White-robed Minister

43 [News spreads to Zhang Qingyuan]

What are your feelings about entering and leaving the Military Strategy Office?

It's quite a long walk!

Especially traveling back and forth from the state school, it was like walking a round trip along the diagonal line of Guangzhou.

Xu Lai hadn't returned to school yet, and it was already noon.

Since the school cafeteria had not yet reopened, Xu Lai could only eat outside the school, and then went to a bookstore to prepare his textbooks for the start of the new semester.

"Scholar, you're here to buy books again?" The shopkeeper actually remembered him and addressed him with even more respect.

It wasn't that I knew Xu Lai had gotten first place; it was simply because he bought the books so decisively.

Merchants love this kind of customer.

Xu Lai nodded and said, "Just browsing."

The shopkeeper stepped out from behind the counter and enthusiastically promoted his book: "Which one of the 'Scholar's Selection' books you can choose? The price is negotiable."

Xu Lai asked, "When the teachers at the state school teach, which version of the commentaries on the *Mencius*, *Erya*, and *Classic of Filial Piety* do they generally use?"

The shopkeeper, understanding the implied meaning from the music, immediately cupped his hands and smiled, saying, "Congratulations, scholar, on passing the imperial examination and entering the prefectural academy. May I ask your honorable name?"

Xu Lai returned the greeting with clasped hands: "I dare not address you as such. My surname is Xu and my given name is Lai."

"So it's Scholar Xu," the shopkeeper said as he took the books. "The commentaries on these three classics were all compiled by great scholars commissioned by the Song Dynasty government. They are 'The Phonetic and Semantic Commentary on the Mencius,' 'The Commentary on the Classic of Filial Piety,' and 'The Commentary on the Erya.'"

Xu Lai casually flipped through the three scriptures and quickly decided whether or not to buy them.

The Classic of Filial Piety with Commentary contains less than 1800 characters of text, while the commentary contains approximately 14 characters.

This book doesn't need to be purchased; you can copy it yourself. I'm too lazy to copy the commentaries; I only copy the scripture text, then take notes during lectures.

The Erya Commentary contains 13,000 characters of text and approximately 630,000 characters of commentary.

Xu Lai is extremely familiar with this book, even more so than with the Analects of Confucius, and consulted it frequently during his graduate studies. This is because it is the ancestor of Chinese dictionaries and the pioneering work of philology.

Strictly speaking, it's a reference book!

You can hold off on buying it for now, and copy the scriptures first. You can buy the commentaries when you have the money.

Xu Lai put the books back and took out some copper coins from his pocket: "I didn't bring enough money. I'll buy 'Mencius's Phonetic and Semantic Dictionary' another day. For now, I'll buy a roll of writing paper."

The shopkeeper, presumably wanting to cultivate long-term customers, very considerately said, "If Scholar Xu wishes to copy the Classic of Filial Piety, our shop can provide pen and ink, and even cut the paper for you. However, you can only copy it inside the shop, and you will have to compensate for any damage to the book."

"Thank you!" Xu Lai accepted with pleasure.

The shopkeeper called over a shop assistant to help grind the ink and cleared out a section of the counter for Xu Lai.

Xu Lai stood next to the counter and quickly copied the 1800-character Classic of Filial Piety. Then he selected and copied the important parts of the commentary.

He discovered that there was no need to attend classes; simply memorizing scriptures and familiarizing oneself with commentaries should be enough to pass the exam.

Xu Lai continued copying until evening, then ate dinner and walked back to school.

As soon as I entered the dormitory, my roommate Wen Zhonghe said, "Xu Sanlang, you're finally back. Several other people came looking for you this afternoon."

"What do you want?" Xu Lai asked.

Wen Zhonghe exclaimed excitedly, "I wanted to exchange ideas with you! I didn't know you were the top scholar in the imperial examination; your essay was posted at the entrance of the prefectural school. I even went to read it myself. The main points are truly well-written. How did you come up with the Three Cardinal Guides and Eight Principles?"

"That's how it was written," Xu Lai said with a smile.

Wen Zhonghe clicked his tongue in admiration: "Truly remarkable. When I was studying the Book of Rites, I never thought about these things."

Although the *Book of Rites* and the *Zuo Zhuan* are major classics, anyone who could pass the entrance exam for the prefectural school had certainly studied these two classics. In the past, when the study of copying the classics and their interpretations was highly valued, they were even required subjects in the entrance exams.

However, most candidates only studied the material so-so and needed to study it again at the state school.

