Don’t worry about the rest. By the way, which subject will you choose?”

“The Classics,” Zhang Yue replied.

Zhang Youzhi asked, “Are you well-versed in all nine?”

“I’ve heard only five are tested, and the examinee can select which ones. I am already well-read in the Book of Changes, the Book of Documents, and the Book of Poetry. As for the Rites of Zhou and the Ceremonial, I can manage with some effort.”

“Nonsense,” Zhang Youzhi said, slapping the table. “The Rites of Zhou and the Ceremonial cannot be mastered in just three or five months, and yet you dare attempt them?”

Zhang Yue bowed his head. “I will do my best, sir.”

“You, you...” Zhang Youzhi shook his head. “Very well. I have some old friendship with the magistrate—I will speak for you.”

“Sir...” Zhang Yue’s heart leaped with joy; this was the very favor he had come today to request.

Zhang Youzhi became solemn. “I can put in a word, but if you cannot master the Five Classics and perform well, I will not risk my reputation to protect you.”

“Rest assured, sir. I will give it my all,” Zhang Yue replied at once.

“Out of ten questions, you must answer seven correctly. If you can do so, I will speak to the magistrate on your behalf.”

By setting this high standard, Zhang Youzhi was making it clear: as long as Zhang Yue could score above sixty percent, he would request the county magistrate to admit him.

Zhang Yue was about to express his gratitude.

But Zhang Youzhi waved it off. “No need for words. After the county exam, come to the South Peak Courtyard every five days. I will teach you seal script myself.”

Zhang Yue thought to himself that with everything arranged so well, what more could he ask for?

The scholar Guo required all ten questions answered correctly to enter the county school, but with this, he needed only seven. For a poor student, having such a teacher was equivalent to saving years of study.

“Thank you, sir. No words can express my gratitude. Before I leave, may I make one more request?”

“Oh?” Zhang Youzhi raised an eyebrow.

“I would like to ask you, sir, to write two calligraphic pieces for me as constant reminders. Should I ever slacken in my studies, I would think of your admonishments.”

Zhang Youzhi laughed. “That’s a small matter.”

Saying this, he went to his desk, picked up a brush, and effortlessly wrote two pieces.

Handing them to Zhang Yue, he said, “When you return, study these seal script works carefully. In this art, you are the most gifted I have ever met. Do not let me down in the future.”

Zhang Yue was moved to tears. He would keep one piece for himself, and give the other to Peng Jingyi, thus fulfilling his promise.

As for future lessons in seal script with Zhang Youzhi, he could always request more examples under the pretense of study. If he was found out later, he could explain himself, but the chance was slim.

Zhang Yue then took his leave and went to the library to see the official in charge. There was little to discuss; he was simply told to come borrow books as needed. Zhang Yue was deeply touched and, before leaving, borrowed the Rites of Zhou, the Ceremonial, and Zheng Xuan’s Annotations on the Three Rites.

The official looked at Zhang Yue with a bewildered expression as he left the library. But when his granddaughter learned that Zhang Yue would no longer be coming to play the game of five stones with her, she burst into tears.

From the South Peak Courtyard, Zhang Yue returned to Wuxi.

Guo Lin had already heard about Zhang Yue being denied by the clan school. Not skilled at conversation, he did not know how to comfort him and could only sit nearby, finally managing to say, “Brother, you’re back.”

After another long silence, he gathered his thoughts and said, “Are you hungry? We’re having noodles tonight!”

Zhang Yue, distracted, responded absentmindedly but did not refuse the food. To Guo Lin’s relief, Zhang Yue’s appetite was intact; he finished a large bowl and even snuck a chopstickful from Guo Lin’s bowl.

Cradling his own bowl, Guo Lin thought, If he eats like this, things can’t be too bad.

What comforted Guo Lin even more was that Zhang Yue did not give in to despair. After the meal, he sat down at the table and began to study.

The ability to apply oneself meant he had moved past his sadness and was fully preparing for the county exam.

Guo Lin felt relieved at this, but also a little sad. From last July until now, his brother had only truly studied the classics for half a year. No matter how talented and quick-witted, the time until the March county exam was too short.

How could he compete with those who had studied for a decade?

Guo Lin himself had spent six or seven years on the classics, and even so, he could not guarantee missing only one or two questions on the county entrance exam.

His brother was destined to fail this time.

But Guo Lin could not bring himself to say this truth. He could only hope that, through this examination, Zhang Yue would seize the opportunity to study hard, and not give up just because he failed to enter the clan school.

Then he remembered that last year, a few months had been wasted copying books for hire, so where was the time for idle worry?

Regaining his focus, another thought struck Guo Lin: what if, by chance, he passed and his brother failed? How heartbroken would his brother be?

He glanced at Zhang Yue, and was startled.

He would not have been so shocked if Zhang Yue were sobbing in his arms; that was to be expected. But Zhang Yue was, in fact, slapping his thigh in silent laughter—a strange and uncanny sight.

Could his brother have gone mad?

But Zhang Yue was not mad. He was simply recalling that, although he had confirmed his rejection from the clan school at the South Peak Courtyard that day, he had also received two pieces of good news.

First, he now had a professor’s recommendation, which greatly increased his chances of being admitted to the county school—at least he now stood on equal footing with the others.

Second, he had settled the matter of Peng Jingyi’s request.

This was a double blessing! Truly, as the saying goes, a loss may turn out to be a gain. If he entered the county school, it would be even better than the clan school.

Thinking of this, how could Zhang Yue not be elated, his excitement written all over his face? He could not help but beam with joy, even though he had not yet passed the county exam.

At that moment, he caught sight of Guo Lin’s horrified expression across the table.

“Brother?”

Puzzled, Zhang Yue went over.

Guo Lin stood up with alarm. “Don’t scare me, brother…”

“Hm?” Zhang Yue was at a loss.

Guo Lin spoke with deep concern, “You must have lost your wits for a moment. There’s a folk remedy in our village—bear with me…”

Before Zhang Yue could react, Guo Lin grabbed his wrist and, opening his mouth, bit down hard...

In the quiet mountain night, a miserable scream rang out: “Brother, are you a dog?!”

The mongrel dozing beneath the fence opened its eyes, glanced around, and lay down again.

The crippled servant, hearing the shout, simply rolled over.

The local scholar and his wife looked toward the cottage. The scholar said to his puzzled wife, “The brothers are just horsing around. Go to sleep.”

Inside the cottage, Guo Lin was now busily applying a poultice to Zhang Yue’s wrist, his face full of apology.

At that moment, Zhang Yue couldn’t help but think of Fan Jin’s madness upon passing the exam, and wondered if his brother was paying tribute to the butcher Hu. At least wait until I’m actually accepted to the county school before you bite me!

Ps: If all goes as expected, the novel should go on sale on the first of next month. I earnestly ask all my dear readers to save your monthly and recommendation votes for me! In all my years of writing, I’ve always asked for recommendation votes, but never for monthly votes—this is my first time. Please help me, let’s see this book through together!

And finally, thank you for all your recommendation votes. Some of you have even created several accounts just to vote—thank you so much!