Chapter 131 Lazy guy!
After Li Huaigu left, Chen Yi was "forced" to write two calligraphy samples.
One piece is in the style of Wei Qing, and the other is in running script.
The words, each one beautiful and elegant, are surrounded by rosy light, illuminating the study that was somewhat dimly lit and obscured by clouds.
Mr. Yue Ming was so happy that he couldn't stop smiling and kept saying "good" to himself.
However, he only admired it for a moment before hurriedly rolling it up and carefully putting it into a box, which he then deliberately hid at the bottom of his desk.
Seeing the slightly strange look in Chen Yi's eyes, Mr. Yue Ming explained in a low voice, "The other teachers in the academy are all shameless old men."
"If they see this, they'll inevitably cause you trouble. I'm doing this for your own good."
Chen Yi secretly curled his lip. If he wanted to eat alone, fine, but the reason he came up with was... not bad.
Chen Yi didn't like trouble either.
In addition, I've been swamped with many things lately, so I'd rather have one less to deal with.
The time that followed.
Mr. Yue Ming, in his capacity as the academy's dean, then led him around.
It took half a day to tour the library, the study, the music room for practicing the six arts of a gentleman, the shooting range, the horse riding area, and so on.
Chen Yi had a general understanding of the situation at Guiyun Academy.
Putting aside everything else, judging solely from the size of its library and the layout of its school buildings, Guiyun Academy should have ranked among the top twenty in the Wei Dynasty.
The only other academies with a longer history and richer collection of books are a few that occupy a larger area here.
Examples include Jinling Academy, Donglin Academy, and Yushan Academy in Jiangnan Prefecture, as well as Yuelu Academy, Bailu Academy, and Daliang Academy in the heart of the Central Plains.
Most of them are taught by great Confucian scholars and famous masters, who have always been admired by many students, who consider it an honor to study under them.
However, Chen Yi only had some impression of them and had never actually seen them, so he just assumed that they were more famous than Guiyun Academy.
Around noon.
Mr. Yue Ming took Chen Yi to the academy's dining hall to enjoy a vegetarian meal.
The taste wasn't great, but it was enough to fill my stomach.
However, the advantage is obvious—it's free.
“Our Guiyun Academy now has eight hundred students, ranging in age from eleven to thirty-one.”
"Although most of them come from scholarly families in Shuzhou, there are also one or two hundred from poor families. Their tuition fees are already a burden, so it is really wrong to make them distracted from their studies by worrying about food."
Seeing Mr. Yue Ming's serious expression, Chen Yi smiled and said, "Very good. You have considered everything very thoroughly. I admire you."
Mr. Yue Ming looked pleased and was about to speak when he saw several gentlemen coming in from outside. He then beckoned them over and introduced Chen Yi to them.
"This is Zhuo Ying, who is in charge of teaching classics and history. His knowledge is no less than mine."
"Students Chen Yi and Chen Qingzhou have met Mr. Zhuo Ying."
"No need for formalities. I agreed with Yue Ming's suggestion to invite you to teach at the academy."
A short, stout, kind-looking old man standing nearby chimed in, "Qingzhou, don't listen to him. He said you were young that time."
"...It's been a while since I played a game with you. Tomorrow I'll utterly crush you on the chessboard!"
"Don't wait until tomorrow, I'll be waiting for you later."
From this point on, the previously refined and scholarly atmosphere suddenly changed.
The other gentlemen either voiced their support for Mr. Zhuo Ying or for the kind-looking old man.
For a time, Chen Yi, the new instructor at the academy, seemed to have become invisible.
They didn't even take Mr. Yue Ming, who was the dean, seriously, and they wore a forced smile on their faces.
"Qingzhou, you've just arrived at the academy. Some things aren't as they seem on the surface... cough cough."
Chen Yi watched the teachers bickering and nodded with a smile: "Actually, I quite like the learning atmosphere at the academy."
Perhaps because Shuzhou is far from the heart of the Central Plains, the teachers here are not all the old-fashioned scholars.
Starting with Mr. Yue Ming, these gentlemen, in addition to their academic pursuits, would also play chess, practice calligraphy, and play musical instruments in their spare time.
Based on this point alone, Chen Yi can integrate very well.
If a pond were built inside the academy and some fish were introduced to add a recreational activity like fishing, I believe he would be able to stay here for a longer period of time.
Of course, this is just a thought for him at the moment.
After all, I've only been at the academy for a day. It's not too late to talk about it after I get to know these people better.
After noon.
Chen Yi then followed Mr. Yue Ming to several classrooms with students, which served as an announcement that he had become an instructor.
The younger students were alright; they were just curious at most.
However, the way some of the older men looked at Chen Yi was questionable.
Most were surprised and suspicious, while a small number were disgusted.
Upon closer inspection, Chen Yi couldn't help but smile inwardly.
Those students who disliked him were none other than the talented men who had appeared at Li Huaigu's wedding banquet.
