Food Fairy Lord

Chapter 543 Admission
Fang Jidao seemed to always stay with books. When Pei Ye pushed open the door of his little room, he saw him sitting upright at the table, reciting some article. Even though there was no one around, his clothes, boots and laces were neatly arranged.

He was somewhat surprised by Pei Ye's sudden visit. He stood up and bowed, "Why did Young Master Pei come to visit me?"

Pei Ye never paid attention to his proper etiquette. He casually bowed and walked over to lean against the table: "How are your preparations for the entrance examination going?"

Fang Jidao sat down again, smiled and shook his head: "Thank you for your concern, Young Master Pei... I have been working hard day and night, so I don't have anything to prepare."

"You sound so arrogant. You don't seem like the Brother Fang I know." Pei Ye smiled.

"You will definitely be teased every few sentences. It's still the young master Pei I know." Fang Jidao also laughed.

Since this scholar came to the capital, his eyes have indeed become deeper and brighter, and he is still humble and sincere to others, but that feeling of powerlessness and weakness seems to be gradually fading away, as if he has gradually understood the limits of his abilities, and seemed to have seen the direction of his life.

However, it is difficult to conceal the nervousness and melancholy before a big event. In fact, compared to the active young swordsman, this scholar is the real lone traveler in the capital, coming from a remote small state. He buries himself in classics and ancient sages every day. In autumn and winter, the night lights are dim. This is probably the first time that someone has visited this little house since November.

Pei Ye raised his arm and pulled him up: "Since there is nothing to prepare, don't lie here. We finally have some free time after coming to the capital. Let's go find a place to stay while it's getting dark."

"What tower?" Fang Jidao was slightly surprised.

Pei Ye thought for a moment and said, "How about the West Pond Green Terrace? I heard that the night view there is very beautiful. It seems to be raining today, so the view will be even better."

Fang Jidao was a little embarrassed: "In fact, there are many pavilions in the Imperial College... The sycamore and ginkgo trees, with yellow leaves all over the ground, are also very beautiful..."

"What season is it and the ground is still covered with yellow leaves? Don't you go out?" Pei Ye smiled and looked him up and down, "Don't you have any money?"

The scholar apologized and said, "I am a little short of money."

"It's my treat!" Pei Ye said, and took him out. "I just happen to have some questions for you."

West Pond.

The scenery is clearer in winter. The bloody battle that night left no visible traces. The lake is calm and the Feijing Tower is still hanging upside down in the lake like a bright sword.

In contrast, there were bustling and prosperous buildings, with lights as bright as day and crowds of people. Fang Jidao must have not left the Imperial College for a long time. When he came out, he only put on an extra coat. He was soaked by the cold air less than half a mile away. He stood there and stared at Pei Ye blankly, which meant that he really wanted to go back and change his clothes.

Pei Ye laughed and raised his hand to give him a shot of Qi to keep him warm.

Now that he was here, the scholar still had his arms folded, looking around with some strange curiosity in the crowd.

"People say that the South Bank occupies the West Pond, and it is indeed lively." He laughed.

"Well, you came here a month earlier than me, and you've never been here."

"I haven't actually been anywhere." The scholar sighed softly, and the white mist dissipated in the street. "That time I went to Zhaixing Tower to welcome Pei Shaoxia, it was already a countdown to my going out."

Pei Ye gave him a thumbs up, and the two of them went up to the Luhua Terrace, found a small table in the corner, ordered some sake and snacks, and the West Pond was just outside the fence next to them.

"I'm the exact opposite of you. I can hardly stay still for a long time. I'm always running around." Pei Ye tilted his head to look at the water in the distance and smiled, "I have been here before, but I was standing there fighting with people... That night many people stood here to watch, but it was a pity that you were not there."

"I heard about it." Fang Jidao smiled and suddenly said, "Many people who heard about it asked what the scene was like. When I heard it, it was as if it was right in front of me. I think it was when we were in Bowang. I always sat on the stage and watched Pei Shaoxia's heroic figure with the sword."

"But this time it seems to be your turn." Pei Ye looked at him, "I heard that this time the dispute over the law of nature seems to want you to play the role of the drama - what is going on?"

Fang Jidao shook his head quickly: "Who am I? Rather than saying that they wanted me to sing, it would be better to say that they just gave me this opportunity."

