Mr. is finally here

Chapter 15: The gentleman is finally here

Chu Huaibei said this sincerely, which made Du Jiping look at him with a higher opinion. Even though there were still loopholes in this matter, he was really thinking about the people of the Northern Territory. The old King Zhenbei taught him very well, and the King Zhenbei was indeed worthy of the title of Guardian of the Northern Territory.

"Your Highness loves the people like your own children, and I admire that, but I still cannot agree. Please forgive me, Your Highness. You are so sincere, you will definitely find a suitable teacher." Du Jiping thought for a long time and still refused. He didn't want to cause too much trouble to the village. Even if someone else took over the teaching, he still couldn't let go of the children.

Chu Huaibei was a little surprised. He had been tempted before, so why did she reject her again? Tsk, sir, you are difficult to deal with. It is even more difficult to deal with someone who is willing to resign and live in seclusion here. Chu Huaibei did not force it. "Sir, please think about it again. I will visit you again tomorrow."

After saying that, he sent his men back. A mile away from the private school, Chu Huaibei said to Jin San, "Jin San, I'll need you to keep an eye on Du Jiping for me today. Observe him and see if there are any other ways to impress him. Come back after he finishes dinner. I'll be waiting for you at the mansion. Thank you."

"Your Highness is too polite. I'll go right away." Jin San bowed and took his leave, and disappeared in a moment.

Chu Huaibei returned to the barracks first, handling important military matters with his deputy general. He then took a look at the simple school that had been built. Needless to say, the soldiers were skilled; the thatched roof was exceptionally sturdy and beautiful. It seemed that no matter what era, people always had respect for their teachers. Chu Huaibei was very satisfied; at least he could see that they were very positive.

She rushed back to the palace before dinner, lest her mother see her tears glistening at breakfast the next day, which would make Chu Huaibei feel guilty. It seemed he had to be more careful about his behavior until his injuries healed. Tsk, damn those Mongolian troops.

After dinner, Chu Huaibei told Sun Mingsi about leaving Jin San to investigate Du Jiping. He had already sent someone else's guards, so he had to inform them proactively. Sun Mingsi nodded, "Jin San will follow the prince's orders on this matter. I have already instructed him in advance."

Chu Huaibei took Sun Mingsi's hand and said, "Hu Zhi is so good to me, let me kiss you, boo~" Chu Huaibei kissed him hard on the left cheek and smiled after the kiss. Sun Mingsi covered his mouth with his hand and said, "Be serious, so that Jin San won't see you when he comes back."

Chu Huaibei took the opportunity to pout and kiss the palm of his hand, which earned him a glare from the beauty. Tsk, even a beautiful woman's glare is beautiful!

Around three quarters past midnight, Jin San returned to report, "I've come to see His Majesty. I've observed for quite some time, but haven't noticed anything unusual. The teacher, however, distributed two roast chickens evenly among the students, and he ate the remaining chicken feet himself. I noticed that the students initially refused to eat, but after the teacher's stern rebuke, they all obeyed and ate. Not a single child ate without taking anything. These children are quite sensible. The meal provided by the village is also very simple: cabbage stewed with tofu and a large bowl of noodles. I returned immediately after the teacher went to bed."

After hearing this, Chu Huaibei was filled with awe for Du Jiping. Such love for students was rare here, and these students also showed great respect for their teachers. She should know how to impress the teacher. "Jin San, thank you for your hard work. Thank you for coming. I've told Mother Wang about dinner in advance. I've made it and sent it to your room. It's simmering on the stove."

"Thank you, Your Highness. I'll take my leave first." After saying this, Jin San bowed and took his leave. He went back to his room to eat, thinking that the prince was quite thoughtful.

Sun Mingsi saw Chu Huaibei staring at the armrest in deep thought, so she didn't interrupt him and sat quietly with her. After a long time, Chu Huaibei came back to his senses and said to Sun Mingsi: "Huzhi, I plan to bring the teacher and the children in the school to live in the palace, and let them study in the Qingzhu Book House outside the palace. The book house already supports a scholar, so it should be no problem for him to take care of these children. All food and drink will be provided by the palace. The teacher will go to the military camp to teach the personal soldiers in the morning, return to the palace to teach the palace soldiers in the afternoon, and go back to test and teach the children's lessons in the evening. Let them live in the courtyard closest to the gate in the outer courtyard. That courtyard has a small kitchen. Later, I will ask Aunt Wen to hire two mothers, one to cook and the other to wash and clean. Two palace soldiers will be assigned to guard the courtyard. It should be no problem. Huzhi, what do you think?"

When Sun Mingsi heard Jin San's report, he considered that if he could bring them all to the city, providing them with a better learning environment and daily care, he would be able to convince the teacher. He had originally considered the possibility of enrolling them in the provincial school, but since the palace had its own library, that was also a good option, eliminating some of the troubles outside of studying. After all, not all scholars looked down on children from peasant backgrounds.

"Huaibei, you have thought it through very carefully. I think this is a good idea. At first, I considered the provincial school, but now I think it is more appropriate to go to the library. It will not be too late to enter the provincial school after the child passes the examination and becomes a student." Sun Mingsi said.

"That's right. Let's make it this way for now. I'll mention it to my mother at breakfast tomorrow and ask her to help arrange it. Come on, Hu Zhi, let's go wash up and get ready for bed. It's hard for you to stay with me so late." Chu Huaibei said, holding his hand. Usually, Hu Zhi would have fallen asleep at this time.

"Well, okay." Sun Mingsi got up with her strength and went to the bathroom together.

