The weather is really nice today, and Mr. Zhao’s mansion is very lively, with hundreds of scholars pouring in.
Moreover, these scholars were, at the very least, students wearing black silk ribbons, and most of them were students wearing long shirts, and many of them even wore round collars for Juren. How could the servants in the mansion dare to neglect them?
Fortunately, the Zhao Mansion now had many rooms and servants. Men, women, old and young all came together to lead the scholars to various rooms for tea. After a lot of commotion, they finally settled down.
These scholars are here to take part in the entrance interview for the science department.
Although Mr. Zhao was not in the capital in the past year, his fame has not faded.
Firstly, it was due to his brilliant achievements in Beijing. Not only did he have five successful candidates in his family, he also lectured in Lingji Palace and even served as a lecturer in the imperial lectures. For a young boy dancing with a spoon, this was simply a heavenly achievement.
Oh yes, he did go to heaven.
To this day, people in Beijing still talk about the beautiful hot air balloon rising into the sky, and the story becomes more and more magical as it spreads.
Some people say that Mr. Zhao once went up to the sun in a hot air balloon. Of course, some people don't believe it, saying that the sun is so hot that it would melt the hot air balloon.
The man said that he went there at night.
Everyone suddenly understood and thought to themselves, no wonder they didn't see Master Zhao going up in the sun, it turned out he went there in the dark.
Others said that when Mr. Zhao landed, he held Xu Ge Lao and his son in a hot air balloon. Xu Ge Lao was so scared that he peed himself and was too ashamed to stay in Beijing...
Some even said that Mr. Zhao was the fallen star Taibai Jinxing, and that he built a hot air balloon just to find his way home...
In short, the more his story spread, the more miraculous it became, and his fame grew.
In addition, he had five disciples in the capital, four of whom were Hanlin scholars and one was a junior cabinet minister. It is not surprising that science has become several times more attractive to scholars than when he was alive.
With the vigorous promotion of Yangyang and others, the name of science has spread throughout Beijing and even to northern Zhili. Whenever they hold popular science lectures, scholars from inside and outside the capital flock to them, and the excitement is no less than that of Li Jiaoshou's venue in Suzhou.
Naturally, there are also many scholars who want to enter the field of science.
Yangyang and his team adhered to the principle of careful selection. They did not accept students with education below the graduate level, those who could not do geometry problems, and those who were not interested in science. With such harsh conditions, they actually developed more than a hundred preparatory students, waiting for the master to select them for induction.
After Zhao Hao arrived in Beijing, he listened to Wang Wuyang's triumphant report and kicked him in the butt out of heartache.
"You still have the nerve to take credit for it?! Don't you know that I have opened a school now, and the more students the better?!"
"Master, don't we only want scientific elites?" The eldest brother covered his buttocks and looked at the teacher aggrievedly.
Zhao Hao was so angry that he rolled his eyes, thinking to himself, that's just an excuse I made to recruit no students, you guys take it seriously?!
However, the disciples took his words as the guiding principle and could not say that they were wrong. Zhao Hao had no choice but to let them get up and told them in a low voice that the situation had changed. Now the mission of the Science Department was to cultivate the soil for the dissemination of science.
This requires them not only to recruit scientific elites, but also to cultivate more scholars who understand science. Even if they only know the basics of science, it is enough to make the soil more fertile.
The disciples suddenly realized and could not help but reflect with shame that they had made a metaphysical mistake again and forgot that science is constantly changing and moving forward...
However, Zhao Hao was afraid of discouraging his students' enthusiasm, so he praised them for their spirit of seriously promoting science. He also emphasized that if you are afraid of making mistakes, you are not a scientist, and as long as you know your mistakes and correct them, you are still a good student.
The disciples then regained their motivation and did not slide into the Xu school of psychology where "if you do nothing, you won't make mistakes."
~~
But the elites are the elites. After interviewing in batches today, Zhao Hao found that these prospective disciples carefully selected by Yang Yang and others were all excellent.
And no matter whether it was sincere or pretended, at least they all showed a strong desire for science.
Deep down, Zhao Hao wanted to take them all, not leaving any behind.
But how embarrassing it would be to accept everyone who comes to you? Besides, if it comes too easily, they won't cherish it.
After much deliberation, Mr. Zhao adopted the recruitment method used by later companies and never hired anyone on the spot.
Instead, after the interview, they were asked to go home and wait for notification...
Watching the students leave anxiously, the senior brother offered his flattery today and said:
"My master is so steady. He has a keen eye, but he is still so cautious. This is the rigor of science!"
Wang Dingjue and Yu Shenxing were already used to their senior brother's flattery. They could never catch up with their senior brother's flattery in this life. So they just stayed honest and were scientists.
"Master, can you please tell me which prospective students you have chosen?" Yu Shenxing knew very well that his master was both knowledgeable and forgetful, and he was afraid that his master would forget about this matter over time.
"Don't worry, I won't forget it." Zhao Hao was full of confidence because he had already made up his mind that no one could be left behind.
Have you ever seen a pyramid scheme that thinks it has too many followers? Oh no, it’s the power of spreading science that’s never too much!
As for the problem of admitting all of them being too embarrassing, he had also thought it through - as long as the students didn't know that they were all admitted, wouldn't that be enough?
To this end, Zhao Hao planned to open a new Xiangshan Academy in Beijing, and divide the more than 100 students recruited this time into north and south. Half of them would go to Suzhou by boat, and the other half would stay in Beijing to study. If the admission notices of the two academies were delivered at different times, wouldn't the problem be solved?
