The First National Preceptor of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 339

Dongfang Tingyun said somewhat embarrassedly, "Master Xu, you don't need to eat these pastries. You've just recovered from a serious illness, so you should drink more plain porridge, otherwise your stomach will definitely upset."

Xu Tian nodded, then said, "Summon the butler to come and tie my hair."

Dongfang Tingyun nodded, and soon, with the help of the steward, he chose a moon-white robe, which made the man look even more handsome.

However, he was not as luxurious as he appeared in the royal palace; he looked like an ordinary man, without any air of royalty.

"My lord, you are not feeling well today, so please do not go out. The military and political affairs of Congling are managed by the county magistrate and General Qin."

Xu Tian stretched and yawned. He had been lying in bed so much these past few days that he was practically rusting.

Having been here for quite some time without achieving anything, he couldn't help but feel anxious.

Li Er was still waiting for news. Moreover, he had discovered that there were many orphans here in recent days. If these orphans were not properly guided, they might go astray in the future.

"Lying in bed will only make you moldy. Your master wants to go and take a look at the Beiming Academy."

The steward nodded, then went out to hitch up the carriage, with Qin Xian riding alongside it on horseback.

After crossing the grassland, they came across an extremely dilapidated classroom nestled in a mountain valley. This classroom was even more rudimentary than the inn where they had stayed before.

If it weren't for the plaque on the wall, the house would probably be described as utterly destitute.

"Master, we have arrived."

As soon as Xu got out of the car, he heard the sound of reading aloud coming from the courtyard. As soon as he approached the academy, the plaque fell down, and his mouth twitched for a moment.

Qin Xian nailed the four large characters "Beiming Academy" back to the wall, and then went inside.

The teacher was a young man. When he saw Xu Tian, ​​he was taken aback at first, and then came out to greet him.

"May I ask what brings this gentleman to my academy?"

Qin Xian immediately introduced, "My husband is the dean of Hongwen Academy."

Unexpectedly, a gleam flashed in the young man's eyes after hearing this.

"I never expected to meet Master Xu here. It is truly an honor and a great privilege!"

Xu Tian was a little embarrassed, and then said, "I don't know why you're staying here, brother. The educational resources here are really backward."

The young man chuckled softly and then said, "I don't have any tea or snacks to offer you."

Finally, he gestured for Xu Tian to enter the classroom with him. They discovered that the materials the children were using were actually the educational materials that his Hongwen Academy had previously abandoned.

"In my opinion, if these teaching materials could be simplified, they would be easier for children to understand."

Xu Tian had only turned two pages when some ink was already sticking to his hands.

The young man blushed and then bowed.

"The student's name is Jiang Zhicheng. He is a successful candidate in the imperial examinations after three years. Because his family has fallen on hard times, he wants to stay in his hometown and do something for the people."

Xu Tian nodded, thinking about how most college graduates today become civil servants after graduation, hoping to secure a stable job. Some even stay abroad and enjoy the benefits of working for foreign companies. How could there be a student like Jiang Zhicheng, so simple and honest, staying in the countryside to do basic education?

"Very well. I've come here to address the issue of underdeveloped educational resources in the west. To be honest, the Emperor has allocated two million taels of silver, but there's a shortage of teachers here. How about we repair the schools first? What do you think?"

Jiang Zhicheng's facial expressions became vivid.

"Whether the new academy is called Beiming or Hongwen after it is built will not make much difference to me. As long as I can stay here and continue to teach, that's fine."