The First National Preceptor of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 263

"Then I'll write an article on the spot. If any of you can write it better than me, then I'll resign and return to my hometown."

"Grand Tutor Xu, these words are too serious. We are all ears." They said they wouldn't let him resign, but when he made such a request, these tutors clearly wanted to drive him out of the capital long ago. A strange smile appeared on Xu Tian's lips.

He knew that the best parallel prose in the world was written by these people, and if their writing could surpass "Preface to the Pavilion of Prince Teng," then Lao Tzu would simply reverse his name.

Xu Tian immediately leaned back in his bamboo chair with an air of composure, closed his eyes, and said, "The sunset glows and the lone wild goose flies together; the autumn water blends with the vast sky." As soon as he uttered these words, everyone was shocked and could not believe their ears. Then, their expressions changed like a coloring palette, until finally only respect remained.

They then exchanged a glance.

“We are truly convinced. Grand Tutor Xu is indeed a gentleman of unparalleled character and a national hero. We are far inferior to him. His Majesty sent us to study under Grand Tutor Xu. We will certainly take him as our teacher and stay at Hongwen Academy to study humbly.”

These words immediately reached the palace, and Li Shimin laughed heartily: "What? He won over that bunch of old men with just a piece of parallel prose? He truly makes me look at him with new eyes."

Eunuch Kou and Empress Zhangsun stood to the side, somewhat helpless.

"Your Majesty, please stop laughing. All the tutors are now in the Hongwen Academy. What about the Crown Prince? There are no teachers left in the palace. The princesses and princes in the palace have no one to teach them."

Eunuch Kou chimed in, "That's right. A few days ago, the head of the Hanlin Academy said he would stay at the Grand Tutor's mansion and not go anywhere else. A large number of official documents from the Hanlin Academy have now been handed over to the deputy head, who was so exhausted that he fell ill a few days ago."

"It seems that Xu Tian is truly an unexpected person. Come with me to take a look. I heard that Minister Xu founded a school."

As he spoke, Li Shimin pulled the Empress into the carriage, and sure enough, they saw that the Pingning Prince's Mansion had been completely demolished. Only four walls remained of the courtyard, and many two-story buildings had been built in the middle.

Empress Zhangsun pointed to the building and said, "Why have I never seen such a building before?"

"Even I have never seen this before, let alone you. It looks like a pavilion, but it doesn't have the flying eaves and painted beams of a pavilion. It's just a neat two-story building."

Eunuch Kou asked from the side, "Your Majesty, are you still going in?" Li Shimin shook his head and then said, "I will not go in." Eunuch Kou nodded in agreement.

"This servant just had the Ministry of Works draw out the design drawings."

Li Shimin nodded in approval, indicating that he knew how to handle things.

Eunuch Kou said, "This school is designed in the shape of the Chinese character '工', so that sunlight can shine directly from all four directions. Your Majesty, it is not that I am saying this, but this building is one that can be passed down through the ages."

Li Shimin laughed heartily, and then led Empress Zhangsun directly to the palace.

The next day, Li Er even praised it directly in the imperial court.

"This Minister Xu is truly a treasure of our Great Tang Dynasty. Now he has established a school to cultivate pillars of talent for our Tang Dynasty."

"Whether it's astronomy, geography, or architecture, Xu Aiqing is truly amazing to me..." The Emperor smiled, his eyes crinkling with pride. He couldn't praise him enough. The ministers below had long hated Xu Tian to the core, but what could they do when his talent was so outstanding?

Changsun Wuji then stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, why don't you arrange another official position for Grand Tutor Xu?"

Firstly, it would prevent other officials in the court from being jealous. Secondly, Xu Tian was truly extraordinary. Judging from the extent of the emperor's affection for Xu Tian, ​​it was necessary to submit a memorial requesting an official title, as he was the emperor's darling.

Li Er, completely oblivious to the jealousy and envy of the court officials towards Xu Tian, ​​immediately nodded, feeling that the position of Grand Tutor was a disservice to Xu Tian. He suggested a better post, declaring that such a talent should remain in the main hall, and then said, "Let him be granted the title of Marquis Rui." Changsun Wuji then jumped in, saying, "Your Majesty, although the title of Marquis Rui is that of a prince, extremely prestigious, he does not hold real power in court. Wouldn't this be a demotion in disguise? What if Grand Tutor Xu becomes disheartened because of this?"