On the second day, classes officially began at the Imperial Academy.
Before the classes started, the professor of the Imperial College couldn’t help but give these noble children a few words of warning: “You’ve been able to enter the Imperial Academy, so I assume you all come from good families. However, admission to the Imperial Academy is strict, and graduating is not easy either. As the Chancellor said yesterday, the graduation exam is crucial for your ability to take the imperial examinations. Besides that, the Imperial Academy also has ten-day exams and yearly exams. The ten-day exams occur every ten days, testing the curriculum of the past ten days, including reciting classics, explaining classics, interpreting sentences, and written tests. Those who fail will be punished. The yearly exam occurs once a year, testing the curriculum learned within the year. The examination method is similar to the ten-day exams, but the consequences of failing are much more severe. The teaching professor will orally ask ten questions about the classics. Understanding eight is considered excellent, six is average, and five is poor. Those who score poorly need to repeat a year. If they fail again in the second year, they must study for nine more years. If they still fail, they will be ordered to drop out.”
The students in their seats immediately let out a cry of dismay. The Imperial Academy’s exams were unexpectedly this strict. Leaving aside the exams every ten days, failing the yearly exam would result in being held back a grade. Not only would this delay graduation, but the loss of face from being held back was something they couldn’t bear, let alone being expelled. They were all descendants of officials of the third rank or higher, the focus of attention wherever they went. If they were held back or expelled from the Imperial Academy, it would be a huge embarrassment. How could they move about in Chang’an after that?
Seeing the students frightened and whispering to each other, the professor showed a satisfied expression. He raised his voice and shouted, “Silence!”
The noisy classroom finally quieted down, and the professor continued: “The path of learning is long and difficult. You must work tirelessly to live up to the court’s high expectations of you. During your time at the Imperial Academy, all your expenses will be covered by the court, including food and clothing. If your ten-day exam results are poor, you’ll receive a warning the first time, and your meals will be suspended the second time. Those who excel in both character and studies will receive additional rewards. Besides academics, your behavior must also be elegant and proper. Those who skip classes without permission, fail to return after holidays, or sneak out to seek pleasure will be expelled. I hope you’ll conduct yourselves well.”
The students of the Imperial Academy were already deflated by the warning. They sighed and responded glumly, indicating that they had taken note.
The professor was very satisfied with today’s show of authority. He cleared his throat and said with dignity and pleasure, “Good, now that we’ve discussed the examinations, we can officially begin the class. Please open your copies of the Analects. Today we’ll be studying ‘Xue Er’ (Learning).”
After the professor dismissed the class, Xiao Jingduo packed up his books and headed out. He had barely taken two steps when Bai Jiayi caught up from behind: “Brother Xiao, wait up, let’s go to the dining hall together.”
Xiao Jingduo reluctantly stopped.
After catching up, Bai Jiayi affectionately tried to put his arm around Xiao Jingduo’s shoulder, but Xiao Jingduo nimbly avoided it. Bai Jiayi was taken aback and exclaimed, “What’s wrong with you? I can’t even put my arm around your shoulder?”
Bai Jiayi suddenly recalled a famous campus love story. He looked Xiao Jingduo up and down, puzzled: Xiao Jingduo didn’t seem to be a girl disguised as a boy.
Bai Jiayi had always been treated like a young master, with others carefully catering to him. He had never been snubbed like this before. But since coming to the Imperial Academy, he had repeatedly faced rejection from Xiao Jingduo. However, one must bow one’s head under another’s eaves. Bai Jiayi needed something from Xiao, so he suppressed his temper and asked politely once again, “Brother Xiao, which classics are you planning to study next? Two classics or three?”
“I plan to study five classics,” Xiao Jingduo said casually, uttering a devastatingly impressive statement.
The classics Bai Jiayi referred to were Confucian classics, divided into three categories based on difficulty and importance: major, medium, and minor. The major classics were the Book of Rites and the Spring and Autumn Annals with Zuo Commentary. The medium classics were the Book of Songs, the Rites of Zhou, and the Etiquette and Ceremonial. The minor classics were the Book of Changes, the Book of Documents, the Spring and Autumn Annals with Gongyang Commentary, and the Spring and Autumn Annals with Guliang Commentary. Although the Imperial Academy had strict examinations, the classes were quite flexible. The Classic of Filial Piety and the Analects were required for everyone, but students could choose other Confucian classics. The standards were “two classics,” “three classics,” and “five classics.” Two classics meant one major classic paired with one minor classic or simply choosing two medium classics. Three classics meant one each from major, medium, and minor. Five classics was the highest difficulty and also the highest-scoring category: all major classics, plus one each from medium and minor classics.
