A Sigh (Seeking Follow-ups)

A Sigh

Taste Classics Academy's two dormitories each had sixteen rooms.

Past the dormitory gate stood the main hall, its plaque bearing the words "Hall of a Hundred Affairs." The name came from the eight words in the Book of Documents: "Admitted to the hundred affairs, the hundred affairs were thereby set in order." It signified that Daily Renewal Hall emphasized practical learning while also nurturing the ambition to ascend to the highest halls of government.

(A hundred affairs referred to all matters, and also to chief ministers.)

Before the hall lay a half-mu square pond stocked with koi.

On either side of the main hall stood three-bay lecture halls, facing south like wings. To the east and west were four-bay student dormitories. The rear courtyard also contained an archery ground, kitchen, latrines, and other buildings.

The dormitory rooms were available for scholars studying at the academy.

The three taels of silver Instructor Wang had paid for Xu Xing covered not only his tuition and meal expenses, but also his lodging fees at the academy.

Xu Xing received his token for moving into a dormitory room.

The dormitory steward was an old man surnamed Zheng. He was very warm-hearted. Hearing from Instructor Wang that Xu Xing came from impoverished circumstances, he took it upon himself to give Xu Xing a spare set of academy bedding, slinging it over his shoulder as he accompanied him to the dormitory.

Taste Classics Academy had been established by imperial memorial at the request of Qin Province's education commissioner, and many nearby gentry had donated funds for lamps and oil.

It did not lack money.

It often provided aid to impoverished students.

The dormitory was a communal sleeping room, and two fellow students had already moved in.

Xu Xing had barely pushed open the door and entered when he saw a tall young man with a square face half-reclining on a bed. His crossed legs rested against the railing at the bedside, while he held a book in his hands and read with great relish. Xu Xing gave it a sidelong glance and saw the title on its cover: Flying Flowers, Amorous Thoughts.

It was a gaudy forbidden book!

Zheng Zhaifu stepped forward and spoke a few words to the young man.

The young man closed the book, climbed down from the bed, straightened his clothes, and exchanged bows with Xu Xing before they introduced themselves.

The young man was named Chen Jian'an. His home was in Hu County near Chang'an, and his father was a well-known local medicinal herb merchant.

Most scholars who could afford to study at Taste Classics Academy came from wealthy families.

Among the academy's many students, Chen Jian'an's background was quite ordinary.

Though people of the time liked to say, "The swallows before the halls of Wang and Xie in former days now fly into the homes of common folk," and, "Many high officials rise from poor scholars, while few dukes and ministers have worthy heirs," an ordinary family simply could not bear the cost of supporting a scholar who did nothing but study.

"Brother Xu, if you ever wish to buy medicine, just let me know. Buy from me, and I can give you thirty percent off."

Chen Jian'an tidied his bedding, casually tucked several books beneath his arm, then strode straight out of the dormitory toward the lecture hall. As he departed, he smiled and said this to Xu Xing.

The academy's evening lesson would begin shortly.

"The other one went home for a funeral."

"He probably won't return to the academy until next month..."

Zheng Zhaifu explained the whereabouts of the dormitory's other occupant.

"So that's how it is."

Hearing this, Xu Xing set aside his intention of getting acquainted with the other fellow student.

After the four words [Fate of Violent Death] had collapsed and scattered, his [Fate] had yet to condense into a new one. Yet while he had been getting acquainted with Chen Jian'an just now, the rate at which his [Fate] condensed had unexpectedly accelerated considerably.

Xu Xing thought it over briefly and understood.

Fellow students, fellow examination graduates, fellow townsmen—these were the threads of connection among scholars.

By befriending Chen Jian'an, he had effectively entered the network of fellow students at Taste Classics Academy.

This was what was called having one's fate tied to a benefactor.

Of course, Chen Jian'an did not count as a benefactor. He could merely exert a slight influence on Xu Xing's fortune.

After Zheng Zhaifu left, Xu Xing was in no hurry to settle into the dormitory. Once he had made his bed, he left Taste Classics Academy directly and hurried toward the temporary base of Filial Righteousness Hall.

As a newly enrolled student, he had been granted three days off by the academy supervisor.

He did not change out of his long robe along the way.

By the time he reached the farmhouse, the sky had already darkened.

