The sky is blue, and early summer is neither too hot nor too cold, a perfect season for feeling comfortable.

After leaving the county school, Lu Luocai, wearing his brand new student uniform, walked down the county town streets feeling refreshed. Excited and uplifted, everything he saw seemed pleasing to the eye.

Having spent over twenty years taking exams and still being a student, Lu Luocai was already disheartened and felt that he had no hope of becoming a student. Furthermore, his efforts to study for the exams had left him penniless, and his wife was nearly driven away by hunger.

In desperation and with some doubts, Lu Luo registered with the government and participated in the court's new policy - setting up schools in every village.

The village set up a school, with students or scholars serving as teachers, who taught the children in the village to read and write for free and could enjoy subsidies given to students by the court.

At the end of three years, a tongsheng can be promoted to a xiucai (student) without taking an exam; and a xiucai can be selected by the Ministry of Personnel and start as a low-level official.

If a student did not respond to the new imperial policy, his or her student status would be revoked. In other words, the student had to support himself or herself, and the imperial subsidies would no longer be given to him or her.

Prior to this, the imperial court had abolished the policy of exempting students and officials from road taxes, which effectively cut off the way for unscrupulous merchants to evade taxes and for students and officials to make extra money.

These two policies alone caused students and officials to complain bitterly. But the imperial examination system was still in place, and the Imperial Household Department and the Inspectorate were also watching closely. Who would dare to openly oppose it?

The most crucial factor was the emperor's will. Anyone with an eye could see that the emperor had a negative impression of certain scholars and had no qualms about suppressing them. Furthermore, by relaxing the conditions for transferring from clerk to official, there was no longer any concern about a gap between the official and the civil service.

In any case, the subsidies for students were cancelled, their privileged treatment was abolished, and many students were severely punished, which finally brought down the arrogance of this class.

People like Lu Luocai, who were not even students, knew that they had no hope of passing the imperial examination, or were forced by life to become teachers and earn a living to support their families.

However, this teacher was very different from the teachers of the community schools previously established in the township. First, he enjoyed the same student subsidies as the original students, second, he had room for advancement, and third, the children of ordinary people could study for free.

Lu Luocai became a teacher because he had hope. Now, after three years, he finally passed the examination and officially became a scholar, and was also included in the ranks of students.

In the Ming Dynasty, becoming a scholar was considered a true scholar. Not only did their clothing change and their social status improve, but they also gained respect from others and it was also the starting point for fame and fortune.

After five years of teaching, students were promoted to the rank of "staff student" (龍駿生), with government subsidies and daily necessities provided. This was the highest level of student status among the three types of students. The imperial court further increased this salary, making it sufficient for the staff student's family to live on.

As one thing grows, the other declines. Lü Luo finally understood that being good at studying alone would not please the emperor. If one was willing to put aside his pride and do practical work, even if his knowledge was limited, he could still achieve fame, wealth and power.

After another two years, Lu Luo was ready to become a clerk. With five years of teaching experience, he could be included in the list of candidates selected by the Ministry of Personnel without taking an exam.

Obviously, Lu Luocai was not content with teaching, which was a common trait among scholars of that era.

The emperor didn't care about this, and shifted the preferential treatment he had given to students to teaching and educating people. It didn't cost the court much. Three years, five years, was better than the students just sitting around doing nothing.

"Brother Lu..." A surprised exclamation interrupted Lu Luocai's pride and happiness. He turned around and bowed hurriedly, "Greetings, Lord Li."

Li Zhengdong once again took a look at Lu Luocai's student uniform, smiled and bowed, saying, "Congratulations, Brother Lu. No, I should call you Mr. Maocai."

Lu Luocai blushed and quickly declined, "Master Li, please forgive me for laughing. I am just a student..."

Li Zhengdong waved his hand and said, "Don't be so modest. I was also a clerk who was transferred to an official position, similar to Brother Lu."

"What's more..." Li Zhengdong changed the subject and continued, "This is all in line with the court's policies and laws. It's upright and aboveboard."

Lu Luocai blinked his eyes and said with a cupped hand: "Master Li is absolutely right. I was wrong in thinking."

Li Zhengdong was dressed in casual clothes, but after being promoted from a clerk to an official, he had been promoted to the position of Chief Clerk, below only the magistrate and the county magistrate. The county magistrate had been transferred to Liaodong and promoted to the position of magistrate, a position he had great hope of being promoted to.

As a fellow townsman, Li Zhengdong was no stranger to the old student, Lü Luocai. Now that Lü Luocai was a student, he didn't kneel before officials. With his elevated social status, Li Zhengdong, with his tact, naturally wouldn't offend him easily.

"I heard that Zhang, the instructor of the county school, is going to be promoted. Is it true or not?" Lu Luocai felt that Li Zhengdong should know some inside information, so he asked tentatively.

Li Zhengdong chuckled and glanced around, seeing the teahouse, so he invited Lu Luocai to have tea and chat.

After entering the teahouse and finding a quiet place, the tea master served them tea and they started chatting.

"Teacher Zhang has applied to the Ministry of Personnel for a position in Liaodong, and his application has been approved. He has also been promoted to the position of prefectural teacher." Li Zhengdong smiled as he sipped his tea. "The county magistrate will host a farewell banquet for him tomorrow."

Lu Luocai was slightly startled and said in surprise: "Promoted two levels in a row!"

Li Zhengdong smiled and said, "Officials who voluntarily apply to go to Liaodong will be promoted at least one level if approved."

Realizing the doubtful look Lu Luocai was giving him, Li Zhengdong said with a wry smile, "I also applied, but unfortunately it was not approved."

Lu Luocai thought for a moment and said, "Since County Magistrate Sun has been promoted, it is reasonable for Lord Li to succeed him, right?"

"Not necessarily." Li Zhengdong shook his head and said, "The Ministry of Personnel has many officials to select, so they will most likely be sent from among them."

After saying that, Li Zhengdong took the initiative to change the subject, saying, "Let's not talk about this anymore. Brother Lu is already a student. Please report the court's preferential treatment you deserve as soon as possible, and I will process it as soon as possible."

Although the emperor cancelled many of the original preferential treatments for students, policies such as exemption from corvee labor were retained and not completely abolished, which was considered to give scholars some face.

Lu Luocai quickly agreed and asked Li Zhengdong about the latest court policies. He figured that teaching anywhere was about the same, and if he could get better treatment, he would consider moving to another place.

Li Zhengdong pondered for a moment and said, "Mekong Province and Liaodong are both short of scholars. If Brother Lu is not afraid of the remoteness and cold weather, he can go there and teach for a few years. It will be easy to get an official position there."

"Mekong Province is overseas, and I don't want to go there." Lu Luocai shook his head and rejected one option. "Liaodong is fine."

Li Zhengdong said, "As for this matter, Brother Lu still has two years left, so there's no need to rush. This year is the first year of rebuilding Liaodong, so I'm sure it will be difficult in all aspects."

After a pause, Li Zhengdong continued, "It seems the imperial court is about to introduce new policies regarding rural schools. Brother Lu, it would be safest to wait and see."

New policy?! Lu Luocai frowned. Could it be that the exemption from examination and the selection by the Ministry of Personnel were to be abolished?