Chapter 225 [VIP]
At the end of the month, Yuanbao's results were finally sent to the capital—second place in the county examination.
This is quite an achievement, although it is a little worse than his father's top score in the county examination back then, but the family is very happy.
Along with the letter came Qingsong, who praised his nephew highly.
For small families like theirs, it's not easy for one generation to produce a scholar who has passed the imperial examinations, let alone for several generations to pass them.
Take my maternal uncle's family as an example. Several of their ancestors were successful candidates in the imperial examinations, but the family fell into decline after two generations failed to continue the family line. Coupled with the lack of good educational resources, it became extremely difficult for them to rise again.
My eldest uncle passed away a few years ago, and they were unable to return to Kyoto. Over the past few years, they have gradually lost touch. That's how it is with relatives; once the old ones pass away, the relationship fades.
Now that Yuanbao has achieved good results in his studies, how could the adults in the family not be happy!
The letter also contained another piece of good news: Qingsong's husband had given birth to a son, a big, healthy boy weighing a full eight pounds.
The delivery took a lot of strain on Qin Xiaolang, but fortunately, he had been practicing martial arts for many years and had a strong physique and large frame, so there were no accidents. If it were an ordinary person, they would definitely have been on the verge of death!
The child's name was Chen Mu, and his nickname was Qiuqiu.
Wang Ying couldn't help but chuckle when she saw the nickname; it was probably because the child was too chubby that they chose this name.
"It's a joyous occasion to have a new family member. Take some time to buy some things for the child and send them over, otherwise we won't be able to go back for a while."
"Okay, you can arrange it as you see fit."
Chen Qingyan has been extremely busy lately. He just joined the Ministry of Revenue, which is known as the busiest of the six ministries. He started from the bottom as a clerk and had to learn everything from scratch.
He was almost dizzy from looking at all the national account books over the years; it would take him at least six months to figure out the intricacies of them.
Wang Ying knew his situation, so she didn't bother him with anything, big or small, at home.
Now that Yuanbao has returned to the capital, it's time for him to find a place to study. Old Master Liang's health isn't good, and it would be difficult for him to keep up with teaching Yuanbao every day. Besides, Wang Ying doesn't intend to overwork him.
I happened to meet a few husbands at the last tea party. One of them, a Mr. Yang, was about the same age as me. He was a censor in the Ministry of Works and had three children. His eldest son was the same age as Yuanbao.
Wang Ying then asked him where his child was studying.
This person was quite kind-hearted and immediately took him on a tour of the schools in Kyoto.
"Today, the larger educational institutions in Kyoto include Taigakukan, Boshoen, and Hyakuyō Shoin."
The Imperial Academy was a government-run institution, and places were extremely limited. Only the sons of officials of the fifth rank or above were eligible to study there, and the number of students admitted was also limited. Officials of the fifth rank could send a maximum of one student, officials of the fourth rank and above could send two, and officials of the third rank and above could send three.
Such excellent educational resources are naturally given priority to one's own offspring. However, if a child is not promising, the resources can only be given to a child with a bright future in the clan.
Secondly, there's the Doctoral Academy. This academy was founded by a prominent family, and it serves only the children of such families. Ordinary people simply cannot get in; one's surname is the key to entry.
Even the most uneducated and spoiled brats can receive the highest level of education as long as they are from a prominent family.
Finally, there is the Baiye Academy, a privately founded academy and one of the largest in Kyoto. Anyone who passed the imperial examination could study here, but the tuition was expensive, with a yearly fee of thirty kan (a unit of currency) that kept ordinary people out.
Besides these three academies, there were also small private schools. Although the tuition was cheap, the teaching quality varied greatly, and families who valued their children wouldn't send them there.
Wang Ying was naturally willing to send her child to the Imperial Academy, but since the county exam results hadn't come out yet and Yuanbao was still young, she was afraid the Imperial Academy wouldn't accept him.
Now that the results are out, and Chen Qingyan happens to have a spot available, Wang Ying takes some time to take her son to visit the Imperial Academy.
