Chapter 41

After a lively chat, the four of them finished their food and decided to disperse.

Just before leaving, Lin Yanzhao said with some reluctance, "Brother Weng, once you leave, I don't know when I'll have the chance to seek your guidance again!"

Weng Zhengchun replied, "Brother Lin, I will be in the countryside for the next two days, so you can come and find me. However, after a few days, I will go to Jinshan Temple to study in seclusion, and I won't be able to entertain you."

Jinshan Temple, located in Hongtang Township, is a famous temple built on an island in the middle of the Min River. The only way to get there is by boat, manned by the monks. It is an excellent place for scholars to focus on their studies, free from worldly distractions.

Lin Yanzhao felt somewhat disappointed upon hearing this, thinking that he wouldn't be able to rely on the状元 (top scholar) for support. So, Lin Yanzhao bid farewell to Weng Zhengchun. Then, Hou Zhongshu went to the market and bought a bunch of Guangbing (flatbread) to take back.

The Guangbing from Hongtang Market is very famous, and Hou Zhongshu, being a food lover, wouldn't let it pass. On their way back to the school, the two of them ate the flatbread and talked about Lin Yanzhao's confrontation with Zhou Zongcheng earlier, laughing and chatting. However, Lin Yanzhao wasn't in such a good mood, as he had a lot on his mind.

The child examination is held twice every three years. The last one was in August this year, and the next one will be held in the following year. The county examination will be in February of the year after next, the prefectural examination in April, and the provincial examination in August. There is only one and a half years left until February of the year after next, when Lin Yanzhao will be fourteen, which seems quite young. It seems urgent, but it also seems not so urgent.

After the county examination, there is the prefectural examination, and then the provincial examination. Even if one passes the provincial examination, it doesn't mean they have the qualifications for the metropolitan examination. The metropolitan examination has a lower acceptance rate than the provincial examination, and after passing the metropolitan examination, there is still the palace examination.

The child examination in the year after next will be Lin Yanzhao's first opportunity. Since ancient times, there has been no scholar who succeeded without taking the examination. Weng Zhengchun suggested that it would be better to wait five more years before taking the county examination, but Lin Yanzhao thought that with his efforts and his talent for memorization, he could catch up.

After clarifying his direction, Lin Yanzhao looked at the sunset on the mountain and felt a great sense of relief. The imperial examination was the path he had to take in the Ming Dynasty, and even if it was like crossing a narrow bridge with a thousand soldiers, he had to face it head-on. Lin Yanzhao couldn't wait to pick up a book and start reading.

The old teacher still spent his days at the school, and the classmates were happy that the teacher turned a blind eye. It was soon the 15th of August, and the children in the village had all gone home early to celebrate the festival, leaving only Lin Yanzhao at the school.

With no one in the classroom, Lin Yanzhao could focus on his studies without being disturbed.

Lin Yanzhao read aloud from the "Great Learning" that Lin Chengyi had given him.

"The poem says: 'Look at the clear waters of the Qi River, where the green bamboo grows tall and straight. There is a fine gentleman, who sharpens and polishes himself like a craftsman. He is solemn and dignified, and his presence is awe-inspiring. Such a fine gentleman, one cannot help but admire him!' 'To sharpen and polish' refers to the study of the Way; 'to carve and polish' refers to self-cultivation; 'solemn and dignified' refers to reverence; 'awe-inspiring' refers to dignity; 'such a fine gentleman, one cannot help but admire him' means that his virtue is so great that people cannot forget it."

Lin Yanzhao frowned as he read, because he didn't understand it.

The "Great Learning" is a classic that has been passed down through generations. The main text is a collection of Confucius' words, about 200 characters long. The commentary, written by Zengzi, expands on Confucius' words, totaling about 2,000 characters. The annotations by Zhu Xi and Cheng Yi add up to about 5,000 characters.

Despite the extensive explanations, Lin Yanzhao and many other students still found it difficult to understand. They say that reading a book a hundred times will reveal its meaning, but even after reading it more than a hundred times, he still couldn't understand it.

Lin Yanzhao was struggling with this when he saw a shadow flash by the window. He turned around and walked outside, but saw no one.

It was the Mid-Autumn Festival, and all the students had gone home to celebrate, leaving only him and the old teacher. The shadow was probably the old teacher.

Lin Yanzhao took the book and walked out of the lecture hall. The moonlight was bright, and he saw a light in the West Hall, so he went over.

When Lin Yanzhao reached the West Hall and peeked inside, he saw the old teacher sitting upright.

Lin Yanzhao looked down and saw a fresh footprint, thinking, "Ah, it's really you. Mr. Teacher, it's fine to watch your student study, but why do it secretly?"

