Volume 12 Chapter 12 First Day

This is the topic. Please try to finish writing within one hour. All right, you may commence.

Wait!

Everyone looked to the rear, where half of an individuals appearance was covered by the shadow that the sunlight cast on him. Yeah, that was me!

Professor Xie, are you sure it is prudent to suddenly give a test? My chair is not even warm yet, I complained.

Fret not, for it is but a simple test. I only just went to exhale when Professor Xie added, Except that it will go on your record.

What the h.e.l.l was the point of the first part?!

I couldnt care less if the tutors saw me with a big-fat zero and last place, but I b.l.o.o.d.y cared that His Majesty would see my performance report! If I hadnt persuaded him that I was well-learned for the sake of misdirecting him, it wouldnt have mattered. Problem was that I had convinced him I was erudite on everything above and below the firmament, past and present. His Majesty would probably confront me with a spear in hand if he saw my real performance.

I understand that you have not adapted yet as it is your first day here. Professor Xie was all smiles similarly to a holy teacher. Everyone here is indispensable to the countrys future. How can we not dedicate our full effort? Do you know what the text Spring Wind to Rain on the plaque out the front means? It means th-

Okay, okay, I only have one question.

Feel free to ask.

Can I sit this one out?

No.

That was quick d.a.m.n it

Can I take a make-up test tomorrow? It is my first day, after all.

No. You have tomorrows test to worry about tomorrow.

Okay, I will take the catch-up test on a day when we dont have tests, then.

Professor Xie shook his head.

Why not?

Because we have tests daily here.

Everyone here is indispensable to the countrys future. How can we not dedicate our full effort? Do you know what the text Spring Wind to Rain on the plaque out the front means? It means th-

Okay, okay, you win. Ill take the test.

In summary, lots of tests is our inst.i.tutes unique point. Professor Xie sheepishly scratched his head. I guarantee we have more tests than any inst.i.tute out there.

Wheres your modesty?! Whats the point in your confidence about that?!

Although Boss told me not to embarra.s.s Liu Shan Men at Daren Academy, Id rather save my life at the expense of everyone laughing at me, especially when I was in no condition to beat anyone His Majesty might send after my head.

I hyped myself up and took the sheet my cla.s.smate pa.s.sed me with her shaky hand. The text read: Confucius said, He who acts on the promise of personal gain will rouse discontent. Confucius said, What difficulties would there be if a state was governed with rites? What is the point in rites if a state was not governed with rites? They cannot become anything. Hence, emotional attachments and patience empower one to reap what they once could not.

Yeah, lets just cheat. Who the h.e.l.l understands this?! If I cant face the problem head on, Im going to find someone who can help.

As everyone should know, the easiest way to cheat is to copy, even more so when youre totally unprepared as I was. Only problem was that, regardless of what cla.s.s youre in, those right at the back were the dunces! Everyone in front of me was doing origami, drawing or humming! Those who were earnest about studying sat at the forefront, except they didnt look focused but troubled over the difficulty.

No point putting my hopes on a well far away when the fire is right here All right, lets focus. I should be able to avoid embarra.s.sment if I can just be average in the cla.s.s. Lets just copy that guy.

Ahem. Quietly, I hollered, Bro

The guy in front of me sprawled out onto the table and started snoring.

Wake up! Dont give up, coward! Weve only just started!

I looked to my right to see He s.h.i.+ set his brush down.

You, too?!

I am ready to hand up my paper, He s.h.i.+ said.

What are you? A straight-As student?! Hand it up later! Im under a lot of pressure here!

***

I understand that you may not be used to our test system on your first day, and I understand you must have your reasons for quitting martial arts to pick up studying, Uncle Huang slammed my test paper onto the desk, but what is this nonsense? What are these eighty turtles you drew supposed to mean?

I bowed my head in embarra.s.sment. I ran out of time, or I wouldve been able to draw a hundred.

Look, I gave up, okay? I wasnt built for this.

Look at you. Your s.h.i.+fu is incred-, average. You are his senior disciple, so how are you not even half of as competent? What did you learn from him?

I learnt why flowers are red and why alcohol smells nice. Do those count?

Dont ask me about these things. Ask Sixth. He was the one who excelled with his sword and brush. I heard he pa.s.sed Beijiangs royal exams last year under a fake name.

It was a mistake to send you here. By the way, I didnt have time to ask you this morning, but you havent caused any problems given you havent been here for long, right?

No.

You already did something?!

No, no. Do you know Zhao Tiankui?

Zhao Tiankui? You dont know him? Well, I guess its normal for you not to know him. He is one of the top-ranking generals of this dynasty. At present he is the infantry governor. You could say he is one of the most authoritative generals.

Oh, I see. I stroked my chin the way Uncle Huang stroked his beard. Whats a governor?

The commander of the Governor Estate is called governor. We have three military governors, one for the infantries, one of the cavalries and one for the navy. The three report to Governor Estate. Above Governor Estate is the commander-in-chief. The commander-in-chief represented the military when our dynasty was first formed. Nowadays, Qilin Guards grand commander commands the border forces. Why are you asking about him?

Nothing much. I just knocked his son into the lake in the morning.

Glossary

Ming Feizhens test - The English translations should be understandable for you. The original Chinese, on the other hand, is written in archaic Chinese. As Ive mentioned before, its like expecting everyone who speaks English to understand Shakespeare English, which doesnt happen.