The gatekeeper found the situation both laughable and tragic. There were indeed many poor families like the Zhangs who hoped that their children could change the family’s fortune through education. To prevent Zhang Laotou from continuing this fantasy, the gatekeeper said, “Zhang Fang’s grades are very poor; he simply cannot pass the examinations. Relying on him to succeed academically is less promising than working hard in the fields—at least that way, you’ll have something to eat!”
He then pointed to a stall at the intersection ahead and told Zhang Laotou, “Look at that person who writes letters at the street corner. He was also a student from our academy, studying diligently for over ten years. He is now in his thirties and has not even qualified as a scholar; he still cannot afford to marry or start a family. Even when his aged mother falls ill, he has no money to buy medicine and can only earn a few coins by writing letters for others. The path of education is not one that everyone can walk.”
Zhang Laotou’s face turned pale, and his hands trembled. He murmured, “No, my Si Lang is not like that person. He has been intelligent since childhood; as long as he focuses on his studies and strives to improve himself, he will certainly pass the examinations!”
The gatekeeper could only look at Zhang Laotou helplessly. Some people are truly lost in the dreams they’ve woven for themselves and cannot be awakened. He sighed and said, “Come with me to see Zhang Fang’s teacher!”
With weak legs, Zhang Laotou followed the gatekeeper into the academy.
The first time he entered here was to send his youngest son to study. At that time, Zhang Laotou felt a mix of inferiority and pride. Compared to other families in the city, the Zhang family was indeed poor. However, compared to other impoverished families, the Zhangs had managed to raise a scholar!
After that, upon meeting his teacher, Zhang Si Lang had earnestly told Zhang Laotou that he would study hard, pass the examinations, and bring glory to their family so that everyone could live a good life! That was the happiest day of Zhang Laotou’s life! He still remembered the serious expression on his youngest son’s face when he said those words.
Whenever he was exhausted from labor, just remembering what his youngest son had said would relieve much of his fatigue. However, he never imagined that his son would go down the wrong path and become a liar filled with vanity. Zhang Laotou felt both angry and heartbroken. Even though he had fallen and injured his thigh two years ago, losing a chunk of flesh and bleeding profusely, it was nothing compared to the suffering he endured these past few days.
When Zhang Si Lang’s teacher, Du Yan, saw Zhang Laotou, he regarded him with a complex expression and slowly said, “Zhang Fang’s situation is not suitable for him to continue studying in the academy. Please take his belongings and do not bring him back.”
Zhang Laotou suddenly knelt down before Du Yan, banging his head on the ground in desperation. “Teacher! You cannot expel my son! He is truly a studious child; it’s just that I haven’t been around for the past few years, and he has gone astray! He has realized his mistakes! He promises to mend his ways! Please, grant the academy one more chance for him! He will certainly pass the examinations!”
Du Yan sighed helplessly, took out a document, and handed it to Zhang Laotou. Without caring if he could understand the results, he urged, “These are all the grades Zhang Fang received during each examination since he enrolled; all of them are lackluster. Even if he studies for another ten years, he won’t pass the examinations.”
Zhang Laotou lifted his head and reached out trembling hands to take the papers. Unable to comprehend the words, he looked at Du Yan with teary eyes and choked out, “Please, grant my son another chance! He can truly change!”
If expelled from the academy, how could Zhang Si Lang have a chance to pass the examinations?
Zhang Laotou had specifically inquired; although Zhang Si Lang had been imprisoned this time due to a financial dispute, he could be released by compensating the brothel. This would not affect his ability to take the imperial examinations. However, if he were expelled from the academy, Zhang Si Lang would lose all chances to participate in the examinations! Without a recommendation from an official school, Zhang Si Lang would never set foot in the examination hall!
Zhang Laotou desperately knocked his head against the ground, saying, “If the teacher is unwilling to give my son this opportunity, then I will kneel here forever! I will die right here in the academy!”
Du Yan was enraged by such shameless threats and glared at Zhang Laotou.
As literati, they care deeply about their reputations, but these marginalized individuals fear nothing. Even though the Zhang family had no influential background, bringing their entire family to the academy to cause a scene would certainly disturb other students’ studies and tarnish the academy’s reputation.
Du Yan had inquired; Zhang Si Lang owed a huge debt of twenty taels of silver this time due to his misdeeds. If he could not repay it within a month, he would be sentenced. Given the Zhang family’s situation, they could not afford to pay the twenty taels to get him released. Therefore, Du Yan said, “I can give Zhang Fang one more chance. However, if he cannot be released from prison within a month, and is sentenced, he will have a stain on his record, making it impossible for him to participate in the examinations in the future. You will need to find a way yourselves!”
Zhang Laotou was overjoyed and thanked him, “Thank you, teacher! We will work hard to raise the money to rescue him!”
Du Yan did not believe that the Zhangs would gather such a sum and coldly replied, “I need to give a lecture to my students, so I cannot stay.”
As he turned to leave, Zhang Laotou remembered the main purpose of his visit and called out to Du Yan, “Teacher, please wait! I came here today to help my son move his books. Although he is in prison, he is always thinking of studying and specifically asked me to come to the academy to retrieve his books.”
Du Yan found this amusing and actually laughed. This Zhang Fang, who hadn’t studied well before, is now suddenly eager to improve after being locked up.
“Alright. I will have someone lead you to Zhang Fang’s room to move his things.” Du Yan assumed that Zhang Laotou was taking Zhang Fang’s belongings early, so he asked him to wait there while he went to find a student to guide Zhang Laotou to the dormitory.
Hao Zhuang, who shared the dormitory with Zhang Si Lang, was surprised to see Zhang Laotou and curiously asked, “Are you Zhang Fang’s father?”
Zhang Laotou nodded with a kind smile and said, “Thank you for helping me move the books.”
Hao Zhuang was astonished; he had not expected Zhang Si Lang’s biological father to look like this. He told Zhang Laotou, “Zhang Fang said his father is a gentleman who owns dozens of acres of land in Zuo Jia Village outside the city. You don’t look like a gentleman to me!”
The smile on Zhang Laotou’s face immediately froze, and it felt as though his heart had been pierced by a knife. He was rendered speechless, and his lips trembled slightly.