Chapter 45

"Your studies have already laid a solid foundation. If you follow the routine, perhaps in a few years, your studies will surpass your teacher, even me," Lin Chengyi said slowly.

"If what you desire is merely the title of Scholar, or even a Scholar of the Imperial Granary, then staying in this small mountain village, you might achieve it one day."

"One day?" Lin Yanchao's gaze turned stern. "When will that be, in five years, ten years, or even twenty years? I do not wish to waste my time. I want to compete now, and I want to take the county examination the year after next."

Lin Chengyi's eyes lit up, and he nodded. "I truly did not misjudge you. You mentioned that there was an eighteen-year-old状元 in our dynasty, but that was a mistake. The youngest状元 in our dynasty is Fei Hong from the Chenghua era, who was twenty years old and entered the cabinet three times."

"If I remember correctly, you were born in the Year of the Pig, and next year will be the Year of the Rat. You will be thirteen, and the year after that, you will be fourteen for the child examination. The corrupt minister Yan Song began his studies at five and entered the academy at nine. In our prefecture, children around twelve or thirteen enter the academy as students, and some even become the top scholar after three exams. So, at fourteen, you are not too young to take the child examination. The difficulty lies in mastering the Four Books and Five Classics within a year and a half. Even if Yan Song and Fei Hong were reborn, it would not be easy for them to achieve this. Therefore, you must start striving from now on, and you cannot have any侥幸."

"Yes, Master. May I ask, when can I go to the academy to study?" Lin Yanchao asked solemnly.

Lin Chengyi nodded. "With my recommendation letter, you can go anytime. First, you will study with fellow students who are also preparing for the examinations, and receive guidance and teaching from the headmaster and lecturers. Of course, you should inform the old master first, and then tell your family."

"Studying at the academy in a different place will be difficult. If you find it too hard, you can choose not to go. It's up to you."

"I understand, Master." Lin Yanchao's eyes showed determination.

In the village school.

The old master was eating lotus root slices with chopsticks and sipping wine.

After hearing Lin Yanchao, the old master nodded. "I expected this day. I have nothing more to say to you. Go! Go!"

Lin Yanchao bowed respectfully to the old master and then left. The old master watched Lin Yanchao's back silently and said faintly, "Shallow waters cannot nurture dragons!"

Back in the lecture hall, a gentle breeze blew.

Lin Yanchao looked up, and the big banyan tree rustled. He had been here for three years, and he felt a bit emotional about the scenery and the objects around him.

At this moment, Lin Yanchao couldn't help but think of the day he left high school, discussing with his classmates and looking forward to the future. Having lived a life, these feelings still influenced him, adding a touch of melancholy.

"Yanchao, what did the master say to you?" Zhang Haoyuan asked with a smile.

Hou Zhongshu also came over and said with a smile, "Did the master encourage you to study hard and become a top scholar like him in the future?"

"Indeed, the master has entered the prefectural academy, and we cannot fall behind," Zhang Haoyuan said with a smile.

"Hmph, top scholar?" Zhang Guihe, who was about to go to the old master, stopped and looked at Lin Yanchao. "Yanchao, you should first surpass me in the village school!"

Everyone knew that since Lin Chengyi became a scholar, Zhang Guihe had been studying hard, truly wanting to compete with Lin Yanchao.

"Guihe, if you want to surpass Yanchao, you should first win against me," Hou Zhongshu said.

"You? I have never taken you seriously," Zhang Guihe said, looking up.

"You? I haven't taken you seriously either," Hou Zhongshu said angrily.

"Then I will test you. Confucius said, 'I do not test, so I am skilled.' What does this mean?"

Hou Zhongshu was stunned. "I do not test, so I am skilled? I am not intentional? Is this difficult? Confucius said, I am not intentional."

I am not intentional!

Everyone burst into laughter, and Lin Yanchao couldn't help but smile.

Zhang Haoyuan said with a smile, "Guihe, Zhongshu hasn't read the Analects yet. Don't tease him."

