Chapter Fifty-Two: The Boy with the Blank Exam Paper

No matter how other students felt, Su Lu was certainly amazed. Mr. Zhang’s words, so powerful and stirring, swept away all his disdain for the eight-legged essay!

Indeed, some people fancy themselves highly capable, yet after years of diligent study, they cannot conquer even one "mechanical and rigid" essay. How great could their abilities truly be? That is a question worth pondering.

There is a saying—strong people never complain about their circumstances. Since the eight-legged essay is the requirement for the exam, then one should train themselves, write an excellent essay, and stand out from the crowd!

For a moment, Su Lu’s heart surged with ambition, as if he were rowing against the current, eager to see who would rule the tides—yet all too soon, a bucket of cold water was poured over his head...

After the break, Mr. Zhang set a "very simple topic"—"Filial piety and brotherly respect are the foundation of benevolence," and asked the students to attempt a 'topic opening', with the following requirements:

"Just two sentences, clearly stating the relationship between 'filial piety and brotherly respect' and 'the foundation of benevolence', in accordance with Zhu Xi’s commentary, without adding any personal interpretation."

For most students, this was not difficult; even Su Dan knew a bit, but Su Lu was completely lost. What was a 'topic opening'? How did one do it? He had no idea...

In truth, one could force out two sentences, but Su Lu believed it meaningless to write blindly, so he handed in a blank paper.

~~

So after school, it was no surprise that he was kept behind...

Under the mocking glances of San Wan and the others, Su Lu followed the teacher into the small preparation room.

Mr. Zhang pointed at his blank paper, asking, "How do you explain this?"

"Teacher, I don't know how," Su Lu replied honestly. "I don’t know what a 'topic opening' is, so I dared not write anything."

"What, you don’t know?" Mr. Zhang was incredulous. "Though I’m only teaching topic opening tomorrow, haven’t you at least seen how it’s done? You’ve studied for years—how could you not know such basic things?"

"Teacher, I never attended elementary school," Su Lu said with a wry smile. "I truly don’t understand what a topic opening is."

"Impossible. I can’t be mistaken! The scholarly air about you is the strongest in the whole class," Mr. Zhang insisted.

"Teacher means I look most like a bookworm?" Su Lu couldn’t help but smile wryly.

"No, it’s the unique temperament that comes from long companionship with books—a clarity within, a gentleness without," Mr. Zhang took off his glasses, studying Su Lu. "It’s what they call 'when books fill the belly, their aura shines forth.' But how can you be so ignorant?"

Su Lu blushed. "Teacher, you flatter me. I’m only fourteen, started reading late, perhaps I’m a bit dull, which gave you the wrong impression."

"Strange. Has my skill at judging people failed me?" Mr. Zhang shook his head, puzzled.

"Teacher, whatever the reason, this is my situation," Su Lu bowed deeply. "Please teach me how I might catch up."

"You won’t be able to, the exam is in two months—how can you possibly accumulate enough skill?" Mr. Zhang sighed, unable to help.

"Teacher, I believe where there’s a will, there’s a way. As long as hope isn’t completely lost, I won’t give up!" Su Lu bowed deeply again, his tone earnest. "I also ask that you not give up on me."

Mr. Zhang again sensed that warm and gentle yet thunderous scholarly air; besides, as a teacher, how could he give up on a student eager to learn on the very first day?

"Alright, then. I’ll do my best to teach you. How much you learn depends on your own insight," Zhang Yanqiu sighed, rummaged through the desk, picked up a thick blue-bound book, and handed it to Su Lu:

"This 'Standards of Learning' from the Southern Song is focused on topic opening. The opening volume, 'Discussions,' collects the great scholars’ insights on the subject, and when it was reprinted in the fifth year of Chenghua, it added the writings of our own dynasty’s essayists. Read it carefully tonight, so tomorrow you won’t be completely lost in class."

"Thank you, Teacher." Su Lu took the book, bowing deeply for the umpteenth time. "I’ll make up these basic lessons as quickly as possible."

---

"Actually, the whole essay is only a few hundred words. If you break it down, the rules are just those few," Zhang Yanqiu sighed again. "Knowing how to write the eight-legged essay is easy; writing a good one is exceedingly difficult."

"Step by step—ten days for a slow horse, but progress lies in perseverance," Su Lu replied calmly. "Teacher, just tell me how to improve, and I’ll do my utmost."

"Alright." Mr. Zhang nodded. "The method is simple—four words: memorize and practice."

"What should I memorize?" asked Su Lu.

"Model essays, notable drafts, and manuscripts from famous scholars—all of which are in the academy’s library. You can borrow them. As the saying goes, 'Read a thousand ancient poems, and even if you don’t know how to compose, you’ll know how to recite.' Once you’ve memorized a thousand model essays, you’ll naturally be able to imitate and learn, until you create your own work."

"As for practice, it’s simply writing more. But don’t start with full essays; that’s too difficult and won’t develop your skill. Begin with 'topic opening'—just two sentences, explaining the main idea. It sounds simple, but it’s the linchpin of the whole essay, with the highest standard."

