Top Scholar

Chapter 27 No Blame on Heaven, No Blame on Others
"Liu Yan of the Tang Dynasty." The examiner then used the Three Character Classic to compose the question.

Although Su Lu could answer immediately, he still went over it in his mind first, as the examiner had instructed, to avoid giving the wrong answer.

This is also a speaking test technique. No matter how eloquently you speak, it won't truly save the examiner time. You need to give yourself ample time to think and confirm your answers before responding.

“Liu Yan of the Tang Dynasty was only seven years old. He was recognized as a child prodigy and appointed as a corrector of characters,” Su Lu replied.

The examiner nodded and then used the "Hundred Family Surnames" as a question: "Happy to be a tutor in the times."

Su Lu pondered for a moment before answering: "Le Yu Shi Fu, Pi Bian Qi Kang. Wu Yu Yuan Bu, Gu Meng Ping Huang."

The examiner nodded and then changed the question to the Thousand Character Classic: "Eight counties were granted fiefs to the households."

"My household is granted control of eight counties, and each family is provided with a thousand soldiers. I wear a tall hat and ride in the imperial carriage, my carriage wheels jingling with the tassels of my hat," Su Lu replied.

The exam was considered over with the "three hundred thousand" question. The examiner then switched to the Four Books and started asking questions, one question per book. He said the first four characters and asked Su Lu to complete the sixteen characters.

Su Lu was able to answer perfectly as well, so the examiner began to test his ability to rhyme:

"Several places echo with the sound of reed pipes on a moonlit night—"

"Who leans on their sword against the white clouds in the sky?"

"Using the Master's teachings, they have instead harmed the Master—"

"Only the mind of a sage can know another sage."

"Chai was foolish, Shen was from Lu, Shi was eccentric, and Hui was almost a worthy successor—"

"The clarity of Yi, the responsibility of Yin, and the harmony of Hui—Confucius brought these to their fullest expression."

All three sets were correct, and the rhyming test was finished. But we can't relax yet, because the most difficult part is memorizing the entire passage:

“A gentleman serves his superiors.” The examiner finished speaking these six words and looked at Su Lu without saying where the sentence came from.

Many test takers are completely bewildered by these kinds of sentences that seem to have no beginning or end. They can't recall things they've studied for years, even though they've learned them repeatedly.

But as soon as Su Lu searched his memory palace, he located the "Chapter 17 Serving the Ruler" in the Classic of Filial Piety, and after a moment's thought, he replied:

"When a virtuous person serves his superiors, he thinks of being loyal when he advances and of making amends when he retreats. He will follow their good points and correct their bad points, so that superiors and inferiors can be close to each other."

The examiner nodded in satisfaction and then began to test the students on the classic text "Elementary Learning": "There are three unfortunate things for a person."

The other party didn't intend to make things difficult for him; Su Lu could have answered it instantly without using his memory palace. However, at the last moment, he calmed himself down and, after confirming that he was absolutely sure, said:

Xunzi said: There are three misfortunes for a person. When young, he is unwilling to serve his elders; when lowly, he is unwilling to serve his nobles; when unworthy, he is unwilling to serve his virtuous. These are the three misfortunes for a person.

"The last question—Do not eavesdrop," the examiner said slowly.

Su Lu closed his eyes slightly, searching the wall in his 'memory palace' where the banana leaf-shaped copy of "Elementary School" hung. When he opened his eyes, he answered aloud:

The Book of Rites states: "Do not listen to others from the side, do not shout in response, do not gaze lewdly, do not be lazy or idle. When playing, do not be arrogant; when standing, do not limp; when sitting, do not spread your legs; when sleeping, do not lie prone. When gathering your hair, do not let it hang loose; when wearing your hat, do not expose your chest; when working, do not lift your skirt!"

"That's fine." The examiner nodded and then asked him his name, age, and where he lived.

This means that he passed the oral exam and can advance to the written exam in the afternoon.

As for asking about age, it was to see if the candidate was over the age limit. The academy only accepted students under the age of fourteen, because those over fourteen were considered "unteachable".

Of course, the examiners won't care if you lie, but when it's time to enroll, you'll need to register with your household registration certificate. That's when your true colors will be revealed...

After registering his information, the examiner wrote the words "Erlang Su Lu" on a yellow bamboo plaque, handed it to him, and said, "Go out and wait for the written test this afternoon."

