noffsinger Chapter 339 The Ships Have Returned
Chapter 339 The Ships Have Returned
Just then, a commotion arose in the crowd.
Dou Weiyi hurriedly came over with four teachers.
"Lord Dou has arrived!"
The group quickly put the ox down and bowed to Dou Weiyi.
When Wu Xiucai saw the county magistrate arrive, he quickly got up from the ground and straightened his back again.
He had the title of Xiucai (a scholar who passed the county-level imperial examination), so he was not required to kneel before the county
"grown ups……"
Thinking that Dou Weiyi was her backer, she quickly stepped forward with a smile, but before she could finish speaking, Dou Weiyi reached out and interrupted her.
“Scholar Wu, Master Qin Shen Shen has told me everything you did just now.”
You are of questionable character and have a despicable mind; you are unfit to be a teacher.
Dou Weiyi took two steps closer with a cold smile: "You have been expelled from the academy and are to be sent back to your hometown immediately."
Wu Xiucai's smile froze on his face. He quickly knelt down and hugged Dou Weiyi's leg: "Sir, you can't do this. My son is the number one candidate in the county's civil service examination. He will surely bring unparalleled glory to Pingyao in the future and will definitely be more than these peasants to be your right-hand man."
Dou Wei flicked his sleeve and immediately pulled his leg out: "Mud-legged fellow?"
Damn it, he's plotting a rebellion, what use is this supreme glory to him?
What he wants are capable people who are truly talented, of good character, and loyal.
Following Wu Xiucai's gaze, Dou Weiyi saw Gao Mengli and Lin Xi.
He was immediately furious.
The leg that had been pulled back immediately lifted up and kicked Wu Xiucai hard.
“Looks like sending you back to your hometown is too good for you. Zhang Biao, give him ten lashes and then throw him out of the county town.”
Dou Weiyi had just finished speaking.
With a whoosh, a shadow flew over from a distance in a few leaps.
He grabbed Wu Xiucai, who was still in shock, and started beating him on the spot.
Looking at the man with a full beard and a fierce expression, Wu Yang was so frightened that he fell to the ground, trembling.
Even when pleading for his father, he was so terrified that he dared not utter a word to anyone.
"Ah-ah-"
Wu Xiucai's screams rang out.
Dou Weiyi nodded in satisfaction and quickly walked up to Gao Mengli and Lin Xi: "Brother Lin, Sister-in-law, congratulations on making the list of top talents!!"
Upon hearing Dou Weiyi's address, Wu Yang and Wu Xiucai were immediately struck by her.
They only realized how big a mistake they made today; they'd kicked a hornet's nest...
Each piece of iron is harder than the last; I regret it so much I could die.
The four new teachers standing nearby, looking at Wu Xiucai who had been beaten until his skin was torn and bleeding, all wiped the cold sweat from their foreheads.
When they came to this godforsaken Pingyao County to preach and teach, they were initially reluctant.
But when they arrived by boat and entered the county town, they were amazed by the neat stone-paved roads and the fragrant osmanthus trees planted along the roadside.
Not only are there luxurious public toilets, but also delicious and inexpensive eateries.
Lord Dou encouraged commerce, and the streets became bustling with activity.
It is said that there were also horse-drawn carriages available for three coins, which could take you to the dock or to the richest village, Wangyue.
If I stayed here, the slightest bit of reluctance in my heart would immediately turn into a hundred times of willingness.
When they went to Wangyue Village yesterday, this scholar Wu disdained to associate with them.
His outburst today has made them feel that knowing him is an insult to them.
Immediately, the four men felt utterly contemptuous of Wu Xiucai.
Gao Mengli and Lin Xi smiled and nodded at Dou Weiyi.
"Be more discerning next time, and don't bring just anyone back."
"Yes, yes, sister-in-law is right. I will definitely check someone's character before I make a move next time."
Dou Weiyi, who was standing nearby, quickly nodded in agreement with Gao Mengli.
This startled the four new teachers standing nearby.
This family is not simple; we absolutely must not offend them!
"Boss, do you still stand by what you said before?!"
At this moment, one of the residents of the western city quickly stepped forward to inquire, because he was somewhat afraid that the disturbance would affect the shopkeeper's mood, so he was not quite sure.
Gao Mengli smiled and nodded at the person who spoke, raising her voice: "My Lin Family Eatery keeps its word, and today we're offering an extra discount!"
"Okay!"
The crowd below cheered with joy.
Quickly find a few close friends and start a group order!
Extra discount, 40% off!
Half the crowd left in a flash.
At this moment, Da Niu turned to look at Yu Mengmeng and asked, "Master, what good thing did you say you were going to give me?"
Yu Mengmeng slapped his forehead. Oh right, he had almost forgotten about that.
The two teachers next to them also ran over.
"Let's see what good stuff the dean is going to bring!"
Yu Mengmeng, beaming with pride, was about to take the ink stick out of her sleeve when she caught a glimpse of the two teachers' arms full of things.
Also, there's the very familiar Nine Heavens Cloud Ink.
Damn, two yuan per person?!
Where did you get the things you're carrying?
When the two teachers saw that their dean had finally asked the question, they quickly made the things in their arms more conspicuous.
"Oh my, look at all these priceless writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones that Da Niu gave us! We can use them for years!"
"That's right, that's right! We really owe a lot to Da Niu to be able to use such precious things!"
After the two teachers finished speaking, they couldn't help but glance at Dou Weiyi.
Dou Weiyi's lips twitched slightly.
These two old scoundrels are indirectly saying that he's not paying wages.
Realizing his pockets were empty, Dou Weiyi quickly ran away: "I have things to do at the yamen, I have to go now!"
