Invasion Myth: Starting with the Schoolteacher

Chapter 280 Ruthless Approach Leads to the White Deer

First came the white deer, then came the White Deer Cave.

The first headmaster chose to establish the academy here because he was enlightened by a white deer and found the handwritten words of a sage.

From then on, he devoted himself to learning and laid the foundation of the academy brick by brick.

In the future, whenever the nation is at its cultural peak or when China is in crisis, this will be implemented.

Outstanding young scholars throughout history have received gifts, such as medicinal herbs, stone carvings, or bamboo slips.

Successful Confucian disciples would descend the mountain to demonstrate their abilities in influencing world affairs and to validate their learning.

Shen Yifu encountered a white deer when he was young and was given a chance opportunity.

After descending the mountain, he acted recklessly and made a name for himself. This laid the foundation for his ability to inherit the academy despite his bandit background.

Upon hearing the story of the white deer bringing good fortune, Xu Xuan felt only deep admiration, without any doubt. The First Academy should possess such a profound cultural foundation.

This world originally had immortals, gods, and demons, so it's normal for auspicious omens to appear here.

These things were indispensable in the lives of legendary emperors throughout history, especially in ancient times when immortals and gods were not separated from the human world.

The Yellow River produced a map, the Luo River produced a book, and the sages followed their models. The stories of King Fuxi and King Yu are known to all.

Among later generations, Confucius was probably the one who presented the most auspicious omens.

Before Confucius was born, a unicorn appeared in the home of a man in Qufu, spitting out a jade book that read: "Son of the Water Spirit, destined to be a king without a throne in the declining Zhou Dynasty." Therefore, two dragons circled the room, and five planets descended upon the courtyard. The wise and virtuous Zheng recognized this as a divine miracle and tied an embroidered ribbon to the unicorn's horn. Two nights later, the unicorn departed.

Even the King of Su has made a big fuss about this; Bailu Academy is really just a small-scale affair.

But it's definitely worth learning from.

Xu's disrespectful thoughts about heaven and earth resurfaced.

Later, when talented scholars emerged from Chongqi Academy, a black tortoise appeared from West Lake, presenting a treasure and leaving behind a set of shells inscribed with the words: 'Eighteen young men, rising from the Southern Mountains; Heaven gives birth to water, in accordance with Heaven and the people.'

If this happens, it will be disastrous.

From then on, many students had to fight tooth and nail to win first place.

Of course, I, Xu Hanwen, am also a young man. The Black Tortoise is somewhat inadequate to show off, so let the Azure Dragon be born instead.

"The sun rises and sets, dusk has passed, and the young Xu sits on the stone. The lineage of Chongqi has been passed down, and the lineage should be correct."

This was just a joke; his life will certainly extend beyond Qiantang. But if he becomes the dean, he really won't be able to leave.

Practitioners should not become too deeply entangled with worldly affairs.

Shen Shanzhang, unaware of the filthy thoughts swirling in this fellow's mind, continued to express the concerns of Bailu Academy.

That is, the spirit beast has not appeared in Nanping Mountain for decades.

The old professors had been having doubts, and he himself was also quite worried.

A person may have lofty ambitions, but without good fortune, they cannot achieve them.

The white deer symbolizes good fortune and can help one soar to great heights.

If it doesn't appear, it could also be due to bad luck, which would make the problem even more serious.

In the silk manuscript of the Yi Zhuan (易传), Confucius proposed that a gentleman seeks blessings through virtuous conduct, hence he rarely performs sacrifices; he seeks good fortune through benevolence and righteousness, hence he rarely consults divination.

Confucianism does not mean that one should not seek blessings or good fortune. As long as one respects virtue and practices benevolence and righteousness, blessings and good fortune are still very important.

It would be ridiculous for Bailu Academy not to have Bailu (white deer).

Either the mountain owner is immoral, or the mountain owner has done something wrong; in any case, someone has to take responsibility.

"Is Lu Nan not qualified either?"

