Chapter 147 — Yuyuan Academy

Libationer Bashan walked out of the Scholars' Lodge and came to the Princes' Garden next door.

In the Princes' Garden the princes, princesses, commandery princesses and heir princes were many in number and wildly uneven in quality, and to make matters worse their factions were tangled beyond reckoning. The princes and princesses were the Emperor's own children; the commandery princesses and heir princes were the children of the princes of the blood.

Besides the contention for princely titles among the heir princes, there was the contention for influence among the Emperor's sons and daughters — a thing to give any man a headache. This was precisely what Libationer Bashan loathed most, and yet he could not refuse to choose among them; offend the imperial and princely houses, and one would surely be tripped up at every turn.

"Better to ask the Second Prince's opinion. " He made up his mind and came to consult the Second Prince.

Ling Yushu was both startled and delighted: Bashan was Libationer of the National Academy, second only to the Grand Libationer in the Grand Academy, his strength unfathomable, in no way inferior to a first-rank minister of the court, nor to the sect masters, sect lords and patriarchs of the great sects — he was one of the supreme figures of the present age.

If one could obtain his instruction, it would of course be a fine thing! "The Second Prince seems to be overthinking this. " Seeing the delight on his face, Libationer Bashan knew at once that he had misunderstood, and said with a smile, "I teach only scholars below the Six Harmonies realm. Since I know little of the Princes' Garden, I would ask the Second Prince to recommend two of them.

" Ling Yushu's face fell.

The resources the Crown Prince received were far, far greater than those of the other princes.

For a prince like himself, merely because he was not the Crown Prince, the cultivation he received after birth was less by countless times than the Crown Prince's. Though princes and princesses could enter the Grand Academy to cultivate without examination, the Crown Prince had at the very least six teachers of sect-master rank to transmit the Way and instruct him in learning, and the Emperor himself would from time to time give him personal guidance; even the Imperial Preceptor of Jingping would go to teach him. The Crown Prince was not only taught the very highest of secret arts, he must also study the Way of the Sovereign and the art of commanding the civil and military officials, and even cultivate ties with the ministers at court and build a little court of his own.

The other princes and princesses might harbor the ambition to contend for the throne, but they simply had no capacity to compete.

Libationer Bashan's ability was the equal of a sect master's; to win his guidance, though it could not compare with the Crown Prince's circumstances, was still far better than nothing. But Libationer Bashan taught only scholars of the Spirit Embryo realm and the Five Luminaries realm; naturally he had no share in it.

Ling Yushu pressed down the disappointment in his heart and said with a smile, "My seventh sister's comprehension and aptitude are both superb. When the Imperial Preceptor of Jingping saw her, he too said her gifts were extraordinary, surpassing even mine — she is only a little unruly. Libationer Bashan is strict, and can temper her for me.

" Libationer Bashan was surprised. "The Seventh Princess?

She is indeed rather too fond of play, and has held back her progress in cultivation.

Those of the National Academy, mindful of her status as princess, will not give her trouble; but in my hands, she will have a taste of hardship. " Ling Yushu's eyes flickered, and he thought, "Seventh Sister, you have grown too close to that cast-off.

There is no telling when you might do something to disgrace the imperial name.

This time, if you come out of the mountains with me, you can put distance between yourself and that Shen Mu. When you have seen more young talents, you will forget that cast-off. .

. Your brother means it for your good, to keep you from straying onto a crooked path. " "Second Prince, is there anyone else you favor?

" Libationer Bashan asked again. Ling Yushu thought for a moment, then said, "Ling Minyue — Heir Minyue. " "The son of the Prince of Taishan, Ling Minyue? " Libationer Bashan laughed.

"A fine seedling as well.

I hear you and Heir Minyue are not on good terms.

Why recommend him?

" Ling Yushu smiled. "Minyue and I are at odds only because the Prince of Taishan backs my eldest brother — that is why we are at odds.

But Minyue's aptitude and comprehension are indeed among the finest in the Princes' Garden. " Libationer Bashan nodded and said, "The Second Prince is virtuous.

Since that is so, let the Second Prince go and carry them this news, and have them come to the Scholars' Lodge to seek me. " Ling Yushu rejoiced inwardly, knowing this was the chance given him to win over Heir Minyue, and hurried away.

When Ling Yuxiu and Heir Minyue arrived at the Scholars' Lodge, they found that besides themselves there were several other scholars present — Shen Yu, Shen Wanyun, Yun Que, Wei Yong and others.

Libationer Bashan said, "The Grand Libationer and I have discussed it, and we will trial a rank of Grand Academy Erudite above that of scholar. You are to be candidates for Grand Academy Erudite.

From now on you will attend lectures only at the Pavilion of the Painting Sage, Qingyang Hall, the Military Strategy Tower, the Array Origin Hall and the Pavilion of Heavenly Sound, studying calligraphy and painting, state of mind, the art of war, formations and music; all else you will learn from me, and I will teach you according to your capacities, unlike what the other scholars study. Whether you can become Grand Academy Erudites in a few years' time will depend on your own abilities. Ah, yes. . . " He looked around the circle and said with a smile, "You also have a senior brother — or perhaps I should say a senior uncle.

He is the first Grand Academy Erudite of our Grand Academy. I have discussed it with the Grand Libationer, and we have reported it to the Emperor; the Emperor's appointment will come down before long. " The others exchanged looks.

The first Grand Academy Erudite?

Who on earth was it?

Yue Qinghong and the monk Yun Que hastily looked at Shen Wanyun, whose face was clouded and uncertain. Libationer Bashan said, "This time I will first take the Seventh Princess out for a few days of training; as for the rest of you, you must wait for the next occasion. Princess, go to the Tower of Heavenly Records and choose a few volumes of the classics of cultivation arts and divine powers.

The rest of you remain here.

" The others were startled and delighted. At the Tower of Heavenly Records, the Archivist checked his book tally and said to Shen Mu, "Once inside, read as you will, but do not damage anything. If the books are damaged, the penalty is prison.

Your tally permits you to read only on the first floor; do not go up to the second, or the Archivist of the second floor will seize you and punish you.

" Shen Mu said, "I am to follow Libationer Bashan in cultivation and go out for training. I wish to borrow a few volumes of scripture to take with me.

" The Archivist was surprised and said, "So that is it. Libationer Bashan holds that privilege; his disciples may borrow five volumes of scripture. Go in and choose your scriptures, then come to me to have them recorded. " Shen Mu walked into the tower.

Inside were several dozen rooms, each of them extremely vast, and on each door was a plaque bearing the name of a province or prefecture; the scriptures in these rooms were presumably divided by province and prefecture. The cultivation arts and divine powers of the sects of a given province were stored in the room that represented it. Shen Mu walked into the room with the plaque of Lizhou.