Chapter 192 Thoughts After the Rain
Not long after.
Chen Yi arrived at Guiyun Academy and went straight to the rear courtyard.
Today was not his scheduled teaching day, so Mr. Yue Ming and the others were somewhat surprised by his arrival.
But it was only a surprise at first glance; afterwards, everyone got up to greet them.
Mr. Yue Ming greeted him with a smile: "Qingzhou is here, please have a seat."
Chen Yi glanced around and saw that in addition to Mr. Yue Ming and Mr. Zhuo Ying, Ma Guan was also present, so he relaxed and took a seat.
He had been teaching at Guiyun Academy for some time and was quite familiar with Mr. Yue Ming and others, so he could be more relaxed.
"Dean, so you've finally expelled He Ming from the academy?"
Mr. Yue Ming's smile faltered, and he glanced at Ma Guan, who was standing respectfully to the side, and said awkwardly:
"Indeed, I feel wronged and understand."
"So after discussing it with him, I decided to have him assist you in teaching."
Chen Yi raised an eyebrow. Isn't this a teaching assistant?
He glanced at Ma Guan, then at Mr. Yue Ming who was giving him a sharp look, and couldn't help but purse his lips and say, "The dean certainly knows how to order people around."
"Let's make this clear first. It's fine for He Ming to stay at the academy with this identity, but we can't let him do it for free. We need to give him some money at least."
Mr. Yue Ming nodded: "That's natural. He will receive one qian of silver per month, which is less than yours."
Upon hearing this, Ma Guan looked at Chen Yi, stood up, and bowed, saying, "He Ming thanks you for taking me in, sir."
Chen Yi waved his hand: "The word 'take in' is inappropriate, and it doesn't make sense either."
"Now that you have mastered calligraphy, even if you don't stay in the academy, you can still earn a lot of money by writing for others every day."
Ma Guan was slightly taken aback. "The students hadn't thought of that."
Chen Yi said noncommittally, "Now you can think about it."
"Now that you've learned a skill, put it into practice and don't force yourself to endure hardship."
"If not for yourself, think about your family and relatives. You can't eat coarse grains, cornbread, and plain water for every meal."
Ma Guan nodded thoughtfully: "This student will keep in mind your teachings, sir."
Seeing this, Chen Yi shook his head inwardly, knowing that he valued etiquette and rules, and said no more.
He then explained his purpose to Mr. Yue Ming.
"When the rules were set in the school, I guessed that many people would come to visit the Xiao family or the academy, but I didn't expect there to be so many."
"So I came up with a way to keep those who are interested in calligraphy from bothering me, or at least to reduce the number of people who come."
Upon hearing this, Mr. Yue Ming and Mr. Zhuo Ying smiled wryly and said, "The number of visitors to the academy will only be more than that of the Xiao family."
“Not only Shu Prefecture, but also teachers from academies in several neighboring prefectures have brought their students here. We really should think of a solution.”
"Qingzhou, feel free to share your thoughts."
Chen Yi then explained his ideas, which totaled two points.
One measure was to increase the rules for the study hall, which mainly involved introducing rules for elimination and withdrawal.
For example, students who excel in calligraphy, like Ma Guan, are considered to have become teachers.
For example, students with poor attitudes or conduct, or those who are making slow progress in calligraphy, will be expelled from the academy.
Most importantly, a special place should be found within the study to build a space for viewing calligraphy models.
“Showing off my calligraphy skills may make me seem pretentious and shameless, but it is the most effective way to solve the current problem.”
Chen Yi paused, looked at Yue Ming and Mr. Zhuo Ying who were deep in thought, and said with a smile:
"So, gentlemen, I hope you will take out the calligraphy copybooks that I left behind during my previous lectures and put them in that 'exhibition hall'."
Mr. Yue Ming and Mr. Zhuo Ying exchanged a glance and shook their heads in unison.
"That's not appropriate."
"Since it is prepared specifically for people from other states who come to admire your calligraphy, it should naturally be made to be grand and orderly."
