Chapter 103: The County Magistrate Is Coming
This time, fifteen classmates received half a point each, and among them, five were eliminated due to insufficient scores...
Once again, in Su Lu’s class, fortunately, no one was eliminated. Meanwhile, the unlucky Duxing Study Hall lost three students, leaving only nine—less than half of their original enrollment. If this continued for another couple of rounds, they would have no choice but to shut down for good.
Mingzhi Study Hall had also seen seven students eliminated. It was said that the head and deputy head were already considering merging the two halls into one.
This news distressed the teachers of the two halls greatly. After school that day, they approached Zhang Yanqiu together, seeking his secret to success.
“Brother Mo Lin, we were once equals in teaching skills, so why are our results so vastly different this year?” Mr. Qiu from Duxing Study Hall clasped his hands in earnest, pleading, “Please enlighten your humble brother.”
“Yes, brother, please lend us a hand,” Mr. Feng, with only thirteen students left, added more reservedly.
“To be honest, I don’t have any real secret,” Zhang Yanqiu shrugged. “I was just lucky to have good students.”
“Brother Mo Lin, that’s not right. When classes were first divided, Shengshen Hall got the worst batch. You were even behind us after the first monthly exam,” Mr. Qiu insisted.
“That’s true. From the second monthly exam onward, your scores have shot up like sesame flowers blooming one after another, and everyone is improving,” Mr. Feng nodded. “You must have discovered some trick!”
“Really, I haven’t,” Zhang firmly denied.
“If Brother Mo Lin won’t help, then I’ll take my leave.” Mr. Qiu bowed and left dejectedly.
“I can understand...” Mr. Feng also bowed and followed him away.
Zhang Yanqiu rubbed his nose in frustration, wondering how they would curse him behind his back once they returned.
In truth, he knew the class’s collective progress was thanks to his extraordinary assistant—Su Lu—who always pinpointed classmates’ problems with precision and guided them on how to improve.
Moreover, Su Lu’s grasp of the classics was remarkably accurate and insightful, allowing him to clearly explain the core ideas to others.
The boy seemed to possess a rare talent for finding the right answers amid chaos, making even Zhang feel inferior. After many discussions, Zhang realized it was because Su Lu could see the big picture and understand the profound meanings hidden in the Four Books.
But Zhang couldn’t reveal Su Lu’s contribution to his colleagues—not out of secrecy, but to avoid burdening Su Lu unnecessarily.
Though the boy was eager to teach others, that was his own initiative; Zhang didn’t want to bring him any trouble.
‘The moment class ends, the others swarm him with questions. The poor boy must be overwhelmed,’ Zhang thought with sympathy, sighing softly. ‘When will he learn to say no?’
~~
At this moment, Su Lu was overjoyed because he had just received his stipend from the administration office.
Since it was the half-yearly exam, the bonus was doubled. Chief Supervisor Chen handed him a silver tael with a smile: “You’re lucky, kid. Winning first place the first time and getting a big prize, that’s better than the last two months.”
“Yes, yes,” Su Lu happily pocketed the silver and bowed in thanks. “It’s all thanks to the supervisor’s kind words last time.”
The big dog was momentarily stunned, then recalled he had told Su Lu that if he kept improving, he’d earn more money for every rank he advanced. His smile grew warmer: “Well, I can only wish you to keep it up, because you can’t move up any further now, haha.”
“Thank you for your kind wishes, supervisor,” Su Lu bowed again before taking his leave under the supervisor’s affectionate gaze.
On the way to the Southern Hall, he silently calculated that with the previous two bonuses, he had already earned 1,250 copper coins in stipends. If he persisted, he might just earn back his tuition.
“Manage your expression,” Zhu Zihe’s voice came as soon as Su Lu entered the Qingxin Gate. Seeing Su Lu’s uncontrollable smile, he snorted, “You’re that happy just because you beat me once?”
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Su Lu thought, what nonsense is this? But he didn’t dislike Zhu at all; in fact, he found the boy rather endearing. He smiled and asked, “Are you waiting for me, Zhu classmate?”
“Not a chance!” Zhu Zihe rolled his eyes. “My uncle is talking with Mr. Niu.”
“Oh.” Su Lu stopped teasing and waited with him in the corridor for Old Niu to come out.
After a moment of silence, Zhu couldn’t help but ask, “How’s your homework going?”
“So-so,” Su Lu forced a smile. “At our age, what do we know about the rise and fall of nations? It’s all nonsense anyway.”
They were referring to the famous-piece imitation assignments given by Zhu Liu every three days.
For months, Zhu Liu had them writing from the Tang and Song Dynasties back to the Pre-Qin era, progressing from simple essays like “On the Love of Lotus” and “Inscription on the Humble Room” to medium-difficulty pieces such as “Record of the Drunken Pavilion” and “Record of Yueyang Tower,” and recently challenging them with highly difficult political essays.
For example, the assignment three days ago was to imitate “The Critique of Qin,” composing their own “Critique of Song,” analyzing the reasons for the Song Dynasty’s fall.
This had moved beyond literary writing into political commentary. As the headmaster had said,
“I know it’s hard for your age, but we study not just for petty personal gains but to govern the country and bring peace. So settle down and read history carefully, summarizing the successes and failures of the dynasties.”
