Once Dean Zhou and Mr. Peng entered the courtyard, they were almost unable to walk any further.
The reason is simple: the yard is full of flowers, so beautiful that it's hard to look away, and that's why people tend to stick their feet in the ground...
They were almost at Broken Gold Beach just outside the city, so the Li family wasn't in a hurry to get back.
Li Lao Er then began to introduce the flowers and plants in the yard to the two men, which aroused the children's curiosity, and they also listened to the excitement.
Dean Zhou and Mr. Peng wished they could move the entire garden back to the academy!
After a long and difficult journey, Dean Zhou and Mr. Peng reluctantly went inside for tea.
Seeing that their eyes were still fixed on the door, Li Lao Er felt both smug and amused, and said, "In seven or eight days, the Hundred Flowers Garden will open to the public. At that time, the director and the gentleman are welcome to come and admire the flowers anytime they wish."
“We will build a greenhouse in the garden on the east side. In winter, we would like to invite the director and the gentleman to bask in the sun, enjoy the flowers and drink tea in the greenhouse. That would be so relaxing.”
Dean Zhou and Mr. Peng nodded repeatedly, beaming with joy. Only when they saw Jiaren and his brothers around them did they remember their business.
Dean Zhou didn't beat around the bush and asked directly, "Lord, I heard that our family has a fleet of ships going to Quanzhou, and Jia'an and Jiaxi are also going to go on the ship to study?"
Li Lao Er nodded. The family hadn't tried to hide this matter, but they couldn't anyway.
Since Jia'an and Jiaxi would be gone for two or three months, the academy needed to ask for leave, and the reason for the leave had to be clearly stated, otherwise the academy could not just let the students go out.
I just don't know what the dean was thinking when he asked that question...
"What the dean said is true. My elder brother runs a restaurant that specializes in seafood. His family often travels between Xindu and Quanzhou, and having a fleet of three to five small boats makes things convenient."
"Jia'an and Jiaxi aren't exactly quiet types. I'm afraid they won't amount to much in their studies. I was thinking of taking them on a boat trip to broaden their horizons. Hopefully, they can find a job they enjoy that they can also do to make a living!"
These words were truly insightful, and both Dean Zhou and Mr. Peng nodded in agreement.
Many people send their children to academies as if they have nothing to worry about, wishing that the child they send in will be a complete novice and will become a scholar or a graduate after leaving the academy!
In reality, learning is not that easy, and there are still big differences between students.
Some people are highly talented, and scientific examinations are easy for them; they only need to put in seven-tenths of their effort.
However, some were slow to grasp the concepts, had a strong desire to play, and were indeed not cut out for studying diligently. After four or five years in the academy, they were lucky if they could barely pass the preliminary examination and become a student.
The Li family are truly exceptional people who understand things!
They don't rely solely on academies; they understand children's habits and know how to pave the way for them in advance.
Dean Zhou sighed inwardly, but spoke as a request, "To be honest, Your Excellency, some of our students have studied for three to five years and have acquired considerable knowledge, but their worldview is very shallow. I have always wanted to find a suitable opportunity to take them out for a trip, but considering safety, it is not possible."
"A few days ago I received a letter from a good friend who is a teacher at Hanhai Academy in Quanzhou. He invited our students to visit him, exchange ideas, and enhance our knowledge."
"As it happens, I heard that your fleet is heading to Quanzhou. I wonder if you could give our academy's teachers and students a ride? Of course, all their food and lodging expenses will be covered by our academy."
Li Lao Er had some vague guesses in his mind, and after hearing this, he was somewhat troubled.
Firstly, the fleet didn't belong to him, but to his elder brother, so he couldn't make the decisions.
Secondly, the students of the academy are precious. Although the academy will send a teacher to accompany them, if there is any accident on the way, the Li family will have to bear some responsibility.
However, Dean Zhou made the request, even at the cost of his reputation. If he were to refuse outright, it would be embarrassing for both of them, and it would be somewhat awkward for his children to continue studying at the academy.
He thought for a moment and said, "Dean, in principle, when students from the academy want to travel for further studies, our family should do our best to support them. But this time, I'm afraid we'll have to disappoint you!"
The dean also knows that the main task of our family's small boat fleet is to transport fish, and there are time limits for round trips. This time we are about to set off, and I'm afraid we can't wait for the students to make the arrangements.
Moreover, these fishing boats typically have a large hold with only one or two cabins above, and the smell is extremely fishy and foul. The boatmen are used to it, and our Li family also comes from a poor background; our children are resilient and not afraid of anything. But the students and teachers probably couldn't stand it.”
Dean Zhou was somewhat disappointed, but he also knew that what Li Lao Er said made sense.
He was so excited to receive the letter that he didn't think things through properly.
You might think you can just board the ship and leave, but in reality, you really need to carefully plan for food, lodging, and safety along the way.
"Oh, I see. Then forget it. I'll think of another way!" Dean Zhou frowned, clearly unwilling to give up this opportunity, even though the Li family couldn't help.
Li Lao Er laughed and said, "The dean doesn't spend a lot of time on the water, so it's understandable that he doesn't know the difficulties involved."
Dean Zhou nodded, cupped his hands in thanks, and said, "Alright, thank you for the reminder, Lord. I'm truly sorry to have bothered you today."
After sitting for a while, Dean Zhou and Mr. Peng got up to say goodbye, since the Li family still had to go back to Suijintan.
Two scholars have emerged from our family; we must celebrate no matter what.
Li Lao Er invited them to a banquet, but Dean Zhou laughed and said, "There's no rush. We can celebrate together when the two children pass the imperial examinations!"
Everyone laughed and saw the two to the door.
Once the academy's carriage had driven far away, the Li family, young and old, hurriedly got into the carriage and headed home.
Sure enough, they hadn't gone far outside the city when they met Liu, the head镖师 (bodyguard/escort), who came out to greet them.
Liu, the head镖师 (bodyguard/escort), laughed heartily, "You're finally back! Everyone's been waiting anxiously. The village has already started preparing a feast for Mr. and Mrs. Wen, as well as the five members of the Liu family."
"The village heads of Dahuaishu Village and Dawangzhuang and Xiaowangzhuang brought their villagers, about a hundred people in total, and the village was packed with people!"
"The village chief took charge and slaughtered two big, fat pigs. Everyone was scrambling to contribute money to throw a celebratory feast for the two young scholars..."
The Li family was overjoyed to hear this and quickly rode their horses to the village.
As soon as the carriage entered the village, it was surrounded by the villagers. When Jiaren and Lige got off the carriage, the villagers cheered.
Some of the boys even lifted Jiaren and Lige'er up and carried them directly into the Li family's courtyard.
Jiaren and Lige'er blushed, worried that they might fall, and even bowed to the villagers.
The villagers were overjoyed! Such a young scholar!
To have two students pass the exam at once is a rare double blessing in the entire Tianwu!
The village chief and Uncle Zhao were talking inside with Old Master Liu, Liu Zhiheng, Mr. Wen, and others when they heard the commotion outside. They went to the door and laughed as well.
Liu Zhiheng was extremely envious. He patted his two sons on the head and said, "See? Study hard and be as promising as Jiaren and Lige."
Before he could finish speaking, Old Master Liu slapped him, saying, "You're such a blockhead! You can't even study properly, and now you're blaming the child!"
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