Invasion Myth: Starting with the Schoolteacher

Chapter 195 Only the bold one

"Spring days are long, and the flowers and trees are lush. The orioles sing sweetly, and the people gather artemisia in abundance."

Ji's seemingly casual but actually deliberate voice rang out in the mountains.

The sound startled countless birds, and among them was someone's triumphant laughter.

Ah! Spring has arrived!

"I, Ji, will treat you to a meal during the holiday."

Then came a series of whimpering sounds, as if someone had gagged him.

Xu Xuan, who was engrossed in thinking about intelligence in the library, was indeed disturbed by this restless student.

Looking up at the window, I saw that the wildflowers in the mountains had begun to bloom, and I realized that winter was completely over.

What follows is the arrival of spring, with flowers blooming and everything coming back to life.

And the young students are going to cause trouble again.

The first to third days of the third lunar month are traditionally days for spring outings.

Drinking and feasting by the water and enjoying spring outings in the countryside were the most common activities, and Chongqi naturally followed suit.

Scholars, who do not engage in productive work, have both the time and energy, so they naturally enjoy this kind of activity.

Usually, it's a gathering of a few close friends. Those with money ride horses and enjoy the spring scenery, while those without rent cars to see the spring landscape, write poems and reflections, and relax.

Chongqi lived in the mountains, so he didn't need to go out for a spring outing.

But the students would definitely not agree to that. They are not easily manipulated compulsory education students, but wealthy adult men.

There's no need to stop people from releasing their passions like this, as long as nothing serious happens.

However, the situation in Jiangnan has deteriorated, and the probability of getting into trouble is relatively high if one runs around aimlessly.

Out of a sense of responsibility as a teacher, and also out of concern that the academy might lose a financial backer, Xu Xuan still guided the group a little.

Xie Yu, having received guidance from Master Xu, stepped forward.

"You are probably aware of the frequent floods that have occurred in various places recently."

"Do not tread lightly on lands with rivers and streams."

There are a few others who are not convinced, so just let Qian Zhongyu target them aggressively, and he'll make sure they're not in a good mood for the next few days.

The remaining families with poor financial circumstances were organized by Qiao Feng, the leader of the poor families, which almost eliminated most of the hidden dangers.

Teacher Xu is good at recognizing and utilizing talent, and he no longer needs to personally manage students.

Originally, Ji wanted to try to organize a spring-themed event, but her friends stopped her.

Not long after the incident with the painted skin ghost, this person really has a big heart.

Why don't we all go to Lingyin Temple together? Ning Caichen caused some non-combat casualties there last time, and now that he's calmed down, we should go apologize.

This reason is very convincing.

Both West Lake and Feilai Peak are great places for spring outings.

On the first day of the third month, horse-drawn carriages and oxcarts carried the scholars down the mountain in a procession.

It appears chaotic, but is actually quite orderly.

Xu Xuan also came down the mountain. He was a well-known figure in the county, so naturally he had a lot of work to do.

Our first stop was the Qiantang County Government Office.

Spring has arrived, so it's time to begin the formal dredging work.

Spring and autumn in the south are ideal seasons for dredging and dike repair because of moderate water levels, less rainfall, and unobstructed river channels.

Construction usually begins before the Qingming Festival to ensure irrigation can resume before the start of summer.

The county government's job was to organize the workforce, determine the areas to be cleared, and prepare logistical support.

Because this is a time to earn merit and build a good reputation, large-scale corvée labor cannot be initiated yet.

Then we'll have to find manpower and funds from the wealthy and powerful families in the city.

Magistrate Song was a capable man, and he actually completed the preliminary work. Of course, this was also due in no small part to the guidance he received through a letter from someone.

Even when he was busy suppressing the demonic threat in Jiangnan, he still remembered to offer some small suggestions.

For example, it's perfectly fine to openly use the names of the two academies in this matter.

Originally, donations were supposed to involve an exchange of benefits, a practice that existed as early as the Qin and Han dynasties.

According to historical records, in 243 BC, due to a locust plague, Qin Shi Huang ordered that "the people who pay a thousand shi of grain will be granted a rank of nobility."

Starting with this, subsequent donations will inevitably involve these exchanges.

Song Youde's dredging and dam repair were merely for personal promotion and to gain fame by benefiting the people. He was just a county magistrate and could not afford such a compromise, so this approach was not feasible.

The idea of ​​returning all the money to the wealthy and powerful, and splitting the money of the common people 30/70, is not in line with the original intention of this matter.

Just when they were at their wits' end, Xu Xuan suggested that they take advantage of the academy's name and operate boldly, since the practice of exchanging fame for money is a timeless one.

We'll ask Professor Gu to write the article and Professor Liu to carve the inscription, and then place it by West Lake for people to admire.

Such prestigious undertakings should be able to move many people's hearts. Building bridges and paving roads has always been a passion of the wealthy, all for the sake of fame.

Of course, we also need to take advantage of the name of a super big shot.

Use your official title boldly, it's fine.

What? You're worried this big shot won't allow it?
Don't you know that the old man has already driven his chariot to Guobei?

Take advantage of this opportunity and act quickly.

Back then at Wangjiang Tower, didn't Yu Gong say you were as brave as a tiger, as upright as Song Qingtian, and as capable as a man?

At the time, they even said they would guarantee you entry into that high platform and golden palace; I heard these words with my own ears, my worthy brother.

Anyway, it's all for the people of Qiantang, so what's a little bit of fame from him?

If the matter is to be investigated afterward, then take the old man to the riverbank to see what the people think of him.

Any upright person should gladly accept this; this is called deceiving someone with a moral compass.

Of course, if this person is a fame-seeking opportunist who insists on settling scores, then we'll see when the time comes.

This ability to quote out of context is something every scholar should be able to do, but Magistrate Song was intimidated by Yu Gong's reputation and was afraid that he would be stabbed to death by the other party.

However, under Xu's influence, the lust for power overcame the fear.

One day, Song Youde said to Zhao Hu with emotion, "Brother, your plan is not particularly ingenious, but it is bold."

Thinking back to when I arrived in Qiantang, I realized I hadn't made much money.

An honest official naturally has more confidence; at worst, he can just ask his virtuous brother for help.

"Enough, enough. For the sake of the people of Qiantang, why should I, Song, hesitate to sacrifice myself?"

"Zhao Hu, come closer. There are a few small things I need you to do using some methods on."

Zhao Hu was shocked after hearing this. Was the leader going to back down?
Young Master Xu is naturally unharmed on Nanshan Mountain, but you and I are both in the county town.

The chariots came hurtling over in less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn; if we could even block one spear, we'd be lucky to escape.

"Sigh...that's why I did it when no one was around."

"If he goes up Nanshan to visit my virtuous brother and refuses to come down the mountain until he gives me a solution, then he'll have tied our hands and feet and naturally he'll be after our lives."

As a result, a lot of rumors have been circulating in Qiantang recently.

Yu Gong hosted a banquet for Song Qingtian at Wangjiang Tower, praising him for his courage and righteousness, saying he deserved to enter the high platform and golden palace.

There's also the line, "Dean Su sheds tears at Wangjiang Tower, and Song Youde smiles as he governs Qiantang County."

As the story progressed, Yu Gong's successor was decided, and his future position in the imperial court was reserved.

That's why the title of a powerful figure is so effective; many aristocratic families have actually been intimidated.

Everyone knows that when the old man first came to Qiantang, he hosted a banquet for several celebrities. Ordinary people wouldn't dare to joke about such a thing, so there must be some truth to it.

(End of this chapter)