After the top scholar's parade through the streets, Jiang Shuyun and his fellow graduates could then enter officialdom.
Those with connections in their families tend to get better official positions and locations. Those who band together and join factions may also receive some preferential treatment, but whether they will face obstacles in the future is uncertain.
Jiang Shuyun had no intention of entering officialdom, and obtained the necessary paperwork with remarkable ease, becoming a lecturer at Bailu Academy. He was somewhat surprised, not knowing which powerful figure had caught his eye and granted him the appointment letter directly.
Before parting, Jiang Shuyun had a small get-together with her classmates from the academy.
In the private room of the restaurant, all the students from Bailu Academy who had come to take the imperial examination were present.
More than twenty people came, and more than ten of them made the list, accounting for more than half.
Bailu Academy is a comprehensive academy, similar to a comprehensive university in the previous life, and it is not just for the imperial examinations.
Gu Siqi, the headmaster of Bailu Academy, is a highly respected and accomplished scholar. Most importantly, he once served as the current emperor's tutor, making him a kind of imperial advisor.
In the second year after the emperor ascended the throne, he submitted a memorial requesting to resign. His reason was that he had taught everything he needed to teach, his health was not good, and he wanted to go south to recuperate.
The Emperor tried to persuade him to stay, but to no avail. He knew that although his teacher was not yet fifty, his body could not withstand the cold of the north.
However, he was not allowed to return to the south to retire. Instead, he was sent to Bailu Academy to serve as its headmaster, where the climate was pleasant, neither too hot nor too cold.
And so, the former imperial tutor became the headmaster of Bailu Academy, a position he has held for seven or eight years.
Jiang Shuyun and her friends attended this gathering, including both those who passed the imperial examination and those who didn't.
The best performer was Wang Zhiyuan, the top scholar in the provincial examination, who ranked second in the second class. He had already decided to take the examination for the position of Shujishi (a junior official in the Hanlin Academy), and his goal was clear: to enter the Hanlin Academy.
"Brother Jingzhi, this parting may be the last time we meet. I raise a toast to you."
Someone suggested that he had a poor performance and was not going to take the examination for the position of Shujishi; he was waiting to be assigned an official post.
"We'll be serving in the same court in the future, and we'll both come from the same academy. Let's look out for each other and keep in touch."
Wang Zhiyuan, courtesy name Jingzhi, is a middle-aged man in his thirties. This is his second time participating in the Spring Imperial Examination, and his results are quite satisfactory.
"That's right. It's fate that we can study at the same academy. In the future, we will support each other."
"Yes, we support each other."
"Keep trying, don't be discouraged, it's not a big deal if you don't succeed once."
...
Jiang Shuyun followed the crowd, raised her glass in celebration, and did not stand out.
"Zhonglin, I heard you gave up the opportunity to become an official and are going back to teach at the academy?"
Wang Zhiyuan remembered Jiang Shuyun; at the academy, she studied diligently and didn't get involved in any messy things. She also often went on study tours with the teacher; she was a very steady person.
As soon as Wang Zhiyuan finished speaking, the private room fell silent. Everyone was somewhat incredulous. Jiang Shuyun had achieved excellent results, ranking thirteenth in the palace examination!
"Brother Jingzhi, you've heard about it."
Jiang Shuyun glanced at Wang Zhiyuan, then looked around at everyone.
"Yes, I heard. They gave you a letter of appointment directly from above."
"Yes, the job of a book presenter."
Jiang Shuyun didn't hide it; it wasn't anything shameful, just a matter of different personal choices.
“Teaching a book? That’s such a waste. With your grades, you should have no problem becoming a probationary official and entering the Hanlin Academy.”
"Yes, even if they don't enter the Hanlin Academy, being sent down to a local area would at least make them a county magistrate."
"What are you thinking? You study so hard, isn't it all for the purpose of entering officialdom and serving the court?"
...
After a brief silence, everyone started discussing it, mainly about how it was such a waste for him to become a teacher at an academy instead of an official.
"Zhonglin, have you thought this through carefully? Will your family understand?"
"Brother Jingzhi, fellow classmates, I'm not an ambitious person. To put it bluntly, I'm rather lazy. The affairs of officialdom are too time-consuming and exhausting; I'm afraid I can't handle them."
I enjoy the environment of the academy, and my family is supportive. Rather than wasting my time in officialdom, I'd rather do what I'm good at. Teaching and nurturing talent for the court suits me well.
Jiang Shuyun calmly expressed his thoughts, knowing that there were very few people like him.
To put it bluntly, most people study for the imperial examinations in order to become officials and bring honor to their ancestors.
"Indeed, you loved reading widely and had unique insights when you were at the academy. I wish you a future filled with students who will flourish and become a great Confucian scholar!"
Wang Zhiyuan disagrees but understands; everyone chooses a different path, and it's enough to find what suits you best.
"Choose Li Manyuan!"
"A great Confucian scholar of our time!"
The others also offered auspicious words, and Jiang Shuyun raised her glass in thanks.
The group drank until very late, and after this parting, they didn't know when they would see each other again.
Jiang Shuyun was also a little drunk, and Li Li helped him get into the car and go back.
The next day, I woke up.
"Li Li, get me a glass of water, I have a headache."
"Master, please have a cup of tea first. The Third Master has prepared a hangover remedy."
"Oh dear, you really shouldn't drink too much of this wine."
Jiang Shuyun is not a heavy drinker and has no addiction to alcohol. She rarely drinks when she has nothing to do.
"Master rarely drinks, but he's had quite a bit this time. Shall I go and fetch a doctor to take a look?"
"No need, just drink some hangover soup and you'll feel better. You drank a bit too much yesterday."
Jiang Shuyun got up, washed up, and drank some hangover soup later.
After the meal, Butler Li came over to ask for instructions.
"Master, when do we plan to set off back?"
"Second brother, have you been demoted?"
Apart from the butler and his son, no one else knew Jiang Shuyun's plans.
"I didn't wait for the official appointment; I'm going to teach at Bailu Academy."
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