It takes two hours to go round trip, which is four hours in total.
In my time, a two-hour drive was enough to cover a great distance.
"The first dean of Yunlu Academy believed that only by being located deep in the mountains, far from human habitation and hustle and bustle, could the students focus all their energy on their books. Human energy is limited, and if one is close to certain attractions, it is too easy to be controlled by desires."
Tang Huan nodded in agreement, "That's true."
After all, many boarding schools have sprung up in later generations, precisely so that students can focus all their energy on their studies. This has proven to be effective.
After a bumpy ride, the carriage carried everyone toward the green mountains outside the city.
On the way, Tang Huan talked a lot with Li Mubai about Yunlu Academy and learned about the current predicament the academy is facing.
The decline from its former glory decades ago to its current state of decline is something that every dean and teacher has found unacceptable.
They hope that through the efforts of one person or several people, they can recreate everything that Yunlu Academy was like back then.
Perhaps, Tang Huan has become one of their hopes.
"Sir, the rest of the journey will be on foot, so you'll have to work hard."
As the carriage came to a stop, Li Mubai addressed the crowd.
Tang Huan smiled and was the first to jump down from the carriage.
How long does it take to walk up the mountain?
"About fifteen minutes."
"That's not too far."
Li Mubai said, "I'm just worried that you and the others are used to a peaceful life and might find it a little difficult to adapt to climbing mountains suddenly."
Tang Huan laughed loudly, "Then Mr. Li has misunderstood us. Don't underestimate these two women just because they are women. They are not ordinary people, especially Xue'e. She suffered a lot with me in Qihuai County over the years. She is worth many people."
"Is that so?" Li Mubai was somewhat surprised.
Qin Yu said calmly, "It's just climbing a mountain, nothing particularly difficult. We're not that weak."
And that's exactly what they said.
Although the students of Yunlu Academy were already used to going up and down the mountain, Tang Huan and the others remained calm and unaffected when they finally arrived at the academy on the mountain.
On the contrary, Li Mubai was already panting, and the two students accompanying him also had somewhat flushed faces.
Li Mubai smiled helplessly, "It seems we underestimated Lord Tang. On the contrary, we seem to be acting like weak scholars."
After saying that, Li Mubai took the lead and walked ahead.
"Lord Tang, it's already noon. Lunch should be ready at the academy. Would you like to go to the cafeteria to eat with everyone, or have it delivered to your room?"
Tang Huan turned her head to look at the two girls, seeking their opinions.
In the end, Qin Yu was unwilling to stay with the students of Yunlu Academy, so everyone went to the academy's guest rooms.
I had just finished lunch when I saw a figure moving around outside my room.
Tang Huan glanced through the window and saw a group of students gathered together, constantly looking towards the guest rooms.
Among them were the two students who had visited with us that morning.
"It seems the people at Yunlu Academy are quite curious about you." Qin Yu sat to the side, not paying any attention to anything else.
Xue'e, equally curious, peered through the crack and exclaimed, "There are so many people!"
Tang Huan scratched her head. "Anyway, we're meeting this afternoon. Why are they in such a hurry?"
"Aren't you an honorary professor at Yunlu Academy? Not everyone can attend your lecture this afternoon. Surely some people will want to take this opportunity to see you. After all, you're the famous Poet Immortal now."
Tang Huan still underestimated the enthusiasm of the students at Yunlu Academy.
When he came out of his room after lunch break, he was surprised to find a lot of students sitting in the courtyard outside the door.
Most of them were engrossed in reading a book, while others were standing against the wall.
The door opened, and everyone immediately looked up.
Tang Huan saw countless gazes and couldn't help but feel a little nervous for a moment.
"Hello everyone!" Tang Huan raised her hand and waved gently to greet everyone.
All the students looked at Tang Huan intently. After their initial restraint, one of them couldn't help but ask curiously, "Are you the poet Tang Huan that everyone in the capital is talking about?"
"It's me."
A girl walked over with a smile. "I heard from Teacher Li that you are now an honorary professor of the academy. Nobody believed it at the time. We thought he was joking to fool us. We never expected to actually meet you in person today."
Did Mr. Li mention where the class will be held this afternoon?
Some people shook their heads.
"In that case, let's chat casually for a while."
After indicating that everyone could relax a bit, Tang Huan found a seat and sat down.
Immediately, a large crowd gathered around, staring intently.
"Lord Tang, please tell us about those poems. Although we've been staying at the academy, we've heard them countless times. Even the dean and teachers often mention them."
"Yes, yes, especially the poem 'A Hundred Years of Illness, Alone on Stage,' I really liked it after hearing it. What were your feelings when you wrote this poem?"
"That poem, 'A Boat Full of Dreams Pressing Down on the Milky Way,' is also wonderful. I've never heard such a beautiful poem before."
"I've heard that there's a poem recently called 'How I wish I had ten thousand mansions to shelter all the poor scholars of the world and make them all smile.' Tang Dynasty's heart for the people is fully embodied in this poem. Just hearing these few lines is enough to feel your sincere feelings."
Listening to the two chattering away, Tang Huan laughed and said, "I didn't expect everyone to know. These things were just done on a whim, and I didn't think much about them at the time."
Since everyone is curious, Tang Huan naturally won't mind explaining a bit.
After explaining these verses in detail, Tang Huan noticed that everyone's admiration for him had increased even more.
Before they knew it, Xue'e and Qin Yu also came out of the room. They silently leaned against the wall and watched Tang Huan talk with the students.
Li Mubai also came, accompanied by another elderly man of similar age. Both of them had eyes full of emotion and admiration.
Besides, countless people had gathered in the small courtyard.
There wasn't enough room in the courtyard, so everyone crowded outside the door.
Some people even climbed up the wall of the neighboring courtyard just to catch a glimpse of this great poet.
"Lord Tang, as the county magistrate, you write poems and distribute porridge and grain. I want to know what motivates you to do so much? You look only a few years older than us, but while we are still studying, you have already become a role model for many people."
Someone formally raised a question.
Upon hearing this, Tang Huan also became serious. He thought for a moment and felt that there was a sentence that could explain everything.
And this seems to have become my current thought.
"To establish a moral compass for Heaven and Earth, to secure a destiny for the people, to continue the lost learning of the sages, and to usher in an era of peace for all generations!"
Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent.
The entire courtyard instantly became incredibly quiet, and even Li Mubai and the old man wore serious expressions.
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