Chapter 127 Voting

The villagers, who were originally having a relaxed and happy time chatting on the Cuju field, suddenly became tense when they heard Gu Jiayue's words, and the atmosphere became a little solemn.

Everyone looked at each other, their eyes full of hesitation and entanglement.

"Ah? We really have to vote?" A middle-aged man widened his eyes, his face full of surprise.

"Jiayue, can we only choose one?" A villager looked puzzled, frowned slightly, stepped forward, and looked at Gu Jiayue with a questioning look.

Gu Jiayue smiled and nodded gently. Then, gently raising her delicate hand, she pointed at the two large baskets of leaves that Hu Zi and Gu Yushan had painstakingly carried up, and said crisply, "Exactly. Here's a basket of leaves. Hu Zi will give each of you one. Whoever you think spoke well can drop a leaf into the basket in front of them. However, to ensure fairness, we'll be facing away from you during the entire counting process, so don't worry."

Although they said this, the villagers still looked sad and there was no joy on their faces.

"But I think all three of you gave very brilliant speeches. It's really hard to decide. What should I do?" An old man twirled his beard, his face full of helplessness and his eyes full of confusion.

"Yes, it's really difficult to choose. Can I not choose?" A young daughter-in-law said timidly, her eyes full of embarrassment.

Gu Jiayue was shocked when she heard this, fearing that everyone would abstain from voting, so she quickly advised, "Don't not vote. After you vote, everyone can share the leftovers from lunch, and then you can go home. Tomorrow morning, remember to send your children to class on time."

When everyone heard that they could share the items, their originally depressed mood instantly became high, and a bit of enthusiasm ignited in their eyes.

"Sister-in-law, who do you choose? I'll vote with you!" A young girl approached a woman and asked anxiously.

"Oh, don't ask me. I'm worried about it too. I really don't know who to choose." The woman waved her hands helplessly, her face full of confusion.

"Daniel, please vote for Principal Gu. We can eat sweet candies in her class." A child said excitedly, pulling his friend's arm.

"But I want to vote for Mr. Du, he speaks very well." Da Niu scratched his head and responded hesitantly.

"Listen up, you little brats, and vote for the last lecturer, Jiang Shanzhang. He explains the Buddhist scriptures in a simple and easy-to-understand way. It's really wonderful!" An old woman instructed her grandchildren.

…

Amidst all the noise, everyone finally completed the voting.

The entire Taohua Village, including men, women, young and old, numbered nearly 1,500 people. Excluding those who had already returned home and those who had no time to watch the fun today, there were currently about 1,200 people at Qiushi Academy.

After some intense statistics, the results were finally revealed.

Gu Jiayue narrowly defeated second-place Jiang Luli by a margin of 418 votes, while Master Du, as expected, came in last.

Principal Min patted Master Du's shoulder generously and said with a soothing smile, "It's okay. The important thing is to participate. Don't worry about it."

Master Du glanced at Principal Min, his lips twitching slightly, but he didn't want to pay any attention to him.

He would never tell Old Min that Principal Gu Xiaoshan had secretly told him that if he lost, as long as he was willing to come to Taohua Village for exchanges, the entire Qiushi Academy's collection of books and classics would be open to him, and he would even be given an independent and quiet courtyard.

Hey, this is so tempting...

"Ahem... yes, I, Du, am so incompetent and unlearned that I have failed Principal Min's kindness. I simply cannot face returning to Wutong Academy." Master Du was secretly delighted, but feigned disappointment. He was thinking it would be best to simply stay at Qiushi Academy. He was deeply interested in Gu Jiayue's unique teaching philosophy and wanted to stay here to further his exchange and learning.

"No, no, Master Du, please don't underestimate yourself. It's not that you're incompetent, it's that your opponent is too formidable." Principal Min, seeing Master Du's expression, quickly tried to persuade him. But he secretly thought, Master Du, please don't give up. Besides him, he's the only one in Wutong Academy who can shoulder the responsibility of Principal. When he arrives at Qiushi Academy for an exchange, he intends to hand over the Wutong Academy Principalship to Master Du.

