Chapter 195: First Arrival at the Imperial College
Translator: DragonRider
Maybe afraid that his father would nag him again if he failed to do what he’d been told to, Yuwen Jin intensively analyzed the situation in the Imperial College for Ling Zhang on their way to the college.
Even in an ordinary academy of classical learning, there were cliques of students. Students from rich families and those from impoverished families, for example, almost inevitably would detest each other on sight, and students of the Oriental Rite Academy were no exception in this regard.
However, the reason why the situation in the Imperial College struck people as chaotic was because in the Imperial College something more complicated was involved apart from strife between students of noble birth and those from humble beginnings. Due to its special position, almost all students in the Imperial College were of noble blood, and students from poor families only accounted for a very small proportion. There was a great disparity in number. Students of humble origins were totally outmatched and could barely breathe under the pressure from their rivals.
As a result, the strife between these two sides in the Imperial College was negligible. The source of the chaotic situation in this college was related to the factions at students’ back. The incumbent emperor had a suspicious mind and was fond of using checks and balances to make sure his subordinates toed the line. Partisan wrangle between rival factions was very intense. Moreover, princes had all reached adulthood, each of whom represented a particular side. Most students of the Imperial College were children of dignitaries, so they unavoidably were affected by the factions in the imperial court and engaged in internal strife in the Imperial College.
Ling Zhang would never choose such a troublesome place if he really wanted to learn some academic knowledge. His best choice was the Oriental Rite Academy, but the emperor had interfered and upset Ling Zhang’s plan with an imperial edict, which was why Ling Zhang now had no option but to enter the Imperial College where he would almost certainly be dragged into things he want no part of.
“Why did you choose the Imperial College instead of the Oriental Rite Academy?” Ling Zhang inquired of Yuwen Jin.
Yuwen Jin blinked and replied, “I just like its uproariousness. The Oriental Rite Academy is so boring. The Imperial College is the kind of place where I can pursue my talents. It’s as chaotic as a battlefield where a general like me is needed to bring peace. Don’t you think so?”
Ling Zhang didn’t know what to say.
‘Why didn’t I discover earlier Yuwen Jin was such a narcissist? Is this guy reliable?’ he wondered.
“Be careful not to be bested by a bunch of kids, general. Otherwise you won’t even be able to find a shoulder to cry on,” Yuwen Tong said to Yuwen Jin.
Yuwen Jin immediately replied, “Then teach me some military strategy and tactics, cousin. I’m the one who has the duty to protect Brother Zhang, and I cannot do that if you don’t teach me military strategy and tactics.”
Ling Zhang vaguely saw the light. ‘Yuwen Jin has been waiting for this moment all along.’
Yuwen Tong said, “Though your father has separated from Yuwen family, he still has a lot of books on the art of war in hand. Why ignore them and ask me?”
Yuwen Jin responded, “But my grandfather is unwilling to let me read them. Besides, you are a marshal. I’m sure you know more.”
In order to have Yuwen Tong teach him military strategy and tactics, Yuwen Jin made a lot of remarks of praise and tried his level best to fawn on Yuwen Tong. Eventually, his efforts paid off. Yuwen Tong reluctantly said, “Maybe I can teach you some.”
Yuwen Jin cheered. “You’re the best, cousin!”
For fear that Yuwen Tong might go back on his words, Yuwen Jin quickly told Ling Zhang that he would go to the Ling Mansion to learn from Yuwen Tong whenever there was a day off at the Imperial College.
Now that Yuwen Tong himself had agreed, so naturally Ling Zhang raised no objection.
…
The Imperial College was very far away from the Ling Mansion. It took them almost an hour to get there by horse-drawn carriage.
Yuwen Jin’s horse-drawn carriage was inconspicuous, but Yuwen family was very famous. Though Yuwen You had separated from Yuwen family, his surname was still Yuwen. Apart from the fact that Yuwen Tong was close to Yuwen You’s family, Yuwen Jin’s father, uncle and grandfather were all officials of the imperial court, not a bunch of nobodies, so the Imperial College designated someone to welcome them.
Yuwen Jin was the first one to get out of the carriage. Ling Zhang was the second. Seeing Ling Zhang, the one coming to their welcome was confused. “May I have your name?”
