Chapter 88: Chapter 67: After-school Compensation
Translator: 549690339
Perhaps because it touched on a topic of interest to Lu Yuan, he gradually became more engrossed in the conversation and no longer found it boring, so he was patient and continued to listen.
Through the servant’s words, he learned some interesting tidbits about the academy.
For example, there were three highly regarded students within the academy.
One was the young master of the largest rice trader in the city, the Li Family, who controlled the rice business. This young master was said to be incredibly intelligent, and by the age of fifteen, he had become a scholar. At only eighteen years old now, he had accumulated three years of experience and was very likely to become a juren in the imperial examination next year.
Another student was from Guo Ju-ren’s Home, a family known for being scholarly. Guo’s son was especially prodigious, being renowned for his elegance and talent, as well as for being admitted as a scholar in this year’s spring examination at the age of sixteen, which became one of Sun Siwen’s achievements.
The last student was naturally Gu Songyun, who was taken in as Sun Siwen’s disciple and was highly regarded by him. Although Gu Songyun came from a poor background and had faced difficulties in his pursuit of education, his diligence and good study habits were undeniable.
Two years ago, he had nearly been expelled from the academy due to his inability to pay tuition fees.
However, thanks to the wisdom of the teaching assistant who recognized Gu Songyun’s talent, he not only took him in as a disciple but also provided support to his entire family.
After two years of instruction, Gu Songyun finally became a scholar during this year’s examination.
Furthermore, he was the same age as Guo’s son, both sixteen years old, and the youngest of their cohort. They were temporarily nicknamed the “Top Scholars of Changning” and attracted much attention.
However, according to rumors, Guo’s son was quite unhappy with the title, believing that Gu Songyun was not worthy of being mentioned alongside him.
Nevertheless, out of respect for the teaching assistant’s face, Guo’s son had not made a fuss about it. But the sense of competition between the two had indeed become more intense.
Apart from interesting stories about the academy, the servant also shared gossip about various families in the city, which were eye-opening to Lu Yuan.
However, Lu Yuan didn’t pay much attention to the gossip. Once he realized that it was just a bunch of petty squabbles over favored concubines, infidelity, and inheritance disputes, his interest waned.
Just then, a dull bell rang from inside the academy, prompting the crowd waiting outside to stir and move immediately after a few dings.
It was noon, and the academy was finally letting out for recess.
A moment later, the tightly closed gate opened, and a swarm of students clad in blue uniforms poured out.
People waiting outside lifted their necks to identify the students, and soon they had found their targets and directed them to their destinations.
With the students on break, the previously empty vendor seats nearby were instantly filled up again.
Having studied tirelessly for half a month cooped up in the academy, though they were provided with food and drink, the taste of the academy’s meals left much to be desired except for the specially prepared dishes for the headmaster and other higher-ups.
Many students had become fed up with the bland fare.
Now that they were finally free, some couldn’t wait to enjoy a delicious meal.
The congested crowd gradually dispersed, and as time passed, aside from the students who were eating and drinking with their classmates and servants at the nearby stalls, there were hardly any people left at the academy entrance.
Lu Yuan, who had not seen Sun Siwen among the crowd earlier, guessed that he might still be in the academy and prepared to search for him.
However, he was stopped by the gatekeeper as soon as he reached the entrance.
The academy was considered a sacred place, and apart from teachers and students, even family members of the students were not allowed to enter on regular days.
As a complete stranger, the gatekeeper would certainly not let Lu Yuan in. After all, he might hurt the teachers and students or damage the academys property.
To this, Lu Yuan could only give his name and ask the gatekeeper to pass the message to the teaching assistant.
A short while later, Sun Siwen hurriedly appeared with the gatekeeper.
“Brother Lu,” Sun Siwen said, looking both happy and puzzled upon seeing his friend. “What are you doing here?”
Lu Yuan chuckled, “I’ve been staying at your home for half a month since I arrived in Changning. It’s been a little dull being cooped up indoors the whole time. It’s the end of the month, and I thought you’d be on break, so I came to find you to hang out.
Brother Sun, you have to show me around Changning as the host here. My friend traveled all this way, after all.”
Hearing this, Sun Siwen patted his forehead, slightly embarrassed, and quickly apologized, “I’ve been neglecting you, Brother Lu. I’ve been too occupied with teaching duties lately. It’s my fault, my fault.”
He then pulled Lu Yuan’s hand and led him into the academy, “It’s a good thing you’re here, Brother Lu. I’ve been wanting to introduce you to my disciple.
As it happens, Song Yun grew up nearby, so he’s quite familiar with the local scenery.
This time, let him be our guide and take us on a tour around the mountain.
By the way, Brother Lu, don’t you like hunting?
Our academy not only teaches poetry and literature, but also shooting archery. There are a few bows available at the archery range. Let’s go hunting in the mountains!”
In this martial arts world where strength is valued highly, the scholars of Da Yue, influenced by this culture, could not merely rely on their academic Imowledge.
Aside from their regular studies of classics, disciplines such as swordsmanship, archery, and horsemanship were also taught, with larger academies typically establishing those courses.
As a result, the students of this world were not only skilled in poetry and literature but could also wield the sword, pull the bow, and ride a horse.
Of course, just as in Lu Yuan’s previous life where physical education classes were secondary, the main focus for the students here was still on studying, while the additional disciplines were only supplementary and taught sporadically.
Students could choose to learn those skills outside of class, but the academy did not make it mandatory, and it was purely voluntary.
Under this teaching model, the martial prowess of the students naturally had its limits.
For instance, Sun Siwen would often boast about learning archery. However, when Lu Yuan had previously let him try his hunting bow in Yangmei Town, Sun Siwen couldn’t even pull it, resulting in much ridicule.
But since he was trying to make up for his negligence towards his friend, Sun Siwen didn’t mind being mocked a bit more, as long as Lu Yuan had fun.
Sure enough, Lu Yuan’s interest was piqued upon hearing the mention of hunting, and he asked, “Are there many game animals in the mountains?
He hadn’t been hunting for nearly a year and realized that his skills had become somewhat rusty.
This wouldn’t do.
As the top archer of Dayu Mountain, he decided to practice his hunting skills in the coming days.
Not only would this help him relax and unwind, but it would also bring in some extra income.
The more than a thousand silver taels he had earned from selling fur in Southsea a while ago had dwindled to just over four hundred taels after expenses from the past two years.
This imposed some financial pressure on Lu Yuan, so he was preparing to get back to work and earn back the money he had spent.
‘Hopefully, there will be plenty of tigers, leopards, bears, and wolves in the area,’ he thought to himself..