"You are such a modest person, you can only believe half of what he says." Pei Ye said, "Let me ask you, Master Xu wants me to go to Tianliyuan as well. What is the situation in this academy?"

"Ah." Fang Jidao looked at him in surprise, and then suddenly realized, "...So that's how it is."

"what?"

"Nothing, I just sigh that Master Xu's eyes are always on the distance that I can't wait for." Fang Jidao poured a glass of wine and sighed, "In fact, Tianliyuan is nothing special, it's probably just a smaller Imperial College."

Pei Ye picked up the wine glass and handed it to Fang Jidao. Fang Jidao held the glass with both hands and clinked it with his. They each took a sip.

"Young Master Pei also spent some time in the Imperial Academy. In your opinion, what do we who read the books of sages do?"

"...Xu Chuo is testing me, but now that I am meeting you, you have to test me too."

Fang Jidao smiled slightly, but still just looked at him.

"After learning the arts of literature and martial arts, you will be sold to the emperor. Everyone has the same destination. You take the imperial examinations, become officials, and govern the country, isn't that the case?"

"Yes, that's where most scholars go." Fang Jidao said with a smile, "But there are some people who study not for the purpose of becoming officials. After they have acquired deep knowledge, they annotate scriptures and interpret words and sentences, hoping to solve some questions that have existed for a long time. I think these people are not the place that Pei Shaoxia mentioned."

"...That's right, it's not that they are incapable, they just have other aspirations."

"There are also some people who feel that studying and interpreting scriptures is a layer away, and are more interested in the 'truth' behind the books of sages. They deeply analyze people's hearts and understand the world, moving forward to approach the truth of heaven and earth, and then guiding the direction of interpreting scriptures. These people are at the forefront of 'Confucianism', and naturally they are not the place that Pei Shaoxia mentioned."

"……Correct."

Fang Jidao took another sip, and his demeanor was relaxed and calm as he recounted these events: "So when Young Master Pei asked me what Tianliyuan was, I couldn't just say that Tianliyuan was the leader of Confucianism like outsiders do. In fact, if Young Master Pei wanted to look at the word 'Confucianism' that all scholars in the world study, it should be divided into three parts: 'Political Tradition', 'Learning Tradition', and 'Taoism Tradition'."

"..."

"In terms of status, the Tianliyuan is to the literati what Yunlangshan is to the sword. However, none of the people in it hold official positions, and most of them are not relatives of aristocratic families. Yet, they are able to influence the court and determine the opinions of the emperor. That's why," Fang Jidao said. "Since scholars all over the world read the books of sages, the 'orthodoxy' must exist. If the orthodoxy exists, it must determine the direction of thought. Therefore, it is a great honor for this dynasty to establish the Tianliyuan and respect it."

Pei Ye took a sip of wine and roughly understood: "Being in the capital is better than being in the wild, and it can also serve as a tool for the Tang Dynasty to understand the way of heaven."

"That's right." Fang Jidao was quiet for a while, "I have always wanted to enter Tianliyuan, that's why."

Pei Ye asked again: "What do you mean by asking you to sing a literary opera?"

"It's very simple, because the 'Two Heavens Theory' that Master Xu wants needs to be erected as a flag in the Tianli Academy first." Fang Jidao looked at the West Pond, "I will be the one holding the flag."

"You?" Pei Ye didn't quite understand, and there was no need to be polite in front of this fellow countryman. "Is your reputation enough?"

Fang Jidao smiled: "Of course it's not entirely me. I am a necessary mouthpiece, or rather... I understand. You actually don't know the structure of Tianliyuan either."

"of course."

"Like the Imperial College, the Tianli Academy is made up of teachers and students; but unlike the Imperial College, there is a true master-disciple relationship between them."

"..."

"Among the four current philosophers in Tianli Academy, the one with the most disciples only has four. If a disciple recruits more disciples, he can only recruit two or three more. So now the entire Tianli Academy has only about thirty people." Fang Jidao looked at him, "The disciples really follow the master's way, so every time we recruit a person, it is an extremely cautious and difficult matter; every quota is also of great importance."

"I see." Pei Ye was stunned for a moment, then suddenly became curious, "Hey, then which philosopher do you want to be a disciple of?"

Before Fang Jidao could say anything, a scholar beside him raised his glass and said, "Are you two also talking about the 'Entrance Examination' the day after tomorrow?"

