Chapter 359

In the Jia Family academy nowadays, what is mainly taught is naturally the learning for the imperial examinations and official rank, that is, the official prominent learning centered on Neo-Confucianism; other schools are rarely involved.

Because the Great Han Court stipulates that the interpretation of the Four Books and Five Classics in the imperial examinations must follow the commentaries of Zhu Xi and other Neo-Confucian scholars, requiring examinees to "speak in place of the sages" and not to have their own independent views.

This was both to consolidate imperial power and unify thought, and also a means to institutionalize the imperial examination system and the political system.

Jia Jing fell silent for a moment, then said:

"In terms of ability, you focus on studying and martial training for now, which is sufficient; when you are a bit older, I will arrange for you to travel across the land to study and broaden your horizons."

"As for learning and knowledge, you must first broaden then deepen, read extensively and absorb widely, not neglecting any school or faction."

"The pre-Qin philosophers, Confucius and Mencius, Laozi and Zhuangzi, Han Feizi and Mozi, the various schools of thought, and the great scholars of the Tang and Song dynasties must all be studied widely, with broad exposure."

"Know that only by drawing on the strengths of many can they mutually verify each other; clinging to one's own narrow views will inevitably be crude and shallow!"

"I will inform the clan school's Mr. Qin about this, so he can expand your study scope and not limit you to the Four Books and Five Classics."

"Moreover, in the second half of the year I will have someone build a library for the clan school, so that the clan's youth can widely borrow and study."

The Qing dynasty scholar Wang Shizhen recorded a famous anecdote in his *Chibei Ou Tan*, titled "The Successful Candidate Who Does Not Read the Records of the Grand Historian."

Because of its biting satire, it has become a highly representative "imperial examination joke" in later Chinese cultural history.

It tells of the early Qing dynasty, when the writer Song Wan was a child studying in a village school.

One day, a stern-looking, imposing man entered; he turned out to be an elderly "first-class" successful candidate.

Seeing Song Wan reading a thick book, the old successful candidate asked, "Child, what are you reading?"

Song Wan respectfully replied, "The Records of the Grand Historian."

The old successful candidate then asked, "Who wrote it?" Song Wan answered, "Sima Qian, the Grand Historian."

Upon hearing this, the old successful candidate immediately furrowed his brow and, in a condescending tone, asked, "Which examination category did the Grand Historian pass as a successful candidate?"

Song Wan hesitated, then honestly replied, "The Grand Historian was the Han dynasty's Grand Historian, not a successful candidate of the imperial examinations."

The old successful candidate immediately showed a look of contempt, saying, "So he didn't even have any official rank or title!"

Saying this, he picked up the Records of the Grand Historian, flipped through a few pages for show, then casually tossed it aside, disdainfully remarking, "The writing is mediocre; what good is there in reading it?"

Having said that, he lifted his head, strode away arrogantly.

In the Ming and Qing dynasties, the imperial examination used Zhu Xi's *Collected Commentaries on the Four Books* as the standard, with test questions drawn entirely from the Four Books, answered in the "eight-legged essay" format.

Many scholars spent their entire lives making a living solely from a few "officially designated" textbooks, completely unaware of other knowledge and learning, and even not knowing who Sima Qian was.

That a person who had never even heard of the great historical work *Records of the Grand Historian* could still pass the examinations and have his name posted on the success list is itself a tremendous satire of the imperial examination system.

Can one expect such a person, produced by this examination, to possess learning, cultivation, and ability, to accomplish practical deeds, to govern the world and be useful, and to achieve merit for the state?

The present Da Han Empire's imperial examination system is similar to that of the past Ming and Qing dynasties, albeit slightly better but not by much.

Of course, it must be said that,

No matter the era, true eminent officials and erudite scholars are mostly those who extensively read widely, synthesize ancient and modern, practice what they learn, and unite knowledge with action!

And Jia Jing's establishment of the Jia clan school is naturally also in the hope of cultivating a few individuals who truly have mastered their studies and can accomplish practical deeds!

Not merely those who only know how to take the imperial examinations and are useless foolish bureaucrats to him, the Jia family, and the Da Han Empire!

Upon hearing this, Jia Cong's emotions surged; he solemnly clasped his hands in a formal salute and said:

"Thank you, third brother, for your care and cultivation!"

He knew that, given Jia Jing's status and position, being able to say such words to them meant he truly regarded them as close kin, sincerely nurturing and instructing them!