Xu Lai carried a wooden basin to fetch well water. When he returned, he asked, "Where can I get hot water?"

Wen Zhonghe said, "It's the cafeteria. You have to pay for hot water."

Xu Lai took out a linen cloth, first washed his face with well water, and then poured the water into a wooden tub to wash his feet.

Wen Zhonghe asked, "Did you see Lord Yu today?"

"I met him. The new professor's surname is Chen, and he's from Jiangxi," Xu Lai briefly revealed.

Wen Zhonghe exclaimed in surprise, "Professor, you met him too?"

"Mm," Xu Lai responded.

The two chatted casually for a while, and before long, Yang Shu also came to visit.

Yang Shu was an internal student and lived in a single dormitory.

Since classes hadn't started yet, Yang Shisanlang could play as much as he wanted, and he didn't go back until midnight.

The next day, Xu Lai slept until late morning and was too lazy to eat breakfast. He realized that his routine had been messed up.

Today, some boarding students arrived at school early. They heard that a freshman was very impressive, so they went to the school gate to read his article and then came to visit him.

Moreover, they didn't all come at once; they came one after another. Each one had to be received and their arrival required time for interaction, making it impossible for Xu Lai to study properly.

But I made many friends from my classmates.

……

Qingyuan County Government Office.

Yu Shanyuan has come from his hometown to officially serve as Magistrate Shen's advisor. He also brought his various books on the imperial examinations to review slowly.

"My lord, now that Qingyuan County has no registrar or county lieutenant, the two clerks will inevitably become increasingly disrespectful to their superiors," Yu Shanyuan reminded him.

Shen Zhi didn't take it seriously at all, and said with a smile, "Ever since the robbery of the Maritime Trade Ship, the two of them have become more and more obedient. Nowadays, Qingyuan County is peaceful and harmonious, and there is nothing wrong with it."

Yu Shanyuan hesitated, unsure how to offer advice.

If we say too much, it will only cause Shen Zhi to become dissatisfied.

Those seasoned officials are not easy to deal with.

Especially when Wang Houzhi, who was concurrently the county magistrate's chief clerk, left and the new chief clerk (or county magistrate) had not yet taken office, the county magistrate would inevitably be made a fool of by the clerks and officials, being deceived without even realizing it.

Shen Zhi felt that everything was going smoothly for him, but in reality, he had already lost control of the county government.

Yu Shanyuan thought to himself: This man will never wake up unless he stumbles and falls. Now that I've become his advisor, I can't just stand by and do nothing. I need to secretly find out the situation of the six departments in the county government, otherwise I'll be clueless when something happens.

Shen Zhi didn't work during the day, leaving all official duties to the two clerks, and instead took Yu Shanyuan to the backyard of the county government office for drinks.

The beautiful maid was also summoned to keep them company.

"Come on, come on, it's been a long time since we played backgammon," Shen Zhi said to Yu Shanyuan, enjoying his leisure time. "Let's play chess and drink some wine. I don't have any friends in Qingyuan. If Ti Ren isn't here, I don't know who I'll spend my time with."

Upon hearing this, Yu Shanyuan was furious: I came here to be your advisor, not your hanger-on!

Having no other choice but to live under someone else's roof, Yu Shanyuan could only endure it and even took the initiative to set up a backgammon board.

The maidservants tended the stove to boil wine and sat beside them watching them play chess.

A short while later, the wine had warmed up.

The maid poured wine for the two of them, and Yu Shanyuan, trying to drown his sorrows, drank even more than Shen Zhi.

"My lord, a scholar requests an audience. He claims to be Sun Zhixue, who has returned from Guangzhou, and he has brought with him some kind of righteous essay. He says he has important news to report."

"Bring him in."

Shen Zhi put down his wine cup, threw the dice, and said, "Ti Ren, guess how many scholars from Qingyuan County will be able to pass the imperial examination and enter the prefectural school?"

"How many could you get in each year?" Yu Shanyuan asked.

Shen Zhi said, "Only one or two, three at most."

Yu Shanyuan flattered, "Your Majesty's rule is so clear and far-reaching that you are sure to pass the examinations for three people."

"Hahaha!" Shen Zhi laughed loudly.

Just then, Sun Zhixue, skilled in social interaction, entered and respectfully bowed, saying, "This junior, Sun Zhixue, greets your esteemed father!"

Shen Zhi beckoned and said, "No need for formalities, come and sit down."