This also includes two students who, because of him, were punished by Mr. Yue Ming to copy the academy's regulations a thousand times.
If it were him, he would probably be disgusted too.
Chen Yi saw through this and simply laughed it off.
He came to Guiyun Academy not only because of Mr. Yue Ming's strong invitation and the persuasion of his wife Xiao Jinghong, Xiao Wan'er and others, but also because he hoped to use this place to befriend Li Huaigu.
Other people and things are irrelevant to him.
After announcing that he had become an instructor, Mr. Yue Ming guided him in drafting an employment contract.
After signing and affixing their fingerprints, the items were sealed and stored in the warehouse.
Mr. Yue Ming hesitated and said, "The academy is not well-off, with only one tael of silver per month. I hope Qingzhou will not find it too much."
Chen Yi smiled and said, "You're too kind, sir."
"Money is just an external thing, and I don't value it."
Not to mention his monthly allowance from the Marquis's mansion and his salary as the manager of Jishi Pharmacy, the monthly income from Baicaotang alone would be enough for him to sit back and count money.
They are not short of money at all.
However, Mr. Yue Ming was unaware of this and simply regarded him as a man of noble character, so he did not hesitate to praise him.
After finishing these tasks as evening approached, Chen Yi asked Mr. Yue Ming for a cup of tea, chatted for a few minutes, and then got up to say goodbye.
Before leaving, Mr. Yueming instructed, "Qingzhou, the first lesson is scheduled for three days from now. Remember to prepare accordingly."
Chen Yi nodded. "Don't worry, sir, I know what I'm doing."
Teaching calligraphy is nothing difficult for him.
Moreover, the current Wei Dynasty emphasizes the imperial examinations, which are mainly based on policy essays and classical texts. The academies do not value minor aspects such as calligraphy.
In fact, most academies did not have dedicated calligraphy instructors.
From this, it is not difficult to see Mr. Yue Ming's high regard for him, or rather, his "deep affection" for his calligraphy copybooks.
After saying goodbye to Mr. Yue Ming, Chen Yi left directly.
During this time, I also encountered some students who had received the message and bowed to me.
"This student has met Mr. Qingzhou."
"No need for formalities."
"student……"
To be honest, Chen Yi quite enjoyed the feeling of being respected and bowed to wherever he went.
However, once he left Guiyun Academy, the rain-soaked Kangning Street calmed him down.
Passersby hurried by, and most of them didn't even glance at him, let alone bow to him.
Chen Yi held up his oil-paper umbrella, looked at the sky where only drizzle remained, and smiled self-deprecatingly.
"A wall separates two worlds."
"We still have to face reality."
The "reality" in Chen Yi's eyes was none other than the current situation of the Xiao family.
After pausing for a moment, he walked toward Fengchun Tower.
There's still half an hour until the hour of You (5-7 PM), plenty of time.
Chen Yi walked along, stopping frequently to examine any trinkets that caught his eye.
They even bought some study supplies to take back and decorate.
His casual and carefree demeanor made him appear to be nothing more than a talented scholar out for a leisurely stroll to others.
Just like those talented men and beautiful women on Corning Street.
Before long, Chen Yi arrived outside Fengchun Tower and immediately spotted the carriage with the Xiao family's red flag hanging at the entrance.
Then he saw Ge Laosan sitting in front of the carriage, swinging one leg and looking around.
Chen Yi glanced at the sky, a question lingering in his mind.
There are less than a quarter of an hour left until dusk, why is Ge Laosan taking such a leisurely time?
Puzzled, Chen Yi walked over and patted him on the shoulder, saying, "Third brother."
When Ge Laosan turned around and saw it was him, he seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. "Young master, why aren't you at home? What are you doing wandering around here?"
Chen Yin could feel Ge Laosan tense up for a moment, and explained with a smile:
"I visited Mr. Yue Ming during the day and stayed at the academy for a while."
"But there's good news too. Now, I, your son-in-law, am a teacher at Guiyun Academy."
Ge Laosan was slightly taken aback, then forced a smile: "Congratulations, son-in-law. With your knowledge, you are more than qualified to be a teacher at Guiyun Academy."
Chen Yi nodded and asked, "Are you waiting for someone here? If it's convenient, could you take me back to the manor later?"
Ge Laosan hesitated for a moment, "Master Dongchen asked me to come here to pick him up this morning, so it might not be very convenient."
"Uncle Dongchen? Don't worry, I'll go and talk to him later..."
He couldn't bring himself to say it.
Chen Yi then saw the light screen appear before him—
[Chance +10.]
[Comment: Arriving before the person is heard, witnessing the scene, and seizing an opportunity presented by fate—this shows a naturally lazy nature.]
After reading it, Chen Yi calmly changed the subject: "Thinking about it carefully, it is indeed not very appropriate."
As he spoke, he patted Ge Laosan on the shoulder and walked towards Fengchun Tower.
"I heard the iced glutinous rice cakes here are delicious, I'll go get some to take back for Wu Ge to try."
(End of this chapter)
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