Encouragement from the County Magistrate

In the academy's library, Liang Qu picked through the books by their spines.

He put his hand on it, pulled it out, flipped through a couple of pages, and put it back, unable to make a decision for a long time.

"Are you very interested in Buddhist scriptures?"

Liang Qu turned around. "Headmaster? When did you arrive?"

An elderly man with white hair stood behind him; he was Zhao Ji, the headmaster of the Shanghu Academy.

Thanks to the headmaster, the matter of Liang Qu Pinyin was reported so quickly. Otherwise, given the Da Shun, a round trip would have taken at a leisurely pace, and there might not have been any news for more than half a year.

"It's been a while, and I've noticed you've been picking and choosing without much thought." Zhao Ji stepped forward, standing beside Liang Qu, and picked out a book to browse through. "Why did you suddenly decide to look at Buddhist scriptures?"

Liang Qu cupped his hands and said, "To be honest, I happened to come across a Buddhism Cultivation Method that is quite suitable for me. However, it contains many technical terms and allusions that I don't quite understand. I'd like to find a couple of books to study."

Buddhism has a profound influence on the secular world, and there are many Cultivation Method that have been passed down through generations. It is not surprising to occasionally come across a book that one studies.

"I see. Then you shouldn't have come here."

Zhao Ji stuffed the Buddhist scriptures back and walked out from between the bookshelves. Liang Qu quickly followed, knowing that the headmaster was going to teach him how to choose books.

After stepping over five or six bookshelves, Zhao Ji turned and walked into another aisle between bookshelves. He glanced at them, pulled out a book from the third shelf, and then picked out two more from the fifth shelf, handing a total of three books to Liang Qu.

Nong Qi's Interpretation of Buddhist Truth

Ouyi's Commentary on the Four Books

The Bai's Essentials of the Three Teachings United

"You've only studied the Classics, Histories, Masters, Collections, philosophy, and literature; you know absolutely nothing about Buddhism. You can't understand Buddhist texts by reading them directly."

Furthermore, I observe that your reading is mostly utilitarian, aimed only at understanding the Cultivation Method, rather than stemming from interest. Forcing yourself to continue will only lead to increasing confusion and anxiety.

Nowadays, Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism are increasingly integrated. As the saying goes, Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism are interconnected, and the three teachings have always shared a common origin, with many things converging.

It would be better to start by examining Buddhist aspects from a Confucian perspective, then use Buddhist perspectives to find counter-evidence in Confucianism. Having this foundational understanding, one can then consult specialized Buddhist texts for specific areas of confusion.

Liang Qu read it several times and found it much easier to understand. Overjoyed, he bowed deeply and said, "Thank you for choosing this book, Headmaster!"

Having connections and networks is a great advantage. Without guidance, you have to figure everything out on your own, and how long would that take? As for learning, Liang Qu wasn't intimidated at all.

"Yes." The headmaster accepted it readily. "The new County Magistrate has gone to worship the gods and will be back in an hour. Go back now."

Liang Qu nodded, registered the borrowing information with the librarian, and took all three books with him.

In the afternoon, Liang Qu stayed indoors.

The noise outside the academy was incessant.

The County Magistrate has arrived.

Everyone stood up to greet him. Jian Zhongyi was all smiles as he toured the entire academy under the guidance of Headmaster Zhao Ji.

The students followed behind the important figures, not daring to whisper, communicating only with their eyes.

Everyone knows that the newly arrived County Magistrate Jian is a master; even if you speak in a low voice, he will be heard.

After looking around, Jian Zhongyi stood in the courtyard, his tone full of satisfaction. "Shanghu Academy up to its reputation; it truly deserves to be the best academy in Ping Yang County!"

"Lord Jian, you flatter me. I am truly unworthy of such praise."

"Simple and unadorned, vast and open like a valley, this is a bit too modest of Headmaster Zhao. However, Shanghu Academy does have areas for improvement."

"Please speak, Lord Jian."

"It's too small!" Jian Zhongyi said with regret. "Such a good academy is a blessing for Ping Yang County. It should be made bigger and better!"

As he spoke, Jian Zhongyi pulled out a Silver Note from his sleeve. "This is a five-hundred-tael Silver Note. It is not from the public account, but from my personal funds to support Shanghu Academy."

"How could I allow Lord Jian to spend so much money? I am deeply apprehensive."