Pei Ye, who had been out of touch with public opinion for a long time, really didn't expect that this matter would spread so widely, but after thinking about it, it was indeed reasonable. He raised his glass and said with a smile: "How about chatting casually?" "My friend and I were also discussing this matter, and we were arguing about it." He smiled and pointed at Fang Jidao's clothes, "I see that this brother is wearing the clothes of the Imperial Academy. I think you two are also knowledgeable people. Who do you think will be selected this time?"

Fang Jidao lowered his head and drank. Although Pei Ye was confused, he did not feel embarrassed. He smiled and said, "I just mentioned it casually. I don't really understand it. Are there many people taking the entrance examination?"

"Ah, there are six 'Philosopher Selections'." The man laughed, "But it is true that only one was recommended by the Imperial Academy. The remaining five include a family of philosophers, a student of a famous Confucian scholar, and a child prodigy with the imperial seal. Anyway, they are all talented and outstanding people from all over the world."

Pei Ye was the first to know that the competition was so fierce. He looked at the scholar sitting opposite him in surprise and asked, "So, will this only be accepted for one person?"

"Of course!" the man laughed, "Then you must not know either - this exam consists of four parts: [Reading], [Knowing the World], [Discussing Reasoning] and the last part, [Answering Questions] by the philosophers. Each of these parts is extremely difficult. If no one is satisfied after all the tests, the Tianli Academy would rather leave the selection empty than settle for anything."

"What are the philosophers asking and answering?" Pei Ye was curious.

"...Good question." The scholar hesitated for a long time and gave a thumbs up, "Brother, you think highly of me."

"But I heard that Zhu Zhezi will be here for the first time this time." Another person at his table said curiously, "It seems that Mr. Zhezi hasn't paid attention to the entrance examination for many years."

"...Maybe he's old enough, and..." The scholar paused, "He wants to take in more disciples, but who will be willing to be his disciple?"

Pei Ye was stunned for a moment and asked, "Why is this?"

"Why?" The scholar sighed. "Zhu Zhezi's knowledge is truly admirable. He is the best among the four philosophers. However, he comes from a poor family and has no friends. With the name of a philosopher, he has no power..."

Pei Ye frowned: "This Tianliyuan is for seeking the truth, what does it have to do with power?"

The scholar choked and said, "This... just treat me as an ordinary person."

Another person laughed and said, "Of course there are those who truly seek the truth, and there are also those who harbor other thoughts. Even the four philosophers... they all have their own backgrounds. How can they really be cut off from each other in this world?"

"That's right." The scholar said, "But this is not a big deal. The current situation is not that you will not get any benefits if you worship Zhu Zhezi, but that your life will be in danger."

"……what for?"

"The voices of the theory of heavenly nature are getting louder and louder, and it seems that they are about to be irreconcilable. The person who secretly supports the 'theory of two heavens' in the Tianli Academy is none other than Zhu Zhezi. He has only one disciple in his life, and he was sentenced to death in prison a few days ago for making a mistake in a debate... If you become his disciple now, wouldn't you be standing in front of the five surnames?" The scholar sighed, "The whirlpool of swords and knives that appears once in many years in the capital will break your heart if you scrape it, and will turn your head if you touch it. You have to jump in even if you don't stay far away... It's better to jump off a tall building to have a good time."

Pei Ye was slightly startled and subconsciously looked at Fang Jidao beside him, but the scholar just quietly held the cup and looked at the surface of the West Pond.

"I see. You are not a scholar. That is why you do not know so many things." The scholar smiled and turned to Fang Ji and said, "Brother, you are wearing the uniform of the Imperial College. We two are just thinking of asking for your advice - who do you think will stand out among the six candidates in the entrance examination the day after tomorrow?"

There was silence on the stage.

The scholar looked away from the lake, turned around and raised his hand to bow politely, but he didn't seem to look at the two people. He just said softly: "Imperial Academy, Fang Jidao."

……

The scholar was not good at drinking, and he drank the whole pot of wine slowly for a long time. As expected, cold raindrops fell from the sky. Pei Ye thought this must be the last rain of the year.

The people on the Luhua Terrace gradually disappeared. Pei Ye and Fang Jidao sat side by side with their legs dangling, the surface of the West Pond beneath their feet. They chatted leisurely, from Tianliyuan to Shenjing, from the Bowang Martial Arts Competition to the Guanlu Terrace that day. After talking for a long time, the topic always easily returned to ideals and life.