The door was open, and Lin Yanzhao entered and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Mr. Teacher."

The old teacher, holding a book, said unhappily, "It's the Mid-Autumn Festival. Why haven't you gone home? What are you doing here?"

Lin Yanzhao replied, "Mr. Teacher, you misunderstood. My home is far away, and it's inconvenient to travel back and forth. I only go home once a month. If I go home now for the Mid-Autumn Festival, it would be a waste of time."

The old teacher's expression softened. "Is that so? It's quite late. Is there something you need?"

Lin Yanzhao picked up the "Great Learning" and asked, "Mr. Teacher, I just read this: 'The poem says: "Look at the clear waters of the Qi River, where the green bamboo grows tall and straight. There is a fine gentleman, who sharpens and polishes himself like a craftsman. He is solemn and dignified, and his presence is awe-inspiring. Such a fine gentleman, one cannot help but admire him!" I don't understand the meaning. Could you please explain it to me?"

The old teacher countered, "What do you think it means?"

Lin Yanzhao replied, "The text says, 'The purpose of the Great Learning is to manifest the bright virtue, to renew the people, and to rest in the highest excellence.'"

"The poem is from the 'Qiao' chapter of the 'Book of Songs.' Zengzi used this poem to explain the meaning of 'resting in the highest excellence' in the 'Great Learning.' 'Look at the clear waters of the Qi River, where the green bamboo grows tall and straight' praises the virtue of a gentleman. As for the rest, I don't understand it."

The old teacher nodded. "To know what you know and to know what you do not know, that is true knowledge. You don't force an explanation or add your own interpretation, which is commendable."

"I will explain it to you. To emulate the ancient sages, 'to sharpen and polish' refers to the study of the Way, meaning to refine one's character like a craftsman refining a bone. 'To carve and polish' refers to self-cultivation, meaning to refine oneself like a craftsman polishing a gem. 'Solemn and dignified' refers to reverence, meaning to be solemn and broad-minded, which comes from a cautious and respectful heart. 'Awe-inspiring' refers to dignity, meaning to have a dignified appearance. By doing so, one can achieve the highest excellence."

"Thank you, Mr. Teacher. I understand now." Lin Yanzhao felt as if a veil had been lifted from his mind. He had been pondering this for days, and the old teacher's explanation made it clear.

This feeling was wonderful.

Lin Yanzhao thought, "This old teacher, though just a child scholar, has genuine knowledge and talent." He stepped forward and asked, "Mr. Teacher, I have many questions..."

"Enough, I am tired." The old teacher waved his hand, dismissing him.

"Damn, you want to kick me out."

Lin Yanzhao quickly said, "Mr. Teacher, I have many things I don't understand. Please teach me! It won't take too long."

The old teacher sneered, "I am just a failed child scholar. What right do I have to teach you?"

Lin Yanzhao knew the old teacher still had a grudge against him. Reflecting on the past few days, he realized he had been disrespectful. He felt a bit condescending towards the old teacher because he was just a child scholar, which was not respectful.

Lin Yanzhao said sincerely, "Mr. Teacher, when you first came to the school, I was ignorant and disrespectful. I apologize for my behavior. Please forgive me."

The old teacher, though not 'surprised' by Lin Yanzhao's apology, grunted and his anger subsided.

The old teacher said, "I was recommended by Chengyi to be the teacher at this school. He told me that a student named Lin Yanzhao was worth cultivating and asked me to pay special attention to you..."

Lin Yanzhao was almost ready to die. It turned out that they were on the same side. Zhang Haoyuan had said that he had used Zhang Guihe's connections, but the information was inaccurate.

"... Who would have thought you would be so unruly, not only defying me but also inciting..."

The old teacher gave a long lecture, and Lin Yanzhao listened attentively.

"However, the day you recited the 'Ancient Virtues' backwards showed your exceptional talent. Chengyi's judgment was correct. In the past few days, I have observed you. You are the first to arrive and the last to leave. You don't rely on your intelligence but work hard to seek knowledge. This dedication to learning is more valuable than intelligence and hard work combined."

Lin Yanzhao felt even more ashamed. Could he say that his dedication to learning was for his livelihood? But the noble words made him almost believe it.

The old teacher turned around and said, "Since you are dedicated to learning, I can teach you the classics, but you must not tell anyone outside that I have taught you."

"Why?"

"There is no reason. If you cannot comply, you cannot come to the school."

"I will remember."

Under the lamplight, the old teacher looked at Lin Yanzhao and thought, "This boy will not be an ordinary person. If he becomes a scholar or a provincial candidate, and others ask who his teacher was, and he says a child scholar, wouldn't I be laughed at? A teacher who can't even become a scholar but can teach a student to become one."

The old teacher's face showed a hint of sadness.

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