APSIL -Chapter 86 No Comparison, No Impact

Of the twenty-four nominal students under Zhang Shou, more than half immediately declared that they were willing to stay at the Imperial College and spend the night with him.

Of course, Zhang Shou could tell at a glance that many of them were merely joining the chorus. Their darting eyes made it obvious they didn’t mean a word of it.

So he simply waved the banner of filial piety and sent them all packing.

“You’re all returning home after being away for so many days. Shouldn’t you first pay your respects to your elders so they won’t worry? If you want to come later, then come later. Now go home.”

Having spent so long living in the mountains, Zhang Chen and the others had already been longing to return. Zhang Chen had only echoed Lu Sanlang’s enthusiasm because he didn’t want to let the fat boy have all the glory. Since Zhang Shou himself had spoken, he wisely kept quiet. If even he didn’t argue, no one else dared make a fuss.

Only after most of them had finally left did Zhang Shou breathe a sigh of relief.

Then he looked around—and froze.

Zhu Ying and Madam Wu were gone.

His heart skipped a beat.

Even if Zhu Ying was annoyed by his sudden decision, leaving without a word wasn’t her style. And there was even less reason for Madam Wu to disappear as well.

Just as he was puzzling over it, the two women returned.

Behind them followed the black-clothed, black-faced official they had met earlier.

Before Zhang Shou could ask what was happening, Zhu Ying spoke bluntly.

“A-Shou, this is Supervisor Xu Heida of the Discipline Office… no, Xu Heida. If you’re staying here tonight, he’ll arrange quarters for you.”

Then she turned to the bewildered Madam Wu.

“Aunt Wu, let’s go back. We’ll send someone to pick A-Shou up tomorrow.”

As she spoke, she began herding Zhang Chen and the others who weren’t staying, urging them to hurry up and leave instead of lingering.

After dragging Madam Wu several steps away, she suddenly turned back and shouted, “A-Shou! I’m going to the palace tomorrow. If anyone dares bully you, I’ll tell His Majesty!”

Since Zhang Shou had made up his mind, she’d support him wholeheartedly. This much, at least, she could do.

Smiling, Zhang Shou watched as Zhu Ying half-pulled, half-guided the helpless Madam Wu away. The young nobles scattered as quickly as they could.

When he turned back, Xu Heida’s face looked even darker than the night itself.

With a faint smile, Zhang Shou asked, “So, Supervisor Xu, do you think I should stay in the dormitories tonight—or in the Hall of Nine Chapters?”

“Doctor Zhang, you know perfectly well!” Xu Heida snapped.

“Ask Lu Sanlang yourself. Countless dormitories have fallen into disrepair. Many students have to rent rooms outside the college. Where am I supposed to find an empty room for you at this hour?”

“As for the Hall of Nine Chapters, it’s been abandoned for years! Instead of staying comfortably in your grand estates, you insist on making a spectacle of yourselves.”

“That’s right,” Zhang Shou admitted cheerfully.

“It is a spectacle.”

“If nobody makes a spectacle of it, then the Hall of Nine Chapters will remain tucked away here, rotting forever.”

“The plaque personally inscribed by the Founding Emperor was secretly removed and hidden away. That’s quite the scandal.”

Turning toward Lu Sanlang, he smiled.

“Lu Sanlang, shall we spend tonight in the Hall of Nine Chapters?”

Lu Sanlang bared his teeth at Xu Heida before grinning broadly.

“Of course! Even better if Grandmaster Ge goes crying to the court tomorrow so everyone finds out the Imperial College even removed the Hall of Nine Chapters’ plaque!”

Xu Heida felt the veins on his forehead bulge.

“Stop making trouble! The Hall of Nine Chapters has been closed for years! The Founding Emperor’s own calligraphy couldn’t simply be left exposed to the weather—that would be disrespectful! Besides, hardly any students are willing to study mathematics anymore…”

“But now,” Zhang Shou interrupted with a smile, “I’m the newly appointed Doctor responsible for mathematics.”

Xu Heida was instantly speechless.

Unhurriedly, Zhang Shou continued, “No students wishing to study isn’t an excuse for taking down the plaque.”

“If you say the hall has been abandoned too long to live in, then fine.”

“Lu Sanlang and I will fetch water ourselves and clean as much as we can before dawn.”

“As for everything else…”

“I’ll leave it to Supervisor Xu.”

The moment Xu Heida heard they’d be cleaning all night, his expression changed dramatically before he hurried away to find the other officials.

Only then did Lu Sanlang turn to Zhang Shou with pitiful eyes.

“We’re… really cleaning that abandoned hall all night?”

“That’ll kill us! Besides, isn’t the place still locked?”

“Your attendants are still outside, aren’t they?” Zhang Shou asked.

“They definitely are.”

