Chapter 225

Chapter 225

At the close of the month, Yuanbao's examination results finally arrived in the capital: he had placed second in the county-level examinations.

This was an exceptionally good result. Although it fell slightly short of his father's top ranking in the county exam years ago, the entire family was overjoyed.

Accompanying the results was a letter from Qing Song, lavishing praise upon their eldest nephew.

For a family of their humble standing, producing a single *juren* (Provincial Graduate) or *jinshi* (Imperial Scholar) in one generation was a rare achievement; having successive generations attain such success was even more challenging.

Take, for instance, the family of the eldest maternal uncle. Their ancestors had produced several imperial scholars, but when two subsequent generations failed to maintain the legacy, the family fell into decline. Without access to quality educational resources, it became nearly impossible for them to recover their former standing.

A few years prior, when the eldest uncle passed away, they were unable to return to their hometown for the funeral. Over time, family ties naturally weakened, as is often the case when the elder generation passes and connections fade.

Now, with Yuanbao showing such academic promise among the younger generation, how could the adults in the family not be delighted?

The letter also brought another piece of good news: Qing Song's husband had given birth to a son—a robust baby weighing a full eight *jin* (approximately 4 kilograms).

The delivery had been particularly arduous for Young Master Qin, but thanks to his years of martial arts training, which had given him a strong physique and sturdy frame, he managed to avoid any serious complications. An ordinary person would surely have faced a brush with death!

The child was named Chen Mu, with the endearing nickname Qiuqiu.

Wang Ying couldn't help but chuckle at the nickname, surmising it was inspired by the baby's plumpness.

"A new addition to the family is a joyous occasion. We should make time to buy gifts for the child and send them over, as we won't be able to return anytime soon."

"Alright, you handle it as you see fit."

Chen Qingyan had been utterly swamped with work lately. Having just started his position in the Ministry of Revenue—widely acknowledged as the busiest of the Six Ministries—he began as a basic-level official and had to learn everything from scratch.

The sheer volume of the nation’s historical financial records alone was enough to make his head spin. It would take him at least six months to grasp the intricacies of the work.

Wang Ying, understanding his predicament, made sure not to trouble him with household matters, whether big or small.

With Yuanbao back in the capital, it was time to find a school for him. Old Master Liang's health had declined, and teaching Yuanbao daily would undoubtedly be beyond his capacity. Moreover, Wang Ying had no intention of overworking the elderly scholar.

Coincidentally, during a recent tea gathering, Wang Ying had met several gentlemen. One of them, a gentleman surnamed Yang of similar age, had a husband serving as a Gentleman of the Palace Secretariat in the Ministry of Works. The Yang family had three children, with their eldest son being the same age as Yuanbao.

Wang Ying took the opportunity to inquire where the Yangs sent their son to study.

Mr. Yang proved to be quite warm-hearted and enthusiastically introduced Wang Ying to the major academies in the capital.

"Currently, the most prominent academies in the capital are the Imperial Academy (*Taixueguan*), the Scholarly Academy (*Boshiyuan*), and the Hundred Arts Academy (*Baiyeshuyuan*).

The Imperial Academy is government-run, and admission is highly competitive. Only the children of officials ranked fifth grade or higher are eligible to study there, and even then, there are strict quotas. Officials of the fifth grade can send one child, those of the fourth grade or higher can send two, and those of the third grade or higher can send three.

With such excellent educational resources, priority is naturally given to their own children. However, if a child shows little promise, the spot may be offered to a more talented relative.

Next is the Scholarly Academy, an institution founded by aristocratic families, catering exclusively to their scions. Ordinary people have no chance of gaining admission—surname alone is the key to entry.

Even if a student is idle and dissolute, as long as they belong to an aristocratic family, they can receive the finest education there.

Lastly, there’s the Hundred Arts Academy, a privately established institution and one of the largest in the capital. Anyone who has passed the county exam is eligible to study there, but the tuition fees are steep—thirty *guan* (a substantial sum) per year, effectively barring commoners.

Aside from these three academies, there are smaller private tutors. Although tuition is cheaper, the quality of education varies widely. Families who take their children’s education seriously would never send them there."

Wang Ying naturally preferred the Imperial Academy for his son. Previously, with Yuanbao’s exam results pending and his young age, he worried the academy might not accept him.

