Whoever can strike me hard will be rewarded handsomely.

On the tenth day of the first lunar month, although it was not yet Bian Yushu's day off, Qin Ji finally managed to get half a day of free time.

Since he was idle anyway, Qin Ji thought he might as well leave the palace and make his presence known to his teacher. He sent Bian Yushu to the workshop to do what he was supposed to do, and then took Bian Dou, who had just recovered from his injury leave, out of the palace.

Unfortunately, Jiang Jibai was not at home.

That's strange. Jiang Jibai is an idle person. Doesn't he spend all his time at home reading books?

Qin Ji raised an eyebrow and asked Uncle Li, "Did the teacher go to the Shen residence?"

Uncle Li shook his head and explained, "This year's imperial examination is scheduled for March. After the New Year, candidates from all over the country will come to the capital one after another. A friend of Mr. Jiang invited him to give a lecture to the students at Songjian Academy."

"The Pine Tree Academy outside the city?" Qin Ji asked.

Uncle Li nodded, "Yes."

"Who is his friend?"

"I don't know."

It's understandable that Uncle Li didn't know. He was the doorman Jiang Jibai hired after arriving in the capital. Although he knew that his master was probably an extraordinary person and that those who associated with him were mostly remarkable individuals, he knew very little about Jiang Jibai's past.

Having received no answer, Qin Ji did have some guesses about his friend's identity.

Jiang Jibai once debated the classics with three great Confucian scholars at the foot of Mang Mountain for three days straight, and became famous in one battle.

One of them was Yu Tingyuan, the headmaster of Songjian Academy.

The three renowned scholars did not put on airs and look down on Jiang Jibai, who was just starting out in his career. Instead, they were broad-minded and sincerely praised Jiang Jibai's knowledge, giving him extremely high marks and establishing his important position in the academic world even as a newcomer.

Given Jiang Jibai's character, he must be deeply grateful.

Now that almost ten years have passed, they might have become close friends despite their age difference, and it's quite possible that he'll go and support his old friend.

After leaving the Jiang residence, Qin Ji made a detour to the villa to check on the progress of the workshops and armories he was building for his two apprentices.

Construction is in full swing, but it is estimated that it will not be completely completed until February.

Leaving the villa, Qin Ji set off for Songjian Academy with a clear purpose.

Firstly, she wanted to seize the opportunity to spend more time with Jiang Jibai.

Secondly, Songjian Academy has a long-standing reputation, having produced several great Confucian scholars and many Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) since ancient times. Although it is located just outside the capital city, Qin Ji has never been there before. He could take this opportunity to visit and see if there were any talents he could recruit.

Moreover, there's no guarantee that a few students from Songjian Academy will be selected in this year's spring imperial examinations. By traveling incognito, he can also get a feel for the students' character and abilities.

As they neared their destination, Biandou asked, "Should I go and get a set of Songjian Academy's student robes and an identification badge?"

Jiang Jibai was a renowned scholar, and with him lecturing, Songjian Academy must be quite lively today.

Nowadays, many candidates for the imperial examinations have gathered in the capital. Those candidates from other places who come here because of its reputation are so great that they could break down the gate of Songjian Academy. They might be able to sneak in very easily.

Qin Ji waved his hand, "Let's go check the situation first."

...

Qin Ji stood in front of the mountain gate, lost in thought as he looked at the mountain guard who was blocking his way.

The mountain guardian looked at the young man before him and repeated, in a measured tone, "If you are a student coming to study at Songjian Academy, please show your letter of recommendation; if you are a student of this academy, please show your identification badge."

Qin Ji's face stung slightly. "I heard that a great Confucian scholar is giving a lecture here today. Is the academy not open to the public?"

Having seen countless students trying to sneak in unnoticed, the mountain guardian countered, "We have several renowned scholars serving in this academy. If every lecture is open to the public, with crowds thronging the area daily, how can our students concentrate?"

The problem is, didn't Jiang Jibai come today?

Why is it different from what he expected?

Qin Ji did not linger with the mountain guard and returned to his carriage.

Before he could make any arrangements, Biandou, with great foresight, quietly sneaked into Songjian Academy. After confirming that Mr. Jiang was indeed inside, he stole a set of student robes and a waist tag.

Qin Ji quickly changed into his school uniform and glanced at the information on his waist tag.

When he stood in front of the mountain gate for the second time, the mountain guard looked him up and down several times, with a somewhat suspicious expression.

"Since you're a student of this college, why are you asking whether it's open today or not?"

Qin Ji immediately replied, "I have a cousin who has come here because of your reputation. The imperial examinations are approaching, and he wants to listen to lectures by great scholars. He asked me to inquire for him."

"Why are you outside the courtyard during the teachers' lecture time?"

"My cousin is going to the capital to take the imperial examination. He is unfamiliar with the place and the people there, so I went to help him settle in. I have already asked the headmaster for leave."

The mountain keeper suddenly asked, "What's your name? Which temple are you from?"

Qin Ji answered fluently: "Li Hongye, Chen Bingzhai."

The mountain guard returned the waist tag to him and didn't question him further. "Go in."

After wasting half a day, Qin Ji finally managed to sneak into the gate of Songjian Academy.

If he didn't want to listen to Jiang Jibai's lecture openly and honestly, he could have sneaked in like a lentil.

Songjian Academy is built on a wide open space on the mountainside. The buildings are neat and orderly, with green tiles and white walls scattered among the green pines and cypresses. From time to time, the sound of students reciting can be heard, and occasionally you can see teachers or students carrying books and hurrying by.

Qin Ji found a secluded spot and asked Bian Dou about the location of Mingjiang Jibai.

The lentil dutifully pointed out the direction, though it was also somewhat puzzled.

Qin Ji noticed something was off about his expression and was about to ask him more questions when he suddenly heard footsteps. Bian Dou moved and disappeared into the shadows.

The newcomer was an unfamiliar student who looked to be in his early twenties.

He sized up Qin Ji for a while, his gaze finally settling on Qin Ji's waist tag. "You're Li Hongye from Chenbingzhai?"

The person asking this must not be someone he knows well, given his badge status. Qin Ji answered without hesitation, "Does this gentleman need something from me?"

"You were chosen yesterday to go to the Sidingzhai to listen to that new guy... right, I think it was Mr. Gu who was giving a lecture. Why were you absent?"

Qin Ji had originally intended to just give a perfunctory answer and head straight for his destination, but upon hearing the surname Gu, he paused and inquired, "But...were we discovered?"

The student gave Qin Ji a sympathetic look. "Those who didn't go yesterday had their names written down by Mr. Gu and given to the headmaster. The headmaster ordered me to inform you one by one."

"One day of absence, twenty strokes of the cane. Mr. Gu is currently at the Si Ding Zhai. Go and receive your punishment."

Fearing that Qin Ji might not understand the gravity of the situation, the student kindly added, "I'm just about to inform you. I heard from Mr. Gu that if it's past 1-3 PM, it will be considered an absence today, and you'll be punished with forty feet."

Qin Ji: "..."

Why didn't this good thing happen when we were in the outskirts of Beijing?

...

The second update is here, a race against time, we're rushing to finish.

Today's goal was achieved! Over 7000 yuan spent in 3 hours, fueled by pure passion! A kiss to everyone!

I'll continue with double updates tomorrow. I never thought I'd be this diligent; I've been updating twice a month now!