Chapter 138 Can't Hide It Can't Hide It

Not only the people in the Hanlin Academy found it strange, but many people who were staring at him also found it strange that Su Fengzhang had been so silent.

It’s not that they had high hopes for Su Fengzhang, but after looking into Su Zhuangyuan’s life, many people concluded in their hearts that he was not a man without ambition who wasted his time.

Everyone knows Chi Liangjun's tricks, but if Su Fengzhang can't even pass this level, it would be very disappointing.

Originally, everyone speculated that under Chi Liangjun's suppression, Su Fengzhang would either fight a desperate battle and directly join the Xu family, completely turning against the prince's lineage, or he would humble himself and try to please Chi Liangjun, so that he would give him a way out.

But now, people with discerning eyes see that Su Fengzhang is going to take the third path, just like Cao Tanhua did back then, who waited for time and was directly sent out of the capital after three years?

Su Fengzhang seemed to be unaware of the rumors outside. He came to the yamen at the designated time every day and went home at the designated time. No one could see a trace of displeasure on his face. He looked more like one of those old gentlemen who had been in the Hanlin Academy for many years and had completely lost their edge.

Even Su Qun, who had always been resentful of him, became confused, thinking to himself that maybe he had misjudged Su Fengzhang. This was not a tiger at all, let alone a fox, but a harmless little white rabbit?

Five months later, the summer heat in the capital was exceptionally hot. Even those who loved the hustle and bustle did not want to go out on the streets at noon. Even the weeping willows by the moat were dying from the sun, and their leaves had curled up.

The Hanlin Academy is cooler than other places. After all, the adults can enjoy ice. There is an ice basin in the room. Although it is not as effective as air conditioning, it is not so uncomfortable.

Xiao Hanlin has lived in the capital for many years, but he is still not used to the climate here. Especially in the summer, he sweats easily. No matter how little he wears, he will be wet all over. It feels terrible.

His body was full of sweat and he felt hot even when sitting next to the ice basin. Xiao Hanlin, who was always low-key, also became irritable and couldn't control himself and kept swearing for the past two days.

In this situation, the people below naturally dare not bring bad luck to the party, and want to postpone any problems.

Su Fengzhang didn't avoid him, but instead took the initiative to approach him and asked with a smile, "Master Xiao, would you like to try some ice food?"

Xiao Hanlin's eyes lit up when he heard this, and he said repeatedly, "Of course."

Su Fengzhang walked into the house and opened the lunch box in his hand, only to see two bowls of iced sour plum soup inside. This sour plum soup is cheap, but it is a good thing to beat the heat in the summer.

The two of them sat opposite each other and took a sip. They felt a cool breeze from their mouths to their stomachs, and their whole bodies felt much cooler and more refreshed.

Xiao Hanlin couldn't help but sigh, "Ah, thank goodness our ancestors figured out how to make ice from saltpeter. Otherwise, with our salaries, we wouldn't be able to drink ice whenever we want like we do now."

Su Fengzhang also said: "Indeed, it's a pity that saltpeter ice is not easy to eat directly, otherwise it would taste better if it was made into smoothies."

Xiao Hanlin also felt it was a pity and said, "We don't have much ice money, and we don't dare to use it freely on weekdays."

After that, he added: "I have to thank Lord Su for being so generous and giving me some. Otherwise, this summer would have been difficult."

Su Fengzhang smiled and said, "Anyway, there are not many people in my family, so it would be a waste to leave it alone."

The two chatted for a while, and under the influence of the sour plum soup, Xiao Hanlin's mood calmed down a lot. Then he remembered something and asked, "Weren't you sorting out the index before? Did you figure it out?"

"I was just about to report this to the adults." Su Fengzhang said with a smile, taking out a booklet that he had prepared long ago from his arms.

"Please read this, sir," Su Fengzhang explained. "Although the books in Chongwen Pavilion are arranged according to categories, there are so many of them that it's inevitable that they're cluttered. Previously, when I was looking for a book, it often took me several days to find it, which was very inconvenient."

"Later, I thought, since books can be categorized, why not make them more detailed?"

"In the Seven Categories, the book is divided into six categories and a general catalogue. The six categories are the Six Arts, the Philosophers, the Poetry and Fu, the Military Books, the Divination and Mathematics, and the Medical Techniques. The six categories are further divided into types. For example, the Six Arts includes the Book of Changes, the Book of History, the Book of Poetry, the Book of Rites, the Book of Music, the Spring and Autumn Annals, the Analects, the Book of Filial Piety, and the Elementary School, all of which are recorded in the general catalogue."

"This way, the collection is actually divided into more detailed categories. However, there are countless books in each category. I thought it would be better to divide the books in each category according to the stroke order of the first character, sort them in order, and record them in the general catalog."

"These past few days, I've been organizing my medical skills. Sorting and recording them is a complex task that requires a lot of manpower and time, but after sorting them, it's much easier to find a specific book."

