Invasion Myth: Starting with the Schoolteacher

Chapter 108 The Turmoil in Qiantang
It wouldn't be good if only two academies achieved good results in the competition among the three academies.

You, too, can't find a second person to participate in your audience with Heaven?
Dean Su remained indifferent to the questions raised, as this was the last gathering he would attend anyway.

Dean Shen's thought was, "Who struck first? This is too fast."

"It would be better to drop to seventh place; the reason for not appearing is that I am not feeling well."

Xu Xuan was kind-hearted. Although Lu Pan killed the person, he also stabbed him in the back, so he took the initiative to save face for Jintian.

Since that's the case, Dean Shen stepped onto the stage to begin the final finishing touches.

Everyone below craned their necks in anticipation; who wasn't curious about who would be the best in Jiangnan?

Even Song Youde, the magistrate of Qiantang County, found the best spot to watch.

Also present was the magistrate of Yanguan County, who was also Qiao Feng's father-in-law.

There were also several county magistrates from the surrounding counties of Renhe, Yuhang, and Fuyang.

Although the outcome was known through a subordinate's report during the downpour, a formal announcement is a different matter.

It was an honor to witness such a literary golden age, especially for Song Youde, who was all smiles.

Everyone thought this guy was an incompetent fool who spent money to become the magistrate of Qiantang County.

As it turned out, this good-for-nothing was extremely lucky. First, he thwarted the evildoers' rebellion, and then the county academy organized the Jiangnan Literary Gathering. He couldn't escape the credit for his educational contributions.

This good-for-nothing is likely to be promoted within a few years, which is truly enviable.

Dean Shen stood on the stage and explained that the witnesses to this competition were all highly learned individuals, ensuring the fairness of the outcome.

The leader is—Bai Lu. Lu Nan.
The foremost scholar of Jiangnan has returned to his former glory.

The students and passersby below naturally cheered.

Next, Xie Yu will be listed in order, followed by Qiao Feng, and finally Zhu Erdan.

These people represent the best of the best in the entire Jiangnan Academy.

Barring unforeseen circumstances, everyone will become an indispensable official in the imperial court in the future.

After all, the autumn examinations select hundreds of candidates, and the selection of these seven is even more difficult than the provincial examinations.

Especially Lu Nan and Xie Yu.

He possesses the highest level of talent and character, and also enjoys the support of his family background.

As for Zhu Erdan, who had been the most prominent, it was somewhat unexpected that he ended up in seventh place.

The official explanation was that he was unwell, but rumors circulated privately that he left on his own due to his narrow-mindedness; these rumors came out before the actual outcome.

Dean Shen estimated the time and began the final conclusion, which involved writing a preface on the spot.

"In the thirty-sixth year of the Wenhe era, on the eastern bank of West Lake."

Similar to Wang Xizhi's writing of the Preface to the Orchid Pavilion Gathering to commemorate this elegant gathering.

The gist of it is that this literary gathering was a great success, and so-and-so attended, including Xu Xuan.

Everyone sat together, upholding the principle of "friendship first, competition second," to discuss the educational responsibilities among the various academies.

Several outstanding young people stepped forward to exchange ideas and discuss their aspirations, and the first place was...

Record the poems composed at the literary club, capturing the youthful spirit and vigor.

Even if times change in the future, the sentiment remains the same.

He spoke with great emotion and even mentioned a student surnamed Zhu who was arrogant but unfortunately had poor character and was reprimanded by the professors.

This is a complete attempt to nail Zhu Erdan to the ground. As expected of the White Deer Mountain Master, he writes eloquently while also expressing genuine emotions.

After the introduction, the literary gathering was officially concluded.

That evening, some of Chongqi's students were enjoying themselves at the Ji family's restaurant.

When someone achieves fame and success, they are naturally overjoyed and need to share their happiness.

When someone fails, they also need to vent their frustrations.

Others lamented that the title of the most talented scholar in Jiangnan was still taken back by Lu Nan, though it was certainly much better than Zhu Erdan taking it away.

