Chapter 49

After Lin Yanzhao left, Lin Liao rubbed his forehead, remembering that he still needed to discuss the matter of admitting new students with the head of the academy.

He then put on his clothes, took an umbrella, and walked to the west courtyard of the academy, where a house with a plaque reading “Jielu Hall” hung above the door.

Entering Jielu Hall, behind the hidden door hung another plaque inscribed with “Jingkui” (Top Scholar in the Provincial Examination). On the right side, it read “Made by Magistrate Wu Shen of Fuzhou in the year Xin Chou of the Jiajing era,” and on the left, “Established by Lin Yin, who ranked fifth in the provincial examination of the year Xin Mao of the Jiajing era.” The first place in the provincial examination was called Jieyuan, the second place was called Yayuan, and the third to fifth places were called Jingkui. These five people were also known as the Five Jingkui. The sixth place was called Yayuan, and all other successful candidates in the provincial examination were called Wenkui.

In a county or village, having a plaque of Wenkui in one’s home was already a rare treasure, and a plaque of Jingkui was even rarer.

This Jingkui plaque was given by Magistrate Wu Shen of Fuzhou to Lin Yin, who ranked fifth in the provincial examination of the year Jiajing. Lin Yin, the head of Lianjiang Academy, had retired over a decade ago. Every time Lin Liao saw this plaque, he felt an immense envy.

Below the Jingkui plaque, there were two lines of a couplet: “Traces of mountains and rivers are not mine, and the world is a borrowed cottage.” This couplet must be the origin of the name Jielu Hall.

The head of Lianjiang Academy, Lin Yin, was dressed in a silk robe and was writing at his desk.

Seeing Lin Liao, Lin Yin gestured for him to wait. Lin Liao did not dare to disturb him and stood quietly on the side.

After Lin Yin finished writing, Lin Liao handed him a wet towel and carefully examined the head’s work, praising it: “Warm clothes, fragrant roots, and the taste of poetry and books are long-lasting. This poem is not only profound but also full of the charm of the common people!”

Lin Yin washed his hands, removed his spectacles, and stroked his silver beard, smiling: “Everything has its principle, and the truth lies in the simplicity of life. We should seek knowledge through the investigation of things.”

“Head, you are absolutely right.”

Lin Yin waved his hand and smiled: “This is not a teacher-student dialogue, so there’s no need to be so formal. How are the disciples this time? Are there any worth cultivating?”

Lin Liao respectfully replied: “Head, the academy has admitted three new disciples this time.”

Head Lin Yin smiled and said: “Hold on, let me guess. From your expression, it seems you have a very promising disciple.”

Lin Liao smiled: “Head, you are insightful. Indeed, you can’t be fooled. Do you remember Ye Guishan?”

Head Lin Yin thought for a moment and said: “I remember. Guishan is his courtesy name, right? Wasn’t he your classmate at the prefectural school? In the first year of the Longqing era, when the emperor ascended the throne, he was selected as an imperial scholar and entered the Imperial Academy. He should now be a student at the Imperial Academy, preparing for the metropolitan examination in the capital.”

Lin Liao smiled: “Yes, Head, your memory is truly remarkable. In the fifth year of the Longqing era, when he passed the examination, he wrote to me asking for travel expenses, saying he would wait another three years and would not return home unless he passed the imperial examination.”

Head Lin Yin stroked his beard: “Guishan is indeed persistent.”

Lin Liao and Lin Yin, one a juren (scholar-official) and the other a tribute scholar, were not jinshi (imperial scholars). Ye Guishan’s persistence in pursuing the juren degree was truly admirable to both of them.

Lin Liao said: “I also said that, but I still lent him ten taels of silver. I wonder if it’s because Brother Liangshi looks up to me that he entrusted his eldest son to me for education.”

Head Lin Yin smiled: “Why do you belittle yourself? You are a tribute scholar of the Jiajing era, and your rank at the prefectural school was higher than his. You are more than qualified to teach his son!”

Lin Liao sighed: “That’s true, but his son is truly exceptional. Look at this couplet he wrote at the age of eight!”

Head Lin Yin squinted his eyes, as he was old and held the paper closer. He tapped the table and recited: “The day seems long when one is idle, and the night seems endless when one is asleep.”

After finishing, Lin Yin closed his eyes and continued to tap his fingers: “This poem is fresh and elegant, with profound meaning. Was it really written by him at the age of eight?”

“Yes, Head.”

Head Lin Yin’s smile faded, and he asked seriously: “How is his study of the classics?”

“This is what I wanted to discuss. Please take a look.”

Head Lin Yin read a few of the essays and asked in surprise: “How old is this boy?”

“Fourteen.”

“Who taught him?”

“No one else, just his father.”

“Remarkable, truly remarkable.”

“This boy is a prodigy. I fear I am not capable of teaching him. Should we promote him to the inner hall, and have you personally guide him?”

Head Lin Yin was silent for a moment and said regretfully: “No, we cannot break the rules of the academy. Moreover, early success is not always a good thing. We need to hold him back a bit. If he ranks at the top in the quarterly examination three months from now and is promoted to the inner hall, I will personally teach him.”