Xiao Hanlin was surprised when he heard this. He reached out and took the catalogue and looked at it, saying, "Your method is quite novel. In recent years, most library collections have continued to use the 'Zhongjingbu', which divides the books into four parts: A, B, C, and D. In that order, they are Classics, History, Philosophy, and Anthology. However, even after the division, it is still difficult to find the book. It's a real waste of manpower."

Xiao Hanlin originally just took a casual look, but he found that the stroke order method proposed by Su Fengzhang was very exquisite. It can be said that on the basis of the original seven chapters and four parts, the book list was divided into detailed parts.

In this way, anyone who can write can quickly find the corresponding section and part according to the general catalog, and quickly find the corresponding word from the part. The corresponding bookshelf is written in detail after each book.

Xiao Hanlin searched for several books, and the time he spent was much faster than before. He couldn't help but admire it and said, "This method is not bad. If we can sort out all the seven categories, it will be much easier to find books."

Then Xiao Hanlin looked up at Su Fengzhang and said with a smile: "Boy, you have been thinking about this these days."

Su Fengzhang just smiled and said, "I didn't think about it specifically, I just thought of it while looking for a book."

"I have no one under my command, and I dare not touch the library at will, so I will only organize the Fangjilue first and dare not touch the other five."

Xiao Hanlin laughed and said, "Why wouldn't I be afraid of such a good idea..."

After saying this, he thought of Chi Liangjun's matter and said hesitantly, "It's just that Master Chi has always been a law-abiding person. I'm afraid he wouldn't like us to make such a big change."

Su Fengzhang also nodded and said, "This is what I am worried about, so I came to see you first."

"This..." Xiao Hanlin was very hesitant. After reading it, he thought it was a good idea, but organizing the book collection was not an important matter. Wouldn't it be worth it to offend Lord Chi just for this?

After spending a few months together, Xiao Hanlin let go of his initial worries. He was certain that Su Fengzhang definitely didn't know about the provincial examination. The relationship between the two of them as superiors and subordinates had always been good, but it was different for him to offend his boss for Su Fengzhang.

Su Fengzhang had guessed his thoughts long ago and smiled slightly. He said, "Sorting out the collection of books is just a small matter. If we anger Lord Chi, it will inevitably be more trouble than it's worth. Besides, it's so hot now, it's not a good idea to start a fight in Chongwen Pavilion."

Xiao Hanlin said repeatedly, "That's right, that's what I was worried about just now."

Su Fengzhang seemed unaware of his real concerns and nodded, saying, "It was my fault for coming to see you thinking only that this method was a good one, but I didn't consider all the other things."

Xiao Hanlin smiled and said, "It's a good idea indeed, but I need to think about how to start it."

Su Fengzhang suddenly said, "Lord Chi is very displeased with southern officials. If this idea were proposed by a northerner in the court, it could be implemented tomorrow. But if it were us, I'm afraid we would have a long way to go and it might be suppressed."

"It's a pity that my position is low and my words have little influence. Even if I submit a memorial, I'm afraid it won't reach His Majesty."

Xiao Hanlin's expression changed slightly. If Su Fengzhang's memorial did not pass Chi Liangjun's review, it would not be able to reach the emperor. But he was different. He was a reader in the Hanlin Academy. Although he was not valued, he could still meet the emperor occasionally.

Thinking of this, Xiao Hanlin subconsciously glanced at Su Fengzhang, thinking that this guy might be instigating him to report the matter to a higher level, but what good would it do him to do such a thing?

Su Fengzhang seemed not to notice his expression and continued, "Actually, in the past few months, I've been helping to compile historical books. Besides coming up with this method of organizing the collection, I also have some other ideas."

Xiao Hanlin's brows twitched slightly. Although they had only been together for a few months, he fully realized that Su Fengzhang was very smart. He had never seen him stumped by Chi Liangjun's deliberate embarrassment.

"Tell me about it?"

Su Fengzhang spoke in a low voice, but just a few simple words made Xiao Hanlin's face change drastically.

After Su Fengzhang finished speaking, Xiao Hanlin's expression changed unpredictably, and the look in his eyes when he looked at Su Fengzhang was completely different: "How bold! Do you know that if His Majesty doesn't agree, this matter will become a laughing stock in the literary world?"

Su Fengzhang said, "Master Xiao, you and I know the emperor's temper. Do you think he will agree to this?"

Xiao Hanlin was still a little undecided.

Su Fengzhang then said, "In fact, the Hanlin Academy has been constantly revising books over the years, but has not made any significant progress. This is because they don't have a clear direction. What kind of results can be achieved by sporadic efforts?"

"If someone could step forward and lead this matter now, and if they could achieve some results, His Majesty would certainly take notice."

Xiao Hanlin frowned and asked, "But if we mobilize a large army as you said, what if it fails..."

"Once we start, how can we not succeed?" Su Fengzhang said with a smile. "Just like Lord Xiao said, once this thing starts, it will definitely mobilize a large number of people, and countless people will participate. It could even include the most powerful people in the court. In this way, even if we give up, they won't let go. Don't you agree?"

Seeing Xiao Hanlin's eyes growing brighter and brighter, Su Fengzhang knew that he had been moved, and he said the last sentence: "The first person to bring up this matter will surely be remembered in history."