The title of "Number One Talent in Jiangnan" brought him a lot of good fortune after the literary gathering.

"The auspicious white deer signifies the scholar's principles and literary talent."

"He's still lacking something. He seems wild and unrestrained, but he's actually too bound by the rules and lacks his own convictions." "Moreover, he's so weak that he can't even withstand a punch from me."

Shen Shan sighed, feeling that the academy was becoming increasingly outdated, and there were very few unconventional and steadfast scholars emerging.

In any case, true geniuses are destined to be extraordinary.

He had wanted to ask Xu Xuan for help when he was in Qiantang last year, because he admired Xu Xuan's courage and ideas for reform.

Bailu Academy has held the top spot in Jiangnan for too long, and its students and professors have become too complacent.

This study tour is a perfect opportunity.

The most outstanding young scholars in the entire Jiangnan region have gathered here. If this still cannot attract the white deer, it means that the academy has serious problems.

After thinking for a moment, Xu Xuan agreed immediately.

It's all beneficial and without any harm. We now have a full month to try it out. If the students of Chongqi manage to lure out the white deer, it will be a pure profit.

Then the two conspired with the students of the three academies to encourage them to compete and unleash their potential for further advancement.

So how to motivate them and maintain the fighting spirit is a very difficult task.

Confucian scholars are taught from a young age to be self-disciplined, and a lack of composure is considered a very severe criticism by them.

"It doesn't matter, everyone has flaws."

Xu Xuan uttered the villain's declaration, shifting the atmosphere toward war.

When two not-so-good people work together for the first time, they are naturally evenly matched, like two equally talented individuals, and even develop a sense of mutual respect.

Dean Shen's ideas were rather ruthless and violent, while Xu Xuan's methods were even more insidious and vicious.

The two combined to come up with a small plan to stir up trouble.

It's tough on the students of the three colleges.

Xu Xuan singled out the ten students of Chongqi. He first gathered his emotions, then angrily slammed his fist on the table.

"Bailu Academy is going too far."

Four out of the ten were immediately filled with righteous indignation. Instructor Xu represented Chongqi's reputation, and if Bailu Academy dared to be negligent, it would truly be a grave enmity.

I wonder what kind of humiliation caused the teacher to lose his composure like that.

The three extraordinary individuals and three outstanding talents exchanged glances.
"Master Xu, please speak" *6
The six remained completely unmoved and their emotions were remarkably stable. They did not believe that Bailu Academy had the audacity or ability to bully their teacher.

So there must be something that requires students to take the lead.

This reaction prompted Xu to cough twice and retract his next line of dialogue. They were all smart people, so he decided to use their interests to persuade them.

"One of the core values ​​of Bailu Academy is the auspicious omen of a white deer offering good fortune. Are you aware of that?"

Everyone nodded; they had heard about it on the first day of their study tour, and the local students told it as a beautiful legend.

Xu Xuan then earnestly recounted the entire story of this opportunity, including the case of how Shen Shanzhang received the gift.

"With the most outstanding students from the three academies all gathered on Mount Lu, the literary atmosphere is as prosperous as the boundless sea and the towering mountain. The white deer, with its spirit, will surely appear."

"At the very least, the rewards you will receive will be a meteoric rise in your career, becoming a high-ranking official or a general. The Six Ministries will be just the beginning, and becoming a Grand Duke will not be a dream."

The students' eyes burned with intensity, and the temperature inside the classroom suddenly rose.

Most people study for the sake of wearing that purple court robe and becoming a first-rank official.

Qiao Feng clenched his fists. He knew he came from a poor family and that now that he was married, it was like he was marrying into the family. Only by seizing the opportunity could he get a chance to rise in society and make Liancheng proud of him.

"His fame spread throughout Jiangnan, bringing glory to his family; his future is promising."

Qian Zhongyu was excited. If he had this help, it wouldn't be impossible for him to become the head of the Qian family. At that time, all the humiliation and hatred he had suffered over the years could be washed away.

(End of this chapter)