*
The Imperial Academy is located in the northeast of the city, next to the Imperial Garden. It is said that the Emperor would occasionally come here for a stroll.
On the way here, Wang Ying was a little uneasy. He had heard that to enter the Imperial Academy, one had to pass an exam and pass it before being admitted. He was afraid that Yuanbao might fail the exam and be rejected.
Upon arriving at the entrance of the Imperial Academy, Chen Ju stepped forward and presented Chen Qingyan's visiting card. The servants quickly opened the side gate.
Wang Ying patted her son on the shoulder, "Let's go in and take a look."
The father and son followed the servants into the Imperial Academy. What came into view were several lush green pines and cypresses, and next to them was a huge stone tablet with a sentence from the Analects, "Exhortation to Learning," engraved on it: "Diligence leads to mastery, while idleness leads to ruin; careful thought leads to success, while following others leads to failure."
The two paused for a moment, and the servant who was leading the way introduced, "The inscription on the stone tablet was written by the first dean of the Imperial Academy, who was also the first top scholar of the Wu Dynasty."
Further in, you'll find a quiet grove of trees with pavilions and stone benches. Occasionally, you can see students sitting in twos and threes reading under the trees, looking quite content.
Wang Ying sighed inwardly, thinking, "As expected of the top university in the Wu Dynasty, this learning environment is truly enviable."
After walking for about half an incense stick's time, we finally arrived at the courtyard where the dean was located.
Dean Qi was playing chess with a friend when, after hearing the servant's report, he put the chess pieces back in the chess basket and said, "I can't play today. I have to go see the new students."
"If you're afraid of losing, just say you're afraid of losing. Why make so many excuses?" The friend said, picking up a chess piece from the board.
"The person who came today is no ordinary person. Liang Liufang, whom you have always admired, is his father's master."
The man was stunned upon hearing this. "Chen Qingyan's son?"
"right."
"Then we'll have to take a good look!"
Before long, Wang Ying entered with Yuanbao. Because he was a sixth-rank official, he did not need to bow and simply greeted Dean Qi.
Chen Ze then respectfully bowed to Dean Qi.
"Get up. How old are you? Have you finished reading the Four Books and Five Classics?"
Yuanbao said, "I am twelve years old this year. I have finished reading the Four Books and Five Classics. I ranked second in the county examination this year."
Dean Qi stroked his beard and said, “The Doctrine of the Mean says: ‘The superior man acts according to his station and does not desire anything beyond it.’ However, the first chapter of the Great Learning says: ‘To manifest one’s bright virtue to the world, one must first govern the state and regulate one’s family.’ One is to be content with one’s position, and the other is to expand one’s achievements. Aren’t these two contradictory?”
Upon hearing this, Wang Ying immediately looked at her son nervously. "He's already taking the exam?"
Chen Ze hesitated for a moment, then spoke slowly and deliberately: "Acting according to one's position comes from Chapter 14 of the Doctrine of the Mean. A gentleman does what he ought to do according to his position. Its essence lies in the word 'desire' which means not to prohibit external achievements, but to guard against the selfish desires that lead one's mind to external pursuits."
For example, a farmer's primary duty is to diligently cultivate the land, yet his filial piety and education of his children embody the essence of managing a family well. This aligns with Mencius's principle of upholding the essential while expanding one's knowledge. Therefore, fulfilling one's primary duty is not about rigidly adhering to it, but rather about learning to fulfill ethical obligations.
The person sitting next to him looked shocked and slowly stood up.
Dean Qi said, "Continue."
"The manifestation of virtue has an order, which is in accordance with one's proper position. Among the eight items of the Great Learning, investigation of things, extension of knowledge, sincerity of heart, rectification of the mind, and self-cultivation belong to the work of one's proper position, while regulating the family, governing the state, and bringing peace to the world belong to the natural manifestation of one's desires."
Zengzi said, "Only when the mind is upright can one cultivate oneself; only when one cultivates oneself can one regulate one's family." This aptly illustrates that if one wishes to manifest virtue throughout the world, one must begin by extending it outwards from one's current position. Just as Yangming said, "A deep spring flows forth from a vast pool," for no spring can dry up and still flow to the four seas.
