APSIL -Chapter 84 The “Good Students” from a Bottomless Pit

In his previous life, Zhang Shou had been an avid collector of old maps. He owned maps of Beijing from both the Ming and Qing dynasties, and to this day could still remember the locations of many famous government offices and noble estates.

So, during his previous trip to the capital, when he discovered that both the inner and outer city gates matched the ones in his memory, and that the Shuntian Prefecture office still stood in the northern part of the Inner City, he had already guessed roughly where the Imperial College would be.

Sure enough.

Following Chongwen Avenue north through most of the Inner City, then turning onto Dongzhimen Avenue, and continuing along Jixian Street for another few alleys until even the northern city wall came into view, they finally arrived at the Imperial College.

To enter the street where the Imperial College stood, everyone first had to pass a place sacred to every scholar—the Temple of Confucius.

The noble youths who had been swaggering through the city on horseback all dismounted one after another. Even Madam Wu stepped down from her carriage.

Having never seen an official appointment ceremony before, she looked confused and uncertain. When Zhu Ying came over and affectionately supported her arm, she couldn’t help gripping the girl’s hand and asking anxiously, “Yingying, shouldn’t someone taking office first pay respects to their superior? At this hour of the night, what superior would still be at the Imperial College? Wouldn’t it be more appropriate to come tomorrow during the day?”

Zhu Ying coughed lightly before lowering her voice.

“I didn’t expect that crafty Fatty Lu to come up with this either, and I certainly didn’t think everyone else would agree to escort A-Shou here tonight… But don’t worry, Aunt Wu. The Imperial College’s Chancellor is Grandpa Ge! Grandpa Ge is A-Shou’s teacher. With him around, what is there to fear?”

Zhang Shou couldn’t help laughing bitterly.

Young Miss… Grandpa Ge is indeed Chancellor of the Imperial College—but you forgot one important word: honorary.

An Honorary Chancellor.

It sounded impressive, much like honorary presidents or lifetime members in his previous world—an impressive title, but without actual authority.

Of course, if Ge Yong himself were present, everyone in the Imperial College would treat him with the utmost respect.

But he wasn’t here.

Then again, Zhang Shou also knew that even if Ge Yong’s name carried no weight, Zhu Ying would still charge straight in and bulldoze anyone standing in their way.

Her personality really is better suited to commanding troops on a battlefield…

Leaving the dismounting area before the Temple of Confucius, everyone mounted up again and rode another hundred paces before arriving at the Imperial College’s main gate.

Night had already fallen.

Compared with the bustling streets elsewhere in the eastern and western districts, this place felt exceptionally quiet. No one seemed to be entering or leaving. Were it not for the towering archway before the entrance, Zhang Shou might have thought they’d come to the wrong place.

But the instant he saw the inscription on the archway, his pupils contracted slightly.

Two simple characters:

University.

Standing beside him, Zhu Ying looked up at the bold calligraphy that resembled iron hooks and silver strokes and explained, “Those are written by Grandpa Ge’s grandfather. He was the very first Chancellor of the Imperial College! If he hadn’t died so early, he’d certainly have held even more offices than Grandpa Ge. They say the Founding Emperor almost always followed his advice, and even wept bitterly when he passed away.”

For once, however, Zhang Shou barely heard what she was saying.

He simply gazed at those two characters…and smiled.

Just then, a rigid voice came from inside the gate.

“The Book of Rites, Royal Regulations says:
‘The elementary school is to the south of the palace; the university is in the suburbs. The Son of Heaven calls it the Biyong, while the feudal lords call theirs the Pangong.’

Since Doctor Zhang has seen the words University, may I ask what exactly made you smile?”

Turning toward the voice, Zhang Shou saw a dark figure emerging from the night.

As the man approached, his appearance became clear.

He wore black robes, black trousers, and black boots.

His face was square…and astonishingly dark.

At first glance, he looked like the Black Impermanence ghost wandering out of the underworld.

But what stood out most was the sharp, fault-finding look in his eyes.

Just as Zhang Shou was about to answer, Qi Liang spoke first.

“Teacher once taught us that the ancient kings regarded education as their greatest duty. They established universities to educate the nation and local schools to transform the people. Thus the Zhou had universities, the Han and Tang had the Imperial Academy, the Song had both the Imperial Academy and the Imperial College. Our dynasty established the Imperial College while erecting this ‘University’ archway before it, clearly following the teachings of the ancients in educating scholars.”

Zhang Shou hadn’t expected Qi Liang to start quoting him with his trademark ‘Teacher once said…’

He couldn’t help smiling.

Before the newcomer could reply, Zhang Shou said calmly, “Qi Liang is correct. I merely saw the word University and was reminded of the Imperial College’s glorious past, when it flourished with every field of learning. Looking at its present state—so many disciplines having withered away—I couldn’t help but smile ruefully. Even His Majesty laments that the mathematics faculty established by the Founding Emperor exists in name only. Does Your Excellency disagree?”

The man in black clearly hadn’t expected Zhang Shou to throw two questions right back at him.

