Chapter 100: An Acquaintance

The greatest scenery lies on the most perilous peaks.

When Zhang Yue and Guo Lin reached the summit, they found that the so-called "Immortal’s Cave" was nothing more than a small limestone cavern.

"This Immortal’s Cave is quite ordinary," Zhang Yue remarked to Guo Lin. "But fortunately, the scenery from the mountaintop is excellent."

"In truth, our pursuit of scholarship is much like climbing a mountain. With every level we ascend, the scenery changes, and so does our perspective."

Guo Lin replied, "Your words, Junior Brother, hold a deeper meaning. The Immortal’s Cave is like the fame and rank we seek, but we do not climb the mountain of study merely to gaze at a cave; we do it for the sake of the landscape that differs from the world below."

"Exactly so. And yet, Senior Brother, we have only just begun our ascent."

"It is too early to say."

"Then we might as well enjoy the view before us."

Zhang Yue and Guo Lin stood side by side, gazing into the distance. Cold winds swept across the peak, causing their scholarly robes to flutter, yet neither felt the chill; they remained immersed in spirited conversation.

After taking in the view, the two descended the mountain. Just then, the deep, resonant tolling of a bell began to echo. The students had already gathered in one place. Several scholars were offering congratulations to one of their peers.

Zhang Yue listened from the sidelines and realized this man was the top-ranked candidate among the presented scholars (jinshi) chosen to go to the Imperial Academy in Bianjing.

He heard the man say, "Please, gentlemen, spare me your praises. In my youth, I was arrogant and convinced that passing the imperial examinations would be as easy as reaching for something in my palm. Who could have known that after failing the provincial exam and then the metropolitan exam, I would become a man of no talent or worth? Only now do I realize I am but a hopeless creature, no better than a fish or a shrimp. Having wasted my years until the age of thirty, I have ended up being recommended to the Imperial Academy, failing the expectations of my teachers and fellow students. My life has come to this."

This humble-bragging, delivered with such affected indifference, nearly choked Zhang Yue. *Then you could just choose not to go!* Zhang Yue thought to himself.

As if hearing his inner voice, the man continued, "Do you think I did not want to pass the provincial, metropolitan, and palace examinations one by one, to win the triple crown and be named the top scholar, rather than having to go to the Imperial Academy?"

"But the provincial examination in Fujian Circuit is as difficult as ascending to heaven, and the metropolitan exam is another grueling battle. I am merely a man of timidity and lack of courage, which is why I have taken this shortcut. I beg you all not to mock me."

Someone nearby said, "Do not worry, Brother Huang. The Imperial Academy also holds its own examinations; you can still win the triple crown from there."

"The difficulty of that path cannot be compared to the others."

Listening to this, Zhang Yue thought, *Impressive. I’ll remember you.*

Zhang Yue quietly moved to the side, where he saw He Qi, who had returned to his usual state. He said to those familiar to him, "Yesterday, on the grounds, I clearly struck a chord with Academician Li, yet I do not know why I was still chosen for the Prefectural Academy. This simply shouldn't be."

Those around him offered words of comfort. One said, "It is no matter. One must study at the Imperial Academy for a hundred days before being eligible for the examinations. In any case, you would not have made it for this session. It will not be too late for you to be recommended to the prefecture again next time, Brother He."

Zhang Yue walked into the crowd and saw a student approaching him, asking, "Might I ask if you are Zhang Yue, the Confucian scholar from the Pucheng County Academy?"

Zhang Yue turned around and saw the very same group of high-achieving students who had refused to even tell him their names the day before.

A slight smile touched the corners of Zhang Yue’s mouth. "I am indeed."

"So it truly is Master Zhang the Third," the group said with smiles.

"We were rude yesterday."

Zhang Yue scanned the circle, paced for a moment, then tucked his hands into his sleeves and bowed. "Think nothing of it. I have been looking forward to getting to know you all."

"As have we," they replied in unison.

***

As they were speaking, Academician Li, Assistant Instructor Sun, and the others arrived. The students bowed in unison.