"President Min, you don't need to persuade me anymore. I am really very sad at the moment. I am speechless in front of the students of Wutong Academy." Master Du continued to pretend and performed with great devotion.

Zhang Sheng was standing aside, looking at his teacher like this, and complained silently in his heart: Teacher, I heard everything you said when you were talking to Mr. Gu. Your acting is too exaggerated and what you said is too fake.

…

Gu Jiayue hurriedly arranged for Hu Zi and Hua Chao to send the villagers away one by one, and carefully explained the time for school tomorrow.

Only after all the villagers left did she have time to turn around and settle everyone in Wutong Academy.

With an apologetic look on her face, she bowed slightly and said, "I'm truly sorry for the inconvenience. It's getting late today, so why don't you all stay in Taohua Village to rest and return to the provincial capital tomorrow? What do you think?"

Everyone agreed without hesitation, "Okay, then I'll have to trouble you, Master Gu."

Dean Min even twirled his beard, his eyes curved in a smile. "After discussing this with Dean Gu today, I feel strongly that the students of Wutong Academy should be encouraged to travel more. After all, reading a thousand books is not as good as traveling a thousand miles. So, for our first stop, I'd like to make Taohua Village. Is Dean Gu willing to agree?"

Gu Jiayue was very pleased with the proposal. Exchange students? That was a great idea. A hint of joy flashed in her eyes, and she smiled and replied, "President Min, please come this way. I also think what you just proposed is a good one. Let's discuss it in detail tomorrow, okay?"

"Okay, okay, let's talk about it in detail tomorrow." Principal Min nodded repeatedly with a smile on his face.

Gu Jiayue led them to the small courtyard inside the academy with graceful steps.

This small courtyard was meticulously built by Gu Jiayue for herself. Over the past few days, Madam Cai had worked tirelessly to bring back all the belongings that had been originally placed in the county town, and then painstakingly arranged them bit by bit in this small courtyard. Although the courtyard was still a little empty and deserted, the rooms were almost ready and felt warm and comfortable.

Hu Zi even bought two maids and two servants to take care of her daily life.

However, they are all new here and are not very familiar with the rules of the mansion. Hua Chao has been busy training them carefully these days. He does not expect them to be as adept as Hua Chao and Hu Zi who came from the Marquis' Mansion. He just hopes that he can take them out with him.

Originally, Hu Zi was planning to buy a doorman, but Gu Jiayue remembered the grandfather Gu San whom she had helped before. He had a grandson named Gu Huangan who was sick and kept coughing.

After returning from his last visit, the Third Ancestor solemnly handed her an IOU. It was neatly signed with his and Gu Huangan's names. "Don't worry, I will definitely pay you back for the money I spent on your treatment. Even after I die, Huangan will pay you back."

Later, when the school was being renovated, the Third Ancestor also came. Kangzi, feeling sorry for his age, was afraid to ask him to do any work. However, he insisted on doing what he could, and then quietly left after finishing his work, refusing to accept money or eat.

Gu Jiayue felt sorry for the two of them, so she asked Hu Zi to arrange a job for him as a gatekeeper. During the day, he would help guard the academy, and at night, he would stay at the gate of the courtyard and help guard the courtyard.

Although it was only one penny of silver per month, which was not much, it was enough for the daily expenses of the two generations of grandfather and grandson.

Moreover, when Gu Huangan goes to school in the future, he can have two meals a day at the school, which doesn’t cost much money.

"You can live here temporarily. If there is anything, just tell Fusheng and Shoucheng to do it." Gu Jiayue said with a smile.

Gu Jiayue was still an unmarried girl, after all. Although it was still early, the other party was all men, so she couldn't handle it too much, attracting people to come and go. So she stopped at the gate of the courtyard and asked Kangzi to take the two new servants to take everyone inside and make proper arrangements.

Alas, poor Kangzi, although he is no longer Gu Jiayue’s servant, the more capable you are, the more work you should do. Gu Jiayue still needs him for many things.

