Chapter 127: The Succubus of the Great Ming

"Although the release of the examination results proceeded as usual afterward, the examiners no longer dared to take the slightest risk. Because of his overwhelming renown, the examiners were reluctant to place him among the top three candidates to avoid any suspicion of favoritism. While we, his friends, felt deeply indignant on his behalf, he remained completely indifferent, believing that caring about rankings was the true disgrace."

With that, he turned to reprimand Su Lu and Zhu Zihe. "Remember that disaster stems from the mouth. No matter how smooth sailing your future may be, you must always be cautious in your speech."

"Yes, your disciple will keep your teachings in mind," Su Lu hastily replied respectfully.

"What does this have to do with me?" Zhu Zihe muttered softly.

"Your mouth is what worries me the most!" Zhu Liu glared at him.

"Your nephew isn't saying that disaster comes from the mouth; your nephew means that with a child prodigy like Yang and a child prodigy like Su around, how could ordinary mortals like us ever hope to stand out?" Zhu Zihe argued with plausible self-justification.

"..." Zhu Liu suddenly realized that this brat was once again swinging from one extreme to the other.

Alas, a youthful temperament was truly difficult to steer.

"What is the name of this Young Master Wang whom the Academy Principal mentioned?" At this point, Su Lu could not help asking softly.

"Wang Shouren, styled Yangming," Zhu Liu replied.

"Does Master Yangming also study the *Classic of Rites*?" Su Lu's heart pounded. This was truly a coincidence beyond coincidence; it seemed heaven had destined him to walk this path.

"Naturally. Independent-minded though he was, he could not possibly ignore the family learning of a top metropolitan graduate and abandon the near to seek far by studying another classic," Zhu Liu said, sounding quite fortunate.

"It was precisely because so few examinees studied the *Classic of Rites* that we were able to become acquainted. However, his mind was entirely occupied with metaphysical matters, paying too little attention to physical realities. When we met again three years later, he no longer remembered who I was, so I had to introduce myself all over again. Yet, that was how we became friends."

The *Book of Changes* states: "That which is above shapes is called the Dao; that which is below shapes is called an instrument."

"In the twelfth year of the Hongzhi reign, I went to the capital for the metropolitan examination for the third time, and I ran into him again while registering at the Ministry of Rites. I thought he had forgotten me once more, but this time he called out my name in a single breath." At this, Zhu Liu actually wore a blissful smile.

"Though he accidentally called me Zhu Niu, it showed he truly remembered me."

"..." Su Lu had not expected that Academy Principal Zhu, admired by all on ordinary days, could possess such a "humble" side.

Could that Wang Yangming be an irresistible charm incarnate of the Ming Dynasty?

Zhu Zihe had never heard this part before, and upon hearing it, found it hard to accept. "Uncle, the first time he forgot your name, and the second time he only remembered your surname—what on earth is there to be proud of?"

"Silence, what do you understand? Brother Yangming is simply that kind of person!" Zhu Liu scolded Zhu Zihe and hurriedly explained for Wang Shouren.

"At the age of fifteen, he wanted to submit a memorial to the Emperor, requesting tens of thousands of elite troops so he could personally campaign and pacify the Tatars."

"Ah? What did the Emperor say?" Su Lu and Zhu Zihe asked in unison. The two of them were also fifteen years old now—just look at what other people were doing at fifteen!

"He never saw the Emperor. The memorial was intercepted by Senior Scholar Wang, who happened to beat him with a stick by way of punishment and placed him under house arrest to reflect on his actions," Zhu Liu said.

"And did he reflect?" Zhu Zihe felt his idol was about to shift from the Child Prodigy Yang to the Child Prodigy Wang.

"He reflected," Zhu Liu nodded and said. "After a while, he told Senior Scholar Wang that he no longer wanted to be a general."

"That sounds right," Zhu Zihe smiled. "Taking the imperial examinations to become a scholar and pursue learning—that is the proper ambition for people of our generation."

"No, his ambition was slightly grander than merely taking the imperial examinations. He told Senior Scholar Wang that he wanted to become a sage," Zhu Liu said with a wry smile.

"..." Zhu Zihe was left speechless.

"As a result, he was beaten by Senior Scholar Wang once again. But it was useless; his obsession remained unchanged, and from then on he embarked on the path of seeking to become a sage." Zhu Liu sighed softly. "Ever since then, he has appeared somewhat eccentric in the eyes of outsiders. For instance, at seventeen, he went to his father-in-law's home to be married, only to disappear on the wedding day itself."

