Chapter 71 Pine and Cypress Academy

"Sister Chang, where is your Fifth Aunt? I haven't seen her in so long."

Chang's smile froze, and her eyes darted away: "She got married. Her uncle found her a husband in Changzhou, and she married into a family there."

Li's eyes widened: "Oh my, you didn't say a word about something this big? We haven't even had a proper celebration yet!"

Madam Chang forced a smile: "We were in mourning, so we didn't have a big wedding. I wasn't feeling well during those days, so the wedding was arranged by the child's uncle."

Li complained, "Sister-in-law, look at you! You didn't even offer us a drink at your wedding!"

Chang laughed it off and went home first. The more he talked, the more mistakes he made. Changning, that child, sigh, at least he's a promising child.

Today, a letter arrived from Changning, which I asked to pass on to my family to Changping. Changping is currently studying at the academy, and his grades are indeed quite good. He passed the exam on his first try and is now in Class B. However, he can no longer be called Changping; he must be called Zhiyuan.

An error in the province's identity information affected the child's scientific expedition.

She didn't know what Changning was up to, but the letter instructed her to deliver it to her younger brother at the academy as soon as possible, stating that it concerned her brother's future.

Songbai Academy

Today's quiz is in progress. Lin Changping—no, it should be Chang Zhiyuan—is sitting upright in the classroom, sleeves rolled up, grinding ink. Today's test is on policy essays, and everyone is putting in their best effort.

There's no other reason than that the top student in each small test receives a reward, such as writing brushes, ink, paper, inkstones, or books and translations—all valuable items for the students studying here.

Songbai Academy was built during the reign of the late emperor. It was a famous academy for commoners, and outstanding students were recommended by various counties to enter. Every three years, a large-scale recruitment was held, which only admitted 300 students each time. The examination content included the Four Books and Five Classics, policy essays and practical skills, as well as mathematics, poetry and literature, and historical analysis.

The academy's grand examination served as a rehearsal for the imperial examinations, while also emphasizing students' independent thinking and daily accumulation of knowledge.

Once inside the academy, the standards became even stricter. There was a small exam every month, which could be on policy essays, analytical reasoning, or sometimes on poetry, prose, and mathematics. This was to ensure the balanced development of the students. If a student failed more than three times, he or she would be expelled. The teaching was known for its rigor, so the students who could enter naturally had a good foundation. However, even after entering the academy, they dared not slack off. Most of them were from poor families and knew how difficult it was to study. Therefore, which student who entered the academy did not study and take the exams with all his might, just to secure a future for himself?

Because of Songbai Academy's rigorous teaching and selection criteria, nearly one-fifth of those who passed the exams were students of the academy. The teachers and educators here were former officials or returned scholars. Candidates from several prefectures in the north were eager to get in, but unfortunately, the academy only accepted students under the age of thirty. Therefore, many candidates might take the exam for more than ten years without being admitted.

The academy provides a stipend of three taels of silver per year, and food and lodging are free. However, it does not provide students with essential items such as writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones. The academy even thoughtfully provides students with work-study positions such as copying books, cleaning the classroom, and sweeping the academy. As long as students are willing to do these jobs, the academy will provide them with a certain amount of money.

Of course, the money wasn't much, but it was enough to support the students.

Chang Zhiyuan wrote a policy essay smoothly and fluently. After putting away his pen, he checked it again to make sure the answer was correct and the paper was clean. Then he got up, picked up the paper, walked to the classroom, held the paper, bowed respectfully to the teacher, and said, "Master, I have finished answering. Please review it."

The old man with a white beard sitting in the hall reached out and took the paper. He nodded as he looked at the neat paper and the elegant calligraphy: "Zhiyuan's handwriting has improved a lot."

After saying that, he carefully reviewed the paper. After reading it through once, he nodded unconsciously: "Not bad, you have learned very well from what I have been taught recently."

Chang Zhiyuan bowed and said, "If there is nothing else, I will take my leave to clean the courtyard."

