APSIL -Chapter 73 Who Is Misleading Students?

“Young Master Shou, please don’t take those guards to heart. They’re simply too rigid—hopelessly inflexible…”

As the plump middle-aged man smiled apologetically while leading the way, Zhang Shou replied casually, “They were only doing their duty. After all, Princess Yongping is a member of the imperial family. No amount of caution would be excessive, so there’s no reason to blame them. In truth, the princess’s invitation is so precious that countless people would beg for one. Giving it to someone like me is rather a waste.”

Then, before the man could answer, he suddenly asked, “By the way, may I ask your name?”

The rotund man chuckled. “I’m hardly worthy of being called an official. I’m merely a palace eunuch serving as a humble steward under Consort Yu. Young Master Shou may simply call me Chang Ning.”

Compared to the Han, Tang, and Song dynasties—and even more so compared to the Ming Dynasty of Zhang Shou’s previous life—the number of palace eunuchs in this Great Ming was remarkably small, totaling fewer than three hundred.

Yet few did not mean unimportant.

While most palace duties were handled by female officials, who were required to retire from the palace at forty, the Directorate of Ceremonial still existed as it had since the founding emperor’s reign. The brightest boys educated in the Inner Academy would be selected to attend the emperor personally.

The rest served as stewards within the various palace residences.

Because there were so few of them, and because noble households were forbidden from employing eunuchs, ordinary officials seldom encountered them, let alone commoners. Naturally, all sorts of exaggerated rumors circulated among the populace.

Growing up in a rural village, Zhang Shou had never had any opportunity to learn about such matters. Even when he had spent time with Zhu Ying and those noble youths, no one had ever brought up eunuchs in conversation. Naturally, he had never gone out of his way to ask.

Operating under his usual principle—this Great Ming is not necessarily the Ming I know—he had no idea whether senior eunuchs were addressed as gonggong in this world. So he settled on the safest form of address.

“So you’re Steward Chang. Thank you for making the trip just now.”

“Not at all, not at all!”

Chang Ning beamed, evidently quite pleased with the title.

“Young Master Shou needn’t worry. Not everyone invited today must compete by writing essays. You’re different from the ordinary scholars. Later, you can simply sit back, observe, and offer your opinions.”

By now they had nearly reached the gathering beneath Moonlight Pavilion.

With Chang Ning personally accompanying him, Zhang Shou already attracted attention. Add behind him Deng Xiaodai and Qi Liang following like attendants, along with the calm-faced A-Liu, and naturally many eyes turned their way.

Every scholar fortunate enough to receive an invitation had come hoping to become famous overnight. Since attendants were forbidden, even members of the same literary society preferred not to appear subordinate to one another.

As a result, Zhang Shou’s entourage looked particularly conspicuous.

When people overheard Chang Ning’s words, acquaintances immediately exchanged meaningful glances.

An invited judge?

Could this be some newly famous editor of examination essays?

No… he was far too young.

Then perhaps the direct disciple of some renowned essay critic?

Or the descendant of a celebrated Confucian master?

Or… could it be that Princess Yongping, who always claimed to value talent over appearance…actually appreciated handsome faces after all?

Ignoring the needle-like stares around him, Zhang Shou smiled faintly.

“I know nothing whatsoever about examination essays, nor have I ever intended to enter the imperial examinations. My student here only recently passed both the county and prefectural examinations—he’s much more accomplished in that regard than I am.”

He glanced at Qi Liang.

“Please convey this to Her Highness, Steward Chang. Today I’ve brought only my eyes and ears. Let’s not mention judging anything.”

Qi Liang couldn’t help muttering inwardly.

You keep saying you know nothing about examination essays… Then what exactly were those essays you dictated to me last night?

Just then, Chang Ning suddenly turned around, glanced directly at Qi Liang, and even smiled as he nodded.

Qi Liang froze.

Wait… Master never introduced any of us. How did Steward Chang know I was the student?

Before he could think further, Zhang Shou’s voice—far from being quiet—had already spread throughout the surrounding crowd.

Instantly, countless gazes converged upon them.

Many landed squarely on Qi Liang.

Some carried unmistakable hostility.

It was the first time Qi Liang had ever stood before such a grand gathering. His scalp tingled.