"His bride's family must have been worried sick, searching high and low for the groom. Early the next morning, they finally found him in a nearby temple—he had spent the entire night discussing Zen with an old Buddhist monk. When he saw people coming to look for him, he even asked with surprise, 'Why are you looking for me?'" Zhu Liu laughed bitterly.

"Was he unhappy with this marriage?" Zhu Zihe asked.

"No, he was simply too engrossed in the metaphysical world," Zhu Liu said, glancing at his nephew. "Now do you understand how remarkable it is that he remembered half of my name?"

"Indeed, that's quite something." Zhu Zihe was deeply convinced. If a man could forget even his own wedding night, one should never hold any expectations for his memory.

"Stop interrupting..." Zhu Liu glared at Zhu Zihe, then continued, "Three years later, I failed the examinations for the fourth time. At that moment, my heart truly turned to ashes. Outside the windows of our Sichuan Guild Hall is the Houhai Lake; I honestly wanted to push the window open, jump out, and put an end to it all."

"Never did I expect that Brother Yangming would arrive at that exact moment. He carried a jar of wine, pushed open the door, and said, 'I think you need this right now,'" Zhu Liu said, his face glowing with happiness.

"That night, he stayed with me and drank until we were thoroughly intoxicated. What was said or done, I no longer remember. But I will never forget the moment he pushed open the door—he truly regarded me as a friend."

This time, Zhu Zihe did not resort to sarcasm. He sighed softly and said, "I really would love to meet Master Yangming."

Su Lu thought to himself: *Oh please, you were captivated without even meeting him—he's a certified enchanter.*

"A few days later, he introduced me to Senior Scholar Wang. At that time, Senior Scholar Wang was highly esteemed as the Emperor's tutor and an Academician of the Hanlin Academy. It was entirely thanks to Brother Yangming's help that I was favored with over a month of personal guidance from the old gentleman, which greatly advanced my understanding of the classics. Only because it was truly too much to continue intruding did I take my leave and return home..." Zhu Liu said with considerable regret.

"I wonder if I will ever have another opportunity to listen to his elder's teachings."

After saying this, he looked a bit dazed and asked, "How did we end up talking about all this?"

"Your disciple asked the Academy Principal whether Lord Yangming also studied the *Classic of Rites*," Su Lu said softly. "And the Academy Principal began recalling your interactions."

"Ah, perhaps it is because I might see him again soon, which inevitably stirred up these memories," Zhu Liu coughed awkwardly and said. "You asked so much—could it be that you also wish to study the *Classic of Rites*?"

"Yes." Su Lu thought to himself that perhaps there was a mysterious providence at work. He nodded heavily and said, "I beg the Academy Principal to allow this disciple to study the *Classic of Rites* under your guidance!"

"You must think this through carefully," Zhu Zihe hurriedly reminded him. "The *Classic of Rites* is an isolated classic, and very few candidates are accepted. I had no choice in the matter. Qiji, you have a choice—why bring trouble upon yourself?"

"Zihe is not wrong this time," Zhu Liu also nodded, looking solemnly at Su Lu. "There is no problem if you want to study the *Classic of Rites*, but I must make it clear to you: year after year, in every session, whether for the examination of Cultivated Talents, the Provincial Examination, or the Metropolitan Examination, the candidates who register for the *Classic of Rites* are invariably the fewest. That is why it is called an 'isolated classic'."

Pausing for a moment, the Academy Principal explained: "Because the content of the *Classic of Rites* is vast and immensely complex—roughly equivalent to the other four classics combined—it requires many times more effort, and it is difficult to learn and master. Even Senior Scholar Wang, after passing the Cultivated Talent examination at seventeen, spent a full eighteen years polishing his scholarship before achieving great success and ascending to the highest ranks."

"And then there is Brother Yangming, a talent blessed by the heavens, recognized by the grand secretaries as prime material for a top graduate, and guided by Senior Scholar Wang himself—yet it still took him a full nine years and three attempts at the examinations before he passed. Not to mention myself..." He looked at Su Lu and asked, "So, do you still choose the *Classic of Rites*?"

"Choose a different one," Zhu Zihe also advised.

Yet Su Lu asked: "Since it is so difficult, why does the Academy Principal's family choose the *Classic of Rites* as their family classic?"