Now that the results were in, and Chen Qingyan had an available slot, Wang Ying took some time to visit the Imperial Academy with his son.

*

The Imperial Academy was located in the northeast part of the city, adjacent to the Imperial Garden. It was said that the emperor occasionally visited the area.

On the way, Wang Ying felt somewhat anxious. He had heard that admission to the Imperial Academy required passing an entrance exam, and he worried Yuanbao might not make the cut.

Upon arriving at the academy’s gate, Chen Ju, the attendant, stepped forward to present Chen Qingyan’s calling card, and the servant quickly opened the side entrance.

Wang Ying patted his son on the shoulder. "Let’s go in and take a look."

Father and son followed the servant into the academy. The first things to catch their eyes were several verdant pine and cypress trees, alongside a massive stone tablet inscribed with a passage from the *Analects* on the importance of learning: "Diligence leads to mastery, while idleness results in neglect; success comes from reflection, failure from thoughtlessness."

They paused for a moment, and the guiding servant explained, "The inscription was penned by the first dean of the Imperial Academy, who was also the top scholar of the Wu Dynasty."

Continuing further, they entered a serene grove with pavilions and stone benches, where they occasionally spotted students reading under the trees in small groups, looking entirely at ease.

Wang Ying silently marvelled, thinking, *This truly lives up to its reputation as the top academy of the Wu Dynasty. The learning environment is truly enviable.*

After walking for the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn, they finally reached the courtyard where Dean Qi resided.

Dean Qi was playing chess with a friend. Upon hearing the servant’s report, he placed his chess piece back into the chess piece container and said, "I’m afraid we’ll have to cut our game short today. I need to meet the new student."

"Admit it—you’re just afraid of losing," his friend retorted, picking up the pieces from the board. "No need for excuses."

"But today’s visitor is no ordinary person. The father of this child studied under Liang Liufang, the scholar you’ve always admired."

His friend was taken aback. "You mean Chen Qingyan’s son?"

"Exactly."

"Then I must see this for myself!"

Before long, Wang Ying entered with Yuanbao. As Wang Ying held the sixth-rank title of *Anren* (an honorific for the wife of an official), he was not required to bow and simply greeted Dean Qi with a nod.

Chen Ze, however, respectfully bowed with hands clasped to the dean.

"Rise," said Dean Qi. "How old are you? Have you finished studying the *Four Books and Five Classics*?"

Yuanbao replied, "I am twelve years old. I have completed the *Four Books and Five Classics* and ranked second in this year’s county exam."

Dean Qi stroked his beard and posed a question: "The *Doctrine of the Mean* states: 'The noble person acts according to their position and does not desire what is beyond it.' Yet the first chapter of the *Great Learning* says: 'To illuminate illustrious virtue throughout the world, one must first govern the state and regulate the family.' One emphasizes staying in one’s place, the other expanding one’s influence. Are these two not contradictory?"

Wang Ying grew nervous, glancing at his son. *Had the examination begun already?*

Chen Ze pondered for a moment before answering calmly, "The phrase 'acts according to their position' comes from the fourteenth chapter of the *Doctrine of the Mean*. It means a noble person, based on their position, does what is appropriate. The subtlety lies in the word 'desire' in 'does not desire what is beyond it'—it does not forbid external achievements but cautions against the selfish desire to covet what lies beyond.

For example, a farmer diligently tending his fields is acting according to his position. Yet, in filially caring for his parents and educating his children, he is already practicing family regulation. This aligns with Mencius’s idea of 'maintaining the essential while applying it broadly.' Thus, acting according to one’s position does not mean rigid adherence but fulfilling one’s relational duties."

The friend sitting nearby looked astonished and slowly stood up.

Dean Qi said, "Continue."

"Illuminating illustrious virtue follows a sequence, which aligns with acting according to one’s position. Among the eight steps in the *Great Learning*, investigating things, extending knowledge, making intentions sincere, rectifying the mind, and cultivating the person are the efforts of acting according to one’s position. Regulating the family, governing the state, and bringing peace to the world are the natural extensions of not desiring beyond.

