Meet the Gentleman

Chapter 51: Asking for Saint’s Grace

The first day after the big exam.

As soon as the sky brightened, Feng Qingyan left the wooden house and went to the morning hall which had been moved to the south bank to continue studying the Book of Songs with his teacher.

An Xiu hurried to the morning hall, looking exhausted.

"Not surprised by honor or disgrace, that's good."

He smiled and nodded when he saw Feng Qingyan, as if he was quite satisfied that Feng Qingyan did not get carried away by his fame, but came to the morning class to continue learning the "Book of Songs" with him.

"Disciple, I greet the teacher."

Feng Qingyan saluted quickly.

"No need to be polite."

An Xiu waved his hand and walked into the morning hall first.

When he returned to the wooden cabin after studying in the morning class for most of the hour, he found that there was a huge crowd of people in front of the cabin and the small mountain stream was full of people.

The carriage stopped all the way and was unable to enter the mountain stream.

"The gentleman is here."

"Feng Sandou is here."

A servant or student shouted loudly and made way for Feng Qingyan to come in.

Feng Qingyan was a little surprised. He bowed slightly to everyone and walked back to the wooden house. He stood on the steps and asked everyone why they came.

There were students who came to make friends, and servants who came to give gifts or invitations...

Feng Qingyan naturally refused to accept the gift.

The four treasures of the study he had received before were so many that his wooden house could not hold them all, so he had to put them in Zhou Chang's courtyard.

But the servant put down the gift and left.

Feng Qingyan looked at the gifts scattered all over the floor, shook his head helplessly, and could only leave it to the academy to deal with.

I have accepted the invitation, but whether or not to go is another matter.

By the time he had seen off the students who had various thoughts in mind, as well as the servants who were determined to deliver the gifts, nearly an hour had passed.

And he also has to prepare for tomorrow's entrance ceremony.

There are three main enrollment seasons in Zhoutianxia, ​​namely spring enrollment, autumn enrollment and winter enrollment.

That is, the farming season has not started in the first month, the heat subsides in August, and the inkstone is frozen in November.

The enrollment time for the Confucian 81 Academies is in spring, that is, the first month of the year.

The entrance ceremony is one of the four major ceremonies in life, on par with the coming-of-age ceremony, wedding ceremony (note), and funeral.

Students have to pay attention.

Feng Qingyan was also somewhat curious about the academy's entrance ceremony, as it actually gave students one day to prepare.

afternoon.

He arrived at the academy in a carriage and received Confucian robes and name tags together with other students.

Confucian clothing is a dark blue long gown, worn with a crown and a Confucian scarf.

The nameplate is made of ebony wood and emits a light fragrance. It is the identity brand of the students in the academy. It is rumored to be able to prevent hundreds of poisons and can cure many kinds of poisons by soaking in water.

"Mr. Zhang, can this brand really protect against all kinds of poisons?"

Some students held up their name tags and asked curiously, while some did not quite believe that it could protect against all kinds of poisons.

"It can protect against common poisons, but it's an exaggeration to say it can protect against hundreds of poisons."

The old teacher Zhang Xiu replied with a smile while handing out Confucian robes, and then reminded: "But students must remember that they should not be careless just because they have a famous brand. It is not a panacea for doctors."

“Students understand.”

The students responded with greetings.

Right above the front of the nameplate are four large characters: "Zangshan Academy".

Directly below are engraved two sentences: "Heaven moves with vigor, and a gentleman should constantly strive for self-improvement; the earth's condition is gentle, and a gentleman should carry the world with virtue" to constantly inspire students.

On the back is the student's name.

"Strive hard for tomorrow's entrance ceremony."

When it was Feng Qingyan's turn to receive the Confucian robe, the old teacher whispered.

Feng Qingyan was a little confused, but when he saw that the old instructor no longer looked at him, he returned the gift.

……

The next morning.

Because the teacher had said so yesterday, Feng Qingyan did not go to the morning class today. Instead, he wore a Confucian robe with a name tag hanging around his waist and went straight to the academy.

At this time, hundreds of students had already gathered in front of the academy gate.

"Hello, Senior Brother." "Hello, Gentleman."

When the students saw Feng Qingyan, they all bowed.

After Feng Qingyan returned the gift, he stayed with familiar students such as Zhou Chang and Mu Yu.

Thousands of students came from all over the country to take the exam at Zangshan Academy, but in the end only more than 300 were admitted.

It's about one in ten.

