Chapter Fifty-Four: Spare My Pitiful Life

Professor Hu of the county academy sat upright, his face showing helplessness as he glanced at Scholar Guo and Guo Lin beside him.

“Brother Guo, we’ve known each other for over ten years. I must tell you frankly: your disciple, that young man surnamed Zhang, has offended someone. This is no longer just a rumor in the magistrate’s office. Although I’d like to help you, there’s nothing I can do.”

Scholar Guo responded, “Is there truly no way, Professor? Could you speak on our behalf to the clerks and registrars in the county?”

“I’ve already tried to plead your case, but the person pulling strings behind the scenes is not someone I dare to cross,” Professor Hu sighed, recalling the humiliation he had suffered in the past.

Scholar Guo looked at Guo Lin, then said, “Professor Hu, to be honest, I see no difference between this student and Guo Lin—they’re both like sons to me. I beg you, please try again.”

Professor Hu’s expression darkened. “You’re being foolish, Brother Guo. Don’t you see? This matter ends here. If you keep meddling, Guo Lin’s future will be ruined as well. I’ve only just managed to gain some influence with the magistrate. If Guo Lin fails to pass the exam this time, he’ll never pass again.”

Scholar Guo wrestled with his thoughts, looking at Guo Lin, his face twisted with anguish as if cut by a knife.

“Zhang Yue is a good child—at least let him try. If he fails, so be it, but it’s better than not being allowed to take the exam at all! If he’s crushed like this, he’ll be ruined forever.”

Professor Hu sighed, “There’s nothing to be done now. We’re not saints who can help everyone—looking after ourselves is hard enough. That’s enough; the assistant from the provincial academy will arrive soon, so I won’t keep you.”

Guo Lin helped Scholar Guo to his feet.

As Scholar Guo reached the door, he looked back at Professor Hu, who merely shook his head.

Scholar Guo stepped outside, unable to hold back his tears, wiping them away with his sleeve. “It’s my fault—I’m useless.”

Guo Lin gritted his teeth. “Father, this is too much! Just a word and they forbid him from taking the exam? If I ever succeed, I’ll make sure to rectify this injustice.”

“Enough, don’t say any more. Didn’t you hear? We mustn’t get involved, or your future will be lost as well.”

Professor Hu also sighed.

Though he was a professor at the county academy and often respectfully addressed as “Principal,” he was not actually a government official.

Before the reforms of the Qing Dynasty, professors at county and provincial academies were appointed by local officials themselves. For instance, when Yan Shu was magistrate of Ying Tian Prefecture, he invited Fan Zhongyan to oversee the academy. When Fan Zhongyan was magistrate of Suzhou, he invited Hu Yuan to serve as professor at the Suzhou academy.

After the Qing reforms, the court standardized management of academies somewhat.

Professors at provincial and county academies could be granted official titles, but their appointments were still recommended by local officials. Professor Hu, in name, held an official post, but it was conferred only through the Secretariat, not the Examination Bureau. In short, he was simply recruited by local magistrates and not included in the official bureaucracy.

Professor Hu was a renowned scholar in the county, having served as assistant in the academy for over a decade before finally gaining some influence in the magistrate’s eyes.

Soon, Professor Hu met with the assistant sent by Principal Li.

Professor Hu knew Principal Li was more powerful than himself; Li was originally a government official, later recruited by the provincial governor to serve as Principal. Such officials, recruited to academic posts, needed only to register with the Ministry of Rites and be approved by the National Academy to become professors.

Principal Li had authority over all academies and schools in the province, including county academies. At that time, there was no Department of Educational Affairs—Principal Li was essentially the director of education for the province.

As for the assistant, he was Principal Li’s trusted aide.

“Greetings—”

The assistant waved his hand. “Let’s dispense with formalities. I’m here on Principal Li’s orders. I’ve come to Pucheng for one reason.”

“Please instruct me,” Professor Hu said.

The assistant replied, “Principal Li wants to select a few outstanding students from the county academy to enter the provincial academy. Here is the list!”

Professor Hu was startled and immediately took the list. There were only five names.

Zhang Yue!

Professor Hu’s eyes widened as he saw the name.

He couldn’t help but ask, “May I ask if these five must be admitted to the provincial academy?”

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“That is the Principal’s intention—of course, they must.”

The assistant continued, “If you can’t recall their names, check the roster. I need these students in a few days, then I’ll return to report to the province.”

Professor Hu was troubled. “Li He and Zhang Fifteen are among the most talented students in the county. If you insist on taking them… I’m truly in a difficult position.”

The assistant replied, “Precisely because they’re outstanding, Principal Li wants to personally assess them in the provincial academy. He may recommend them to the capital for the supplemental exam at the Imperial Academy.”

“What if the magistrate asks about this—how should I explain?”

The assistant’s face grew stern. “Explain what? Moving from county to provincial academy isn’t leaving the county; they’re still your students! Rest assured, Principal Li told me that he’ll recommend several of your county academy’s students for the Imperial Academy’s supplemental exam. Otherwise, you know his temperament.”

“Yes, I’ll take care of it. But the magistrate may not approve.”

The assistant nodded. “Fine, do what you must. If the magistrate objects, Principal Li will handle it.”

