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It’s quite a remarkable occurrence for a county to produce eight scholars in a single examination, but what makes it even more extraordinary is that all eight scholars originate from the same academy. Furthermore, this academy is relatively unknown, merely a place where Confucian scholars teach local scholars.
How impressive is that?
As discussions buzzed about, even the county magistrate, Li Zhongan, invited Meng Ziting and Zhang Wenbin from the Hongle Academy to join the celebration for this year’s new scholars. He not only praised them but also sought their advice, inquiring how they were able to educate so many outstanding students.
When asked about this, Meng Ziting and Zhang Wenbin’s responses were remarkably similar.
“We are not talented individuals, but simply students who are diligent in their studies and willing to work hard. If we talk about achievements, they definitely do not lie with us. It’s all because of the students,” they explained.
“Both of you are too modest,” Li Zhongan remarked, increasingly impressed by their humility.
Educating students effectively and not seeking credit for themselves, Li Zhongan hoped to see more educators like them in the entire county.
Observing Li Zhongan’s approving gaze, Meng Ziting and Zhang Wenbin exchanged a glance and shrugged helplessly.
It’s not just their modesty; it’s the truth.
They have been running the Hongle Academy for many years, using the same teaching methods, teaching the same books, and providing the same interpretations to the students. Over the years, there were very few scholars, let alone top scholars.
When they first heard about the sudden emergence of eight top scholars this year, they thought others were joking with them. It wasn’t until the students returned and shared the good news that they realized it was indeed true.
Eight top scholars! This achievement alone is worth boasting about for a lifetime! It’s something they never dared to imagine before, and now it has become a reality, all from their academy.
Meng Ziting took two days to believe it was real.
Zhang Wenbin took a day.
Afterward, they both pondered and concluded on why they achieved such remarkable results this year.
In the end, considering their comprehensive teaching methods, the interpretations of the books, the credit was ultimately attributed to Song Jingyun.
After all, if there was something notably different this year compared to previous years, it was the fact that only Song Jingyun joined the academy to study. Additionally, with Song Jingyun’s sharp intellect and exceptional memory, the pressure on other students was undoubtedly significant.
Moreover, Song Jingyun had an excellent memory and could readily help other students with questions. Being diligent in his studies and inquisitive by nature, he set an example for others to follow, inspiring them to study harder.
Even if Song Jingyun didn’t deserve all the credit, he certainly deserved about eighty percent of it.
However, Zhang Wenbin and Meng Ziting refrained from mentioning this in front of Li Zhongan.
Considering that Song Jingyun had already achieved the title of “Triple Top Scholar” and the top spot in the recent provincial examination, Li Zhongan held him in high regard. Adding more honors and accolades onto Song Jingyun’s achievements would be excessive and unnecessary.
When it comes to future prospects, it’s crucial to progress gradually and steadily, not overwhelming oneself with too much recognition all at once.
Meng Ziting and Zhang Wenbin, with years of teaching experience, understood this principle well.
After rewarding the new scholars, the next step was to arrange accommodations for them.
Although attaining the title of top scholar didn’t grant official status, those with outstanding results could enter the county school and receive food provisions. In this case, Song Jingyun and the other seven scholars excelled, meeting the requirements.
Following tradition, Li Zhongan would now settle these eight scholars into the county school.
However, Li Zhongan was well aware that while the county school in the county had its reputation and could provide timely food provisions, the true academic learning took place at the Wende Academy in the county town. He discussed the matter of sending the eight scholars to study at the Wende Academy with the head of the Wende Academy.
The head of the Wende Academy, Yue Shangzhang, was delighted, especially after meeting Song Jingyun and the others. He personally took them on a tour of the academy, brimming with joy.
Despite the excitement around studying at the Wende Academy, Song Jingyun, Lu Yuming, and others hesitated.
The Wende Academy’s reputation preceded it, and the opportunity to study there was highly coveted among scholars in the county. Naturally, they were eager for this chance.
However, attending the Wende Academy meant leaving the Hongle Academy, parting ways with their former classmates, Meng Ziting, and Zhang Wenbin.
Meng Ziting and Zhang Wenbin, both knowledgeable and humble educators who had imparted many valuable lessons, were deeply cherished by the students. The idea of leaving them behind was not easy to accept. They even deliberated on whether to continue their studies at the Hongle Academy.
When Meng Ziting and Zhang Wenbin learned about their students’ hesitations, they felt a mix of relief and displeasure.
“Opportunities like attending the Wende Academy are rare and should be cherished. Time waits for no one. You must treasure this chance!” Meng Ziting remarked. “While we may be considered knowledgeable scholars by others, compared to the educators at the Wende Academy, we are not even in the same league.”
“Your thoughts are understood by me and your master Zhang, but matters of education cannot be taken lightly. In life, there are choices to make, and it’s essential to differentiate between what is crucial and what is secondary. Moreover, your future success will bring us greater satisfaction,” Meng Ziting emphasized.
“However, Master…” Lu Yuming still wanted to argue.
Meng Ziting’s expression suddenly changed. “You have both achieved top scholar status this time. If you linger at the Hongle Academy and delay our recruitment of new students, you are hindering the academy’s progress. How can you expect to benefit the academy by standing idle?”
“After studying at the academy for so many years, we have endured countless times of being provoked by you. Yet, you have the audacity to continue lingering here and obstructing our work? You have quite the nerve…” Meng Ziting expressed exasperation.
Having finally sent one group away, their reluctance to leave was unacceptable!
Zhang Wenbin, equally frustrated, glared, “That’s the situation. Don’t linger here and cause trouble. If you truly have filial piety, strive to pass the imperial examinations in the future. Let us have something to tell our future students. Otherwise, if people only mention that the Hongle Academy produced scholars at best, it would be an embarrassment!”
Witnessing the abrupt change in tone from the two educators, full of disdain towards the students, Song Jingyun, Lu Yuming, and the others fell silent. They had no choice but to follow the arrangements made by County Magistrate Li Zhongan and prepare to study at the Wende Academy.
As they watched the students depart one by one, Zhang Wenbin and Meng Ziting both breathed a sigh of relief.
The elderly gatekeeper at the academy sighed, glancing at the somewhat desolate figures of Zhang Wenbin and Meng Ziting standing at the door in the fading sunlight. Feeling a sense of sympathy, he wanted to approach them and offer a few words of comfort.
However, as he listened, Meng Ziting and Zhang Wenbin were murmuring to each other.
“Finally, they’ve left.”
“Indeed, I never want to grade essays again; it’s just too challenging.”