Observing People at the Hanlin Academy, Thinking of the Divine in a New Residence
The Hanlin Academy occupies a space that is neither too large nor too small. From a distance, one can sense its extraordinary atmosphere, where Literary Thought flow like a gentle stream, lingering around the academy in a pure and tranquil ambiance.
"What a gathering place for Literary Thought talents! I never expected to find such pure Literary Thought in officialdom. However, in my interactions with officials and observations of the atmosphere at court these past few days, I've noticed that wherever there is an official, wherever power extends, there is bound to be a corrupt atmosphere. Why is the Hanlin Academy so peaceful? Are there many officials serving there? Are they all of them with the heart of a sage, untouched by worldly dust?"
With questions in mind, Qiu Yan followed the guide and stepped into the door with Ye Yun and Li Le. The moment their feet touched the ground, a pure energy surged up from the ground, entering through the springs of the feet and rising straight upwards. In no time, it nourished their own Fortune and dispelled some worldly thoughts, making the Fortune Tree more vibrant and showing a tendency to soar into the sky.
"This is a meteoric rise!" With a thought, Qiu Yan did not stop the pure energy from cleansing his own Fortune Tree. At the same time, he savored a bit of the flavor and recalled some stories from books and folk tales.
"The Great Rui has two academies, the Council of State Affairs and the Privy Council, which divide the powers of the prime minister. The person who sits in the Hall of Council of State Affairs can be called the prime minister. Since the beginning of the Rui Dynasty, apart from those who have made great contributions and were promoted out of turn, most of the prime ministers have experience serving in the Hanlin Academy."
After decades of establishing the Great Rui, a situation gradually formed in which civil officials controlled the military. The highest qualification for a scholar was the Jinshi degree, and all prime ministers were Jinshi graduates. Among the Jinshi graduates, there were also different ranks, with those who could enter the Hanlin Academy being the best of the best.
Standing at the Central Pivot, ranked among the Hanlin scholars, they could walk before the emperor. Although they had no decision-making power, they occasionally drafted proposals. They were essentially the secretariat. In particular, the top three scholars in the first rank (状元, 榜眼, 探花) were given the official positions of compiler (Subordinate Sixth Rank, sixth rank) and editor (Principal Seventh Rank, seventh rank), respectively. The remaining twenty-four positions of probationary scholars (庶吉士) not only had no official rank, but were also subject to occasional assessments, essentially acting as interns. It would take at least three years to obtain an official rank.
Looking at it this way, Qiu Yan and others saved themselves the trouble of being promoted to the First Rank or second rank from the start. However, there were indeed several prime ministers in history who started as probationary officials. It is clear that although their Qidian were different, being listed in the Hanlin Academy meant having many opportunities, which ultimately set them apart from other officials.
As for the remaining successful candidates, they would either become officials in the capital or be sent to other provinces, having to experience the ups and downs of officialdom and struggle for promotion. Those sent to other provinces would lose the opportunity to build connections in the Imperial City, which was a relatively unfavorable start in officialdom.
While the other Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) are being appointed today, Qiu Yan and his two companions have already been brought here in advance to familiarize themselves with the Hanlin Academy.
As Qiu Yan walked, he finally detected a trace of turbid air in the air, which had been diluted to a very thin level and was being purified and expelled by a source.
"I see."
A thought flashed through Qiu Yan's mind, and he pointed to a pavilion deep inside. He asked, "What's in that building?"
The person leading the way was young, probably in his teens. He was quick-witted and eloquent throughout the journey. Upon hearing Qiu Yan's question, he didn't dare to be negligent and immediately replied, "Oh, that building is the Hanlin Academy's Book Repository, which houses many classic books, including rare copies. It even contains a considerable number of the legendary manuscripts of the philosophers. It is truly the most important part of the academy."
"The Book Repository?" Upon hearing this word, Qiu Yan's heart stirred, recalling the night Ginseng Treasure the Hanlin Academy to examine the treasures. However, he casually remarked, "That's quite a place, a sacred ground for scholars like us. I wonder if I could go and take a look?"