Academician Li smiled and said, "Gentlemen, stand at ease. The Prefectural Academy will host a banquet tonight to entertain you all; please feel free to speak your minds."

With Academician Li’s arrival, many students joined the conversation. When it was Zhang Yue and Guo Lin’s turn, both stepped forward and said, "The students thank you, Academician, for your recommendation!"

Academician Li smiled at Zhang Yue. "Your results in all subjects were the best in this prefecture, Third Brother; there is no doubt about it. Recommending you was expected. Do you intend to sit for the examinations via the Nine Classics?"

"That is exactly my intention," Zhang Yue confirmed.

Academician Li said, "Since the founding of the dynasty by Emperor Taizu, the north has suffered frequent wars, leading to a flourishing of culture in the south, while northern scholars are more versed in the classics. The top-tier talents in the south study literature, and the second-tier study the classics. In the north, however, the top talents excel in both."

Zhang Yue replied, "Academician, Assistant Instructor, I shall take your teachings to heart."

Academician Li continued, "Though your mastery of the classics is excellent in this prefecture, that is only because most talents here study literature. It will not be easy to claim such mastery once you reach the Imperial Academy. However, having reviewed your three policy essays, I find them quite remarkable—not at all like something written by a mere student of the classics. Tell me the truth: did you have someone ghostwrite them for you?"

Assistant Instructor Sun laughed from the side. "Policy essays are merely a way to observe your reasoning. Since you have already been recommended to the Imperial Academy, you might as well tell the Academician the truth."

Zhang Yue replied, "In response to the Academician and Assistant Instructor: the essays were written by me, though after completing the drafts, I did ask Master Boyi to polish a few sections."

Academician Li and Assistant Instructor Sun laughed. "That explains it."

Academician Li said, "If that is the case, it shows your reasoning is excellent. Once you enter the Imperial Academy, it would not be impossible for you to transition from a student of the classics to a candidate for the jinshi degree."

*Is it possible to change majors at the Imperial Academy?* Zhang Yue wondered.

Assistant Instructor Sun added, "The path of essays and poetry is the 'refined'; the path of textual exegesis is the 'substantive.' If substance prevails over refinement, it is rustic; if refinement prevails over substance, it is pedantic. To be both refined and substantive is the way of the gentleman."

Zhang Yue thought, *This is an encouragement to study both the classics and literature, to refine both substance and style.*

"I thank the Academician and Assistant Instructor for your earnest teachings! I shall focus on getting into the Imperial Academy first."

"Those are words of prudence," Academician Li said with appreciation.

Zhang Yue could feel that the words of Academician Li and Assistant Instructor Sun came from the depths of their hearts.

They then spoke to Guo Lin, whose eyes filled with tears, moved beyond measure. These words were beautiful blessings for them both—much like a mother eagle preening the feathers of her fledgling with her beak before it takes flight to conquer the vast sky. If successful, the fledgling would never look back.

At this moment, a school official hurried up the mountain, exchanged a few words with another official, and then approached Academician Li. Zhang Yue vaguely heard the words, "The Prefectural Vice-Prefect has arrived; he requests the Academician to come and greet him."

Soon, Academician Li led the school officials in a rush down the mountainside. Shortly after, they returned, surrounding an official like stars circling the moon. Zhang Yue knew this must be the Vice-Prefect of the prefecture.

In the Song Dynasty, the two most powerful figures in a prefecture were the Prefect and the Vice-Prefect. It was difficult to say who held more power; each had their own staff. While the Prefect was the chief officer, the Vice-Prefect was neither a subordinate nor a deputy, but effectively an equal.

Academician Li announced, "This is the Vice-Prefect of our prefecture. Offer your salutations immediately."

The students, knowing the status of a Vice-Prefect, bowed together. The Vice-Prefect smiled slightly. "Seeing you all today, I can see that Jianzhou is truly a land of brilliant talent."