Lu Sanlang answered immediately before hesitating.

“Should I have them come help?”

This was the Imperial College. Outsiders weren’t supposed to enter so casually—especially not in such numbers.

“Of course not.”

Zhang Shou smiled.

“I’m not in the habit of ordering your servants around.”

Then he suddenly whistled.

“A-Liu.”

The next instant, two figures silently emerged from the darkness.

Lu Sanlang stared.

Wasn’t that A-Liu…

And Qi Liang?

Qi Liang scratched his head awkwardly.

“Brother A-Liu said he’d show me around the Imperial College…”

Before he could finish, Zhang Shou had already begun issuing orders.

“A-Liu, take a look at this lock first.”

“Can you make it appear as though it’s simply rusted through and fallen apart?”

Lu Sanlang was about to say that was impossible.

Instead, A-Liu stepped forward silently.

He examined the lock, fiddled with it for a moment, then took out a paper packet and a small porcelain bottle from inside his clothes.

He sprinkled a little powder…

Poured a few drops of liquid…

Worked on it quietly for a while…

Not long afterward—

Clank.

The lock dropped to the ground.

Lu Sanlang’s jaw nearly hit the floor.

Suppressing his amusement, Zhang Shou thought to himself that he really ought to treat this young man carrying corrosive chemicals around a little better in the future…

Otherwise…

He might not even know how he’d die.

That stuff was practically as deadly as poison.

A-Liu calmly tucked the packet and bottle back into his clothes.

“The lock was already completely rotten.”

Zhang Shou wisely chose not to comment on the boy’s straight-faced lie.

Instead he continued, “A-Liu, escort Qi Liang outside.”

“Then tell Lu Sanlang’s attendants to buy us some midnight food.”

“Dry food, hot food—bring everything. Otherwise we won’t make it through the night.”

A-Liu nodded.

“And while Supervisor Xu is busy looking for the other officials, quietly find a couple of people inside the Imperial College.”

“Night watchmen would be best.”

“Have them prepare plenty of lanterns, candles, buckets, and rags.”

“Remember to pay them.”

Zhang Shou was completely confident that with A-Liu’s silent efficiency, whoever he found wouldn’t spread the story around.

Watching A-Liu lead the bewildered Qi Liang away into the darkness, Zhang Shou turned back to Lu Sanlang.

“The people here know where the wells are.”

“That saves us from wandering around like headless flies.”

“They can handle carrying water.”

“We’ll do the cleaning ourselves.”

“It doesn’t matter how much we actually finish.”

“What matters…”

“…is showing our sincerity.”

With that, he walked straight toward the Hall of Nine Chapters.

After a moment’s hesitation, Lu Sanlang hurried after him.

As he pushed open the great doors—

Creak…

Dust rained down from above.

Startled, Lu Sanlang instinctively leaped aside.

Only then did he realize Zhang Shou was standing directly beneath it.

“Shouldn’t we avoid that?”

“If we don’t end up covered in dust,” Zhang Shou replied casually, “how will anyone believe this place has been abandoned for years?”

Lu Sanlang instantly understood.

Without another word, he dashed inside, looked around, then crouched down and wiped a thick layer of dirt onto his hand.

Eyes closed, he smeared it all over his face.

When he turned back around, the chubby youth had transformed into a filthy tabby cat, his cheeks mottled with black and white streaks.

“So exaggerated.”

Shaking his head with a laugh, Zhang Shou began walking through the pitch-black hall.

After only a few steps, Lu Sanlang asked quietly behind him, “Little Teacher…”

“Even if we really clean all night and make this place presentable, couldn’t they still turn the blame around on us?”

“Wouldn’t it be better to invite Grandmaster Ge over?”

“You think the two of us are magical snail maidens?”

Lu Sanlang blinked blankly.

Realizing the other man naturally wouldn’t understand the fairy tale reference, Zhang Shou coughed awkwardly.

Then he explained seriously, “We can’t possibly clean the whole place.”

“We don’t have the strength.”

“And there’s no need.”

“As long as we thoroughly clean a small area in the center…”

“…that’s enough.”

“There is no impact without contrast.”

“When the center is spotless while everything around it is covered in dust and cobwebs…”

“…what will people see?”

“Compared to making a fuss and troubling my teacher over such a small matter…”

“…this is much simpler.”

Lu Sanlang nearly applauded.

Exactly!

If they cleaned only the central section until it gleamed while leaving the surrounding cobwebs and thick dust untouched…

Wouldn’t that create the strongest possible contrast?

You old fossils of the Imperial College…

Don’t think I don’t know you call me Fat Pig Lu behind my back.

This time, I’m going to make all of you look bad!

Wait.

Zhang Shou had told A-Liu to fetch candles…

Could he perhaps… make use of those as well?