Chapter 17

June in Anqiu County was scorching under the sun, yet the county seat was bustling with many people, most wearing simple blue robes, giving them a distinct appearance.

These were the scholars who had hurried in from the rural towns, preparing to take the county school examinations.

Even the youngest among them was in his thirties or forties, having previously taught village children or worked as bookkeepers.

At other times, literacy served little practical purpose.

But now that the county school was recruiting teachers, they immediately registered.

In the past, they would have scoffed, convinced the county school only accepted insiders, and would never admit these scholars without connections.

But now, with Magistrate Ji presiding, it was clear that only genuine talent and scholarship mattered.

Once in the county, this was even more evident.

This recruitment was divided by subject, primarily seeking teachers of the Four Books, with four separate exams; each teacher could register for up to two subjects.

Thus, specializing in one subject offered a chance to teach at the county school.

This clearly signaled a reformation of the county school.

There were separate exams for teachers.

Students had their own assessments.

Literacy throughout Anqiu County was being mobilized, each with their tasks.

For ordinary folk, the questions were whether to send their children to school—there was always next year if they failed this year—and whether to learn beekeeping.

While some hesitated about schooling, almost no one doubted the value of beekeeping; if anyone in the family had time, they would be sent to learn.

Learning beekeeping meant an additional income for the family, which was highly desirable.

As always, even if honey sales faltered, it could serve as a reserve food source for the household.

This atmosphere made the few soldiers who had arrived from the garrison quite uncomfortable.

After the summer harvest, the border counties usually entered their bleakest period.

Most of the hard-earned grain would be taken as land tax, leaving families to fret over their meager remaining stores.

Anqiu County was no exception in past years.

But this year was remarkably different.

“Could it be that Anqiu County truly has a good official now?”

“Last winter’s relief aid—at first, we thought it was just a new official’s temporary enthusiasm, but now it seems he’s genuinely capable.”

Not only capable but considerate of the people.

Yet when thinking of their own intentions, they maintained a stiff front, planning to negotiate terms later.

But to their surprise, when they explained their purpose, the gatekeeper immediately said, “What business do you have at the government offices? Go to the county school—the specific requirements are there.”

The soldiers glanced at each other, surprised: “Students from military households are accepted too?”

“Yes,” the gatekeeper replied. “The magistrate said only performance matters, nothing else. Anyone from Anqiu County can take the exam.”

Wonderful news.

They had feared rejection but were reassured by their comrades’ inquiries.

Even so, they came together to inquire.

What they had expected to be a tedious matter was resolved with ease.

Walking through the streets of Anqiu County, their spirits lifted, just like the locals’.

Families had food on their tables, children had books to read.

Life held promise.

Magistrate Ji truly was a good official.

When returning to the garrison, they even bought some honey to share with their comrades.

Honey was cheap in Anqiu County, a sweet treat for the brothers.

Meanwhile, Magistrate Ji was busy wrapping up the summer tax collection.

This summer, they collected sixteen million four hundred eighty thousand jin of grain in land taxes, equivalent to fifty-six thousand taels of silver.

Ji Chu tried to pay as much in silver as possible, leaving the rest of the grain as local reserves.

The county granary had just been refurbished and was undergoing final checks.

Once the summer tax was complete, he could finally breathe easier.

He had already paid less land tax this year; any further delay would have doomed his annual assessment.

When the summer tax was sealed, Fan Shiye, responsible for transporting the tax silver, and Ma Shuli, the accompanying clerk, prepared to set off.

Ma Shuli was quite excited.

Such an important task entrusted to him!

He also had other duties—to purchase extra paper, ink, and brushes in the prefectural city for the county school’s use.

Moreover, he was to bring Anqiu’s honey along, hoping to find buyers there.

Several supplies needed to be transported as well.

Magistrate Ji’s trust in him was immense, and he was determined to fulfill his tasks diligently.

Watching the tax transport caravan depart, the summer tax was finally settled!

Ji Chu then turned his attention to the county school.

Less than ten days remained before the teacher examinations, and he would also have to participate, which troubled him somewhat.

Although he possessed the memories of his predecessor, knowing something and being able to do it were two different matters.

He could evaluate others’ writings, but judging them himself was daunting.

So before the teacher exams, Ji Chu buried himself in study in his study.

Fortunately, his predecessor had a solid foundation, so the reading was not difficult.

In fact, combining that foundation with his own past experiences allowed him to understand more deeply, even integrating Eastern and Western knowledge.

Ji Chu not only studied himself but also taught his wife Le Wei and his nephew Ji Zhen.

For a time, all of Anqiu County was engaged in learning!

All for the exams!

They charged forward!

The summer, which should have been a time of rest, became a series of successive exams in Anqiu County.

At the end of June, over thirty scholars came for the exams—written tests first, then oral interviews.

Finally, they stood before the magistrate himself.

Ji Chu and the education supervisor carefully selected twelve teachers of the Four Books.

They had yet to find anyone outstanding in the Five Classics, so that was put aside for now.

Thankfully, proficiency in the Four Books was enough to qualify as a scholar this year.

With teachers selected, recruitment began.

To everyone’s surprise, as soon as registration opened, application forms poured in like snowflakes.

Even more astonishingly, many of these applicants were talented and well-learned.

Wasn’t Anqiu County poor, with little scholarly tradition?

They had never seen so many studious people before.

Only after examining the applications closely did they realize many students had studied elsewhere and, upon hearing about the improved conditions at their home county school, insisted on returning at any cost.

