Ming Dynasty Detective 1546

Chapter 47 It is so important to have a good teacher
"I have already settled down at Xilai Temple..."

"Ha! That's perfect! For scholars like me from modest families, a temple is the perfect choice. The famous Song Dynasty official Fan Wencheng once lived in Liquan Temple, where he ate only porridge a day and studied at night. There's even a story about him 'dividing the porridge and breaking the vegetables'!"

After hearing the invitation, Lin Daqin felt a little embarrassed, but Haiyue didn't care.

The clerk who worked part-time as a broker was introduced to a place to live, which was a local temple.

In order to show goodwill to scholars, temples often did not charge much money to accept students, making them the most suitable place for poor scholars to live.

Lin Daqin was from a poor family. It just so happened that in order to make a living, he came to Guangzhou to teach at a private school early to prepare for next year's provincial examination. Haiyue smiled and said, "With Brother Jingfu's talent, let alone teaching at a private school, he is more than capable of teaching us!"

"How can I call it teaching? It's just a discussion of knowledge and mutual improvement!"

Lin Daqin was a humble person, and his face blushed a little at this flattery. He quickly said, "I live in Xilai Temple, and there is an empty bed in the wing room. If you two don't mind..."

"How could I dislike it? Let's go! Let's go!"

The three of them headed towards the west of the city. Not long after they walked, they saw a temple in the distance.

The history of Xilai Temple can be traced back to the reign of Emperor Wu of Liang in the Southern Dynasties. Bodhidharma came from the West to spread the profound principles of Zen Buddhism. He arrived at the north bank of the Pearl River outside Guangzhou by sea, built this temple, devoted himself to practice, and began to spread Buddhism, hence the name "Xilai".

After the temple was built, it was renovated many times through the generations, and its teachings were passed on continuously and it prospered forever. During the Shunzhi period of the Qing Dynasty, funds were raised for expansion and it was renamed Hualin Temple. Monks gathered there and it became one of the four major Buddhist monasteries in Guangzhou at that time.

It wasn't as large as it would be in later times, but it was still quite popular. Lin Daqin didn't enter through the main gate of the temple, but instead led the two of them into the backyard, to a simple but quiet Zen room. "This is where I live. There are four beds inside. Another fellow villager and I will take two..."

Hai Yue raised her eyebrows: "So there are exactly two beds left?"

Lin Daqin also smiled: "I really have a deep connection with you two brothers. If we can be in the same room, drinking tea and discussing papers, and exchanging knowledge, it would be a great pleasure in life!"

As he was speaking, the door opened and a tall and handsome scholar walked out.

Lin Daqin introduced him, "This is my fellow townsman. His surname is Zheng, his given name is Yishu, and his courtesy name is Jingxuan. Brother Jingxuan is a master of both poetry and calligraphy, and his literary talent is elegant, especially in discussion!"

When Hai Yue and Hai Rui saw this, they were both stunned.

Before they entered the Education Commissioner's Office, Lin Daqin was being harassed by the clerk inside, and there were several students watching at the door. One of them was this person. He lowered his head slightly and said nothing. It was another person who kindly reminded them not to go in and bring bad luck.

I thought the students outside were just passersby, but it turned out that some of Lin Daqin’s fellow countrymen were just standing by and watching so indifferently?
Zheng Yishu didn't know if he recognized the two men, but he still bowed with a cold expression: "Greetings, brothers. Zheng has important matters to attend to, so he has to take his leave first. I hope you will forgive me!"

After saying that, he left in a hurry.

Lin Daqin was a little embarrassed, but he was always gentle, so he explained, "Brother Jingxuan has been busy these past few days, leaving early and returning late. It's definitely not intentional to ignore me..."

Hai Yue secretly shook her head, and Hai Rui said nothing. Both of them disliked gossip behind others' backs, but their first impression of this roommate was inevitably bad.

However, after entering the Zen room, Haiyue felt relieved.

Going back to ancient times would mean suffering for him. If he had to live a hard life in ancient times again, he really couldn't bear it.

Fortunately, the environment of this Zen room is good, clean, tidy and elegant, and it is not uncomfortable to live in.

"I'm going to deliver a message!"

After deciding to live here for more than a month before the college entrance examination, Haiyue immediately left the temple and took a message to Wu Lin of the Censorate. Originally, Min Ziyong had arranged the accommodation as a token of his thoughtfulness, and now that it had been moved to Xilai Temple, it was time to notify him.

Hai Rui also went to the front temple with Lin Daqin and asked the monks for accommodation. Hai Rui had the temperament of a poor scholar, so he was immediately accepted by the monks. The monks also arranged for a young monk and sent bedding to him.

Hai Rui cleaned the room skillfully. Lin Daqin was very happy to have two new roommates and helped out. By the time Hai Yue returned, the room had been cleaned up.