His already-dark face seemed to grow even darker.

After a moment’s silence, he decisively changed the subject.

“It’s already late. Doctor Zhang, bringing so many people into the Imperial College at this hour seems inappropriate. The students’ daily schedules are already full. They’ve all retired to their dormitories.”

Remembering the example of Xie Wanquan, Zhang Shou noticed that the man merely referred to the people behind him as these many people, rather than calling them wastrels or good-for-nothings.

Even so…

His hostility was obvious.

“I never knew that a Doctor of the Imperial College bringing Imperial College students back to the college at night could be accused of disturbing other students. Are only those already asleep considered students, while those behind me are not? These young men spent the entire day riding hard to escort me back to the capital. The very first place they insisted on bringing me was the Imperial College. That alone proves they possess the heart of earnest learners. They are good students.”

The moment their Little Teacher slapped the title of good students onto them…

The entire crowd of academic failures instinctively straightened their backs and lifted their heads.

Even Lu Sanlang—long considered hopeless at literary studies but secretly a mathematical prodigy—let out a long sigh of relief.

When he and Zhang Chen had secretly discussed creating a grand spectacle after entering the city, he’d thought it rather risky.

After all, they were essentially borrowing the momentum of dozens of noble youths to force Zhang Shou into making a dramatic entrance at the Imperial College and establish his authority.

If Zhang Shou got angry…he’d have offended him badly.

“As expected of Little Teacher. Loyal and righteous…”

Just as Lu Sanlang was thinking this and preparing to echo Zhang Shou’s words—

Zhang Shou suddenly coughed heavily.

Remembering that this cough had always meant Silence! back at Qingfeng Xulai Hall, Lu Sanlang immediately swallowed his words.

Not only him.

Everyone else who had been ready to make a loud show of support instantly shut their mouths as well.

“Furthermore…”

“They are now as quiet as cicadas in winter. How are they disturbing anyone? The Imperial College does not belong to a single person. It belongs to the court. It belongs to the people of the realm. Despising the poor while currying favor with the rich is certainly shameful. But constantly viewing students of noble birth through a lens of suspicion—”

“Is that truly impartial?”

Zhu Ying and Madam Wu remained in the carriage at the back of the procession.

Seeing Madam Wu watching in amazement, Zhu Ying smiled.

“Aunt Wu, that’s Xu Heida, the Assistant Supervisor of the Discipline Office. Everyone calls him Black Xu. His face is black, his heart is black, and his methods are even blacker. Many students who’ve landed in his hands have been beaten with the paddle. Even the other Doctors rarely dare confront him head-on. But look at A-Shou. He dares.”

Just when everyone—including Zhu Ying and Madam Wu—thought Zhang Shou had gained the upper hand…

Xu Heida replied coldly, “Since Doctor Zhang is willing to guarantee these students, I have nothing more to say. But Doctor Zhang would do well to supervise them properly. Every season, they’re the ones with the most absences and leave requests. Every seasonal examination, they’re ranked at the very bottom. Roaming the pleasure quarters…”

“Bulling fellow students…”

“Starting fights…”

“And outside the Imperial College…”

He swept his gaze across the crowd.

“Ask them yourselves how many shameful things they’ve done. A student’s quality is not determined by a single sentence from you.”

With that, the black-faced man turned and walked away.

This time…

It was Zhang Shou’s face that darkened.

If he had any other choice…

Would he really be defending this bunch of disasters?

Turning around, he slowly swept his gaze across the faces of the group—every one of them pretending nothing had happened despite their obvious guilt.

Then he smiled.

“Lu Sanlang still owes me two hundred copies of the Chicken-and-Rabbit problem as punishment for causing trouble with Zhang Chen last night. As for the rest of you…”

He paused.

“Why don’t you carefully count all the shameful things you’ve done in the past? Write them all down. A hundred copies each. When you’re done, submit them to Yingying. She’ll know whether you’ve been honest—or conveniently left anything out.”

A chorus of miserable groans erupted immediately.

Zhang Shou coughed heavily once more.

Silence returned.

“A prodigal who reforms is worth more than gold. Otherwise, His Majesty wouldn’t be rewarding you for your achievements in capturing and killing the rebels with a banquet. If your past mistakes weren’t too serious, I’m willing to let bygones be bygones. But if you repeat them in the future…”

He smiled faintly.

“Don’t blame me if I make you copy mathematics problems until your hands fall off.”

Originally, he had accepted this large group of students only because Zhu Ying had created such overwhelming momentum.

Knowing her personality, she wouldn’t have recruited anyone guilty of truly heinous crimes.

As long as they weren’t hardened criminals…

He was willing to try.

To educate this unbelievably troublesome group of “good students.”

Only after walking more than ten paces did Xu Heida finally stop.

He had heard every word Zhang Shou had said.

A strange light flashed across his eyes.

Originally, he’d thought Zhang Shou becoming the teacher of these young wastrels was nothing more than a formality.

But judging from his tone…

He seemed serious.

And more astonishing still…

The Emperor had actually chosen to reward a group of notorious playboys?