Chapter 14

Bang! Bang! Bang!

A series of eleven drum beats echoed.

Lin Yanchao knew that in this evil feudal society, the hierarchy was clear. The drum beats for an official procession also varied in number. For a seventh-rank county magistrate, the drum would be beaten seven times, but for a fifth-rank prefectural governor, it would be nine times. For provincial-level officials, it would be eleven times.

My goodness, wasn't the Inspector of Education supposed to be on par with a prefectural governor? How could he also have eleven drum beats? Could it be because he's from the provincial government? Even if a provincial Inspector of Education has significant power and is not under the jurisdiction of the provincial governor, it shouldn't be like this.

Only when he saw the two plaques reading "Deputy Inspector of Criminal Affairs" and "Inspector of Education for Fujian" did Lin Yanchao understand.

The Inspector of Education is subordinate to the Board of Censors, and the title of Inspector of Education is included in the Board. In the Board of Censors, the Inspector is a third-rank official, the Deputy Inspector is a fourth-rank official, and the Censor is a fifth-rank official. If the Inspector of Education held the rank of Censor, he would be treated as a fifth-rank official, but if he held the rank of Deputy Inspector, he would be treated as a provincial-level official according to the principle of treating higher ranks with more respect.

Lin Yanchao felt he had gained some insight and was somewhat pleased with himself.

The bailiffs, dressed in black, held sabers and followed the procession, which included those holding "Avoid" and "Silence" signs and the plaques. There were also fast runners, clerks, and attendants, and behind them was a line of green-covered sedan chairs, moving grandly into the village.

The villagers all came out to welcome them at the village entrance, kneeling to avoid the sedan chairs.

When the sedan chair stopped in front of the community school gate, a square-faced official with a stern presence stepped out and scanned the children with a piercing gaze.

Everyone fell silent, not daring to breathe. Lin Yanchao, however, was not particularly respectful. In his previous life, he had seen many leaders, even the Emperor on the news, so a few fourth- or fifth-rank officials didn't impress him much. He carefully observed the official, thinking, "Is this the Inspector of Education? He seems very authoritative, decisive, and doesn't seem like a scholarly official."

But then he saw the official walk to another sedan chair, a green oilcloth one, and lift the curtain, saying in a muffled voice, "Inspector of Education, we have arrived at the hometown of Xiangmin Gong." 'I misunderstood,' Lin Yanchao thought, 'I don't understand the rules of the official world. For such a high-ranking official to visit, not only must the elders welcome him, but a local official must also accompany him.'

After a while, a black silk official boot stepped out of the sedan chair, followed by an official in his forties, wearing a robe with a white pheasant badge, slowly stepping out. Just as Lin Yanchao was about to take a closer look, a bailiff glared at him, forcing him to lower his head.

Then someone said, "The Inspector of Education has ordered that the visit be simple and informal."

With the rules simplified, the children no longer had to keep their heads down and could lift them up.

Lin Yanchao raised his head again and saw two officials, surrounded by a crowd, much like modern leaders on an inspection tour. Besides the village elders and gentry, there were also the officials' own clerks, secretaries, and attendants. Even someone as powerful as Zhang Zongjia in Hongtang Village could only stand on the sidelines.

The scene was so impressive that it was no wonder everyone loved being an official. The bailiffs no longer glared, and Lin Yanchao could freely observe. The leading official, Hu Tixue, was easily recognizable. If not for his official robes, he would seem like an ordinary learned man, and some might even believe he was a teacher.

As for the other official, whom Lin Yanchao had initially mistaken for the Inspector of Education, he learned from the bailiffs that everyone looked to him for guidance. Zhang Zongjia and the local gentry called him "Old Father," clearly identifying him as the local magistrate, Zhou Zhixian of Houguan County.

Lin Yanchao had heard a bit about this Zhou Zhixian.

The Japanese pirate problem in central Fujian was severe, so the Ministry of Personnel always selected capable officials to serve in Fujian.

Zhou Zhixian's reputation was not good. He was a harsh official who clung to power, was cruel and tyrannical, and governed with severe laws. Since taking office, he had handled several major cases. Many people had suffered and lost their homes, earning him the nickname "the family-destroying magistrate."

Hu Tixue and Zhou Zhixian walked and talked, with Zhang Zongjia, Lin Chengyi, and the village elders following humbly, entering the ancestral hall.

Inside the ancestral hall, the memorial tablets of Zhang Jing and Zhang Maojie were placed. Zhang Maojie was Zhang Jing's grandson and later became a clerk in the Imperial Sacrificial Bureau due to his father's influence. Zhang Maojie's son, Zhang Xiang, was admitted to the Imperial Academy, making it a family of officials.

Therefore, in the official reception order, Zhang Xiang was first. However, Lin Yanchao knew that Zhang Xiang had only passed the county examination after five attempts and was not particularly talented. But because of his father's influence, he was admitted to the Imperial Academy, which was like a windfall for him.

