Zhang Tianlai was very happy to see Li Shimin praising Li Jue so highly, and even felt as if he had met a kindred spirit.

"Who can argue with that? If all the nobles of the Tang Dynasty had this mindset, the Tang Dynasty would be as solid as steel, and its rule for thousands of years would be no problem!"

"However, my lord's good deeds do not stop there..."

"oh?"

In Li Shimin's view, Li Jue's willingness to use the money meant for building his mansion to build a school for the people at such a young age was already a testament to his noble character.

"Your lord runs a school for free and doesn't charge tuition. Does he have any other good deeds to do?"

Zhang Tianlai pointed to a building opposite the office that had a sign that read "Canteen".

"Please look, sir, that's our school's canteen!"

"Our school provides a free lunch every day at noon!"

"Free supply?"

"yes!"

"Not only is it free, but the food is also quite good. It's all fragrant millet rice, and each meal includes at least one vegetable dish and one meat dish. In addition, there are unlimited pickled vegetables and egg drop soup."

"To be honest, since I was hired by the school, I've gained ten pounds in just over two months, hahaha!"

Li Shimin was increasingly surprised as he listened. On one hand, he admired his beloved grandson's kindness, and on the other hand, he was curious about where the child got so much money.

Although the school wasn't large, he had just roughly calculated that there were at least two or three hundred children. Even if the children ate little, and each child only cost three coins, it would still cost nearly a string of cash a day.

In two months, that's sixty strings of cash. Where did Li Jue get so much money?

Just relying on selling fried dough sticks?

Li Shimin had specifically sent people to investigate the profits of fried dough sticks; at most, they could only earn about one string of cash a day.

Could it be that his beloved grandson is not eating or drinking, and is instead using all his earnings to support the school?

Although Li Shimin harbored many doubts, he still chatted with Zhang Tianlai without revealing his true feelings, and then had Zhang Tianlai show him around the school.

After touring the entire school, Li Shimin secretly made some plans in his mind.

The construction of this school would not have been possible with just five thousand strings of cash; it would have cost at least five thousand strings of cash.

Where did Li Jue get so much money?

"These are our school classrooms. There are eight more classrooms like this, one for each grade..."

"Each grade?"

"right!"

"According to Lord Li, basic education should be implemented as a nine-year system."

"However, I don't know about this either. I just follow Lord Li's instructions. I teach him however he tells me to."

It was the time when students were dismissed, and the huge classroom was empty.

Li Shimin walked into the classroom and pointed to the huge black wall.

"What is this, and why is the wall painted black?"

Zhang Tianlai smiled and picked up a piece of chalk, writing the two characters "大唐" (Great Tang Dynasty) on the blackboard.

"This is a blackboard. Writing on the blackboard with limestone makes it easier and clearer for students to see the words."

"Oh oh oh..."

"This method is great; it's much more convenient than writing in the sand table!"

"yes!"

"I was immediately drawn to Lord Li's ingenious idea, hahaha..."

What do the students here study?

"For now, we'll only be studying the Four Books and Five Classics, but Lord Li said he'll compile textbooks for the students as soon as possible?"

Li Shimin curled his lip in disdain upon hearing this.

"Your Lord Li is only eight years old this year, right? He's still a student. How can he compile books?"

Zhang Tianlai was immediately displeased upon hearing this.

"Isn't what you're saying a bit too biased?"

"My lord is a man of supreme wisdom, born with knowledge. Even without studying, he will surpass the rest of the world!"

"The mundane classical texts will only restrict my lord and will not be of any help, so it is better not to read these common books!"

Li Shimin had never been treated like this before. If it weren't for the fact that the other party was working for his grandson, he would have ordered his men to drag him out and give him a good beating.

"Hmph!"

"Where is your lord? I need to have a chat with him!"

"Who are you, and why are you looking for my lord?"

“I am his grandfather, and he is my grandson. It is my right to find him!”

Upon hearing this, Zhang Tianlai's face immediately broke into a smile.

"It turns out to be Elder Li in person. I was unaware of your presence. Please forgive me if I have offended you."

This time it was Li Shimin's turn to be puzzled. Judging from the tone of the person in front of him, he seemed to have heard of him.

You know me?

"certainly!"

"Not only do I know this, but everyone in the entire school, and even the whole of Xianyang, knows it!"

"My lord tells everyone that he was able to inherit this title thanks to Old Man Li, and your kindness to him is no less than that of a second parent!"

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin immediately grinned, but as he laughed, he suddenly realized something was amiss.

They're from different generations!

What do you mean by "second parents"? I am his own grandfather, his own great-grandfather!

“My lord only comes to the school to teach students in the morning; he usually goes to work on the farm in the afternoon.”

"He still has work to do?"

"yes!"

"Helping farmers with tasks such as planting, watering, making bricks, and paving roads."

Li Shimin became increasingly alarmed and heartbroken as he listened.

Li Jue was the eldest grandson of the Tang Dynasty, with an extremely noble status. How could he be allowed to engage in such lowly work with a group of commoners?

Besides, how old is this child?

Let alone royal descendants, even ordinary people wouldn't be willing to let their eight-year-old children work in the fields, would they?

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!