***

The students present were all the pride of their hometowns; they were not the sort to have their heads turned by a single compliment from an official. Everyone felt it was only natural. The power of an official is a fragment of the Emperor’s own power.

Academician Li introduced the student surnamed Huang to the Vice-Prefect. The Vice-Prefect offered a few pleasantries. After him, it was Zhang Yue’s turn.

Academician Li leaned in and spoke a few words to the Vice-Prefect about Zhang Yue. The Vice-Prefect looked at Zhang Yue and laughed openly. "Truly, a dignified appearance! A fine countenance!"

Zhang Yue sighed inwardly; why did the man praise his looks rather than his talent? But this was clearly hitting the mark! No wonder he had risen to be the second-in-command of the prefecture. With such emotional intelligence and the ability to spot talent in a crowd, his rise to the highest offices of the state was only a matter of time.

"I am overwhelmed by your praise, Vice-Prefect," Zhang Yue said modestly.

The Vice-Prefect then offered words of encouragement to the students recommended to the Imperial Academies in Bianjing and Nanjing. Finally, he addressed the students: "To recommend the virtuous for the sake of the country, to practice rites and music, and to propagate virtue—this is the intent behind the state’s establishment of schools. Your arduous study and progress are also the goal of the Imperial Court’s encouragement of learning. The King desires precious jade, and thus he seeks great advice; this is the virtue of ancient and modern times..."

The Vice-Prefect spoke at great length. The other students listened intently, but Zhang Yue found it meaningless. *The leader is spouting clichés; can we get to some practical benefits?*

Finally, the Vice-Prefect said, "...The western border is not at peace, and the Imperial Court’s military supplies are tight. However, as you are about to depart for the capital, and at the Academician's request, no matter how difficult the prefecture’s finances may be, we shall provide some funds and provisions..."

Zhang Yue’s spirits lifted.

The Vice-Prefect looked at the Academician. "We have discussed it: each of you shall receive five strings of cash, and two auxiliary soldiers will be assigned to assist you on your journey. This will be distributed by the respective counties."

Zhang Yue was delighted; finally, something practical. The students expressed their thanks, and this time, the gratitude was much more sincere.

After the Vice-Prefect left, the Academician and Assistant Instructor issued the official documents for the students to travel to the Imperial Academy, and then hosted a banquet in the school’s dining hall.

At the banquet, Academician Li and the school officials sat at one table. The students bound for the Imperial Academy sat at another, while He Qi and the others who had not been selected sat at a third.

Zhang Yue took the initiative to approach the student surnamed Huang, who had been accepted into the Jinshi Hall in Bianjing.

The man’s name was Huang Haoyi. Upon hearing Zhang Yue’s name, he smiled slightly. "I have long heard of Master Zhang the Third; I am truly honored. As it happens, we are actually related by marriage."

Zhang Yue was stunned. What kind of relative was this?

After listening to Huang Haoyi, Zhang Yue finally understood. It turned out that Huang Haoyi’s background was truly extraordinary; he also hailed from Pucheng and was a member of the Huang family, one of the four great clans of the county.

His uncle was the famous official Huang Xiaoxian, and his cousin, Huang Haoqian, had passed the jinshi exam in the second year of the Jiayou reign. Upon passing, Huang Haoqian had sought a marriage alliance with the Zhang family. The woman he married was none other than the daughter of Zhang Yu—the older sister of Zhang Yue’s second brother.

Zhang Yue felt a bit awkward. "To be honest, my second brother and I..."

"Ah, I have heard the discussions in the marketplace," Huang Haoyi said. "But regardless of what others say, my cousin has the utmost admiration for your second brother. He has said that in all the world’s talent he has seen, he has never met anyone who could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Zhang Zihou!"

Zhang Yue smiled at this. Huang Haoqian was indeed the brother-in-law of Zhang Dun. In history, his son, Zhang Dun’s nephew Huang Zai, would be exiled to the islands specifically because of his connection to Zhang Dun.

At this point, Huang Haoyi sighed, "Compared to your brother and my cousin, I am truly no better than a fish or a shrimp."