The First National Preceptor of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 408

The Minister of Works was not annoyed, and then said, "Master Liu is also a scholar, yet he speaks so filthyly. It truly shames all scholars in the world."

Dieyi immediately snorted coldly, and was about to say something when a gust of cold wind blew over. She shivered and ran upstairs, huddling under the covers.

Qin Xian opened the door and saw Xu Tian sitting inside, looking unwell. He was clearly exhausted from being disturbed for several days in a row.

Xu Tian cursed inwardly, "This dog's incestuous relationship is never going to end."

"Lord Xu, please do not obstruct my passage. I am simply in a great hurry. His Majesty has already ordered me to return, but Hongwen Academy has not even completed a single teaching building."

Xu Tian said irritably, "The downstairs room has been cleared out, and those students are having their classes downstairs."

That's right, so far only the Jidi Building and the Zhuangyuan Building have been built. The male and female teachers' dormitories are still in the same building, and the first floor is the children's school.

Unexpectedly, Duan Lun's face showed a flash of anger.

"How can this be? If the teachers live upstairs and the students live downstairs, it is simply unreasonable. We must speed up the construction."

Although the Emperor has bestowed upon me no official position, I have come here carrying his earnest expectations. If I return to Hongwen Academy, I will have nothing to report back to the Emperor.

Xu Tian's eyes darted around as he quickly began to think, then a faint smile appeared on his face. Qin Xian, standing to the side, knew that whenever Xu Tian showed this expression, it meant he was about to scheme against someone.

Sure enough, Xu Tian said, "After all, I am young and inexperienced. I am not as capable as the old Minister. If the construction of Hongwen Academy could be entrusted to Minister Duan, it would surely rise up in a day and a half."

The Emperor will eventually be quite satisfied with the border defenses. The Minister of Works was initially delighted, but then deliberately composed himself.

“The construction of Hongwen Academy was an assignment given to Prince Rui by the Emperor. How could I, the Minister, take away someone else’s assignment? It would be inappropriate. Moreover, Magistrate Xu is new to officialdom and should be given more experience so that he can continue to serve the country in the future.”

Xu Tian thought to himself, "This old fox has finally shown his true colors. Damn it, let's see how you keep up the act now."

Xu Tian simply said, "The capable should hold the position, and I am unworthy of it. From today onwards, the task of building the Hongwen Academy will be handed over to the Minister, along with the keys to the Congling County Magistrate's Office and the treasury."

Duan Lun only made a few feigned refusals before taking on the task, which involved a huge sum of money. Building the Hongwen Academy was a lucrative job. Seeing the old man leave satisfied, Xu Tian yawned, finally able to get a good night's sleep.

Qin Xian asked, somewhat puzzled, "Why did the Master grant him his wish?"

Xu Tian lay on the bed with his eyes closed and casually said, "If you want to take something, you must first give something. Otherwise, this old fox won't be so easily fooled. As long as he thinks that I have been completely controlled by him, he will feel free to use his skills."

Besides, Jin Yang is at the age where he is growing, and if his sleep is constantly disturbed, the Emperor will be displeased.

How am I supposed to explain this to the Emperor then?

Qin Xian was speechless, but thinking about it from another perspective, Master Xu was absolutely right. Who would want to deal with this old man every day?