If you choose to study under Wu Muyue, you will have to study hard for many years before you can take the imperial examination. Even if you pass the imperial examination and are selected as an official, you don't know how long it will take before you can achieve the status you desire.
Lin Fang sat on the steps in front of the courtyard. Because there were more people in the courtyard, Xu Zhi simply rented the courtyard next door as well. One courtyard was used as accommodation, and the other courtyard was simply tidied up and used as a classroom. Not only did these twenty or so teenagers need to study, but the sixteen or seventeen-year-old boys from the capital also needed to undergo training.
It was during class time, and there were few people in the courtyard. From afar, one could hear the laughter and chatter of an older woman cooking in the kitchen.
Lin Fang closed his eyes. It was already the dead of winter. Winter in Liaodong was dry and cold when there was no wind. Lin Fang tightened his clothes and thought of his home. Sometimes, his mother would be in the kitchen, making something delicious and calling him over to have a taste.
Why did his home disappear? Lin Fang had thought about this question countless times, and only recently did he realize that it was because the country was not strong enough. If the country were strong enough, those foreign tribes would not dare to invade, and many, many families would not have suffered tragedies like his own.
In the past few years, Lin Fang had to worry about whether he would go hungry every day. Although he had thought about this issue before, he had never considered it as deeply as he had now because of his surroundings and the people he came into contact with.
Now, this problem was laid bare before him, and Lin Fang began to consider it slowly. After thinking it over, he realized that following Xu Zhi might allow many children like himself to have a better life, but if he studied hard, passed the imperial examinations, became an official, and benefited the people, many people might be able to avoid the tragic fate of his family being destroyed like he had.
On this cold winter afternoon, a young boy in his early teens planted a seed in his heart. As time passed, the seed slowly took root and sprouted, gradually growing into a towering tree. When the boy grew strong enough and truly achieved what he had envisioned, Lin Fang would remember this moment when he had to make a choice, and he would remember this afternoon.
Wu Muyue didn't just take any child under his wing and teach them carefully.
Now that the whole family is tied to Xiao Yuan's ship, they need to make all sorts of thorough preparations. Talent reserves are the most important part of this. It's not just about winning over those who already have power, but also about cultivating some useful talents who will be Xiao Yuan's right-hand men in the future. Xiao Yuan will be responsible for governing the country, making it stronger, and ensuring that the people live a prosperous life. To do these things well, having enough people around to help him is crucial.
After Lin Fang figured out what he needed to do and told Xu Zhi about it, Xu Zhi sent someone to take Lin Fang to the Xu family's courtyard.
Regarding Lin Fang's future, Xu Rao and Wu Muyue's idea was to send Lin Fang to a school in the south. At the very least, Lin Fang shouldn't stay in the Xu family. The Xu family is currently favored by the emperor and is like oil on a hot stove; who knows what will happen later? Xu Rao understood the principle of not putting all your eggs in one basket.
Lin Fang is a talented and resilient child. Xu Rao believes that if given an opportunity, such a child will seize it firmly.
Wu Muyue and Xu Rao were in the study in the front yard when Lin Fang arrived. Xu Rao got straight to the point and shared his thoughts.
Lin Fang was somewhat puzzled. Seeing Lin Fang's expression, Xu Rao knew that he hadn't grasped the key point and explained, "Child, we are doing this for your own good. Our Xu family are loyal subjects, devoted to the Emperor. Right now, the capital is in turmoil, with the princes acting independently. Those who want to curry favor with the Emperor wish they could uproot families like ours. Lin Fang, under these circumstances, sending you away so that others won't discover our connection is not only to protect you, but also so that you can become our trump card in the future."
Lin Fang immediately understood what he meant. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Lord Xu, I am a northerner. Being sent to study at a southern academy, anyone with a discerning eye can always sense something amiss."
Xu Rao smiled and nodded, saying, "We have already thought about this for you. Although Mr. Wu's academy in the south has been sold to someone else, there is a scholar from Liaodong named Zhao in the academy. He is from the same hometown as you. I have checked, and he passed the imperial examination in the same batch as your father. Mr. Zhao is an upright and righteous person. If you take Mr. Wu's letter to him and seek refuge, he will definitely treat you well."
Lin Fang was surprised that Xu Rao had thought of this for him. He stood up and bowed deeply to Xu Rao. Xu Rao quickly helped him stand up and said, "Child, as long as a person does not lose his ambition, persists in what he thinks, and puts in the effort for his ideas, he will always reap some rewards."
Lin Fang carefully wrote down what Xu Rao had said to him. Lin Fang had heard his father say these words before. Lin Fang now felt that this Lord Xu truly regarded him as his nephew. Lin Fang secretly resolved to study hard, achieve something in the future, and do good things to repay Lord Xu and Mr. Wu for their kindness and support.
Xu Rao acted quickly. After Lin Fang agreed, he arranged for two people to take Wu Muyue's handwritten letter and send Lin Fang to the academy in the south the next day.
That academy was founded by Wu Muyue. Because he was going to be a teacher at Chen Yuyuan, he handed the academy over to someone else to manage. Wu Muyue had been at the academy for so many years that the daily operation of the academy had become well-established. Even if he was not there, the academy could still operate normally. Therefore, Wu Muyue was quite at ease sending Lin Fang to the academy.
After Lin Fang left, Wu Muyue said to Xu Rao, "Rao, I'm thinking, shouldn't we select some talented children now, teach them carefully, and have them serve Ayuan after they grow up?"
Xu Rao gently shook his head and said, "Uncle, this matter should be stopped. After all, A Yuan is not a prince in the open right now. We need to be wary of the princes in the capital, and even more so of His Majesty's suspicion. Since His Majesty has entrusted A Yuan to us, he must be confident that we can help him succeed. His Majesty has his reasons for making arrangements for A Yuan. If we interfere too much, it will be counterproductive."
After listening to Xu Rao and thinking it over, Wu Muyue felt that what Xu Rao said made a lot of sense, so he let the matter go and turned around to take Chen Yuyuan and Xu Bai to the county below.
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