Chapter 460 - 176: Xiaocheng Hall
Chapter 460: Chapter 176: Xiaocheng Hall
Then there was the stone tablet from the founding of the previous dynasty, the one that seemed to emerge from the ground inch by inch. No doubt, soybeans or mung beans had been scattered beneath it. Watered daily, the sprouting beans would have pushed up the tablet, the one proclaiming "Mrs. Zhao Shall Rise," little by little.
Were these scientific explanations interesting?
They were absolutely fascinating.
It completely shattered the instructors’ worldview.
The instructors were all Advanced Scholars, so none of them were lacking in knowledge. They could all be considered remarkably well-read.
Previously, whenever they’d read similar accounts, they would have just scoffed and paid them no mind.
But hearing all these explanations at once, they couldn’t help but be shocked.
’So it wasn’t the work of immortals, nor was it the spirits of loved ones refusing to depart. It turned out Mrs. Zhao had stolen the empire using such base methods...’
They were becoming disillusioned with the supernatural, but in turn grew genuinely fascinated with "science."
One after another, they crowded around De’an, asking, "Where did you learn all this...? Are there any other scientific phenomena you can tell us about...?"
De’an didn’t want to explain. He just wanted to know how he did on the entrance examination.
"At the very least, you’ve earned a ’Lower-Mid.’ If you were to join my Bowen Hall, I wouldn’t be against grading you as ’Upper-Mid.’"
"Come to our Guanshan Hall, and I’ll give you an ’Upper-Mid’ as well..."
While some of the instructors crowded around De’an, others were gathered around Zhao Jing.
And the ones around Zhao Jing were none other than Mr. Sun, Mr. Tian, and Yin Xichen.
Mr. Sun was in charge of Yueli Hall, where Zhao Jing was currently a student. Yin Xichen was in charge of Xiaocheng Hall, while also teaching the classics at Youzao Hall. As for Mr. Tian, he was the primary instructor overseeing Youzao Hall.
Mr. Sun was well aware of Zhao Jing’s abilities. He knew that going to Xiaocheng Hall or Youzao Hall would be best for the boy. Keeping him here would be a complete waste of his talent.
But he was an Advanced Scholar himself and believed he could still teach Zhao Jing a thing or two. He hadn’t had his fill of this prized student yet and still longed for deep, late-night discussions with him. He was hardly willing to let the boy go so easily.
Mr. Sun pleaded earnestly, "There must be a reason fate brought us together as teacher and student. Stay with me for one more year. Once our fated connection has run its course, then you can go to Xiaocheng Hall or Youzao Hall."
Mr. Tian of Youzao Hall let out a dramatic sigh. "Mr. Sun, there’s really no need for this. A student’s time is more precious than life itself. By insisting on keeping Zhao Jing, aren’t you just holding back his progress? And holding back his progress is tantamount to sabotaging his career as an official! For that, you deserve to be struck by lightning!"
Mr. Sun vehemently disagreed with the accusation Mr. Tian had just leveled against him.
But Mr. Tian’s scholarship was second only to that of Mr. Min and Yin Xichen.
In the imperial examinations, he had taken first place in the second-highest class, an honor of the highest degree. He was leagues ahead of Mr. Sun, who had only managed to pass by the skin of his teeth, ranking at the very bottom of that same class of Advanced Scholars.
Mr. Sun felt intimidated in Mr. Tian’s presence, but to say he was sabotaging Zhao Jing’s career was going too far.
"Zhao Jing is my student too! I’m hoping he’ll become a Champion Scholar and a great minister someday. I’m more eager for his success than anyone, so how could I possibly..."
"If that’s the case, then let him go with good grace. It’s a waste of his talent to stay with you. If he comes to my hall, I can guide him far better."
Mr. Tian then turned to Yin Xichen, who had been silent all this time. "You and Zhao Jing have bad blood between you. You wouldn’t be thinking of bringing him into your Xiaocheng Hall, would you?"
Then he looked at Zhao Jing. "Mr. Yin has an unruly temperament; your personalities are sure to clash. If you join Xiaocheng Hall, you’ll never have the upper hand when dealing with him. He’ll be able to punish you however he sees fit... AARGH!"
Before Mr. Tian could finish, Yin Xichen kicked him aside.
"You shameless old fool! Have you no decency? If you want to recruit him, then recruit him. Why are you dragging my name through the mud? Heh. I was originally just here for the entertainment, with no real intention of bringing him into my Xiaocheng Hall. But after hearing you say that, I’ve made up my mind. I’m taking Zhao Jing today, and that’s final."
Yin Xichen looked at Zhao Jing with a provocative glint in his eye. "Do you dare come to my Xiaocheng Hall? If you do, I’ll grant you two extra days off every ten-day period. For the rest of the time, you just need to be present at the academy. Whether you actually attend classes in Xiaocheng Hall will be entirely up to you."
"Deal!"
"Huh?"
"Wait, Zhao Jing, what did you just say? Zhao Jing, don’t be fooled by Mr. Yin’s sweet-talking! As a student, the most important thing is to study! How can you not attend your classes on time at Minglun Hall? You must be careful! This is one of Mr. Yin’s blatant schemes! He’s probably just trying to trick you into Xiaocheng Hall. Once you’re in, all the promises he made today will mean nothing!"
Yin Xichen gave Mr. Sun another kick. "A gentleman’s word is his bond! I stand by what I say, and everyone here can bear witness!"