Volume One: The Overseer and the Scholar Chapter Twenty-Nine: Words from the Heart

After the recent upheaval, Huang Ming had become a figure of renown within the Imperial Academy. Though he had only just begun his studies there, from the clerks and lecturers to the students and servants, there was not a single soul who did not recognize him.

The younger students, spirited and proud, held him in particular esteem, admiring him greatly. Whenever he walked through the halls of the academy, there would always be someone approaching him to seek acquaintance or engage in conversation, and not once did his status as the son of a eunuch invite scorn.

Among his peers in the Xuan Hall, the respect was even greater. After all, Zhang Pan, infamous for his arrogance and the brazen conduct of the Marquis of Jianchang’s family, was one of their own. No one knew better than they how untouchable Zhang Pan seemed. Yet, Huang Ming had not only struck Zhang Pan in public but had also sent the Zhang family’s fierce retainers fleeing in disgrace. Days had passed without any sign of reprisal—how could one not be awed by such a display?

On the morning of the third day of the tenth month, Huang Ming arrived at the academy as he had for the past ten days. Everything was as usual: the academy was lively and noisy, and even though the lecturer had already entered the hall, the students continued their chatter and laughter.

Zhang Han, who had already struck up a friendship with Huang Ming, came over and invited him, “Young Master Huang, in a few days, Zhu Xiong and the rest of us are going to the Jade Fragrance Pavilion for a drink. Will you join us?”

Huang Ming had often heard the name Jade Fragrance Pavilion from these scions of aristocratic families and knew it to be a well-known brothel in the capital. At Zhang Han’s words, he smiled, recalling a twisted line from later times: “How much sorrow can one have? Just like a group of eunuchs visiting a brothel.” Though he himself was not a eunuch, his father was…

He stopped himself from pursuing the thought—sinful, truly sinful.

Seeing Huang Ming respond only with a mysterious smile, Zhang Han grew uneasy, wondering if he had said something wrong. But Huang Ming quickly nodded, “Very well, as long as nothing unexpected arises that day.”

“That’s settled!” Zhang Han exclaimed, delighted, and called over to Zhu Xiong, “Young Master Huang has agreed!”

In his excitement, his voice rang out, drowning even the words of the lecturer, who was not yet thirty. The lecturer’s brow furrowed, and he could not help but chide, “Silence! Have you been at the academy so long and still not learned the virtue of respecting your teachers?”

His rebuke was met with laughter and indifference. Someone retorted, “Master Zhao, just continue your lecture. Let’s not interfere with each other!”

A chorus of laughter followed, causing Master Zhao’s face to flush with anger. He cried out, “You… you are a disgrace to scholarly virtue, a disgrace to the academy!”

The students only grew more boisterous—laughing, mocking, slapping tables, and howling, turning the classroom into chaos.

But they did not notice Huang Ming’s brows drawing ever tighter. At last, unable to contain himself, he slammed the table and stood abruptly, his voice stern and commanding: “All of you, quiet!”

His shout was not overly loud, but its effect was immediate. Everyone, including Master Zhao, fell silent, and the hall was hushed.

Huang Ming showed no sign of discomfort. He strode to the front, standing by the flustered Master Zhao, his expression solemn as rarely before.

With all eyes upon him, Huang Ming spoke earnestly, “Gentlemen, I have a few heartfelt words to share, and I hope you will listen patiently and think carefully.

“I have been at the academy for more than ten days now, but in truth, I have yet to see a single day when any of you truly study or listen to the lectures. If we are only here in name, enjoying the shelter of our fathers and grandfathers, what is the point?

He scanned the room, noting some faces clouded in confusion, others ready to object. He raised a hand to forestall them.

“I know some of you will say we are forced to attend the academy. I am no different—I did not come here to waste my youth.

“It is not simply that most of us are not suited for scholarly pursuits—we lack the mind, the patience, and any real hope of advancement through study. But since our elders have provided us with this opportunity, why not give ourselves a chance? Why not quiet our hearts for a few days and truly study, to gain something for ourselves and leave open another path for our futures?

“You come from distinguished families—sons of high officials, heirs to noble titles. But do you truly believe that such birthright alone will guarantee you a life of wealth and security, free from all cares?”

His words caused visible change: expressions shifted from surprise to thoughtfulness, then to concern.

These were not fools; they had some sense of their circumstances. No one had guided them to think this way before, but now, with Huang Ming’s words piercing the veil, they began to taste the truth.

Seeing the change in their demeanor, Huang Ming softened his tone and continued, “Although the status of an academy student will not win us an official post, and the lessons here are rigid and uninteresting, that is no excuse to squander such a chance for self-improvement.

“We study not for others, but for ourselves. So that even if our families one day abandon us, we will have the means to survive.

“Moreover, as students here, we are classmates, friends. In the future, some may rise high, others may fall into hardship. We could help one another, even join forces.

“But if all we do is waste our days, gaining nothing, then even if one of us reaches high office, who would dare offer a hand to someone so useless?

“My words end here. Consider for yourselves whether you will, from today, study in earnest for your own sake, or continue as before, abandoning your future.”

Having spoken, and with the others still deep in thought, he turned to the stunned Master Zhao. “Master Zhao, I ask that you report my words truthfully to the Head Scholar. Tell him: we are not like ordinary students. Less of the Four Books and Five Classics; more of history as a guide and knowledge that is practical for governing the world.”