She prayed silently in her heart, hoping that Fu Sheng and Shou Cheng would grow up quickly, so that Kangzi could have a better life.

No, when the salaries are distributed at the end of the month, I must ask Madam Cai to give Hu Zi double the salary, and Hua Chao as well!

"Dear guests, please come in!" Kangzi said respectfully.

Everyone walked inside, but Jiang Luli stood there quietly, looking thoughtful.

Seeing this, Gu Jiayue was puzzled and asked, "Master Jiang, are you dissatisfied with this courtyard?"

She speculated in her heart, that's right, he is a big shot from Kyoto, no matter how well our courtyard is decorated, it is just a small courtyard, how can it compare with his luxurious mansion in Kyoto?

Gu Jiayue bowed slightly and said apologetically, "This is a remote countryside place. I hope Mr. Jiangshan will bear with me."

There is really no other way but to accept it. To be honest, there is no better house than this one in the whole Taohua Village.

The most important thing is that this yard is brand new and she, the owner, has never lived here before.

Jiang Luli was originally thinking about how to put forward his idea tactfully, but the words changed their tone as they reached his lips. "You didn't draw for me while I was lecturing?"

ah?

ha?

What kind of weird question is this?

Gu Jiayue's eyes widened in disbelief. She had never expected Jiang Luli to ask this out of the blue.

But on second thought, given his obsession with calligraphy and painting, seeing a completely new way of painting would definitely make him want to observe and learn it carefully.

So what could be more convenient to learn than having a painting like this yourself?

"Well... I was busy with some trivial matters at that time and failed to paint in time. How about I draw a picture for you tomorrow?" Gu Jiayue asked cautiously.

It's not a trivial matter at all. I just want to persuade Mr. Du to come and communicate.

Jiang Luli didn't know why, but he felt a little unhappy. So, the one in Master Du's hand was unique?

Why?

"Don't draw such pictures again in the future." Jiang Luli frowned and said seriously.

ah?

The boss is indeed a boss. His thoughts jump so fast that it is difficult for ordinary people to keep up.

"Your painting is too realistic. If it is learned by spies from the enemy country and used to draw our country's defenses, fortresses, etc., it will definitely cause great harm to our country." Jiang Luli explained patiently.

Gu Jiayue was stunned again, then thought of the terrifying possibilities he'd mentioned. Suddenly, a chill ran down her spine, and a cold sweat broke out. "I'm sorry, I never thought of that. I... I'll go find Master Du and get the painting back."

What he said does make sense. If the pencil drawing skills were learned by people with bad intentions, and Dagan's important mountains, rivers, border fortresses, and various city defense layouts were drawn, then Dagan would have no secrets at all in the eyes of the enemy, and would be exposed as if it were naked.

She was very excited to start this painting course and had already carefully arranged the class schedule.

Seeing that Gu Jiayue was frightened, Jiang Luli felt a little embarrassed and softened his tone: "Don't be nervous, I'm just saying there is such a possibility. Taohua Village is so remote, the spy may not be willing to come here."

He secretly complained in his heart, what am I doing here? Am I here to count the mountains? And then how many times do I roll down the mountain?

"But you can't take it lightly. So for your safety, I think you should not display such paintings in the future." Jiang Luli said earnestly.

Gu Jiayue nodded repeatedly, her expression sincere: "Okay, okay, thank you for telling me, Mr. Jiang. I am very grateful."

Ever since she traveled through time, her life had been so comfortable and smooth, without encountering many bad things, that her vigilance had become lower and lower.

Until now, she had almost forgotten that she had traveled to a feudal, backward and crisis-ridden dynasty.

Here, if you are not careful, you may lose your life.

If Jiang Luli hadn't reminded her today, she would definitely have made a big mistake in the future because of this painting!

"Since you want to thank me, why don't you teach me the painting skills?" Jiang Luli's eyes flashed with anticipation.

ah?

No...you just said not to show it to anyone!