Su Lu hurriedly accepted the gift with both hands, bowed deeply, and said, "Thank you for your trouble, senior."

After speaking, amidst the envious gazes of the candidates behind him, he walked lightly across the front yard and out of the mountain gate.

~~
Outside the academy's main gate, families waiting for the examinees were still standing in three layers, eagerly anticipating their arrival.

When they saw their children holding up yellow signs and coming out happily, the family members were overjoyed, and some even cheered wildly, as if their children had already passed the exam.

Then quickly take your 'baby' to a resting place and serve them good food and drinks.

If you see your child come out looking dejected and empty-handed, the whole family will feel dejected too. Forget about the good food; just go home and have some bamboo shoots stir-fried with meat!

"Your New Year's money is gone!" Su Lu also heard a candidate being sentenced by his family on the spot: "You'll be going on a boat trip during the New Year!"

No matter how much the eldest brother tries to downplay the significance of this exam, it is crucial for these children in the mountains—the decision of whether to continue their studies or to start working hard like their parents is made here!

Even if they do not lose their ambition and study diligently on their own, how can they compete with scholars from big cities for the scarce student positions without the help of the academy?
Under the midday sun, Su Lu was still somewhat dazed when his second brother squeezed in front of him and eagerly asked, "Did you get the yellow card?!"

"Hmm." Su Lu nodded, spread his hands, and showed his exam card.

"Great!" Su Tai excitedly rushed over, hugged him tightly, and cheered, "My brother passed the exam! My brother passed the exam!"

Su Lu was sweating bullets. He had just laughed at others for opening champagne early, and now it was his turn. So one shouldn't be too harsh on others.

The eldest brother, unable to bear it any longer, snapped, "What nonsense are you spouting?! There's a written exam this afternoon! That's when the real life-or-death moment will be decided!"

"Oh." Su Tai finally managed to suppress his excitement and reluctantly let go.

The two brothers led Su Lu to the place where the Su family members were resting... in a sheltered grove at the foot of Guanshan Mountain.

Without asking, everyone could tell from Su Tai's beaming face that Su Lu had passed.

"Good lad, you're something else!" The uncle's expression was incredibly complex, a mix of surprise, exhaustion, and a bit of panic... He patted Su Lu on the shoulder, saying incredulously, "You've only been studying for a few days, and you actually passed!" "Just lucky." Su Lu's mind was entirely on the exam, so he didn't pay attention to the uncle's expression and just smiled and said, "I just happened to know all the answers on the test."

"Hahaha, as long as he passes the exam, who cares about this or that!" Uncle laughed loudly at this moment. No matter what, it was really satisfying! For the past few months, the whole clan had been laughing at his family for spoiling their child and letting Qiu-ge do whatever he wanted.

Now look what's happened! Who dares to laugh at them now?!

Su Youcai didn't say anything, but just grinned at his son. As the teacher in charge, he had to consider the feelings of the children who were not selected.

In the end, of the ten children who came together, five failed the oral exam. The pass rate of 50% was far above average, but it meant nothing to the five children who failed and their families.

The parents exchanged a few bland, casual words, then took their children and went home first...

Once the five families left, the atmosphere in the room became lively. Su Youcai vigorously rubbed Su Lu's cheeks, releasing his suppressed joy.

Su Lu struggled a great deal to escape his father's clutches.

"Come, come, Qiu-ge'er, try my mother's cooking." The chubby Su Lang opened the food box his father had brought, beckoning Su Lu while placing the delicious food in front of him.

He actually made it into the afternoon's written exam; appearances can be deceiving...

"Come and try mine." The other three children followed suit and laid out all the food, including cured chicken, boiled pork, and fried dough... It was even better than what they ate during the New Year.

Su Lu also brought out the steamed leaf cakes and smoked fish that her aunt had made to share with her friends.

The adults ate much more meagerly: sorghum cakes with pickled vegetables, which they ate in silence...

I choked.

"Big brother, come and eat with us too." Su Lang tore off a shiny chicken leg and called to Chun Ge'er, who was sitting at the adults' table.

As for Xia Ge'er, he finished his meal while they were taking their exams, and now he's gone to town to get hot water for everyone.