"...If Young Master Pei really thinks about it, he will find that some questions go all the way up. I thought about three steps and couldn't think anymore, so I went to read. I understood five steps, but couldn't find the answer again, so I went to ask for advice. I understood eight steps... No one could tell me the answer anymore, but the question still went straight to the netherworld. I couldn't see the answer clearly, so I had to go to the Tianliyuan." Fang Jidao said softly as his breath dissipated in the night, "But I think the sadness that I can't get rid of in my life... is that I may never find the answer to it."

"Young Master Pei asked me why I was confused. This is actually the truth." He lowered his head. "It's not that I'm worried about the entrance exam or anything, nor is it that I'm undecided about the path I've chosen. It's just that if I pin my limited life on seeking an ultimate outcome... the worry about inevitable failure will always accompany me for the rest of my life."

"..."

The night rain made the entire West Pond look desolate and boundless, as if there was no visible boundary. Pei Ye also felt the vast and faint despair in the scholar's heart.

He sighed deeply, and suddenly took off the sword from his waist and showed it to his friend.

He drew his sword, the winter night was cold, and the sword was even colder. The raindrops quickly condensed into tiny water droplets on it.

"……how?"

"I used this sword to kill the three dragon heads and five hall masters of the Taipingcao Gang on this lake." Pei Ye said, "When I drew my sword, I didn't think I would be defeated by Tuanshen."

"...I have been in Shenjing for a few days, and I have heard about those people playing with people's lives." Fang Jidao smiled slightly, "But I couldn't lift the sword either. It was because I was incompetent and powerless that it was not until Master Pei took the sword to the lake that he killed all the evildoers and turned the huge waves upside down - Master Pei's sword has always been able to create miracles."

"You have your sword too."

Fang Jidao was stunned.

"You are the only one in the Imperial College who is proficient in all five classics. After a few months in Shenjing, Director Xu has determined that you can raise this banner. There are many sentences that I can't understand, but you can understand them immediately. It seems that nothing can stop you. Let me tell you a secret. I actually think you are much better than Changsun."

"..."

Pei Ye patted his head and said seriously: "This is your sword. It makes me dizzy just by looking at it, but you can penetrate it easily with it."

"..."

"Really?" Pei Ye said with a smile, "What's there to be afraid of? You're so powerful."

Fang Jidao lowered his head and smiled, then looked at Xichi and sighed, "Thank you, Master Pei. Everything depends on human effort. Regardless of victory or defeat, it is a blessing to be able to spend our lives together."

"Not bad!"

"but……"

"Ok?"

The scholar bowed his head and said apologetically: "Master Pei, it's not polite to pat someone on the head like this. You can pat my shoulder next time."

"..."

Pei Ye did not return to his former residence tonight. Instead, he stayed in the Imperial College with Fang Jidao for two nights.

He showed the letter of recommendation to the scholar, who told him not to worry too much and that they would meet Zhu Zhezi together when the time came.

As expected, the entrance examination began in the morning of the appointed day. Pei Ye arrived in front of this strange and quiet courtyard and stood together with other people's carriages and horses.

As the sun rose, the surroundings were filled with people waiting for the results. There were relatives and friends of the "philosophers", people from all walks of life waiting for news, and more scholars who were watching the excitement - no matter what, this was a major event for the entire Shenjing, and even the entire Tang Dynasty literati.

Pei Ye stood at the edge with his sleeves rolled up. It was the first time he played such a role and he didn't know what to do. He kept thinking in his heart. At this time, he also felt that Xu Chuo's situation didn't seem to be very good, because every step she took seemed to be a narrow path - for example, if Fang Jidao couldn't enter the Tianliyuan if he had to choose one from the six schools here?
And in the midst of this confusion among countless people, the results came out before noon.

The assessment was originally for only six people, so it really wouldn’t take long.

A man posted a large notice on the pillar in front of the door. Since there were only six names on it, they were naturally written in large letters and were very conspicuous.

"Fang Jidao, first in [reading], first in [knowing the world], first in [discerning reasoning], first in [questioning and answering], entered, became a disciple of Zhu Gongkao, and followed him to seek the truth."

(End of this chapter)