Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 150: Banquet and Flower-Pinning
By the time the good-news officers reached the correct household, the newly admitted shengyuan gathered at Mingyuan Tower in Yingtian’s Jiangnan Gongyuan had finally welcomed the education commissioner.
Zhu Ping’an had first seen the education commissioner when entering the opening session of the academy examination. At the time he had only caught a brief glimpse of a stern man in his fifties; now he finally had the chance to observe him up close.
The education commissioner was around fifty years old, but looked not a bit old, full of energy. He was considered a handsome man in the elderly category, appearing as serious as ever. Even when he ascended the stairs, he didn’t chat with the accompanying officials, still exuding a strong aura, likely a natural result of having held a high position for so long.
The education commissioner was a provincial-level official responsible for educational affairs. Officials from the schools of Southern Zhili accompanied him.
“Good, good, a gathering of talents,” the education commissioner said as he arrived at the top of the stairs, looking around at everyone and nodding in satisfaction.
“This junior pays his respects to the Education Commissioner.”
Zhu Ping’an, along with the other new students, respectfully bowed to welcome the arrival of the education commissioner.
“Don’t, don’t. Today, you all are the priority. I will step aside,” the education commissioner waved his hand, signaling for everyone not to be overly formal.
Although he said so, Zhu Ping’an and the other new students did not dare to act presumptuously, still showing respect and politeness without overstepping.
“Glorious China, its history handed down through the written word. The Master spoke of tribute and taxation; the Book of Songs embodies refined learning. China’s reverence for learning arises from the scholarly world and flourishes through it. Those of the scholarly world, whether high in the halls of government, care for the people; even when far from court, they remain concerned for their ruler. Today it is the scholarly world’s good fortune to welcome you, and yours to enter it. I hope you continue striving, do not tarnish the reputation of scholars, and devote yourselves to the country and its people…”
After the education commissioner took his seat, he began his lecture to the new students, essentially stating that the scholarly world is powerful and that they were excellent, encouraging them to keep up the good work.
After the education commissioner finished, an elderly official with graying hair rose to summarize this year’s academy examination, declaring it successful and satisfactory before adding the usual ceremonial remarks.
Once the speeches ended, it was time for the day’s main event: the flower-pinning ceremony.
After acknowledging everyone, the education commissioner began the flower-pinning rite. It did not literally mean pinning a flower into one’s hair. Each new shengyuan received a red flower together with a reward of two taels of silver. The amount was modest, but the symbolism mattered: the scholarly world had formally opened its doors to them.
After the flower-pinning ceremony, the education commissioner and the other school officials were to lead the newly admitted shengyuan to the Confucius Temple to pay their respects to Confucius, much like paying homage to a school’s founding patriarch.
However, after the flower pin ceremony, there was a small twist. The education commissioner asked the surrounding officials something, and after receiving an answer, he looked at the new students and asked, “Among you, who is Zhu Ping’an?”
Uh, could it be that what happened yesterday has been revealed? Despite feeling surprised, Zhu Ping’an stood up, bowed, and said, “I pay my respects to the education commissioner. I am indeed Zhu Ping’an.”
“Come forward,” the education commissioner waved his hand.
What was happening? Why did he want him to step forward?
So, Zhu Ping’an walked forward under the curious gazes of everyone.
Soon, everyone’s curiosity turned into envy.
After Zhu Ping’an stepped forward, the education commissioner stroked his long beard and said, “You are the youngest, yet your writing is excellent, rhythmic and full of talent. You must continue to work hard in the future, and one day you will achieve great success. However, do not become complacent and forget your place, and do not imitate the likes of Zhong Yong from the past. Let this be a lesson for you.”
So the Education Commissioner had put considerable thought into his warning.
“The students must remember the teachings,” Zhu Ping’an pretended to look deeply moved, then bowed deeply.
The Education Commissioner was clearly satisfied with that response.
After the exchange, the education commissioner granted a cup of wine as a reward.
It was supposed to be a vow to abstain from alcohol.
It seems plans can’t keep up with changes. Since the education commissioner offered the wine, Zhu Ping’an dared not refuse and had no choice but to accept and drink it.
After the interlude, the Confucius ceremony began.
The education commissioner led the procession, followed by the other officials of Southern Zhili and then the newly admitted shengyuan, as they made their way grandly toward the Confucius Temple.
The road from the Jiangnan Gongyuan to the Confucius Temple had been cleared by yamen runners, allowing only the officials and newly admitted shengyuan through. Pedestrians crowded along both sides, pointing and looking on with envy.
The Confucius-worship ceremony marked their formal entry into the local school: enter the Pan Palace, emerge from the prefectural school, and ascend the road of blue clouds.
“Ritual begins with proper appearance, correct dress, and respectful speech.” The first step in the Confucius ceremony was therefore to straighten robe and cap. The education commissioner and other officials adjusted their attire outside the temple, and Zhu Ping’an and the other newly admitted shengyuan followed suit before entering.
After passing through the Lingxing Gate of the Confucius Temple, they saw a Panchi (pond) in the shape of a semicircle. “Pan” means half water, which is why the pond is semi-circular. In the pond, there were several golden fish, and in the distance, they saw a plaque hanging above the Dacheng Hall with four large, eye-catching characters: “Wan Shi Shi Biao” (“Teacher for Ten Thousand Generations”).
Farther in stood Dacheng Hall. Confucius occupied the central place, with several of his foremost disciples and transmitters of the tradition represented beside him: Yan Hui, Zeng Shen, Kong Ji, and Mencius. Offerings had been arranged before the Sage. The education commissioner and the officials conducted the rites first; then Zhu Ping’an and the other new shengyuan knelt in rows and performed the prescribed bows. Their expressions were solemn but excited—for from this day onward, their social status had changed.
After worshipping Confucius, Zhu Ping’an felt his knees aching and couldn’t help but miss the modern world, where equality and democracy meant no kneeling.
After the Confucius-worship ceremony, only the Flower-Pinning Banquet remained. The education commissioner hosted the new shengyuan, and Zhu Ping’an returned with the others to the banquet grounds at the Jiangnan Gongyuan. The government’s efficiency was impressive: by the time they came back from the temple, the banquet had already been arranged.
Because so many people were attending, the Flower-Pinning Banquet was held outdoors in a spacious part of the Jiangnan Gongyuan.
The banquet was filled with a dazzling array of food and wine, making it hard not to feel hungry.