Watching Dou Weiyi flee into the distance, the two teachers were so angry that their temples throbbed.
But as soon as he saw what he was holding, his face lit up with a smile!
The group's gaze fell once again on Yu Mengmeng's sleeve.
This made it impossible for Yu Mengmeng to pull out the Nine Heavens Cloud Ink from her hand!
He pretended to rummage around for a while, then chuckled and said, "Oh dear, I was in a rush and forgot to bring it. My good apprentice, I'll give it to you next time!"
what--
Everyone was curious, wondering if he really didn't bring it or if he was just pretending.
At this moment, Gao Mengli patted Da Niu on the shoulder and gave him a meaningful look. Da Niu nodded quickly.
"Master, I've got a few boxes of good stuff. Let me get you some!"
Da Niu quickly walked to the boxes next to him, opened them one by one, and gave Yu Mengmeng double the amount of writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones that the teachers had given her. He then quickly took them and placed them in Yu Mengmeng's arms.
Yu Mengmeng took it in a daze.
I couldn't help but feel relieved that the ink sticks hadn't been sent out yet; Da Niu had a whole box of them!
How to deal with the situation where one's apprentice is getting richer and richer?
No solution!
As a teacher, it seems he needs to collect more famous calligraphic works and paintings next time, otherwise he really won't have anything to give as gifts!
The four teachers standing nearby were also envious, but they knew their limits and didn't go up to join in.
Gao Mengli instructed Steward Zhao to arrange for the remaining items to be sent back to the village.
With everything arranged, Wang Gougou's second great-uncle glanced at the rooster and duck in his hand and quickly called out, "Everyone, quickly give the local specialties you brought to the teachers!"
"Yep!"
The villagers quickly brought a lot of chicken and duck eggs, chickens, ducks and geese, vegetables, rapeseed oil, maltose, and anything produced by Wangyue or grown by them.
Wula la starts hanging on the teacher again!
Even the four new teachers beside him were not spared; they were all smuggled out.
If they couldn't fit it all on their bodies, they piled it up at their feet.
Yu Mengmeng and the two teachers were used to the hospitality of Wangyue Village, but the four new teachers were unaware of it.
Standing still, with a chicken in his left hand and a duck in his right, and a basket of vegetables, fruits, chicken, duck and goose eggs on his back.
"Ah this..."
The four new teachers looked at Yu Mengmeng somewhat helplessly.
Good heavens, this is way too much! Can you please accept it?
Yu Mengmeng smiled and nodded to the four of them: "This is the villagers' heartfelt gift. Please accept it. You'll understand later!"
Their Chengbei Academy never bought vegetables; the villagers of Wangyue Village would deliver vegetables to them from time to time.
If a top student comes to the classroom at the start of the semester, it's like giving away a huge gift; every household will be there.
Moreover, this time, Da Niu also passed the preliminary examination, so the gifts will be even more plentiful.
All he could say was, "You'll get used to it!"
Gao Mengli has always kept the villagers' kindness in her heart and has never forgotten it.
This year, my cousin Jiang is going to the prefectural city to take the imperial examination to become a scholar, and there is no teacher in the village.
So she walked up to Yu Mengmeng and said, "Dean Yu, there's something I'd like to discuss with you."
Yu Mengmeng smiled broadly: "Sister-in-law, there's no need to be so polite as to call me Dean Yu. I'm Master Da Niu, so we're family. Just call me Mengmeng!"
"Um... Mengmeng?"
Yu Mengmeng smiled and nodded: "Yes, sister-in-law, please tell me!"
"We're short of teachers this year, and I'd like to invest in your academy. What do you think?"
"Investing? How does my sister-in-law want to invest?"
"That's right, I'll pay your teaching wages from now on. Teachers will get six taels a month and eight sets of clothes for the four seasons. As for you, it'll be ten taels of silver."
I only have one condition: I want the children in the village to attend school for free. Do you think that's possible?
One person can walk fast, but a group of people can go further.
Da Niu needs colleagues from his clan so that if he encounters trouble in officialdom or commits a crime, there will be someone to discuss and mediate with him.
"this!"
The surprise came too fast, like a tornado!
Yu Mengmeng never expected that Gao Mengli would actually take over the academy!
If that's the case, then he, as the dean, should kick Dou Weiyi out as soon as possible.
If someone is just occupying the boss's position without paying wages, then they need to be replaced.
Yu Mengmeng was naturally inclined to agree. Good things don't come often, so he quickly nodded: "Sure! Sister-in-law, you can rest assured about the children in the village going to school. Just send them over, and we will do our best to teach them."
Gao Mengli nodded: "Yes, but I have one more request."
Let alone one request, even ten, he and Mengmeng would agree with them wholeheartedly.
"I want all the boys and girls in the village to go to school together."
Although girls cannot take the imperial examinations, they are literate and can understand things, so they are not afraid of being deceived when they go out.
At least, with more experience, you won't be fooled by "yellow-haired" people.
Their village is different today than it used to be.
In the future, many people will have ulterior motives when it comes to marriage.
Cultivating a child's perspective and character will enable them to stand firm in the complexities of the world.
Children can learn to read and write, as well as arithmetic, geography, and world affairs.
Let the girls know that there is a world beyond the mountains, and that women can also engage in business and practice medicine.
Once they can embrace the world in their hearts, they won't be confined to a small courtyard and be manipulated by others.
At the very least, she couldn't be illiterate; that was her minimum requirement.
Literacy education? Of course, there's no precedent, so let's start with her.
Other things are fine, but this matter is putting Yu Mengmeng in a difficult position.