Beside him, however, Deng Xiaodai muttered with complete indifference, “What are you afraid of? Just pretend they’re clay statues.”

Qi Liang looked at him in surprise.

Deng Xiaodai grinned.

“When Prefect Wang and Grand Tutor Ge kept dragging me around before, everyone at the prefectural office stared at me exactly like this. At first I was terrified too. But after it happened enough times, I got used to it.”

“At worst they’ll spread rumors behind your back.”

“They’re not going to bite you.”

“But I only placed seventh in the prefectural examination. Aren’t people already criticizing me for that?”

“So what?”

Deng Xiaodai shrugged.

“If the sky falls, Prefect Wang’s tall enough to hold it up.”

Hearing the two youngsters behind him chatting complete nonsense, Zhang Shou couldn’t help laughing.

Still…

He had to admit.

Qi Liang, who had been stiff as a board moments ago, had visibly relaxed.

Looks like that formerly timid Deng Xiaodai has become surprisingly resilient after spending time in the prefectural yamen.

Meanwhile, Chang Ning still smiled vaguely, clearly unwilling to give a definite answer regarding Zhang Shou’s refusal to judge the essays.

Zhang Shou simply stopped walking.

“Steward Chang, if you insist, then I’ll have A-Liu request an audience with the Duchess Dowager of Zhao.”

“As for me, I’m somewhat familiar with the Ten Mathematical Classics, only passably acquainted with the Confucian classics and histories, and utterly ignorant of examination essays.”

“Listening for amusement is one thing.”

“Passing judgment is another.”

Just then, a voice dripping with sarcasm sounded from nearby.

“So the famous disciple of Grand Tutor Ge is afraid of making a fool of himself?”

“If that’s the case, aren’t you worried about misleading students when you’re teaching candidates preparing for the examinations?”

Hearing the sudden taunt, Zhang Shou didn’t even bother looking toward the speaker.

Instead, he smiled at Qi Liang behind him.

“Qi Liang, did you hear that?”

“He thinks you’ve been ruined by studying under me.”

“Would you like to change teachers?”

“If you do, perhaps people will stop making such a fuss over your prefectural examination ranking.”

Qi Liang was nowhere near as calm as his teacher.

Looking over, he saw a middle-aged man with a thin mouse-like mustache staring at him arrogantly.

His temper immediately flared.

“Once my teacher, forever like a father.”

“If it weren’t for Little Teacher, forget continuing my studies—I wouldn’t even have survived!”

“As for misleading students…”

Whether inspired by Deng Xiaodai’s encouragement earlier or provoked by Zhang Shou’s teasing, Qi Liang suddenly forgot the imposing gathering before him.

Instead…

He instinctively treated them like the pampered young nobles he’d grown accustomed to scolding at Cuiyun Residence.

Straightening proudly, the newly minted senior disciple declared, “My father read heaven knows how many collections of model examination essays, yet he still failed every single examination.”

“If that’s not misleading students, then what is?”

“Only after meeting Grand Tutor Ge did I finally understand what it means to let one leaf blind your eyes so you cannot see Mount Tai.”

As Zhang Shou’s earlier explanation of Ge Yong’s recommended reading list surfaced vividly in his memory, Qi Liang unconsciously began repeating it…even adopting Zhang Shou’s solemn tone.

Out of habit, however, he began exactly the way everyone at Cuiyun Residence had become accustomed to hearing: “Grand Tutor Ge said…”

“Reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles.”

“If you only read and never travel, then at least choose the right books.”

“Reading ten thousand collections of examination essays is inferior to reading a hundred volumes written by true masters.”

“It is even inferior to reading ten volumes of the classics and histories.”

“To clutch model essays like priceless treasures every day, studying and discussing nothing else—that isn’t scholarship.”

“That’s becoming a parasite who studies only for official salary!”

Watching Qi Liang suddenly display all the confidence of an eldest disciple, Zhang Shou couldn’t decide whether to laugh or cry.

Well done, Qi Liang.

You’ve skipped all my good habits and learned only the worst ones.

Not only did you repeat my words almost verbatim—you even pinned them on Grand Tutor Ge.

Still…

He wasn’t wrong.

It was just like people in a later age obsessively studying collections of model essays until they practically worshipped them.

Did anyone honestly think that was how great literature—or great writers—were born? Of course not.