Rank 6th position

As soon as the teacher stepped in, the noises died out. The students bowed their heads in front of the teacher and formally greeted him. The teacher was in his 40s with a tall, well build physique and a positive vibes could be seen in him. Behind him two junior instructors came in with books in their hands. They put that over the desk there and stood there.

"I am Hyun Ki Hwan, the chief instructor of Governance. Before going into the subject, I would like to tell some important things to you as you are all newbies here. Abide by the rules of the academy all the time.

Do not be rude to the instructors here if you do not want to be thrown out of here.

Based on the scores you will be divided into two sections and then taught accordingly.

Every 10 days there will be tests and everyday quizzes be organized. Scores will be put on bulletin board for the test. Quizzes score will be given by me, here, in front of all.

Central library is opened all the time and apart from that you can go outside even after dinner time to study more.

Competition is most important thing here in this academy. Students who will excel in the subjects will make a path for a good department in the near future.

300 graduation points are the minimum one has to acquire to graduate from here.

Now comes the most important thing- after a year 50 students will be selected who will give a high level civil services examination for recruitment in the government department. But only 30 students will get become government officials. So, you can see how tough is the competition. Your seniors will also be among those 50 students who will be more knowledgeable to you.

So, summing up all these things coming here in Sungkyunkwan isn't enough to get either into Government or military services of the Kingdom. One must study hard to get there. Rest things you will get to know as the days will pass." Hyun Ki Hwan rested his words.

"If anyone has queries then he can ask now," Hyun Ki stated, looking at the students in the hall. Students started whispering among each other.

"I did not tell you to whisper," Hyun Ki stated loudly.

"Master Ki, I have a question," Do Yeong raised his hand.

"You may ask," Hyun Ki permitted Do Yeong.

"Master Ki, what about the students who already got Royal decree for the appointment?" Do Yeong asked.

Yoon Shik also wanted to know the answer of this.

"The decree is given so that you can ask for the appointment in the respective department after you graduate from here. So, there is no such thing for top four students will not give the national exam. As I said earlier 50 students will be selected after a year for the exam and only 30 will be appointed," asserted Hyun Ki.

"So, those decrees have no meanings?" Sung Tae raised a question.

"They have meaning only when you are able to graduate from here and be among those top 30," asserted Hyun Ki. "The royal decrees will open your path towards direct appointment in the stated department," He added further.

"Any other question?" Hyun Ki Hwan queried, looking around.

Yoon Shik raised his hand. Hyun Ki permitted him. "Master Ki, what if who tops the national civil service exam after graduating from here? Can he be given a good post?" Yoon Shik asked with a serious and affirmed tone.

"Of course. He will be directly given Rank 6th position in any of the six departments of the Kingdom. Usually there are 7 ranks for a government post. Usually a person start from 7th rank and then he has to wait for more than a year to get promoted to higher rank. You see it is not easy to get at the top in just a go," Master Hyun Ki stated.

"What about a scholar? What is his role in the society? If we have to compare a Scholar and a government official then who is at top?" Yoon Shik asked another question.

"That's the difference you all have to find," asserted Hyun Ki with a smile.

"Anymore questions?" Hyun Ki then asked. "No one? Shall we start then?" he asked all the students who said a 'yes' in unison.

"The teaching are Confucian related and aimed to prepare you for the future Government services. Governance is the main subject which you all have to understand keenly. Apart from it you will also study laws of the Kingdom, medicine, accounting, music, mathematics, interpretation, archery and horse riding," Hyun Ki asserted.

"Every day I will give a topic and you have to write a 5 page essay on it. It will be loudly read by me in the class so be logical in your writing. As you are future government servants so your interpretation must be according to Confucian teachings," He further added.

"So, we cannot give answer apart from Confucian teachings," Yoon Shik stated.