Then, Lin Yin roughly looked at the essays of the other two students. He was indifferent to one, but paused when he saw the other and asked in surprise: “How can Lin Yanzhao, with such a poor foundation in the classics, be qualified to enter the academy?”

Lin Liao hurriedly explained: “Head, let me explain. This student...”

After listening for a while, Lin Yin’s expression softened: “I see. I understand. Do you know Lin Chengyi, the top scholar in this year’s examination?”

“Of course. Our Lin family hasn’t had a top scholar in nearly ten years. The two Secretaries of State have high regard for Lin Chengyi. I heard that a few days ago, the old Secretary of State praised Lin Chengyi as a thousand-mile horse of our family during a banquet with the Magistrate. He has never praised any other family member like this except for the young Secretary of State.”

“Yes, I heard that Lin Yanzhao is Lin Chengyi’s student. If it weren’t for his words, the inspector would not have appreciated Lin Chengyi, not only allowing him to take the examination but also making him the top scholar.”

“Is that so? It’s impressive that a child could persuade the inspector, and even more remarkable is his gratitude. I truly envy Lin Chengyi for having such a good disciple.” Lin Liao couldn’t help but sigh.

“Now, this person is under your tutelage. You need to take good care of him, and not let down the old Secretary of State’s expectations.”

Lin Liao immediately replied: “Yes, Head. I will strictly require this student and cultivate him into a capable person.”

Lin Yanzhao followed the hall master to the book tower of Lianjiang Academy.

The academy, an ancient institution, was a place surrounded by walls for storing books. In ancient times, knowledge was hard to come by, and books were rare. Therefore, scholars built libraries to store books, which were lent to those who were eager to learn, gradually forming academies.

An academy like Lianjiang, with a thousand years of history, naturally had an extensive collection of books.

The book tower was a small building, with one person responsible for copying and revising books, one for printing, and two for managing the books. The person who copied and revised books was responsible for transcribing and editing, the one for printing was in charge of printing and publishing, and the two for managing the books were like librarians.

There were already two students with large and small luggage waiting there.

The two students bowed to the hall master and Lin Yanzhao, and Lin Yanzhao returned the bow.

The hall master said to the book manager: “These are the new students admitted by the academy. Please check them in.”

Then, the hall master said to Lin Yanzhao and the other two: “After you receive your books, move your luggage to the dormitory.”

“Yes.”

After saying this, the hall master left.

Lin Yanzhao waited for his books, while the other two students took shelter from the rain under the eaves.

At this moment, one of the students approached Lin Yanzhao and introduced himself, smiling: “Brother, I am Chen Wencai. Nice to meet you.”

This student had a smiling face and a somewhat worldly air. Lin Yanzhao also clasped his hands and said: “Originally, I am Chen Brother. I am Lin Yanzhao from Hongtang. Nice to meet you!”

After saying this, he glanced at the other person, who exuded a cold and aloof aura.

Chen Wencai introduced: “This is Ye Brother. The three of us entered the academy together, so we are ‘fellow students.’ We should look out for each other.” The three of them smiled in agreement.

“Do you want to receive your books?” the book manager asked impatiently.

“Yes.” The three hurried to the book tower.

“Each of you will receive a set of the Four Books and their annotations. Do not damage or deface them, and return them to the academy at the end of the year. You will also receive a plaque of the academy, which allows you to enter and exit freely. You will get a mat, and each month you can receive a bundle of bamboo paper and a cake of ink. You can borrow as many books as you want from the book tower, but no more than three at a time. If there are no questions, sign here.”

Lin Yanzhao was pleased to hear that the academy provided paper and ink, but the unlimited borrowing of books was the real benefit for him, a book lover. From now on, he could read as much as he wanted.

The three of them, carrying their luggage in the light rain, followed the hall master to their assigned dormitory.

The dormitory in the academy had an uncertain number of people, as they slept on a large communal bed. Whether it was a few or a dozen people, they could sleep in a row, and the number could be adjusted.

There were already five people living there. When Lin Yanzhao and the other two arrived, the other students also came forward.

Chen Wencai introduced himself first: “I am Chen Wencai, from Tangmen in the provincial capital. My father runs a bathhouse near the city gate. If any of you want to take a bath, I can treat you anytime!”

Scholars often looked down on merchants, but Chen Wencai’s words made everyone laugh and feel good about him. They all said: “We will definitely visit you in the provincial capital when we take the examination!”

True to his merchant background, Chen Wencai was very smooth. Lin Yanzhao smiled and said to everyone: “I am Lin Yanzhao from Hongtang. Nice to meet you all.”

From Lin Yanzhao’s attire, it was clear he came from a poor family, but his demeanor was steady and dignified, so no one dared to look down on him. They all returned his bow and said: “Nice to meet you.”

Finally, it was the turn of the student surnamed Ye. He only nodded slightly and said: “I am Ye Xianggao.”

The page turns to an advertisement.

The page turns from the advertisement.