In Sumeru, pretend to be a scholar

Good morning, Wang Yan.

"Good morning, going to the academy so early?"

"There's nothing we can do. We're not like you; we don't need to report to academic circles."

"I really envy you, having a tutor to teach you one-on-one."

Many fellow scholars looked at Wang Yan with envy in their eyes.

Wang Yan smiled and said, "If you're envious, why not come and study under Teacher Falushan?"

"Haha, forget it then. Runic studies are enough of a headache for me. If I add mechanical arts on top of that, I might not be able to graduate." The scholar who had just been expressing envy now showed a look of resistance.

Wang Yan didn't care.

After all, if Erossen were truly a good choice, then he wouldn't have had the chance to become her apprentice.

To reiterate, it will be very difficult for Effusa to find suitable students within the intellectual community!

As they were talking, several scholars passed by in pairs, and their conversation drifted into Wang Yan's ears.

"This year's budget is too tight. I submitted my application last week, and I was only told today that the budget is already exhausted."

Don't even mention it. Our school of thought is the same; we still have projects to finish by the end of the year, but the higher-ups say the funds were already transferred away.

"The biological proponents are alright, since there's still a rainforest maintenance fee, but they also said that the year-end funding is tight, and many projects can only wait until next year."

"It seems all six schools of thought are the same... When it comes to year-end accounting, it's those of us who have to apply for funding on short notice who suffer the most."

Wang Yan listened silently, without stopping.

The fellow scholar from the intellectual school overheard this and shook his head with a wry smile: "It's been like this for the past two years, there's a shortage of money everywhere. You'd better apply for funding as soon as possible in the future."

"Thank you for reminding me." Wang Yan nodded, something seemed to flash through his mind, but it wasn't quite clear.

Continuing on, Wang Yan parted ways with the other scholars at an intersection and headed towards Fa Lushan's house. When she arrived at the door, she raised her hand and gently knocked on the door.

'Tuk tuk tuk'

No one answered the door.

Wang Yan didn't mind, took out a key, and opened the door directly.

Yes, he has a key to Eros's house. Eros gave it to him. According to her, there's nothing valuable in the house anyway, so giving the key to Wang Yan would make it easier for him to come and go.

Upon entering, I noticed the house was even more disorganized than before, as I hadn't been there all day.

Wang Yan looked at it and felt his obsessive-compulsive disorder was about to flare up. He shook his head, went to the kitchen to boil water, and then went back outside to tidy up the scattered manuscripts, drawings, parts and tools that had fallen on the ground.

Back in the kitchen, the water was just boiling. I easily rummaged through the cupboard and took out two packets of macaroni and put them into the water.

Mahjong is a dish from Fengdan, and it's perfect for people who can't cook or don't have time to cook.

While the macaroni was still cooking, Wang Yan turned on another stove, lit the fire, heated the pan, added oil... and simply fried two eggs.

After Wang Yan finished serving the macaroni and topped it with a fried egg.

A sleepy-eyed Eros appeared right on time at the kitchen door.

"It's so great to have you here. You're truly my best student." Erosanne made no attempt to take one of the dishes.

Wang Yan held out her chopsticks and gently stopped her: "Go brush your teeth and wash your face first!"

Erosan reluctantly withdrew her small hand: "...I'm the mentor!"

"Mentors also need to brush their teeth and wash their faces."

"Hmph, foolish apprentice."

Muttering to herself, she didn't refuse, turned around and left the kitchen, going to the bathroom.

Wang Yan then brought two bowls of hollow noodles to the living room and placed them on the table.

"Have you finished your business?" Falushan came out of the bathroom, looking much more refreshed. She walked to the table, pulled out a chair, and sat down.

"It's almost ready." Wang Yan pushed a plate of macaroni in front of Falushan. "You didn't stay up late again last night, did you?"

"It wasn't exactly staying up all night, but I had an inspiration for a technique, and it took me a while to figure it out."

"What time is it when you didn't stay up all night?"

"...Four o'clock."

Wang Yan shook his head helplessly: "Although I know that inspiration is unstoppable, Master, your health is also very important."

"Oh, I know, I know, why are you being so nagging?" Eros waved her hand impatiently, then picked up her chopsticks, slurped up a mouthful of noodles, and said, "Once you come with me to investigate the heritage sites, you'll understand that scholars need to get used to the irregularities of life."

