Chapter 50: Qingshan Academy

But men like Liu Bi, scions of prominent families, are no fools; Jia Cong’s injuries were far too severe to be dismissed as lightly as he claimed.

Yet since it was another family’s affair, he dared not speak further, though inwardly he seethed—such a literary gem as Cong Brother was wrongly born into this crude, martial noble household.

To maim a man so cruelly over mere family discipline—what if the punishment grew heavier? Would it not cost his life? Utterly incomprehensible.

He waited until Jia Zheng returned with Wang Dong, then said to him: “Lord Jia, my grandfather knows Cong Brother currently has no academy to attend.”

Upon hearing Liu Bi’s words, Jia Zheng’s face twisted with profound embarrassment.

The claim that he had no academy to attend stemmed from Jia She himself expelling Jia Cong from the clan school—a father digging such a pit for his son was rare indeed.

To think this matter had reached the ears of the literary patriarch Liu Jing’an—how utterly humiliating.

Jia Zheng knew this grandson of Jing’an Gong was twenty when he passed the provincial exam, already somewhat famous in Shenjing, precisely the kind of scholarly youth he admired most.

Now, to have him bring up such a bizarre family matter before this young man—Jia Zheng felt utterly shamed before him.

“My grandfather believes Cong Brother is a talent worth cultivating, and fears he will waste his studies; he has already recommended Cong Brother to Zhao Chongli, the headmaster of Qingshan Academy.”

The National Academy’s division of Confucian studies into specialized academies set the standard for the entire realm, serving as the model for the Zhou dynasty’s imperial examination system.

For poor scholars unable to enter the National Academy, this created an egregiously unfair starting line for the imperial examinations.

Even in past examination cycles, many regular officials of the National Academy directly served as examiners and supervisors.

Qingshan Academy admits students regardless of birth, valuing only personal talent and aptitude, through examination or recommendation.

But the National Academy sets a higher threshold for poor scholars and further maintains a special category of yin jiansheng.

The National Academy was established to cultivate and select talent for the state.

Yet in terms of scholarly achievement alone, the National Academy falls short of the private Qingshan Academy.

Its scholarly tradition flourishes, unmatched anywhere under heaven.

This stems from the differing purposes of their founding.

This is a privilege granted by the court to appease the military nobility—each generation of noble families may bestow one such privilege, called yin jiansheng.

Among Zhou scholars, Qingshan Academy holds even greater weight than the state-run National Academy.

Since its founding sixty years ago, Qingshan Academy has vowed to embrace the deeds of sages and refine the teachings of ancient worthies, refusing to confine itself to the narrow confines of the imperial examinations.

Thus, for scholars seeking to secure a status through the imperial examinations, studying at the National Academy remains an excellent choice.

It is because Qingshan Academy is the most renowned academy in Shenjing, perhaps the most celebrated in all of Zhou.

Jia Zheng was stunned: “What did you say? Jing’an Gong intends to recommend Cong Er to Qingshan Academy?”

Qingshan Academy has another policy that the National Academy cannot match.

Jia Zheng was so astonished upon hearing of Qingshan Academy because—

The National Academy is the highest state-run institution of learning in Zhou, founded on the empire’s wealth, with complete facilities and a rigid structure.

Since the founding of Zhou, nearly every renowned scholar and master recorded in history once gathered disciples and lectured at Qingshan Academy.

Regular teaching posts within the Academy—such as instructors, sacrificial officers, deputy heads, and academy supervisors—are all official posts with rank.

Once yin jiansheng complete their required term and pass the annual examination, they may bypass the county-level exams and enter directly into the provincial examination.

Added to this, the National Academy later developed additional categories—gong jiansheng, guan jiansheng, li jiansheng—further squeezing the pathways open to poor scholars.

In comparison, Qingshan Academy embodies the grand spirit of teaching without discrimination and pursuing learning without bounds, earning the reverence of scholars across the land.

Yet Qingshan Academy, as the foremost academy of the realm, is not open to all.

One must either possess exceptional talent and top the entrance examination.

Or receive a powerful recommendation from a contemporary great master.

The first path is the conventional route into Qingshan Academy.

The second path is exceedingly rare, for contemporary great masters hold impossibly high standards—only those of extraordinary talent may catch their eye.

How many such youths exist in the world?

No wonder Jia Zheng was so shocked by Liu Jing’an’s recommendation of Jia Cong—this venerable literary patriarch clearly holds him in extraordinary regard.

Liu Bi smiled: “My grandfather holds Cong Brother in truly special esteem; when I entered Qingshan Academy, he never recommended me.”

“I took the entrance examination on my own. Now, with Cong Brother joining me, we’ll have company at the academy.”

He then produced Qingshan Academy’s admission letter, bearing the handwritten signatures of Headmaster Zhao Chongli and recommender Liu Yanxiu.

Jia Zheng stared at the admission letter, his expression dazed.

Waiving the entrance examination, admitted directly by the recommendation of a renowned scholar—

For an uninitiated scholar, it was as glorious as plucking the moon from the heavens.

And this exemplary son of the Jia clan would now be raised under his own second branch—Jia Zheng’s joy overflowed; he stroked his beard, gazing at Jia Cong with satisfaction.

At that moment, Liu Bi added: “But I never expected Cong Brother suffered such severe injuries.”

“I shall return at once and inform my grandfather, so he may notify Headmaster Zhao to delay Cong Brother’s enrollment.”

Zhao Chongli was a great master equal in stature to Jing’an Gong—Jia Zheng, ever proud of his scholarly identity, could not possibly be unaware.

Hearing this, his earlier joy plunged into utter shame—would the Jia family’s sordid affairs now reach even Headmaster Zhao’s ears?

If Jing’an Gong and Headmaster Zhao both knew, then the entire scholarly circle of Shenjing would know of the Jia family’s disgrace.

The ancestors’ honor would be utterly ruined—Jia Zheng’s heart shattered like dust in a storm, so… devastating.

Jia Cong stared at the simple, elegant admission letter in Liu Bi’s hand; though inwardly thrilled, he felt hidden currents stirring, raising doubts.

He was no mere child as he appeared—he had lived two lives, seen countless schemes, intrigues, and hidden rivalries among men.

Though he had gained fame at the Nanxi Literary Gathering through poetry and prose, that was all—he had met Liu Jing’an only once, at that gathering.

Yet this man held him in such high regard, even recommending him to Qingshan Academy.

Though there were reasons—Jia Cong had no academy, his talent was rare—yet to claim this was entirely natural and unforced felt like self-deception, even to Jia Cong himself.

He was not as naive as Jia Zheng, believing that literary talent alone would make him adored by scholars and masters.

Yet no matter how hard he racked his brain, he could not discern the reason—only resolve to remain watchful, hoping to unravel the mystery.

Fortunately, he could sense Liu Jing’an’s genuine goodwill—he would not harm him. A Jia family bastard like him had no status or power worth targeting.

Born obscurely in the Jia household, subjected to humiliation and suppression, even his own servants could not be protected—his heart grew colder and harder each day, deeply loathing this depraved, monstrous mansion.

Qingshan Academy might become his chance to escape the Jia family.

Suppressing his doubts, though too wounded to move, he gritted his teeth and lifted his body slightly, urging Liu Bi to convey his gratitude.

Once healed, he would personally visit Jing’an Gong to bow and thank him.

(End of Chapter)