The Great Seminary

Chapter 219 Hometown of Cranes

The Tianyuan Mountains stretch for thousands of miles, and ninety percent of the mountains and ridges are rarely visited by humans.

Only in the area where the 'Kheshig Imperial Guard Camp' was located, the mansions of Yuanshan nobles were crowded within a radius of dozens of miles.

The head office of a wealthy businessman;

A music hall run by famous musicians and composers;
The official music academy and private brothels were gathering places for stunning beauties.

Mr. Huaihe could have been among them.

However, he felt that he was not a citizen of Yuanshan Kingdom, but merely someone who was here to educate and civilize the local people.

It is not good to live in a place that is too lavish, where "flowers bloom in abundance and oil is poured over a raging fire".

So, on the north side of Langweifang, which is right next to the inner city wall, they found a place halfway up the mountain with mountain springs and streams, and built 'Xianhezhai'.

Although it's called a study, it's actually quite spacious.

It can house three to five hundred wealthy students, along with their slaves and servants.

In the evening, the sun sets.

Zhang Gui stood at the foot of Langweifang Mountain, gazing up the hundred stone steps at the mountain mist that was half-hidden in the summer.

But the scale revealed was already quite magnificent at Xianhezhai. A long silence followed.

"Aren't you going up yet? I've already found someone."

"Forget about strolling around, I'd even be willing to grab a meal at the cafeteria."

Zheng Changgong Baoyin urged from the side.

But since Mr. Huaihe's 'study' is larger than that of a typical 'academy'.

It can accommodate more people than the specialized college in Zhang Gui's previous life.

The difficulty of infiltrating was just as he had imagined.

Including students, teachers, and servants, there were only a few dozen people. Everyone was a somewhat familiar face; it was an elite educational institution where adding even one more person would immediately draw attention.

It's more than ten times easier.

"Ah, I should have realized long ago that Mr. Huaihe was the headmaster of a great academy in the Ming and Song Dynasties."

Even if someone comes to Yuanshan and tries to keep a low profile, they can't possibly just build a study and a few side rooms.

A trivial matter with absolutely no impact.

I feel like the money I gave Zheng Changgong and Baoyin was a bit of a waste.

With these thoughts in mind, Zhang Gui stepped onto the stone steps.

Zheng Changgong Baoyin told his two companions, Song Batu and Wuyun Gaowa, to stay in the market, while he himself followed them up the mountain.

As he walked, he suddenly said softly:

"I found out that Mr. Huaihe is eloquent and very good at persuading people."

Many of his students who came from the Ming and Song dynasties have voluntarily decided to stay in the "Great Dragon Capital".

Well, he couldn't bring himself to harm the dozen or so students he greatly admired and valued.

As for the rest, as long as you provide enough gold nuggets, I can find a way to get you back to Ming-Song.

Zhang Gui was taken aback and turned to look at Zheng Changgong Baoyin a few more times.
“Brother Baoyin, your methods are much more ‘wild’ than I imagined.”

“You’re not from Yuanshan, so you don’t know how much the surname ‘Chang Gong’ carries in the Yuanshan army.”

My grandfather, Chang Gong Zhebie, was a general who decisively defeated the Great Elephant Monastery, the central monastery of the Tibetan Empire, years ago.

In a fit of rage, he almost killed the chief military advisor of the "Conquest of the Tibetan Empire"!

"How impressive they must have been."

"Is it so great that you almost killed a Grand Advisor of the Yuanshan 'Conquest of the Nation's Shogunate'? I was a barbarian general of the Ming and Song dynasties."

Upon hearing this, a thought flashed through Zhang Gui's mind, but he actually knew that Zheng Changgong Baoyin's background was far beyond his expectations.

He gave a thumbs-up and said:
"Amazing, amazing."

Money matters are easy.

If I don't bring enough, I can borrow from my fellow sailors who came with me.

In short, I'll need Baoyin's help again in the future.