Wang Yan shook his head: "But you're not at the ruins now, nor are you on the investigation; you're at home!"

Falushan didn't know how to refute, so she could only put on her teacher's airs: "Alright, alright, I gave you a few days off, and you came back so quickly just to lecture your teacher?"

What else could Wang Yan say? He could only lower his head and slurp up his noodles as well.

The table fell silent, save for the sound of the two slurping noodles.

After gulping down the last mouthful of soup, Falushan leaned back in her chair and let out a long sigh: "Ah~ I'm alive again."

Wang Yan had already gotten up and started clearing the dishes.

When Wang Yan came out of the kitchen again, Falushan asked, "You came back early, is there something you need my help with?"

Wang Yan returned to his seat and explained his needs for a venue and personnel.

After listening, Erosanne pondered for a moment and asked, "Are you sure this project can make money, right?"

Wang Yan nodded: "With Zacharia's help, it will definitely become popular in Sumeru City, and it won't be too difficult to promote it later."

Zacharia, as the physician of the House of Health, is extremely authoritative in the medical and health care of Sumeru City.

He said toothpaste is good for oral hygiene, so, if not everyone, at least half of the people would believe him and choose to use toothpaste.

“Well, your project is excellent. I don’t need to get involved. Just go to the Faculty of Religion and find Vizier Nizam. Tell him about your project and ask for help,” Erosham said.

Wang Yan raised an eyebrow: "Is that all? We won't have to wait in line, will we?"

Wang Yan was afraid that if he applied for the help of the Academy of Teachings, he would have to wait in line and would not be able to get the venue and personnel he wanted immediately.

"Aren't you underestimating your project?" Erosham teased. "Guess what the Academy is lacking most right now?"

Wang Yan was taken aback: "What's missing?"

Eros: "We're short of money! The decrees issued by the Grass God, the various benefits for scholars, the compensation for the desert... none of these cost money?"

Wang Yanfu suddenly grasped the glimmer of inspiration he had when he arrived.

Yes, judging from the six schools' thirst for and resentment towards funding, the Order of the Church is actually quite short of money.

Otherwise, the six major schools of thought wouldn't be so stingy with their funding.

In this situation, if you come up with a project that can make money, the Order of the Church will naturally provide sufficient assistance.

Thinking of this, Wang Yan suddenly relaxed.

Seeing this, Falushan's smile widened: "Have you figured it out?"

Wang Yan nodded: "Yes, before, I only thought about getting benefits from the Order Academy, but I forgot that this project itself is also beneficial to the Order Academy."

“Hmm.” Erosan nodded slightly. “Besides making money, once your project is launched, it can also provide jobs, which is also very important.”

At this point, Falushan paused slightly, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "Since the Grass God lifted the desert ban, the desert and the rainforest have gradually reconciled, but this has also led to a large influx of desert people into the rainforest. Although most desert people choose to become members of the Gold Plating Brigade, some of them have also taken up a lot of ordinary jobs."

"Rainforest people need jobs, and desert people need jobs too. Without enough jobs, vicious competition will inevitably occur. Although this trend is not obvious under the control of the Grass God, if the demand for jobs cannot increase for a long time, cracks will inevitably appear in the reconciliation between the rainforest and the desert."

"At that time, it will probably be a problem that even a god would find difficult to solve."

"From this perspective, a brand-new daily necessities factory can at least provide some decent jobs."

Wang Yan couldn't help but nod. In this way, his project could definitely apply for strong support from the Academy of Educational Orders.

Chapter 58 Expenditure of the Church

“However, mentor, the problems you mentioned are actually a lack of money and a lack of high-quality projects... But with the Academy's technological reserves, we shouldn't lack these things, right?”

Wang Yan still had some doubts.

As the largest academic institution in Teyvat, the Academy's patented technologies were enough to support a massive academic system even during the time of Hazard, when commerce was not valued. Now that the Grass God is in power, with the opening up of commerce and entertainment, it should be making even more money.

“You’re right, the Order Institute has no shortage of technology and projects.” Erosan shook her head slightly. “Since the Grass God came to power, the Order Institute has been continuously strengthening the transformation of academic achievements, earning a lot of money and providing a lot of jobs, but compared with the demand, it is still a drop in the ocean.”