Free tuition, free room and board.

Such a good deal?

Besides, with the current situation in Anqiu County, who wouldn’t know?

With Magistrate Ji here, returning was the best choice.

This left the education supervisor so delighted he was nearly speechless.

So many well-educated students?

Even some who had studied the Five Classics.

Judging by their handwriting, they were excellent.

He had always thought Anqiu County was poor and its students mediocre, only able to select from wealthy families.

He never imagined so many gifted students were “hidden” away.

Half a month after registration began, over one hundred had signed up.

Could it be that Magistrate Ji had anticipated this all along?

That’s why he had spread the word in May, yet set the exam for October—to let more locals know and encourage more to return to study?

They had effortlessly gathered a fine batch of students.

Thus, the county was not talentless, nor was it lacking poor but capable scholars.

They simply had never been given the chance to come forward.

Once given opportunity, they sprang up like bamboo shoots after rain.

They say good horses are easy to find, but fine horse trainers are rare.

This was truly the case.

Without Magistrate Ji’s revitalization of the county school, so many students would never have returned.

The education supervisor swallowed hard: “With so many excellent students, perhaps our county has hope for the scholar exams next year?”

Ji Chu replied, “Good seedlings need good habits. That restless spirit must never enter the county school.”

He added, “They are all scholars; you know how to improve their scores. Do not take this lightly.”

He had brought in promising students.

Funds for schooling were secured.

Even the teaching rules and school regulations were clearly written out by him.

If they failed to produce a few scholars now, he might as well give up being the education supervisor.

Yet, there was another matter.

The influx of students from outside Anqiu County might squeeze out the slots for the wealthy local families.

Would they accept that?

Furthermore, some of the applicants were from military households, known for their resilience.

Those wealthy students might find themselves pushed back.

The county school had only seventy places.

Could these newcomers get in?

Though the quota was sizable, some applicants were simply unqualified.

“That’s not our concern,” Ji Chu smiled. “If they want to study, then they must study hard.”

“There are still four months left—isn’t that enough time for them to learn?”

At that moment, in the home of a prominent Anqiu County gentry family, voices rose in angry shouts.

“Ji Chu! How dare you deceive us!”

“I heard nearly two hundred have applied, and only seventy will be chosen! What a joke!”

“Even students from military households can come—why is that?”

“Registration isn’t even closed yet; our chances just got slimmer.”

After the outburst, the parents stood menacingly behind their sons and daughters.

One said, “Our family donated silver to the county school; if you don’t pass, that money was wasted.”

“From today, you study seven hours a day—no learning, no meals!”

“We donated money but can’t get in? I won’t lose face—get to studying!”

Some asked, “Father, you’re well-respected in Anqiu County; will you really be toyed with by a powerless magistrate like Ji?”

“Are you going to just accept this?”

Their patriarch sneered coldly.

Naturally, they resented Ji Chu’s methods.

Using their donations to benefit poor students, making their sons unable even to attend as companions.

Yet they understood only Ji Chu’s approach could raise the students’ morale.

It was good for their children in the long run.

Besides, who was Ji Chu? He surely knew what he was doing.

Magistrate Ji also understood his position in Anqiu County was strong enough to withstand their opposition.

Anyone who dared confront him would face the anger of all the county’s people, especially those from military households.

Who said they had no backing? His support was the entire populace of Anqiu County.

“Enough talk, get back to memorizing!”

“If you don’t get into the county school, prepare for family punishment!”

As the county school gradually took shape, a beekeeper lingered nervously near the entrance.

He wished to register as a beekeeping teacher but was unsure if it was possible.

His gaze was timid, afraid of the stares around him.

Should he just leave?

He was about to retreat but thought of his family—no, he must go.

Being a teacher meant earning silver; to support his family, he had to try.

Approaching the county school, the gatekeeper looked at him in astonishment.

The beekeeper seemed used to such looks and asked, “Does the county school recruit beekeeping teachers?”

“We do. Are you applying?”

He nodded, “Yes.”

“But you have no hands.”

“How can you teach?”

It turned out the beekeeper had no hands, the limbs missing from the wrists.

His eyes dimmed as he recounted his story.

Eight years ago, he had both hands and was a renowned local beekeeper.

But that year, his hands were severely stung.

Before they healed, winter came.

“That year was especially cold,” he said with sorrow.

“The wounds wouldn’t heal. When the doctor finally came, amputation was the only option.”

In just a few words, he broke nearly everyone’s heart.

In the bitter winter, lacking sufficient clothing, food, and fuel, frostbite, death, and amputation were common.

Some thought, if only Magistrate Ji had been there then.

Ji would have provided winter relief and reduced taxes to ensure people had enough to eat.

With warmth and food, many tragedies could have been avoided.

If Ji had been present, such misfortunes would not have occurred.

“The magistrate said if your beekeeping knowledge is sound, you can stay!” the clerk who relayed the message said, eyes shining with happiness for the disabled beekeeper. “He only looks at ability, nothing else.”

“My father and grandfather both kept bees. I’m very skilled,” the beekeeper said, something he hadn’t dared claim for years.

Yet in beekeeping, he truly was exceptional.

Hearing this, the county school students recalled their fathers’ words about Magistrate Ji’s true backing.

They began to understand.

Magistrate Ji treated people so well.

How could they not wholeheartedly support him?

No wonder their families never dared oppose him.

They simply could not win.

It was best to obey Magistrate Ji’s words quietly.