novelhk Chapter 79 Cold reception
Chapter 79 Cold reception
Feng Yuan understood what Wang You meant, but he couldn't say anything about it.
"Ziqian hasn't met Scholar Hai yet, has he? The current Grand Secretary of the Hanlin Academy is Scholar Hai. With a new official taking office, Scholar Hai will be responsible for assigning specific tasks," Feng Yuan said.
The so-called "Grand Academician of the Hanlin Academy" and "Grand Chancellor" are actually the same thing; they are not formal official titles.
There is no official position called "Grand Chancellor" in the imperial court, nor is there a "Grand Academician" in the Hanlin Academy.
The Song Dynasty implemented a system of multiple prime ministers, among whom the most powerful prime minister was respectfully called the Grand Prime Minister.
The Hanlin Academy had seven or eight academicians, but only the academician in charge of managing the Hanlin Academy was honored as a Grand Academician.
"Where is the official residence of Scholar Hai?" Wang You asked.
"The scholars' official residences are all in the inner courtyard. As for the scholars of Hai University... well, I don't have anything to do for the moment, so I'll take you there," Feng Yuan said.
"Then I'll have to trouble you, Brother Feng."
"Don't be so polite, we're all colleagues."
Feng Yuan smiled and said, "This way, please!"
On the way, Feng Yuan gave him a brief introduction to the basic situation of the Hanlin Academy.
The outer courtyard of the Hanlin Academy was where the junior scholars and compilers worked.
The inner courtyard was where the Hanlin scholars worked.
In reality, the work at the Hanlin Academy was very relaxed. One could usually go to the library to borrow books, drink tea, and read the official gazette and books, which was quite leisurely.
Wang You: "..."
He's only just become an official, yet he's already living a life of drinking tea and reading newspapers, practically on the verge of retirement?
Feng Yuan led Wang You to the first official room on the left in the inner courtyard, and bowed to the middle-aged attendant guarding the door, saying, "Thank you for informing the Grand Secretary that the newly appointed Hanlin Compiler has arrived."
The attendant returned the greeting and entered the official residence. He came out shortly afterward and invited the two men inside.
"Your humble servant Feng Yuan (Wang You) pays his respects to the Grand Secretary."
The two entered the office and bowed to Hai Wenqing behind the desk.
No need for formalities.
Scholar Hai waved his hand and smiled at Wang You, saying, "Why did you arrive so quickly? It's alright if you're a little late."
As long as you're not going to take up a local post or becoming the head of a government office, it's fine even if you exceed the time allotted by the Ministry of Personnel to assume your post.
He said all of these things when Wang You left.
A hint of relief flashed in Feng Yuan's eyes. He hadn't expected that Wang You would know the scholar from the University of the Sea, and that they seemed to have a good relationship.
Otherwise, even if arriving a few days late would not have been a problem, the Grand Secretary Hai would not have said such a thing.
Fortunately, I didn't underestimate him and even managed to curry favor with him.
"My father is coming to the capital to take up a post. Our old house in the capital has been abandoned for a long time, so we came to Bianjing first to settle down and make arrangements," Wang You replied.
"Um."
Hai Wenqing nodded slightly, without saying much, and said, "You will be serving as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy, but due to your age, you will mainly focus on your studies and do not need to come to the office every day."
If you wish to pursue further studies, you can study at the Imperial Academy (Guozijian) and attend classes at the Hanlin Academy during your days off.
Prodigy candidates are almost never granted substantive positions, as they are too young; they are usually given honorary titles at most.
While the Hanlin Academy may seem leisurely, there are no small matters that truly require attention.
The Hanlin Compiler was mainly responsible for drafting imperial edicts and compiling historical records, tasks that were beyond the capabilities of someone Wang You's age.
Generally, only the top two scholars in the imperial examinations would enter the Hanlin Academy as editors.
Don't underestimate these people just because they've only recently entered officialdom; they're all exceptionally talented, capable of achieving the highest rank in the imperial examinations.
