Chapter Fifty: Study Tour (Requests for Recommendations and Bookmarks)

The story of Li Jie and Gao Sheng’s reconciliation spread widely throughout Fuzhou Prefecture over the next two days. A prodigal son’s return is worth more than gold; most people praised Gao Sheng’s actions, and Li Jie’s magnanimity in forgiving past grievances became a popular topic of conversation.

In the blink of an eye, the day of enrollment at the prefectural academy arrived. Madam Wang had long prepared the traditional six ceremonial gifts for the apprenticeship: celery (symbolizing diligence and studiousness), lotus seeds (representing painstaking education), red beans (signifying good fortune), red dates (wishing for early academic success), longan fruit (indicating a perfect accomplishment), and strips of dried lean meat (expressing the disciple’s heartfelt intentions).

In ancient times, teachers generally fell into two categories: those who taught students, and those who served as examiners responsible for selecting candidates at various levels of the imperial examinations.

The former were called instructors, abbreviated as “ye shi.” These instructors were further divided into “meng shi” and “jing shi.” The “meng shi” were the students’ initial enlightenment teachers; for Li Jie, this was the elderly scholar Qian who taught him the basics of reading and punctuation. The “jing shi” were the teachers of the Four Books and Five Classics, such as the private tutor Zhou who had instructed Li Jie previously.

The examiners who selected candidates were known as “zuo shi,” or master examiners. In traditional society, the highest respect was often reserved not for the instructors, but for these official examiners, as they wielded great influence in the path to office. This teacher-student relationship formed one of the most unbreakable bonds within the vast and intricate scholar-official network. For example, during the Jiajing era, Zhang Juzheng’s master examiner at the metropolitan examination was Xu Jie, who later rose to become Minister of Rites, Grand Secretary of the Wen Yuan Pavilion, and Premier of the Cabinet. Zhang’s meteoric rise owed much to Xu Jie’s patronage.

Prefect Lu and Education Commissioner Lin both counted as Li Jie’s master examiners. Prefect Lu’s closeness to Li Jie was partly an effort to win him over, anticipating mutual assistance once Li Jie entered officialdom. As a result, the positions of chief examiners for the provincial and metropolitan examinations were highly coveted posts that candidates vied fiercely to secure.

Upon arriving at the prefectural academy, Li Jie happened to see Gao Sheng carrying his apprenticeship gifts, intending to pay respects to Instructor Zhang. They exchanged greetings and went together.

Many new students greeted Li Jie along the way, while some returning students glanced at him curiously. Li Jie was now the most renowned figure in the academy; many had not met him before and were intrigued by his reputation.

Li Jie, accompanied by fellow scholars they met en route, proceeded to pay respects to Zhang, the academy’s instructor. Zhang was a juren degree holder in his forties who had repeatedly failed the metropolitan examination and had since retreated to teaching at the academy, known for his strict discipline.

First, they all bowed before a statue of Confucius. Then, facing Zhang, they performed the ritual of three kowtows. After the ceremony, they presented the prepared ceremonial gifts. Upon seeing their respectful conduct, Zhang began his lecture.

“Know this: entering the prefectural academy is but the first step. Becoming a student is only the initial stride into the examination arena. Do not be arrogant or impatient. I hope you will be broad in learning, thorough in inquiry, cautious in thought, clear in judgment, and steadfast in practice. When others learn once, learn a hundred times over; when others learn ten times, learn a thousand times. Even the slow-witted will become wise; even the weak will grow strong!”

The essence of Zhang’s admonition was clear: study diligently, ask many questions, think carefully, discern clearly, and put knowledge into earnest practice. By outworking others by orders of magnitude, even the dullest can become intelligent, and the most fragile can become resilient.

After hearing Zhang’s exhortation, all the students nodded in agreement and respectfully said, “The student will remember the teacher’s teachings!”

Zhang smiled slightly, stroking his beard, then said, “You should all learn much from Lin Pingzhi. His craftsmanship is already outstanding, ranking first-class even at the provincial examination. He is perceptive and steadfast. Now, he only needs to travel widely to broaden his horizons before taking the provincial exam. The academy has approved his request to study outside; he need only participate in the annual local exam. Lin Pingzhi, do you object?”

Hearing his name spoken by the instructor, Li Jie replied respectfully, “The student has no objection.”

The others were surprised to hear that Li Jie would be permitted to travel for study so soon after enrollment. However, considering his superior skills, they had nothing more to say but marveled at how he stood out so markedly among the cohort. In modern terms, it was as if to say, “Among the peers, who rivals you?”

Li Jie planned, after completing enrollment formalities, to set out for Guangzhou Prefecture to meet the renowned Lingnan scholar Chen Xianzhang and see if he might formally apprentice under him. Although Chen held little political power at court, this was because he devoted himself entirely to scholarship. Since returning from the last metropolitan exam, despite numerous recommendations, he remained unmoved by official appointments. His disciples were widespread in the court, most notably Zhan Ruoshui and Liang Chu. Being recognized as his disciple would greatly aid Li Jie’s entry into officialdom.

Zhang then offered further words of encouragement on scholarly pursuits and dismissed the students with a wave of his hand.

The next day, Madam Wang wore a worried expression. Since Li Jie announced his intention to travel for study, she had been unable to rest easy. In her eyes, Li Jie had never left his parents’ side since childhood; even his schooling and exams were conducted nearby. This was the first time he was venturing far alone, and she was deeply anxious. Yet she also knew she must not hinder his journey.

Lin Zhennan, seeing Madam Wang’s persistent worry, felt uneasy himself. But as head of the household, he comforted her gently.

“Madam, you must understand that a true man’s ambition lies beyond the horizon. Pingzhi’s travels are to broaden his knowledge. If he enters officialdom in the future, he may rarely return home. You and I must fully support our son’s career, so he need not worry about family matters while away.”

“Ah! I know this well,” she sighed, “but my heart cannot help but worry. I even suggested sending someone to accompany him, but he refuses, insisting on traveling alone. What if he encounters danger? What if he freezes or starves?”

“Madam, rest assured. With Pingzhi’s current skills, he ranks among the best in the world; there’s no need to fear for his safety. As for freezing or starving, he has hands and feet—surely he can take care of himself.”

Hearing Lin Zhennan’s words, Madam Wang cast him a reproachful glance.

Seeing this, Lin Zhennan hurriedly added, “Perhaps we could let Cui’er or Fang Yi accompany him to look after him?”

“That’s the only option,” she conceded.

When Li Jie learned that his parents wished to send someone to accompany him, he felt both amused and exasperated. He had lived decades without such concerns. Neither Cui’er nor Fang Yi was particularly robust; it was uncertain who would actually be taking care of whom.

“I have hands and feet; I can take care of myself. Besides, who ever heard of a scholar traveling for study with a maid in tow?”

Madam Wang was dissatisfied with Li Jie’s response and then said firmly, “No, you must take someone with you. Otherwise, I will not agree to your journey.”

Seeing that Madam Wang was resolute, Li Jie had no choice but to agree. After some discussion, they decided Fang Yi would accompany Li Jie on his travels. Cui’er had never left Fuzhou city and lacked experience traveling. Fang Yi was chosen as the lesser of two evils. With Li Jie’s presence, safety was assured, and this would also allow her to get out and about, sparing her the boredom of staying home all day.