Mr. Zhuo Ying echoed, "The dean is right."
"Among the visitors were many Confucian scholars who intended to study at the academy, and it was not convenient to show some of the calligraphy works related to the courses in advance."
The two talked back and forth, only about the layout of the "exhibition hall" and asking Chen Yi to rewrite the calligraphy model, without mentioning the rules for selection and withdrawal from the academy.
Clearly, from their perspective, these two rules do indeed reduce some of their troubles.
Chen Yi was well aware of their intentions, and after thinking about it, he didn't refuse.
"However, besides me writing some calligraphy samples to put in, you two gentlemen, including He Ming, also need to write a few pieces."
Upon hearing his suggestion, not only the two academy teachers, Yue Ming and Zhuo Ying, but even the usually honest and unassuming Ma Guan was momentarily speechless.
"Sir, may I... may I also do this?"
"sure."
"This is called showcasing the results of the academy's teaching. All three of you are renowned masters of calligraphy."
Upon hearing this, Mr. Yue Ming humbly replied, "No, no, our calligraphy skills are far inferior to Qingzhou's."
Mr. Zhuo Ying, being thick-skinned, readily agreed.
"If they are unwilling, then so be it. Keeping just the calligraphy copybooks for myself is enough."
Mr. Yue Ming was taken aback, then glared at him and said, "Wait, wait, what are you up to? Who said I'm unwilling?"
"I just haven't decided what to write inside."
Ma Guan dared not refuse, for fear of missing such an opportunity to make a name for himself.
Seeing that the three had agreed, Chen Yi added, "I've already said that I'm only responsible for writing down the details and making suggestions. I'll leave the rest of the arrangements to you."
Yue Ming readily agreed.
"I will work with Zhuo Ying to draft a set of regulations later, so as to prevent visitors from other places from disturbing the Xiao family and the academy."
Let's chat for a bit.
Chen Yi did not linger there.
Seeing that he was about to leave, Mr. Yueming thought for a moment and said, "During the Mid-Autumn Festival, the academy will hold a poetry gathering."
"At that time, I wonder if a light boat will be available?"
Chen Yi shook his head: "It's inconvenient."
After saying that, without waiting for him to persuade him further, Chen Yi gestured for Ma Guan to see him off.
Poetry gatherings are even more troublesome than Xiao family banquets, and he has no intention of joining in such tedious and competitive events.
Seeing this, Mr. Yueming smiled wryly and said, "That is indeed Qingzhou's temperament."
As Mr. Zhuo Ying watched Chen Yi and Ma Guan walk away, he said, "Qingzhou is not like an ordinary scholar; he doesn't crave fame and fortune much."
Mr. Yue Ming nodded, "Yes."
"Over the years, I have seen many self-proclaimed scholars in the academy. There are gentlemen like He Ming who respect Confucianism and Taoism and learn from the ancient sages, as well as those who became famous at a young age, such as Huai Gu."
"They all have, to some extent, the desire to pursue fame and fortune and to put their knowledge to use in officialdom."
“But I can’t see any of these things in Qingzhou.”
“He is clearly very talented, with solid knowledge and practical skills. If he could enter the government as an official, he would surely benefit the people.”
Mr. Zhuo Ying withdrew his gaze and said, "Perhaps it has something to do with his identity."
"A son-in-law, still a son-in-law of the Xiao family. If he enters the court as an official, it will inevitably arouse the suspicion of the Xiao family."
"As we both know, the Xiao family is already struggling to survive, and they probably don't want any more trouble in the inner quarters."
Upon hearing this, Mr. Yue Ming sighed and said it was a pity.
"I learned from Juyi that Qingzhou had lofty ambitions when he was young, and took his father Chen Xuanji as his role model."
"It is truly regrettable that they have ended up in such a predicament."
Mr. Zhuo Ying said thoughtfully, "Actually, I had many doubts about Qingzhou's marriage into the Xiao family."
