Chapter Fifteen: Chao Ge (Five)

Early the next morning, the sky over Chang’an shifted from gray to white, then to yellow, and in no time, a dazzling golden light appeared. As if by a gentle wave of the hand, the warm glow spread throughout every household in the city. The officials had already begun beating the loud street drums, their sounds spreading from Chengtian Gate, from north to south, reaching all corners of the city and awakening thousands of homes. Though the alley gates had not yet opened, wisps of smoke were already rising between the blue bricks and black tiles. The night watchman of Chang’an County, with his sunken dark circles, shuffled toward the county office to hand in his shift. Along the way, he encountered a few noblemen riding swiftly through the dust; he quickly dodged into a roadside drain, only to still get his new coarse cloth clothes stained. cursing at the riders as they fled, he trudged on dejectedly. What could he do? This was life—day after day, one after another, with the sound of dawn urging on time. Time moved slowly, like a stone mill, though uneventful, it still held a quiet hope for life.

In a small courtyard in Lane 23 of Ande Fang, by the lake, Li Kuo sat by the stove, fiddling with the firewood. The young man had stayed up all night, lying in bed—every time he closed his eyes, scenes of spending those years with his mother came to mind. Having to support the whole family since childhood, Li Kuo was naturally resolute. Yet even so, the thought of parting with his mother left him feeling empty. But his grandfather’s injustice could not go unavenged; he must pursue the imperial examinations. He absolutely could not disappoint his grandfather!

Clenching his fists, he struck the stove made of glutinous rice and clay several times before sighing deeply. Thinking it was almost time, he gently lifted the lid of the pot and carefully scooped two spoonfuls of corn porridge from the dark iron pot, placing them in a large blue-and-white bowl. After blowing on it slightly, he took out two dishes of wild vegetables from a basket and set them on a tray along with the porridge. Then, on tiptoe, he headed toward his mother’s room.

As he walked, Li Kuo thought that once he entered the Imperial Academy, he would receive a monthly allowance of one or two silver coins. The Academy provided food and lodging, so he wouldn’t need to spend much money. He could then send the silver to his mother through someone. At this thought, he became excited and walked even more lightly.

Gently pushing open the door, whose lacquer had worn off, Li Kuo tiptoed into the room. He carefully placed the tray on the small table by the window. Just as he was about to leave, he heard his mother’s gentle voice, “Kuo, are you leaving already?”

Li Kuo waved gently at his son, signaling for him to come over. Lady Li Lu said softly, “Kuo, today you’re going to the Imperial Academy to study. I’m truly happy for you. Your grandfather passed away early, and I’m not capable enough to leave you any inheritance. This box contains the writing brushes and inkstones your grandfather used in his lifetime; maybe they’ll be useful to you.”

“Mother, I’m unworthy and unable to fulfill my duties as a son at your side. I…”

Li Kuo’s eyes turned red as he took a few steps forward and knelt down in front of Lady Li Lu.

“Kuo, what are you doing? Get up quickly!”

Seeing her son kneeling on the ground, Lady Li Lu panicked and hurriedly helped him up. Gently stroking his hair, she said softly, “Kuo, you’re meant to achieve great things. Don’t let any concerns for me hold you back. If you neglect your studies to take care of me, how can I face your grandfather in the afterlife?”

Caressing her son’s cheek affectionately, Lady Li Lu couldn’t help but marvel at how his face resembled his grandfather’s—deep-set eyes, a straight nose, and a well-proportioned face. Looking at her son, she seemed to see her husband in his youth. “Kuo, those who aim for greatness shouldn’t be bothered by trivial matters. Go ahead and focus on your studies. I have Xiao Liu and the others to take care of me, so don’t worry.”

Li Kuo nodded silently and bowed deeply to his mother. “Mother, I’ll go to the Imperial Academy today. Please take care of yourself!”

Reluctantly turning away, he packed the writing brushes and inkstones into his already prepared bag and left in a solemn silence.

Lady Li Lu leaned against the faded doorframe, watching her son’s retreating figure, a smile appearing on her lips.

In front of the Imperial Academy in Chang’an, a crowd had already gathered. Scholars recommended by various provinces and counties had arrived in the capital, waiting for the head of the academy to hold the enrollment ceremony. Li Kuo, carrying a blue cloth bag, walked slowly among the scholars from different places.

“Brother Kuo!”

Zhang Yanji spotted Li Kuo in the distance and shouted excitedly. Ignoring the calls of the servants behind him, he pushed through the crowd and soon reached his friend’s side.

“Yanji? It’s you.”

Surprised to see his friend there, Li Kuo was taken aback.

“Heh… um…”

Hearing this, Zhang Yanji’s cheeks turned red as he twisted his hands together, stammering and falling silent.

“Hmph! My master has been recommended by our lord, so I can enter the Imperial Academy without taking exams,” said the young man dressed like a servant, pushing his way forward and puffing out his chest proudly.