As Zengzi said, 'Only when the mind is rectified can the person be cultivated; only when the person is cultivated can the family be regulated.' This precisely illustrates that to illuminate illustrious virtue throughout the world, one must start from their current position and expand outward step by step. It is like what Master Wang Yangming described: 'From the deep and abundant spring, it flows out in its time.' A dried-up spring cannot produce a stream that reaches the four seas.

Acting according to one’s position is about understanding the essence; expanding influence is about applying it practically. When the mind is as calm as still water, all reflections become clear. When one’s will abides in benevolence, the world can be held in the palm. The two classics are like the moon reflecting on a thousand rivers—the rivers may vary in width, but the moon remains unchanged. The noble person seeks only to rest in the highest good."

"Bravo!" exclaimed the friend, clapping his hands. "What a splendid analogy—'the moon reflecting on a thousand rivers, the rivers may vary in width, but the moon remains unchanged. The noble person seeks only to rest in the highest good.' Truly worthy of the top scholar’s son. The younger generation shows great promise!"

Dean Qi was also very pleased. "For one so young to have such a profound understanding of the *Four Books and Five Classics* is truly remarkable."

Wang Ying asked cautiously, "Does this mean the boy has passed?"

"Tomorrow is a day off at the Imperial Academy. He can start attending classes after the break."

Wang Ying was caught off guard. He remembered Mr. Yang saying that getting into the Imperial Academy was really hard, yet it had been accomplished so easily?

Dean Qi stood up and patted Chen Ze approvingly on the shoulder. "I once had the privilege of reading the examination papers of the top scholar Chen. His essays were truly solid and profound, worthy of the title of top scholar. This boy takes after his father."

"You flatter me, Dean. My son is still young and needs further refinement."

"How is Elder Liang's health? I heard he has moved to the capital?"

Wang Ying was taken aback, surprised that Dean Qi knew his master. "Master was seriously ill two years ago, but he has just recovered."

"I have long admired the great scholar Liang, but unfortunately, I’ve never had the chance to meet him. Perhaps I’ll stop by someday."

Wang Ying naturally did not refuse. "You are welcome to visit anytime."

After exchanging a few more words, the two went home. When they arrived, Elder Liang had been waiting for a long time. "How did it go? Did everything go smoothly?"

"Very smooth! I thought it would be really difficult, but Dean Qi just asked Yuanbao one question before accepting him."

Liang Boqing asked, "What was the question?"

Yuanbao repeated both the question Dean Qi had posed and his answer. After listening, Elder Liang nodded and said, "That was a good answer."

"Dean Qi also mentioned that he admires you and has long wanted to meet you."

In the past, the old man would have likely waved it off, as he detested dealing with mainstream scholars. But now, for the sake of his grandson’s education, he reluctantly nodded. "I’ll stop by the Imperial Academy myself when I have time."

The Imperial Academy had two days off every ten days, meaning Yuanbao would begin his studies in just two days.

One advantage was that, unlike the prefectural school, the Imperial Academy did not require boarding. Students living in the capital could be day students. Thus, there was no need to prepare too much. Wang Ying just drew a pattern for a backpack and had a servant make a relatively modern-style backpack to carry brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones.

During dinner that evening, Wang Ying told Chen Qingyan about it.

After listening, Chen Qingyan said, "It’s good that he got in. Once he starts at the academy, he must focus on his studies and not fool around."

Yuanbao nodded. "I will."

"If anyone bullies you, make sure to tell us right away."

Yuanbao chuckled. "Don’t worry, everyone at the academy is a scholar. I won’t be bullied."

"Not necessarily. Back when your second uncle, third uncle, and I were at the prefectural school, there were those who bullied others based on their family status, they'd beat or yell at commoner scholars until they were forced to drop out."

Wang Ying frowned upon hearing this. "Such things happened? Didn’t the teachers at the prefectural school intervene?" She had never heard him mention anything like this before.

"Even if they tried to intervene, they couldn’t control it. Those with power and influence were beyond the reach of the instructors."

Wang Ying grew worried. "Yuanbao, if anything happens at the Imperial Academy, you must tell us, understand?"

"Mm!" Yuanbao nodded obediently.

Chen Qingyan reached out and ruffled his son’s hair. In the blink of an eye, the child had grown so much. In a few more years, it would be time for him to take the imperial examinations.

After dinner, when they returned to their bedroom, Wang Ying suddenly heard a familiar ding-ding sound—the experimental field leveled up again!