APSIL -Chapter 143 The Sound of the Judge’s Gavel

“Brother Chen, how could you not call me when something this big happened! Last time when we teamed up to capture those twenty or thirty rebels, His Majesty even bestowed a set of writing implements to my family. My stepmother’s face stretched longer than a horse’s!”

“Exactly! Brother Zhang, even if you had sent a fast horse back to the capital with the news, it would have been enough. If I had rushed to the Haidian estates, I could at least have severely punished those servants in my family’s manor who act even more arrogantly than their masters. They only know how to curry favor with my elder brother and completely ignore me!”

“Zhang Chen, quickly tell me and Third Brother, how exactly did Teacher and Sister Yingying display their divine prowess the night before last and capture those two escaped rebels? I heard that the Zhenhai Camp and several other armies had searched throughout the capital region and Northern Zhili again and again, yet they never found their traces! This time the rebels fell into Teacher and Sister Yingying’s hands—their faces must have been completely lost!”

Lu Sanlang sat there with a brush between his lips, coldly watching from the side. Seeing Zhang Chen surrounded like the center of attention, with everyone asking him about what he had seen and experienced at the Haidian estate, Lu Sanlang sneered inwardly.

Yet he still felt somewhat dissatisfied.

How could Zhang Chen possibly have caught those rebels?

It was only because Zhang Shou and Zhu Ying happened to run into them!

Otherwise, with Zhang Chen’s impulsive and reckless personality, what contribution could he possibly have made to capturing escaped rebels alive?

Zhang Chen completely failed to notice Lu Sanlang’s contemptuous gaze because he was already overwhelmed by the endless questions around him.

There were those trying to probe for details, those flattering him, those asking questions, and even those making sarcastic remarks…

He simply could not handle them all.

What he never expected was that after he hurried back to the capital yesterday evening, the palace suddenly sent someone to deliver a reward.

And the reason behind it left him utterly stunned.

Although it was merely an imperial verbal decree, the emperor had greatly praised him.

The meaning was clear:

As the eldest son of the Duke of Qin, Zhang Chen had made significant contributions in capturing the rebels and had rendered meritorious service!

After hearing this, Zhang Chen had been completely confused.

What had he actually done?

As far as he knew, all he had done was thoroughly clean out Qin Garden, capture a few servants who had secretly sneaked in outsiders to gamble, and expose one servant who had once had dealings with the Linhai Camp.

What else had he done?

How could this possibly count as a contribution?

At most, he had merely tied those people up and sent them to the Shuntian Prefecture yamen according to the crime Zhang Shou had suggested.

That was all.

Even now, Zhang Chen still felt completely baffled.

But outwardly, he had to maintain his usual cold and arrogant demeanor, ignoring most questions.

Only when facing the Third and Fourth Princes did he show a little patience.

Even then, his patience only meant that he answered slightly more seriously: “Wait until Teacher arrives. Everyone can ask him then. He is the true contributor.”

Therefore, when Zhang Shou entered Banshan Hall, he immediately saw countless gazes falling upon him like searchlights.

Having already encountered Xu Heizi from the Discipline Hall when he first arrived at the Imperial Academy, Zhang Shou roughly understood what had happened.

Regarding the emperor deliberately giving Zhang Chen a high-profile reward, after his initial surprise, Zhang Shou could not help but admire the clever move.

It was exactly the same strategy as when he had encouraged Zhang Chen to investigate Qin Garden during the inspection of Zhao Garden, then spread the news so that all the surrounding estates would begin investigating themselves.

Both methods achieved the same effect.

But at this moment, he had no intention of telling these students the story of what happened the previous night.

Instead, the corners of his lips lifted slightly, revealing a meaningful smile.

“Today’s two lessons will both be…”

He paused.

“Examinations.”

In an instant, Zhang Shou noticed that the atmosphere inside the enormous Banshan Hall froze completely.

He himself had suffered plenty from sudden surprise quizzes in the past.

