Chapter 4: Deference in the Front and Arrogance in the Back

Although it is said that the poor are cultured and the rich are martial, it is not cheap to truly support a scholar. The monthly expenses for ink, paper, and inkstones amount to a considerable sum, and more importantly, there is the "tuition" for studying.

With just the last point, more than 80 percent of children in the world have been turned away from the school gates

Mr. Qin stood up from the chair and smiled as he patted Lin Zhao's shoulder

At this moment, the person cast a glance at Lin Zhao, their face displaying a hint of disdain

Lin Zhao organized his belongings and prepared to walk back to his residence at the Lin family home. He had been intelligent since childhood, and after walking the road of the Lin family just once, he had already memorized it clearly.

After finishing breakfast, Lin Zhao followed the hall of the Lin family

The more prestigious the family, the stricter they will be in treating their own descendants, as this is the only way to ensure that each generation will produce one or two talents, preventing a lack of successors and the decline of the family.

Mr. Qin is nearing forty this year, with fair skin and already quite a few wrinkles on his face. He appears rather thin and has a hint of a beard under his chin. He is currently holding a newly released book and flipping through it. Upon hearing the words, he raised his eyes to glance at Lin Zhao, only to see that the young man before him has a handsome and pleasing appearance. Thus, he nodded slightly and said, "Since you are a member of the Lin family, I will ask you a few questions."

This is a passage from the "Li" (Rites). Over the years, under his mother's training, Lin Zhao has already memorized it thoroughly. He spoke without hesitation: "Music harmonizes its sound, governance unifies its actions, and punishment prevents treachery"

The establishment of the Great Zhou has lasted for over 200 years, and various social classes have solidified to a certain extent. For ordinary children from humble backgrounds like Lin Zhao, it is unlikely to achieve military merit through service, nor do they have the privilege to enter officialdom. The only way to escape from the lowest tier is essentially through education and the imperial examination. However, even this final path has a high threshold.

Because he was staying at someone else's house, Lin Zhao did not sleep soundly that night. Early in the morning, before the sky was fully bright, he got out of bed, dressed, and went to the yard to stretch his muscles and bones

However, Lin Zhao did not feel embarrassed; he slightly nodded to the servant and said, "Thank you for your trouble"

First of all, there must be some spare money at home to support a scholar.

The young master has finally returned

At this moment, the person who had led Lin Zhao to meet Mr. Qin in the morning was no longer the same humble figure from that time; instead, he was slightly raising his head towards Lin Zhao, with a gaze that held a different kind of meaning.

After all, starting today, he will be living in the city. Although the Lin family provides food and accommodation, he still needs to purchase some daily necessities, especially some white paper and similar items, in preparation for his future studies

Although they are both the Lin family, the Lin family in the city is vastly different from the Lin family in Donghu Town. The former is a family of scholarly lineage and officialdom, complete with pavilions and towers. Even the guest rooms are far superior to the environment of the Lin family in Donghu Town, and they are incomparably better than the small courtyard where Lin Zhao resides.

Arriving at the door of the room, Lin Zhao pushed the door open and walked in. Just as he was about to set down the items he had purchased, he looked up and saw a servant, around fifteen or sixteen years old, standing in his room

This is the reason why the Lin family is able to produce more than ten scholars and why a family of literary tradition can thrive for several generations, even up to ten generations.

All are boys, not a single girl.

In a family of scholarly tradition, even the servants hold great respect for the learned individuals. Furthermore, given that Mr. Qin possesses a title, the servants of the Lin family naturally exhibit utmost deference, speaking in a very humble tone

Young master, you can no longer study at my Lin family's academy

Lin Zhao nodded and respectfully said: "Thank you for your guidance, sir"

Scholars, upon seeing intelligent children, generally feel a sense of admiration for talent. Mr. Qin's thoughts are relatively pure; despite his own lack of success in the imperial examination, he harbors little resentment and is quite dedicated to teaching at the Lin family.

Lin Zhao slightly furrowed her brows, placed the items on the table in the room, and softly asked, "Is there something going on?"

He left home around noon and casually strolled through the relatively bustling Yuezhou Prefecture along the way. By the time he returned to the Lin family mansion after shopping, it was already afternoon

Lin Zhao nodded and said: "In response to Mr. Hui, I have already memorized all the Four Books and Five Classics"

At your age, with such a lively mind, it is rare for someone to focus on academic pursuits. It is quite remarkable that you can recite the Four Books and Five Classics from memory. If you continue to study here for another half year, by next year you will be able to ask someone to help you take the examination for the position of Xiucai.

He remained seated in the chair without moving from beginning to end. He then looked up at the servant of the Lin family and said: "You go and tell the master, just say that this student, Qin, has accepted it."

Younger generation Lin Zhao, I have met you, sir

The rules of high-ranking families are much stricter than those of ordinary households. Lin Zhao had just gotten up for a short while when a servant, about fifteen or sixteen years old, approached him with small steps, bowing his head in greeting: "Young Master, you are up so early. Would you like me to bring you breakfast?"