The old man nodded and waved for him to leave first. He only looked away after the boy left the school. This boy was one of the students admitted to the class this year. He had a poor foundation, was not good at poetry and prose, and was terrible at math and science. However, this boy had a photographic memory and remembered everything he saw. He was intelligent and quick to understand. The headmaster was so happy that he couldn't sleep well for three or four days after the boy entered the academy. He said that the academy would produce another top three student in a few years.

After teaching him for a few months, I've pretty much figured him out. This kid went all the way from Class D to Class B. He's exceptionally talented, studies diligently and assiduously, but his foundation is too weak. I guess it's because he was delayed in the countryside before. Fortunately, his foundation is fairly solid, and he's quite clever, so he's progressing very quickly. This has made many of the students in their twenties in the class quite anxious. But this is a good thing. A bunch of them have been stuck in Class B for three years. That's impressive! If they don't pass the exam for the special class, I'll kick them all out!

As soon as Chang Zhiyuan left the courtyard, he looked around for a broom. He had taken on a work-study job at the academy, cleaning the courtyard and classroom of Class B every day after class. He was paid sixty coins a month, which was just enough if he used paper sparingly, and he could save up some money.

His second brother is currently recovering from leg injuries, and his older sister has joined the army in his place. His mother told him that his sister has been injured several times, which really worries him.

His mother gave him a lot of money, but he always thought about saving as much as possible to save money for his second brother to heal his leg and to save up a dowry for his sister. If his sister wanted to get married in the future, he would give her more money to rely on. If no one wanted his sister, he would save even more money so that he could support her in the future.

And then there's my uncle, who went to great lengths to bribe people at all levels to get my household registration sorted out; I deserve to be thanked for it.

After the students handed in their papers and left, Chang Zhiyuan greeted them and then returned to the school.

Most of the students had left, except for one who was fast asleep on his desk, drooling all over the book.

This person was named He Sheng. He was the one who handed in his paper before him. The two were also roommates. He Sheng's family was in business. He was quick-witted and could often think of new ideas. However, he was a bit lazy. The teacher looked at He Sheng, who was fast asleep, shook his head, and waved to Chang Zhiyuan.

As Chang Zhiyuan approached, the teacher took out a handful of peanuts from his sleeve and stuffed them into Chang Zhiyuan's hand: "Take these and eat them. Go back early after you finish your work. I will check your homework tomorrow, so don't let it interfere with your studies."

Chang Zhiyuan took the peanuts, a shy smile playing on his lips: "Thank you, Master."

The old man pointed at He Sheng: "If only he were half as steady as you! Go and wake him up."

Chang Zhiyuan nodded, bowed to see the teacher out the door, then turned around, put away the peanuts, and quietly cleaned the school. After he finished, he gently patted He Sheng.

He Sheng turned his face away, a red mark on his rosy lips, white teeth, ears, and face, mumbled something, and went back to sleep.

Chang Zhiyuan sighed. His classmate was good in every way, except that he was too sleepy.

He Sheng was shaken a few times before he finally sat up, still groggy. He saw Chang Zhiyuan in front of him, wearing a light blue scholar's robe, and asked, "Ah, are you done with the exam?"

Chang Zhiyuan smiled and said, "He Sheng, the exam is over. I've already cleaned up the school. Don't sleep anymore, eat something and go back."

He Sheng subconsciously wiped away his drool, then focused his gaze and said, "Wow, you swept so fast today?"

Chang Zhiyuan said helplessly, "You slept too long. Go back and eat something. You still have classes tonight."

He Sheng stood up and nodded: "Okay, Zhiyuan, can you write one for me tonight? Same as always, ten coins. You know me, I get sleepy easily."

Chang Zhiyuan smiled and said, "Sure, would you like some peanuts? The teacher gave them to me."

He Sheng stretched his limbs and nodded: "Thank you, thanks to you, I can still eat the things the teacher gave me."

The two walked to the dining hall and were about to enter when suddenly a man shouted from behind them.

"Chang Zhiyuan, a letter has arrived from home. Come and get it!"