Zhao Rong had to explain a lot to convince his kind-hearted senior brother who took him in through the back door that he did not have such a strange habit.

After some discussion, the two agreed that they didn't care about the little girl who was shortchanged.

The two "like-minded" people smiled at each other.

After this general misunderstanding, the two continued walking on the winding and deep water corridor in the southeast corner of the academy.

Soon, Li Jinshu stopped in front of a courtyard located in a lush green bamboo forest, and pushed the door open with Zhao Rong in a familiar manner.

At the sight.

A black-haired old man in a wide-sleeved robe was kneeling on a bamboo mat and giving a lecture.

In front of him, there were a dozen scholars from the academy, sitting at the desk and listening respectfully.

at this time.

The bamboo leaves rustle and the old man's voice is clear.

After Li Jinshu and Zhao Rong arrived, several scholars turned their heads to look at them. Some looked at Zhao Rong curiously, while others smiled at Li Jinshu.

But most of the others, including Mr. Yan, were still immersed in teaching and listening.

He did not distract himself from Zhao Rong and the other two.

Li Jinshu was used to it and gave Zhao Rong a look.

The latter understood.

The two of them walked to the empty seat in the front and knelt down, with their backs straight and their eyes fixed on the scene.

After listening for a while, Zhao Rong roughly realized that Mr. Yan was talking about the Thirteen Confucian Classics. He did not find it boring and listened attentively.

About an hour later, Mr. Yan slowly stopped talking, drank a sip of tea handed to him by Li Jinshu, and dismissed everyone. He straightened his robe and stood up, saying to Zhao Rong below: "Follow me."

Then he turned around and went back to the house.

Zhao Rong followed and walked into the house together.

Zhao Rong originally thought that Mr. Yan would test his knowledge, such as the Four Books and Five Classics, poetry, and zither theory.

In the end, Mr. Yan only asked him about the recent situation of the Great Chu State Master, and asked about his family background, etc., and finally encouraged him, "There are very few Zhao family members in various continents who are good at studying Confucianism. You should study hard and strive to become stronger, so as not to disappoint your senior brother."

So he let Zhao Rong leave, and before leaving, he asked him to call Li Jinshu in.

Zhao Rong touched his nose and left the bamboo house.

Li Jinshu asked him to wait outside for a while and then went into the house.

Zhao Rong was bored waiting outside, and felt that it was too easy to enter the academy.

Is this the backdoor?

The perfect amount of tightness, the speed of entry, this kind-hearted senior brother, this amiable teacher, this backdoor entry was too... comfortable.

However, Zhao Rong learned his lesson from the last time when he went to write couplets without knowing the situation and offended a spoiled girl.

Decided to go and ask around.

He saw some senior brothers and sisters chatting together not far away, so he walked over and joined them politely.

Seeing that he was a new junior brother, everyone didn't take him seriously and continued chatting. Occasionally, when they saw this junior brother, who probably got in through connections, asking some slightly strange questions, they would give appropriate answers, but they didn't take it too seriously.

Zhao Rong blended in like this, calling them "senior brother" on the left and "senior sister" on the right in a very "sweet" manner, and carefully observed the expressions of everyone.

Gradually, I pieced together some...simple academy common sense.

Zhao Rong was currently recommended by Mr. Yan to join the academy as a special student.

Zhao Rong was very satisfied with this name.

A student with special talents? He just happens to have special talents...

Linlu Academy will give some places for these special students to its teachers every three years. Of course, the teachers in the academy are also divided into certain special levels, and different teachers have different numbers of places, but they are all relatively scarce.

However, although the name of this special student sounds very impressive, it is just a verbal statement.

Because the places for students with special talents are a kind of benefit that the academy gives to all the gentlemen.

The academy teacher can give it as a favor to his friends outside.

It may also be that they really have high hopes for young people whom they want to train, so they will take the initiative to recruit them.

But in general, the former are more numerous and the latter are very rare. After all, those who are really capable could have passed the academy assessment every three years and joined Linlu Academy openly.

So, the students with special talents are almost all people with connections who come to Linlu Academy to get gilded?

However, Zhao Rong also figured out another profound meaning behind the academy's practice.

The reason why Linlu Academy, which gathers the essence of half a continent's culture, wants to open this loophole is probably to achieve a similar effect as the perch effect. Adding some naughty "perch" can stir up the lifeless "lake water" in the academy and make other "fish" move. At certain times, it can also serve as an outlet for other students to vent their negative emotions.

In this way, you can kill two birds with one stone.

As for what the senior brother had told him about being accepted as Mr. Yan's personal disciple a year later, it was not as good as Zhao Rong had imagined.

According to what Zhao Rong had found out.

The scholars who enter Linlu Academy through an examination every three years, as well as students with special talents like Zhao Rong, can only be called students when they first enter the academy.

At first, they all had to study together and were divided into several groups, similar to the classes in Zhao Rong's previous life.

After the students have attended the academy courses for a year, those who meet the assessment requirements can participate in the apprenticeship ceremony and be selected by the academy teachers as their personal disciples. Of course, those with excellent academic performance will be "fought for" by many teachers, and they can also choose the teacher they think is suitable, but these are only a very small number of people.