Professor Hu saw the assistant off, but everything else was manageable—except for Zhang Yue.

The provincial academy was sending someone to recruit students directly, bypassing the public exam, while Zhang Yue wasn’t even allowed to take the county academy’s entrance exam, barred because of a guarantee issue. To speak of this was mortifying.

All because of those despicable officials.

Professor Hu hurried out and told his attendant, “Quickly, go fetch Mr. Guo.”

“Which Mr. Guo?”

Professor Hu froze, suddenly recalling he didn’t even know where Scholar Guo lived in the county.

It was over—he couldn’t find him now.

Without delay, Professor Hu reported the matter to the magistrate.

The next morning.

Outside the office of the registrar.

Registrar Lu was about to take out his keys when he saw two men squatting outside.

“Captain Xu, what are you doing here?”

Registrar Lu glanced at them, immediately displeased.

Captain Xu smiled obsequiously. “Greetings, Registrar. This is my brother; he’s here today to ask a favor.”

Zhang Shi, standing beside him with two boxes, rose and said, “Registrar, I am Zhang Shi from Xin Street in Shuinan. I’m here today about my younger brother’s admission to the county academy and seek your help.”

Registrar Lu shook his head. “So early—come inside if you want to talk.”

He opened the door; Zhang Shi placed the boxes on Registrar Lu’s desk.

Registrar Lu snapped, “What are you putting here? Take them away!”

Zhang Shi hastily replied, “Yes, yes,” and quickly picked up the boxes again.

Registrar Lu went to the shelves, tidying records and speaking with his back turned: “The office is busy—make it quick.”

Zhang Shi explained, “It’s like this: my third brother wants to take the county academy exam, but the guarantor refuses to vouch for him. When I asked, he said he wouldn’t dare unless you agreed.”

“What did your third brother do wrong?”

Zhang Shi answered, “He did nothing wrong—it’s my second brother who… who fled from an arranged marriage.”

Registrar Lu sneered, “I know—it’s that Zhang Second who escaped from Registrar Zhao’s household. Quite a character. When Magistrate Chen hosted a banquet for academy students, he was especially proud then.”

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Apparently, there was some lingering animosity between the two, though Zhang Shi didn’t know what his second brother had done to offend him. Zhang Shi pleaded, “My second brother was young and foolish; I beg you, Registrar, to be generous. For my third brother’s guarantee, please show mercy. The academy’s registration is only today—if we miss it, his future is ruined.”

Captain Xu chimed in, “Registrar Lu, everyone in the office knows you’re the most helpful, always quick to assist others. Please help my brother!”

Registrar Lu said, “Since Captain Xu is here, I’ll be frank. Your second brother’s affair could be serious or trivial. If taken seriously, no one would dare vouch for your third brother; if taken lightly, it’s just what it is—after all, your second brother’s actions don’t implicate your third brother.”

“In the past, with a word from Captain Xu, I’d ease things with Guarantor Cao, and it would pass.”

Registrar Lu shook his head. “But today, it’s not that I won’t help. Why should I offend others for your third brother? Take your gifts back—I’m not fit to accept them.”

“Registrar…”

“Why are you so persistent? If you genuinely want to help your brother, I’ll point you in the right direction. Who’s the injured party? Go to him.”

Zhang Shi asked, “Registrar, do you mean Registrar Zhao?”

Registrar Lu replied instantly, “I never said that—it was your own guess.”

Just then, an official messenger arrived. “Registrar, the magistrate and Principal have requested your presence!”

Registrar Lu said, “Very well.”

He began locking the door. “What are you two waiting for?”

“Registrar, we’ll wait for your return.”

“No need.” Registrar Lu showed not a hint of kindness.

Registrar Lu sneered as he walked toward the main hall, thinking, “Offend a registrar in the office and expect to have a future? To sit the academy exam? Impossible.”

When Registrar Lu entered the main hall, he saw the magistrate watching him coldly.

Registrar Lu shivered from head to toe.

The magistrate said icily, “Registrar Lu, how have you been lately?”

Registrar Lu’s legs instantly went weak, and he fell to his knees, kowtowing repeatedly…

The cold wind whistled. At that moment, Zhang Shi and Captain Xu wandered aimlessly around the crossroads in front of the county office.

Zhang Shi wept as he walked, unable to face his third brother, feeling that all of this was his own failure as the eldest.

“Master Zhang… Master Zhang…”

A piercing voice called through the cold wind.

Zhang Shi was surprised—he hadn’t heard that name in a long time. Before Registrar Zhao had humbled his family, many called him “Master Zhang.” Now that the Zhang family had fallen, everyone called him “Zhang Shi” or “Elder Zhang.”

“Brother, isn’t that Registrar Lu?” Captain Xu pointed behind him.

Zhang Shi turned and saw that it was indeed Registrar Lu—but something was different. Both cheeks were swollen high.

“Registrar Lu, what happened to you?” Zhang Shi was shocked.

Registrar Lu opened his mouth, pointed inside, and Zhang Shi was startled—Registrar Lu’s mouth held only a few sparse teeth.

Just moments ago he hadn’t looked like this, but suddenly he had changed.

“Master Zhang, I beg you, show mercy and spare my humble life!” Registrar Lu fell to his knees with a wretched cry.

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