Yet now he acted as if nothing had happened and calmly said: “As long as you listened carefully during the previous lessons and also studied some books afterward with a spirit of inquiry, you should absolutely be able to pass.”

After a pause, Zhang Shou directly called out names.

“Zhang Chen, come up here. You will read out the questions.”

“Zhang Wu, the paper for the next lesson is currently with Supervisor Xu from the Discipline Hall. Go collect it later. You will read out the questions then as well.”

“As for the two of you, after reading the questions, supervise the examination. Anyone whispering, exchanging answers, or attempting to cheat—record their names.”

“That is all.”

When Zhang Chen came forward with a completely helpless expression, Zhang Shou directly stuffed the examination paper into his hands.

Then, showing absolutely no sense of responsibility, he said: “I need to go to the Shuntian Prefecture yamen. Today I will be interviewing future students of Jiuzhang Hall.”

“Lu Zhu, as the future head of the study hall, come with me and help.”

Lu Sanlang, who had spent the past few days attending Banshan Hall classes, immediately became energetic.

After all, he was somewhat afraid of the word “exam.”

If he performed poorly on the paper and became a laughingstock afterward, how could the reputation of this genius praised even by the emperor survive?

This was different from arithmetic problems.

When it came to those, he feared no one!

Thus, Lu Sanlang ignored the fact that his name had been called out publicly.

He immediately stood up proudly and followed Zhang Shou out.

After the two left, Banshan Hall remained silent for a moment.

Then it instantly exploded into chaos.

Zhang Chen, who was furious, could only desperately slam the judge’s block on the table and shout: “Silence!”

After finally restoring order, he said irritably: “All of you sit properly! An examination should look like an examination!”

Afraid that the hall would erupt again, and secretly relieved that he himself had escaped taking the exam, Zhang Chen quickly read the first question on the paper:

“Question one:

During the first lesson, what was the real name of Monk Zangji?

What official positions did he hold?

List three.”

The moment the question was announced, the students below immediately started shouting again.

The loudest complaint was:

“Teacher never mentioned Monk Zangji’s real name in class!”

However, the Third and Fourth Princes exchanged a glance.

Both of them felt delighted and fortunate.

Because after returning home, they had pestered their father, the emperor, and asked for even more details and hidden information.

Not only did they know Monk Zangji’s real name…

They even knew what Monk Zangji’s father was called!

Zhang Chen slammed the judge’s block twice more and said impatiently: “If Teacher didn’t tell you, did you never think of researching it yourselves or asking others?”

“What a lack of initiative!”

“When I returned home back then, I asked my father immediately and knew the answer in no time!”

“As for Monk Zangji’s official positions, Teacher mentioned more than three. If you listened carefully, there is no way you wouldn’t know!”

While Zhang Chen was proudly displaying the authority of a study hall leader inside Banshan Hall, Zhang Shou and Lu Sanlang had already nearly reached the Imperial Academy archway.

There, they unexpectedly ran into Director Zhou.

Lu Sanlang quickly stepped forward and respectfully greeted him.

But the moment he mentioned they were heading to the Shuntian Prefecture yamen for interviews, Director Zhou immediately began laughing awkwardly.

Then, using the excuse that he had something to do, he fled as quickly as possible.

Only after he disappeared did Lu Sanlang proudly whisper: “Little Teacher, for old scholars who love showing off their knowledge and constantly quoting ancient texts, using Lord Wang as an excuse is the most effective method.”

“Oh? You’re quite clever.”

Zhang Shou laughed.

Then he casually said: “The matter you mentioned last time—I asked Yingying to help you.”

“She will attend some tea gatherings and banquets over the next few days and help you inquire around.”

Lu Sanlang immediately became overjoyed.

He hurriedly thanked him repeatedly.

“If this really succeeds, I will definitely prepare the grandest matchmaking gift for Little Teacher and Miss Zhu!”

“By the way, the skilled craftsmen you asked me to find—I spent the last two days searching and already found several.”

“However…”

Zhang Shou had always believed that the three words “however” were the most unreliable words in the world.

A bad feeling immediately rose in his heart.

