Poor but talented scholar

Chapter 67 The County Magistrate's Invitation

The next morning.

Lu Shouye and his sixth uncle got up early and were busy packing a few changes of clothes.

Although the innkeeper wanted to treat them like royalty, bringing them hot soup and snacks, Lu Shouye had never taken advantage of anyone in his life and was not used to this kind of flattery.

"Chuan'er, we've packed everything." Lu Shouye grinned, unable to hide the joy in his eyes. "We'll go to the market later and buy some new cloth for the family. If your mother sees this good news, she'll be overjoyed."

Lu Chuan nodded upon hearing this: "Okay, I'll listen to Dad."

Just as the grandfather and his two grandsons stepped out of the door and were about to go to the counter to pay their bill and leave, the sound of horses' hooves suddenly rang out at the entrance of the inn.

Immediately afterwards, two bailiffs dressed in black robes entered the backyard.

The innkeeper followed behind nervously.

The two constables bowed with clasped hands in an extremely polite manner.

"Excuse me, are you Lu Chuan, the top scholar in the county examination?"

Lu Chuan remained unmoved, put down the examination basket, and calmly returned the greeting: "It is indeed I. What brings you two officers here?"

"Great news! The county magistrate has hosted a banquet in the back hall of the county government today, and has specially invited this year's outstanding students to have a chat."

The leader put on a smiling face and spoke with a hint of friendliness, "The magistrate specifically instructed that Chief Scholar Lu is the youngest chief scholar in the county, so please be sure to go ahead first."

Lu Chuan patted his father's hand.

He turned to the constables and said gently, "I obey your orders. Please wait a moment while I straighten my clothes."

He went back into the house and changed into a clean and crisp blue robe.

"Father, Sixth Uncle, please wait for me at the inn," Lu Chuan whispered. "It is a courtesy to be summoned by the county magistrate."

"Hey, hey! Hurry up and go, don't keep the adults waiting." Lu Shouye hurriedly pushed Lu Chuan.

The carriage slowly came to a stop at the back gate of the county government office.

As soon as Lu Chuan got out of the car, he saw that Lin, the registrar of the county government, had been waiting for him for a long time.

Lin, the registrar, was over fifty years old and had served in the county government for twenty years. He was a very shrewd and experienced old hand.

Upon seeing Lu Chuan, he not only did not put on airs, but instead took a few quick steps and looked at the eleven-year-old boy with a smile.

"Chief Lu, please come in. Today, the county magistrate has declined all other engagements and invited no one else but you."

Lu Chuan was puzzled.

Logically, after the list of successful candidates is released, the county magistrate usually meets with the top few winners, ostensibly to present them with flowers, but in reality to accept them as his disciples.

Lu Chuan was led through the doorway into the study.

When Lu Chuan stepped into the room, Shen Zi'an, the magistrate of Qingyang County, was standing by the window with his hands behind his back.

Although he was dressed in ordinary official robes for his private life, his long-standing official authority was naturally imposing.

Lord Shen was born into a prestigious family and was a renowned scholar in the Liangjiang area in his early years. Although he was demoted to this place, he was deeply loved by the people.

Lu Chuan dared not be negligent.

"Student Lu Chuan pays his respects to Your Excellency, the County Magistrate."

Shen Zi'an turned around upon hearing the sound, his expression one of appreciation.

"You're Lu Chuan?"

Lu Chuan replied, "That's right, student."

He said gently, "No need for formalities, please rise."

"I have been in charge of Qingyang County for three years and have reviewed countless papers. Your paper, though it has the sharpness of a young man, kept me up all night with its words."

"Your Excellency praised me so readily, I am unworthy of such praise," Lu Chuan quickly stood up.

Magistrate Shen smiled and gestured for him to sit a little closer. "A top scholar at the age of eleven is a rarity in the history of the Great Qian Dynasty. For you, this is both a ladder to heaven and a guillotine. If you become arrogant from now on and frequent brothels and poetry gatherings to flatter others, you will be wasting your talent."

The elegant room was filled with the aroma of tea.

"Lu Chuan, do you know why I met with you alone today?" Shen Zi'an picked up his teacup and stirred the foam.

Lu Chuan straightened up, placed his hands on his knees, and respectfully replied, "Your Excellency, I am foolish. If it were an ordinary flower-adorning banquet, it would be a gathering of heroes. Your Excellency has kept me here today, perhaps because you are concerned that I am still young and might lose my composure in social interactions, so you are giving me private instruction."

"That's only one reason," Shen Zi'an put down his teacup. "Secondly, it's because of your essay. Ordinary scholars, even those with exceptional talent, inevitably have a hint of impatience in their writing, a desire for officialdom. But your essay is completely different from theirs."

"You come from a poor family, and your family is impoverished. This county has investigated all of this. In Qingyang County, it's incredibly difficult for a poor family to rise above their circumstances. You've come out on top in this county examination, making you a thorn in the side of all the scholars in the county."

"Those wealthy scions who have been preparing for this for years are probably gossiping about you behind your back right now. If you go to the banquet and show off, it will only hasten your demise."

"I will forever remember your kindness in protecting me, sir." Lu Chuan stood up and bowed deeply.

"Sit down." Shen Zi'an waved his hand and said earnestly, "The first thing I want to tell you today is: guard against arrogance. You became the top scholar at the age of eleven; your reputation is too great."

He paused, his gaze sharp: "The second thing: build up your strength. The county exam is just the beginning. The upcoming prefectural and provincial exams are where the real test begins. The examiners in the prefectural city may not be as easy to talk to as those in this county. They value seniority more and the steady, balanced style of your writing. Your writing is too sharp right now, and it's easy to break. Before next year's prefectural exam, you need to learn to conceal that sharpness."

Lu Chuan listened attentively, a light sheen of sweat appearing on his forehead.

Looking at the humble and receptive young man before him, Shen Zi'an finally smiled, his previously serious face breaking into a smile.

Shen Zi'an walked to the bookshelf, pointed to the dazzling array of classics, and said, "Qingyang County is too small. Although the teachers in the county school are reliable, they are unlikely to produce true talents for governing the world. If you want to reach a higher level, you must have a famous teacher to guide you."

He turned around and said, word by word:

"If you not only pass the upcoming prefectural examination, but also rank first again and secure your position as the top candidate in the prefectural examination, I will personally write you a letter recommending you to study at Suyang Academy."

Suyang Academy!

Lu Chuan's pupils contracted slightly.

During the Qianlong reign, Suyang Academy was a renowned official school in the Jiangnan region, attracting not only famous scholars but, more importantly, its headmaster had been the imperial tutor during the reign of the previous emperor.

Those who could enter Suyang Academy were either sons of officials or renowned geniuses.

If one could obtain a personal recommendation from the county magistrate, it would be equivalent to having half a ticket to become a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations).

"Thank you for your guidance, sir." Lu Chuan took a deep breath, lifted the hem of his blue robe, and knelt down properly.

Shen Zi'an smiled.

He took a cloth bag from the drawer behind the case and pushed it in front of Lu Chuan.

"Take it. This is a personal reward from this county official, totaling ten taels of silver."

Seeing that Lu Chuan was about to decline, Lord Shen waved his hand and said, "Don't refuse. This money is for you to prepare for the upcoming prefectural examination. The prefectural examination is held in the prefecture, which is a long way away, and the expenses for writing materials are far greater than those for the county examination."

"The student thanks Your Excellency."