Zhao Ji declined three times, but finally accepted the Silver Note after Jian Zhongyi insisted.

Liang Qu grinned as he watched.

Damn, they're really rich.

A County Magistrate's normal annual salary is less than five hundred taels, but this rich tycoon can just take it out whenever he wants.

As expected of a scion of the Aristocratic Clan, he is incredibly wealthy. He has earned less than five hundred taels of silver in total.

Liang Qu felt bored standing in the crowd and just wanted Jian Zhongyi to hurry up and give him the questions so he could get through the process and finish quickly.

Unexpectedly, after exchanging pleasantries for a while, Jian Zhongyi steered the conversation towards him.

"I have heard that your academy has a young prodigy who invented Pinyin Method that is far superior to the Fanqie Method, and can learn to read completely in just one year. I wonder if this young prodigy is here today."

Upon hearing this, all the students present turned to look at Liang Qu.

Liang Qu stepped forward and said, "I am deeply humbled by your kindness, sir."

Jian Zhongyi her up and down and said a few words of praise, "She is the youngest among the young ladies, and her talent is rare. With such achievements, and under my jurisdiction, she deserves recognition."

After saying that, he took out a second Silver Note from his sleeve.

"I didn't bring much with me when I went out, only some Silver Note. I hope you don't mind."

Liang Qu glanced at it; the Silver Note had a face value of one hundred taels. He couldn't help but look at Zhao Ji.

Zhao Ji nodded slightly. "It is an honor to receive such a gift from an elder."

Liang Qu then accepted it, as he was indeed short of money and had some things at home that he hadn't yet bought.

One hundred taels of silver would elevate one's quality of life to a new level.

Jian Zhongyi faced the crowd and said, "As the newly appointed County Magistrate of Ping Yang County, I will be diligent in my duties, ensuring that the elderly are cared for until their end, the able-bodied are employed, the young are nurtured, and the widowed, orphaned, childless, disabled, and sick are all provided for. Those who have made contributions will be rewarded, and those who have committed offenses will be punished. Rewards and punishments will be clearly distinguished!"

The students applauded and cheered.

Then, at Zhao Ji's invitation, Jian Zhongyi personally inscribed a stone tablet.

It really was done with hands.

Jian Zhongyi extended only one index finger and carved a line of large characters on the Lapis Lazuli, which was as hard as refined steel.

"To seek knowledge without learning is like wishing for fish without a net."

Next came the exam, which was quite simple; it was just an essay with only one question.

"How vast and boundless it is, the people cannot name it; how majestic and magnificent it is, its achievements are brilliant and its works are magnificent."

Liang Qu spread out his writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, and bit the tip of the brush a little.

Even if it was just a formality, the questions were still a bit beyond the scope of the curriculum.

He was literate and had read books, but he had never thought about participating in the Imperial Examination. Naturally, he had no idea how to solve or analyze the questions, and he didn't even know the basic format of an essay. If he had known that, he would have taken sick leave and not come.

That's not right either. If we don't come, we won't get this hundred taels of silver, which is a lot of money.

After a long while, he began to write.

Jian Zhongyi walked through the courtyard one by one, and when he came to Liang Qu's teaching room, he seemed to be particularly interested in the founder of the Pinyin Method, so he came in to take a look.

Si Hengyi's heart skipped a beat, but he couldn't stop it. Then he saw the new County Magistrate's brows furrowed deeply.

Doesn't his teacher know Liang Qu's level when it comes to writing on this kind of topic? He has many ingenious ideas, but when it comes to writing on this topic, he's no different from a child in early childhood education, or even worse.

It would be one thing to just go through the motions among a pile of exam papers, but now, an ordinary County Magistrate is only among the top three, while this person is a genuine Second Place, selected by the emperor in the Palace Examination.

Looking at the pile of repetitive words on the paper, Jian Zhongyi felt that his writing skills had been dragged down as a result.

What kind of nonsense is this kid writing?

The questions he set were perfectly standard; all he had to do was praise the transformative power of the ancient sages and virtuous men, commend the wise and mighty monarch of the current dynasty, express his loyalty, and say that he too would be determined to assist the current holy ruler in accomplishing great things for the people.

As a result, this person didn't even understand the question, and just rambled on about this and that, without any structure or pattern.

Using this kid's skull to perform a ritualistic initiation ceremony and then undergo a transformation won't make him stupid, will it?