Ignoring A-Liu, who was approaching them, he stopped and looked at Lu Sanlang.

Sure enough, the little fatty hesitated before finally saying: “When I was looking for craftsmen, I happened to meet Marquis Zhang Kang of Weinan.”

“When he learned that it was something you needed, Little Teacher…”

“He said that if you had time, he would like to invite you to Tingyu Pavilion.”

Before Zhang Shou could answer, A-Liu spoke first: “Is Miss also going?”

Lu Sanlang’s face immediately turned bitter.

Because when he had first brought this up, Zhang Shou had given him exactly the same response.

He could only helplessly say: “I told Marquis Zhang Kang of Weinan that if Little Teacher went, Miss Zhu would probably come along as well.”

“But he said it didn’t matter. If Miss Zhu wanted to come, that was fine too.”

“After all, Tingyu Pavilion is not some place of improper entertainment.”

“Besides…”

He hesitated before honestly explaining: “Little Teacher, I did find people, but the most famous craftsmen in the capital all belong to the Bureau of Military Equipment.”

“At least according to the official records.”

“So if the things you want to make cannot be produced by ordinary craftsmen, then you may need Marquis Zhang Kang of Weinan—who oversees the Bureau of Military Equipment—to speak personally before those master craftsmen will take action.”

“So, going together with Miss Zhu would only be beneficial.”

Zhang Shou had not expected that Marquis Zhang Kang of Weinan Zhang Kang, a person he considered a rough military man, would actually be the head of the Bureau of Military Equipment.

After thinking briefly, he finally decided to accept the invitation.

Of course, bringing Zhu Ying along had originally just been a joke.

However…

Zhu Er could be considered.

Although Zhu Er had recently kept such a low profile in Banshan Hall that his presence was almost impossible to notice, according to Zhu Ying, he was an old pleasure-seeker.

Taking him to a place like Tingyu Pavilion—

At least he would know his way around.

The Imperial Academy and the Shuntian Prefecture yamen were only a short distance apart, so Zhang Shou and Lu Sanlang walked there leisurely instead of taking a carriage.

As they walked, they continued chatting.

By the time they arrived at the entrance of the Shuntian Prefecture yamen, the runners who had been waiting there hurried forward.

After respectfully greeting them, they smiled and led the group into the second hall.

The moment Zhang Shou stepped inside, he saw that the spacious hall was already filled with twenty or thirty people.

Among them were both old and young.

The oldest were at least in their forties or fifties, while the youngest were around Zhang Shou’s age.

When they saw him arrive, many of them reacted as if they already knew him.

They hurriedly stood up and bowed.

Even those who reacted slower quickly got up after seeing the others.

“Doctor Zhang!”

One person moved too hurriedly and accidentally kicked over his chair.

The entire hall immediately became noisy.

But then—

Bang!

A crisp sound rang out.

Someone had struck the judge’s wooden block.

Immediately afterward, a cold voice echoed: “Everyone has arrived.”

“Since Doctor Zhang is here, all of you return to your seats properly.”

“Anyone who dares make noise will have their qualifications revoked.”

“Doctor Zhang, the third hall has been prepared for your interviews.”

Seeing the crowd retreat like a tide, returning to their seats in perfect order with straight backs and serious expressions, Zhang Shou could not help but smile.

Thinking of the chaos in Banshan Hall earlier, he suddenly felt that someone like the strict disciplinary inspector really was indispensable.

If classrooms in his previous life had a judge’s block like this…

Students would definitely never dare to sleep in class.

After arriving at the third hall, Zhang Shou began the interviews.

The candidates before him came from all kinds of backgrounds.

Some were scholars from poor families.

Some were children of wealthy households.

Some had impressive academic achievements, while others had only ordinary qualifications.

But regardless of background, every one of them looked nervous.

After all, this was not merely an ordinary examination.

This was an opportunity personally arranged by Zhang Shou, the Imperial Academy’s newly appointed Doctor of the Classics.

Even those who had once been arrogant felt uneasy.

