Chapter 57
"You said that the temperaments of this master and disciple are completely different. The master acts casually, but the disciple accepts gifts respectfully." Zhou Du said as he walked down the mountain, holding something in his hand.
"I think both of them are just acting on impulse." Lin Shuge thought about Jian Su's attitude towards Ye Qi.
Zhou Du was amazed and looked at Magistrate Li who was particularly quiet today.
Magistrate Li handed the things in his hand to his followers and said, "Let's go to Bitong Academy."
Zhou Du whispered, "Isn't it possible that the county magistrate is afraid of being bullied by Ye Shanzhang that he is keeping silent today?"
Lin Shuge shook his head and said nothing.
At this moment, everyone in Bitong Academy was on high alert, servants were coming and going frequently, and students and teachers were all tidying up their appearance, quietly waiting for the arrival of people from the county government.
When Lin Shuge and others arrived, they saw Principal Han and a group of teachers and students waiting at the door early.
Shanzhang Han had a ruddy complexion and an extraordinary bearing. When he spoke to Magistrate Li, he was neither humble nor arrogant, and he acted like a famous scholar and master.
"Today is just a routine inspection. Principal Han can take us around. There is no need to mobilize a large force." said Magistrate Li.
"Of course it is." Principal Han led everyone in, followed by a disciple who was eloquent. Magistrate Li tested him on a few sentences, then stroked his beard and nodded with satisfaction.
Bitong Academy is indeed the most luxurious academy here. It looks grand from the outside and very elegant from the inside.
In the middle stood a statue of Confucius. After Magistrate Li led everyone to worship Confucius, he followed the guidance of Director Han and first came to Xiuwen Hall.
Xiuwen Hall was divided into several rooms, inside which were students taking classes. Lin Shuge slowed down his pace and listened to the teacher explaining the meaning of scriptures to the students.
It talks about a passage in the "Spring and Autumn Annals". In a certain year and place, a solar eclipse occurred. Confucius believed that this was a warning from heaven, intended to warn the monarch to correct his moral conduct and maintain virtuous governance. Obviously, it continued the Gongyang School's theory of disasters.
The theory of the correspondence between heaven and man was popular in this era. The sun was a symbol of the monarch. Any unusual phenomenon in the sun was a warning from heaven to the monarch that his virtue was lacking and that necessary measures must be taken to remedy the situation.
In ancient times, the level of productivity was not high, and some strange phenomena in the heaven and earth were often attributed to supernatural things. This has existed since ancient times, but it is indeed the credit of the Gongyang School that made this theory popular.
Lin Shuge looked back at Magistrate Li and saw that he looked a little uneasy, but he didn't say anything. He just pointed in another direction and asked someone to lead the way.
Zhou Du was confused, "Why are you leaving? Don't you want to listen and say a few more words?"
Lin Shuge looked at him innocently. If he didn't leave, would he say something rebellious? Zhou Du has followed Magistrate Li for so long, doesn’t he know that he doesn’t like Gongyang’s theory?
He sighed and said, "Let's go and take a look at the front. It looks like they are training horseback archery."
Lin Shuge watched from afar. The venue was very large. A group of students in tight clothes were standing in front of the target and shooting with bows in the distance.
One student hit the target repeatedly and won applause from the whole room. Magistrate Li took the lead in shouting "good job", and the people around him also cheered.
Normal practice was fine, but under the strong supervision of Lin Shuge and others, many students made mistakes out of nervousness. The archery teacher next to them corrected some students' movements. The students, despite the sweat on their foreheads, mustered up all their strength to hit the target and then breathed a sigh of relief.
"Principal Han is a good teacher. I think the students in this academy are all talented in both literature and martial arts, and are pillars of society." Magistrate Li praised.
"Your Excellency is too kind." Han Shanchang said modestly, "Sir, please come this way." County Magistrate Li laughed loudly and followed.
Many trees were planted in the academy. A group of trees could be seen from afar in the Linshu Pavilion. The rustling sound of the wind blowing through them, accompanied by the playing of music, was refreshing.
It seems that the students here are studying music theory.
Etiquette, music, archery, charioteering, calligraphy and mathematics are the six arts of a gentleman. They are the learning skills mastered by aristocratic students passed down from the Zhou Dynasty. In this era, although they have been simplified a lot, the Zhou Dynasty legacy still remains. It seems that the college pays more attention to the all-round development of students.
There were bursts of music, with the sounds of piano and flute singing in harmony, and the tunes were fresh and bright. Listening to them, you felt that the season of revival of all things had arrived.
No one spoke until the song ended. Then Magistrate Li exclaimed, "Yes, this song 'Spring Tune' fits this scene perfectly."
The student who was playing the piano put down the piano, stood up and saluted, saying: "Thank you for your compliment, sir. It's just a small piece of music, but it can't compare to the amazing piece by Wei Suichang."
When Lin Shuge heard the words "Captain Weisui", he looked carefully and recognized that they were the students from last time. I think their names were something like that. He Qingyuan?
County Magistrate Li became very interested when he heard this, "Is it true?" He looked at Lin Shuge with interest.
"Zhongxuan's piano skills are indeed good, but this young master He is indeed exaggerating a bit." Lin Shuge replied.
He Qingyuan has been feeling vexed ever since he last heard Xie Chen's piano playing. He originally wanted to pay a visit to him in person, but he heard that Captain Wei Sui had already returned to Zhonggu Sui and his return date was uncertain.
He wanted to speak, but was interrupted by someone, "Sir, I said this because I admire Captain Wei Sui. I couldn't stop thinking about the song he sang last time. I didn't mean to offend you."
It’s He Qingran.
As soon as he said this, everyone was a little surprised. This elementary school student was already an excellent musician. What kind of fairy music could make him remember it so much?
