The Great Song Dynasty: You were put in charge of teaching, and you produced a whole bunch of prime

The next day, the sky was clear and the air was crisp.

The scene at the entrance of Jiang's Academy was even more spectacular than the announcement of the county school's results yesterday.

The people surrounded the dilapidated courtyard wall in layers, and even the trees were filled with children watching the spectacle. Everyone wanted to witness for themselves whether the Wang family, the richest family in Runzhou, would really bow down to a poor, shabby academy.

"Here it comes!"

A commotion broke out in the crowd.

Then, Wang An, the patriarch of the Wang family, walked over with a solemn expression, leaning on a dragon-headed cane. Behind him followed Wang Shichang, who looked dejected like a defeated quail, and several servants carrying boxes.

There was no tense standoff as I had imagined.

Old ginger is spicier, and Old Master Wang is a businessman who knows what it means to "accept the consequences of a gamble and cut your losses in time".

As he walked into the courtyard, Old Master Wang's eyes twitched at the sight of the huge "Demolish" sign that hadn't yet been wiped off. He then took a deep breath and bowed respectfully to Jiang Lin, who was sitting at the stone table drinking tea.

"The land is vast and enduring."

This sound was old and heavy.

Jiang Lin put down his teacup, stood up to return the greeting, and instead of displaying the arrogance of a victor, he showed the humility of a junior:

"Grandpa Wang, you flatter me."

Old Master Wang sighed, turned around and glared at Wang Shichang, who wished he could bury his head in his crotch, and scolded him with exasperation:

"You unfilial son! Apologize to Jiang Shanchang now!"

Wang Shichang shuddered, reluctantly moved closer, and mumbled in a barely audible voice, "Jiang Shan Chang... I lost."

Old Master Wang took out a land deed and a newly written name change document from his sleeve and presented them with both hands:

"I have failed in my duty to educate my son, and my skills are inferior to others; I have nothing to say."

"According to the bet, Wenchang Academy agrees to remove its plaque and immediately change its name to 'Jingshi Academy Runzhou Branch.' Here are the land deed and documents; please take a look, Mr. Jiangshan."

The entire audience erupted in uproar.

Are you really giving it to me?

That's Wenchang Academy! The largest academy in Runzhou, the land and the library alone are priceless! Isn't Jiang Lin becoming rich overnight?

Su Shi, Zeng Gong, and Su Zhe stood behind Jiang Lin, their breathing rapid with excitement. "Our academy is going to swallow up the number one wealthy family? This plot is too awesome!"

However, amidst everyone's envious, jealous, and resentful gazes, Jiang Lin did not reach out to take it.

He gently pushed the priceless document back.

"Grandpa Wang, I cannot accept this academy."

"What?" Old Master Wang was taken aback, thinking he had misheard. "Master Jiang, this is a written bet, and I have absolutely no intention of going back on my word..."

"I know."

Jiang Lin waved his folding fan, his gaze sweeping over the impoverished students gathered at the door, their clothes tattered, yet they stood on tiptoe, peering inside:

"I only have three dilapidated houses, and it's already a bit of a struggle to teach three students. If I were to take over the hundreds of students at Wenchang Academy, my lazy nature would probably shorten my lifespan."

Wang Shichang suddenly looked up, a glint of joy flashing in his eyes. This fool actually doesn't want it?

"but--"

Jiang Lin changed the subject, raising one finger:

"The bet is now in effect, and I cannot break it. I can give up the academy, and I don't need to change its name, but I have one condition."

Old Master Wang felt a great weight lifted from his shoulders and quickly said, "Please speak, Mr. Jiang! Even if it's a fortune, I will not haggle!"

Jiang Lin smiled, a smile like that of a kind... cunning merchant:

"Money is just an external thing. My conditions are very simple."

"From now on, all books published by Wenchang Academy, whether they are classics, histories, philosophical works, or selections for the imperial examinations, must be sold at cost price to poor students in Runzhou."

"Furthermore, the library of Wenchang Academy must be open to all scholars free of charge on the 5th and 10th of each month, and no barriers shall be set up to prevent them from accessing it."

Quiet.

A deathly silence.

Grandpa Wang stared wide-eyed at Jiang Lin in disbelief.

He had expected Jiang Lin to demand exorbitant amounts of money or land. But to his surprise, what Jiang Lin wanted was... to offer concessions to the poor and needy?

This isn't setting conditions; this is clearly practicing the way of the sage!

"This..." Old Master Wang's hand trembled slightly.

This clause, while costing the Wang family a lot less money, will bring them immense prestige! It could even wash away the shame of losing this bet!

Jiang Lin is not only giving the Wang family a way out, but also paving the way for scholars all over the world!