"Eat less!" Unexpectedly, Chun Ge not only didn't appreciate it, but also ruined the mood by scolding, "What did you bring? It's all so greasy. Are you going to have a test this afternoon if you're so frivolous?!"

Upon hearing this, Su Lu felt inwardly ashamed. How could he become so reckless upon seeing delicious food, neglecting even such basic common sense? Sigh, he had never been like this before…

He quickly chimed in, "My brother is right. We should eat in moderation during the exam. Let's eat until we're half full, and save the rest for dinner after the written exam."

"After the written exam, I might end up eating stir-fried pork with bamboo shoots..." Su Lang sighed regretfully, stuffing the last meatball into his mouth.

Fortunately, Su Man still had some authority, and the boys managed to suppress their cravings and only ate until they were half full before stopping.

After a short rest after the meal, Su Youcai woke them up and led them to wait for the exam.

"There were 1,200 people this morning, and only 400 remain. The real competition begins now," Su Youcai reminded his disciples, seizing the moment.

"The remaining four hundred people all passed the oral exam flawlessly. Anyone who was careless or lacked a solid foundation has been eliminated. Therefore, the afternoon's exam will definitely be even more brutal. You must be mentally prepared, avoid arrogance and impatience, don't be nervous, and give it your best..."

Su Lu walked at the back, listening to his elder brother's private instruction:
"...So your opponents are not only meticulous, intelligent and perceptive, but they have also studied the 'Four Books and their commentaries' for at least three years. In fact, those who ultimately pass the exam are basically those who have immersed themselves in it for more than four years."

Su Lu nodded. This was normal. Talented children would start learning the Four Books after one or two years of early education. They wouldn't wait three years to begin.

"So, they've all mastered the 'Bodhisattva Skill,' etching the scriptures into their very bones." Su Man paused, then added, "Just like your brother..."

"Brother, what exactly are you trying to say?" Su Lu asked, completely bewildered. "Isn't this undermining my confidence?"

“I’m not trying to discourage you, I just want to say…” Su Man looked up at the sky at a 45-degree angle, paused for a moment, and then said, “You’ve already succeeded a lot by getting to this point, which proves that you’re not a good-for-nothing.”

"Thank you..." Su Lu couldn't help but smile wryly, but he also knew that his older brother seemed to have a psychological aversion to praising people. To say something to this extent was already a very high compliment.

"Yes, Qiu-ge'er, you've exceeded everyone's expectations." At this moment, his uncle patted Su Lu on the shoulder to relieve his stress, saying, "Even if you become an apprentice, you can still walk into the winery with your head held high!"

"If I walk in with my head held high, will I get paid a year earlier?" Su Lu thought to himself that this guy was even less eloquent, and he barely managed to hold back his eye roll.

"No, what your uncle means is that even if you don't pass the exam, the sky won't fall. If all else fails, you can work for your seventh grandfather for a few days. Your eldest brother is about to pass the imperial examination, and when the family is better off, your uncle promises to let you continue your studies. Anyway, you're still young, so it won't interfere with anything."

"I understand." With Su Lu's intelligence, he could certainly understand the implied meaning, but he needed to clear his mind and not be distracted, so he gave a vague reply for now.

"Father, please say less." Su Man frowned as he listened. "I'm telling Qiu-ge to lower his expectations... Just like the old master said, victory is gratifying, but defeat is also acceptable. I'm not cursing him to fail the exam."

Although Su Youcai kept encouraging his students, half of his heart was still with his son. He had heard the entire conversation between the three of them, and then he walked over and gave his son a bear hug.

"Don't think about anything else, just give it your best and leave no regrets."

She lowered her voice and whispered in his ear, "Don't worry, you're determined to pursue your studies, I'm telling you."

Su Lu felt a lump in his throat and nodded emphatically, saying, "Thank you, Father."

The second brother didn't say anything, just silently stood by, but the worry in his eyes said it all.

Su Lu quickly looked up at the sky to stop his tears from falling. The warm sunshine shone on him, dispelling the gloom his uncle had stirred in his heart.

His mood brightened like never before, and he smiled towards the blue sky—

Damn you, God, I'll never curse you again.

Because you gave me the best again...

P.S. My book dropped one spot on the new release chart! I urgently need help! Everyone, please help me stay in the top six!!!

(End of this chapter)