He exchanged a few polite words with Mr. Qin and then left the school with the servants. Before departing, Lin Zhao turned back to take a look at the furnishings in the school and the ten or so children who were studying, feeling somewhat emotional.

He smiled and looked at Lin Zhao: "You should come to my place to study early tomorrow morning."

After leaving the school, Lin Zhao went to thank the master of the Lin family. However, the master was busy with affairs and Lin Zhao was unable to meet him this time. The master instructed a servant to arrange a guest room for Lin Zhao. After being taken to his accommodation by the servant, Lin Zhao first familiarized himself with the environment briefly. Then, he took out the copper coins his mother had given him from his bundle, counting four or five dozen in his hand. Following the servant's guidance, he then left the Lin residence.

The congee and pickles were nothing special, but the white steamed buns made Lin Zhao quite envious. Although the Lin family in Donghu Town was not considered poor, only his grandmother's side could enjoy coarse grains daily. He and his mother mostly ate sorghum flour.

Having not returned myself, and with the servants of the Lin family waiting in my room, something must have happened

Lin Zhao is considered fortunate, as this unremarkable school in the Lin family courtyard has provided him with the opportunity to avoid returning to Donghu Town to tend to cattle

Lin Zhao also stepped forward and performed a cupped-hand salute to Mr. Qin

The servant nodded respectfully, turned around, and left. Shortly thereafter, he brought over several steamed buns, a bowl of plain congee, and two small dishes of pickled vegetables.

He shook his head and said: "The ancient rites express one's intentions."

Although he had little interest in taking exams, his mother, Lin Eryang, was determined to have him achieve academic success, hoping to escape their current impoverished life through this success, so that she could also enter the main family to study. His mother would surely be very happy if she knew this.

According to the rules, it would be more appropriate to kneel down at this moment; however, this Mr. Qin is a teacher of the Lin family and does not teach only Lin Zhao. Moreover, the formal apprenticeship will take place tomorrow, so it is also in accordance with the rules for Lin Zhao to perform a bow.

The person glanced at Lin Zhao and then spoke in a nonchalant manner.

Thinking of this, Lin Zhao took two steps back and deeply bowed to Mr. Qin, saying: "Thank you, sir"

In front of the servants, Lin Zhao could not eat ravenously; after pretending to finish his meal, he was taken by the servants to the courtyard of the Lin family's academy. It was not yet the hour of Chen, but some sounds of reading could already be heard in the courtyard

Upon hearing this statement, Lin Zhao felt quite pleased

The grand residences typically consist of courtyards within courtyards. The Lin family's school is located in the western courtyard. Lin Zhao followed the servant for a while, taking about a tea's time to arrive. Although it was only just past the hour of Chen, the sound of children reading aloud could already be heard from the Lin family's school. Lin Zhao glanced into the school and saw a scattered group of about a dozen children seated inside, their ages roughly similar to his own, with some even younger, around seven or eight years old. However, the sound of children reading aloud could already be heard from the Lin family's school. Lin Zhao glanced into the school and saw a scattered group of about a dozen children seated inside, their ages roughly similar to his own, with some even younger, around seven or eight years old.

Then the servant led Lin Zhao forward and bowed to Mr. Qin, saying: "Sir, a distant young master from our family has come to seek education from you. The master has instructed me to bring him here for your assessment. If he is suitable, he will become your student and study under you in the future"

Although this young man is a servant of the Lin family, his attire is relatively clean, and his clothing is also brand new. In comparison, Lin Zhao's simple garments appear much more shabby.

He has only three outer garments in total, and the remaining two are patched up. The one he is wearing is the only outfit he can wear outside.

Under the guidance of the servants, he arrived at the market in Yuezhou Prefecture from the Lin residence. Due to his limited funds, he could only purchase some coarse straw paper, which was barely usable.

You recite a few passages for me to listen to

Lin Zhao took a deep breath and recited several passages from the Book of Documents. Mr. Qin nodded in satisfaction: "Your foundation is quite good, already surpassing most people in the school."

Mr. Qin shook his head and said, "Of course, achieving fame and success is difficult, and I do not expect you to succeed on your first attempt. However, it is always beneficial to accumulate some experience. You are still young, and I believe that after taking the exam two or three times, you will surely succeed."

Mr. Qin nodded and smiled, saying, "Have you memorized the entire Book of Rites?"

This classroom may appear unremarkable, yet it is one of the few stepping stones to advancement in this era

The Lin family of Yuezhou has family rules. Any child aged six or older must attend home study to read books every day at the hour of the rabbit. Aside from the early rising time, there are strict regulations on how much to memorize and how many characters to write each day. Any slight transgression will result in severe punishment according to the family rules

The teacher in the Lin family academy is surnamed Qin. He passed the xiucai examination in his early twenties, but for the following ten years, he repeatedly failed to pass the juren examination. With no other options, he reluctantly settled for teaching at the Lin family and has been serving as a teacher there for three years.