Chapter 9: The Academy

It was an era of peace and prosperity, and the scholarly spirit flourished, especially in the talent-rich lands of Jiangnan. There were countless academies, divided into official and private institutions.



Private academies were established by local gentry and notables who funded and built them themselves. Official academies, on the other hand, were founded by the imperial court. When Wang Xuezheng said he wanted Xu Xian to study at his residence, it was just a figure of speech; in reality, he was arranging for Xu Xian to enter an excellent academy and study in peace.



Xu Xian understood that although he had passed the xiucai exam and entered the academy, he was only at the very beginning of the imperial examination path. The road ahead was long and full of obstacles. Even with a teacher to look after him, who knew how far he could go? But his temperament was to go with the flow, so he didn’t worry much about the future.



What he worried about most now was: when would Bai Suzhen finally appear? The original story never specified the exact time, only the place. At that time, Xu Xian seemed to be down and out, just a hired hand or something similar, but his age was impossible to tell.



“Am I supposed to just wait by West Lake?” Xu Xian shook his head and smiled wryly. With his current situation, marrying a beautiful wife wouldn’t be a problem. If he passed the juren exam, even taking a concubine would be within reach.



Even now, many matchmakers came to his door, but Xu Xian turned them all away, using the excuse of focusing on his studies. Wang Xuezheng even sent a letter to praise him for this, saying many things like “A true man need not worry about finding a wife” and “Don’t indulge in women and pleasure.”



Xu Xian could only smile bitterly in his heart. His obsession with Bai Suzhen was extremely deep, if Bai Suzhen appeared on the Broken Bridge tomorrow, Xu Xian might just have a flash marriage, and who knows what expression Wang Xuezheng would have then.



But perhaps it was for the best that the woman from his dreams had not yet arrived. Xu Xian packed his bags and headed to Hangzhou. The gates of Jintian Academy were already open to him.



Jintian Academy was the most prestigious academy in the Jiangsu and Zhejiang region, admitting only young xiucai to study. It was a gathering place for talent, countless juren had come from here, and even two zhuangyuan (top scholars) had emerged from its halls.



In the city, it was said that entering Jintian Academy was like having one foot in the door of officialdom; all that remained was to bring the other foot in. Though it wasn’t as easy as the rumors claimed, the academy’s reputation was well deserved. Most importantly, the head of the academy was always the regional academic official, so building a relationship early on would naturally bring future advantages.



Inside Jintian Academy, on a bluestone-paved square, dozens of young men gathered, young xiucai from various counties. Naturally, they discussed the past and present, the world and its affairs. Some were from the same hometown, some shared interests, and they formed groups of three or five, talking animatedly.



But there were also those who stood alone, Xu Xian was one of them. Since transmigrating, he had lived in a small county town, used to the sight of little bridges and flowing water. Now, seeing these grand mansions, he felt it was a whole new world. He wandered around like a tourist, looking everywhere. Some people noticed and secretly laughed at him as a country bumpkin.



“Xu Xian, Xu Xian.” A voice called from behind.



Xu Xian was admiring a couplet on the academy gate. He turned and said, “Oh, Wang An, what is it?”



Wang An quickly signaled with his eyes. Xu Xian was startled, then realized the subtle glances from others. He laughed, “Why care about them? Look at this couplet, it’s really something.”



Wang An was a thin young man from the same hometown as Xu Xian, but from a village, and even poorer than Xu Xian. In ancient times, with poor transportation, local ties were especially strong. Naturally, the two stuck together. Wang An saw Xu Xian being mocked and felt embarrassed for him, so he hurried to remind him, but Xu Xian didn’t care at all.



They laughed at Xu Xian for being inexperienced, not knowing that the world he had seen was beyond their imagination, and Xu Xian’s character was such that he didn’t care about others’ opinions.



Dragged along by Xu Xian, Wang An could only sigh and join him in admiring the couplet.



In the crowd, a hand pointed at them and someone laughed, “Young Master Pan, look at those two paupers,probably never seen such a big gate!” The speaker, though delicate in appearance, had a fawning air.



