My Promotion Story Through Time Travel

Chapter 257 Dream Pavilion

Lin Ziping looked at the person who asked the question; it was Cai Jiang and Cai Jinde from Yuezhou.

Looking around at the others, though they didn't say anything, their curiosity was evident on their faces.

Lin Ziping said, "My family is in business, and merchants are not allowed to participate in the imperial examinations. I did not continue after passing the prefectural examination."

The group sighed upon hearing this.

Liu Wanfu said, "Continuing to study isn't very good either. The imperial examination requires recommendations from the headmaster of the academy and a fifth-rank official. Let alone the recommendation from the headmaster of the Imperial Academy, fifth-rank officials are not something we can just meet whenever we want. It seems that scholars are truly useless. All the books we read have been of no use."

“Wanfu, please don’t say such angry words. The imperial examination is just one option for studying. If we can’t become officials, we can go into business or teach. There is more than one possibility,” Zhang Xiang advised.

Upon hearing this, Lin Ziping looked at Zhang Xiang. This man was wearing a scholar's hat and a scholar's robe, looking no different from the others, but as his sleeves swayed, there were faint dark patterns floating around.

“Brother Shida, it’s easy to say. The ancients said that those who excel in learning should become officials. The words of Confucius and Mencius that we study are meant to serve the people in the future.” Liu Wanfu spoke vehemently, and then stood up. “Didn’t the Fang family’s ancestor also say that studying is to establish a heart for heaven and earth, to establish a life for the people, to continue the lost learning of the past sages, and to create peace for all generations? Do you not agree?”

The others looked at each other and remained silent.

Lin Ziping smoothed things over, saying, "Brother Wanfu is right. I am new here and am amazed by the scenery of the Imperial Academy. I am also very hungry. I wonder what kind of food Mengyuan Pavilion has? We can brew a pot of fragrant tea and chat over it. Wouldn't that be wonderful!"

Kong Sheng's expression softened slightly as he said, "It was our oversight that we forgot it's mealtime. How about we take Brother Lin somewhere else to find something to eat?"

Lin Ziping's claim of being hungry was merely an excuse; he asked, "Isn't there any food at Mengyuan Pavilion?"

Zhang Xiang said, "Brother Shaoying, you may not know that at this time of year, the plum blossom pastries and winter plum tea at Mengyuan Pavilion are absolutely superb. The white snow on the eaves, the winter plum blossoms that are about to bloom, paired with pre-rain Longjing tea, the taste is simply..."

Seeing Zhang Xiang's blissful expression, Lin Ziping asked curiously, "Is it really that delicious? Then I must try it! I feel an instant connection with you gentlemen; would you like to join me in trying this specialty of Mengyuan Pavilion?"

Zhang Xiang cupped his hands and said, "In that case, I shall respectfully comply!"

The group shoved and jostled each other, making small movements under the table. Lin Ziping pretended not to see them, smiling as he looked at the other six people, waiting for their response.

A moment later, Kong Sheng stood up, cupped his hands, and said, "Thank you, Brother Shaoying."

The others also bowed and thanked Lin Ziping.

Zhang Xiang stood up and said, "Please sit for a moment, I will go find someone to come over."

Lin Ziping remained noncommittal, while the others sat down.

“Having mastered both literary and martial arts, one can serve the emperor. I think what Brother Wanfu just said is quite right,” Lin Ziping said. “We study not only to gain wisdom, but also to make a living.”

"What Brother Shaoying said..." Kong Sheng said with a frown.

Lin Ziping interrupted him, saying, “Brother Ziyi, the saying goes that those who win the hearts of the people prosper, which shows that the prosperity of the country and the court also requires our help. This is a mutually beneficial thing for both the country and us. I agree with what Brother Wanfu said about studying the teachings of Confucius and Mencius to advocate for the people, but I cannot agree with the idea that studying is useless and that scholars are incompetent.”

Xia Yu clapped his hands and said, "Hearing your words is better than reading for ten years! I think what Brother Shaoying said is very true! Chenyun, Brother Ziyi, what do you think?"