Only by being accepted as a disciple by a teacher in the academy can one be promoted to a Confucian scholar and wear a jade bi.

In this way, one will become a scholar among the Hundred Schools of Thought, and will be completely accepted by his school and become a formal member of it.

However, many of those students will not be selected, because there are not many teachers in the academy and there are few places for disciples, so they can only wait another year and participate in the next year's apprenticeship ceremony.

However, there are only three chances, because students who have not become scholars within three years will leave Linlu Academy, and the next batch of new students will arrive.

According to Li Jinshu, Zhao Rong does not have to worry about being forced to leave Linlu Academy in three years, because because of the letter of recommendation, as long as he behaves himself and does not get into trouble, he will be accepted as a direct disciple by Mr. Yan within three years.

but.

The corner of Zhao Rong's mouth twitched.

There are also great differences and distinctions between direct disciples.

It is divided into recorded disciples, disciples receiving instruction, and disciples entering the room.

I heard that above these there is another type of disciple who can inherit the master's legacy.

However, Zhao Rong did not ask about the latter few, but instead found out about the recorded disciples.

This is the kind of student who only has a name and acknowledges the teacher-student relationship, but does not necessarily receive instruction in person, yet still believes in the teacher's thoughts and doctrines...

Very good, a place exclusively for lazy people.

No wonder some of the senior brothers and sisters were cold and indifferent. They were all at least disciples or above to be able to stand here. They thought he was the kind of junior brother who was here to gild himself with connections and did nothing but slack off. Of course, they didn't like him...

Zhao Rong nodded slightly, without much dissatisfaction. After all, after missing the academy examination held once every three years, he was lucky enough to be able to enter the academy so quickly. He should be content with what he has, and as for the future, well, take it slow.

Zhao Rong continued to listen to his senior brothers and sisters chatting with relish.

Not long.

Li Jinshu came out of the house and walked towards Zhao Rong.

"Big Brother."

"Brother Li."

Zhao Rong followed many scholars around him in paying respects, but most of the people around him had relaxed smiles on their faces. After all, this senior brother who had always followed Mr. Yan was a well-known good guy.

Moreover, Li Jinshu was Mr. Yan's disciple, and it was even said that he had the opportunity to become a top student and inherit the mantle of Mr. Yan, the great Confucian monk.

Zhao Rong couldn't help but glance at his senior brother.

Li Jinshu responded to everyone with a smile, exchanged greetings with them, introduced Zhao Rong, then patted Zhao Rong on the shoulder and left with him.

"Junior brother, I will take you to complete the admission procedures and collect some necessary items, and then I will take you to the school dormitory to move in."

"Big Brother, I think it's getting late. Why don't we do these things tomorrow? You can take me there when you are free tomorrow. I will stay outside the academy for one night. It happens that the guest room has not been checked out yet."

Li Jinshu shook his head.

"I'm afraid it won't be possible tomorrow. It's the day when the teacher goes out to give lectures. This is the annual rotation arrangement of the academy. We disciples will follow the teacher out. It is estimated that we will be away for a month. It is better to help you get everything done today. Tomorrow you can directly enter the school and study with the new students."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Rong nodded and said nothing more.

Afterwards, Li Jinshu took him to the academy for a busy time.

At sunset, on the stone path in the lush forest.

Li Jinshu helped Zhao Rong carry some of the items he had collected, and the two of them were heading towards the dormitory where the students lived.

On the way, he seemed to have thought of something and turned around and said:

"By the way, Junior Brother, how about you accompany the teacher to give lectures with us tomorrow? Anyway, you will become the teacher's disciple in the future, so why not take this opportunity to listen to the teacher's lessons and let the teacher get to know you better. As for going to the academy, there is no need to rush."

Li Jinshu smiled and said, "There are a few junior brothers who came earlier than you. They were also recommended by the teacher to join the academy. They will also go with the teacher to give lectures tomorrow. How about you, junior brother, go with them?"

Zhao Rong thought about it and politely declined: "I appreciate your kindness, Senior Brother, but I have just entered the academy and am not familiar with the academy's classmates, teachers, and environment. It is inappropriate for me to run around everywhere. Let's talk about it next time. I am really sorry, Senior Brother."

What a joke, I still have to go find Qingjun after I settle down, why am I running around, I have already run all the way from Da Chu to Duyou City, I am tired, now I just want to have a home, and have her at home...

Li Jinshu turned around, nodded slightly, and then instructed:

"That's fine. Senior brother was inconsiderate. Junior brother, just focus on your studies. If you have any questions, you can wait until I come back from my teacher's lecture. If you really can't wait, you can also come to Taiqing Mansion to find me. We are from the same hometown, so don't be polite. If you have any questions, just..."

"Wait! What did you say?"

Zhao Rong, who was nodding and daydreaming at first, almost dropped the item in his hand when he heard a familiar word, and interrupted hurriedly.

