APSIL -Chapter 146 Even the Cleverest Housewife Cannot Cook Without Rice

A-Liu naturally handled things with swift efficiency. When Zhang Shou returned home that evening, he discovered that besides Qi Liang, even Deng Xiaodai had arrived.

At first, he assumed A-Liu had invited both of them over together. However, when Qi Liang stepped forward, he smiled and said something completely unexpected.

“Little Teacher, Prefect Wang asked me to relay a message. Tomorrow, he will personally preside over the trials of those three cases. If you have time, you may come and observe as a witness. Of course, if you are busy, then forget it. Prefect Wang said the prison cells are almost full and these cases cannot be delayed any longer. He hopes to settle them before the autumn executions.”

It was obvious that Wang Datou intended to shed blood and establish authority.

Considering Wang Jie’s personality, Zhang Shou found it completely unsurprising. He smiled and said: “Prefect Wang does things his own way. There is no need for an outsider like me to interfere. You can just go and watch the excitement for me.”

Deng Xiaodai naturally agreed without surprise and stepped back. Then he deliberately elbowed Qi Liang.

Seeing that it was his turn, Qi Liang hesitated for a moment before awkwardly saying: “Little Teacher, I…”

“What ‘I’?” Zhang Shou interrupted. “Why didn’t you send your examination paper to the Shuntian Prefecture office? Are you afraid people will say I showed favoritism? Or are you afraid they’ll say you benefited from being close to me?”

“Even Lu Sanlang handed in a perfunctory paper. Xiaodai sincerely wants to become his assistant. But you have neither official qualifications nor a place to go. Staying at the Imperial Academy is still better than wandering around and joining random literary gatherings.”

Qi Liang was rendered speechless by Zhang Shou’s words. After a long while, he finally forced himself to say: “I heard that Zhao Ying, the second son of Vice Minister Zhao from the Ministry of War, is very unhappy about Lu Sanlang entering the Jiuzhang Hall. There are even rumors that he will become the hall leader, and Zhao Ying has said many unpleasant things outside. Lu Sanlang is still the son of a Minister, but I…”

He lowered his voice.

“I’m afraid people will gossip about you, Teacher.”

“Assassination attempts, threats with swords, kidnapping and hostage-taking… I’ve experienced all of those already. Do you think I’m afraid of gossip?”

Zhang Shou laughed lightly and continued in a relaxed tone: “Everyone already knows that you and Xiaodai are students I personally brought up. Do you think refusing to enter the Imperial Academy will reduce criticism against me?”

“Xiaodai is already unable to help me. I have lost one pair of hands. Do you still want to hide away?”

“I didn’t mean that.”

Qi Liang hurriedly shook his head like a rattle drum.

But Zhang Shou’s next words made him suddenly change expression.

“Besides, if you want to achieve something in next year’s provincial examination, entering the Imperial Academy is the correct choice. The emperor’s order to rectify the academic atmosphere is still hanging over the academy. Here, you will be able to find more serious scholars to exchange knowledge with.”

And besides, the Imperial Academy was the only place where he could openly recruit capable people under his banner.

How could he manage without a few assistants?

Seeing Qi Liang finally agree solemnly, Deng Xiaodai looked at him with envy.

Only then did Zhang Shou say: “Alright, I had A-Liu bring back those examination papers from Half-Mountain Hall early today. I already prepared the answer sheets. Have you finished grading them?”

If a teacher with no assistants like him had to handle everything alone, how could he possibly manage both Jiuzhang Hall and Half-Mountain Hall in the future?

The emperor could say nice words all day long, but if he gave neither money nor manpower, Zhang Shou could not possibly rely on himself forever.

Early the next morning, in Half-Mountain Hall, Zhang Shou had Zhang Wu and Zhang Lu distribute the previous examination papers.

He casually praised several students who performed well, but he specifically highlighted the answers of the Third and Fourth Princes.

He even had their papers passed around the entire classroom.

The missing characters left blank by the Fourth Prince because he could not write them had all been filled in by Qi Liang under Zhang Shou’s instruction.

Thus, the students discovered with complicated emotions that the two princes, whose ages were not even half of theirs, had answered every question quite well.

Although the Fourth Prince had left many blanks, their effort was obvious.

The praised Third and Fourth Princes reacted differently.

One became shy and embarrassed.

The other looked extremely proud.

After reviewing the first examination of Half-Mountain Hall, Zhang Shou began teaching again.

This time, it was proper Spring and Autumn studies.

The Spring and Autumn Annals served as a supplement, while historical lessons were the main focus.

He had already figured out that for these noble-born students who lacked motivation, the Four Books and Five Classics were their greatest headache.

Therefore, he simply emphasized history instead.

After finishing the morning class, Zhang Shou dismissed everyone slightly early.

He then went directly to the Doctor’s Hall.

As a National Academy Doctor personally appointed by the emperor, this was actually his first time visiting this place.

The moment he stepped through the doorway, countless gazes immediately fell upon him.

Although not all officials of the academy were present, such concentrated attention was still quite overwhelming.

However, Zhang Shou had long become accustomed to being watched.

After standing still, he immediately spotted Vice Director Luo and cupped his hands with a smile.

“Assistant Director, may I ask if the Grand Director is here?”

Seeing the other academy officials instantly become like hedgehogs facing a natural enemy, Luo could not help feeling sympathy.

But he still pretended to remain calm.

“The Grand Director is in the eastern room.”

Because the Imperial Academy had many officials, unlike local officials who controlled an entire government office, this small Doctor’s Hall had to accommodate all doctors and assistants.

