Chapter 39: Almost Activated "Father Energy". ...

Fusu was startled.

How did Senior Brother Fan find out?

Did the news spread that fast?

"Brother Fan, how did you know? Did the news spread so fast?" Su Shi asked curiously, while moving his plate to the other side.

Fan Chunren also sat down next to him: "How could it not be fast? You don't know, the story of the three-year-old prodigy reciting the entire 'Great Learning' from the Book of Rites in one breath has even reached our Zhishizhai."

"But I just finished memorizing it!" Fusu looked bewildered.

Su Shi: "It's precisely because you memorized it that it spread so quickly!"

Don't they realize how remarkable this is? A three-year-old who can compose poetry on the spot and recite texts fluently—is there anything this child prodigy Zhao can't do?

While the students of Zhishizhai were collectively amazed, Fan Chunren felt something was amiss. His classmates all assumed that the child prodigy was simply showing off in public. However, Fan Chunren had met Fusu the previous night and had a very good impression of him. He could tell at a glance that although this junior brother was famous, he was actually quite reserved and never thought he was anything special.

Why would he deliberately try to show off?

That is impossible.

Since it wasn't Zhao Xiaolang's initiative, then it must be... Mr. Wang's problem. It was Mr. Wang who actively asked him to do something clearly beyond his capabilities. Fortunately, Zhao Xiaolang's abilities far exceed his age. Otherwise, what would have awaited him?

Fan Chunren thought to himself with a serious expression.

Su Shi keenly noticed Fan Chunren's sudden change in expression. The dog crept forward and whispered, "Senior Brother Fan, do you know something? Tell us!"

Fusu also quietly pricked up his ears.

Currently, he has two guesses: either it's because his surname is Zhao, and the fact that a member of the imperial clan was exceptionally allowed to study in the Imperial Academy would naturally displease scholars; or... it's related to his previous conflicts with Zhang Jifu and Zhang Xiuyuan.

By the way, given Zhang Jifu's level of literacy, he must have been just loafing around in the Classics Study. He was far from being able to advance to the Administration Study, which focused on mastering the classics and specializing in policy essays. In other words, Mr. Fusu was Zhang Jifu's teacher in the past? That makes sense now. It would be easy for the Zhang family to use his teacher's connections to trip him up.

I just don't know which one it is.

Fan Chunren pretended not to hear: "Perhaps the master is eager to test you so that you will be humble and not arrogant. Of course, you don't have to accept everything, and don't let others affect your desire to learn."

Su Shi and Fu Su exchanged a glance: Sigh, they've been fooled like children again.

Fusu was extremely frustrated: he only looked like a three-year-old, but he was not a child at all.

He could understand Fan Chunren's good intentions: in ancient times, there was a hierarchy of "Heaven, Earth, Ruler, Parents, and Teacher," with the teacher holding a very high position. If a student had a conflict with their teacher and gained a bad reputation, their future would be extremely difficult.

Moreover, the late king had only asked him to recite the "Great Learning" chapter of the Book of Rites; he hadn't done anything more egregious, so it wasn't appropriate to condemn him so easily. As for ordinary, minor tests, Fusu's displayed talent was more than enough to handle them easily.

Fan Chunren did indeed think that way.

But Fusu only wanted to know the truth. He couldn't possibly be targeted for no reason without knowing where the malice came from, could he? He was here to reform the Imperial Academy, not to suffer and be a pitiful victim.

One wanted to ask, but the other refused to answer. Just as Fusu was considering whether to use his tried-and-true method of coquetry, Zeng Gong and Li Guanlan suddenly appeared from behind and greeted them: "Senior Brother Fan, Young Master Zhao... This must be Young Master Su, right? I've heard so much about you."

Su Shi seemed very pleased: "I didn't expect that my fellow students at Zhishizhai would recognize me!"

"Of course, you and Zhao Xiaolang are both prominent figures at the Imperial Academy, so it's no wonder we know each other."

After Zeng Gong and Li Guanlan finished introducing themselves, their eyes both lingered on Fusu's small figure, as if they were looking at some rare and protected animal. The latter had a bad feeling, and sure enough, he asked, "I heard you can already recite the *Book of Rites*, young man? Is that true?"

"Even you all know!"

"No! It's fake!"