"To be content with one's lot is to understand the essence; to expand upon it is to make it useful. When the mind is like still water, all things are clearly visible; when one's will is to uphold the Way of Benevolence, the world can be governed with ease. These two principles are like the moon reflected in a thousand rivers. Rivers may be wide or narrow, but the moon never increases or decreases. The superior man seeks only to reach the highest good."
"Clap!" The person behind clapped and said, "What a wonderful moon reflected in a thousand rivers! Rivers may be wide or narrow, but the moon never increases or decreases. A wise person seeks only to reach the highest good. No wonder you are the son of the top scholar. You are a promising young man!"
Dean Qi was also very satisfied, saying, "It is truly remarkable that someone so young can understand the Four Books and Five Classics so thoroughly."
Wang Ying asked cautiously, "Kid, did you pass?"
"The Imperial Academy will be closed tomorrow. Please come to class after the break."
Wang Ying was caught off guard. She remembered that Yang Langjun said that it was very difficult to get into the Imperial Academy. She didn’t expect to pass so easily.
Dean Qi stood up and patted Chen Ze on the shoulder approvingly, "I once read Chen's exam paper. The essay was indeed solid and profound. He deserves the title of top scholar. This son has the style of his father."
"Dean, you flatter me. My son is still young and needs further training."
"How is Elder Liang's health? I heard he has moved to Kyoto?"
Wang Ying was taken aback, not expecting that Dean Qi would know her master. "Master was seriously ill two years ago, and has just recovered now."
"I have long admired the great scholar Liang, but unfortunately I have never had the chance to meet him. I hope to have the opportunity to visit him sometime in the future."
Wang Ying naturally wouldn't refuse, saying, "The dean is welcome to come anytime."
After exchanging a few words, the two returned home. Old Liang had been waiting for them for a long time. "How did it go? Did the enrollment process go smoothly?"
"Successfully! I thought it would be difficult, but Yuanbao only had to answer one question before he passed."
Liang Boqing asked, "What are you asking?"
Yuanbao repeated the question asked by Dean Qi and his answer. After listening, Old Liang nodded and said, "You answered quite well."
"Dean Qi also said that he admires your reputation and has always wanted to meet you."
In the past, the old man would have mostly waved his hand and said he wouldn't see them. He hated dealing with those orthodox scholars. But now, for the sake of his grandson's studies, the old man reluctantly nodded and said, "I'll go to the Imperial Academy when I have time."
The Imperial Academy has a two-day break every ten days, which means Yuanbao will be going to study in two more days.
One good thing is that, unlike the prefectural schools, the Imperial Academy did not require students to live on campus; those who lived in the capital could commute. Therefore, there was no need to prepare too much. Wang Ying only drew a design for a schoolbag and had a servant make a modern backpack to carry writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones.
During dinner that evening, Wang Ying recounted the incident to Chen Qingyan.
After listening, Chen Qingyan said, "It's good that you can get in. Once you get to the prefectural school, study hard and don't be playful."
Yuanbao nodded, "I will."
"If anyone bullies you, you should tell us immediately."
Yuanbao chuckled and said, "Don't worry, everyone at the prefectural school is a scholar, so we won't be bullied."
"That's not necessarily true. Back when your second and third uncles and I were in the prefectural school, we bullied people because of our family background. We would beat and scold commoner scholars, eventually forcing them to drop out of school."
Wang Ying frowned upon hearing this. "Such a thing happens? Don't the teachers at the prefectural school care?" She had never heard him mention this before.
"They can't control them. Even the instructors don't dare to mess with those who have power and influence."
Wang Ying also became worried, "Yuanbao, if anything happens at the Imperial Academy, you must tell us, do you hear me!"
"Okay!" Yuanbao nodded obediently.
Chen Qingyan reached out and rubbed his son's head. Time flies, and the child has grown up so much. In a few more years, he will be taking the imperial examination.
After finishing her meal and returning to her bedroom, Wang Ying suddenly heard a familiar ringing sound. The experimental field had been upgraded again!
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