On the second day after Ye Ziliang lost his job, Liu Man learned some good news about herself from Professor Su. That piece of regular script she wrote passed the first judging round in the Chinese Calligraphist Association Organization and had successfully gotten into the national calligraphy and seal cutting exhibition. Professor Su said there were 80,000 pieces that joined the contest, and in the end, only around 800 pieces got into the exhibition.

As a beginner at writing regular script, Liu Man naturally felt happy learning that her piece got recognized by the judges.

Su Yi also felt very glad, but he didn’t want his apprentice to get too proud, so he intentionally discouraged her, “Sometimes people pass the first round only because they were lucky. They spread tens of thousands of these work on the ground, and like in a supermarket, the judges must judge within two seconds whether this piece gets in or out. There’s always some judges that gets impatient and see pieces wrong.”

Liu Man felt surprised, “So they let my piece get in because they didn’t judge it correctly?”

Su Yi coughed lightly and awkwardly smiled, “Most judges have a very strong sense of responsibility, so such situations are very rare. There are around ten judges in the first round, so pieces that get into the exhibition must be outstanding.”

Liu Man quickly realized that Professor Su was tricking her.

“However, this was only the first round. Next comes the second review round and most importantly, a review that requires you to be there in real life. The judges at the second round, the third round, and the first round are not the same. The judges in the second round and the third round are all experienced specialists in the calligraphy association. I’ve been a judge in the third round myself,” Professor Su’s tone sounded as if he was bragging when he got here.

Liu Man resolutely showed her admiration for her teacher right in time.

Su Yi was very satisfied with his apprentice’s reactions and continued to say, “The difficulty level of a participant winning a reward in the end or their work being permanently collected by the exhibition is similar to hordes of soldiers and horses passing a single-log bridge. I gave you these classes that help you quickly buff up this summer because I hope you can be fully and steadily prepared before the contest so you won’t get scared and mess up when that day comes. To be honest, if I look at your work as a judge, your current regular script and clerical script levels are not quite enough for you to win a title…”

Liu Man did not feel upset, however, Firstly, she knew quite a lot about herself and her level. She had only been studying the regular script and the clerical script for half a year. Even if she had talents, she couldn’t be possibly compared iwth those who had followed famous teachers and had been learning calligraphy for decades. She already felt very satisfied after learning her regular script piece could pass the first round of judging.

Secondly, hs knew Professor Su loved tricking her. If he said words like these, there would definitely be a turning point later on.

Sure enough, Su Yi continued, “In the second round, when they filter through the pieces, they usually would think about who the participant’s teacher is. Famous calligraphists’ apprentices would definitely be able to pass unless they really have very bad skills. You are my apprentice; the judges definitely will pay me respect.”

In the calligraphy world, mentors’ rankings were really important. This was a conventional rule since thousands of years before, and it was why when Su Yi met Liu Man for the first time back then, he asked her who she learned calligraphy from.

Calligraphy masters would be able to let their apprentices learn fields of visions, details, thoughts, and levels that they will never learn and experience. Besides, being mentored by a calligraphist-leveled professional meant she had already gotten recognized by a very skillful role. This initially was a round of judging. With a big character being her backer, everyone would only see her as a big role, too.

“After the second round of review, they will only let 300 pieces stay out of 800.”

“The third round is very difficult to pass. The author of the piece has to participate in person for this round. There will be five judges at levels similar to mine. Normally, a group of ten participants will go at once, and during the round, judges will come up with the topic on the spot.

Professor Su was teaching her how to pass the “test”, Liu Man nodded with appreciation.

“There is also a free write period in the end, but it’s different every time. Most of the time, the judges think of a topic on the spot, no one knows beforehand what they’re going to decide on. This part determines the top ten contestants, and only the top ten receive a reward.

Su Yi knew Liu Man liked money, so he emphazised on the prizes.

“The contestants are a force to be reckoned with too, their teacher might even be one of the judges. But you odn’t have to worry, there are 5 judges in total and they all come from different places and specialize in different writings, they can’t all favor one single contestant.”

“Hence, in these kinds of situations, your state of mind is extremely vital, you cannot be so rash. You are a newcomer and not much of an opponent to others, even if you fail, there are plently of chances in the future. I hope that you can calmly appreciate the other contestant’s works and learn form them.”

“Yes, if I have anything I don’t know, I will seek for the others to teach me.”

Though Liu Man wanted money, she doesn’t expect to earn money in these contests were elites gather. Furthermore, Professor Su said before that the first place in the exhibition can only get a prize of 30,000 yuan.

This exhibition only opens once four years in the whole country, it is the biggest event in the whole calligraphy circle. Though it is called an exhibition, it also serves as a competition.

Countless calligraphy enthusiasts prepared for four whole years to participate in this national exhibition. They did not care for the prizes, but rather their reputation and faith. Calligraphy enthusiasts regard it as a kind of affirmation of their calligraphy skills. If they could be in the top 60, they would be included in the collection. This is enough to prove the value of their works and turn themselves from amateurs to calligraphers. In the calligrapher field, if you have the official recognition of the exhibition, you would ever be worried that your work won’t earn money!

They could charge ten thousand for a single word!

For example, you’d need at least 50k to buy Su Yi’s work.

But Liu Man was a complete newbie, if it were n’t for Su Yi’s instructions, she might not have even found the entrance to the Exhibition, let alone the twists and turns of the calligraphy world.

So, she didn’t care for the prizes and staye calm throughout the discussion. She saw this as a way to gain more knowledge.

The exhibition is divided into two parts, calligraphy (paper) and engraving. The engraving is subdivided into: seal engraving (stone) and word engraving (wood). The place of evaluation for the engraving section was held in the Capital, while the place for evaluation of the calligraphy part was in the ancient capital.

The reviewing happens after a week, after that, it’s the evaluation.

“I’ll go to the Ancient Capital with you,” Su Yi said.

Liu Man wasn’t about to let the aging Professor Su to travel long distance for her.

“Thank you so much, but I’ll be ok by myself.”

Su Yi glared at her, “don’t look at me as if I’m sick, I’m completely fine! I was the judge for the past exhibitions and I held up alright. Though I’m a bit older now, I can still cheer for you in the audience!”

Then again, if he didn’t come, he’d be worried that his little disciple would be bullied!

Translated by: Sydney & Puppxteer/Yutong