Taiyang Academy was located at the northern end of the inner city of Auspicious Light Capital City. There was a man-made canal that passed through the middle of the academy, and stone pillars supported the magnificent roof. There weren't many decorations on the outer walls, and it was simple and flat.
Similar to most of the buildings in the inner city, the academy was built on the foundation of the ancient temple. Many places still maintained the original layout, so it looked magnificent and occupied a vast area.
At this moment, the people standing in the academy's square were all students who came to study this year. All of them were wearing Tianxia's clothes and were in high spirits.
Those who could enter Taiyang Academy would definitely rise to the upper class of the Protectorate General in the future, regardless of whether they were studying or working as an official. Furthermore, according to past traditions, these two identities could be switched at any time.
However, these students couldn't enter yet, so they could only wait outside.
According to the rules of Taiyang Academy, the students had to arrive at midnight and wait until they reached the corner. Only then would the academy open the doors and verify the books.
It was said that this was a rule set by the first chancellor. It was said that it was to train the students' temperament and perseverance, so that they would have a reverence for learning.
However, in the early years of Auspicious Light Capital City, the weather was bad, and there was little rain. This rule might have been effective, but now, the weather was warm and it was like spring all year round, so the effect was very limited.
However, rules were rules, and it had been like this for a hundred years. Even if it was just a formality, it couldn't be broken.
Zheng Yu stood under a pillar. He was only fifteen years old, and he had a delicate appearance. He wasn't tall, and he looked a little sickly, as if a strong wind could blow him over.
The old butler took out a water bottle and handed it over with both hands. "Young Master, come and drink some water."
Zheng Yu looked around embarrassedly and said, "Uncle Gu, don't treat me like a child. Look, no one is drinking …"
Uncle Gu insisted, "Young Master's body has always been weak. When you came out, Madam told me to take good care of you."
Zheng Yu couldn't refuse and could only take a sip before returning it to the old butler. Then, he said seriously, "Uncle Gu, there is a law in the capital. There is no hierarchy, and everyone is treated the same. Uncle Gu, you can't call yourself a servant in front of others in the future."
Uncle Gu smiled. "Young Master, I'll listen to you."
Zheng Yu was very happy to see that he had been convinced. He saw two students standing not far from him and whispered, "Uncle Gu, do you still have clean water? Send some to those two seniors."
"Use this old man's. I've never drunk it before."
Uncle Gu took out two porcelain cups, wiped them clean, and poured a cup of water for the two students. At first, the two of them wanted to decline, but Uncle Gu was experienced in the ways of the world. With just a few words, they had no choice but to drink the water. After that, they both came to Zheng Yu to thank her.
Zheng Yu introduced them to each other. One of them was called Wang Bo, and the other was called Yu Mingyang. They were both students who came back to school for the first time. Because they were both from Tianxia and were of similar age and background, they chatted for a while.
Young people who were full of vigor naturally didn't like to talk about those boring studies, and the topic quickly turned to the recent interesting news.
"Seniors, did you go to see the spiritual monster at the harbor yesterday?"
Wang Bo's temper was a little exaggerated. He gestured with his eyebrows raised. "I heard that the big Heavenly Salamander was three hundred feet long from head to tail. It almost couldn't fit in the harbor."
Yu Mingyang curled his lips and said, "I also went to see it. The monster's body was about ten feet long, and part of it was its tail. But it was still considered big."
Wang Bo was not convinced. "It's not just that!"
Yu Mingyang was too lazy to argue with him.
Zheng Yu showed a curious expression and said, "Senior Wang, this monster is so big. Who caught it? The Army of God? "
Wang Bo originally wanted to continue the discussion with Yu Mingyang, but when he heard this, his attention was immediately diverted. He said proudly, "You guessed wrong. I heard that the person who killed the Heavenly Salamander is about the same age as us, and is also a student who came to school!"
Yu Mingyang was surprised. "Really?"
Wang Bo was dissatisfied. "Why would I lie to you? I'm good friends with a wonderful writer from the Hanmo Newspaper Office. He told me in private, so it must be true. "
Yu Mingyang was now familiar with Wang Bo's style of speaking. He knew that he was most likely exaggerating his relationship with the wonderful writer from the Hanmo Newspaper Office, but this matter itself might be true.
Zheng Yu exclaimed, "That's amazing."
Wang Bo looked around and said mysteriously, "There are rumors that this person might not be an ordinary person, but has extraordinary strength like the Army of God … Seniors, actually, as long as we enter the school this time, as long as we go to a certain place, we might also have such abilities …"
Zheng Yu thought for a moment and said, "Senior Wang, don't tell me you're talking about that place …" At this point, he used his hand to write two words in the air.
Wang Bo nodded repeatedly and said, "Yes, yes, it's there. Let me tell you, I have a good friend at … Eh!"
Before he finished speaking, he suddenly turned his head. The two of them were also surprised. They followed his gaze and saw a person in a cloak walking over. His face was covered by the shadow of the hood, so they could not see clearly. However, from the way he walked, it was obvious that he had been taught etiquette in Tianxia. He should be a young student like them.