The three of them brewed a cup of tea in the Zen room. Haiyue took out the book and began to ask Lin Daqin for advice. Lin Daqin also used his ability as a private school teacher to give guidance.

'It really is important to have a good teacher!'

As Haiyue continued to learn, she soon gained experience.

There is a huge gap between having teachers' guidance and figuring things out on your own. No wonder Jiangnan, where culture and education flourished, produced so many Jinshi, while remote counties like Guangdong and Guangxi often produced nothing.

Lin Daqin, a native of Chaoshan, Guangdong, was able to pass the imperial examination and rank first, which shows his talent. The most commendable thing is that he can also lecture and teach, unlike some people who are talented but difficult to communicate with.

Lin Daqin didn't think he was that great, but he felt a little shy because of the two people's humble request for advice. At the same time, he was concerned about another good friend: "Huh? It's so late, why hasn't Brother Jingxuan come back yet?" There was a curfew in Guangzhou Prefecture. If you didn't return home after dark, you would have to stay somewhere else, such as an inn, which all cost money. It was really strange that he didn't return home when you had a meditation room.

Hai Yue and Hai Rui did not have a good impression of that person and did not say much. Lin Daqin waited and waited, but no one showed up, so they had to have dinner together.

The three of them studied until quite late before going to bed.

Early the next morning, Zheng Yishu still had not returned. He only came back around noon.

Lin Daqin walked forward quickly, his face showing joy: "Brother Jingxuan is finally back! You didn't come home all night last night, I was really worried..."

"Oh! What are you worried about!"

Zheng Yishu's expression changed again. He waved his hand and said frivolously, "How could anything happen to a person like me? Good days are still ahead!"

He walked with a shaky gait, as if he had just been drinking. When his gaze swept over Hai Yue and Hai Rui, his eyebrows raised, and he looked down at them. "Oh, you two are also staying in this temple to prepare for the exam? It's poor here, and life must be hard!"

"Is this person sick? Don't you live here too?"

Hai Yue and Hai Rui were baffled. Lin Daqin's expression changed slightly. "Brother Jingxuan, what's wrong with you?"

"That's fine!"

Zheng Yishu smiled brightly: "Let me tell you, I was invited by the Fang family yesterday! Minister Fang's Fang family!"

"Minister Fang?"

Seeing the bewildered looks of the three, Zheng Yishu said proudly, "Mr. Fang Xianfu, the current Minister of Personnel, do you know who he is?"

"The new noble of great etiquette, the Minister of Personnel Fang Xianfu?"

Haiyue raised her eyebrows.

The name Fang Xianfu may not be familiar to later generations, but if you want to understand his status in the court, one sentence can summarize it:

During the Great Ceremony Incident, Emperor Sejong adopted the suggestions of Zhang Cong, Gui E, Fang Xianfu and others and formally decided on the Great Ceremony.

As we all know, in the early period of the Jiajing Dynasty, any minister who supported Zhu Houcong on the idea of ​​"successing the throne but not the heir" received huge political rewards.

Among all the prime ministers in the Jiajing Dynasty, the only one who can be said to have a good beginning and a good end was Zhang Cong. Although it was due to his own decision to retreat at the peak of his career, it was also related to this initial favor.

The current chief minister of the cabinet is Zhang Cong. Those in power in the court are all upstarts who benefited from the grand ceremonial events. Fang Xianfu, who serves as the Minister of Personnel and is from Nanhai County, Guangzhou Prefecture, is an absolute backbone figure.

It is conceivable that the Fang family is naturally at its peak in Guangzhou. If Zheng Yishu really currys favor with the Fang family, it would be a great opportunity for a small scholar taking the imperial examination.

It's just that some people choose differently.

Lin Daqin's expression turned cold, not out of jealousy, but out of disgust at this kind of clinging to the powerful. He said calmly, "Congratulations!"

Zheng Yishu said proudly, "Jingfu, I've told you long ago that to navigate this world, you need connections and a solid foundation. You have to know how to judge the situation. Otherwise, even if you have brilliant writing skills, what good will it do? Can you win the top spot in the imperial examination just by writing? Don't worry, you and I are from the same hometown. When I achieve success, I won't forget you!"

Lin Daqin was silent.

At this moment, Hai Yue stood up, called Hai Rui, and the two began to tidy up the bedding.

The key point is that they made Zheng Yishu's bed.

"What are you doing?"

Zheng Yishu was stunned.

"Your Excellency is on the verge of great success as a guest of the Fang family. It seems you can no longer stay in this shabby temple..."

Hai Yue smiled calmly: "We will help you pack up, and then we can go our separate ways. I just hope you will remember your expression today and never regret it in the future!"

(End of this chapter)