TTLJDFL Chapter 18

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The teacher Li Jin had previously studied under was a scholar named Song Yuan.

At the age of twenty, Song Yuan passed the county, prefectural, and academy examinations, earning the title of "scholar" (xiucai).

He later attempted the provincial examination (xiangshi) twice but failed both times. Eventually, he lost his ambition and decided to stop pursuing the juren title.

Song Yuan’s original home was in Xiatang Village. After he obtained his xiucai status, his clan members pooled money to buy him a residence in town so he could teach the children of their clan.

In addition to teaching his clan’s children, Song Yuan also accepted students from surrounding villages.

After all, being a teacher wasn’t charity work—he couldn’t live on air alone. Accepting students from other villages meant he could charge tuition fees.

Li Jin bought ten pieces of cured meat and carried them in his hand as he walked through the main street toward Song Yuan’s house.

Classes were usually held in the side room of Song Yuan’s front courtyard. With fewer than ten students in total, the atmosphere was quite relaxed.

Passing by a bun shop, Li Jin also bought two vegetarian buns.

The shopkeeper’s wife still remembered this handsome young man but didn’t say much—she simply packed the buns for him.

Coincidentally, her unmarried ge'er had come out to help steam the buns that day and happened to catch a glimpse of Li Jin’s profile.

He turned to her mother and said, "Mother, this person looks so familiar."

Unlike the strict restrictions placed on noble families, business families in town didn’t enforce the rule that daughters and ge’er (feminine men who could bear children) must remain indoors at all times. Thus, the shopkeeper’s child occasionally helped with steaming buns.

The shop owner said, "What a coincidence! The last time I saw him buying buns, I also thought he looked familiar. He must be from one of the nearby villages."

Her child frowned and thought for a moment.

"But I just can't remember when I've seen him before."

Li Jin was still unaware that his past habit of frequent drinking had almost been recalled by the bun shop owner.

He quickly finished his bun to fill his stomach. Following the route in his memory, he walked to the residential area of the town. After taking two turns, he arrived at a familiar courtyard.

He stepped forward and knocked on the door.

It was Mr. Song’s eldest son who opened it.

The child was only seven years old, wearing a miniature version of a scholar’s robe. His round little face was very endearing.

Seeing Li Jin, the child solemnly asked, “This is the residence of Scholar Song. May I ask who you are and what business you have with the master?”

...Did seven-year-olds in this era really speak so formally?

However, what made Li Jin even more embarrassed was that he was a student of Song Yuan, yet the child did not recognize him.

“I am Li Jin, a disciple of Mr. Song. I took leave due to illness some time ago and have come today to report back.”

After hearing this, the child responded, "Please wait a moment, I shall return shortly," and then quickly ran off to call someone.

That day happened to be a rest day, so Li Jin’s classmates had all gone home, and Mr. Song had some free time.

When he heard the name "Li Jin," he first frowned, but then recalled the moment two years ago when Li Jin’s mother knelt and begged him. With a sigh, he set down his teacup and said, “Let him in.”

Mr. Song's residence had two courtyards. After entering through the main gate and walking a few steps, there was a screen wall.

The child led him through a flower-carved side gate, past the covered walkway on the left, turned right at the end, and arrived at the main hall.

The children in Mr. Song's household were well-mannered. After leading Li Jin there, without needing instructions, the child ran off on his own.

Li Jin set his basket outside the door, carried the cured meat and the 200-pennies tuition gift, and entered.

He bowed respectfully and said, “Student Li Jin greets the teacher.”

Seeing his proper attitude, Mr. Song’s expression eased considerably.

He instructed Li Jin to set the items down and take a seat opposite him. Then he asked casually, “A few days ago, you took leave, saying your husband was giving birth. Was everything successful?”

This was actually just an excuse the original owner used to skip class.

Even though he didn’t care about his husband, he used it as a reason to avoid studying—truly disgraceful behavior.

Li Jin smiled. “Yes, a son was born safely, and my husband is also well.”

Mr. Song nodded. “Since you’ve turned over a new leaf, I won’t dwell on the past.

Now that you are a father, you should remain calm and dedicated to your studies. Strive for success in the imperial exams so you may bring honor to your ancestors and provide for your family.”

Li Jin naturally agreed.

Mr. Song then asked, “Will you participate in the county-level student examination next February? You have been mourning your parents for two years and have fallen behind.

Typically, my students take their first examination at fourteen—not necessarily to pass, but to experience the atmosphere and become familiar with the environment.

This way, they can prepare well for their next attempt.”

...So, the official exam was just treated as a practice test?

Li Jin asked, “Does Teacher think my knowledge is sufficient to take the exam?”

Mr. Song was blunt. “You definitely won’t pass the first time, which is why I suggest you take it to gain experience.”

Li Jin wanted to argue that he could still try his best.

After all, as an adult, his discipline and focus were far better than a child’s. If he studied intensely, maybe he would have a chance…

Seeing Li Jin’s determination, Mr. Song advised, “Do not aim too high.

The student examination consists of three rounds, and the first round, the county test, already requires proficiency in five subjects. The preparation is difficult.”

After a pause, he added, “However, if you truly wish to improve, bring your own paper and brush tomorrow. Copy the Four Books and Five Classics from my collection, then memorize them at home.

If you can recite them all by September, I will begin teaching you the structure of eight-legged essays, classical argumentation, and policy discussions.”

Li Jin quickly stood up and bowed again. “Thank you, Teacher.”