After class, Su Lu took a special note from the headmaster and borrowed a full set of the “Continued Comprehensive Mirror to Aid in Government” from the library.
He had even asked the headmaster why not borrow the “History of Song.”
The headmaster sneered, “You think you can finish it?”
“I can,” Su Lu replied.
He had professional training; his reading speed allowed him to grasp the gist at ten lines a glance and then focus on key biographies and events.
This was enough for studying history, as its threads often centered on a few people and incidents.
Zhu Liu rolled his eyes but knew Su Lu wasn’t boasting, so he muttered, “Even if you can finish it, there’s no need. If you have time, try the ‘Song Literary Mirror’ and ‘Collection of the Three Dynasties’ instead.”
Su Lu searched the library for half an hour before realizing those two sets were not even in the collection.
What a rip-off!
~~
The “Continued Comprehensive Mirror to Aid in Government,” full title “Continued Long Compilation of the Comprehensive Mirror to Aid in Government,” was a chronologically arranged history following the format of the “Comprehensive Mirror,” covering 168 years of nine Northern Song reigns. The academy only had part of it, but it was already over 300 volumes.
Even just skimming the key parts made Su Lu’s head spin, but he racked his brains and finally composed his “Critique of Song.”
Today was the day to submit homework...
Hearing Su Lu say his “Critique of Song” was nonsense, Zhu Zihe was delighted and modestly smiled, “Though you beat me in formulaic writing, it seems you still can’t match me in historical prose and political essays!”
“Of course, Brother Zhu, your family background and extensive reading put you miles ahead. I only started reading history three days ago,” Su Lu recalled Li Qiyu’s teasing “giant baby” comment and chuckled inwardly.
“It’s good that you know your limits,” Zhu Zihe beamed, suddenly free of his day’s gloom. “If you humbly seek guidance, I can teach you a thing or two—of course, when I’m not busy.”
“Agreed,” Su Lu smiled back.
“I’m free right now...” Zhu Zihe’s expression begged, “Please ask me.”
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Unable to disappoint the boy’s enthusiasm, Su Lu asked him several questions like “The route of the Gaoliang River cart deity’s procession” and “The authenticity of the ‘Xiling’s Journey with Empress Dowager Xiao Zhou’ painting.” Zhu Zihe answered seriously, not dismissing the queries as boring.
They talked for a while before Mr. Niu finally emerged from the headmaster’s study. Seeing the two, he nodded and patted Su Lu’s shoulder: “Keep working hard. I’m rooting for you.”
With that, he left, leaving Su Lu puzzled.
Zhu Zihe snorted unhappily and went straight into the study to complain to Zhu Liu: “Why did they have to talk so long? We waited forever.”
“Mr. Niu is taking leave to go to the provincial capital for the imperial examination. If he passes, he’ll take part in the autumn exam in August. After the results, the earliest return would be October,” Zhu Liu said, troubled.
“If he asks for a long leave, who will cover his duties for three months?”
“Then don’t approve his leave,” Zhu Zihe said.
“That won’t do. Cutting off someone’s future is like killing their parents,” Zhu Liu shook his head firmly. “Even if a county school instructor or provincial professor wants to take the capital exam, officials can’t stop them. Besides, we’re a private academy; we can’t hold anyone back.”
“Uncle, are you going to take the capital exam this time?” The unlucky Zhu Zihe treated Su Lu like one of their own.
“I had decided not to take it anymore, to focus on teaching peacefully in the next life,” Zhu Liu said without hiding anything, sipping tea. “But thanks to Su Lu, my writing has improved a lot this half-year, and now I’m a bit tempted.”
“If you’re tempted, just go,” Zhu Zihe said.
“Easier said than done. The preparations have just started. If I fail, it’s fine—I’ll be back in a few months. But if I pass, who will take over? What if the person entrusted is unworthy and harms the academy’s students?” Zhu Liu sighed.
“These are all things to carefully consider.”
“Uncle, you’re always so confident,” Zhu Zihe whispered.
“Hm?” Zhu Liu glared at him, and Zhu Zihe quickly shrank back.
“I have my plans. You don’t need to worry.” He looked at Su Lu again. “Next month, the county magistrate of Hejiang, Lu Zhaoye, will inspect our academy. You all must perform well.”
“Yes,” Su Lu replied, his heart skipping a beat—wasn’t this the very obstacle on his father’s path to the imperial exams?
“He’s quite dedicated, traveling so far to inspect,” Zhu Zihe scoffed, lacking respect for Magistrate Lu. “More trouble and expense.”
“Adjust your attitude. I’m planning to let you take the county-level exam in Hejiang!” Zhu Liu said sternly.
“Yes.” Upon hearing that Magistrate Lu was the exam official, Zhu Zihe immediately straightened up.
To ensure Su Lu understood, Zhu Liu explained plainly: “The magistrate oversees the academy, but the military garrison’s academy isn’t under his jurisdiction. His inspection has only one purpose—to see if we have any promising talents here!”
P.S. This is the fourth update of the day, can’t remember which day exactly, but it’s all about the passion. Everyone has pushed ‘The Top Scholar’ to second place in historical bestsellers. I’ll keep burning for you all! Please support with monthly votes and subscriptions!