Another chimed in, “Brother Tian, don’t tease them. Country folk just haven’t seen the world. Unlike Brother Pan, who just returned from visiting relatives in Jiangbei. Compared to him, we’re all frogs in a well.” His words were skillful, flattering without being obvious, and not belittling himself.



But to their disappointment, Young Master Pan only smiled without speaking, his handsome face thoughtful. He looked at Xu Xian, pondering when to befriend him.



He was the nephew of the Jiangsu-Zhejiang Governor, well-informed, and already knew Xu Xian had been accepted as a disciple by the academic official, with boundless prospects, unlike the two before him. But he never embarrassed anyone, just gently changed the subject, sharing amusing stories from his trip. Soon, a crowd gathered around him.



Before long, a gong sounded, and the xiucai instinctively returned to their places. A man in official robes stood on the steps, delivering words of encouragement and warning.



Next came a small exam: a quiet room, dozens of low desks, all the writing tools prepared.



Xu Xian vaguely felt the old sensation of going to school, one exam after another. Back then, exams were important, but not life-defining. Now, the imperial exam path was truly a matter of success or failure, a gulf as wide as heaven and earth. Even the most arrogant, once seated here, became cautious, not daring to be careless.



The imperial examination system had lasted a thousand years, but there were few mavericks like Jin Shengtan. Unlike the modern college entrance exam, where some still acted carefree, here, no one could remain nonchalant.



In the exam hall, only the sound of brushes on paper could be heard. All the candidates bowed their heads and wrote furiously. Xu Xian was just one among many, utterly unremarkable.



When the exam ended, Xu Xian put down his brush. The papers were collected, first reviewed by the proctor, then passed up through several hands, and finally delivered to the head of the academy.



In an elegant courtyard, a middle-aged man with a long beard carefully read a paper, Xu Xian’s name was on it. After reading, he set it down and smiled at the man beside him, “Wenrui, your disciple’s essay is good, but nothing extraordinary.”



That Wenrui was Xu Xian’s teacher, Wang Xuezheng, who also smiled and set down a paper: “Your nephew’s writing is truly splendid.” The name on the paper was Pan Yu.



One was a governor, the other an academic official, their ranks vastly different. If not for their old friendship and the powerful Wang family, they could not have spoken as equals. To meet again after years in officialdom was rare fortune. Normally, such a minor exam wouldn’t warrant their attention, but since both had relatives participating, they took out the papers to compare, each hoping to win.



Wang Xuezheng changed the subject: “But have you forgotten how our teacher taught us to judge essays? First look at the handwriting, then the content.”



Governor Pan laughed, “Xu Xian’s handwriting is good, but not to be biased, my nephew’s is even more beautiful.”



Wang Xuezheng shook his head, “Wrong, wrong. The teacher said to judge character, not calligraphy. Your nephew’s writing is pretty, but the strokes are twisted, too much feminine energy, too deep a schemer. Xu Xian’s writing is open and free, showing a more upright character.”



Governor Pan laughed and scolded, “Wang Wenrui, you still can’t admit defeat. Have you forgotten how the teacher judged your writing, too rigid, easily broken; too sharp, easily blunted’? Besides, in our world, being deep is no bad thing.” As he spoke, he grew thoughtful. Who among scholars didn’t start with the ambition to save the world? But as life wore on, only their scheming deepened.



Wang Xuezheng laughed, “So you remember. Let the younger generation be. Today, I want to drink a few cups with you.”



“Nothing could be better. Stay and rest here for a while, your day will come.”



Let us leave the two old friends to their wine.



In the academy, Wang An was regretting using the wrong allusion in the exam.



Xu Xian tried to comfort him, but Wang An was still dejected.



“To err is human. I’m sure the examiners will understand, Brother Wang, don’t worry too much.”



Both Xu Xian and Wang An were startled. Turning, they saw an exceptionally handsome young man smiling and bowing to them it was Pan Yu.