Mr. Song was pleased with his attitude. This time, Li Jin’s demeanor was completely different from his past timid and indifferent self.

It was as if he had truly grown up overnight.

As a teacher, Mr. Song had no intention of discouraging a hardworking student.

Seeing that it was almost lunchtime, Li Jin did not linger and left to buy paper and brushes.

—

Mr. Song’s family was not particularly wealthy. His wife was a woman from the same village, and he had no concubines.

At lunchtime, his wife noticed the 200-pennies gift and was surprised.

“The children told me Li Jin came to visit you, but I didn’t think much of it. Why did he suddenly give you a gift?”

She paused and added, “I should have invited him to stay for lunch.”

Though 200 pennies wasn’t a fortune, it was still half a month’s earnings for an ordinary farmer.

Mr. Song thought that his wife was a wonderful person, except she cared too much about money.

To him, it didn’t matter how much tuition Li Jin brought—what mattered was the sincerity behind it.

Song Yuan said, “It’s fine. I told him to copy the Four Books and Five Classics tomorrow, so you can invite him for a meal then.”

His wife: “…” She had only been speaking casually.

Her husband might be a scholar, but he was too straightforward and dense.

Still, this kind of character was reassuring. With his rigid and proper way of doing things, he would never cause any trouble in his lifetime.

—

Meanwhile, Li Jin visited two or three stores on the main street, comparing the prices of paper and brushes.

In his past life, he had grown used to typing medical records on a computer, only picking up a pen for signatures.

Now, having traveled back in time, everything had reverted to a much earlier era.

In the end, Li Jin chose the cheapest rabbit-hair brush.

As for the paper and brushes the original owner once owned—those had apparently been sold to buy alcohol.

Once the craving for alcohol took over, self-control was lost. Li Jin had seen this kind of person before in his past life.

But he never expected the original owner to be one of them.

Regarding the paper for copying books and practicing calligraphy, Li Jin planned to buy different types.

Copying books required paper that absorbed ink evenly for easier memorization later. However, practicing calligraphy consumed a lot of paper, so Li Jin decided to buy the cheapest kind—hemp paper.

"Young man, a stack of Xuan paper costs one tael of silver, which isn’t cost-effective. Instead, you could buy quarter-cut bamboo leaf paper for 200 pennies per stack, while hemp paper is only 40 pennies per stack.

If you buy one stack of each, I’ll throw in two rabbit-hair brushes and an ink stick. How about that?"

The shopkeeper saw that Li Jin was young. Though he wore a scholar’s long robe, it was faded from frequent washing.

One look, and it was clear that he wasn’t from a wealthy family.

So, the shopkeeper gave him a slight discount. After all, many great scholars came from humble backgrounds. If this young man became successful and passed the imperial exam, his shop would surely gain more business!

Besides, he still made a profit—just not as much.

Bamboo leaf paper, made mainly from bamboo, had a smooth surface that didn’t absorb ink as well as Xuan paper. Books copied onto it needed to be left to dry for a while.

However, it was far more affordable than Xuan paper.

Li Jin appreciated the shopkeeper’s kindness, so he bought both types of paper and placed them in his backpack.

As for the brushes and ink, he wrapped them up and tucked them into his sleeve.

Seeing Li Jin still scanning the shop after making his purchase, the shopkeeper recommended, "I also have some calligraphy copybooks, featuring Yan style and Liu style. Would you be interested?"

In the end, Li Jin bought both.

In his past life, he had learned Liu style, but now that he lived in ancient times, he didn’t want to limit himself to just one style.

Currently, Yan and Liu styles were the mainstream calligraphy scripts for the imperial exam essays.

However, because they were so common, every examinee used them.

To make his exam paper stand out, he couldn’t just blindly imitate others.

Li Jin pondered—perhaps after practicing calligraphy for ten years, he could merge the strengths of different styles and create one with his own unique flair.

Something like the "Guange Style" that became popular during the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Now, it was mid-June, and the exam was scheduled for February next year. Li Jin had no choice but to start with imitation.

He only hoped that before the exam, he could master Liu style well enough to write quickly and neatly.

For official documents meant for examiners and superiors, clarity and tidiness were the most important factors.

Trying to show off artistic flourishes would only be counterproductive.

This was the imperial exam, not a calligraphy competition.

Li Jin didn’t see himself as a genius who could revolutionize the calligraphy world, but he did enjoy the process of writing.

He planned to devote time to practicing whenever he had extra time.

If talent wasn’t enough, diligence would make up for it.

With that, Li Jin spent another 65 pennies in total.

But his shopping wasn’t done yet. He planned to buy eggs and vegetables from the villagers.

The young man at home was recovering well and could start eating richer foods. Li Jin decided to buy some pork belly for braised pork.

Moreover, the young man seemed to love the meat buns from the street corner, so Li Jin bought two more to take home.

—When eating meat buns, the young man’s eyes would sparkle with happiness.

The shopkeeper’s wife watched Li Jin’s upright posture as he left, finding him familiar yet unfamiliar.

She thought, "That long robe looks awfully familiar. Why can’t I remember who he is?"

Suddenly, her child recalled, "Mom, isn’t he the one who used to drink all the time at the tavern? But he hasn’t been there in a long time."

The town was large, and people weren’t particularly close-knit, so no one knew much about each other’s personal affairs.

As a result, no one was aware of Li Jin’s past troubles.

At most, those who saw him frequently would notice small details.

Hearing this, the shopkeeper’s wife also remembered.

"They do look alike, but he seems like a completely different person now…"

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