The First National Preceptor of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 259

The next day, Li Shimin returned to the palace and compiled all of Xu Tian's opinions. He divided the disaster victims into groups and set up temporary relief stations. Women and children received timely assistance, and men were able to support themselves, not only getting three meals a day but also earning some wages to supplement their household income.

The people standing below, including Chu Suiliang, never expected that Xu Tian's opinion would be so detailed, leaving them with no room for complaint.

"Your Majesty...there are also men who are physically weak. Why not divide the men into two categories and give the weaker ones half the pay? This way, the disaster victims' families will be better off."

"Granted." Where were you all before? Now that Xu Tian has presented the policy, you're only offering your belated advice. Considering your years of service to me, I won't expose you.

In an instant, the huge influx of disaster victims stabilized and settled in place.

Xu Zhen, the Vice Minister of Works, completed the construction of three water conservancy projects in just two months, and the local people's clamor for Xu Zhen had already been sent back to the capital by fast horse.

"When I saw this letter from Xu Zhen, the Vice Minister of Works, his words were earnest and he even mentioned Grand Tutor Xu Tian several times, which made me very gratified. If it weren't for Grand Tutor Xu's timely provision of design plans and his idea, we would not have been able to overcome this disaster."

I'm afraid the disaster won't be contained so quickly. Grand Tutor Xu is truly my right-hand man, the most virtuous minister throughout history!

Secondly, he praised Xu Tian extensively in the palace, and soon the whole of Chang'an knew about it, with rumors of Grand Tutor Xu Tian's plan spreading everywhere.

The people were abuzz with discussion, their words filled with admiration, and even the princes vied to learn from Xu Tian.

The steward of the Grand Tutor's mansion happened to be out buying stationery for his students. As he passed a teahouse, he heard the storyteller slam his gavel.

The steward was honored and immediately headed towards the Xu residence with his chest puffed out. These days, Xu Tian was teaching peacefully at the residence. He had already finished teaching the Three Character Classic and the Thousand Character Classic, and the average score of both classes A and B was in the top grade.

Xu Tian was listening to Lan Xuan discuss what they were going to teach next when he heard someone knocking on the door.

"come in."

Sun Sanhua rushed in like a whirlwind, excitedly saying, "Teacher, we've mastered the Thousand Character Classic and the Three Character Classic. What will you teach us next?"

Xu Tian patted Sun Sanhua's head and said, "The Master has already thought of 'Elementary Learning,' and then we'll teach the 'Four Books' and the 'Classic of Filial Piety.' The order is: 'Great Learning,' -- 'Analects,' -- 'Mencius,' -- 'Doctrine of the Mean.' Once you've mastered the 'Four Books,' then you'll read the 'Classics.'"

The Master will then teach you the *I Ching*, the *Book of Documents*, the *Book of Poetry*, the *Book of Rites*, the *Record of Rites*, the *Rites of Zhou*, the *Zuo Zhuan*, the *Gongyang Zhuan*, and the *Guliang Zhuan*.

Sun Sanhua's eyes lit up, and then she said, "When Master Xu arrives, will he be able to take the imperial examination to become a scholar?"

Xu Tian nodded

Why hasn't the butler returned yet? Then I saw him rushing back from outside the courtyard.

"Something has happened to Master Xu."

Xu Tian sighed and rubbed his forehead in exasperation. The butler then stopped and said with a sigh, "Our entrance is blocked by cars, and no one can get in at all. These people claim they want to invite you to teach at their private school."

At this moment, Xu Tian pondered for a moment, then walked out of Hongwen Academy, and sure enough, he saw a bustling scene outside the gate.