Poor but talented scholar

Chapter 55 Tempering

Time passed by in the scratching of paper and pen at Qingyang Academy, and more than a year went by in a flash.

Lu Chuan was nearly ten years old at this time. Perhaps because the family's medicinal herb fields had brought in a lot of income and the food was good over the past year, he had grown much taller than other children his age.

The youthful chubbyness on his handsome face had faded, replaced by a deep and clear expression.

During that year, Lu Chuan devoted almost all his attention to the book "Collected Annotations on the Four Books".

The book, carefully wrapped by Lu's mother, had pages that were worn frayed from repeated readings. Zhu Xi's subtle and profound annotations, along with the sages' insightful comments that Confucius had analyzed in the hall, had all been thoroughly digested by him, transforming into the depths of his mind.

From the "cultivating virtue and loving the people" in "The Great Learning", to the "self-discipline and moderation" in "The Doctrine of the Mean", to the "self-discipline and restoration of propriety" in "The Analects", and the "benevolent governance and noble spirit" in "Mencius".

Lu Chuan not only memorized the text perfectly, but also attempted to peel back the surface of the words to contemplate these profound truths.

His pen never stopped in the dead of night, and those stacks of discarded drafts witnessed how he gradually internalized those obscure scriptures into his own knowledge.

From initially memorizing by rote to later being able to explain things clearly from those tiny notes, Lu Chuan not only read the book, but he truly absorbed it.

On his desk, there is always a stack of cut coarse paper, each sheet filled with his analysis of the scriptures.

At this point, he was no longer satisfied with simply "being able to recite" the words. Under the guidance of his teacher, he began to try to understand the profound meaning between the lines.

With a solid foundation, the focus of learning shifts from simple reading to the real main event—writing.

The so-called "examination of principles" at that time, although not as rigid as the eight-legged essay of later generations, still required a great deal of skill.

Master Zhao was extremely rigorous in his teaching. He did not rush his students to write long essays, but instead started by teaching them the most basic "problem-solving".

"The one who breaks down the problem is the one who succinctly captures the essence of the question." Master Zhao stood with his hands behind his back in the hall, his eyes gleaming. "Take the phrase 'To learn and at due times practice what one has learned' from the Analects, for example. If you were asked to break down the problem, how would you do it?"

Lu Chuan pondered for a moment, his mind racing through Zhu Xi's commentaries, and combining them with his own insights gained from the trials and tribulations of his two lifetimes.

He said, "A virtuous person focuses on inner peace and endures long in external pursuits."

Master Zhao stared at the words for a long time without saying a word, only his fingers, which were twirling his beard, trembled slightly.

Not long after spring arrived, an invitation with a blue cover from Qingyang County School was sent to the school.

The "Spring Gathering of Students" was scheduled to be held on March 15, the anniversary of Zhu Xi's death, at the Xixin Pavilion of the county school.

This is a biennial elegant event in Qingyang County—all the most promising young students under the age of sixteen in the county gather together to enjoy tea, appreciate flowers, and discuss scriptures.

Although it was called a gathering, everyone knew that it was actually the county school instructors selecting promising students.

If one can utter a few words that amaze everyone at the banquet, or leave a brilliant interpretation of the classics on the screen, one's reputation will instantly spread throughout the county, and one will have the protection of "official reputation" when taking the imperial examinations for the lowest level of education.

Master Zhao held the invitation and sat in the inner hall for the entire afternoon.

His hand slowly caressed the roster, and finally, at the top of the five spots, he neatly wrote Lu Chuan's name.

March 15th, at the Xixin Pavilion of the County School.

Here, the willows are as green as smoke, and the water in the Pan Pond is rippling with fine waves in the spring breeze.

The gathering was not a row of exam papers, but rather a long table set up with snacks and tea.

Several veteran instructors from Qingyang County School, along with several prominent local gentry, sat at the head of the table, smiling as they watched the young students.

"Today we won't test those dry and boring classical texts; let's do something more elegant."

A long-bearded instructor named Lin stood up, pointed to a newly erected screen by the pond, and said with a smile, "This year's topic is on the two words 'self-discipline.' Students are free to discuss in groups of three or five, or they may go on stage alone. If there are any excellent works, we will record them on the screen for the whole county to admire."

The room instantly became lively.

Many scions of prominent families have begun to form cliques, quoting classical texts and attempting to use flowery language to gain the upper hand.

Lu Chuan sat in the corner, listening to the grand narratives of "investigating things" and "extending knowledge".

Many students speak eloquently and in a seemingly profound manner, but upon closer listening, they are nothing more than clichéd plagiarisms copied from Zhu Xi's annotations.

Instructor Lin shook his head, clearly disappointed.

Just as the discussion was gradually subsiding, Lu Chuan put down his teacup and walked slowly to the screen.

"Lu Chuan of Qingyang Academy would like to offer his humble opinion."

"You all talk about 'self-discipline' as the elimination of desires. But in my view, self-discipline is not about elimination, but about 'guiding'." Lu Chuan picked up his pen and, in the blank space on the screen, did not write a long discourse, but only a single sentence: "Ritual is like a river channel, and self-discipline is like a torrent; without self-discipline, it becomes turbulent; with self-discipline, it thrives."

The once noisy pavilion suddenly fell silent for a moment.

This stroke of the pen not only startled Instructor Lin, but also caused the gentry and celebrities present to crane their necks to look.

Lu Chuan put down his pen and bowed slightly to the person above him.

He knew that these simple sixteen characters needed a plausible explanation.

In the atmosphere of the Great Qian Dynasty, which revered Neo-Confucianism, if one only made startling remarks without any supporting evidence, then one would be seen as a madman seeking to please the crowd.

Instructor Lin's gaze was piercing as he stared intently at Lu Chuan: "Young man of the Lu family, please explain in detail. Everyone says that self-discipline means eliminating selfish desires, like cutting through tangled hemp with a sharp knife. Why do you say it's 'guiding'? And why do you say that only through self-discipline can one 'grow'?"

Lu Chuan straightened his back, his voice sounding exceptionally clear in the Cleansing Heart Pavilion:

"Instructor, as the sage said, 'When emotions are expressed, they must be in accordance with proper measure.' Human desires and aspirations are like the surging river in spring, turbulent and powerful—the most vibrant force in the world. If one only seeks 'extinction' and 'stillness,' then one becomes withered wood and dead ashes. How can there be any progress in this world then?"

He pointed to the words on the screen and continued:

"Therefore, self-discipline is not about completely severing this force, but about using the channel of 'propriety' to guide it onto the right path. If water overflows the banks, it will destroy crops and flood houses; but if it flows down the channel, it can irrigate fertile fields and power waterwheels. By restraining the 'excess,' what is preserved is the 'life.' Without the constraints of rules, willpower will deplete itself; only through restraint can strength be gathered."

This explanation has already subtly deviated from the scope of what is meant for elementary school children.

He likened "desire" to "vitality" and "rites" to "river channels." This kind of abstract and concrete argument resonated with the adults present who had been managing local affairs for many years and were well-versed in governance.

Upon hearing this, Instructor Lin stroked his beard and laughed heartily, repeatedly saying "Good!" three times.