Although Wang You's talent far surpassed that of his peers, he was still far inferior to those who achieved the highest rank in the imperial examinations.
Under these circumstances, Wang You's position at the Hanlin Academy was actually quite awkward.
Fortunately, the imperial court focused more on nurturing these child prodigies.
That's why he suggested that Wang You not come to the Hanlin Academy so often, so that he could focus on his studies.
"Yes," Wang You replied.
He also knew that his situation was somewhat awkward. Judging from what the Emperor had said during the previous palace examination, the Emperor intended for him to be the young prince's study companion.
That's why he was temporarily placed in the Hanlin Academy.
But now that the young prince has died, his situation is very awkward.
However, Wang You didn't care. After all, he was still young, and the situation in the court would be very complicated in the next few years.
Being a minor scholar means you don't have to work and can still receive a salary.
In a few years, when he gets older, the situation in the court will have stabilized.
When the new emperor ascends the throne, he will surely promote and give important positions to some new people, and his opportunity will come.
As for studying at the Imperial Academy, he thought about it and gave up.
Even the sons of powerful and wealthy families are now fleeing the Imperial Academy, so naturally he has no intention of going there.
Studying at home or going to the Sheng family's school are both good options.
There's no need to say these things for now; we'll talk about them when I formally become an apprentice.
Hai Wenqing gave a few more instructions and then asked Feng Yuan to take Wang You to meet the compilers and editors of the Hanlin Academy.
In any case, as long as these people don't make mistakes, they will almost certainly become important officials in the court in the future, so there's no harm in getting to know them and befriending them.
Upon exiting the inner courtyard, Wang You asked with a smile, "Brother Feng, when did you enter the Hanlin Academy?"
"I passed the imperial examination two years ago and was selected for the Hanlin Academy," Feng Yuan said.
"I remember now, the top scorer in the second division two years ago was surnamed Feng, so it must be Brother Feng, right?" Wang You asked.
The top three scholars in each imperial examination would quickly become famous throughout the country after the examination ended.
No one in the Wang family participated in the imperial examinations, so they didn't pay much attention to it.
Therefore, Wang You only knew the names of the three first-class students, and vaguely remembered that the first-place student in the second-class was surnamed Feng.
The reason I remember it is because my mother, Feng, mentioned it because we share the same surname.
Although he has a good memory, he has to make a conscious effort to remember things. Naturally, he cannot remember things clearly if he doesn't pay attention to them.
"It is I who was selected into the Hanlin Academy by good fortune."
Feng Yuan looked around and whispered a reminder: "Ziqian also knows that there are many top scholars in the Hanlin Academy. These people are quite proud. Although they may not mock you, they certainly won't give you a good look."
When I first entered the Hanlin Academy, I was also looked down upon by some people.
"Thank you for the reminder, Brother Feng. I understand. Besides, I don't need to come to the office every day, so it's fine," Wang You said with a smile.
Seeing Wang You's nonchalant attitude, Feng Yuan held him in even higher regard.
Before entering officialdom, everyone was on the same starting line if they wanted to take the imperial examinations.
Talent and learning can become a basis for looking down on others.
But once you enter officialdom, academic knowledge becomes less important.
Ability and interpersonal skills are the most important.
These are all experiences he gained from his time at the Hanlin Academy over the past two years.
Although Wang You was selected into the Hanlin Academy through the prodigy examination, so what?
Everyone starts from the same point; your future depends on yourself.
As they were talking, Feng Yuan led Wang You to a public room and introduced him to him with a smile.
Inside the public housing, there was another table with six people sitting at it, and two other tables were empty, it was unclear whether they were empty or the people were not there.
Listening to Feng Yuan's introduction, they only glanced at Wang You, their attitude indifferent.
Wang You didn't mind, smiled, bowed, and introduced himself, adopting an extremely humble attitude.
Next, Wang You followed Feng Yuan and walked through all the public rooms in the outer courtyard.