Tang Dynasty Little Godfather

Chapter 9 Nameless Academy
Since Li Zhi ascended the throne, he began to suppress prominent families and support those from humble backgrounds. During Wu Zetian's reign, this policy was even more drastic, causing many aristocratic families to become disheartened or to hide in the mountains to avoid trouble. However, with the current political stability, these hermits have emerged from the mountains one after another. Therefore, Wang Shouyi and his companions did not have much suspicion about this suddenly appearing expert.

In their view, this was truly a blessing in disguise.

Originally, many academies were unwilling to accept their sons after the fight in front of the Imperial Academy, but they never expected to encounter such a remarkable person.

After becoming his disciples, Wang Shouyi and Li Qiao planned to host a banquet for the nameless man, but he refused.

I dislike fame and fortune, I dislike social engagements, and I especially dislike these tedious formalities.

A demeanor befitting a master.

Wang Shouyi naturally dared not force the issue, and then the Wang family generously agreed to provide a house for them to use as an academy.

Meanwhile, the Huangfu and Wang families, upon learning that Wang Xi and Li Jieman had found a renowned teacher, immediately rushed over to inquire.

Wang Shouyi, Li Qiao, and even Princess Xue all spoke highly of the old man, so the elders of both families also encouraged Huangfu Sengnian and Wang Shuang to become disciples of the nameless man.

Today is the first day of school.

Wang Shouyi, Li Qiao, and Huangfu Shangde personally brought their sons here, hoping to see how this master taught them.

Wang Maozhong was too busy with official duties to come.

The elders exchanged pleasantries with the nameless man in the back hall for a while, and then went to the front yard together.

Huangfu Shangde suddenly said, "Sir, when I came here, I noticed that this academy did not have a plaque. Why don't I have someone make one for you? I just don't know what the name of this academy is?"

The academy was provided by the Wang family, and some of the repairs and renovations within the academy were arranged by Li Qiao. Therefore, Huangfu Shangde thought that he should also do something.

Throughout history, no matter your status, you have always been inferior to your son's teacher.

This is a good thing, because it shows that this nation attaches great importance to education.

The nameless man stroked his beard and laughed heartily, “It was already made and is hanging outside the door.”

Wang Shouyi, Li Qiao, and Huangfu Shangde looked at each other in bewilderment.

Is there a plaque?

All three of them looked on with confusion.

Li Qiao said, "Please don't be offended, sir. We didn't see the plaque at all."

The nameless man chuckled and said, “The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao; the name that can be named is not the eternal name. Having a name is a name, and not having a name is also a name.”

Only then did the three of them suddenly realize.

high!
During their conversation, they came to the front yard, and what they saw there took them by surprise.

Wang Xi and Li Jieman were sweeping the front yard, while Huangfu Sengnian and Wang Shuang were wiping the tables and chairs with rags.

These brats, who usually need to be waited on even to get out of bed, are now here, picking up brooms and doing servant work, and they're doing it quite well.

Unbelievable!

How incredible!
"Sir, I sent someone to clean it earlier."

Wang Shouyi said cautiously.

The nameless old man stroked his beard and smiled, "This is their first lesson."

"First lesson?"

"Exactly."

The nameless old man spoke eloquently: "I remember a few days ago, I said that if we want them to become successful, we must first cultivate their interest in reading."

What is interest? It is doing something voluntarily. Therefore, I want to cultivate their self-reliance. So, you must never let servants accompany them here in the future.”

Wang Shouyi seemed to understand but not quite, but Li Qiao seemed to grasp the key point and nodded repeatedly, saying, "We will certainly heed your instructions, sir."

"Good work."

The nameless old man smiled slightly and said, "If the three of you have no other questions, please leave. I need to prepare for my lesson with them later."

"Yes, yes, we will not disturb your lecture any longer."

The three, who had intended to stay a little longer, saw that the gentleman had given them the order to leave, so they did not dare to insist. They bowed and took their leave.

After seeing the three off at the courtyard gate, the nameless man's expression changed dramatically the moment he closed the gate. He entered the courtyard with a fawning look, bowed deeply, and said softly, "My four young masters, you've had a hard time, you've had a hard time."

Wang Xi and Li Jieman exchanged glances, both with mischievous smiles. Wang Xi then had the broom thrown to the old man, saying, "Old Tao, not bad."

"Ouch!"

Old Tao hurriedly caught the brooms thrown to him by Wang Xi and Li Jieman, bowing and scraping repeatedly, saying, "It's all thanks to the young master's excellent teaching. The young master is so young, yet he possesses great talent. I truly admire him greatly."

If Wang Shouyi and his men saw this scene, they would surely be spitting blood.

What kind of expert is this? He's clearly just a lackey, even worse than Wang Facai.

It turned out that the old man's name was Tao Mo, a wandering sorcerer who had recently arrived in Chang'an; to be more precise, he was a fraud.

However, Wang Xi valued this quality in him, which is why he invited him to perform in this play.

Tao Mo was initially very nervous. Deceiving the prince and the duke was a life-or-death task, but the offer was too much, so he had no choice but to agree.

Unexpectedly, it went so smoothly.

At this moment, he wished he could become Wang Xi's apprentice. When it comes to deceiving people, you are the real professional.

"Keep working hard, follow me, and I guarantee you'll live a life of luxury."

