The First National Preceptor of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 255

Xu Tian's expression also turned cold as he said, "You've insulted me. What are you going to do about it?"

The man selling calligraphy and paintings chuckled and said, "My cousin's second aunt's son is a scholar from the next village. He's the real deal. Only if you can pass his test will I believe you are truly talented."

The crowd began to murmur again: "Although we sent our children to Hongwen Academy, Moxuan Academy is even better. We won't feel at ease until we've thoroughly investigated it."

Xu Tian sneered and said, "When did I ask you to send your child to my Hongwen Academy? My Hongwen Academy opens its doors to students from all over the world. If you don't want to come, you're free not to come."

As he was about to return to his residence, his father from Jinzhou stopped him and said, "Master Xu, please don't be angry. Everyone is worried that their children will not receive a good education. If you can be patient for now, Hongwen Academy will surely surpass Moxuan Academy in the future."

Xu Tian took a deep breath and then said, "In that case, go and invite them."

The man selling calligraphy and paintings ignored his stall and immediately ran back to the village. Soon he saw a scholar-looking man walking over. The scholar had slicked-back hair and a powdered face and smelled of perfume. No one knew where he had been yesterday.

The scholar sized Xu Tian up and down, seeing that he was so young and his learning was certainly inferior to his own. He immediately stepped forward and said, "True gold fears no fire. If you're not afraid, then accept the challenge. Don't think that just because your father from Jinzhou is so learned, you're so great. In the provincial examination back then, my essay was superior to his."

"Since my fellow villagers invited me here, I, Tan, will certainly not disappoint their expectations for this matchmaking event and will debate with you to the very end."

Xu Tian glanced at Xu Yunzhou and, sure enough, saw the latter's helpless expression. He then nodded with a wry smile. Xu Tian held a fan in his hand and made a gesture of seeking guidance.

The scholar immediately said, "Then I will set a question."

Before Tan Xiucai could finish speaking, Xu Tian immediately started walking back to the Grand Tutor's mansion.

Dongfang Tingyun said from the side, "You don't need to say anything, Your Excellency. You have already said that you have lost."

Unexpectedly, the scholar's expression changed drastically, and he stepped forward, saying, "I haven't even stated the question yet, where did I go wrong?"

Dongfang Tingyun and Xu Yunzhou exchanged a glance, both seeing helplessness in each other's eyes.

Xu Tian happened to turn around and said, "If it's a literary contest, the challenger should bring sesame seeds as a token of honor for receiving an IV drip. Surely you don't even know this, yet you still want to come here to challenge me?"

Fortunately, he had studied ancient etiquette papers before, otherwise he would definitely not have gotten away with this today.

The scholar was struck dumb upon hearing this, and stood there stunned. He then returned home looking dejected, and a round of applause erupted from the crowd.

"Grand Tutor Xu is truly amazing. Now I feel at ease sending my child to Hongwen Academy to study."

"Grand Tutor Xu, please don't be angry. We are completely convinced now."

And so, Xu Tian opened a school in ancient times, reliving his dream of teaching and educating people in modern times. In that year, the second year of Hongwu, a great flood struck, and the Hebei region, including Jizhou, Youzhou, and Tongzhou, all suffered from a once-in-a-century flood. People were displaced and dikes were destroyed.

These days, Li Er is scratching his head in the palace, so angry that he's getting quite agitated.

Empress Zhangsun comforted him, "Your Majesty, please don't be anxious. This rain will eventually stop. Then we can find a way to improve people's livelihoods. If you get anxious and upset, the court officials will not have a leader, and things will be even more chaotic."

Li Er thought that this matter was impossible to resolve. Even if he went to court, he would only listen to the arguments of the powerful families.

"Never mind. I didn't expect those officials to offer any good policies anyway."

Changsun Wuyou couldn't help but tease, "Your Majesty has thought of Grand Tutor Xu again! Indeed, only Grand Tutor Xu could win Your Majesty's favor."

In the Jinluan Palace

"Your Majesty, I believe that the immediate allocation of grain and provisions today will resolve the predicaments in Jizhou, Youzhou, and Tongzhou."

"But the heavy rains have not yet stopped, and it has been raining for several days in a row. The number of disaster victims is increasing, and how much grain and fodder needs to be allocated is a bottomless pit. I believe that grain and fodder should not be allocated at this time."