Li Jinshu was stunned, glanced at Zhao Rong, who was no longer calm and had wide eyes, and repeated: "What's the matter?..."

"No, no, no, not this one."

"We are from the same hometown..."

"Eh, that's not it... Senior Brother, did you mention Taiqing Mansion?"

"Oh, you're talking about this. According to the arrangement of the academy, it's my turn to go to Taiqing Mansion to give lectures to the students there. Although it's not too far away, it's inconvenient to run back and forth, so we will stay in Taiqing Mansion for a month. If you have any urgent matters, come to Taiqing Mansion to find me."

Zhao Rong blinked and suddenly felt that the friendly-looking senior brother was even more adorable.

He said seriously: "Big Brother, I want to go too, to accompany the teacher in his lectures."

Li Jinshu asked curiously, "Didn't you say that you should get familiar with the academy and not run around when you first arrived?"

Zhao Rong said sincerely without blushing or beating his heart:

"I've thought about it carefully. I can come to this academy anytime to get familiar with it, but I'll miss out on Mr. Yan's classes. I'm a junior brother with a dull aptitude and limited knowledge, so I must cherish this rare learning opportunity. Senior brother, please don't stop me."

Li Jinshu was startled. "I won't stop you, but are you serious, Junior Brother? The situation in Taiqing Mansion is different from our academy. I'm afraid you won't be able to adapt..."

Zhao Rong frowned and said, "Brother, what are you talking about? The spirit of a teacher is as high as the mountains and as long as the rivers. Ziyu is willing to be able to bathe in the warm academic light of Mr. Yan all day long and swim in the ocean of knowledge, even if he is in a sea of ​​fire and swords. How can there be any saying that he can get used to it or not?"

Zhao Rong said righteously, "Big Brother, please don't look down on Ziyu!"

“……”Li Jinshu.

…

It was almost dusk and the sun was setting.

Thousands of rays of light falling from the sea of ​​clouds in the sky covered this ancient academy standing by the river, which has experienced thousands of years of vicissitudes and has never stopped singing.

Just as peaceful as countless sunsets in the past years.

at this time.

Outside a side door of Linlu Academy, the atmosphere was different from the tranquility of dusk, and it was quiet in a different way.

The scholars who had been eagerly waiting for an opportunity with Zhao Rong during the day did not disperse as they did in the past. Some of them tilted their heads, some twisted their necks, but all of them stood there motionless, staring straight at the woman in front of the wooden door who was indescribable for the moment.

In front of the door.

A little girl in blue was also standing behind the woman in scholar's robe, looking at her teacher.

The woman in Confucian robes raised her head slightly and stared at the couplet on the wooden door.

She stood in front of the door looking at the "scenery", and the people looking at the scenery were also looking at her.

Jingzi couldn't stand the silent atmosphere and pouted, "Sir, this was also written by that lecher. He also scribbled some weird words on the couplet you gave me. Sir, don't pay attention to him. Leave it to me..."

"Who said his handwriting was random?"

Zhu Weirui, with his back to Jingzi, suddenly spoke.

Jingzi was stunned.

Zhu Weirui stood on tiptoe and stretched out his hand, starting from the first word at the top, carefully stroking the ink strokes on the paper that were outlined by a man.

The slender fingers with pink nails slowly fell, sliding gently along the horizontal and vertical strokes between the lines of the character "人".

At a certain moment, the woman in Confucian clothes, whose black hair was tied up with a thin needle, frowned slightly, as if she was racking her brains to think about how the man not long ago came up with the idea of ​​drawing a certain stroke.

Zhu Weirui was lost in thought for a while, then spoke again, in a serious tone, "He writes better than me, much better."

She stared blankly, "He...how did he write it..."

As soon as Zhu Weirui finished speaking, the many dazed scholars standing at the bottom of the stairs looked surprised.

And Jing Zi behind her opened her eyes wider than copper bells and exclaimed in shock:

"How, how is it possible! He is just a scoundrel, and his words are frivolous..."

Jingzi knew Zhu Weirui many times more than those scholars, so the impact of Zhu Weirui's words on her was simply earth-shattering.

Ever since Qi Ling started following her master, she had never heard her master say such words or praise someone's handwriting in such a way.

Never!

When Zhu Weirui heard Jingzi's words, she bit her lips hard and stared at the word "藏" on the couplet that fascinated her particularly.

The man's regular script has a square and dense structure, with light horizontal strokes and heavy vertical strokes. The brush strokes are strong and round, and the momentum is solemn and powerful.

Zhu Weirui gives off a sense of majestic and masculine appearance at first glance.

She suddenly turned around, and the face that was unforgettable to so many scholars below the stairs now had a very serious expression, her red lips opened and closed, and her clear voice rang out, resoundingly.

"He must be a great man."

She firmly believes that a person's handwriting reflects his character.

Jingzi's body trembled, her breathing became rapid, and she wanted to argue again, but she was speechless, her little hands tightly pulling at her sleeves.

Zhu Weirui turned his head and continued to stare at the words, muttering to himself.

"His name is... Zhao Ziyu..."