"May the land endure..." Old Master Wang's voice choked with emotion. This time, he bowed deeply, his bow coming from the bottom of his heart.

"Great righteousness! Jiang Shanchang is truly a man of great righteousness! This old man... is ashamed!"

After a brief moment of stunned silence, the surrounding crowd and students from impoverished families erupted in thunderous applause and cheers.

"May the nation live forever!"

"This is a true living Bodhisattva!"

"From now on, if anyone dares to speak ill of Jiang's Academy again, I, Old Li, will be the first to fight them to the death!"

Su Shi and his two companions watched their teacher's retreating figure, their eyes reddening. This was truly their teacher! He regarded money as dirt, and cared deeply for all living beings!

Just when the atmosphere reached its climax, almost to the point of instant enlightenment.

"Make way! Make way, everyone!"

An untimely, hoarse voice rang out.

The creditor, Fatty Wang, waved the IOU in his hand and squeezed in, sweating profusely.

"Jiang Lin! The three-day deadline is up! Pay up!"

As soon as Fatty Wang squeezed into the circle, he sensed that something was off.

Why is everyone looking at him like he's an idiot?

Even his patriarch, Old Master Wang, glared at him with a look that seemed to say, "Do you want to die?"

Jiang Lin couldn't help but laugh out loud at the sight.

"Manager Wang, you've arrived right on time."

Jiang Lin turned around and waved to the three students.

Su Shi, Zeng Gong, and Su Zhe immediately stepped forward, each taking out a heavy money bag from their pockets.

That was the top prize money issued by the county government, plus... well, Su Shi was a bold kid. He secretly took his living expenses to the Chang Le gambling house and bet on "Jing Shi Academy winning all the bets". The odds of 100 times made him a windfall.

"Give."

Jiang Lin took the money bag and tossed it into Fatty Wang's arms like trash.

"Five hundred strings of cash, including principal and interest. Let's count it."

Fatty Wang, clutching the heavy money bag, glanced at the respectful Old Master Wang beside him and at Wang Shichang, who looked like he wanted to devour someone, and a cold sweat instantly broke out on his back.

"No...no need to order! How could I not trust Jiang Shanchang's reputation?"

He wiped his sweat as he backed away, slinking into the crowd without daring to utter a single harsh word.

……

This day is destined to be recorded in the annals of Runzhou.

Jiang Family Academy not only survived, but also achieved legendary status in a single battle.

Jiang Lin's story of "refusing a luxury house and only seeking a scholarly life" has been turned into a joke and spread wildly in various teahouses.

Countless parents, hoping their children would succeed, brought cured meat and herded pigs and sheep, practically wearing down the threshold of the academy, crying and begging to send their children in.

However, Jiang Lin is still the same Jiang Lin.

He hung a sign at the door: [Accepting apprentices is open to all, but quality over quantity].

Ultimately, out of more than a thousand applicants, he selected only five boys who looked pleasing to the eye and had a sparkle in their eyes.

We don't want any more.

The reason given was: "There aren't enough tables, and I'm lazy."

……

Late at night.

The noise subsided, and the academy returned to tranquility.

The character "拆" (demolish) on the wall had been painted white overnight by the Wang family, who also repainted the entire courtyard wall.

Jiang Lin stood in the newly renovated courtyard, looking at the bright moon in the sky.

Footsteps sounded behind me.

Su Shi approached with a pot of hot tea and asked softly, "Sir, did we really do it?"

"Yes." Jiang Lin took the tea, took a sip, and asked, "How does it taste?"

"It's like a dream." Su Shi scratched his head. "A month ago, I thought this academy was going to fall apart."

Jiang Lin smiled and turned his gaze northward, towards Bianjing.

"This is just the beginning."

Jiang Lin's voice sounded particularly distant in the night:

"The county examination is nothing more than children playing house. The upcoming prefectural examination, and then the unpredictable metropolitan examination in the capital, are the real battlegrounds."

Su Shi clenched his fist, his eyes blazing with fighting spirit: "This student is not afraid! As long as I follow you, I dare to brave mountains of knives and seas of fire!"

Jiang Lin turned around and looked at his disciple, who would leave a significant mark on the history of the Song Dynasty, as well as Zeng Gong and Su Zhe, who were studying late into the night by lamplight.

He stretched and resumed his lazy demeanor:

"Alright, stop burning it out and go to sleep. Starting tomorrow, I'm going to teach you something new."

"What's new?"

"How to avoid being assimilated in this rotten world, and instead change it."

Under the moonlight, the shadows of the four people were stretched very long.

The dilapidated old academy has become history.

A new legend is quietly beginning here.

[Volume One: The End of the Road]