Two voices rang out simultaneously. Taking advantage of Su Shi's momentary daze, Fusu quickly cleared his name: "A single volume of the Book of Rites has a full 100,000 characters; how could I possibly memorize it so quickly?"

Li Guanlan: "I knew it! Those idle people really love to spread rumors. Three men can make a tiger, Zigu, you're right..."

Fan Chunren suddenly spoke up: "But Zhao Xiaolang really can recite the entire Great Learning from memory."

Su Shi seized the opportunity to add insult to injury: "Not only that, I went to the young man's residence yesterday, and the Book of Rites on his table was spread out more than halfway. I secretly glanced at it, and it seems he has memorized up to... the 'Li Yun' chapter?"

Li Guanlan gasped.

Fusu: "..."

That's enough! Are you two performing a comedy routine together?!

Zeng Gong, however, seemed to be deep in thought. Clearly, he had also noticed the same problem as Fan Chunren.

However, he was a poor student who was specially recruited into the Imperial Academy. He had no connections and it was even more difficult for him to interfere in the internal affairs of the Imperial Academy. So he could only jokingly remind him: "Young Master Zhao can recite the entire Book of Rites at the age of three. I'm afraid it won't be long before he is promoted to our Zhishizhai."

Fusu's dark eyes suddenly lit up.

Is "shangzhai" (升斋) the same as "skipping a grade" (跳级)?

Li Guanlan exclaimed exaggeratedly, "Shengzhai? Young Master Zhao, at least leave some room for the other child prodigies to shine!"

The others immediately burst into laughter.

However, they could all tell that Fusu felt embarrassed when others praised him, so they considerately changed the subject to the food in their hands. Fan Chunren put down his chopsticks and couldn't help but sigh, "Having tasted the night market at Xiangguo Temple, seeing the dining hall again, I also feel that 'it's hard to go from luxury to frugality'!"

He understood the other sons of officials to some extent. While Yan Hui certainly found joy in simple food and drink, Confucius had three thousand disciples, yet only one Yan Hui emerged, didn't he?

Li Guanlan asked in surprise, "Brother Fan, you actually went to the Xiangguo Temple night market one day?"

Fan Chunren, son of Fan Zhongyan, a high-ranking official of the first rank, lived a life of austerity like an ascetic. He not only refused to associate with the sons of other officials, but also befriended impoverished students. This was well-known throughout the Imperial Academy.

Fan Chunren glanced at Fusu and Su Shi, who were dressed as quails: "I just went for a stroll because I felt like it."

He didn't mention a word about how popular the two were at the night market. Fan Chunren didn't care about being a merchant or a lowly servant: they were just children, why bother with so many formalities? But he couldn't be sure that others thought the same way.

He suddenly remembered something: "By the way, Zigu and Guanlan, in a few days, a 'Dietary Improvement Committee' will be established in the prison. If you are interested, you can participate."

Su Shi: "I want to participate! Zhao Xiaolang too."

Fusu rarely took the initiative to recruit them: "If Brother Zibu and Brother Guanlan could also come, the food in the dining hall will be much better in no time!"

"Oh?" Zeng Gong had a sudden thought: "Since you all have spoken, then I have no choice but to respectfully comply."

“Count me in too,” Li Guanlan said.

Zeng Gong, a future member of the Eight Great Masters of the Tang and Song Dynasties, is certainly a reliable candidate. As his friend, Li Guanlan is naturally no less capable. Although the committee chairman insists on having children of officials, some members from impoverished backgrounds must also be included; otherwise, the committee would lack representativeness. Therefore, the more reliable people included, the better.

The group agreed on the terms of service, hastily finished their barely edible meal, and then dispersed. After leaving the dining hall, Su Shi secretly pulled Fusu aside and whispered in his ear, "Hey, do you really want that?"

Fusu: "...?"

What?

"That's the one, Shengzhai!"

Fu Su was taken aback: "You figured it out?" Then he thought about it and realized that it would be normal for Su Shi to figure it out.

"It couldn't be more obvious, could it?"

Su Shi muttered to himself, "Are you really going? If so, I'll go with you. Jingyizhai is so boring every day, it's much more interesting to stay with Brother Fan and Brother Zeng."

The discovery that his superior was also a wicked person shattered his illusions and left him extremely disappointed.