Inside the private room, Instructor Xu was drinking with Magistrate Song.

He came here to show his face to the students and to share his joy with his fellow students in Chinese literature.

After announcing his plans to move up the ranks, he started gossiping. "The situation at the Imperial Audience Hall... it started escalating overnight?"

Xu Xuan asked with some curiosity.

“Brother Xu, given our friendship, I won’t hide it from you. The imperial court has already begun the process of selecting a new dean, and Scholar Su is already packing up his belongings.”

Song Youde looked as if he hadn't expected the scholars at Jintian Academy to be so ruthless when it came to vying for fame and fortune.

Someone directly listed several of Dean Su's major crimes, and their writing was excellent.

Then came a bloody power struggle, with high-ranking officials engaging in various networking activities to gain support and vie for the position of dean.

The position of Dean, one of the three pillars of Jiangnan's cultural heritage, is indeed well-deserved.

According to a rumor spread by Magistrate Song, someone was going to invite a great Confucian scholar back to succeed him as the head of the academy.

Many great Confucian scholars have emerged from the centuries of worshipping Heaven.

For example, Yu Gong, who is about to retire, is a truly important figure.

Yu's given name was Yu Dingguo, and his courtesy name was Manqian.

The Court of Justice (廷尉) was one of the Nine Ministers.

He held a prominent position and wielded considerable power. He was responsible for compiling the number of cases adjudicated nationwide and overseeing matters related to imperial prisons and the revision of laws and regulations.

Professor Sheng's old friend, a ruthless Legalist.

He was also a legendary figure of his generation. In his youth, he loved to fight for justice, practice boxing and martial arts. He was so strong that he could lift and wield a tall water clock. He was especially skilled with a sword.

There are countless short stories about slaying demons and exorcising ghosts.

If such a powerful figure were to return and take charge of the court, there would certainly be no room for a student like Zhu Erdan to survive.

Even Song Youde felt a little uneasy when he heard such baseless rumors.

Xu Xuan saw the barely concealed fear in the other party and was speechless. "Don't overthink it, little Karami. As long as you don't court death, you won't die."

The next day was another fine day. Xu Xuan ignored the students who were still on holiday and took the three heroes back to the academy. It was said that Dean Shen of Bailu Academy would be visiting soon.

Sure enough, within two days, Dean Shen arrived at Nanshan with several professors and students.

Madam Yin personally came out to greet them. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the reception was handed over to Professor Gu and Instructor Xu.

Headmaster Shen was very polite, and he spoke at length about the words on the mountain gate.

"Lord Yin's handwriting is still so simple and unadorned, hahaha."

It didn't seem like a pure compliment; there seemed to be some underlying misunderstanding.

Xu Xuan didn't ask, Professor Gu didn't speak, and without receiving a response, Headmaster Shen could only let go of this opportunity to joke and entered the academy.

Seeing old friends is when I'm truly happy.

"Young Master Ziye Xian!"

"Brother Yifu!"

"Young Master Ziye Xian!"

"Brother Yifu!"

The two embraced and laughed, oblivious to everyone around them.

They also agreed to play the piano on the lawn later.

The professors at Bailu pretended not to see it. Chongqi was still on holiday, and there were few students, so it should be fine.

Lu Nan was quite used to his teacher's mannerisms; some of his arrogance was inherited from his teacher.

Seeing the invitation to play the piano made me even more excited.

Xu Xuan was curious: Was Shen Shanzhang also a very good musician?

"The headmaster once learned two pieces, 'Qing Shang' and 'Qing Zheng,' from Professor Shi, but he hadn't learned 'Qing Jiao' yet."

Why not learn?

"Qingjiao is not something that ordinary people can learn. It is said that the Yellow Emperor composed it when he gathered all the ghosts and gods on Mount Xitai. Playing it casually will bring disaster. It seems that only a master can teach this piece."

　I made major revisions, which took up a lot of time. This book underwent numerous cuts and revisions during its writing process, and it's completely different from the original. I apologize for the inconvenience.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)