Su Xian stood up, cupped his hands and bowed to Lin Ziping, saying, “Shao Ying’s words are reasonable, but there is one thing I cannot agree with. As the saying goes, the purpose of reading is to understand the principles, and the purpose of being honest is to establish oneself. [1] If reading is for making a living, then what is the purpose of our hard work? Why not just finish it early and make a living after learning a few characters?”

Cai Jiang said, "What do you mean by studying the words of Confucius and Mencius to plead for the people? My hometown is suffering from floods, but why is no one concerned about the locust plague in Qing's hometown of Shuzhou?"

Chen Keqing nodded and said, "I heard that the recent disturbance at the government office by the people of Fuchun was also forced by the local government!"

"You must not speak recklessly about Keqing!" Kong Sheng said sternly, then sighed and said, "Please forgive me, Shaoying, but Keqing is young and doesn't know what he's talking about."

Lin Ziping waved his hand to indicate that he didn't care: "I have heard that the Imperial College has freedom of speech and everyone can speak freely. Today I see that this is indeed the case!"

"Ha!" Liu Wanfu sneered. "What you're talking about is from many years ago. Nowadays, there's no freedom of speech at the Imperial Academy. It's just a few of us talking. Outside, it's become a one-man show. We've studied hard for ten years, but it's not as good as three or four years at the Imperial Academy."

"The Imperial Academy?" Lin Ziping asked upon hearing this. "What kind of place is that?"

“That’s the Fang family’s private land,” Liu Wanfu said.

Kong Sheng glared at Liu Wanfu and explained, "That's a school set up by the Fang family."

"I see." Lin Ziping nodded, silently noting it down in his mind, preparing to ask Fang Zhili for details later, "Brother Ziyi, Brother Jinde, Brother Keqing, what exactly is going on in Shuzhou and Yuezhou?"

Kong Sheng asked, "Why is Brother Shaoying so interested in this matter?"

"To be honest, I have just arrived in the capital from Fuchun and know a little about the matter there. I read an article about it before, and now I have heard about the affairs of Shu and Yue prefectures. In addition, I have a friend in Shu prefecture, so I am quite concerned. Please forgive me!" Lin Ziping said, clasping his hands in greeting.

"Oh? Fuchun's article?" Su Xian asked. "What kind of article could have left such a deep impression on Shaoying?"

Lin Ziping said, "This article analyzes the reasons for popular uprisings since the Qin Dynasty."

"What does Shaoying think?" Kong Sheng asked.

Thinking of the character "义" (righteousness) on the side earlier, and the fact that Kong Sheng's courtesy name is Ziyi, could he be the author?

Lin Ziping replied, "It uses specific examples to illustrate broader points, draws on classical texts, and presents novel viewpoints; it can be considered a fine piece of work."

Thinking of Fang Zhen and the others' opinions on the article, he added, "Unfortunately, it's not something most people like to read."

"Why do you say that, Shao Ying? Is there anything wrong with it?" Su Xian asked.

Lin Ziping did not reply immediately. He carefully recalled the contents of the article and replied after a long while: "Since Chen Sheng and Wu Guang, there have been hundreds or thousands of uprisings throughout history. Take the Yellow Turban Rebellion of the Han Dynasty, for example. In the end, it was nothing more than a quiet retreat."

“That’s right. Very few of them succeed in the end. In my opinion, the reason why such things happen is that there are too many corrupt officials and too few people who speak up for the people. I’m sure it’s the same in your places, Jinde and Keqing!” Xia Yu sighed.

“I disagree with your initial statement. How can natural disasters be blamed on human error?” Zhang Xiang placed a tray on the table and said, “I’m sorry to have kept you waiting. I personally watched them make these plum blossom pastries, and please try this tea.”

After speaking, he took the teapot from the person following behind him.

Lin Ziping looked at the man behind Zhang Xiang. His hair was already gray, and his clothes were dusty. He had just noticed that Zhang Xiang was walking with a limp.

The visitor said, "It's been a long time since I've seen you all. Do you have new friends today?"