Chapter 116: The Magistrate Plays the Spendthrift

As expected, Magistrate Lu appeared deeply moved. He said to Su Lu, "It is truly excellent that you have such a heart. But child, to be honest with you, I have my own selfish motives as well. I originally intended to cultivate you into a child prodigy, hoping to seize a final opportunity to see if I could turn my own fortunes around."

"In that case, the higher your achievements, the more it benefits me. If you can pass the metropolitan examination and put in a good word for me when you submit your thanks to the throne, my wishes will be fulfilled! If you can become the top scholar, I could be promoted to a prefect, or even a governor!"

"Unfortunately, this student is still too far from passing the metropolitan examination," Su Lu said with a look of shame. "And dreaming of becoming the top scholar is something I dare not even imagine."

"The hope is indeed slim, as our Hejiang County has not produced a single successful candidate in the hundred years since the founding of the dynasty," Magistrate Lu sighed with a bitter smile. Then, changing his tone, he added proudly, "But now, with your 'Phonetic Symbols for the Hongwu Correct Rhymes,' we no longer need to rely on fickle luck!"

"I intend to use this to achieve solid political results! I will walk out of these mountains step by step! And not only will I walk out, but I will climb higher and go further!" Magistrate Lu excitedly slapped the edge of the bed, only to wince in pain and gasp. He said to Su Lu, "But that makes it even more important that you are not known as my student. Because once I successfully implement this in Hejiang, I plan to report it to the imperial court! I want the young students across the thirteen provinces and the two capitals to learn these phonetic symbols!"

He burst into hearty laughter, adding, "When that happens, I’d like to see how those degree-holding officials have the face to mock me? They couldn't manage to enlighten the common people, but I did! Hiss..."

"If it reaches that point, it will be the work of a sage," Zhu Liu said, nodding. "It would at least fulfill one of the 'three immortal achievements.'"

"So these 'phonetic symbols' must be—and can only be—the independent creation of a child prodigy. They cannot have anything to do with me! Do you understand?" He raised his voice.

Su Lu began to understand, but at his age, it was better not to, so he shook his head and said, "I don't understand."

"It is indeed like this," Zhu Liu explained on Magistrate Lu's behalf. "It is because of the discrimination the 'Pure Stream' holds against the 'Turbid Stream.' How could such a brilliant tool that greatly facilitates the enlightenment of the people be conceived by the 'Turbid Stream'? I suspect the lords in the capital would rather leave it gathering dust than promote it. Otherwise, how would they continue to discriminate against us?"

"How shameless," Su Lu lamented, then asked, "So there would be no problem if it were under my name?"

"Of course not! Our dynasty treasures child prodigies the most! Why would those old ministers be jealous of you? They would only wish for you to be even more extraordinary! When you produce these 'phonetic symbols,' they will only see it as a great omen. Do you understand?" Magistrate Lu said excitedly. "Furthermore, it will provide you with many invisible advantages when you take the provincial and metropolitan examinations in the future!"

Changing the subject, he added, "As for me personally, regardless of everything, you are a student of this county and one I discovered early on! I am the one who first promoted and implemented these phonetic symbols; that is something no one can change! So, it is enough for you to call me 'Teacher'; there is no need to gild the lily," Magistrate Lu concluded firmly.

Zhu Liu also said in a low voice, "Su Lu, the Magistrate has put a lot of thought into this and has considered it carefully. You should listen to his arrangements."

"Yes, student greets Teacher." Su Lu bowed deeply to Magistrate Lu and emphasized, "But in my heart, Magistrate Lu is no different from my true teacher!"

"Good, good, good child." Magistrate Lu was overjoyed and immediately asked his attendant to seal ten taels of silver in a blue cotton cloth as a welcoming gift.

Holding the heavy blue pouch, Su Lu was truly startled and said in a panic, "Isn't this too much?"

Earlier in the front hall, the stationery Magistrate Lu had awarded the ten students was common, totaling less than one tael of silver. Afterward, the senior students had inevitably grumbled that the Magistrate was stingy. He had not expected such generosity now. It could only be said that Magistrate Lu was a practical man who spent his money where it mattered most.

Seeing the poor boy stunned by the ten taels, Magistrate Lu smiled with satisfaction; this was the effect he wanted. "This is for your studies. Studying is an expensive endeavor. You don't feel it now, but the expenses will only grow as you advance. Ten taels won't last long."

He added humorously, "When you run out, come to the county office for a bit of help. Although I am not wealthy, I can certainly afford to support your studies."

"A gift from an elder should not be refused. Just accept the Magistrate's good intentions," Zhu Liu also said to Su Lu, thinking to himself that the wool was being shorn from the sheep itself—the academy had provided a hundred taels for the Magistrate's visit, half of which went directly to him.

Only then did Su Lu thank him repeatedly and accept the gift with trepidation.

Magistrate Lu offered some gentle encouragement, telling Su Lu to study hard and come to him if he encountered any difficulties. "I should have kept you by my side to teach you, but my scholarship is certainly not as good as the headmaster's. For the sake of your studies, you should continue to learn under him," Magistrate Lu said with self-awareness. "However, you can come to me for anything outside of your studies. Although Yongning Guard is not under my direct jurisdiction, I oversee many things there. Even if it is not my responsibility, I can coordinate for you..."

He smiled faintly and added, "Troubles you think might bring the sky down are mere trifles to me. So do not panic when you encounter difficulties; it wouldn't be worth it if it affected your studies."

