Chapter 128: The Final Day

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On the fifteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, the year-end examination took place, marking the final monthly test. It was also Su Lu’s last day at Taiping Academy.

Starting next year, he would join Zhu Zihe to study at Heshan Academy in Luzhou. Taiping Academy served as the lower division of Heshan Academy, where the headmaster held the authority to recommend outstanding students upward.

But humans are not saints; who can be entirely selfless? Most of the time, those at the helm were reluctant to send their best students away, even if it meant the academy’s upper division.

Yet Zhu Liu did just that, naturally drawing sharp rebukes from the teachers. But since he was planning to leave anyway, he didn’t care much about their scolding...

What if he failed the exam and had to return in shame? He would cross that bridge when he came to it.

This decision, however, was beneficial to Su Lu. Mr. Zhang also supported his move to Luzhou, so Su Lu agreed.

Therefore, this examination would be his last at Taiping Academy...

~~

The sound of the wooden clapper kicked off the exam, snapping Su Lu back from his bittersweet reflections. He focused all his attention on the test paper, approaching it with a near-reverent attitude as he began to write stroke by stroke.

Having completed the commentary on the classic texts, Su Lu turned to the main challenge—composition.

The prompt was: “Things have roots and branches; affairs have beginnings and ends.”

This phrase comes from the third paragraph at the opening of the Great Learning, a lesson Mr. Zhang taught on the first day. The headmaster’s choice of this question symbolized a return to the starting point and served as a fitting summary of the year’s study.

It seemed that on the eve of departure, the headmaster had softened and ceased his usual mischief.

Yet upon examining the prompt, Su Lu realized it was no simple matter. First, it was a question that required both continuity and transition: the essay must carry forward the moral principles of the preceding text—Zhu Xi considered this paragraph a summary of the first two sections—and embody the “unexpressed meaning” in the latter part, “Knowing the order of precedence is close to the Way.”

Moreover, Zhu’s commentary elaborates: “Bright virtue is the root; renewing the people is the branch. Knowing where to stop is the beginning; being able to achieve is the end. The root and beginning come first; branches and ends follow.”

He further explains: “Bright virtue and renewing the people are two contrasting internal and external elements, hence root and branch; knowing where to stop and being able to achieve are cause and effect, hence beginning and end.”

Thus, these seemingly simple eight characters are imbued with profound significance. When composing, students must integrate these insights into a coherent essay within just a few hundred words—a formidable task.

After a year of study, students should no longer see the mountain as merely a mountain—as they did at the start of the term when learning the Great Learning. Only after completing the Doctrine of the Mean and reviewing earlier texts can the sage’s subtle teachings be truly grasped.

Therefore, the essay must delve beneath the surface, elucidating deeper truths elegantly and clearly.

If one cannot discern these three layers of requirements and fulfill them all, no amount of florid writing will suffice. This was truly the ultimate comprehensive question, an impartial and fitting conclusion to the academic year.

After some careful thought and revision, Su Lu switched to his best brush and meticulously copied the essay onto the answer sheet.

Upon completing the transcription and thoroughly checking for errors, Su Lu set down his brush, exhaled softly, and looked around the study room.

From where he sat, he could take in all his classmates without turning his head.

At the start of the term, there had been twenty students including himself; now only fifteen remained. In the latter half of the year, the headmaster had set two more vexing questions, causing two classmates to leave early.

Now it was his turn to depart.

A strong wave of reluctance surged in Su Lu’s heart. Mr. Zhang, his classmates, and this very lecture hall had all left him with extraordinarily fond memories...

How fortunate to have been admitted to this academy.

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~~

The wooden clapper sounded once again, signaling the end of the last exam in this hall.

After the proctor collected the papers and left, Su Lu’s classmates quickly gathered around him. Their faces bore no sign of holiday cheer—only profound regret.

Su Lu shared their sorrow, embracing each one in turn to say farewell. The thought that he would no longer see his adopted father daily brought tears to many eyes. Cheng Wanzhou wept uncontrollably, as if mourning a parent.

“Aren’t we still going to have a farewell feast together?” Ma Zhai, the dormitory chief, comforted them. “Why cry now?”

“Exactly! Brother’s chance to go to Heshan Academy is a great opportunity!” Qiao Feng laughed heartily. “Wasn’t that our goal when we first took the Taiping exam?”

“Right,” Lin Zhihong nodded firmly. “Brother, you go ahead. Next year, we’ll meet again in Luzhou!”

Next year, the top ten students in the academy would proceed to Heshan Academy to complete their final year, as announced before the term.

This time, Su Lu and Zhu Zihe were specially recommended. No one felt this unfair, as they had already pulled far ahead of the others, truly needing a greater challenge.

Besides, having these two prodigies move up freed two spots for others...

“All right, everyone, keep working hard to secure all the top ten places!” Su Lu encouraged. “I’ll stake out a good spot in Luzhou and wait for you all!”

He stretched out his hand and called out loudly, “Don’t miss this meeting!”

“All right, it’s a promise!” The classmates also extended their arms, sixteen young hands clasping tightly together as they shouted in unison, “Don’t miss this meeting!”