The guide looked troubled and scratched his head. "The Book Repository is not easily entered, and I have never been inside before. However, you are the newly appointed top scholar and a compiler in the Hanlin Academy. I think it would be alright to speak with Yang Shijiang on your behalf."
"Yang Shijiang?" Qiu Yan's eyes flashed with a sharp light as he asked in return.
"That's right. This Library Pavilion is usually overseen by Yang She and Yang Shijiang. They keep a very tight watch on it. It's difficult for outsiders to get in unless it's for editing and organizing. When we get here..." The guide realized he had let something slip and quickly changed the subject.
However, some people did indeed come to greet them from the other side.
Seeing that the guide was about to leave, Qiu Yan looked at the man's face and a thought struck him. He asked, "I forgot to ask your name along the way, young man."
"Sir, there's no need for such formalities," the guide quickly waved his hand and said. "My name is Meng Sanyi, and I am not worthy of your title. I work in the Hanlin Academy. If there is anything I can do for you in the future, please feel free to call me." With that, he turned and left.
Qiu Yan didn't press further; a clear voice came from the other end.
"The three of you have finally arrived. You just went to the Ministry of Personnel to register, and then someone came to inform you. We've been waiting here." As he spoke, a middle-aged man in official robes walked over slowly. He was handsome and had a refined demeanor.
"Greetings, Shangguan." Qiu Yan and the other two recognized the man as Han Bian Academician Reader-in-Attendance, from the rank badge on his clothes.
According to the rules, the person in charge of the affairs of the Hanlin Academy is the Hanlin Academician, a Fifth Grade official. In previous dynasties, this position was concurrently held by the Ministry of Rites. However, the Minister was extremely busy, so this title was only used by the court to show its regard for the Hanlin Academy. The one who truly held the power in the Hanlin Academy was the Academician Reader-in-Attendance.
The head of the Hanlin Academy personally greeted them, and even if Qiu Yan and the others were completely unfamiliar with the proper etiquette, they knew this was a grand gesture and naturally had to reciprocate.
After exchanging a few polite words, Han Shidu said, "Let me introduce you all. This is Yang She, the Lecturer..." As he spoke, a square-faced man, also dressed in official robes, walked over. The atmosphere around them changed instantly as the man stepped forward.
When Han Bian spoke, everyone felt as if they were bathed in a spring breeze. However, as soon as Yang She walked over, he didn't say a word, but his oppressive aura enveloped the surroundings. However, Qiu Yan and the others were not ordinary people, and they did not show any abnormality because of this, remaining calm and composed.
Besides Hanlin Academician, the Hanlin Academy also had positions such as Attendant Reader, Attendant Lecturer, Compiler, Revisionist, Reviewer, Five Classics Scholar, Classics Scholar, Attendant Scribe, and Attendant-to-Imperial Edict, with ranks ranging from the Fifth Grade to the eighth grade. In addition, there were unranked probationary scholars.
This arrangement is actually a miniature power arena, enough for Qiu Yan to steadily step into officialdom. Chapter 595: The turbid air in the Hanlin Academy has been expelled, and the pure air is full. If one uses Divine Ability or martial arts, the effect is particularly obvious. One can only rely on the senses to perceive the changes.
However, after watching for a while, I still couldn't find any clues.
At this moment, Han Bian added, "The Hanlin Academy is usually quite leisurely, but there are some systems and documents that need to be familiarized with. If you gentlemen come tomorrow, you can accompany Lecturer Yang to the Book Repository to take a look and get acquainted with them."
"The Book Repository?" Qiu Yan was slightly surprised. He was still thinking about how to get in, but he didn't expect it to be solved so easily. He looked at Yang She again, and the latter didn't seem to notice anything amiss. Instead, he nodded in agreement.
However, Qiu Yan's keen senses still detected a slight change in the other party's aura.