The students who dare to come from afar to study are naturally talented people from all over the country...

As the sun rose from the east, the gate of the academy slowly opened.

"Students please enter in an orderly manner, do not make noise, and do not rush."

The old teacher walked out from inside and stood on the left side of the gate, motioning the students to go in. He was the master of ceremonies for this entrance ceremony.

The students quieted down, walked into the gate one by one, bypassed the Gate of Nine Virtues behind the gate, and walked to the side.

Behind the Gate of Nine Virtues is a huge square.

At this time, in the north of the square, with Master An as the center, dozens of teachers and instructors wearing dark gray or light gray Confucian robes stood in a neat line.

When more than 300 students came in, they stood in an orderly manner under the arrangement of the teacher.

"The beginning of etiquette and morality lies in straightening one's appearance, harmonizing one's complexion, and following one's words."

Dean An took two steps forward and said to the students in a gentle voice, "The first lesson I will teach you in the entrance ceremony is to dress properly."

"First dress properly, then understand the truth."

An Xiu talked as he walked, and when he reached Feng Qingyan, he reached out to help Feng Qingyan tidy up his clothes.

Feng Qingyan quickly returned the gift.

At this time, the instructor and tutor behind An Xiu stepped forward to help the students tidy up their clothes.

"Clothes are not only to cover up shame, but also to show etiquette, and more importantly, to one's spirit." After An Xiu tidied up Feng Qingyan's clothes, he said to the students with his hands behind his back, "The teacher tidied up your clothes so that you would pay attention to your appearance, be well-educated and sensible."

"Thank you sir."

All the students bowed in unison and Mr. Xie straightened his clothes.

After the instructors helped the students straighten their clothes, they looked even more dignified. This made Feng Qingyan feel a little surprised. Was it an illusion?
"All students, follow me and worship the saint."

After An Xiu finished speaking, he turned and walked away. The instructors and teachers followed him in an orderly manner, and then more than 300 students followed closely behind him, all the way to the Holy Temple Square on the east side of the academy.

When the students stood in the temple square, Abbot An walked into the temple, followed by the chief instructor.

Other teachers and instructors stood at the steps in front of the holy temple.

Enter the holy temple and burn incense.

"My ancestor, the sage of literature, has blessed the world. He is a great man throughout the ages and a teacher for all ages. He is a teacher of the Five Constant Virtues and a master of the Six Classics. He has taught us the good deeds of the people and has produced many outstanding students. His teachings have been passed down from generation to generation. He is a great man, both a sage and wise. Today, we should learn from his wisdom and emulate his example. Our cultural heritage will continue, our seas will be revived, and our virtues will carry us..."

Dean An's voice was not loud, but it spread throughout the academy.

At this time, above the temple, there appeared a series of imaginary holy images and pictures of saints teaching the world. The surrounding area was filled with literary energy, which sometimes turned into auspicious animals and rare birds, sometimes into auspicious clouds and auspicious air, and sometimes into auspicious objects.

But the face of the saint could never be seen clearly.

"I bury the teachers and students in the mountain, bowing and praying for good fortune, with the utmost piety and sincerity, praying for the souls to be blessed with good fortune!"

The old teacher who was in charge of ceremonies stood on the steps to the left of the temple entrance and sang in praise: "In remembrance of the great wishes of the ancient sages, all students pay homage to the most holy teacher and all the saints."

Feng Qingyan looked at the emerging scene curiously, then knelt down and kowtowed with the other students.

"Please welcome Shengze!"

When the students finished their worship, the old teacher sang with some anticipation.

His eyes swept over Feng Qingyan, Yan Shan, Zhou Chang and other students, and he was obviously curious about why these students would invite He Shengze.

Many students were confused and did not quite understand what it meant to ask for the emperor's blessing.

But at this time, some students could not wait any longer, and with great excitement, they bowed respectfully to the virtual holy image above the holy temple and said, "Students, please bless the holy image."

A stream of literary energy flew down and sank into the student's palace of literature.

This is the most common saintly grace.

……

Note: Hunli is a wedding. In ancient times, dusk was considered an auspicious time for marriage, so weddings were held at dusk, hence the name Hunli.

PS: Thank you for the great reward from "Lazy Kitten i"!!!

Thanks to “This name really only has ten characters”, “One cent”, “Angel Love” and “Your Majesty the North Star of the Universe” for the rewards!

Please vote, please vote!!!

Thank you very much!



(End of this chapter)