Even high-ranking officials like the Assistant Directors and Director, if they were not holding another post elsewhere, had to share this space with ordinary academy officials.

As for the Discipline Hall, that was an entirely different matter.

Previously, Zhang Shou had spent almost all his time between the dormitories and Half-Mountain Hall, occasionally returning home or visiting the Zhao Duke Estate.

He rarely came to the Doctor’s Hall.

Hearing Luo’s explanation, he was somewhat surprised, thanked him, then walked to the eastern room and announced his arrival.

After entering, he saw Imperial Academy Director Zhou Xun put down his brush.

Zhang Shou naturally stepped forward and bowed.

“Grand Director.”

Zhou Xun’s feelings toward Zhang Shou were extremely complicated.

On one hand, he was grateful that Zhang Shou had cleared him of the accusation that he coveted the imperial plaque written by the founding emperor.

On the other hand, he was annoyed that such a young man—someone who was not even a Jinshi scholar and could hardly be considered a proper scholar—had become like a thorn stuck inside the Imperial Academy.

However, he had personally dumped the burden of Half-Mountain Hall onto Zhang Shou, and Zhang Shou had actually done quite well.

Therefore, Zhou Xun naturally did not dare act arrogant.

He smiled warmly.

“Doctor Zhang, sit down and speak.”

“Thank you, Grand Director.”

Zhang Shou calmly sat down before saying: “The reopening of Jiuzhang Hall and the selection of students was greatly assisted by Prefect Wang of Shuntian Prefecture. I have now roughly completed the selection. There are twenty-three students in total. I ask the Grand Director to review the list.”

Seeing Zhang Shou take out the list, stand, and present it respectfully with both hands, Zhou Xun was slightly startled.

Then he hurriedly waved his hands.

“This matter was personally decided by His Majesty. Since you have already selected the students, simply submit the list to His Majesty directly.”

“Not only me, even Assistant Director Luo and the other academy officials have no objections.”

Jiuzhang Hall was different from Half-Mountain Hall.

Its meaning was much more sensitive.

Zhou Xun did not want anyone later saying that he had any involvement in selecting those students.

Therefore, when Zhang Shou hesitated briefly and withdrew the list, Zhou Xun secretly felt relieved.

“Then, Grand Director, I have one more matter to ask.”

“On the day Jiuzhang Hall officially resumes teaching, should I invite my teacher and other mathematics masters to attend and offer guidance?”

“This…”

Zhou Xun immediately became conflicted.

After all, on the first day Half-Mountain Hall opened, even the emperor had secretly visited.

Now that Jiuzhang Hall was reopening under the emperor’s direct order, logically speaking, it should be even more important.

However, Zhou Xun absolutely did not want Jiuzhang Hall to cause too much disturbance.

After thinking carefully, he decided to leave it alone.

“Doctor Zhang, Jiuzhang Hall was entrusted to you by His Majesty. That represents his trust in you. As long as you think it is appropriate, go ahead and do it.”

So you also plan to use that phrase—‘go ahead and do it’—to avoid giving money?

Zhang Shou laughed inwardly.

Then he seriously replied: “Since that is the case, this subordinate understands.”

He did not explain what exactly he understood.

Instead, he changed the subject.

“Also, the Imperial Academy has always provided monthly grain allowances to tribute students and annual tribute students, seasonal cloth and clothing materials, and yearly gifts during festivals. Do the students of Jiuzhang Hall receive these benefits?”

The moment this topic came up, Zhou Xun instantly became like the other academy officials outside—a defensive hedgehog.

His voice even became slightly sharp.

“Who told you this?”

The moment he said it, he realized his reaction was inappropriate.

He sighed deeply.

“Doctor Zhang, what you are talking about is the old practice from the founding era.”

“Ah, Emperor Taizu truly treated Imperial Academy students extremely well. Not only were their supplies generous, he often personally came to teach them. Back then, even the empress used grain from the inner treasury to support the families of students.”

“But times have changed.”

He stood up and walked directly before Zhang Shou, looking straight into the young doctor’s eyes.

“Now, the imperial examinations are what matter.”

“Even someone like Xie Wanquan, the leader of Ratexing Hall and one of the capital’s famous talents, thinks first about becoming a top candidate in the provincial examination, then advancing through the metropolitan examination and becoming a Jinshi.”

“As for the grain allowance for Imperial Academy students…”

He sighed.

“That is something only registered scholars who passed the county examinations receive.”

Seeing Zhang Shou frown but not argue, Zhou Xun continued lamenting the decline of the Imperial Academy.

But just as he thought Zhang Shou had accepted reality, Zhang Shou asked another question.

“Then for Jiuzhang Hall’s textbooks, I intend to use a series of mathematical books written by my teacher.”

“However, most of the students recruited this time come from poor families. They may not even be able to afford these books.”

“So may I ask, Grand Director, can the Imperial Academy not provide these books for Jiuzhang Hall through official funds?”

While saying this, Zhang Shou deliberately did not mention that Lu Sanlang was a wealthy young master who owned four bookstores and could easily cover the cost of books for just over twenty students.

As expected, Zhou Xun immediately gave a bitter smile.

“Even the cleverest housewife cannot cook without rice.”

“Furthermore, it is not about lacking fairness. The other six halls of the Imperial Academy have never provided textbooks either.”

“Of course, for the Four Books and Five Classics, most students already have their own copies at home.”

He sighed.

“If Doctor Zhang can obtain a special imperial decree granting this from His Majesty, then naturally it can be done.”

Zhang Shou immediately sneered inwardly.

If the emperor was willing to give money, why would I need to ask you?