Wang Yan was somewhat surprised: "Is the Academy of Teachings so expensive?"

“It’s not the Church’s money that’s being spent, it’s the Church’s money that’s being spent on implementing Lord Grass God’s decrees.” Erosan shook her head, showing no negative emotions. “Compared to the time of Azar, Lord Grass God pays more attention to the situation of ordinary people, and the Church’s funds are mostly invested in protecting ordinary people.”

"For example, the Health House used to require patients to pay most of the costs themselves. Now, as long as you are a Sumerian, whether you are from the rainforest or the desert, you can get more than half of the costs reimbursed. Some diseases can even be treated without spending any money. All of this money is provided by the Order of the Teachings."

"There is also support for small handicrafts, support for agriculture and animal husbandry, renovation of water conservancy projects, and investment in education in the desert. Every single one of these is a huge expenditure, and all of this money is provided by the Ministry of Education."

"Including the scholars' welfare, the school's funding, the rainforest's maintenance costs, the sand-resistant wall's maintenance costs, and the military expenses for the thirty-person team..."

Erosanne counted the expenses of the Order Academy on her fingers for Wang Yan, and finally concluded: "In short, the Order Academy will never have enough money."

Wang Yan was dumbfounded.

Now I understand why Nasita is becoming less and less childlike.

With such an exorbitant bill weighing on you, even the most naive person will be worn away.

But which of these expenses can be eliminated?

Remove investment in people's livelihood? Only a few good days will the people of Mount Sumeru enjoy!

Cutting back on desertification control? That's definitely not an option; it's the foundation of stability.

After much thought, Wang Yan realized that the only thing he could slightly limit was the funding for the school of thought.

No wonder the six major schools of thought are so careful with their funds; in this situation, every penny must be spent wisely.

"Understood. I'll go talk to Vizier about the project's implementation in a bit," Wang Yan nodded.

Eros: "Go back and have Zakaria and Kavi sign a joint statement saying it's a joint project of the three schools of thought, so we can apply for more funding."

"okay, I get it."

"Then you should leave quickly, I still have blueprints to look at."

Eros started kicking people out.

Wang Yan stood up: "Then I'll be going now. Remember to eat on time, mentor."

"I don't need you to remind me! Hurry up and get out of here, you stupid apprentice, just looking at you makes me angry!"

……

Despite being kicked out of the house by Erosan, Wang Yan was in a good mood. According to Erosan, his project was basically a success.

Wang Yan did not know Vizier Nizam.

However… Wang Yan knew his secretary, Miss Faliha.

When Wang Yan and Khalid signed their employment contract, this young lady helped him with the housing arrangements in the accommodation area.

"Let's go ask Farihar first."

Wang Yan quickly made a decision and headed towards the place where he had first met Faliha. That was one of her workplaces, and he should be able to find her there.

After passing through the square above Tianbi Pond, Wang Yan approached the stall area on the city gate street and saw Faliha standing in front of a pottery stall, surrounded by a group of onlookers.

The stall owner was a dark-skinned middle-aged man, nervously rubbing his apron with both hands. Standing opposite him was a simply dressed woman holding a ceramic bowl with a tiny crack along the rim.

“Miss Fariha, you must be the judge,” the woman said urgently. “I just bought this bowl from here this morning, and it cracked after I filled it with hot soup. It must have been fired improperly. How could you sell it like this?”

The stall owner immediately retorted, "My pottery is all sourced legitimately from the Vikala trading post, and every batch is inspected. Did you accidentally knock it over? Did the hot water cause it to crack? It's not that easy to crack!"

Facing the arguing parties, Fariha remained calm and raised her hand to signal them to calm down.

She has handled countless cases like this.

He reached out and took the ceramic bowl, gently running his fingertips over the cracks, and then carefully examined the texture and glaze of the bowl against the light.

A moment later, she looked up at the stall owner, her voice clear and firm:

"The crack edges are smooth, without any chips or scratches caused by bumps or knocks. There are tiny air bubbles accumulated on the glaze here, which is caused by uneven firing temperature and moisture left inside the clay body."

"This is a defect in the manufacturing process, a problem with the firing technique, not damage caused by human error during use."

The stall owner's face paled, and he tried to explain, "I...I really didn't know! Everything looked fine when I received the goods..."