Three oil lamps burned in the main hall, flooding it with light.

Master Ma and more than a dozen Brotherhood men sat broad and imposing in grand armchairs, their expressions stern.

"You should know the hall rules."

"Miss the appointed time, and no one will wait for you!"

Master Ma barked.

Though Xu Xing had not formally taken him as his master, Master Ma had taught him all these days and could be considered half a master to him. Now that Xu Xing had made a mistake in handling matters, Master Ma could not shirk his own responsibility either.

"Reporting to Master Ma, this disciple understands and willingly accepts punishment."

Xu Xing did not evade responsibility. He immediately knelt and admitted fault outright.

He was the lowest-ranking brother in Filial Righteousness Hall, and all procurement tasks fell to him. Returning a little late would ordinarily have been no issue, but he had spent too much time answering questions at Taste Classics Academy, causing him to be late by far too long.

This was neither a major nor a minor mistake.

But as long as he spoke earnestly and honestly, letting everyone save face, Filial Righteousness Hall would not go so far as to punish him with three cuts and six holes over this. If they did, no one would dare join the Elder Brothers Society anymore.

Hearing this, Master Ma's expression eased considerably. He waved a hand, signaling Xu Xing to rise. "You made everyone wait so long. Your punishment... is to wash all their warhorses. Let this matter pass."

Xu Xing had been fairly diligent in his martial training, and Master Ma had seen it all. There was no need to make a great fuss over such a small mistake.

Of course, authority still had to be established. Being late now was not frightening, but when the time came to undertake great deeds, missing the proper hour would cost not only his own life, but might drag his other brothers down with him.

First intimidate and establish authority, then raise the rod high and bring it down lightly—such was the way of warfare.

"Thank you, Master Ma."

Xu Xing got to his feet.

"What's with that long robe you're wearing?"

Master Ma had noticed that Xu Xing was dressed differently from usual.

"I enrolled in Taste Classics Academy."

"I enrolled today."

Xu Xing said in a low voice.

"Today?"

Master Ma's brows furrowed slightly. "You were late today because you went to enroll in Taste Classics Academy?"

The four great academies of Central Shaanxi were Central Shaanxi Academy, Broad Way Academy, Taste Classics Academy, and Practical Learning Academy.

Taste Classics Academy was ranked among the four great academies of Central Shaanxi.

Master Ma had roamed Qin Province for many years, and had recently put down roots in Jingyang County, so he naturally knew Taste Classics Academy inside and out. First Normal School, which had assassinated Qin Province Governor Fang Yun, had formerly been Central Shaanxi Academy and was likewise one of the four great academies.

(Central Shaanxi Academy was renamed First Normal School in the thirty-second year of the Guangxu reign. This is set somewhat earlier.)

"You..."

Master Ma scrutinized Xu Xing closely.

Taste Classics Academy was not so easy to enter; of that, he was perfectly clear.

Though the youth before him wore a scholar's robe and possessed something of a literary air, after spending many days with Xu Xing, Master Ma felt he resembled a farmer's son far more than a learned scholar steeped in poetry and books.

"I was fortunate enough to get into the academy."

Xu Xing's answer was deliberately ambiguous.

In any case, it would be difficult for Master Ma to verify whether it was true.

By the time he did verify it, Xu Xing would certainly have gained a firm foothold. A few trifling suspicions would no longer be much of a problem, not worth bringing out into the open.

Besides, the more one said, the more mistakes one made.

His answer could also be taken as a modest remark.

"A gentleman is sparing in words, yet swift in action." — The Analects: Li Ren.

"Since you've entered an academy, you're a scholar now..."

"I suppose this long robe of yours is rented. Here are ten taels of silver. Take them and study well."

Though Master Ma had a thousand questions he wished to ask Xu Xing, when the words reached his throat, what came out instead was this. He let out a long sigh, took out two silver ingots, and placed them in Xu Xing's palm.

Each ingot weighed five taels.

Together, the two ingots amounted to ten taels.

Respecting teachers and valuing education was a tradition of the Chinese people.

Scholars were more precious than men who lived by fighting...

The Elder Brothers Society had always placed importance on recruiting scholars, but recruiting other educated men could hardly compare to having Xu Xing—a genuine, dyed-in-the-wool society member—enter an academy, study, and become a scholar.