After some pleasantries, Hu Tixue and Zhou Zhixian sat down, and others busily served tea and water. Generally, this was not a real examination; the main focus of the Inspector of Education was the provincial examination and the management of county and prefectural schools. The visit to the community school was more about understanding local conditions, showing the court's emphasis on education, and encouraging the people to study.

Therefore, the visit would not be deliberately difficult. After a formal greeting and some encouragement, it would be over. Hu Tixue thought so, but others did not. If a nobleman who could change your life with a word was right in front of you, who wouldn't try to show their best?

Hu Tixue, without putting on an official airs, spoke kindly to the children, "Are these all the relatives and villagers of Xiangmin Gong?"

There were many Zhang clan members present, but not everyone had the right to speak to Hu Tixue. Only those with official titles could converse with him. Even wealthy merchants or influential local gentry like Zhang Zongjia had no right to speak.

"Most of them are local children," Zhang Xiang replied. As a supervisor, he had the right to speak on behalf of the Zhang clan.

Hu Tixue praised, "A loyal and righteous place, truly a land of talent."

Then, turning to Zhou Zhixian, he said, "As Zhu Xi said, in the Three Dynasties, there were schools in the royal palace, the capital, and the neighborhoods."

"Children at the age of eight, from the sons of princes to the children of commoners, all entered primary school. At fifteen, except for the sons of princes, only the most talented commoners entered university. Therefore, the education system distinguishes between primary and advanced levels."

Listening to Hu Tixue, Zhou Zhixian leaned forward, showing respect, and replied, "Inspector of Education, what you say is true. The current community schools are modeled after the primary schools of the Three Dynasties, providing education for all. At fifteen, only the most talented commoners enter the university, which today refers to the county and prefectural schools, where students must pass three preliminary exams to become scholars."

Hu Tixue stroked his beard and smiled, "Brother Shu, your words align with my thoughts. Therefore, the Emperor has ordered me to oversee education in this province. We will examine all community schools and teachers, ensuring that competent teachers are appointed. We will also recommend talented individuals from the people, ensuring that no virtuous person is overlooked."

The Inspector of Education had the power to appoint and dismiss community school teachers and to recommend talented individuals to the state.

Hu Tixue and Zhou Zhixian chatted for a while, and everyone, including Zhang Xiang, could only listen without speaking.

This was due to the significant difference in status. Not only in terms of rank, but also in terms of "education," Zhou Zhixian was a third-rank official from the third class of the imperial examination in the fifth year of Longqing, a top-tier figure. Hu Tixue was even more impressive, a scholar of the Hanlin Academy, later appointed as a censor, and then as the Inspector of Education for Fujian.

It was like Einstein and Schrödinger chatting, and trying to interject would be futile.

After chatting for a while, Hu Tixue remembered the children standing below and asked, "Who is the teacher of the community school?"

Hearing this, Lin Chengyi quickly stood up and said, "In response to the Great Master, I am Lin Chengyi."

Seeing Lin Chengyi's dignified appearance, Hu Tixue nodded and asked, "Old friend, who is your teacher?" As an Inspector of Education, Hu Tixue could address him by name, showing respect for the teacher.

Lin Chengyi, however, replied with a look of shame, "In response to the Inspector of Education, I have not yet entered the school."

Hearing this, Hu Tixue's expression cooled slightly. At the time, those with official titles were called "old friends," while those without were called "young friends." For example, a child who entered school, regardless of age, was called an "old friend," while one who did not enter school, even at eighty, was still called a "young friend."

Lin Chengyi had not passed the prefectural examination and was not yet a scholar, so he did not deserve the title of "old friend."

At the time, community schools often hired scholars or students as teachers, and only in poorer areas would they hire children as teachers. When Hu Tixue heard that Lin Chengyi was only a child, he assumed his knowledge was limited, and his students would not be very good.

Zhang Xiang, fearing that the Inspector of Education would look down on him, quickly added, "Although Mr. Lin has not entered school, he is very strict with his students, and many of his disciples are outstanding."

At this, Zhou Zhixian coldly laughed, "Ha, don't exaggerate in front of the Inspector of Education. The term 'outstanding' is not used lightly."

This made everyone feel awkward. Lin Yanchao also felt displeased with Zhou Zhixian. As the local magistrate, he was usually humble and protective in front of the Inspector of Education to avoid showing any shortcomings, but his words were so harsh, leaving no room for face-saving, completely lacking the harmonious demeanor of an official.

Was he trying to establish his authority? Or did he already know his poor reputation and decided to be harsh? Lin Yanchao speculated. No one dared to contradict Zhou Zhixian and all lowered their heads. Even Zhang Xiang did not know how to respond.

Hu Tixue, smiling, tried to smooth things over, "Under the governance of Magistrate Zhou, the people are simple and honest, and there are certainly many outstanding talents." Hu Tixue was the only person Zhou Zhixian needed to respect, so he replied, "Great Master, you are too kind."

Hu Tixue then asked Lin Chengyi, "How far have the students in the community school progressed in their studies?"