“My name is Ling Zhang. I’m also here to enter school,” replied Ling Zhang.
Expression in the man’s eyes slightly changed as he heard the name. He was just about to say something when he saw Yuwen Tong get out of the carriage. With a drastic change of his countenance, he hastily walked up. “I’m Feng Zhangshi. It’s a great honor to meet you, Marshal.”
The man had only expected to see two students entering school. It had never crossed his mind that Yuwen Tong would show up, so he immediately greeted him with profound respect and humility.
“There’s no need for formalities,” said Yuwen Tong. “I just happened to be going their way, and I have no intention of alarming anybody.”
‘Happened to be going their way? Who’d believe this? This college is in such an out-of-the-way area. Who would happen to be going this way?’ Feng Zhangshi wondered.
The name of the one who had come to their welcome was Feng Zhangshi. He was an executive in the Imperial College, and also a well-informed man, so naturally he knew who Ling Zhang was to Yuwen Tong, and he had also heard all those rumors in the capital city. Now seeing Yuwen Tong had specially seen Ling Zhang to this place, he came to realize that Yuwen Tong’s intention was manifestly to tell everybody in this college that he was at Ling Zhang’s back.
In an instant a lot of thoughts crossed Feng Zhangshi’s mind. The one he was most certain about was that Yuwen Tong valued Ling Zhang, which differed from some rumors claiming otherwise. The principal, by sending him here to welcome Yuwen Jin and Ling Zhang, was seemingly treating Ling Zhang the same way he did other students from noble families, but in fact, this suggested that the principal didn’t really think highly of Ling Zhang. If any of these two students were son of a high-ranking official, the principal would no doubt have personally come here to welcome them.
Nobody had expected that Yuwen Tong would come here together with them.
Seeing there was nobody else behind Feng Zhangshi, Yuwen Tong, who was worldly-wise, immediately came to understand what was going on. He was not the kind of person who liked to abuse their position and throw their weight about, but in a place like the capital city, the political hierarchy could literally be suffocating, particularly in the Imperial College where the situation was terribly chaotic. If he didn’t do anything that could act as a deterrent to those people, who knew what kind of underhand means they would use to make trouble for Ling Zhang?
“I’ve never been in the Imperial College before. May I go inside with them to take a look?”
Feng Zhangshi naturally agreed immediately and led Yuwen Tong, Ling Zhang and Yuwen Jin towards the front gate.
What was happening at the gateway also attracted the attention of some students coming in and out of the college. Since Yuwen Tong stayed in border areas almost all the year around, many students had only heard his name but never seen him before. As a result, at first nobody recognized him; they were just somewhat surprised to see that Feng Zhangshi was behaving so deferentially, and they also cast an appraising look at Ling Zhang and Yuwen Jin.
Surprisingly, in these circumstances, Yuwen Jin seemed to be the relatively famous one, for someone recognized him.
“That Yuwen Jin from the offshoot of Yuwen family also gained admission?”
“Who are the two men beside him? That taller one is quite imposing. I don’t even dare look back at him when he looks at me.”
Hearing the discussion of those students, Feng Zhangshi led Ling Zhang and the other two forwards, planning to take them to see the principal. Yuwen Tong, who could tell at a glance what his intention was, refused to be led by the nose, saying, “Where are we going? If there are any particular things that students entering school need to do, just directly take us there.”
Feng Zhangshi was briefly surprised and then immediately replied, “We don’t dare to put you to the bother, Marshal. We’ve already handled all admission procedures for Childe Yuwen and Childe Ling some time ago. All they need to do is go directly to the professor to confirm it and then the courses may directly start.”
Yuwen Tong said, “Okay, then. Let’s go and meet this professor.”
Feng Zhangshi flicked a glance at Yuwen Tong’s face. Seeing his flinty dignified countenance which deterred people from looking him in the eyes, Feng Zhangshi was uncertain of Yuwen Tong’s intention, so he had no choice but to obey, “Of course, of course. This way please, Marshal. This way, childes.”
“I don’t dare. After you, sir,” said Ling Zhang.
