Traveling Through Ancient Times to Be a Teacher - Chapter 39

“Not bad,” said Master Qin after reading through the pages. “It seems you haven’t slacked off these past few days. Your poetry has also improved a great deal—especially these few pieces; they stand out.”

“Many thanks for your guidance, Master. Only with your teaching could this student make progress.” Chu Ci bowed slightly, then hesitated for a moment before adding, “Actually, there’s another matter I came to ask for your help with today.”

“What is it?”

“After the county examination, I’ll be re-enrolling at the county academy. But at home, my nephew has no one to teach him. I fear his studies will be delayed. So I was wondering—could I bring him to study in the Children’s Academy within the county school?”

“He’s still very young,” Master Qin frowned. “Wouldn’t it be better to send him to a private school in the village? His parents could look after him there. Wouldn’t that be more suitable?”

“This…” Chu Ci hesitated, then explained the current situation at home in detail.

When Master Qin heard it, he looked a little embarrassed. It was he who had gone out of his way to persuade Chu Ci to transfer from his old academy to the county school—hoping not to let his talent go to waste. He hadn’t expected the local village teacher to hold a grudge and refuse to accept any of Chu’s relatives afterward.

“In that case,” Master Qin said, “I’ll go with you to speak to the dean. Bring the boy along when the time comes. As for his daily needs, you’ll have to take care of him yourself.”

The Children’s Academy didn’t allow personal servants. After class, the students’ clothes would be handed over to the school attendants for washing and then returned. Meals were eaten in the school dining hall, and everything else they had to manage on their own.

“Yes, thank you, Master.” Chu Ci’s face lit up. He suspected that Master Qin would think of a way to let Xiaoyuan live with him later on.

“Don’t celebrate too soon,” Master Qin said sternly. “If he turns out to be noisy and disturbs others, and someone complains to the dean, I won’t be able to protect you.”

“Your student will make sure to discipline his nephew well. He won’t trouble anyone.” Chu Ci was confident—Xiaoyuan was an obedient child.

They discussed academic matters for a while longer until Madam Qin called them for lunch. 

After eating, Chu Ci wrote an essay in front of his teacher as practice, and only after it was reviewed was he allowed to leave.

By the time he returned to the Zhang Wenhai residence, the sky was completely dark. When he saw that the study was no longer lit late into the night, he felt relieved.

In Chu Ci’s view, their current level already reached the standard of a licentiate. Even if their ranking wasn’t high, they wouldn’t fail as long as they held steady.

The next morning, after finishing their Five-Animal Exercises, the three sat down for breakfast.

Halfway through, Zhang Wenhai and Fang Jinyang suddenly bowed and said, “We must thank Brother Chu. We finally understand your intentions. We won’t drive ourselves to exhaustion again.”

“You two give me too much credit,” Chu Ci replied with a faint smile. “But remember—health is the foundation of everything. With the county exam so near, losing your chance because your body gives out would be a terrible waste. As the saying goes—too much is as bad as too little.”

“Brother Chu is right.” Both clasped their hands in acknowledgment. 

From then on, they followed his schedule exactly and didn’t dare defy a single word. Chu Ci was a little exasperated—but at least there were only a few days left.

On the eighth of the second month, Chu Ci arranged another mock exam. The setup was just as strict as before, but this time, the two were well prepared.

After a full day of testing, they could still laugh and joke afterward, even standing beside Chu Ci to watch him grade their papers.

“If no disaster befalls you,” Chu Ci said as he marked, “you should both pass without issue.”

The moment he said it, both men relaxed visibly, their nerves easing.

Chu Ci didn’t say it lightly. He had, through Shopkeeper Lu, collected the top-scoring essays from the past seven or eight years and studied them all. He’d even learned the county magistrate’s preferred writing style. After comparing and analyzing them, he was certain—these two were ready.

With that reassurance, the days flew by.

By the tenth of the second month, the pair took their guarantor forms to the county seat to collect their admission permits. Registration had already been done earlier that year.

Chu Ci packed his things and left the Zhang Wenhai residence. By his count, he’d served as their private tutor for nearly four months now.

Both Master Zhang and Madam Zhang came personally to see him off in Ping’an Town and settle his pay.

A normal private tutor earned five maces of silver a month, and even in wealthy families, a household instructor rarely made more than two taels.