"Once your topic opening passes muster, try 'topic continuation'—about three to five sentences, bridging the opening and the main body, laying out the essay."

"When your topic continuation is up to standard, learn to write the 'introduction'—about ten sentences, where you start 'entering the topic,’ explaining the theme using the sages’ words."

"From topic opening to introduction is collectively called the 'head section,' the essay’s preface. You can practice them together to achieve fluency."

"Once your head section is solid, then attempt a full essay. We can discuss full essay composition later. In short, start simple and gradually work toward complexity—it’s a good way to learn composition. When you master the eight-legged essay, you can write anything you wish—poetry, prose, all will be sharp and vivid. If your eight-legged essay is lacking, no matter what you write, it’s just wild fox Zen, outside the proper path."

"Yes, Teacher. I’ll remember your advice." Su Lu bowed a third time, clutching 'Standards of Learning,' and left the preparation room.

It was still early for dinner. In the lecture hall, many boarding students stayed in their seats to finish the homework while it was still light.

Seeing Su Lu return, Bucktooth Cheng Wan Fan laughed, "On the first day of school, you were kept behind twice by the teacher—truly remarkable."

Cheng Wan Zhou, effeminate, snorted, "You’ve really disgraced Erlangtan."

"Better to drop out early and spare yourself the suffering," pockmarked Cheng Wan Tang said coldly. "Keep selling your sweet drinks—you’ll have a bright future."

"You do know a lot, don’t you?" Su Lu wasn’t angry, just smiled. "The shopkeeper’s wife is your aunt, isn’t she? She’s gone through so much trouble—how come you never showed your face?"

"The Cheng family are all selfish," Chewing Jing had already packed Su Lu’s books.

Su Lu took the book box, slung it over his back, and said quietly, "Don’t say that—after all, my little aunt is a Cheng daughter too..."

A deadly retort!

"You!" The three Chengs flushed with anger. Last year’s marriage affair was their greatest humiliation, and Su Lu was rubbing salt in their wounds!

"Alright, alright, we’re classmates—no need to be so hostile," square-faced Ma Zhai Chang came in with a bucket and mop. "Out you go, time to clean the hall."

The Su brothers finally left the classroom.

~~

On the way home, Su Dan asked with concern, "What did the teacher want with you?"

"I didn’t know what a topic opening was, so he gave me some guidance," answered Su Lu.

"Ah, it’s been a tough day," Su Dan said wryly. "Honestly, I’m no better than you."

"Yes, compared to them, our foundation is much weaker," Su Lu nodded. "You’re a bit ahead—I was completely in the dark."

---

"I’m not much stronger, just read two more books," Su Dan replied. "I often consult the teacher at the clan school."

"Then we’ll just have to seize every moment and catch up!" Su Lu suggested. "The teacher said to write a good eight-legged essay, we need to memorize at least a thousand model texts! We can recite them on the way to and from school—only by gathering bit by bit can we fill our minds quickly!"

"Great idea!" Su Dan, ever a study enthusiast, exclaimed happily. "Reciting while walking is a clever memory technique, isn’t it?"

"Uh, sort of..." Su Lu laughed. "But it’s already late today—let’s hurry home and not keep the family waiting."

"Alright!" Su Dan nodded. They changed out of their new clothes, back into their old ones, and hurried toward home.

By the time they arrived, night had fallen.

Little Jinbao was waiting eagerly on the stilted house, and when he saw Su Lu coming up, he ran down cheering, "Third Brother’s home from school!"

Su Lu caught Jinbao firmly, and noticed a slightly older little girl standing nearby.

"Hello, Brother Qiu," she greeted—it was his fellow sweet drink vendor, He Tiantian. She was already ten, older than Jinbao.

"Tiantian’s here," Su Lu smiled. "Is your mother inside?"

"Yes, I came with her." Tiantian nodded, a bit shy after some days apart.

"Let’s go in," Su Lu said, carrying one sibling and leading another into the main room.

Inside, the fire pit was burning brightly, and the oil lamp lit up all four walls. The shopkeeper’s wife sat by the fire, chatting warmly with the old lady...

The rest of the family was there too, but none could get a word in.

Seeing Su Lu enter, the shopkeeper’s wife smiled, "My boy is home."

Su Lu knew at once why she was here, and bowed with a smile, "Greetings, Godmother."

Yes, the shopkeeper’s wife had come to formally adopt him as her godson.

After the Lantern Festival, Sweet Water Shop finally closed up. Two days ago, the shopkeeper’s wife returned from town, invited the creditors to her home, and paid off thirty percent of the debts up front, promising to clear the rest by year’s end.

The creditors had heard she made good money selling sweet drinks at the festival, and were surprised by the profits. They calculated that if she could pay off thirty percent in just one month, surely all the debts would be settled within half a year?

Besides, after the New Year, creditors are usually less urgent. With thirty percent paid, she showed she wasn’t defaulting, and they were reassured. So they all agreed to her terms, took the money happily, and went home.

The shopkeeper’s wife finally breathed easy—no more facing creditors every day. Having tidied herself up, she came to formally recognize her godson with a clear mind and spirit!

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