Wang Bo was amused, but then he pretended to be disappointed and said, "Oh my, it's already so close. This person has only just arrived. I'm afraid he won't be able to enter the school this year."
Zheng Yu said, "Maybe this Senior Brother has some difficulties and was delayed by something."
Yu Mingyang did not say anything.
The students in the square also stopped talking and looked over. Their eyes were filled with pity, disdain, and gloating.
In order to successfully enter the school, they had all arrived early and waited until now. Although they did not feel tired, their attitude had finally arrived.
This person dared to ignore the rules of the school and only arrived now. They were afraid that he would not have a chance to enter the school this year.
Then, they saw that this person did not stop walking. He walked straight through the square and walked toward the school gate. Everyone looked like they were waiting to see a good show.
Wang Bo covered the sun with one hand and looked on while standing on tiptoe. He said excitedly, "Looks like he's going to find the scholar, but the scholar won't make an exception."
Zhang Yu walked up the long steps. When he reached the platform, he looked up and saw a middle-aged scholar wearing a black robe and a crown looking at him solemnly. Behind him was the closed gate of the school.
He stopped here and reached out to take off his hood. He straightened his body and clasped his hands together. "Greetings, scholar."
The moment the scholar saw his face, he thought that he was an immortal in a painting. He could not help but be startled. Then, he tried to keep a straight face and said, "Young Master, if you're a student, then you've come too late. It's impossible for you to enter the school this year. There's no such thing as luck in the path of learning. Come again next year!"
Zhang Yu took out a name card from his sleeve and put his thumbs on both sides. Under the scholar's surprised gaze, he handed it over with an impeccable posture. He said seriously, "I'm Zhang Yu. Today, I'm studying at Taiyang Academy. I'm here to recommend myself."
His voice was sonorous and powerful. It was loud and clear. The entire square could hear it clearly, and there was an uproar.
"Self-recommendation, he's actually recommending himself!" Wang Bo was extremely excited. He shouted excitedly while hammering Yu Mingyang hard. The latter frowned and rubbed his shoulders.
Zheng Yu looked at Zhang Yu's back and revealed a look of envy and admiration. He felt that Zhang Yu was too courageous.
Yes, if a student wanted to study at Taiyang Academy, they had to pass the entrance exam. But there was another way.
That was to recommend oneself!
If you felt that you were knowledgeable enough, then you could directly go to the academy and communicate with the academy's teachers by debating, discussing, or lecturing. In short, as long as you passed the academy's examination, you could become a member of the academy.
And if you succeeded, then you wouldn't be an ordinary student of the academy. It was very likely that you'd become a teacher with an even higher status.
However, very few people would use this method because it was much easier to take the proper path. Visiting the academy to discuss was meant to exchange knowledge. If you were allowed to enter just like that, wouldn't that mean that the teacher in charge of the examination was admitting that your knowledge was inferior to theirs?
Not only did this involve personal reputation, it even involved the academy's reputation. So this path was extremely difficult. It wasn't that no one had succeeded in the past hundred years, but there were very few of them.
Most importantly, the decision was in the hands of the academy. Even if you were really knowledgeable, the academy might not let you pass in order to maintain its reputation. So, one could imagine how difficult it was.
The head prefect looked at Zhang Yu sternly. He didn't think that the young Zhang Yu could be knowledgeable. However, there was a strong sense of confidence in Zhang Yu's voice. Even the head prefect was affected by it. He couldn't help but waver.
As if to give himself a buffer, he didn't accept the name card. Instead, he took a deep breath and walked to the front of the stairs. He sternly said to the people below, "Silence! This is the academy's place of education. If there's any noise, you'll be expelled from the academy!"
This sentence was like a bucket of cold water being poured on a boiling pot. The voices in the hall immediately stopped. Everyone stared at the top of the stairs with wide eyes. They wanted to see how this matter would develop.
When the head prefect turned around, he felt that his judgment had returned. He said to Zhang Yu coldly, "Young man, go back. Taiyang Academy isn't a place for you. Don't try to take a shortcut."
Zhang Yu said calmly, "If the head prefect doesn't want to accept the name card, then I can wait here until the academy's doors open. If the academy still doesn't let me in, then I'll go to the yamen of the Protectorate General's Office. I'll hold a jade mallet and beat a drum to ask if the rules set by Taiyang Academy are valid."
When the head prefect heard this, his expression changed. He realized that Zhang Yu had definitely come prepared. Moreover, although the latter's voice was neither loud nor soft, he had an aura that said that he wouldn't give up until he succeeded. The head prefect didn't dare to doubt him.
He remained silent for a long time. In the end, he took the name card without saying anything. He waved his hand at the tall building in front of the door. With a rumbling sound, the two heavy stone doors carved with symmetrical patterns of cicada wings slowly opened.
Zhang Yu looked at the academy's main road that opened up in front of him. He clasped his hands and bowed to the head prefect. Then, under the gaze of the students in the square, he stepped forward and walked in.
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