Lu Sanlang stood beside Zhang Shou, carefully observing.

At first, he thought this would just be a simple selection process.

But after listening for a while, his expression gradually became serious.

Zhang Shou did not simply ask about knowledge from books.

Instead, he asked about understanding.

“How would you explain the principle behind this passage?”

“If you encountered such a situation in reality, how would you handle it?”

“What do you believe is the greatest responsibility of a scholar?”

Many candidates who had memorized countless classics found themselves unable to answer.

They had learned words.

But they had not learned how to think.

Zhang Shou quietly noted this.

Knowledge was important.

But a person who only knew how to recite books without understanding the world was not someone he wanted for Jiuzhang Hall.

After several rounds of interviews, Zhang Shou finally leaned back slightly.

“Next.”

The next candidate stepped forward.

He looked somewhat older than the others, with a calm expression.

After bowing, he said: “Student greets Doctor Zhang.”

Zhang Shou glanced at him.

“Your name?”

“Student Zhao Ming.”

“Why do you wish to enter Jiuzhang Hall?”

The man hesitated briefly.

Then he answered: “Because I wish to learn something that cannot be learned from ordinary books.”

This answer made Zhang Shou slightly raise his eyebrows.

“Explain.”

Zhao Ming lowered his head and said: “Books record what people before us have discovered.”

“But if everyone only studies old knowledge, who will discover new knowledge?”

“Student wishes to learn how to discover things that have not yet been discovered.”

Zhang Shou looked at him for a moment.

Then he smiled slightly.

This answer was much closer to what he wanted.

After the interviews continued for some time, Lu Sanlang suddenly leaned closer and whispered: “Little Teacher, this person is quite good.”

Zhang Shou glanced at him.

“You can tell?”

Lu Sanlang immediately puffed out his chest.

“Of course.”

“I am a genius.”

Zhang Shou laughed.

“You only understood after hearing me ask questions for so long.”

Lu Sanlang’s expression stiffened.

“That… that is because I was observing your methods.”

Zhang Shou shook his head helplessly.

This little fatty really never missed an opportunity to boast.

Meanwhile, outside the third hall, several Shuntian Prefecture officials were quietly discussing.

“Doctor Zhang is truly unusual.”

“Most scholars only care about literary achievement.”

“But he seems to value whether someone can actually do things.”

Another person nodded.

“The Jiuzhang Hall he wants to establish may really become something different.”

“But…”

Someone lowered his voice.

“Do you think Lord Wang will agree to let the yamen be used as the interview location?”

Everyone fell silent.

Because everyone knew—

The reason Zhang Shou had requested the Shuntian Prefecture yamen was not merely because the Imperial Academy was inconvenient.

There was another purpose.

The yamen had authority.

It had discipline.

It had an atmosphere ordinary schools could not provide.

And more importantly—

It allowed everyone to understand that Jiuzhang Hall was not just another ordinary academy.

By the time the interviews ended, the sky had already begun turning dark.

Zhang Shou stretched slightly.

“Today is enough.”

“We will announce the results after further discussion.”

The candidates immediately bowed.

“Thank you, Doctor Zhang!”

After they left, Lu Sanlang looked at the departing figures and sighed.

“Little Teacher, selecting students is actually quite troublesome.”

Zhang Shou smiled.

“Of course.”

“Teaching people is never easier than learning yourself.”

Lu Sanlang nodded thoughtfully.

Then he suddenly remembered something.

“By the way, Little Teacher…”

“What?”

“When are we going to Tingyu Pavilion?”

Zhang Shou glanced at him.

“Why are you more anxious about that than the students?”

Lu Sanlang immediately became serious.

“Because finding craftsmen is also an important matter.”

“After all, you said you wanted to make something extraordinary.”

Zhang Shou smiled faintly.

He had a feeling that this visit to Tingyu Pavilion would not be as simple as merely meeting a few craftsmen.

After all—

Whenever someone like Marquis Zhang Kang of Weinan personally extended an invitation…

There was usually another reason behind it.