Zhang Xia stood under the Merit Flag Pole of the Xu Family Mansion, arms folded, gazing up at the four-section flagpole before him. The 'Scholar' erected the flagpole, the 'Advanced Scholar' added one section, the 'Scholar' added another section, the 'First-Class Scholar' added another section, and 'Minister' added the final section.
The Merit Flag Pole in front of the Xu Family's ceremonial gate was at least three sections high. Anything less than three sections was not allowed here and had to be set up at the ancestral residence in Songjiang, where there were more flag poles.
Xiao Man, the little monk, and Zhang Zheng had finished breakfast and found Zhang Xia here.
Xiao Man curiously asked, "What are you looking at, Sister Axia?"
Zhang Xia calmly replied, "Observing Second Grandfather's life."
Xiao Man asked, puzzled, "Ah?"
