Chapter 107 — One Palm Against Ten
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 2 of 4
Observing their talents, one teaches according to aptitude; awakening the spirit fetus, breaking through the divine treasury—those who qualify may be selected to enter college. "
The Imperial Preceptor of Jingping also said to Emperor Yanfeng: "At fifteen, from the eldest son of the Son of Heaven and his other sons down to the legitimate sons of dukes, ministers, grand officers, and chief officers, as well as the outstanding among the common people, all shall enter college, where they are taught divine powers, swordsmanship, the rectification of the heart, self-cultivation, and the way of governing others, mastering the divine arts and learning of ancient and modern times. College scholars are all disciples of the Son of Heaven and need not attach themselves to any sect.
In time, the scourge of the sects may be eliminated.
"
The Imperial Preceptor of Jingping further said: "Upon graduating from college, one may enter the Grand Academy.
There the scholars are taught the ways of serving as officials and generals, exhaustively studying the Daoist arts, and governing the realm, so that the four seas are at peace and the Son of Heaven may rest easy. "
Shen Mu was deeply moved. With the Imperial Preceptor of Jingping governing education in such a manner, how could the nation fail to prosper? The sects of Jingping had their space for survival squeezed by the primary schools and colleges, leaving them no room to exist—no wonder they rebelled.
On the boat, Shen Mu took from his bundle the Classic of Calculation he had bought in Jiangling and studied it closely, writing Yuanjie fractions on paper with a charcoal pencil. Suddenly a plump scholar asked, "Brother Shen, are you also going to the capital for the examinations? "
Shen Mu nodded and smiled. "Yes. I intend to seek my fortune in the capital.
Is Brother Wei also going to take the examinations? "
That plump scholar was named Wei Yong.
He nodded and said with a smile, "To pass the examinations and enter the Grand Academy to read widely—that is my long-cherished wish!
"
Another scholar laughed.
"Brother Wei, the Imperial Grand Academy is not so easy to enter. You are only fourteen and still a primary school scholar—you cannot get into the Grand Academy!
"
Wei Yong sneered.
"Are college scholars so impressive?
They might not be able to beat me and Brother Shen in a fight! "
The scholars all roared with laughter.
Shen Mu smiled too. Most of the scholars aboard were going to the capital for the examinations, hoping to enter the Imperial Grand Academy.
The colleges of Jiangling taught only basic swordsmanship and spells, with limited scope, whereas the Grand Academy in the capital held a million volumes, encompassing all things—nearly every technique and divine power of every sect in Jingping was gathered there.
It could be called the empire's highest seat of learning!
To enter the Grand Academy was extremely difficult; college scholars from all over the realm fought tooth and nail for admission.
As for primary school scholars, they went to the capital usually hoping to enter a college there. For a primary school scholar to enter the Grand Academy was even harder—unless one was exceptionally outstanding, there was no chance of being admitted by exception. Each year, only a handful of primary school scholars passed the examination into the Grand Academy.
The boatman steered the boat toward the opposite shore. Shen Mu noticed that the boat used a strange alchemical furnace. A flame burned within it, and when medicinal stones were fed in, the spiritual power within them drove the gears above the furnace to rotate, and the gears in turn turned a massive paddlewheel that churned the water like a waterwheel, propelling the boat forward. The boatman needed only to manage the rudder and control the direction.
Shen Mu clicked his tongue in wonder.