Feng Zhangshi cast a look at him. ‘Rumor has it that Ling Zhang is domineering and arrogant, but he doesn’t seem that kind of person.’
The Imperial College covered a large area. All necessary fields and buildings were included. Apart from classrooms for teaching, there were also courtyard houses for professors to live in as well as various chambers to accommodate students. By foot, a trip around the Imperial College would take more than a day.
This was also the first time that Ling Zhang had seen the scenery in the Imperial College, which came as a real revelation to him.
At this moment, finally some people recognized Yuwen Tong. It was a group of students walking towards them, all of whom were wearing students’ uniform. The one heading them was of noble demeanor. His countenance and presence were different from those of others as well.
As he saw Ling Zhang and the others, he merely flicked a casual glance at him, but to his surprise, Yuwen Tong was among them. He immediately halted and exclaimed in a pleasantly surprised tone of voice, “Marshal?”
His voice was loud. All students nearby heard him, paused and looked in astonishment at the man who had just called Yuwen Tong, and then they shifted their gaze to Yuwen Tong. “Marshal? Yuwen Tong?”
“What brings you to the Imperial College, Marshal?” The one who called Yuwen Tong walked up to him, face full of excitement.
Ling Zhang flicked an appraising look at this man, somewhat confused. ‘This guy seems to be pretty happy to see Yuwen Tong. Is he by any chance someone Yuwen Tong knows?’
Unexpectedly, Yuwen Tong was also briefly puzzled as he saw that person. “Who are you?”
It was after hearing this that the man realized he hadn’t made a self-introduction yet, so he said, “Please pardon my impoliteness. I’m Jiang Yu. My grandfather is Jiang Changfeng, the Prime Minister. Three years ago, I had the good fortune to attend a banquet in the imperial palace with my grandfather, where I saw you once. It was just that you were too busy back then and didn’t notice me.”
‘Jiang Changfeng?’ Ling Zhang unnoticeably gazed at Jiang Yu. ‘He’s grandson of Jiang Changfeng, the incumbent Prime Minister?’ If Yuwen Tong was the most influential military commander, then Jiang Changfeng would be the most influential civil official in office. On top of this, Jiang Changfeng was also a relative of the emperor. The emperor’s mother was a member of Jiang family, which meant Jiang Changfeng was the emperor’s uncle.
‘So this Jiang Yu guy is also kin to the emperor. It’s true what they say that many students of this college are of noble birth,’ thought Ling Zhang.
He decided to keep quiet first. This man named Jiang Yu was grandson of Jiang Changfeng and had been born with a silver spoon in his mouth, and it was hard to say what kind of person he was.
“So you’re grandson of the Prime Minister.” Yuwen Tong blandly gave a nod. He had amazingly good memory and was capable of memorizing anything at a glance, but he had no familiarity with this man named Jiang Yu. Three years ago, he attended and left the palace banquet in such haste that he didn’t pay attention to most invited guests, so of course he didn’t notice Jiang Yu.
After making that remark, Yuwen Tong lapsed into silence. Seeing Jiang Yu was still standing before him, he was somewhat puzzled.
For an instant Jiang Yu’s countenance subtly froze, for the puzzlement on Yuwen Tong’s face was too noticeable, which was almost synonymous with directly asking him why he didn’t just walk away.
“Is there any particular business that you came here to attend to, Marshal? Do you need me to lead the way for you?” Jiang Yu quickly concealed the hint of unnaturalness on his face and looked at Yuwen Tong with a smile.
As regards Ling Zhang and Yuwen Jin who were standing beside Yuwen Tong, Jiang Yu seemed to have already forgotten their existence.
Ling Zhang and Yuwen Jin exchanged glances but neither of them said anything.
Clearly Jiang Yu was here for Yuwen Tong.
Ling Zhang, seeing Jiang Yu throwing himself at Yuwen Tong, couldn’t help but think of Tao Yi. He had already classified Jiang Yu into the type of idolaters like Tao Yi.
But Yuwen Jin secretly gave Ling Zhang’s sleeve a pull and observed under his breath, “This Jiang Yu guy is so supercilious. I can tell at a glance that he’s an asshole. You mustn’t let my cousin agree to it.”