"Naturally because the *Classic of Rites* is extraordinary!" Zhu Liu raised his eyebrows and said proudly, "Master Zhu once said that those who study the *Classic of Rites* 'are few but refined.' If one can thoroughly understand its underlying principles, 'when discussing matters of ritual and expounding on moral transformation during imperial policy tests, one will surely have extraordinary insights.' Therefore, scholars who can penetrate the *Classic of Rites* possess genuine skill!"

"Furthermore, unlike the other four classics, the *Classic of Rites* has exhaustive annotations and complete discourses. Every rule of propriety and every principle has traceable precedents. As long as one settles down to study the annotations, one can find precise theoretical backing. There are not so many different schools of thought that leave you guessing back and forth. Thus, with the *Classic of Rites*, if you know it, you know it; if you don't, you don't. There is no room to fake understanding, nor can one rely on lucky guesses about exam topics."

"Therefore, those who study the *Classic of Rites*, as long as their understanding of the classics matures, are guaranteed to pass the provincial examination! And if their mastery becomes profound, they are guaranteed to pass the metropolitan examination! This is something other classics cannot match!"

Zhu Liu sighed again. "Alas, people in this world are always eager for quick success and instant benefits, feeling that this path is too long, and thus they only want to take shortcuts. But our Zhu family only wishes to walk the certain path; even if we arrive at the destination a little later, it is far better than getting lost."

He smiled, lowering his voice. "Moreover, once one passes the metropolitan examination, those who studied the ritual classics are looked upon with higher esteem. Not only are they the most numerous among those selected as imperial bachelors to enter the Hanlin Academy, but their future official posts will basically be either historians or ritual officials—all top-tier positions of pure distinction. The chances of eventually becoming a grand secretary or entering the cabinet are also greater than for others."

With a self-deprecating laugh, he added, "Of course, you must achieve mastery first. By the time you spend all that effort, others would have already passed the metropolitan examinations several times over."

"This disciple does not fear being slow; this disciple only fears the obscure," Su Lu said, having completely made up his mind. "I believe the one most suited to myself is the *Classic of Rites*!"

With that, he made a deep bow and said, "I earnestly implore the Academy Principal to accept me under your tutelage!"

"That is impossible," Zhu Liu stated decisively.

"Why?" Su Lu was taken aback, and even Zhu Zihe frowned, asking, "What are you doing, Uncle?"

"Hahaha!" Zhu Liu burst into hearty laughter. "Because you are already my formal indoor disciple; how could I accept you a second time?"

"..." Su Lu was left somewhere between laughter and tears. Was having fun like this really enjoyable, Academy Principal?

"I am naturally glad that you are willing to study the *Classic of Rites* under me. But as you know, I am about to head to the capital for the metropolitan examinations. If I fail, that's one thing. If I should be fortunate enough to pass, my future will no longer be my own." After laughing, Zhu Liu continued, "Therefore, whether I can personally instruct you in the future remains uncertain."

"This disciple can begin by studying under Mr. Zheng..." Su Lu said softly.

"Mr. Zheng will not do," Zhu Liu shook his head. "His proficiency is even inferior to Mr. Niu's, and in the academy, only the instructors for the *Classic of Poetry* and the *Book of Changes* are passable. Therefore, I have recommended students of similar proficiency to study those two classics."

"If you are willing, after the holidays, accompany Zihe back to Luzhou, and I will write a letter to my third older brother, asking him to impart instruction on my behalf." He looked at Su Lu and said, "My third older brother has the best scholarship in our family, but he has a fierce temper. Back then, he took the autumn provincial examinations even earlier than I did, but unable to bear the humiliation of being searched at the entrance, he indignantly boycotted the test and never set foot in the examination grounds again. All these years at home, he has concentrated purely on studying the classics and teaching the younger generation, and his scholarship has grown even more refined. Only with him lecturing you on the *Classic of Rites* can I truly be at ease."

"That would naturally be for the best," Su Lu said softly. "This disciple will submit entirely to the Academy Principal's arrangements."

"However, Luzhou is too far from Taiping Town; you cannot travel back and forth for lessons," Zhu Liu asked again. "How about going to Luzhou to study?"

(Note: Another update of four chapters. In just half a month, the monk has published a full 210,000 characters... It is truly incredible. Naturally, I am also exhausted, mainly because my eyes can no longer take it. They are red like a rabbit's, dry and itchy. So I must slow down... Starting tomorrow, I will reduce the volume and let my eyes rest for a bit.)