Sun Feizhang stared at the two of them, mesmerized. The name Nangong Chiyu was so famous that even a beggar like him knew it.
How could there be two such highly respected figures in the whole country in this small village?
He didn't drink any alcohol today, he only smelled the aroma of wine, does that mean he's drunk?
"Hahaha... Everyone laughs at my madness, but I laugh at their ignorance, hahaha..."
Nangong Chiyu knew he didn't believe him, but when he took out the prince's seal, Sun Feizhang could no longer laugh.
He had been mentally unstable for over thirty years, but sometimes he would instinctively pay attention to certain things. Having studied for many years, he had a certain understanding of royal seals and symbols of identity.
He stopped laughing and turned his head away: "Greetings, Prince Yu, Vice Minister of Agriculture."
There was no formality of greeting; he simply uttered a few words, having long since disregarded life and death and needing no one to please.
"Don't try to force me with your power, it won't work!"
This is someone Nangong Chiyu found; Su Luo will see how he tries to persuade them.
"I will not force you, sir. Now that you have eaten your fill, why don't you come with us to the East Courtyard for a walk and to see my daughter?"
Having eaten their meal and even changed into nice clothes, Sun Feizhang had to give them that much face.
But teaching is one thing, but given his own character, teaching would only mislead students.
Su Luo asked Qiu Yue to go to Zhao Ruyun's place and call Yi Huan and Yan Chuan to the East Courtyard.
Sun Feizhang walked through the Chen residence. His family used to have a large courtyard like this, but it had fallen into decline.
Entering the East Courtyard, one immediately senses the familiar atmosphere of books and calligraphy, the plum trees in the courtyard, and the rows of bamboo groves along the wall.
Just looking at these designs, you can feel the strong literary style. It's been so long since he's seen a place like this.
“Mr. Sun, this is the private school I prepared for my daughter and the others, and over there, that is the children’s study.”
The Chen family mansion has three studies, one in the front courtyard, which contains the books she needs to read, as well as some miscellaneous books.
The East Courtyard has Yan Chuan and Yi Huan's study, which is also the largest in the entire Chen Mansion. There is also a small study in the Embroidery Building, which was once used by Xie Wanwan.
Stepping into the East Courtyard Study, one finds almost the most complete collection of books in the entire Nanning Kingdom, many of which were brought back from the palace by Nangong Chiyu.
The two floors were filled with bookshelves and bamboo slips, each type labeled with its purpose and placed together.
This study was larger than any bookstore Sun Feizhang had ever seen; perhaps only the imperial palace and the princely mansions in the capital were larger.
"Is this the study?"
Sun Feizhang couldn't believe his eyes; such a treasure trove was hidden in a small village.
"Yes! As long as you are willing to stay in the Chen family, you can freely browse through this study. You will receive three meals a day and a monthly stipend of ten taels of silver. You will no longer have to wander from place to place."
It wasn't about the money; it was just that even after giving up worldly desires for so long, he was still drawn to such a large study.
"Your Highness, Vice Minister of Agriculture, I am merely fortunate enough to have passed the county-level imperial examination and become a scholar. You are overestimating me."
Back at the desk on the first floor, he saw the homework written by Yan Chuan and Yi Huan, their handwriting neat and their penmanship impressive.
The books in the box were clearly those for children who were only seven or eight years old, but the books on the desk, the handwriting, and the annotations were all of a high enough standard to be considered for the imperial examinations.
It's obvious at a glance that Prince Yu's child is no ordinary person.
"I have read your article, sir. Some of the rules seemed like wishful thinking at the time, but now they are all correct."
Your understanding of the national situation and the people is far more profound than anyone else's. At that time, I wondered, how could such a person be just a scholar?
That's when I started to learn about you, sir, and through my connections in the court, I learned about your experiences.
It would be a real pity if the gentleman's talent were buried here.
Sun Feizhang sneered. So what if his talent was buried? This world doesn't value his learning at all, let alone teaching a female student, unless...
"Father, Mother!"
Yan Chuan and Yi Huan came from the west courtyard. When they entered the study and saw that there were guests, they did not dare to be presumptuous and obediently bowed.
He Ge and An An stood guard outside the study door.
"Chuan Chuan, Huan Huan, come here and greet Mr. Sun."
Yan Chuan and Yi Huan approached Sun Feizhang and bowed slightly, saying, "Greetings, Mr. Sun!"
Yan Chuan looked at the man, whose face was covered with a beard and who was so thin that he was just skin and bones.
Father said he would find the most talented person in Nanning for my sister. Could it be the person in front of me? But he looks a bit slovenly.
"He's a madman, no need to bow to me."
When Sun Feizhang saw the two children, he immediately noticed their sharp features and similar appearance to Prince Yu, which spoke volumes.
"Did you two write all these books and words?"
Sun Feizhang pointed to the books and words on the desk, and the two children nodded as promised.
Xie Wanwan taught Yi Huan, and Yi Huan learned very quickly. In addition, there were so many books at home, and Yan Chuan would also teach her.
She's no less capable than Yan Chuan.
Sun Feizhang then asked the two children questions about the Four Books, poetry collections, and other things that would be tested in the imperial examinations for the title of Xiucai (a scholar who passed the county-level imperial examinations).
Sun Feizhang was extremely satisfied that both of them could answer the question, and then asked another question.
"Besides studying, what else have you learned?"
This time, Yan Chuan answered: "We can do math, mental arithmetic, and no one in the entire academy can match us."
I also learned some principles of nature, pharmacology, agriculture, and medicine; I know a little bit about all of them.
These were all taught to them by Su Luo. Although they weren't very proficient, they were sufficient for this era.
"Okay...okay..."
Suddenly, Sun Feizhang turned to look at Nangong Chiyu and Su Luo and said, "Your Highness Prince Yu, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, if you want me to stay here, you can have them both become my disciples."
He pointed to Yan Chuan and Yi Huan, and suddenly he had a clear goal and everything became clear.
At over fifty years old, he could no longer take the imperial examinations, but he devoted all his knowledge to his apprentices, letting them fulfill his wishes on his behalf.
He can also tell the world that they are blind and cannot see his great talent, Sun Feizhang, and that losing him is a loss for the whole world.
"this!"
Su Luo thought Sun Feizhang was crazy. It was rare for him to be able to say a few normal words. Who knew if he would be like he was when he first entered the manor?
“Mr. Sun, since you teach them, you are naturally their teacher.”
Sun Feizhang shook his head. "I don't want to be a teacher. I want to be their master, especially him. If he doesn't want me to, I'll leave."
He specifically asked for Yan Chuan, as if he wanted Yan Chuan to inherit his mantle.
Yan Chuan saw that his father's expression was alright, but his mother was worried. His father was the most capable person, and Yan Chuan trusted the people he had found.
If we want this person to stay and teach my sister, what's wrong with becoming his student?
Suddenly, he bowed deeply, clasped his hands in a fist and bow, and said, "Student Chen Yanchuan is willing to become your disciple, and hopes that you will stay and teach me and my sister."
Yi Huan also bowed. Now that things had come to this point, Su Luo had no choice but to trust Nangong Chiyu and believe that he would not harm his children.
"Hahaha...that's right."
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