But for Chu Ci, given his growing reputation, Master Zhang had offered ten taels per month at the start.

Now, when Chu lifted the payment pouch, it felt heavier than expected. It should have been around forty taels—but when he opened it, there were a hundred inside.

Seeing his confusion, Master Zhang said warmly, “You’ve worked so hard for my son these months. We can’t truly repay you, so please accept this small token of our gratitude.”

“That wouldn’t be proper,” Chu Ci said firmly. “A gentleman loves wealth but takes it rightly. We agreed on the amount beforehand—changing it now would make me unreliable. Please take back the extra silver, or I won’t dare visit again.”

The couple exchanged a glance and smiled in admiration. “Truly, Scholar Chu is a man of integrity—a model for all gentlemen. It was our oversight to presume otherwise. Please don’t hold it against us.”

Master Zhang removed fifty taels from the pouch and said, “Regardless of whether a month is long or short, the final month’s pay must still be given in full—lest we seem ungrateful. Please don’t decline further.”

With things said that way, Chu Ci accepted with a polite bow.

He thanked them and returned home.

After half a day of rest, on the eleventh morning, he packed up again—this time taking along a teary-eyed Chu Xiaoyuan—and set off for the county.

“Brother Chu, you’re finally here!” Zhang Wenhai greeted him with visible relief. He hadn’t been able to settle his nerves before seeing Chu Ci again.

“I came to wish Brother Kuo-zhi success in advance,” Chu Ci said with a smile.

“Thank you, Brother Chu! Come in, quickly. Jinyang’s gone home—his family insisted on hosting a banquet to thank you. By the way, who’s this in your carriage?”

Peeking through the lifted curtain was a small boy blinking shyly at them.

“This is my nephew,” Chu Ci explained. “He’ll soon be joining me at the county academy’s Children’s Hall. Xiaoyuan, greet your Uncle Zhang Wenhai.”

“Uncle Zhang Wenhai, good day,” Xiaoyuan said softly, though his eyes were a little red. It was his first time leaving home, and he couldn’t help missing it already.

“Hello, little one,” Wenhai said kindly. He searched his pockets and found only a jade ring, which he removed and handed over. “Here, keep this. A first meeting gift.”

Xiaoyuan glanced at his uncle, and seeing him nod, accepted it properly. “My uncle said that a gift from an elder must not be refused. Thank you, Uncle Zhang Wenhai.”

Wenhai was charmed. Compared to his unruly young cousins, this child was practically carved from jade.

Even Chu Ci was surprised—apparently, the boy had absorbed more lessons than he realized.

Wenhai arranged lodging for them both, and after lunch, Chu Ci took Xiaoyuan out to purchase items for the apprenticeship ceremony.

Tradition required a strip of dried meat as the symbolic tuition gift, along with celery (for diligence), lotus seeds (for perseverance), red beans (for good fortune), dates (for early success), and longans (for completeness). Together, they symbolized hard work, good luck, and a successful career.

Outside the Children’s Hall of the county academy, a single gatekeeper sat at his post. Chu Ci approached with Xiaoyuan and explained that he was here to register.

The man barely looked up. Seeing their plain clothes, he waved dismissively. “Enrollment ended a few days ago. Come back next year around the second month.”

Chu Ci smiled. “Then those two ahead of us—are they not also here to register?” He pointed to two figures walking inside, led by another gatekeeper.

“They’re here on Dean Kong’s orders,” the man said. “Naturally they can come late. My advice, scholar—go home and come early next year.”

“Oh? Dean Kong, is it?” Chu Ci said mildly. “Then I wonder—would Master Qin’s word carry any weight?”

“Master Qin?” The man blinked, then realization dawned. He straightened instantly, his tone turning deferential. “Why didn’t you say so earlier! Right this way, please. I’ll take you in myself.”

He even offered to carry their things, but Chu Ci politely declined and followed behind with Xiaoyuan.

There were four instructors at the Children’s Hall. The one they were led to was Teacher Shen.

Inside, another child was already offering his bows. His plump, round cheeks puffed as he listened solemnly to the teacher’s lecture, his tiny topknot bobbing adorably with each nod.

When Chu Ci’s gaze shifted to the adult standing beside the boy, he nearly laughed aloud at the coincidence—because the man was none other than Master Xu.