Chapter 70 Young Master Chen, do you like Zhao?
These students were all young people between the ages of thirteen and eighteen, and they did not bring any servants with them, so their family conditions and backgrounds were probably quite ordinary. However, they all seemed to have a foundation, even if they had not attended private schools or village schools, they had studied at home on their own, so the entrance exam was not difficult for them.
Moreover, Liang Shanhai went to great lengths to increase the number of students admitted, directly lowering the difficulty of the exam.
The Four Books and Five Classics were the simplest, and the policy essays were also set on a very simple theme; all that was needed was to write them down.
Seeing the incredulous expressions on the candidates' faces, Liang Shanhai said, "Although Huilan Academy, like other academies, aims to cultivate talents for the imperial court and enable students to achieve academic success and bring honor to their ancestors, our academy values the students' self-cultivation even more. I hope that even if you do not become world-renowned scholars, you can still become respected figures in your local area."
As the saying goes, "to see a leopard from its spot," so I will observe everyone while you answer the questions, and afterwards, I will combine the exam results to comprehensively evaluate whether you are a good fit for our Huilan Academy.
Liang Shanhai's ramblings actually dispelled everyone's doubts. Recalling the fierce, white-bearded old man who threatened them in their dreams, even if they still had doubts, the students would grit their teeth and try to enroll in order to get a good night's sleep in the future.
Zhao Yunjing didn't think much of it. After reading the question, he started writing.
The dictation questions are very simple; basically, anyone who has had a basic education can recite them. As for the free-response questions, anyone who has been out and about and has communicated with people can also write them. However, to write something outstanding and amazing, you need to have more experience.
Originally, Zhao Yunjing's knowledge was limited to books and the small plot of land in Peach Blossom Village. Thanks to Zhou Mujiao, he had been running around and handling many things in the past few months, which broadened his horizons. Therefore, this question was not difficult for him. He thought about it for a while, sorted out his thoughts, and then put pen to paper.
From the first character to the last, except for dipping the brush in ink, there was not a single pause in between; writing a masterpiece is no more than this.
Zhao Yunjing was Liang Shanhai's primary focus. Seeing how smoothly he wrote, Liang Shanhai felt much more at ease. If it weren't for the fact that he couldn't express himself so directly in front of everyone, Liang Shanhai would have loved to stand next to him and watch him write.
An hour later, all the candidates had finished answering the questions. Liang Shanhai then summoned all the teachers in the academy to review the papers. The more mature and experienced students who had been in the academy for a long time were also called out to help with the first round of screening.
The teachers and students worked in an assembly line fashion, reviewing the papers round after round. Soon, all the papers were graded.
Liang Shanhai said seriously, "I am happy to inform everyone that you have all passed the entrance exam and will be able to move into the academy dormitory shortly. Originally, the entrance exam did not rank the students or provide much commentary, because this is just the beginning; the key is how much you can learn in the future."
However, I came across a particularly brilliant piece that I couldn't resist sharing. Zhao Yunjing's "On the Fields" is truly outstanding. Despite its title, it doesn't just focus on the fields; it extends from the fields to several other trades. The language is simple yet captivating, and the final question is thought-provoking.
Therefore, I will post this article in the lecture hall later. Those of you who entered at the same time as him, please each write a 100-word reflection after reading it and give it to me!
The enrollment was supposed to be just to fill the numbers and prevent the academy from closing down and becoming deserted, but what's going on now? The students haven't even officially enrolled yet, and the homework has already been assigned.
Young Master Chen was surprised. Was Huilan Academy really this dedicated and ambitious?
The new students from out of town were led to the school building by the senior students. Zhao Yunjing and Young Master Chen went along as well. After completing the enrollment procedures, Zhao Yunjing found Liang Shanhai and told him that he would enroll in ten days.
Liang Shanhai immediately became anxious: "Is it because your family is having financial difficulties and can't afford the tuition? It's alright, it's alright, the academy can waive your tuition, accommodation, and meal fees!"
"no."
"So...you're going to Shanglin Academy across the street?"
Liang Shanhai was depressed. "That's right. The teachers on the other side are all from the Hanlin Academy. Their knowledge and learning are second to none. Although only two people passed the imperial examination in the previous year, our Huilan Academy had zero. Huilan Academy is inferior to the other side in every way now. It's normal for you to choose them."
It was absolutely wrong of them to come and give him hope only to extinguish it immediately. It's so cruel to treat a fifty-year-old man like that.
He's so pitiful!
Zhao Yunjing smiled slightly: "Headmaster, I came here specifically to return to Lan Academy. The reason I will not be able to enter the academy for ten days is because I have important matters to attend to at home."
Liang Shanhai wouldn't listen; Zhao Yunjing was determined to abandon Huilan Academy and choose another school.
Young Master Chen's heart skipped a beat: "You surnamed Zhao, you wouldn't be trying to force Miss Zhou into an engagement, would you? That's immoral! We agreed to compete fairly, how could you do this? You're so untrustworthy!"
“I do not recall ever agreeing to anything for Young Master Chen. Ah Jiao and I are deeply in love, and if we were to get engaged, it would be a natural progression.” Zhao Yunjing finished speaking and bowed to Liang Shanhai. “I am postponing my enrollment for two reasons. Firstly, I am indeed getting engaged to my sweetheart, and secondly, I still have work to do and need to hand it over properly before I can focus on my studies.”
Liang Shanhai breathed a sigh of relief and immediately said he would attend his engagement ceremony: "Even though the engagement is simple, it still needs a witness. I will be the witness!"
"After the students have finalized the date in the next couple of days, they will send someone to deliver the invitation to the headmaster. Thank you for your concern, headmaster. The students will go down the mountain first."
"Hurry up, hurry up, get everything arranged as soon as possible so you can start school sooner! What about you, Chen Liangjin? Are you getting engaged too?"
Young Master Chen gritted his teeth: "I'm going to stop him from getting engaged!"
Zhao Yunjing turned to leave, with Young Master Chen following closely behind: "You, surnamed Zhao! You are not allowed to get engaged to Miss Zhou! My father is the county magistrate. If you dare to get engaged, I dare to have my father bring the yamen runners to sabotage the engagement!"
"Whoever causes damage, I'll break their legs."
"My father is an official appointed by the imperial court!"
“You know your father is an official appointed by the imperial court, the magistrate of Peach Blossom County. You should know that a magistrate should speak up for the people and stand up for them. If your father were an official who would send people to bully you with a single shout, I'm afraid he would lose his official hat in less than two years!”
"Zhao Yunjing, you're threatening me?! Let me tell you, I'm not easily intimidated, I'm not afraid of you! If you're so capable, then don't get engaged, and compete with me fairly!"
"With your skill level, what's the point of beating you, Young Master Chen?"
"Zhao Yunjing, stop right there! How dare you look at me like that! How dare you look at me like that?!"
Zhao Yunjing stopped, turned around, stared at Young Master Chen, and said with a serious expression: "Young Master Chen, you follow me so closely and care so much about my thoughts. Could it be that your feelings for Ajiao are just a pretense, and you actually like me?"
Young Master Chen choked, then roared, "Who likes you? This young master only likes women!"
"Since you don't like me, then stay away from me and don't let people misunderstand."
Liang Shanhai watched the two bickering all the way, and a smile appeared on his face.
But Chen Liangjin is actually the magistrate's son? Didn't he go to Shanglin Academy? Why is he in Huilan today? Could it be that this magistrate's son has homosexual tendencies and came for Zhao Yunjing?
That's not impossible...
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