Zhang Yanji glared at the young servant and said sternly, “Zhang Fu, why do you talk so much? Haven’t I taught you to be cautious and low-key?”
Zhang Fu hung his head slightly and mumbled through pursed lips, “It was him who asked, so why can’t I speak?”
“What did you say?”
Zhang Yanji stepped forward urgently and demanded an answer.
Li Kuo pulled his friend’s arm and said with a smile, “Let it go. He’s doing it for your own good. Besides, having you as a companion, I won’t be too lonely studying at the Imperial Academy.”
Just as the two were about to continue their conversation, someone ahead shouted, “The head instructor has come out! He’s here to give a speech!”
Pushed by those behind them, the two had no choice but to follow the crowd forward.
Before they could settle down, Su Bingwen, the head instructor of the Tang Dynasty’s Imperial Academy, was already standing on the platform, waving to the students.
Once everyone quieted down, Su Bingwen cleared his throat and spoke loudly, “I hear that all of you are talents recommended by various counties and prefectures. Now that you’ve come to the Imperial Academy to study, you must discipline yourselves, observe propriety, and study hard. I hope you will follow the teachings of the sages, harbor great ambitions, and quickly become capable of serving the court and the Tang Dynasty.”
“Long live the head instructor!”
“Long live the Tang Dynasty!”
“We will surely study hard!”
The crowd below instantly became filled with enthusiasm. Some excited students waved their fists vigorously and shouted.
Su Bingwen pressed his palm downward to signal the students to be quiet.
“Today is your first day at the academy. For now, the academic directors will lead you to your dormitories to rest. Tomorrow at dawn, gather at the Wenhua Hall for roll call, where the academic directors will assign subjects to you. Those who fail to show up three times will be expelled from the academy. Please take care. Those who excel in their studies will be recommended to the emperor by me. One day, the Tang Dynasty will be proud of you!”
“Long live the Tang Dynasty!”
“Long live the emperor!”
The head instructor’s words stirred everyone’s passion. Even Zhang Yanji, who had originally only wanted to come to the academy to accompany his friend, was now excited, waving his fists and shouting loudly, completely forgetting his original intention.
“Young master, young master! Stop shouting. The head instructor has left!”
Seeing that his master was still immersed in the enthusiastic atmosphere, Zhang Fu gently reminded him.
“Oh, then let’s go inside too.”
Zhang Yanji waved his robe sleeve and stepped forward into the Hongwen Hall of the Imperial Academy.
The Imperial Academy in the capital region was the highest institution of learning in the Tang Dynasty. Every year, it accepted outstanding students from various counties and prefectures of the Tang Dynasty, as well as foreign students from Silla, Fusang, and other places. The academy was taught by the most learned scholars in the Tang Dynasty, who provided the best educational resources for the students.

In the early years of the Kaiyuan era, Emperor Li Sanlang of the Tang Dynasty ordered the Ministry of Works to renovate and expand the Imperial Academy, and personally inscribed a plaque for it. To this day, the Imperial Academy is a vast complex covering nearly half a fang in area. The entire academy is divided into four halls. The Chongwen Hall serves as the central venue where imperial scholars teach students from the Tang Dynasty. To the west lies the Chongren Hall, used for teaching foreign students from Silla, Fusang, and other places. The Anren Hall at the east end is reserved for the children of the royal family and nobles. The Yanjia Hall in the rear courtyard is designated for students from various regions to rest and stay overnight.

Li Kuo and Zhang Yanji were led by their instructor to the rear courtyard. The Yanjia Hall was further divided into four categories based on the status of the students: Chengen, Guangtian, Baifu, and Guizhen. Thanks to the recommendation of civil officials of rank five or higher in the court, the two were able to stay in the second category, the Guangtian Hall.

After walking through two covered corridors and a small garden, they arrived at their residence in the Imperial Academy—the Lingjing Pavilion.

It was Zhang Yanji’s first time away from home, and he excitedly pointed at many new things inside, talking nonstop. Their instructor sternly reprimanded him, warning him repeatedly to pay attention to his behavior and manners.

Li Kuo apologized to the instructor on Zhang Yanji’s behalf several times before he was allowed to calm down. Watching the instructor walk away, Li Kuo sighed softly, “Sigh, what can I say? You still have a childlike mind. From now on, you must not act recklessly and violate the teachings of the sages.”

Zhang Yanji stuck out his tongue and whispered, “I was just too excited. Brother Kuo, it’s really fate that we got assigned the same courtyard.”

“You!” Li Kuo lightly tapped his friend’s forehead, smiling wryly in exasperation.

Note 1: According to “Research on the Neighborhoods of the Two Capitals of the Tang Dynasty,” the Imperial Academy was located in Wuben Fang, with the Grand Preceptor as its highest official, equivalent to the president of a modern university.