"In middle of the teaching, no one has right to speak. Next time you will speak, you will be out from this class for a week," declared Hyun Ki. Yoon Shik apologized while the class continued.

~~~~~~~~~

Hani was strolling in the market with Bon Hwa with a saddened face. Evening was going to fall soon. "Hani, I understand that you are missing your brother. Your brother has gone for studies so that he can be a future official in the kingdom. Do not carry this face," Bon Hwa stated.

"I was never separated from Orabani- never once. Even Ahjussi Baek Chun is sad. Everyone is sad then how could I not be sad? Can we not go to meet there to meet him?" Hani asked.

"Sorry, you cannot. Women are not allowed in that all men campus. Wait for a month. He will get a leave so he can meet you that time," Bon Hwa stated.

"I want to meet orabani," murmured Hani and continued walking when she was hit by someone. "Aish, watch out your steps. You punk!" the man cursed at Hani which angered her.

"Punk?! Huh? How dare you say me that? Apologize to me if you do not want to be get beaten by me," Hani angrily said. The man looked at her from head to toe and said, "a sangmin woman! Do you not know who I am!"

"No. I am not interested in that. Just apologize to me if you want your life," Hani stated. The man who was from noble class chuckled. "Hani, don't. People are looking at us and he seems an upper-class," Bon Hwa whispered in her ear.

The man raised his hand to hit Hani when she grabbed it and then twisted it. The man screamed while the people there started whispering. "Hani," Bon Hwa called her name. "Leave my hand, you wrench!" the man screamed and again cursed her. This angered Hani.

"Ji Hoon," called a man who was with two other fellows. Hani pushed him away. "Ahh, this low class," mumbled Ji Hoon when his fellows walked to him. The people dispersed from there.

"May I ask why this gentle girl was hitting my friend?" one of them asked named Man Beom Hyeon.

"Ask your friend yourself," stated Hani when Ji Hoon again cursed her. "I will break your mouth if you use such a word for me," Hani shouted at him.

"What's the commotion here? The great people of Joseon please disperse from here," voiced a man.

"Orabani," murmured Bon Hwa as she saw her brother who came there fanning himself among the crowd.

"Sunwo," said Beom Hyeon.

Hani got delighted to see Sunwo. "Brother Sunwo, you here? Is orabani here?" Hani asked with glistening eyes.

"No. Yoon Shik is in the academy," Sunwo replied.

"She is that Sangmin's sister?" muttered Ji Hoon angrily and glared at Hani.

"Watch your tongue. You cannot say such thing about my brother," Hani stated.

"Will you two stop?" Sunwo told them and then looked at Hani. "I will tell Yoon Shik how is sister was picking fights," Sunwo stated, looking at her.

"Brother, he was the one who cursed me and started this fight. Do not tell orabani about this, please," Hani told to Sunwo.

"I will not tell if you will not pick fights with people and be respectful with them," asserted Sunwo. He then turned to Ji Hoon. "Do not curse at women, okay?!" Sunwo said looking at him.

"I apologize," said Ji Hoon and walked away from there. Beom Hyeon looked at Hani who murmured something. "Sunwo, we should leave," He stated. Sunwo told him to go ahead as he had to talk to his sister. Man Beom nodded and left from there.

"I told you not to stroll too much," Sunwo said, looking at Bon Hwa.

"Orabani, I was going to leave," Bon Hwa replied and lowered her head.

"And you do not pick fights with unknown men. He would have asked for punishment for you if I would not be here," Sunwo told Hani.

"I understand. How is orabani?" Hani asked.

"He is good. Now, you know so you should go home. Last day of the month we will get leave then you can meet him. Showing strength is good but not everywhere. Sometimes you have to be quiet for your own safety. I think you have understood what I meant," pronounced Sunwo with seriousness.

"I understand," Hani answered and turned to Bon Hwa. "Let's go. I will drop you till your house," Hani said.

"No need. Cheung-ah, go with lady Hwa and drop her safely to the home," said to the servant who was with them. Cheung nodded and with lowered eyes told Bon Hwa to follow him while Hani left for her home.