Chapter 2277 Divided into Two Factions

One group of people went up the mountain, and soon another group of people reached the halfway point and were led up by Erniu who was waiting there.

The people who were received on the mountainside and inside the academy were all former students of Master Wen and others.

Once Zhenglu Academy opens, all these students will be enrolled in the academy, and the original school will cease to exist.

People like Shu Rui, Er Niu, Da Bao, and Jiang Yi and Deng's son Jiang Huaiwen all became the first batch of students at Zhenglu Academy.

Of course, some schools were unwilling, since they could adjust their tuition fees when they accepted students, and they would get a lot of benefits in secret. But once they were merged into the academy, they would be restricted, and if they accepted too many gifts, they would be expelled from the academy.

Meng Yunzheng had no intention of persuading anyone to accept this kind of school. For such a school to be merged into the academy and have its teachers taken over would be like adding a rotten apple to a porridge, only tarnishing its own reputation.

Anyway, once Zhenglu Academy opens and its reputation spreads, students will naturally flock here. Once all the students are attracted, it will be too late for these other schools to regret it.

Shu Rui led his men up the mountain, stopping only at the main gate.

Both the Kang and Hou families had been here before, but many people in the crowd were visiting for the first time and were immediately captivated by the scenery before them.

"The scenery is lovely, and it's so cool here."

Many people had already gathered in front of the gate. Some were standing, some were sitting, some were admiring the scenery around them, some were talking in hushed tones, and some were asking the students when the gate would open. It was noisy and lively.

However, there is another point that is extremely noticeable.

With so many people present, they seemed to be divided into two factions.

The people on the left were all dressed in fine clothes, with slightly arrogant expressions and polite yet relaxed smiles on their faces.

These people are clearly from wealthy families, including gentlemen, ladies, and gentlemen.

On the right stood a group of men and women, their expressions reserved, talking in hushed tones, and holding their children's hands tightly.

These people are mostly from families of modest means, or even some who are poor.

The two sides were clearly divided, which was quite obvious.

Kang and Hou exchanged a glance, then quietly followed Shu Rui into the academy from the other side.

Someone saw it, but said nothing. Those who could enter before the gate opened were naturally people from the academy.

The number of people outside the door gradually increased, and eventually more and more people gathered.

At the hour of Chen (7-9 AM), someone suddenly shouted, "The magistrate is here! The prefect is here!"

"And the county magistrate."

The crowd gasped in surprise and turned to look, only to see Xia Yan leading two middle-aged men, who were also climbing up the mountain on their own two legs.

The crowd quickly made way, and the onlookers instinctively wanted to kneel down.

Lord Fei chuckled and said, “No need for formalities, everyone. We’re just here to witness the establishment of Zhenglu Academy. We’re not in the yamen today, so please make yourselves at home.”

Hearing his words, the crowd stopped kneeling.

Some people knew Lord Fei and wanted to go up and chat with him, but the two officials did not stay long and followed Xia Yan into the academy.

As soon as they left, a buzzing sound erupted behind them.

"I never expected that even the prefect and county magistrate would come to the newly opened academy. Scholar Meng is truly very prestigious."

Someone nearby clicked their tongue and chuckled, "You're really out of touch. This academy isn't your average little academy."

(End of this chapter)