As for Xiangshan Academy, it was not a sudden idea. It was originally in his plan. At that time, it was planned to be called Yuyuan Academy. But when he came to Beijing this time, he found out that Yuyuantan had been occupied by Wuqingbo Li Wei's family.
Although he could ask his godmother to come forward and get it back, Zhao Hao didn't want to have a grudge with the Li family father and son. Secondly, Zheng Ruo said that this name was not auspicious for a college.
In the spirit of science, Mr. Zhao asked Lao Zheng to look for a new Feng Shui site, and they chose Xiangshan as the location for the academy.
All possible risks must be considered before starting work. Science is so rigorous, there is nothing wrong with it!
With Mr. Zhao's current financial resources and influence, it would be no problem for him to open an academy in the capital and invite some prestigious scholars to be visiting professors.
Of course, the specific arrangements still have to be made by the disciples.
He was just telling Wang Wuyang and others about his plans for the future of the academy when Han Tao, the head maid in the main courtyard, came over trembling and said that the old man was calling him.
"Just follow my instructions and find someone to draw the blueprints." Zhao Hao stood up and instructed his disciples.
"Yes, Master." The disciples agreed immediately. This is very simple. There are many people who can do design in the Hanlin Academy and the Ministry of Industry. However, the former is more inclined to gardens and courtyards, while the latter is mainly practical.
"When I come back from Henan, we'll talk about the blueprints again." Master Zhao waved his hand and walked leisurely to the main courtyard.
"Master, where are we going?" The disciples looked at each other.
"It sounds like Henan?" Li Maocai whispered.
"Aren't you going to the main courtyard to see the old man? Why are you going to Henan again?" Yangyang and others were deeply puzzled.
Because it was too embarrassing to go to Henan to seek reconciliation from Lao Gao, Master Zhao had never mentioned it to his disciples before.
~~
In the back hall of the main courtyard, the second maid Cailian was massaging the old man's feet, the third maid Zanju was combing his hair, and the fourth maid Tanmei was holding a tea tray and serving tea to the old man.
Zhao Liben hummed comfortably, and did not stop when he heard his grandson come in. He just nodded to let him look at the table.
Zhao Hao picked up the piece of paper on the table and saw that it was the final result of the court discussion.
As expected, we will continue to study and discuss.
Zhao Hao took the paper match handed over by the maid, burned the piece of paper, and then patted the ashes on his hands, acting very calmly. This was caused by him, so there was naturally nothing to be excited about.
"My dear grandson, don't be unhappy." Zhao Liben, who was lying on the bed, lit a cigarette and felt completely happy.
"To be able to win without being greedy for victory is a sign of great wisdom. To be able to control your strength and release your energy freely is a sign of real skill!" He smiled as he puffed out smoke and enjoyed himself, "After this battle, you have finally established yourself in the court of the Ming Dynasty! No one will dare to play those tricks with you anymore."
"What does 'ligelang' mean?" Zhao Hao muttered.
"I understand." Zhao Liben rolled his eyes at him and continued, "From now on, we can make a fortune quietly without making any noise."
"Speaking of this, Grandpa, let's pack up and set off for Henan." Zhao Hao blinked and looked at the old man.
"Cough cough! You really want me to go?!" Zhao Liben was choked so hard that smoke came out of his nostrils and he started coughing violently.
The third maid, Zan Ju, quickly calmed the old man down, and Han Tao fed him some water. Zhao Liben finally recovered and looked at his grandson eagerly, saying:
"Can I not go?"
"Uh..." Zhao Hao had never seen his grandfather so cowardly. He understood very well and said, "Grandpa, if you don't want to go, forget it. Tomorrow, your grandson will travel thousands of miles alone to be beaten by that tall bearded man. Even if he beats me, scolds me, or lets his dog bite me, it has nothing to do with Grandpa..."
"Stop talking, stop talking." Zhao Liben was so angry at this filial grandson that he didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He raised his hands in surrender and said, "Whoever settles their grudges should do so. Why don't I go?"
"Grandpa, don't force yourself." Zhao Hao blinked and said, "Gao Huzi has been staying at home for two years. He must be full of anger and has nowhere to vent..."
"I'll just lie down and let him do whatever he wants." Zhao Liben said with a resigned look on his face, "It's rare for a person to live to be seventy anyway, so I don't expect to live to be seventy."
Zhao Hao twitched his lips. Zhao Liben was born in the 14th year of the Hongzhi reign, and he is already 69 this year...
Now it was his turn to feel embarrassed. He had no choice but to agree to the old man's request to arrange the best conditions for the journey and to bring four maids with him.
"Forget it. Your grandma Ye will definitely follow." Actually, at Old Zhao's age, she doesn't have any wicked ideas anymore. But it has always been Ye who has taken care of her daily life, so there is no need for Tao He Ju Mei to intervene.
Well, that explanation makes sense.
~~
However, ordinary people would need several days to prepare for a long journey, let alone the Zhao family's ancestors and grandchildren mobilizing a large army?
Besides, I have to go to the palace tomorrow to show the last episode of "Huluwa" to Zhu Yijun. Otherwise, if I'm gone for two months, the fat guy will be so anxious that he will curse his mother.
Well, he didn't dare to curse his mother.
But he would pull Eunuch Feng's beard.
Well, eunuchs don't have beards either.
ps. The third update, please vote for me!