Chapter 36: The Examination

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Arriving at the foot of the mountain, a stone stele beside the path bore the large characters "West Lake Academy." Below, two lines of smaller script were inscribed:

“Diligence yields knowledge; a thousand volumes by the flickering firelight.”

Lu Zijun paused to take in the inscription for a moment before continuing upward, stepping along the stone stairs.

The mountain air was serene, broken only by the calls of birds. Looking up, the academy’s gate came into view—simple and unadorned, its paint peeling, resembling a secluded temple hidden deep within the mountain. It lacked the grandeur and pomp one would expect of the premier academy of the outer city.

He recalled that in that world, even the most mediocre schools erected imposing, magnificent gates that inspired awe and reverence.

Lu Zijun pressed onward.

Meanwhile, within the academy’s council chamber, several figures gathered around a long table were embroiled in a heated argument.

“What’s so excessive about it?”

“The student hasn’t even reported yet; why can’t we cancel the admission?”

“You took advantage of my absence from the city to admit him outright, even sending out the acceptance letter. Isn’t that overstepping? After all, I am one of this year’s recruiting instructors, personally selected by the vice principal. Your actions show utter disregard for me!”

In the room stood a long table. Before it, an elderly man with silver hair, clad in a Confucian robe, flushed with anger as he argued vehemently.

The others tried to reason with him.

“Master Han, it’s not that we didn’t wait for your return; honestly, we had no idea when you’d be back. We even inquired at the vice principal’s office and were told you wouldn’t return until next month at the earliest. So we decided to sign off on the admission first.”

“We all carefully discussed the young man’s literary talent—it’s more than enough to warrant special admission.”

“We mean no disrespect, truly. But in recent years, exceptional students have been scarce. The Linfeng Academy admitted several gifted youths from neighboring counties ahead of us the past two years. They also just admitted two more this year.”

“If we wait until next month’s entrance exam, it might be too late.”

The silver-haired elder was Han Sanzhi, a venerable scholar who had taught and mentored at the academy for over thirty years. His esteemed reputation had earned him the vice principal’s trust to lead recruitment.

Though the others were also recruitment members, their experience paled in comparison.

Seeing Han’s rising anger, they grew uneasy and hastened to explain.

“That’s nonsense about it being too late. Even if so, we can’t recklessly admit students without due process! Linfeng Academy only admits renowned talents through special admission. Who has ever heard of this young man? Hm?”

“West Lake Academy has always stood a tier above others because we refuse to accept mediocrity!”

“Those admitted through money or connections, I won’t speak of—nor can I control that. But special admissions affect our academy’s reputation and ours as recruitment instructors! With only two such slots per year, how can they be frivolously used?”

“If you insist on special admission, you must convince me and the other teachers and students wholeheartedly. Otherwise, admitting him will only bring ridicule upon the entire academy and invite mockery from others!”

Han Sanzhi puffed his beard and glared fiercely.

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“To enter through the entrance exam, a candidate must demonstrate at least the talent of two measures of a scholar. For special admission without the exam, a minimum of three measures is required. Does that youngster meet these standards? Just from those two exam papers, I can’t tell. Can you?”

At this, a tall, thin middle-aged man quickly smiled and explained, “Master Han, the youth also wrote that poem beginning ‘If only life were as at first meeting,’ and those two lines, ‘If only no one in the world were ill, why should the medicine on shelves gather dust?’”

“Indeed, those lines are quite…”

“Slap!”

Han Sanzhi suddenly struck the table.

“Whether that poem and those lines are truly his remains to be verified! At the very least, you should have confirmed it before sending the acceptance letter! Such recklessness—if it turns out to be plagiarism, and upon verification he only proves to have the talent of one measure, how will you explain yourselves? Must I disgrace myself alongside you?”

Seeing his wrath, the others exchanged awkward glances, unsure how to continue persuading him.

“Master Han, the acceptance letter has already been sent…”

“Then retrieve it! Afraid of embarrassment? I’ll do it myself!”

Han stood abruptly.

Yet he knew these were angry words spoken in haste; actually retracting the letter would harm the academy’s reputation.

He composed himself, paused thoughtfully, then suddenly remembered something. Rising, he went to a desk in the corner, drew a test paper from the drawer, and examined it closely.

After a moment, he looked up.

“It’s not that I wish to make things difficult, but special admission must not be taken lightly. Here’s what we’ll do: if the youth arrives today, let him retake this exam. Then we will verify the authenticity of that poem and those lines. If his talent truly reaches the level of three measures, we will admit him on the spot and process his enrollment. If not, I will personally persuade him to withdraw voluntarily.”

“As for compensation, I will ensure he is satisfied. If he wishes to curse, let him direct it at me alone.”

The others exchanged glances. They had intended to argue further, but seeing Han’s resolute stance, they realized that if he refused to relent, the others wouldn’t dare to proceed with the admission plaque. After all, Han was a recruitment member with veto power.

Reluctantly, they agreed.

“Very well, we’ll follow Master Han’s plan.”

“First, let him take the exam and demonstrate his true ability.”

“Regarding this test paper…”

They approached the table, peered down, and discussed the exam content further with Han.

At that moment, a guard entered and reported:

“Teachers, Master Yuan has brought a young man to pay his respects, claiming to be the student admitted through special admission this time—his name is Lu Zijun.”

The group’s expressions shifted; he had arrived!

“Let him in!”

Han ordered promptly and sat down again, quickly rubbing ink and crossing out several questions on the test paper, replacing them with those they had just agreed upon.

A tall, thin man named Shangguan Chao glanced over and asked, “Master Han, why is the topic for the ‘expressing ambition through objects’ question left blank? No prompt or theme given?”

Han shot him a glance. “I want to see what kind of essay he can write without constraints. What’s this? You recommended him first and now fear he’ll fail and embarrass you?”

Shangguan smiled awkwardly and said no more.

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Just as he was about to speak again, footsteps sounded at the door.

Han continued writing without looking up.

The others all turned their gaze toward the entrance.

First in was Master Yuan Mang of the academy, the very person who had first recommended Lu Zijun.

Following him was a scholarly-looking youth in a Confucian robe.

The group inwardly admired him; the boy was indeed striking in appearance.

“Master Han, esteemed teachers, this is the student we have admitted through special admission, Lu Zijun. I have brought him here for enrollment,” Yuan Mang said with a smile.

He then introduced the others: “Zijun, this is Master Han, this is Master Shangguan, and this is—”

“Wait!”

Han Sanzhi looked up, interrupting with a stern expression. “I have just returned from outside. This matter of special admission still requires discussion.”

Yuan Mang was taken aback.

Shangguan quickly pulled him aside, whispering an embarrassed explanation.

Yuan’s face showed astonishment.

“This…”

“No ifs or buts!” Han finished writing the last question, stood, and glanced coolly at the youth at the door.

“Lu Zijun, I have examined your exam papers for the qualifying scholar exam. You have your own insights and do possess genuine talent. But being admitted here through special admission is not so simple.”

Lu looked at him puzzled.

Han continued, “You should know the entrance to West Lake Academy is usually through one path: the entrance exam, where a candidate must reach the talent level of two measures to be admitted. The other path is special admission without exam, which requires at least three measures. Do you understand what I mean?”

Lu replied, “I do not.”

He then added, “I only know that last night you informed me I had been admitted and sent the acceptance letter, telling me to report today.”

There was a moment of awkward silence.

Han cleared his throat. “Let me be clear: today you must pass an exam, then have your talent verified through the Gem of Talent. Only then will you be truly admitted through special admission. Understand?”

Lu hesitated, then nodded.

“So, you mean you want to take back your words? Is that it?”