"and……"

Su Shi winked and said, "I entered prison at the age of seven, and I was in the limelight for quite a while before you. I can't fall behind, right?"

Fusu: "Aren't you afraid people will hate you?"

Just as Li Guanlan said, their two are so outstanding that they leave no room for other child prodigies.

In the past, it was considered quite remarkable for a seven-year-old child to be able to recite the Three Hundred Poems, the Hundred Family Surnames, and the Thousand Character Classic. Now, the standard has been raised to the Book of Rites, and they also have to be able to write poetry.

This is absolutely outrageous!

Su Shi: "How could that be? You're only three years old. If anyone should hate someone, it should hate you first!"

Fusu: "..."

There was nothing more to say.

Child prodigies of the Song Dynasty, I am sorry.

"Besides, only mediocre people aren't envied... Hey, hey, hey, Zhao Xiaolang, where are you going?"

Fusu walked away without looking back: "I'll find a way to avoid being envied and retaliated against."

Don't forget to let me know when you find it!

"……puff."

Although Fusu didn't turn around, Bai Nuonuo couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Although he wasn't really looking for a solution, he was close. His destination was the only remaining connection he had with the Imperial Academy, to inquire about the true identity of this Mr. Wang.

-

Mei Yaochen looked at Fusu with a strange gaze upon seeing him. Just as he was about to say something, Fusu decisively interrupted his spellcasting.

“Mr. Mei, I haven’t memorized the entire Book of Rites, I’ve only memorized the chapter on the Great Learning. The Book of Rites is so long, how could I possibly memorize it all in one class period?”

Mei Yaochen, caught off guard, hesitated before speaking: "..."

He glared at the feigning innocence of Fusu: "What do you want from me? Surely it wasn't just to clear things up!"

"That's really true." Fusu sighed, cupping his face in his hands.

The rumors at the Imperial Academy spread incredibly fast. He had just finished memorizing his lessons in the morning when his classmates from another dormitory asked him about it at noon, and by the afternoon even his teacher knew about it.

"If it were true, that would be fine, but since it's all just rumors, it's really alarming. The students know their own capabilities better than anyone else."

With Fusu's words and his large, wet, dark eyes, what could Mei Yaochen not understand? He was asking Fusu to clear his name.

The child before me is only three years old, yet he is not swayed by fleeting fame and thinks so far ahead...

But he's only three years old this year...

Although the story of "The Tragedy of Zhongyong" has not yet been born, Mei Yaochen has been in the education industry for many years and has seen all kinds of situations. Faced with Fusu's rare moment of clarity, he really couldn't refuse!

He waved his hand dismissively: "Just focus on your book, you don't need to worry about the rest!"

Fu Su's lips curled up: Mr. Mei, you really are a good person.

Taking this opportunity, he asked Mr. Wang a few more questions. Mei Yaochen didn't suspect anything: "He is Wang Gongchen's cousin."

Wang Gongchen... solved the case.

He was right after all; it was related to the Zhang family!

Who was Wang Gongchen? He was the top scholar in the imperial examination during the reign of Emperor Renzong, the son-in-law of Yan Shu, the brother-in-law of Yan Jidao, and the brother-in-law of Fu Bi. However, despite being the brother-in-law, he betrayed Fu Bi and became one of the major opponents of the Qingli Reforms.

Among the other opponents was the Zhang family, who were related to the imperial family through marriage.

It's impossible for these two families to be unrelated, especially since Wang Gongchen's cousin happens to be Zhang Jifu's teacher. It's perfectly reasonable for him to do Zhao Zongsu a favor and teach him a lesson for embarrassing the Zhang family.

No wonder Fan Chunren looked so upset; he must have figured out the key to it all.

If things escalate, it will inevitably drag him into the court's factional struggles, affecting many innocent people. But if things don't escalate, given Mr. Wang's seniority at the Imperial Academy, it will be difficult to remove him from his position. He could easily claim that he was simply curious and wanted to test the child prodigy; who could say he was wrong?

Even if Fan Chunren wanted to help Su, he was powerless to do so. He could only advise Su not to take it to heart and not to be led by the nose.

So... that's the only way, right?

Fusu suddenly blinked, looking intrigued: "By the way, Mr. Mei, I heard from my senior brother that if one thoroughly understands the classics, one can be promoted to the Zhishizhai (Administrative Affairs Hall) for further studies. Is this true or false?"