Rather than, like the previous Jia Mu, Xing, Lady Wang, and even Jia She and Jia Zhen, who were more concerned about the strength of concubine-born versus the weakness of the legitimate heir.

Fearful that these concubine-born sons, if they succeeded, would seize the legitimate son's inheritance and resources, they would secretly guard against and suppress them.

To the extent that even slaves like Lai Shangrong of the Jia mansion became officials, while these young masters of the household found their prospects bleak, even their livelihoods difficult!

Therefore, Jia Cong feels deep gratitude for Jia Jing's such attitude and warm encouragement and instruction!

At the same time, he has secretly resolved in his heart to cherish this hard-won opportunity, strive forward, and truly achieve something noteworthy!

At this moment, Jia Lan also, like a little adult, properly bowed and paid his respects to Jia Jing!

Jia Huan, upon hearing that the second half of the year would still require increased study coursework, drooped his head, looking like a frost-bitten eggplant.

He truly dislikes studying; he only wants to master martial arts, become a military official, and if that fails, even serving as a personal guard like the Black Warrior would be better than being a scholar!

His aspiration is simply: better to be a commander of a hundred men than to be a scholar!

Jia Jing glanced at the few of them and smiled:

"Let's stop here for today! Do you have any questions you'd like to ask me? While we still have some time, I can try to answer them for you!"

The three fell silent for a moment, and Jia Lan, who usually spoke very little, suddenly spoke up:

"Mother told me that Third Uncle once said that for a man handling affairs, the primary principle is to be bright and strong; I wonder what the primary principle should be for studying and martial training?"

Jia Jing was taken aback for a moment; this sentence was something he had said a few days earlier when questioning Jia Mu in the Rong Qing Tang, and he hadn't expected that Lady Li Wan had privately taught it to Jia Lan.

However, this is understandable, just as modern people like to study success lessons, people in general always like to draw success principles from those who have already achieved fame and accomplishment.

Moreover, Jia Jing, who at such a young age has already accomplished a great feat as a heroic figure of his generation, has many in the Jia mansion and even throughout Shenjing city who wish to learn from and imitate him!

Jia Jing thought for a moment, then spoke softly:

"If I must say something, it would probably be the two words 'perseverance'! Whether studying and martial training, or personal self-improvement, one should take these two words as the priority!"

"'Perseverance'?" Jia Cong expressed some doubt.

Jia Jing further elaborated:

"The firm are like a rock, unmoved despite the changing seasons; the enduring are like refined silk, unyielding amid hardship and toil; the persevering combine firmness and flexibility, never turning back despite a hundred setbacks, persisting constantly!"

"Why are there many intelligent people in this world, yet few who accomplish things? The difference lies in a heart of perseverance."

"Just as you, Lan'er, mentioned earlier, the proposer of the Four Sayings of the Hengqu School, the earlier Song dynasty scholar Zhang Zai, is a typical exemplar of perseverance: he struggled for decades, day after day, for his personal ideals, enduring displacement without ever changing his aspiration."

Upon hearing this, Jia Lan and the others all felt their hearts stir, their expressions showing sudden understanding, and they each bowed and clasped their hands, saying:

"Thank you, third uncle and third brother, for your guidance!"

Afterwards, they exchanged a few more words, and Jia Jing even composed on the spot a poem titled "Bamboo and Stone" for the three to use as self‑encouragement!

Until the sun sank somewhat westward again, the clouds on the horizon burned dark purple.

Xuanwu led the horse over; Jia Jing mounted up. Jia Cong, Jia Huan, and Jia Lan also followed and mounted.

"Let's go, back to the mansion."

Hooves clattered, dust rose.

The sunlight stretched the four people's shadows longer and longer, casting them on the field like four ink strokes pointing far away, extending endlessly.

A gentle breeze blew from the fields, carrying the scent of crops and the dampness of the soil.

Soon, the distant outline of Shenjing City could be faintly seen in the sunset.

Jia Lan, Jia Huan, and Jia Cong simultaneously turned their heads on horseback, looking toward the Liangxiang Camp.

Thinking of today's experiences and Jia Jing's teachings, their hearts felt like a seething, hidden flame buried deep inside.

…………

Rong Guo Mansion,

Rong Qing Tang.

Li Wan was accompanying Jia Mu, Aunt Xue, and Feng Jie as they handled the dominoes.