"He was clearly born into the Chen family of Jiangnan Prefecture and was exceptionally intelligent from a young age, so why was he assigned to Shu Prefecture?"
"Even if the Chen family intends to form a marriage alliance with the Xiao family, they could easily choose a less outstanding young man."
Mr. Yue Ming was slightly taken aback, thought for a moment and said, "Jiangnan Prefecture is thousands of miles away from Shu Prefecture, so we are afraid it will be difficult to find out the reasons behind it."
"However, I will write a letter to Juyi later to inquire about it."
"That's how it should be..."
Chen Yi didn't hear their conversation, otherwise he would have definitely said that the two old guys were meddling in other people's business.
Even if we find out the reason why he married into the family, what good will it do?
Could he still go to Jiangnan Prefecture to question the Chen family, or persuade the Xiao family to serve as officials in the imperial court?
Obviously not.
Chen Yi and Ma Guan left the academy together.
Before parting, Chen Yi said with a smile:
"Since you've already agreed to help me with the teaching, I can't let you sit idle."
"Please give me your instructions, sir, and I will do my best."
"From now on, you will be responsible for evaluating the calligraphy practice books of those students first, and then you can give them to me."
Ma Guan hesitated and said, "Reviewing the exercise books is fine, but the students are worried that they will be dissatisfied."
Chen Yi glanced at him sideways and said with a smile, "Highbrow art is often appreciated by few; it has always been so."
"If you emulate the virtues of ancient sages and gentlemen, you should understand this principle."
Upon hearing this, Ma Guan paused briefly, then took a deep breath and said, "This student has learned a great deal."
Chen Yi hummed in agreement, "Don't worry about it so much. The dean and I will take care of anything that happens."
That's all I have to say. Go and do your own thing. I hope to see your name on the list next time I take the provincial examination.
Ma Guan bowed gratefully, saying, "Thank you, sir."
Chen Yi patted him on the shoulder and left the academy with a smile.
Ma Guan watched him leave, lingered for a long time, bowed again, and then returned to the academy.
If Ma Heming fails to pass the provincial examination, he will inevitably fail to live up to his teacher's teachings.
It's time to work harder.
...
After leaving the academy, Chen Yi did not wander around outside, but went straight back to Chunhe Garden.
He stayed in his study all day without going out.
He didn't even bother to check the intelligence report that popped up last night about a low-grade yellow item that happened in the brothel alley in the south of the city.
Taking advantage of the rare free time.
While using the Dacheng Calligraphy Method to copy various articles by ancient sages in preparation for the academy's exhibition hall, Chen Yi also deduced the aftermath of the "burning of summer grain in three towns".
Judging from the current situation...
At Mingyue Tower, Black Fang trusted Lou Yuxue to a certain extent, and entrusted her with the entire business.
It is estimated that Lou Yuxue, Ge Laosan and others will take action on the summer grain in the three towns within five days.
We should receive news from them tomorrow, or at the latest the day after.
Then there's Xiao Jinghong.
She should have already received the message.
Judging from the current silence within the Xiao family, it's not hard to tell that Xiao Jinghong must have gone directly to the Three Towns.
Investigate the location of the hidden guards' iron flag officer, or make some arrangements in advance.
It's impossible to remain indifferent.
Then there's Chen Yi's own side, with plans and arrangements targeting both Xiao Dongchen and Liu Wen.
He had his own judgment on all of these things.
The only uncertainty is whether he should go with them on the day of the Mingyue Tower operation.
As Chen Yi pondered these thoughts, he paused slightly, looking at the dozen or so calligraphy samples he had already written on his desk.
The next moment, he picked up his brush, dipped it in ink, and began to paint on the newly unfolded pine paper.
Thoughts after the rain.
"I departed from Baidi City amidst colorful clouds at dawn, returning to Jiangling a thousand miles away in a single day. The cries of monkeys on both banks could not be silenced, yet my light boat had already passed countless mountains..."
(End of this chapter)
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