Xiao Jingduo had chosen the most difficult and demanding option: the five classics.
Bai Jiayi paused for a moment, trying to force a smile. “Studying five classics? Isn’t that too difficult?”
Xiao Jingduo saw through Bai Jiayi’s intentions and calmly advised him, “I’ve thought through my decision to study five classics. You don’t need to follow my lead. Just stick to your own plan.”
Bai Jiayi sighed. Unfamiliar with this place, he had wanted to attend classes with someone who could help him with his studies and exams if needed. Ideally, this person would be his roommate. But Bai Jiayi never imagined his roommate would choose to tackle the most challenging curriculum right from the start.
After weighing comfort against the risk of being held back, Bai Jiayi gritted his teeth and declared boldly, “Fine, I’ll study the five classics with you. You think I’m scared?”
Since Bai Jiayi had made his choice, Xiao Jingduo said no more. He nodded and continued walking towards the dining hall. As they arrived, a commotion outside the hall stopped them.
“What’s going on?”
It turned out there was a conflict between students from the Imperial Academy and the Four Gates School. This year, several students from humble backgrounds had been recommended to study at the Four Gates School of the Imperial Academy. Their recommendation by local officials spoke to their exceptional abilities, and these students cherished this rare opportunity, studying diligently. However, in the Imperial Academy, dominated by the privileged, these students from common families stood out as misfits.
Now, a dispute had broken out between the young nobles of the Imperial College and the poor students of the Four Gates School. Standing at a distance, Xiao Jingduo couldn’t see clearly and could only hear fragments of the argument.
Bai Jiayi also craned his neck to look, then said to Xiao Jingduo with a mix of sentiment and nostalgia, “This is supposed to be a campus for education and personal growth, yet such incidents keep happening.”
Another student watching the scene overheard Bai Jiayi and chimed in, “Indeed, these things happen often at the Imperial Academy. See that student in blue? His name is Liang Zhihong, I heard he’s from Zezhou. He struggled so hard to come to the capital and studies as diligently as he can. Unfortunately, living in Chang’an is expensive. Even with free room and board at the Academy, Liang Zhihong’s family can’t afford his other expenses in Chang’an. He has no choice but to take on copying work to supplement his living costs. Sadly, despite his talents, Liang Zhihong has still managed to offend some powerful people. Who knows how these young lords from noble families will deal with him?”
As one of the young nobles himself, Xiao Jingduo frowned, deeply displeased with the situation before him:
“Who does this person think he is, daring to bully a fellow student in broad daylight? Doesn’t he fear punishment from the Chancellor?”
“Him? His name is Qi Xuan, and he has powerful connections. He’s the legitimate son of a marquis, with grandfathers and uncles serving in the imperial court. His maternal family is also influential. I heard his uncle is a high-ranking official in the Court of Judicial Review, overseeing a local prison. Who would dare to offend him?”
Bai Jiayi’s expression showed understanding. So he was connected to the Court of Judicial Review – no wonder. Such people were bullies wherever they went.
Xiao Jingduo strongly disapproved of this behavior and was about to step forward when he saw someone emerge from the crowd. The person had fair skin and a gentle demeanor. He cupped his hands towards Qi Xuan and Liang Zhihong, saying, “We were all strangers before, but gathering to study at the Imperial Academy is a fortunate connection. The Chancellor’s earnest teachings aim to foster friendship, respect, and diligence among us, so we can serve the court sooner. We’re all classmates who will study together for years, and may even serve in the court together in the future. It wouldn’t look good for anyone if things got too tense. Why don’t you both do me a favor and let this matter end here?”
Bai Jiayi whispered, “If they back down just because someone comes to mediate, can we even call this bullying? Why did he really back off?”
After the mediator spoke, Qi Xuan seemed to heed his advice and stopped troubling Liang Zhihong, leaving with his followers. Not only Bai Jiayi but also Xiao Jingduo found this strange: “Who is this mediator?”
“His name is Li Qingfeng. I remember he’s from out of town, not someone with a powerful background. Strange…” The observing student couldn’t understand why Li Qingfeng would have such influence. After explaining to Xiao Jingduo, he too was puzzled.
While Bai Jiayi was still curiously peering at the scene, Xiao Jingduo withdrew his gaze, saying, “Alright, we have afternoon classes. We should go.”
Before entering the dining hall, Xiao Jingduo inadvertently glanced back and saw Li Qingfeng standing outside talking to Liang Zhihong. It seemed that after this incident, the two had quickly become closer.
After the afternoon classes ended, Bai Jiayi was groaning with exhaustion. Sprawled on his bed, he saw Xiao Jingduo looking ready to go out. He suddenly sat up with interest and asked, “Brother Xiao, where are you going? I want to go too!”