Zhou Du felt like he was scratched by a cat. He quietly poked Lin Shuge with his hand and said, "Hey, when your Zhongxuan comes back, ask him to show me his skills. Who would have thought that he is so secretive and doesn't look like someone who can play the piano." Instead, he looks like someone who can pick up the piano and hit someone.
Lin Shuge curled his lips, gave him a cold look, and said to County Magistrate Li: "Sir, it's almost time, we have to go to other academies."
Magistrate Li was also curious, but when he saw Lin Shuge's expression, he swallowed the words on his lips and nodded.
Seeing that Lin Shuge didn't want to talk about it, Shanzhang Han immediately came out to smooth things over, "Sir, the food is ready. Please move to the dining hall."
"I've walked all this way and I'm really hungry. Let's go."
Everyone happily followed and prepared to eat. Finally the inspection was over, and they were on high alert to prepare for the leader's inspection. It was really tiring.
Zhou Du kept asking Lin Shuge about Xie Chen, and Lin Shuge could only agree verbally to avoid being pierced by the evil sound.
The two walked side by side, and a voice came from behind them: "Sir."
He Qingran looked embarrassed, "Sir, Qing Yuan is crazy about the piano. He just admires Master Wei Sui's piano skills and has always wanted to become Master Wei Sui's disciple. Today, he thought of Master Wei Sui when he saw you..."
His fair face was all red. He pulled He Qingyuan and saluted towards Lin Shuge, "I hope you will be magnanimous and not argue with him."
"It's nothing, it's just that Zhongxuan doesn't like to show off, so it's better not to make it public in the future." Lin Shuge reminded.
"Thank you, sir." He Qingran said happily.
He Qingyuan said awkwardly, "Sir, is Captain Wei Sui willing to accept me as a disciple? I am not afraid of hardship. As long as I can be Captain Wei Sui's disciple, I will do anything."
Lin Shuge looked him up and down and said with a smile: "Zhongxuan has a cold personality. I can't be his master."
"How could that be?" He Qingyuan asked in surprise. It's obvious that he listens to you and does whatever you say.
"Wait until he comes back and talk to him yourself. But let me remind you that he really doesn't like to show off." Lin Shuge waved his hand and took Zhou Du, who was enjoying the show, away.
Hearing Lin Shuge's words, He Qingyuan said anxiously: "Brother, County Magistrate Lin..."
"Qingyuan, you were really rude today. As for the matter of becoming my disciple, let's think about it later." He Qingran said helplessly.
Before Lin Shuge even reached the dining hall, he heard a voice calling "Brother", which was simply deafening.
Then Lin Qingyuan rushed over and said, "I knew you would come today, big brother."
Lin Shuge smiled and helped his brother fix the marks on his clothes. "Ayuan, you have worked hard studying. Guess what I brought you?"
"What what?" Lin Qingyuan was very excited. He had been in the academy for many days and had missed the meals at home. It would be even better if his elder brother made some snacks.
Looking at his wet puppy-like expression, she said, "I'll have someone give it to you later. Now come with me to eat."
He embraced Lin Qingyuan, as if remembering something, "By the way, where are Qian Ying and Wu Yuanguang? I have prepared some for them."
Lin Qingyuan pursed his lips and said, "I'll be there soon, but brother, I won't eat with you."
Lin Shuge looked at him with a smile.
Lin Qingyuan immediately explained, "Brother, think about it, the people sitting with you must be the county magistrate, the headmaster, and the teachers. I'm afraid I won't be able to eat if I sit down and tremble."
Lin Shuge recalled that when he was a graduate student, he also couldn't eat even when sitting with his supervisor, so he let him eat by himself and told him to remember to come see him later.
Lin Qingyuan waved to him and went with Qian Ying and Wu Yuanguang who had just arrived.
At this time, Zhou Du came out to find him, "Brother Huai Ting, hurry up, I'm waiting for you."
Lin Shuge nodded and followed Zhou Du into the dining hall. The dining hall was very large and students were eating noisily and chatting about what they had learned that day.
Seeing them passing by, some students stopped to salute, and Lin Shuge nodded slightly at them.
Zhou Du led him inside and into a dining room. Magistrate Li's laughter could be heard from inside, and it seemed that the meal was good.
As soon as Lin Shuge entered, Magistrate Li said, "Shuge, come quickly. Director Han just said he wants to ask you for something."
He was slightly startled, waved his hand to indicate that there was no need to serve the dishes, and said with a smile: "If you have anything to say, please let me know."
Dean Han sighed slightly and said, "This is a little difficult to talk about. I heard that the newly built school has ordered some new equipment to be made. I would like to order a batch for the academy. You can set any conditions you want."
"I thought it was something. Even if Dean Han hadn't mentioned it, I would have mentioned it today. This is something beneficial to education, and I won't keep it to myself." Lin Shuge said with a smile.
Han Shanchang said happily: "Your Excellency's good deeds are obvious to all. It was my petty mind." He said with some apology, and when no one was paying attention, he glanced coldly at a teacher next to him.
The teacher immediately broke out in a cold sweat. He was blinded by greed and instigated by people from other academies. He told the principal that County Magistrate Lin wanted to keep the prescription for himself, and if the academy wanted to get the prescription, it would have to pay a heavy price.
Hearing that County Magistrate Lin actually agreed to it, he felt so angry that his teeth were itching. It must be that the people from the academy had offended County Magistrate Lin, and now they have implicated him.
"Your Excellency is so generous, but I cannot take advantage of you for nothing. If your Excellency needs anything from Bitong Academy, I will definitely help you." Principal Han said sincerely with a burning gaze.
Lin Shuge touched his chin and said, "You said that."
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