"Oh, right, after you get your waist tokens, have someone take you to the Ministry of Works to collect your houses."
When officials take up their posts in the capital, the imperial court will allocate residences within the city. Given the official ranks of Qiu Yan and others, most of them will receive a courtyard, which can be considered as having a place to stay in the Imperial City. However, if they are to take up their posts in other places in the future, these residences will still be taken away.
This is also one of the perks of officials.
"Thank you for your concern, Lord Han." Qiu Yan and the others expressed their gratitude again. The atmosphere was harmonious.
The entire Hanlin Academy also gave people a sense of ease and peace, which was completely different from the environment Qiu Yan had experienced before.
Just as Qiu Yan and the others were searching for Hanlin, An Jin, who had changed into dark clothes, arrived outside a large courtyard in a corner of the outer city.
The plaque above the courtyard gate reads "Nine Rhyme Study," the strokes of which are ethereal and suggest a sense of otherworldly refinement.
Upon seeing An Jin, the gatekeeper immediately approached and inquired about her purpose.
"Please tell Master Nine Rhyme that my nephew An Jin has come to visit." An Jin cupped his hands in greeting.
The gatekeeper, a native of the Imperial City, was quite knowledgeable. Seeing An Jin's extraordinary bearing and imposing presence, he didn't question him further. After ascertaining his background and origin, and learning that he was a disciple of the Nine Abyss Academy in Eastern Capital, he couldn't help but feel respect. He quickly turned around to announce his arrival and, after a while, invited An Jin inside.
After about the time it takes to eat a meal, the two young men escorted An Jin out again. All three of them had solemn expressions, as if they shared a common hatred for a common enemy.
After bidding farewell to the two, An Jin boarded the carriage, which slowly moved through the city. He visited a study, and as evening approached, he left the city and headed south to visit the Virtue Academy. Finally, just before dark, he arrived at the gate of the Void Academy.
A servant was already waiting outside the door, and when he saw the carriage arrive, he went to greet it.
As soon as the carriage stopped, An Jin got off and was about to introduce himself when the servant beat him to it, "Mr. An, the master told me to wait for you here."
"Master?" An Jin's expression changed slightly. "Could it be Void Master?"
The servant nodded and said, "It is indeed Master Grand Void. He said he knows your purpose, but the congratulatory gift has already been sent to the top scholar, so it is not appropriate to inquire further. We must wait for the top scholar to return the gift, so I am unable to help you."
An Jin's expression shifted between light and shadow. Finally, he sighed, "As expected of a learned Grand Confucian is adept at navigating social situations, he didn't give me a chance to speak at all." With that, he bowed to the academy and headed back home.
Two days later, Qiu Yan moved into a three-courtyard siheyuan in the east of the city. Hu Qi and Dai Guo were overjoyed as they cleaned and tidied up, while the Ginseng Baby led a group of strange-looking creatures flying around the courtyard, having a great time.
"It's so good to be an official! Such a big courtyard in the Imperial City, how much money must it cost? The imperial court just gave it to us like that!" Dai Guo exclaimed as he worked.
Hu Qi immediately frowned and rebuked, "Don't talk nonsense! This courtyard was allocated to Young Master Yu for his accommodation, not given to him!"
"I know that!" Dai Guo subconsciously shrank his neck.
Inside the room, Qiu Yan's expression was somewhat somber.
"In the past two days, the number of believers has indeed been decreasing, mainly concentrated in Jiannan Circuit. The connection between the incense offerings and the stars has been severed, and even Ao Ling has had difficulty breaking through the barrier. It will take time for her to escape. Before that, if she cannot find a quick and large supply of incense offerings and divine power to replenish her spiritual energy, her Divine Spirit Body will continue to weaken!"
Just then...
Thump! Thump! Thump!
A knock sounded at the door. Qiu Yan straightened his clothes and came out of the main room. His expression was normal. He went to open the door himself.
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