Xiao Jingduo gave him a bland look: “You’re imagining things. I’m just going to practice martial arts.”
Bai Jiayi had thought Xiao Jingduo was going out to have fun, but his answer left Bai Jiayi greatly disappointed: “The sun is already halfway set. Where are you going to practice martial arts?”
“The Imperial Academy has martial arts instructors. There are complete courses in horseback riding, archery, and more. You just need to inform the registrar to enroll.” Out of politeness, Xiao Jingduo asked, “Do you want to go?”
At this point, Bai Jiayi was so shocked he couldn’t close his mouth: “You mean, besides studying the five classics, you’re also going to learn martial arts?”
“Of course.” Although Xiao Jingduo had learned hunting from the Qingyuan Temple and hunters, these were all informal methods. He had never systematically studied martial arts. With the Imperial Academy offering excellent and professional martial arts instructors, he naturally wanted to seize the opportunity to hone his martial skills.
“But we’re civil officials, what’s the use of practicing martial arts?” Bai Jiayi asked, confused.
For a moment, Xiao Jingduo couldn’t understand Bai Jiayi’s meaning. He paused and looked at Bai Jiayi with equal confusion: “The imperial examinations are just a way of selecting officials through literary merit. What conflict does that have with practicing martial arts?”
“Ah… Aren’t civil officials supposed to ride in sedan chairs to court, only responsible for talking, while military officials worry about charging into battle? Don’t civil officials even look down on military officials, keeping to themselves and refusing to even arrange marriages between their children?” Under Xiao Jingduo’s gaze, Bai Jiayi’s voice unconsciously lowered, “Isn’t that how it is?”
“You’re neither old and frail nor seriously ill, so why would you need to ride in a sedan chair to court? Even many ladies ride horses when they go out. How can you be so weak as an official entering court? And don’t think that today’s prime ministers are all bookish. Just a few years ago, before things were peaceful, these ministers all saw battlefield action, excelling in both horsemanship and archery. Even now, most officials in the court have some military experience.”
Bai Jiayi became more and more confused as he listened. It seemed that in the Xuan Dynasty, there was no clear distinction between civil and military officials. Even civil officials had to be capable of leading troops in battle. He let out a long sigh and said, “Ah, is it really so fierce and combative?”
Xiao Jingduo’s suspicions about Bai Jiayi grew stronger. His roommate seemed quite odd. However, Xiao Jingduo didn’t show this to Bai Jiayi, instead sincerely advising him: “This won’t do. Martial arts are fundamental. You can’t neglect them just because you’re studying. Otherwise, you’ll be mocked by your colleagues when you become an official.”
Bai Jiayi felt hurt by Xiao Jingduo’s look, as if he were seeing a sissy. He pouted, feeling wronged. He did exercise diligently, he just had been misled by preconceptions.
Xiao Jingduo quickly changed into a set of black, close-fitting clothes, which made him look even taller and more jade-like in appearance. Bai Jiayi silently observed Xiao Jingduo, then suddenly asked with interest: “I’ve always wanted to ask, what kind of family background do you have? You’re only thirteen, yet you’re so self-disciplined and rigorous. You know, this is the capital, Chang’an. All the students go out to have fun after class, but you, after a day of studies, still go back to practice martial arts and exercise.”
Xiao Jingduo, who had been adjusting his sleeves, paused at Bai Jiayi’s question. He smiled lightly and said, “You flatter me. I’m from the Xiao family of the Dingyong Marquis, the eldest son.”
Bai Jiayi raised an eyebrow: “The eldest son of a marquis? Then you have the same status as that school bully Qi Xuan we met today, or even better. With such a good family background, why do you still work so hard?”
Xiao Jingduo just shook his head and smiled: “It’s all an illusion.”
Every family has its own difficulties, so Bai Jiayi didn’t ask further. He secretly marveled at how extraordinary his roommate was. All these days, Xiao Jingduo had been quiet, seeming no different from others, but it turned out his background was so impressive.
Encountering such an excellent and self-disciplined roommate, Bai Jiayi put aside his playful attitude and started to take life at the Imperial Academy seriously. He couldn’t lose to a thirteen-year-old boy.
As time passed and students adapted to their new environment, life at the Imperial Academy fell into a routine. Xiao Jingduo attended classes during the day, practiced martial arts in the evening, and took the ten-day exams every ten days. His days were extremely fulfilling. Just after the second ten-day exam, a major incident occurred at the Imperial Academy.
Liang Zhihong, the poor student who had been bullied by Qi Xuan that day, died.
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