"Easy to say, easy to say."

Zheng Changgong Baoyin's attitude towards the financial backers who have already proven their 'strength' and whose tone is becoming increasingly arrogant is also becoming more and more moderate.

He didn't know anything before he was in the 'circle'.

Now, after handling just one small matter with real money, a close family elder has given me some pointers on the key points.

One of them is:
Everything has two sides. Those who have money to do things naturally feel that powerful and influential people who are willing to actually do things for money are not easy to mess with.

But don't those in power also find it extremely rare to find generous and always willing to settle accounts readily?

Therefore, if you find a promising talent, it's wise to maintain a good relationship with them for the future.

"Anything I can help with is fine with me."

As they spoke, the two arrived at the ebony gate of Xianhezhai.

Several middle-aged warriors, each carrying a riding whip, were slowly pacing around the study.

Upon seeing Zhang Gui and Zheng Changgong Baoyin appear, they did not react at all, only a cough came from somewhere.

Upon hearing this, Zheng Changgong Baoyin immediately stepped forward and pushed open the side door of the study.

He turned around and waved.

Zhang Gui nodded knowingly and followed Zheng Changgong Baoyin into Xianhezhai.

In the fasting room.

The first thing that catches the eye is an astonishingly large bamboo forest.

White cranes occasionally flit through the woods.

Many stone-paved paths also run through it.

Zhang Gui randomly chose one and walked in.

After crossing a winding stream, a huge stone pavilion can be seen in the distance.

Upon closer inspection, there was a deep, clear pool of water beside the pavilion.

On the pavilion is a stone plaque inscribed with the words "Bamboo Mountain and Crane Village".

"How elegant! Truly befitting a great scholar."

Upon seeing each other, before Zhang Gui could react, Zheng Changgong Baoyin couldn't help but praise them.

"Sir Baoyin, you even know this?"

"Why am I called Zheng Changgong Baoyin, and not Changgong Baoyin?"

Because she took her mother's surname, who was a Confucian female disciple, she was also somewhat educated.

Zheng Changgong Baoyin answered softly.

It is already very rare to be able to do this.

Zhang Gui didn't press further, but suddenly frowned and changed the subject:

"Water is the world of dragons, and clouds are the home of cranes."

When this bamboo forest is shrouded in mist, it's as if it's floating in the clouds, truly deserving of the title 'Hometown of Cranes'.

It's quite interesting that the person who wrote this inscription was in a foreign land.

"What a wonderful saying: 'Water is the world of dragons, and clouds are the hometown of cranes.'"

Although you lack understanding of right and wrong, and your personality is sharp and sarcastic, you are indeed talented.

"Thank you for your compliment, everyone."

"What a temper! Aren't you afraid of me?"

As they were talking, the once empty stone pavilion and bamboo grove suddenly appeared as if a canvas had been lifted, revealing a group of students feasting and many servants.

"Or perhaps it was too late for you to dodge when you discovered the runes that sealed my space."

So I might as well just give up and do whatever I want.

Among the students, a young man wearing a traditional horsehide skirt with a large sketch, possessing sharply defined features, an oval face, and an androgynous air, asked Zhang Gui a question.

"Both aspects are true."

But the most important point is that you have to secretly seal off your space when you're having a picnic with your friends.

It's not that I'm mentally ill,

It's the kind of bratty kid who's strictly controlled at home but relentlessly challenges their parents' authority, constantly teetering on the edge of "acting recklessly".

In this situation, if I can just leave now, then it's like "the wind blowing away an eggshell, wealth gone but peace and happiness remain."

You wouldn't dare bother the adults in your family over something as trivial as being teased.

Zhang Gui smiled slightly and activated the divine clusters evolved from the two major techniques within his body: "Vertical and Horizontal Manipulation" and "Great Intersection of Celestial Phenomena and Geography".

He waved his hand to gather the mist, concealing his figure.

(End of this chapter)