Chapter 1755 – Fail the Exam and Get Held Back
“…Among you, over ninety percent are from the first batch of students admitted when the academy was established, having studied here for twelve long years. Life is fleeting, just around a hundred years, and you’ve already spent more than a tenth of it in the academy…” Nie Xun repeated what he had said several times, scanning the young faces below him with a slight smile, “…In life, what is sought after are merely the four characters: fame and fortune. After years of diligent study, it’s finally time for you to showcase your aspirations. Leaving the academy means entering a broader world out there…”
At this moment, the concept of “graduation” didn’t really exist.
Even prestigious families couldn’t provide such high-quality and systematic education for over a decade; they mostly learned as they aged. But the Golden Scales Academy was established by Jiang Pengji, and to save on teaching resources and lighten the teachers’ burdens, students of higher grades who were sufficiently proficient should pack up and go… No, they should get out there and work like oxen for her. After so many years of training, what was it all for?
The graduating students would leave the academy, and the first-year students would take their place.
Thus, the cycle would continue, with waves upon waves of fresh recruits.
If students wanted to further their studies, they could easily borrow books from the Golden Scales Pavilion; the academy’s teachers wouldn’t teach them for a lifetime.
This news hit the majority of the students like a bolt from the blue.
They… they were used to studying at the academy and weren’t ready to leave just yet.
Nie Xun conveyed Jiang Pengji’s intentions: graduating wasn’t about rushing students out but rather recognizing that their studies at the academy had concluded, having met the established requirements, thus marking the end of this phase of learning. At the same time, graduation also meant that their years of learning would be acknowledged by the academy and various esteemed scholars; they’d have the credentials to use this as a stepping stone for advancement and might even be selected by Lan Ting for official positions.
Once this news broke, the students shifted from dejection, worry, and confusion to excitement and fervor!!!
Advancement to official positions!
They had worked hard for years, wasn’t it all to change their fates?
These students were among the first batch of Golden Scales Academy’s attendees, one hundred boys and one hundred girls, along with a few interlopers like Feng Yi. Their total number didn’t exceed two hundred ten. This batch consisted of the orphans of fallen soldiers; in other words, they were commoners.
Commoners qualified to study for twelve years and qualify for government positions—it was almost a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to change their lineage!
In an instant, the students were buzzing with excitement.
They thought each of them would certainly be called upon for an official position, after all, Jiang Pengji had invested twelve years of manpower and resources, so how could she waste talent? However, Nie Xun’s next statement knocked them straight from their euphoric high back to bewilderment.
“Those who fail the graduation assessment must either leave the academy or repeat a year and continue participating in the test with the next grade.”
Everyone: “…”
Huh?
Graduating requires an assessment?
Nie Xun explained, “The graduation assessment is to evaluate your academic achievements over the years at the academy. After graduating, the academy will permanently keep your academic records, and no matter where you go in the future, you will always be a student of the Golden Scales Academy. Each of you represents the academy and serves as its face. The academy won’t let students with poor academic performance go out and tarnish its long-standing good reputation. Therefore, we have set up this graduation assessment, and only those with excellent grades will be qualified to graduate and leave. In the future, whether you serve as officials, educate others, or settle down, every action must be measured and cannot bring shame to the academy.”
His tone was stern, and the students felt the pressure emanating from him, instinctively behaving a bit more obediently.
“The assessment is scheduled for the end of the first month after the New Year.”
The crowd changed their expressions; this timing… was not giving anyone a chance to relax after the New Year.
“Those who pass the academy’s graduation assessment will be eligible to participate in the assessment personally hosted by Lan Ting in May of the following year. Those who pass will be granted government positions.” Nie Xun dropped another bombshell, “And you won’t be competing solely with your classmates; there will also be 85 ladies from the girl class and scholars from the Golden Scales Pavilion. You all must uphold the academy’s reputation and give it your all.”
Feng Yi had a question.
“Teacher, can you give us a rough outline of the assessment content?”
Nie Xun replied, “Tentatively set for the Six Arts of the Gentleman’s Studies—six subjects in total.”
Everyone: “…”
Someone trembled and asked, “Do the ladies from the girl class also participate?”
“They’ve also studied hard in the academy for years, of course they will.”
Nie Xun silently sighed.
There should be around a hundred girls in the girl class, but a few older ones couldn’t endure the pressure and chose to get married and have children, while some went to the military to fight. The remaining 85 were orphans without parental guidance, lacking relatives to make decisions for them… These female students felt the academy was quieter and safer, and with no immediate thoughts of marriage, they simply continued studying at the academy.
Upon hearing this, the students inwardly groaned.
It was no joke—those girls were incredibly skilled, well beyond the capabilities of the average woman.
Competing against them was just cruel.
Yet, since the assessment would cover the Six Arts of the Gentleman’s Studies, which included rites, music, archery, charioteering, writing, and mathematics, the girl class didn’t have an advantage in most subjects, except for archery and charioteering. Moreover, as long as they weren’t engaged in one-on-one physical combat, their male class wouldn’t fall short in horseback archery either.
Thinking this way, the students felt a bit of reassurance return.
As long as they weren’t forced into direct combat with the ladies one-on-one, they still had a chance!
Seeing the students naturally accepting the fact that they would be competing alongside girls, Nie Xun felt a bit stunned.
However, he quickly understood.
These students from the Golden Scales Academy had lived in the academy for more than a decade, isolated from external influences. They had received an open-minded education, and their thoughts were progressive. Moreover, during major classes, they often interacted with girl class students, making comparisons. In their minds, there was nothing wrong with “women being called upon.” If someone disparaged this notion in front of them, they would likely think that person was being unreasonable.
This was, of course, the result Jiang Pengji hoped to achieve.
It was hard to change adult thinking, but children were different.
“To ensure you all pass the graduation assessment smoothly, the upcoming learning will be quite intensive, and you mustn’t complain.”
After a serious moment, Nie Xun’s tone finally softened, carrying a hint of amusement.
The students whispered among themselves.
“What’s hardship in the grand scheme of things? Failing the assessment is the real issue…”
Failing the assessment meant their twelve years of learning would go unrecognized, and they would have to repeat and take tests alongside the next batch—what a disgrace.
Everyone tensed up, and they could hardly sleep without dreaming of reviewing their lessons.
#I Love Learning, Learning Makes Me Happy#
The academy teachers worried that these students might exhaust themselves with constant studying, so when the Lantern Festival approached, they encouraged the students to go out and have a little fun for a day or two.
Of course, the real reason was that the teachers wanted to enjoy the holiday and watch the lantern festivities too!
