Middle Courtyard? Upper Academy?
Chu Ming was puzzled in his heart.
The two youths were also curiously sizing up Chu Ming.
Feng Yuan sat back down on the stone bench, watching the three young men with great interest.
There are five towns under Baiyuan County. Ever since he became Lord of the Classics, he would make a round for every town's academy exam each year.
The purpose was to look for talented seedlings.
Xu He was the one he picked last year. Xiaang Changgu was the one he discovered a few days ago.
To be able to find one in a year was already quite good; he didn't expect to have discovered two good seeds this year.
"Heh, you probably don't know about the internal structure of Baiyuan Academy yet, so let me tell you."
Whether or not Chu Ming wanted to listen, he started speaking anyway.
"Baiyuan Academy is divided into Upper, Middle, and Lower Courtyards. Those who place top three in the town's academy exam, or who meet the academy's entrance requirements in the county's academy exam, can enter the Lower Academy to study."
"If someone has outstanding talent—like you, for example—able to recall and answer two and a half sections of the 'Poetry, Politics, and Military', they can skip the Lower Academy and enter the Middle Courtyard to study."
"Or for example, someone like Xiaang Changgu, who can fully recite three sections of 'Poetry, Politics, and Military', can skip both Lower and Middle and go straight to the Upper Academy to study."
"You're probably wondering what the differences between the three are, right?"
Feng Yuan took a sip of tea and continued, "The things you can learn in all three are pretty much the same, and the instructors are likewise the same."
"But in the Lower Academy, you have to pay tuition, and your food, lodging, and other expenses are up to you."
"The Middle Courtyard is much better—no tuition or lodging fees, you only need to take care of your own meals."
"Additionally, in the Middle Courtyard, you can borrow some books from Wenlan Hall at Baiyuan Academy."
"As for the Upper Academy, not only is there no tuition or lodging fee, but you also receive a monthly stipend of three silver taels, and can borrow any book from Wenlan Hall."
"So, kid, don't think just because you took first place in Liuu Town Academy's exam, you can get all smug. You can only enter the Middle Courtyard, not the Upper Academy."
Feng Yuan looked at Chu Ming's confused expression and suddenly felt quite pleased—this brat finally wasn't showing that infuriatingly calm and unperturbed look from beginning to end.
He called in Xu He and Xiaang Changgu for this very reason: to give a warning and spur them on—and clearly the effect was good.
"How can I get into the Upper Academy?" Chu Ming asked respectfully.
The Upper Academy didn't just waive fees; it offered a silver stipend too. Such temptation was great—practicing martial arts required money.
And that so-called Wenlan Hall sounded like it held many books; he had to find a way to get access.
"Baiyuan Academy holds a test every six months—it's about the Lower Academy advancing to Middle, and Middle advancing to Upper."
"But, it's very difficult."
This time Feng Yuan didn't answer; beside him, Xu He said in a deep voice, "I've already tried for the Upper Academy twice—failed both times."
"The numbers for the three levels at Baiyuan Academy are fixed: ten in the Upper Academy, thirty in the Middle Courtyard, and a hundred in the Lower."
"If you want to get into the Upper Academy, someone has to be pushed out."
"For example, you could squeeze out Xiaang Changgu. He entered the Academy with you—he lacks experience."
"But, a gap of half a passage can mean little or much. With your current ability, you have a chance, but you'll still need more effort."
Feng Yuan held his teacup and spoke calmly.
But once that was said, the mood in the gazebo immediately changed.
Xiaang Changgu stared hard at Chu Ming, the hostility in his gaze intense.
Chu Ming, for his part, showed no fear and calmly met Xiaang Changgu's eyes.
Trying to make us hostile, create competition, and push us forward?
This Lord of the Classics sure knows how to stir things up.
Still, for a boy of just over ten, no matter how talented, he wouldn't fret too much over this sort of thing.
Feng Yuan sipped his tea, and maybe feeling the atmosphere still wasn't enough, added, "Of course, your rivals aren't just in the Upper Academy, there's also your Middle Courtyard seniors who want to get in—like Xu He, for instance."