"Thank you, Lord Xie."

Sun Zhixue sat down happily: "This year, Qingyuan County was very impressive in the prefectural examination. Xu Lai came in first, Chen Yanhong came in third, and Guo Shen came in twenty-fourth."

Shen Zhi was overjoyed: "As expected, three people passed the exam. The first and third place winners are both from Qingyuan!"

This can barely be considered one of his achievements.

Sun Zhixue took out the copied article: "Please take a look, sir. This is Xu Sanlang's answer sheet."

Shen Zhi took it with great curiosity; he really wanted to know what kind of article could win first place.

After glancing at the questions, Shen Zhi's expression turned strange: "They're testing righteousness this year?"

Yu Shanyuan analyzed, "In the second year of the Jiayou reign, the imperial court established the Mingjing (Classics) examination, where essays on profound principles were given great weight. At the same time, candidates for the Jinshi (Imperial Examination) were allowed to register for an additional examination on profound principles. Those who wrote excellent essays on profound principles could be promoted to the highest rank in the Jinshi examination. Perhaps..."

"What could it be?" Shen Zhi asked.

Yu Shanyuan speculated, "If the imperial examination system continues to be reformed, it is very likely that the 'sticking to the classics' and 'writing on the meaning of words' will be abolished, and the essay on profound meaning will be formally added to the Jinshi examination! Minister Yu is a friend of several prime ministers, and he probably wants to try it out in the local areas."

Shen Zhi nodded approvingly: "That makes sense. Ti Ren is actually able to guess the thoughts of the officials in the court!"

Yu Shanyuan thought to himself: Isn't this obvious?

Shen Zhi buried his head in his reading, saying as he read, "This article is truly excellent; no wonder it was rated as first by Minister Yu... Hmm?"

Yu Shanyuan quickly leaned closer to look.

"The Three Cardinal Guides and Eight Principles, the Three Cardinal Guides and Eight Principles..."

Shen Zhi slowly stood up, holding the article: "Indeed, it is the foundation of self-cultivation and governance. How come I never thought of it before?"

He paced back and forth, muttering to himself, "[From investigating things to cultivating oneself, this is inner sagehood. From regulating one's family to bringing peace to the world, this is outer kingship. Inner sagehood is cultivating oneself; outer kingship is bringing peace to the people. Inner sagehood and outer kingship are not two separate paths, but one that runs through them.]" This passage is truly excellent! Xu Sanlang actually used the *Great Learning* to explain inner sagehood and outer kingship!

Yu Shanyuan was stunned, as if he had been enlightened.

In fact, it was Han Yu who first associated the Great Learning with the concepts of inner sagehood and outer kingship.

However, neither Yu Shanyuan nor Shen Zhi had read Han Yu's article; they thought it was Xu Zi's original viewpoint.

For a moment, they were amazed by its beauty.

Shen Zhi was mediocre in his studies and not particularly good at interpersonal relationships, but he had passed the imperial examination and was able to see at a glance that Xu Lai was destined to become famous.

Shen Zhi read the article several times and said to Yu Shanyuan, "Tiren, immediately draft a commendation document. Commend Xu Sanlang for killing the bandits and donating silver, and also commend him for his self-taught talent. I will also personally write the four characters 'Loyalty, Righteousness, and Upright Conduct,' have them engraved on a plaque, and send it to Xu Lai's family!"

You can hang a commendation document on your front door.

Apart from bandits, no one dares to cause trouble, otherwise it would be considered disrespectful to the government.

At the same time, the county magistrate would commend righteous citizens, and their deeds would be recorded by the county and prefectural schools. These records could then be cited when compiling county and prefectural gazetteers in the future.

Shen Zhi is trying to ride on someone else's coattails again.

The better Xu Lai does in the future, the more fame Shen Zhi will gain, and they might even be included in the "Guangzhou Chronicle" together!

Of course, Xu Lai also gained tangible benefits. Official commendations were displayed at his door, and those who arbitrarily collected taxes and conscripted laborers were all fired.

While Shen Zhi was speaking, Yu Shanyuan finally read the article with his own eyes.

After watching it several times, Yu Shanyuan was deeply moved: Xu Sanlang had grown so much in just two months.

Several days later.

Led by Yu Shanyuan and several yamen runners, and escorted by Uncle Zhang and Bu Chao with a team of archers, they carried the plaque and beat drums as they headed to Qingxi Village.

The plaque was so thick that Xu Lai's thatched hut didn't even have room to hang it!