Chapter 288 Don’t Underestimate Song Tangning
The weather in midsummer was getting hotter day by day. After mid-June, the whole capital was like a furnace, and people could almost be melted by the scorching sun.
People in the south of the city discovered that the fences surrounding the area that had been previously enclosed to build the academy had begun to be dismantled, but the number of carriages and people entering and leaving the area every day was increasing. However, unlike before, the carriages were not pulling earth and wood, but this time there were many more flowers and plants.
"Is this academy going to be completed?"
"That should be the case. Didn't you see that the fenced area over there has already started to be demolished?"
"It's been so fast, it's only been two months."
"It's normal that it's fast. You saw it was bright all night long before. I heard from the people helping in the kitchen that there are hundreds of laborers here just to build the academy. In addition to the carpenters, bricklayers, and some recruited laborers, they work in shifts regardless of wind or rain. They hardly stop."
Thousands of people worked in shifts, with hundreds of people working almost every moment. It was not surprising that the academy was built in two months.
The outside of the academy was crowded with people watching the excitement, but because there were many guards around, most of them didn't dare to get close. They just watched and talked from afar. Tang Ning, Rong Yue, and Xue Ru were already inside the academy.
The leading official of the Jingzaosi was named Luo Ronghuan. He was not tall but looked very capable. Because of the last time Tang Ning was "attacked" by Lu Zhinian in the academy, he followed Tang Ning closely this time even though there were people following him. The last incident had really left a heavy shadow on him.
"This is the academy's school building, with a total of thirty-six rooms from east to west. According to the county lord's instructions, they are divided into four levels, A, B, C, and D. Go forward and follow the corridor over there, and you will reach the academy's training ground, which has areas for riding horses, archery, etc. The county lord has just seen the residences of the students and teachers in the back. I wonder if the county lord thinks there is anything else that needs to be changed?" Luo Ronghuan asked in a low voice.
Tang Ning was very satisfied with what he saw. "Thank you, Lord Luo. Everything you arranged is very good. However, I noticed that the library is not yet finished. I wonder when we can move the books in?"
Luo Ronghuan: "Maybe it will take another half a month."
As if afraid that Tang Ning might have objections, he explained, "When Governor Xiao asked us to build the library, he had very high requirements. The entire building was to be made mainly of stone. I told Governor Xiao that this would be time-consuming and labor-intensive, but Governor Xiao's academy can be completed within two months, so the library can be delayed for a while."
The library must not only be rainproof and moisture-proof, but also fireproof and insect-proof. Except for the main beams and window tiles, the column bases and the entire building, walls, and steps are all made of granite and fine bluestone. The most valuable thing in the entire academy is the library.
According to Governor Xiao's original words, even if the imperial palace collapsed, the library could not collapse. Most of the time, the hard laborers in the academy spent in the library.
Naturally, Luo Ronghuan didn't dare to say what Xiao Yan had said. He simply said, "If the county lady needs it urgently, I'll have them hurry up and see if they can get it ready within half a month."
Tang Ning nodded when he heard this: "Thank you for troubling me, Lord Luo."
"Then other places..."
"Everything else is fine. There's nothing to change. Thank you, Master Lauro, for your hard work during this period."
Tang Ning glanced at the side, and Hua Wu immediately came forward holding a brocade box.
Tang Ning took it and handed it to Luo Ronghuan: "There is some silver in it. Lord Luo, please accept it. I will treat you and the entire Beijing Construction Department to tea."
"This... can't be done!" Luo Ronghuan quickly refused. "Your Majesty's order is a good thing that benefits the people. This is what we should do..."
"Your Majesty's order is His Majesty's order, but I have seen the hard work and dedication of Lord Luo and his subordinates over this period of time. The academy was completed in just two months. I am grateful for your dedication. This is not much money, but I would like to invite you to have a cup of tea. Please do not refuse, Lord Luo."
Tang Ning spoke beautifully and placed the brocade box in his hands: "Master Luo, please help to expedite the construction of the library so that it can be opened as soon as possible."
Luo Ronghuan looked at the heavy brocade box in his hand and hesitated for a moment, then did not refuse. "Then I, on behalf of the brothers from the Beijing Construction Department, would like to thank you, my lady. Don't worry, I will personally oversee the library and ensure its completion as soon as possible."
After seeing Tang Ning and the others off, the people around Luo Ronghuan couldn't help but say, "This Yiyang County Lady really understands the ways of the world."
I originally thought that she was a willful girl relying on Xiao Yan, but now it seems that she is very measured.
Luo Rong glanced at him and said, "Do you think someone who destroyed the Duke's Mansion, forced the Lu family to retreat, and indirectly caused the death of Prince Cheng, can be a simple person?"
"But weren't all these done by Governor Xiao..."
"Lord Xiao did it, but who dares to say that Princess Yiyang didn't have a 'contribution' to it?"
Luo Ronghuan held the brocade box in his hand and shook his head. "Don't underestimate anyone. I heard that Princess Yiyang was raised and taught by Rong Taifu when she was young. She was the imperial tutor of three dynasties. Just with this Rongsheng Academy, Princess Yiyang's vision is already better than many people."
He opened the brocade box and looked down at the things inside. He saw a letter of admission from Rongsheng Academy under a few silver bills.
Although it was only the lowest level Class C, Luo Ronghuan couldn't hide the smile on his face.
The last time the Princess of Yi Yang came, he had only mentioned it tentatively. Although his son was ambitious, he had no famous teacher to teach him. Unexpectedly, the Princess of Yi Yang actually took it to heart and gave him such a big surprise and favor.
Luo Ronghuan took out the banknotes and handed them to the man beside him. "Since it's the County Lady's invitation, take them all. Distribute half to the men in the yamen, and give the other half to the kitchen. Have them provide some meat for the slaves and laborers over the next few days. Tell everyone that this is a treat from the Yiyang County Lady."
Luo Ronghuan will still return the favor.
This Rongsheng Academy has a bright future, and the Princess of Yiyang County already has a great reputation, so he doesn't mind adding fuel to her fire and making it even better.
Luo Ronghuan said, "Keep a close eye on it over the next few days. Strive to have the library ready within half a month... no, ten days. Strive to finish it within ten days. Don't delay the Yiyang County Master's important work."
The person next to him didn't notice that there was something hidden at the bottom of the brocade box, and just thought that Luo Ronghuan had left a silver note. However, he didn't think much about it. It was normal for the superiors to take a portion of the profit, not to mention that most of these silver notes were given to them.
The man held the banknotes in his hand with a happy face: "Thank you, sir."
"Don't thank me yet. Tell the brothers that although the library is under construction, no cutting corners are allowed!"
"Don't worry, sir. I will keep an eye on it myself."
…
It was the first time that Rong Yue saw her niece talking to someone. She was completely different from the little girl in her memory who always liked to act coquettishly with her. When she was with Jing Zao Si just now, her whole body seemed to be covered with a layer of light, and she looked shining.
"Why are you thinking of giving money to Luo Ronghuan? The place in the academy should be enough to reward him." Rong Yue said.
Tang Ning smiled and said, "The place in the academy is for Luo Ronghuan, and the silver is for others."
Seeing Rong Yue's confusion, she chuckled, "Aunt, the lucrative government offices in the capital are all in the Jingzaisi. Although the position is only of the lower sixth rank, many people in the capital aspire to be there. Luo Ronghuan has no background, yet he's been able to stay there. This proves that he's a smart man."
Smart people know how to go with the flow and how to return favors.
He would not miss the opportunity to make friends and add icing on the cake.
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