"Yes, student will remember your teachings," Su Lu replied respectfully.

"Also, regarding your 'phonetic scheme,' I intend to promote it in all the community schools in the county. What do you think?" Magistrate Lu asked politely.

"This scheme was meant to be offered to you, Teacher. It is meant to help people learn to read; the more people who learn it, the more useful it will be!" Su Lu said happily.

"Good, good. Enlightenment is the foremost of all virtues! You will surely be blessed," Magistrate Lu said happily. "Later, I will gather all the teachers from the community schools and hold a class at the county school, which you will teach."

"I am too young, am I not?" Su Lu said quickly. "Perhaps our teacher should lead it instead."

"If you ask him, he will surely say you should do it," Magistrate Lu said, well-versed in human nature. "Knowing that he firmly refused to put his name on it, I know he shares my thinking."

"We don't have much support in this small place, so don't spurn Teacher Zhang's good intentions," Zhu Liu said bluntly. "Divided, our strength is scattered; focused, it is complete. Supporting you alone first, and having you pull others up once you succeed, is the right way."

"Student understands." Su Lu nodded, saying no more, though he was determined not to leave Teacher Zhang behind. He asked, "When will the classes start?"

"No rush; we cannot delay your studies. Besides, I have to deal with the autumn taxes when I return, then prepare to build the community schools and recruit teachers... Things are not so easy to do. If we can prepare by the end of the year and start classes after the New Year, that would be quite an achievement." Magistrate Lu calculated and asked, "When does the academy start its winter break?"

"The fifteenth of the twelfth lunar month, as soon as the final examinations are over," Zhu Liu said.

"Good, let's arrange it for those days. I will send someone to pick you up," Magistrate Lu decided.

He truly didn't want to waste a single day of his studies. Magistrate Lu finally said to Su Lu, "I should have invited you to stay for a meal, but as you can see, I am in no state for it. We shall have to do it another day."

"Yes, student takes his leave. Please take care of your health, Teacher, and I hope for your speedy recovery." Su Lu bowed deeply and withdrew.

Magistrate Lu watched until his figure disappeared from the doorway before slowly retracting his gaze.

"The Magistrate certainly has high hopes for this boy," Zhu Liu said with a smile.

"Isn't it the same for you, Dejia?" Magistrate Lu laughed. "I see you've already placed him above your own nephew."

"Haha, this isn't about favoritism, but about his ability... He has topped the monthly assessments for two consecutive months; otherwise, Zihe would not be convinced," Zhu Liu explained with a smile.

"It is a pity for such a student to study in Yongning," Magistrate Lu said, speaking more bluntly now that they were alone. "A golden phoenix flying out of a mountain ravine requires the premise that it must fly out."

"Indeed, the academy in such a small place is simply not enough. It no longer holds any challenges for him; he needs stronger opponents and better teachers, or his progress will surely slow or even stagnate," Zhu Liu sighed. "But I can only manage to send him to Luzhou; Chongqing or Chengdu are out of reach."

"I cannot do it either. Let's take it one step at a time." Magistrate Lu changed his posture, letting his attendant massage his sore shoulders, and asked vaguely, "By the way, do you intend to take the metropolitan examination this coming spring?"

"Yes." Zhu Liu had already made his decision. "I have decided to try one last time. If I fail, I will honestly spend the rest of my life teaching."

"Then you must quickly hand over your duties here and prepare to head to the capital," Magistrate Lu sighed. "That is the capital... such a distant place."

"I will set off after the students go on break," Zhu Liu said, unhurried. "Deciding to go at the last minute is already quite embarrassing. I must at least finish this academic year properly."

"You won't be able to leave until the fifteenth of the twelfth lunar month. Will you have enough time?" Magistrate Lu asked.

"Rest assured, there will be time. I am familiar with the journey; I won't be delayed," Zhu Liu said with a bitter smile.

Magistrate Lu then sealed another twenty taels of silver for his travel expenses, along with one hundred taels of silver for him to use for networking in the capital. It would have been more appropriate to prepare local specialties for the old ministers from his hometown, but since Zhu Liu was in such a rush, he couldn't possibly carry them.

"Sigh, in our poverty-stricken area, this bit of money is truly not much to look at..." Magistrate Lu felt the amount was too small to be presentable. But he knew well that such gift-giving was like sprinkling water on the ground; it barely dampens the surface and is largely useless. So, he figured a gesture was enough.

"It is fine; the intention is what matters," Zhu Liu comforted him. "The ministers are very frugal in the capital. If it weren't for the New Year, I wouldn't even be able to deliver this for you."

"I trouble you, brother." Magistrate Lu braced his arms to bow in thanks, laughing at himself, "I have to trouble you to lose face for my sake."

"It is no trouble," Zhu Liu said softly. "But the most I can do is let the ministers know that someone named Magistrate Lu exists; I cannot help you achieve much."

"Just knowing I exist is enough! Once I achieve results, they will be able to connect the name to the person," Magistrate Lu said, focusing on the future. He smiled at Zhu Liu, "I still have to count on you, brother Dejia. Once you pass the metropolitan examination, you must give your brother a hand!"

"That will have to wait until I actually pass," Zhu Liu sighed, saying wistfully, "I hope I can have a stroke of luck this time. If I still don't pass, I really will never go again..."

If Zhu Zihe were present, he would surely have retorted that he had said the exact same thing last time.