"Yes Yes Yes."

Tao Mo was overjoyed. This time he had really found a rich man and would no longer have to live a life of wandering.

Wang Xi whispered again, "Shuang-ge, Seng-nian, hand over the work to Lao Tao, let's go upstairs for a drink."

"Hey!"

Wang Shuang threw the rag directly at Tao Mo, then put his arm around Li Jie's shoulder, looking very excited.

"I don't have to worry about being fired anymore." Huangfu Sengnian said calmly, "There's still a little bit left to wipe clean."

"Ok?"

Wang Xi was taken aback.

Wang Shuang said nonchalantly, "Never mind him, he's always been this strange."

Huangfu Sengnian was meticulous, and this applied to his work as well. He either wouldn't do it at all, or he would do it to his own satisfaction.

Upon entering the small house at the back, fine wine and delicacies were already laid out on the table.

Li Jieman quickly sat down, took a deep sniff, and exclaimed, "It smells so good!"

Seeing the longing look on his face, Wang Xi couldn't help but laugh and ask, "What? Never tried it before?"

"You can't say that."

Li Jie shook his head and said, "We're tired of this food and wine, but this is the first time we've eaten it here in the academy. The aroma is unparalleled in the world. Haha, no one will bother us anymore."

"This is all thanks to Brother Que," Wang Shuang said. "Let's toast Brother Que."

"Yes, yes, Brother Que, we're counting on you this time. We brothers toast you."

"We're all buddies, no need to be so formal. Cheers!"

The three of them clinked glasses and drank it all in one gulp.

At this moment, Huangfu Sengnian arrived late, and Wang Shuang and Li Jieman quickly invited him over to drink and eat meat.

As soon as Huangfu Sengnian sat down, he asked curiously, "Brother Que, when did you learn about these things?"

Wang Xi was taken aback for a moment, then asked in return, "What kind of knowledge?"

"Is this the method of education?" Huangfu Sengnian asked.

After hearing this, Li Jieman and Wang Shuang looked at Wang Xi with curiosity. The Wang Xi of the past would never have known these things. He only knew how to cause trouble everywhere and had never done such a high-level operation.

"hehe!"

Wang Xi smiled and leaned over, "Do you think the four of us look like idiots?"

"Of course not."

"Then why do you always fail the exams?" Wang Xi asked again.

Wang Shuang said thoughtfully, "Yes! We're all so smart, so why do we always fail exams? Is it because we're not working hard enough?"

Li Jieman, too lazy to think much, asked, "Brother Que, why do you think that is?"

"It's because those old pedagogues, no, those old PhDs, are incompetent. They can't teach at all and only mislead students," Wang Xi said with a cold smile.

"It makes sense."

Wang Shuang and Li Jie nodded repeatedly.

If we're so smart and don't do well in school, it must be the teacher's fault.

Wang Xi said, "Now that we've identified the problem, we can address it directly. Why not just reverse the educational methods of the Imperial Academy? We call this 'happy education'."

Wang Shuang blinked, as if it were indeed the other way around, and suddenly gave a thumbs up, "Brilliant! Brother Que, that was a brilliant move!"

Huangfu Sengnian then asked, "What about the textbook?"

Wang Xi casually remarked, "I've loved listening to stories since I was a child. These are stories I've heard in my daily life, which I piece together and then slightly modify."

Huangfu Sengnian said thoughtfully, "That's still quite impressive."

Wang Xi exclaimed excitedly, "Seng Nian, what do you mean? Shouldn't I, Wang Xiao Que, be very powerful?"

"Uh, I didn't mean that."

“Now that our father believes it, why bother saying all this? Let’s drink.”

"This good day is hard to come by, we should drink to our hearts' content."

"Dry!"

After a few drinks, Li Jieman habitually put his arm around someone on the side.

"Xiaoman, what are you doing?"

Wang Xi pried his large hand away.

Li Jie was taken aback and quickly withdrew his hand. "Sorry, I'm used to having courtesans with me."

Don't be fooled by this fat man's fair and chubby appearance; he's actually the most lecherous of them all. While Wang Xi used to harass innocent girls, he was just looking for trouble, excitement, and novelty, enjoying the process of teasing them. This fat man, on the other hand, is always focused on the outcome.

But that was the old Wang Xi. The current Wang Xi is probably even better. This is the biggest benefit for transmigrators. Otherwise, what's the point if you can't even find a hard drive to go through all that trouble? He chuckled and said, "I think I have this habit too."

Wang Shuang said, "Yes! It's no fun drinking with just the four of us. We need to find some courtesans to serve us."

If you drink without women, it's like building a prison to control yourself. Wang Xi was very tempted, but also hesitant: "That's true, but if we bring some courtesans over, it'll be easy to be exposed."

This is absolutely outrageous.

"The secret has been exposed?"

Huangfu Sengnian suddenly frowned. "We seem to have gotten a little carried away."

Li Jie was startled. "What do you mean?"

Huangfu Sengnian said, "Tell me, who goes to the academy to study and then comes back smelling of alcohol?"

Upon hearing this, the group gasped simultaneously, staring at the wine glasses in front of them with expressions of horror.

Wang Xi frowned and pondered for a long time, "If we want to deceive everyone, we can only put ourselves in a do-or-die situation."

(End of this chapter)