After breakfast the next day, Chu Huaibei told his mother about his plan last night. The concubine nodded in agreement and gave them some new clothes. She asked Aunt Wen to buy ready-made clothes first. There was no time to cook for sixteen children and one adult at once. However, it was easy to find people to cook and clean, as they had them in their own farm.

After the discussion, Chu Huaibei prepared to leave the house to visit the master again. After a moment's thought, he turned back to the kitchen and brought out a whole pig's hind leg. He was sure he would like it. Seeing this, Wang's mother did not say anything to stop him. Although she didn't know what the prince would do with a pig's leg, she thought it must be useful to the prince. After reporting to Aunt Wen, there was still time to go to the market to buy more.

When Lu Shun saw the prince carrying out a pig leg, he quickly reached out to take it and tied it to his horse's back. Yesterday the prince brought a roast chicken, and today he brought a big pig leg. It's getting more and more substantial...

The group entered the school as if they were familiar with the place. Chu Huaibei smiled and saluted the teacher from a distance. Du Jiping had no choice but to come out to receive them. Seeing the big pork leg in Lu Shun's hand, he felt a little happy in his heart. He could have another meal. The King of Zhenbei was really a person who gave gifts that were impossible to refuse.

After entering the main hall and sitting down, Chu Huaibei directly informed Du Jiping of her intention to pack up the school and take everyone with her. "Sir, the palace can arrange all matters today. We just need your word. Sir, you know that learning and communicating with others are also very important. In the city, there are many places where scholars gather. Only by communicating with each other can we identify gaps and fill them in, which will help the children grow faster."

Du Jiping really didn't expect that in order to let him teach soldiers, the palace would take the children away and cover all the expenses. To be honest, it was indeed a big surprise for the children. Five of these children were going to take the examination for the status of a student this year, and he wanted to take them to the city to have a look and buy some books.

Du Jiping didn't think long this time before nodding in agreement. "I accept your kindness, Your Highness. In that case, could you please send a car to pick us up tomorrow morning?"

"That's great. Thank you again, sir." Chu Huaibei stood up and saluted. Du Jiping slightly turned sideways and only accepted half of the salute.

Chu Huaibei felt a surge of pride in his heart. With the master in hand, I have the knowledge. Her plan is finally going to be implemented!

"Then I will not disturb you from teaching. Tomorrow at 9:00 a.m., the palace's carriage will come to pick you up. You don't need to bring a lot of things. The palace will prepare all the necessary items." Chu Huaibei said goodbye to the teacher and led his men back to the city.

"Xiao Feng, arrange a carriage to pick them up tomorrow. Be careful on the road." Chu Huaibei ordered.

"Yes, Your Highness. I will make sure to make all the arrangements." Xiao Feng accepted the order.

Back at the palace, Captain Lu Shun of the imperial guards went back to the camp to tell everyone the good news and to prepare for the master's lecture tomorrow afternoon. Xiao Feng, the palace guards' general, went to make arrangements for the reception tomorrow, and Jin San also returned to his master's side to attend to their own affairs.

Chu Huaibei returned home and told his mother the good news that the master would be here the next day. The concubine nodded and said, "Don't worry, I have made all the arrangements." Chu Huaibei grinned and praised, "With mother here, your son doesn't have to worry about anything." "You are so talkative. Go and do your thing. I have to continue to check the accounts." The concubine scolded with a smile.

"Okay, then my son will go back to the study." Chu Huaibei took his leave.

Chu Huaibei returned to his study, thought for a moment, and then ordered the guards to go to Ma's Restaurant and buy five roast chickens before dinner tomorrow night as a treat for the master and his friends. While they wouldn't be short of food in the future, sharing two chickens with so many of them was a bit pitiful. Since they were here, he should treat them well; courtesy is always welcome.

Zhangjia Village was bustling with activity. Du Jiping went to the village chief to inform him of the matter. The village chief had approached him the first time the prince had come, and he had promised him he would stay. This was a happy occasion; he could study in the city without paying for tuition, food, or lodging. If he passed the examination, he could also attend the provincial academy later.

The village chief nodded repeatedly after hearing this, and asked the children to go home and prepare, and set off for the palace tomorrow morning. He also gave them detailed instructions, saying that they were not allowed to cause trouble in the palace or the library, and not to cause trouble for the teacher, etc. The children listened obediently and nodded in agreement. They had secretly seen the person coming in the school before, and they only thought that this person was noble. They didn't expect that it was the King of Zhenbei himself. The children were excited, but they were very calm and promised the village chief that they would be obedient.

The children's homes were also filled with amazement. In addition to packing up their things, each child was required by their mother to take a bath tonight, wash thoroughly, wear clean clothes tomorrow, and enter the palace in the best condition.

Today, Du Jiping brought the large pork leg that Chu Huaibei had brought to the village chief, asking him to divide it up. Everyone hadn't had meat in a while, so he encouraged everyone to enjoy some. The village chief gave each household a little, leaving the largest portion for the teacher to make a bowl of braised pork. Today, it was his family's turn to cook for the teacher. His eldest grandson had been in school for three years, and this year the teacher was preparing to have him take the Tongsheng exam, and the family was filled with anticipation.

Zhangjia Village had a lively night. Many children were so excited that they fell asleep in the middle of the night. They woke up at the crowing of the rooster in the morning. Without any tendency to stay in bed, they quickly packed themselves up, carried their school boxes, and went to the school to wait.

Before the hour of Si, Xiao Feng arrived at the academy with three carriages. "Sir, the prince has sent his men to pick you up. Please get in the carriages."

"Thank you." Du Jiping bowed and thanked the children, and asked them to get on the carriages. The three carriages were full.

Xiao Feng called out to the carriage, "Everyone, sit down, we're leaving." He waved his hand to signal the coachmen to set off back home.