"What? You want to start Ramadan now?"

"Mmm." Fusu replied obediently.

"Sigh!" Mei Yaochen's face was full of heartache: "I was just praising you for your ideas, how come you're starting to act on a whim again? That Zhishizhai is a place for governing the people and writing policy essays, and you..."

He was about to ask, "Can you write a policy essay now?" when he suddenly remembered the "Project Plan" that Fusu had handed him yesterday. Not only could he not find any fault with it, but Fan Chunren also praised it repeatedly.

Even the format of "background," "feasibility," and "limitations" can serve as a model for policy proposals. Aside from the overly concise and straightforward language—neither overly ornate nor overly elaborate—it has no other flaws.

Mei Yaochen immediately changed his tune, saying, "Have you memorized all the classics?"

"That's why I wanted to ask you, what should I memorize, and how should I memorize it!"

Fusu said.

Then, as if casually, he asked, "By the way, sir, did you have someone review the proposal I gave you yesterday? How was it?"

"Ahem." Mei Yaochen pondered. This Zhao Zongsu was only three years old, yet he possessed remarkable talent in memorization, poetry, and policy essays. What if he found out and became arrogant, thus harming himself?

He then deliberately tried to put him on the spot: "A day has just passed, so there's no need for you to rush. This matter is of great importance, and I still need to discuss it with others."

Does "discussing things over" refer to the kind of discussion Fan Chunren has begun, where he invites his preferred candidates to join the committee?

Mr. Mei, you've completely exposed yourself.

What Mei Yaochen didn't know was that for a long time, he was inextricably linked to the word "arrogant" in Fusu's mind. Moreover, this impression was continuously reinforced as events unfolded. It wasn't until Fusu himself accidentally discovered this that the matter came to an end, and Mei Yaochen, in a fit of embarrassment and anger, "taught" Fusu a lesson.

When Fusu left Mei Yaochen's office, he was laden with spoils.

This bounty not only refers to intelligence, but also to physical possessions—Fusu held up Confucian classics books about half a person's height, which almost broke his back!

These books were all specially selected by Mei Yaochen to be given to him.

"If you can memorize all of this, you'll be well on your way to study in the Administration Hall. If you can integrate the principles into your governance and administration, passing the imperial examinations will not be far off!"

Fu Su glanced at the book covers: *The Book of Poetry*, *The Book of Documents*, *The Book of Rites*, *The Book of Changes*, *The Spring and Autumn Annals*...

All of the above are required for the exam. In addition, there are also Mencius, Xunzi, the Classic of Filial Piety, Dong Zhongshu's Luxuriant Dew of the Spring and Autumn Annals...

The thought of having to memorize and interpret all these books makes my vision go black.

For a fleeting moment, Fusu considered simply unleashing his "fatherly energy" to have Emperor Renzong issue an edict dismissing Mr. Wang, who had been playing tricks on him, or to give him the green light to directly enter the Zhishizhai (a government office).

He's a man who has mastered Marxist dialectical materialism. If he can't even recite the classics, why would he be afraid of not being able to write a few short policy essays?

However, you can't.

Fusu had made a boast to the Emperor, so why would he seek help the very next day? Not only would he be thoroughly ridiculed, but the Emperor would also drag him back to Zishan Hall, where he might even run into Sima Guang again.

Fine, I'll just memorize it; it's better than Sima Guang!

Achoo!

"...Is someone calling me?"

In the long, quiet night, Fusu studied diligently by lamplight, attempting to reach the highest level of the fast. The mere thought of Sima Guang's face energized him, instantly banishing all his fatigue. Little did he know that the story of him reciting the *Great Learning* from the *Book of Rites* at the age of three had spread from the Imperial Academy to the outside world.

As parents murmured and sighed, his name became a nightmare for countless children in Bianjing.

-----------------------

The author says: The Imperial College has separate study halls. The Jingyi Study Hall is generally for those who take the Mingjing examination, but the Mingjing examination is not as highly regarded as the Jinshi examination, so a private study hall was set up within the Imperial College that allows students to advance to the next level.

Zhang Jifu was relatively inexperienced, Su Shi was young and hadn't finished his basic education, so he studied in the Jingyi Zhai; the others studied in the Zhishi Zhai.