Volume 1, Chapter 3: Hanlin Academic (1/2)

Volume 1, Chapter 3: Hanlin Academic

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In the ninthZhe enters Hanlin Acade first in the imperial examinations, he becomes a Hanlin Academy Junior Compiler,² rated seventh-ranked³

4</sup> Not much later, he is promoted to the rank of Hanlin Academy Senior Compiler,⁵ rated lower sixth-ranked⁶Southern Chu Dynastic Records</e Suiyun</e, I raised the sole extant copy of a poetry anthology These days, I spent my time in the library of Hanlin Acadereatest library with many books that I had not yet read I had read raphic memory, I only needed to read a book once to memorize its contents I could even write out from rote memory complete essays But no matter my abilities, there was no way for me to read the ister to identify books that I had not read, to read one by one I was going to be staying at Hanlin Academy for at least three to five years, and should be able to read most of the books that I had not had the chance to read before Of course, I paid the most attention to those books indicated as the sole extant copies, as most of these works werein the stacks for so to read when I noticed a book with a yellow silk cover From the exquisite cover, I presumed that it must be some masterpiece When I opened the cover, I nearly fainted fro with blood: “to train this Godly art, first castrate oneself”⁷ I quickly closed the book and looked at the cover, seeing that it was called the Sunflower Manual⁸ As I still wanted to marry and have children, I quickly threw the book aside

On the side, I noticed a copy of Zhuangzi’s back to the Han Dynasty Picking it up, I flipped through the pages Although the contents were the characters on the pages were the same as I remembered, there were many notes and comments written wherever there were empty spaces I liked to read other people’s annotations, as they e that no one was around, I readily pulled over a nearby footstool and sat down Leaving the stacks to find a proper seat would be a waste of tirossed The annotations were likely written by a Daoist priest as also a doctor, and contained the secrets to nourishi+ng one’s life: what one could eat and drink, when to rise and to sleep, how to meditate before bed, how to exercise one’s qi, and sexual techniques This was definitely reatest as to live coentle and virtuous wife, and to have several cute children sexual techniques were definitely important Don’t all those licentious individuals frequently live short lives? They did not kno to control theive their bodies proper nourish happy, I suddenly realized that I did not know if these annotations were correct What was I to do? Thinking back and forth, I ulti month, I searched the entire library for texts on how to ood health; some directly conflicted, while others anized a set of an to use to properly maintain my health

First, when I woke up and openedh I did not know any kung fu, I did know the basic exercises known as the ”Five Aniht breakfast without grease or strong flavors before heading off If there was nothing at noon, I would return home to eat a nutritious lunch as late as possible I would then take an afternoon nap After waking up, I would do as I pleased If there were any feasts or events at night, I would try to eat and drink as little as possible, and when hoestive systeo to bed I had to sit, sleep, and walk in a particular fashi+on that wasn’t too particularly noticeable Even though h that I could not constantly maintain this lifestyle, I tried my best to adhere As forDoesn’t the saying go, “Good swimmers are more liable to drown”? If I knew inable scenario and possibly even die at a young age It’s not like I wanted to live forever, just living to the age of seventy was enough for me

I continued for two months and discovered a noticeable improvement in my body’s health Previously, I had some small ailments and maladies, but they all disappeared My y while reading and writing

This day, I had just left the stacks to eat lunch Unfortunately, I wasn’t wealthy enough to hire a cook and had toue,¹¹ Liu Kui As he walked over s, how about it? Let’s go to Bright Moon Pavilion together”

“Go to Bright Moon Pavilion to do what?” I asked with curiosity

Surprised, Liu Kui replied, “What? You don’t know? We’re going to attend Princess Changle’s zither gathering”

“Zither gathering, Princess Changle?” I responded, even more confused

“Yes,” he stated, “No one in Jianye does not know that ever since Princess Changle came to our state to be wed, she has missed her homeland In order to divert herself fro I have heard that she wishes to witness for herself the demeanor of Southern Chu’s scholars I have also heard that Great Yong’s fa Wan was purportedly a student of the e, Wu Youzi, and is extrele, she would not have co Wan has come to Southern Chu to search for a husband Alible scholarly bachelors want to take this opportunity”

Du Wan part of her dowry?”

“That’s nothing more than an excuse,” said someone off to the side “I’ve heard that the Princess has already spoken to the Crown Prince Liang Wan is her good sister and ifted scholar of si my head, I realized that it was the ed into luxurious informal ith a jade flute at his waist, I could tell that he was definitely interested in Liang Wan Re that he hailed fro, he definitely looked the part I laughed inWan was really so beautiful and talented, the crown prince would surely be interested Of course, he le But once he ascended the throne and was per Wan as a concubine Right now though, he had to be circule’s unusual status