Poor but talented scholar

Chapter 93 The Imperial Examination is Approaching

As the sun sets, the work on the docks is drawing to a close.

Lu Shouye wiped his sweat and walked to the counter, where the settlement was handled.

The accountant, his abacus beads moved so fast he would haggle for ages over even a penny more.

But today, when he looked up and saw that the person who came was Lu Shouye, his tense face relaxed.

"Brother Lu, are you done with your work?" His tone was unusually polite.

Lu Shouye was flattered and quickly bowed, handing over the bamboo tally: "Mr. Sun, there are a total of thirty-six bags of grain today. Please check them."

Instead of checking each item repeatedly as usual, Accountant Sun glanced at it briefly and then wrote down his thoughts in the ledger.

Immediately, he took out a string of coins from the money bag behind him, and then took out five copper coins from the small tube next to him, and pushed them in front of Lu Shouye.

"A total of thirty-six coins. These five coins... were specially given to you by the owner, who said they were for you to buy a drink to relieve your fatigue."

Lu Shouye was stunned and somewhat at a loss: "This... Mr. Sun, this is not in accordance with the rules. You are paid for the amount of work you do, and I cannot take the extra."

Seeing this, Accountant Sun stood up himself and stuffed the few copper coins into Lu Shouye's hand: "Brother Lu, please accept them. Your Chuan'er is a big shot now. Who doesn't know he's a favorite of the Prefect? ​​The boss said that it's a blessing for our dock to have you working here."

"From now on, when you work here, no one will dare to shortchange you. If anyone is so foolish as to offend you, just tell me."

The other laborers nearby, who were receiving their wages, heard this and, though envious, none dared to speak up. Instead, they all echoed the sentiment:

"That's right, Uncle Lu, your family has produced a literary genius, we're all trying to curry favor with you."

Lu Shouye held the extra five coins, feeling a mix of emotions.

He knew that this safety measure was only for his son's sake.

"Then thank you very much, Mr. Sun, and thank you very much, boss."

He thanked him and put the money in his pocket.

When he left the cargo counter, Lu Shouye's posture was much more upright.

He didn't care about the five coins; what he cared about was how successful his son was. Before, when he worked at the docks, people called him "Old Lu"; now they called him "Brother Lu".

He bought a bag of his son's favorite sesame candy from a roadside stall.

As the summer heat gradually subsided, Yingnan Prefecture became lively again.

The day before the college entrance examination is fast approaching.

This is not only a grand event in Yingnan Prefecture, but also the final leap for students from several surrounding prefectures and counties.

In an instant, the cobblestone streets of the city were filled with figures in long gowns and square scarves.

At this time, Yingnan Prefecture had become a veritable academic city.

All the major inns were fully booked long ago, and even the houses in remote alleys have seen their prices skyrocket.

Lu Chuan's residence, Qingyouju, was overflowing with people. The manager not only removed the stage where folk songs were originally performed, but also thoughtfully added candles to every corner.

In teahouses and taverns, the idle men who used to gossip and talk about prices have disappeared, replaced by scholars engrossed in their studies.

"Brother, do you think the theme of this piece is sound?"

"That's not quite right. In recent years, the Academic Commissioner has been promoting classical Chinese style. Your words are too ornate."

On the streets and alleys, groups of students can be seen everywhere, either arguing heatedly under the shade of trees or reciting aloud to the wall as if no one else is around.

Just then, a piece of news warmed Lu Chuan's heart.

That afternoon, Lu Chuan had just finished studying the classics and was about to return to his room when he saw a letter with sealing wax on the counter.

"Master Lu, this was sent in this afternoon by someone sent by a scholar surnamed Zhao," the shopkeeper said politely.

After the results of the last prefectural examination were announced, Master Zhao had to return to his hometown in a hurry due to an emergency at home.

With the provincial examination just around the corner, Master Zhao came immediately and delivered a message.

"The teacher's kindness is as heavy as a mountain. Now that the Master has arrived, how can the disciple be disrespectful?"

That evening, Lu Chuan hosted a small welcome banquet in a private room at the restaurant.

Although it was called a banquet, it was not extravagant.

On the table were the famous "Four Dishes of the Study" from Yingnan Prefecture, light and palatable, and the wine was a warm, aged Shaoxing wine, not strong, but comforting.

When Master Zhao pushed open the door and entered, Lu Chuan was already waiting.

"Student Lu Chuan pays respects to his esteemed teacher." Lu Chuan bowed deeply.

Master Zhao took two quick steps, helped Lu Chuan up by the shoulder, and scrutinized his face for a long time before nodding repeatedly: "Good! Good! Eleven-year-old top scholar of the prefectural examination! When I heard the good news in the countryside, I drank three dou of old wine. Chuan'er, you have not disgraced our Qingyang."

Lu Chuan led the Master to his seat.

Inside the private room, the candlelight flickered.

Lu Chuan picked up the wine pot and steadily poured a cup of yellow wine for Master Zhao. Then he raised the cup with both hands, his eyes sincere.

"My dear teacher, this cup is a toast to you. Without your guidance in Qingyang County, Luchuan would not be where it is today."

Master Zhao smiled and drank it all down, then put down his cup, his eyes filled with satisfaction.

After several rounds of drinks, Lu Chuan stopped hiding his feelings and told the Master about his experiences in Yingnan Prefecture without reservation.

"Master, the prefectural school is not like the county school; the waters there run deep."

Lu Chuan lowered his voice and explained in detail how Lord Zhou had publicly promoted him at the prefectural school.

Master Zhao listened and nodded repeatedly.

He knew this disciple all too well; he was exceptionally gifted and possessed a mind that bordered on the supernatural.

As his mentor, he felt more worried than gratified. He feared that the boy might stumble if he progressed too quickly or stood too high.

After several rounds of drinks, the food on the table had gone cold, but Master Shen hadn't touched a single bite.

He pushed open the wooden window facing the street and pointed to the students still lingering in the lamplight downstairs.

"Chuan'er, come and see." Master Zhao pointed downstairs, "Some of those people downstairs have old wives, and some have graying temples."

"Each of them was once hailed as a child prodigy in their hometown county. But look at them, they took the exam for ten or twenty years, and in the end, they only ended up with the title of an old student."

He turned his head and said earnestly:

"Although you have the title of top scholar, you must not become arrogant. This provincial examination is truly a selection by Heaven."

"There are countless people in this world who can read books, but only one in a hundred can truly leap over this dragon gate. If you can't cross it, no matter how many books you read, it will be of no use. In the eyes of the imperial law, you are still just a commoner."

Master Zhao gestured with his hand.

"If you cross that threshold, you will become a true scholar." It's a complete transformation. You won't have to kneel before the county magistrate, you won't be flogged in court, and if you rank high enough to become a government-subsidized student, the imperial court will even provide you with a monthly stipend of grain.

"This is not just about money and provisions, it's also about status."

"With this status, you will be qualified to participate in next year's provincial examination and strive for the title of Juren."