When he heard this, Xu He's brow flickered, and he gave Chu Ming a helpless yet friendly look.
He'd been noticed by Feng Yuan last year and understood this Lord of the Classics' personality well.
He appeared high and mighty, with a stern face, but actually wasn't like that at all; he'd use little tricks like these goading tactics.
Baiyuan Academy was fiercely competitive, no doubt, but more relied on individuals' abilities—no one could just easily squeeze anyone out.
Still...
Out of the corner of his eye, Xu He glanced at Xiaang Changgu standing beside him, a flash of craftiness deep in his eyes.
The academy advancement exam in half a year—a real opportunity, perhaps. Xiaang Changgu had just entered the Academy, with little foundation, a perfect spot to break through.
Feng Yuan was watching the changes in all their expressions. Xiaang Changgu had the highest talent, yet was youngest, and easily provoked.
Xu He had already studied at the Academy for a year; in vision and knowledge he was far ahead of the other two, seemingly calmest.
As for Chu Ming... Feng Yuan unconsciously spun his teacup, his gaze drifting.
This kid, except when he heard "silver taels" and "Wenlan Hall" and looked a little pleased, otherwise always had a steady air—felt more composed than even him, an Eighth-Grade Lord of the Classics.
Thinking thus, he took from his chest a silver-white token and some silver, looking at Chu Ming: "This token is your identity as a student of the Middle Courtyard at Baiyuan Academy. And these two taels of silver—take them both."
"Thank you, my lord." Chu Ming didn't bother to ask why he was also given silver; he just took it.
"You, brat," Feng Yuan's mouth twitched, "The silver's a reward from me. Xiaang Changgu got into Upper Academy, he gets three taels; you, Middle Courtyard, just two."
"I've said everything I need to. You can go now." Feng Yuan kept sipping his tea.
Chu Ming quietly let out a breath. Carrying the heavy 'Poetry, Politics, and Military', his identity token and the two taels of silver, he walked out quickly.
Feng Yuan watched Chu Ming leaving as if relieved and suddenly felt an urge to call the youth back to say a few more words.
But when he stood up, he found that the slightly thin figure had already left the secluded courtyard and was out of sight.
"Phew... finally over." Chu Ming left the courtyard. Passing through the inner and outer halls, he walked out of the private school.
However, as soon as he took a step out, his foot was left hanging mid-air.
"Look! Brother Chu's coming out!"
At the private school gate, over twenty young men were gathered. At the sight of him, they ran over excitedly.
"Brother Chu, I heard from Brother Luu you like reading travelogues. I happen to have two volumes!" said an unknown youth, shoving two books at him without waiting for consent.
"Brother Chu, Brother Luu said you like watching shows at brothels. I know someone at the Fragrant Garden, can get you a good seat—wanna go?"
"..."
Chu Ming took a step back, returning inside the school. With a serious expression, he said, "Everyone, please stand aside. It wouldn't be good if someone gets hurt."
Hurt?
The youths hadn't realized the seriousness of the situation.
At this moment, two more figures squeezed out of the crowd—one tall, one short.
The tall one was Wu Chun, bigger than any other youth; the short one was Chix Lin, who had taken fourth place.
"Brother Chu, I'm holding a banquet tonight at Cyan Bamboo Pavilion... Ah!"
Bang—
Chix Lin hadn't finished speaking when he saw Chu Ming stride out, his steps steady and swift, giving the impression of a martial artist. Chix Lin's heart fluttered, and he unexpectedly felt a twinge of fear, stepping aside without thinking.
Chix Lin stepped aside, but the tall Wu Chun in front didn't care. He reached out as if to draw closer.
Yet... he hadn't expected that he couldn't even catch hold of the thin Chu Ming. Instead, having grabbed at empty air, he lost his balance and took a tumble.
Looking again at the school entrance, Chu Ming was nowhere to be seen.
"How could that skinny frame move with such strength and speed?" He stared, his head full of surprise and disbelief.
...