“All right, all right, the sky is vast but eating is most important. Let’s go feast!” Ma Qianli, the fervent feast enthusiast and beloved dorm chief known as the “Free Meal King” of Taiping Town, rallied the group. “I’ve invited Cheng Wantang and the others too. Let’s not keep them waiting!”

“That’s wonderful! No wonder you’re our chief!” The classmates were thrilled to hear everyone would be present.

“Of course! In our dorm, no one gets left behind!” Ma Zhai said proudly.

One couldn’t deny that the dorm’s unity owed much to their adopted father’s selfless guidance and Ma Zhai’s powerful leadership.

The classmates set down their book boxes and clustered around Su Lu as they headed out.

Passing the preparation room, Su Lu said, “You all go on to Hongyun Tower. I’ll bid farewell to the teacher.”

“That’s only right,” the classmates agreed. Su Lu was Mr. Zhang’s most prized disciple, receiving special instruction from day one right up to yesterday.

Though they didn’t know that the second half of the year mostly involved theoretical discussions...

~~

Su Lu approached the preparation room and gently knocked on the peeling wooden door.

“Come in,” came Zhang Yanqiu’s voice from within.

He straightened his collar, opened the door, and respectfully bowed. “Teacher.”

This gesture and exchange had been repeated hundreds of times this year.

“I knew you’d come.” Zhang Yanqiu stood from behind his desk, smiling as he approached, lifting his prized student with a reluctant gaze, trying to memorize his visage.

He said, “From now on, there won’t be a foolish teacher like me; you’ll have to teach me instead. The teachers at Heshan Academy are far more skilled than I am. If you’re lucky, you might even meet a scholar-in-waiting to instruct you.”

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“But Teacher, you’re my most important instructor. No one can replace you,” Su Lu’s eyes reddened as he spoke with a thick nasal tone. “I will never forget your teachings, nor the earnest care of Madam.”

“Hahaha, I believe the last part. I always knew you couldn’t forget Madam’s cooking.” Zhang Yanqiu laughed heartily, pointing to the double-layered food box on the desk. “Your Madam made all this for you. Take it to the county and enjoy it slowly.”

“Yes, when I return, I will certainly pay my respects to Madam,” Su Lu said gratefully, accepting the heartfelt gift.

As agreed, officials from the county would arrive tomorrow to escort Su Lu to Hejiang to teach phonetic annotations. He would spend the New Year in the county as well.

“Why can’t you come along, Teacher?” Su Lu had asked Zhang Yanqiu many times. The headmaster also urged him, but Zhang refused.

He still wanted to try once more, as both he and the headmaster felt such an opportunity was too rare for Mr. Zhang.

If he went to the county and proved helpful in promoting phonetic symbols, the magistrate Lu would at least arrange a teaching position for him at the county school.

The position of county school instructor required a scholar or county graduate, which he did not meet. But Su Lu had learned that below instructors, there were tutors—experienced students appointed by the Ministry of Personnel, also officials receiving imperial salary.

Unlike instructors, tutors only needed the magistrate’s recommendation and the education official’s approval before the Ministry issued an appointment. The headmaster said it was basically up to Magistrate Lu.

Alternatively, through meritorious service in education, one might bypass the usual examination and be sent to study at the Southern Academy, becoming a prestigious county student, second only to scholars in status.

Such students could then take Ministry exams to become county clerks or directly instructors.

No one could guarantee exactly how it would turn out, but going gave a chance; not going meant no chance at all.

“You’ve said this many times. I know you’re a good boy and want to share the credit with me,” Zhang said firmly, “but I’ve told you many times—what’s the point of me going to the county? This simple phonetic scheme, can’t you teach it alone? Would you want a teacher standing by your side, making you a laughingstock?”

“It’s not just teaching the county school teachers; promoting phonetic symbols involves much more,” Su Lu replied quickly.

“I know,” Zhang sighed, “but dealing with officials means bowing and scraping. Going to the countryside means socializing with them. I don’t like that.”

“Teacher, no one likes it, but sometimes it’s necessary...” Su Lu said softly.

“I know, I know,” Zhang nodded, pressing a hand gently on Su Lu’s shoulder. “If I were young, I’d go willingly without your urging.”

“But now I’m old. I don’t want to abandon my family and work to sit in a county office thousands of miles away. I don’t want to grovel at the county school. There’s no comparison to the academy. How could I trade my green robe for a life of idleness and stifling corruption?” Zhang smiled with clear eyes.

“I like teaching here in this mountain valley. The children need me. I don’t want to move anymore. Please forgive this unambitious teacher...”

“Yes, Teacher.” Su Lu understood everyone had their own aspirations. What is honey to one is poison to another.

What one person thinks is kindness may be torment to another.

He only worried that the teacher refused to go to the county to spare him.

But since the teacher’s mind was made up, pressing further would be presumptuous. He took a deep breath and bowed, clasping his fists.

“Before we part, I have an unreasonable request. Please, Teacher, you must grant it.”

“Speak up, but I can’t promise if it’s too much,” Zhang warned, wary of being tricked into going to the county.

“Please grant me a courtesy name in advance!” Su Lu asked earnestly.