Zhang Guihe smiled and looked at Lin Yanchao, full of fighting spirit.

"Classmates, I will be going to the Lianjiang Academy to study soon."

After Lin Yanchao said this, the room fell silent.

Hou Zhongshu was stunned. "The academy? Yanchao, are you leaving us?"

Lin Yanchao nodded.

"Lianjiang Academy, established by the Lin family of Lianpu, is a top academy, not just in the prefecture but in the entire province," Zhang Haoyuan said with a hint of melancholy. "Yanchao, I must congratulate you."

"Not necessarily," Zhang Guihe said, clenching his teeth.

The other students also gathered around.

"What, Yanchao, going to Lianjiang Academy?"

"Yanchao, isn't it the same to study anywhere? Why go far?"

"Indeed, we will all miss you."

"Having you around gives us direction. Without you, we might become lazy."

"Indeed, Guihe said he would surpass you and has been working harder."

"Nonsense, I never said that."

"Enough!" the old master came out.

The old master said, "What are you arguing about? Yanchao going to Lianjiang Academy is his good fortune. How can you tie him down with sentiment? If you have the ability, go to Lianjiang Academy too!"

Lin Yanchao said, "Classmates, I have been with you for three years. I am grateful for your care and support. Thank you all!"

Lin Yanchao bowed deeply, and everyone quickly returned the bow, saying, "Yanchao, we dare not!"

"The master said, 'There is no banquet that does not end.' Parting is for the next reunion. I hope that when we meet again, our friendship will remain in our hearts!"

"Indeed, our friendship will remain in our hearts! Yanchao, we wish you success in your future endeavors." The students said, offering their congratulations to Lin Yanchao.

"Brother Yanchao, if you become wealthy, don't forget us!"

"Indeed, if I come to visit you, don't pretend not to recognize me."

Ha ha!

The Min River flows into the sea, its waters surging.

The terrain of Min has always been undulating, with mountains like the backrest of a high chair, surrounding the central basin on three sides.

In ancient times, leaving Min was not easy: the southeast was the vast sea, with unpredictable waves, and the other three sides were mountainous. The Min River was the most convenient route to enter the depths of Min, but even so, it was not easy, known for its long distance, high mountains, steep slopes, deep valleys, rapid currents, and dangerous shoals.

A cart was heading to the Hongtang market town's wharf. It was not yet dawn, but the Min River was already bustling.

On the water, raft workers were already guiding long rafts down the river. The rafts were made by nailing bamboo poles to the cut trees, and five or six such rafts were tied together. Bamboo was used to build small huts on top, with multiple layers of thatch to protect from the sun and rain. The rafts could accommodate people and allow for cooking and boiling water.

Lin Yanchao, carrying large and small bags and a heavy backpack, got off the cart. Lin Qianqian, fearing that Lin Yanchao couldn't carry everything, also helped with a few items.

Lin Yanchao did not want others to come to see him off, but Lin Qianqian insisted, and he brought along Zhang Haoyuan and Hou Zhongshu.

"Everyone, stop here, don't be so sentimental!" Lin Yanchao joked.

"We want to follow, but the master only recommended you to the academy. We can't go," Zhang Haoyuan said with a hint of envy.

Lin Yanchao smiled.

"Speaking of which, isn't your father planning to transfer you to the Shuhe village school in the city? I, on the other hand, can only stay in the Hongtang village school and face the old master," Hou Zhongshu complained.

Lin Yanchao said, "The old master's knowledge is already very good. You must study hard."

Hou Zhongshu nodded. "Alright, I'll listen to you this time, Brother Chao."

"Good."

"Qianqian, what do you want to say to me?" Lin Yanchao looked at Lin Qianqian.

Zhang Haoyuan and Hou Zhongshu tactfully stepped back.

Lin Qianqian scolded, "It's just going to Lianpu to study, not leaving home. Remember to come home every three months, or I won't give you money to spend!"

