Chapter 13
Fang Yu looked around and finally caught sight of that gaze in the second row. Taking a closer look, it was actually Liang Minxu, the one who had treated him like a fool.
He had changed his clothes and looked like many other scholars, so Fang Yu almost didn't recognize him. He closed the account book and looked back fearlessly. Only then did the other man uneasily withdraw his gaze.
Actually, it wasn't surprising that Liang Minxu held a grudge against Fang Yu. Liang Minxu's academic performance at the academy was quite good. Master Zhang, being a strict person, had praised him once or twice. This was also thanks to his father, who was a teacher at a private school. Having been influenced since childhood, he had an earlier start than ordinary scholars and wrote good essays.
He had previously composed a couple of poems that earned him praise from the Education Commissioner, securing him a modest degree of favor in the official’s eyes. This recognition boosted his reputation within the academy, and soon younger students began approaching him for advice on their essays, often inviting him out for tea or wine.
[Education Commissioner (学政, xuézhèng): an official responsible for overseeing civil examinations, Confucian academies, and scholarly affairs within their jurisdiction.
Furthermore, although he didn't pass the last provincial examination, he ranked high among the many who failed. He had a high likelihood of passing the provincial examination next year. Therefore, many classmates in the lecture hall curried favor with him, hoping to gain some experience. The original owner, who had failed twice and was anxious for success, also thought about ingratiating himself with Liang Minxu, hoping to receive his guidance.
Liang Minxu was arrogant by nature, and he was constantly surrounded by a crowd of flatterers who exaggerated his accomplishments at every turn. Though his father was no more than a teacher in a rural village school, they insisted he came from a long line of distinguished scholars. And though he had simply performed better than most who failed the provincial exam, they praised him as a candidate certain to pass in the next round. Surrounded by such empty flattery, it was little wonder he grew even more conceited and dismissive of others.
He looked down immensely on scholars like the original owner who married children from merchant families and was unwilling to associate with their kind. However, Fang Yu was truly generous, always inviting him to entertainment venues like restaurants and opera houses that he usually couldn't afford to visit, spending money like water and paying the bill without blinking. Once he tasted these pleasures, he couldn't let go. On one hand, he used Fang Yu as a meal ticket, but on the other, he couldn't bring himself to set aside his pride to impart essay and exam advice to Fang Yu.
Although the original owner also felt displeased at times, he discovered that by associating with Liang Minxu, other classmates and scholars seemed to regard him more highly, so he endured it.
But from the moment Fang Yu took over, he refused to keep playing the generous fool. In fact, he turned the tables and swindled Liang Minxu in return. Naturally, Liang Minxu was furious. His family had neither significant wealth nor real prestige—they maintained a facade of scholarly refinement, but in truth, they lived frugally. The lavish outing he had hosted at Qionghua Tower had completely emptied his private savings.
Seeing that Fang Yu had finally returned to the academy today, Liang Minxu, who had been holding in his anger, finally found a target to vent it on.
Just after the bell rang signaling the end of class, Liang Minxu stepped onto the lecture platform.
"Fellow classmates, please wait a moment. Allow Liang to say a few words."
"Liang Xiucai, what is the matter?" Everyone put down what they were doing and looked towards the person on the platform.
Fang Yu was eager to go eat. Seeing that no one else was moving, he had no choice but to patiently sit for a moment and see what Liang Minxu was trying to stir up.
"It can't be that another exam is scheduled, right?" The scholars secretly complained. Usually, Master Zhang assigned some simple tasks to Liang Minxu, such as announcing exams or collecting and distributing homework and essays. He held quite some authority within this classroom. Now that he had stopped everyone, those afraid of exams couldn't help but groan: "Didn't the Master say the next small exam would be at the year's end? After taking it, we can go home for the New Year."
"Everyone, don't be nervous. It's not about exams or coursework."
Liang Minxu reassured everyone, then smiled and said, "It's good news."
"Oh? Brother Liang, don't keep us in suspense. Please tell us."
Liang Minxu said with some pride: "The Education Commissioner is hosting a Plum Blossom Viewing Gathering at Lingxuan Cave Mountain and is now widely inviting those from scholarly families to attend. The Education Commissioner's office sent Liang over a dozen invitations. If any classmates wish to go together, please register here with Liang to get an invitation. There will be no shortage of famous scholars and Jurens that day. If you all attend, you might even receive some guidance. With the provincial examination coming next year, isn't this a great opportunity?"
[举人" (jǔrén): a successful candidate who passed the provincial-level imperial examinations in ancient China]
Everyone's faces showed yearning upon hearing this. Who didn't know the benefits of gatherings hosted by the Education Commissioner? They were essentially social occasions for scholars—a chance to meet famous scholars, receive guidance, and build connections, all relying on these gatherings.
"Liang Xiucai, can you put my name down?"
Everyone crowded towards the lecture platform one by one.
"Wang Xiucai, of course. Here, keep your invitation safe."
For a moment, Liang Minxu was the center of attention.
Fang Yu glanced around and realized he was the only one in the lecture hall who had remained seated. His thoughts were clear—these so-called networking gatherings were little more than exercises in flattery, a chance to fawn over Jurens and established scholars. If one praised them lavishly enough to stroke their egos, they might just grant them a few extra words.
But Jurens and famous scholars were accustomed to endless flattery. If a scholar’s own learning was lacking, no amount of talking would earn him a second look. Rather than journey to the mountains to endure the wind and cold, Fang Yu decided he would be better off closing his door and writing a few more practice essays.
Fang Yu stood up and prepared to leave through the front door. Unexpectedly, Liang Minxu, who had been waiting to pick a fight, thought he had finally become restless and taken the bait: "Fang Yu, come here, I'll write your name down."
Liang Minxu wrote a couple of strokes, then pretended to reach for an invitation, exclaiming in feigned surprise: "Oh no, how are there no invitations left! Did anyone take an extra one?"
No one responded. Those who had invitations instinctively tucked them further into their sleeves.
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