Lin Yanchao smiled. "I know, I know."

"First, don't waste money!"

"Second, focus on your studies and don't make bad friends!"

"Third, remember me. Even if the daughter of the Lin family's chancellor cries and begs to marry you, you cannot agree."

Hearing this, Hou Zhongshu and Zhang Haoyuan burst into laughter. Lin Qianqian glared at them, and Hou Zhongshu immediately said, "We have a stomachache, a stomachache. We didn't hear anything you said."

Zhang Haoyuan said, "We'll go see if the boat has arrived."

The two left together.

Lin Yanchao said, "Ignore them. I will do everything you said. What about the fourth and fifth rules?"

"None for now." Lin Qianqian lowered her head.

"Take care of yourself too. Don't weave mats anymore! Our family's situation has improved. Don't be stingy with food and clothes. Buy some nice clothes for yourself."

The wharf was bustling with people. The two were about to part, but they didn't know what to say.

---

The Min River flows into the sea, its waters surging.

The terrain of Min has always been undulating, with mountains like the backrest of a high chair, surrounding the central basin on three sides.

In ancient times, leaving Min was not easy: the southeast was the vast sea, with unpredictable waves, and the other three sides were mountainous. The Min River was the most convenient route to enter the depths of Min, but even so, it was not easy, known for its long distance, high mountains, steep slopes, deep valleys, rapid currents, and dangerous shoals.

A cart was heading to the Hongtang market town's wharf. It was not yet dawn, but the Min River was already bustling.

On the water, raft workers were already guiding long rafts down the river. The rafts were made by nailing bamboo poles to the cut trees, and five or six such rafts were tied together. Bamboo was used to build small huts on top, with multiple layers of thatch to protect from the sun and rain. The rafts could accommodate people and allow for cooking and boiling water.

Lin Yanchao, carrying large and small bags and a heavy backpack, got off the cart. Lin Qianqian, fearing that Lin Yanchao couldn't carry everything, also helped with a few items.

Lin Yanchao did not want others to come to see him off, but Lin Qianqian insisted, and he brought along Zhang Haoyuan and Hou Zhongshu.

"Everyone, stop here, don't be so sentimental!" Lin Yanchao joked.

"We want to follow, but the master only recommended you to the academy. We can't go," Zhang Haoyuan said with a hint of envy.

Lin Yanchao smiled.

"Speaking of which, isn't your father planning to transfer you to the Shuhe village school in the city? I, on the other hand, can only stay in the Hongtang village school and face the old master," Hou Zhongshu complained.

Lin Yanchao said, "The old master's knowledge is already very good. You must study hard."

Hou Zhongshu nodded. "Alright, I'll listen to you this time, Brother Chao."

"Good."

"Qianqian, what do you want to say to me?" Lin Yanchao looked at Lin Qianqian.

Zhang Haoyuan and Hou Zhongshu tactfully stepped back.

Lin Qianqian scolded, "It's just going to Lianpu to study, not leaving home. Remember to come home every three months, or I won't give you money to spend!"

Lin Yanchao smiled. "I know, I know."

"First, don't waste money!"

"Second, focus on your studies and don't make bad friends!"

"Third, remember me. Even if the daughter of the Lin family's chancellor cries and begs to marry you, you cannot agree."

Hearing this, Hou Zhongshu and Zhang Haoyuan burst into laughter. Lin Qianqian glared at them, and Hou Zhongshu immediately said, "We have a stomachache, a stomachache. We didn't hear anything you said."

Zhang Haoyuan said, "We'll go see if the boat has arrived."

The two left together.

Lin Yanchao said, "Ignore them. I will do everything you said. What about the fourth and fifth rules?"

"None for now." Lin Qianqian lowered her head.

"Take care of yourself too. Don't weave mats anymore! Our family's situation has improved. Don't be stingy with food and clothes. Buy some nice clothes for yourself."

The wharf was bustling with people. The two were about to part, but they didn't know what to say.