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

"Someone refused the emperor twice, and the emperor not only wasn't angry, but even bestowed upon him a title?"

The news spread like wildfire, reaching teahouses and taverns in Jiangnan within a month, and eventually even the remote mountain villages of Sichuan.

Jiang Lin, known as "Master of Statecraft".

This name is now even more famous in the Song Dynasty than the most popular courtesan.

Inside Runzhou City, the atmosphere was as lively as during the Chinese New Year.

The common people used to kneel before a county magistrate, but now that they heard that a big shot had emerged in their town, even the emperor couldn't persuade him to come, they straightened their backs instantly.

"Have you heard? That Jiang Shanchang is from Runzhou!"

"That's right! My second aunt's brother-in-law's neighbor delivers vegetables to the Jiang Family Academy! He says Mr. Jiang is like a god descended to earth, spending every day researching how to improve the lives of ordinary people like us!"

The prefect of Runzhou sat in his sedan chair, listening to the discussions outside, and could only manage a wry smile.

"As a dignified prefect, the first question people ask me when I go out these days is, 'Do you know Mr. Jiang?'..."

The prefect shook his head, but felt a sense of pride. After all, Jiang Lin was from Runzhou, and this could be considered one of his achievements.

The literary circles were also busy.

Talented individuals from all over the country picked up their pens, some praising and others criticizing.

Some people wrote poems praising him: "He did not covet the imperial court but admired the academy, his heart was only to cultivate talents. He resigned from the emperor twice not out of arrogance, but only so that his students would be all over the world." Jiang Lin was compared to the ancient hermits Xu You and Chao Fu, and was called "the Zhuge Liang of our time".

Some people, with a sour tone, made sarcastic remarks at the poetry gathering: "It's nothing but a publicity stunt. If he's truly capable, why doesn't he dare to serve as an official in the imperial court? Perhaps he'd reveal his cowardice?"

But as soon as these sarcastic remarks left his mouth, someone next to him retorted, "Their students swept the top three spots in the prefectural exam. If you're so capable, why don't you teach a few more like that?"

The business community was shaken.

Businessmen have the keenest sense of opportunity. They don't see fame, but rather future "potential stocks."

"Just think about it, every student at Jingshi Academy will become a high-ranking official in the future!"

A wealthy businessman from Suzhou said to his business partner, "If we can establish a connection with Mr. Jiang now, even if it's just by donating some money, it will be an invaluable network of connections!"

Thus, a strange sight appeared on the official road outside Runzhou City.

Countless carriages carrying gold, silver, jewels, and fine silks lined up to deliver goods to the Jiang Family Academy.

"Mr. Jiang! I am Wang Baiwan, a salt merchant from Yangzhou! This thousand taels of gold is for road construction at the academy!"

"Get out of my way! I'm a silk merchant from Hangzhou! These ten bolts of Shu brocade are for making clothes for you, sir!"

At the entrance of the academy, Old Li, the gatekeeper, calmly pointed to the sign next to him as he watched the group of extravagant nouveau riche:

[This is a prestigious academy; gifts are not permitted. Admission is based on merit; those seeking connections should turn back.]

"Everyone, please go back." Old Li spoke with full confidence now. "My husband said that the academy doesn't lack money, it lacks peace and quiet."

In the capital, in the imperial court.

Although Jiang Lin is no longer in the martial arts world, his legend is still widespread.

The reformist leaders privately discussed: "Although this person has not entered the court, his insight is extraordinary. If we can recruit him as an assistant, the reform process may encounter less resistance."

The conservative senior officials frowned: "This man is too famous and acts eccentrically, even refusing imperial edicts. We must be wary. What if he tries to corrupt the emperor in the future..."

The neutral faction adopted a wait-and-see attitude: "Let's see how his students perform in next year's imperial examination. If they are truly talented, it won't be too late to win them over then."

A letter from Bianjing was delivered to Jiang Lin.

It was written by Ouyang Xiu.

The letter was written in a sincere and earnest tone:

"Sir, your noble character is truly admirable. His Majesty greatly appreciates you, though he expressed regret in his words, saying that you will surely be given an important position in three years."

"However, I have a word of advice: 'The tallest tree in the forest is the first to be felled by the wind.' Now that you are famous, you should be careful with your words and actions, and not let your fame become a burden."

Jiang Lin nodded slightly after reading the letter.

"Lord Ouyang meant well."

He folded the letter and put it in his book box. "However, this storm was stirred up by me for the sake of these children. If we can't even withstand this little bit of trouble, what are we supposed to do to benefit the world?"

Inside the academy, however, the students were getting restless.

"Sir, the rumors outside are incredibly exaggerated, saying you are the reincarnation of the God of Literature..." Su Shi leaned closer, his face full of curiosity, "You... are you really a deity?"

Jiang Lin glanced at him and tapped his head: "Confucius did not speak of strange phenomena, physical prowess, disorder, or spirits. I am a human being, someone who needs to eat and sleep."

"What about... reputation?" Su Zhe asked with some worry. "The whole world is watching us now. What if we don't do well on the exam next year..."

What others say is none of our business.

Jiang Lin put down his teacup, glanced at the three students, and remained calm.

"Fame is like clouds in the sky; it comes quickly and goes quickly. It's gone with the wind."

"Only genuine talent and learning can provide a solid foundation for one's life. Just like the roots in the ground, the deeper they are planted, the more stable the tree will grow."

Su Shi seemed to be deep in thought: "Sir, are you saying... fame is not important?"

"Important, yet not important."

Jiang Lin stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the crowd of people queuing up to give gifts outside.

"Fame is a tool, not an end. I want fame to pave the way for you, so that you will be famous even before you enter officialdom."

"But what I want is for you to succeed, not for me to become famous. If you become worthless fools who only know how to seek fame and fortune, then this fame will be a deadly poison."

Upon hearing this, the three men were startled and bowed in unison, saying, "We are deeply grateful for your instruction!"

As night fell, Runzhou City gradually quieted down.

Jiang Lin sat alone in the study, flipping through the account books that Qian Duoduo had sent.

"gentlemen."

Qian Duoduo pushed open the door and came in, wiping the sweat from her forehead. "More than thirty people came to see me today, and I turned them all away. Some of them refused to leave, so I had the guards 'invite' them out."

"Well done." Jiang Lin didn't even look up. "For the next period of time, we'll be keeping the place closed to visitors. We won't see anyone except for those delivering food."

"But..." Qian Duoduo hesitated, "Some people give really valuable gifts... A merchant from Huizhou gave me a golden Buddha statue that weighed a full ten jin..."

Jiang Lin put down the account book and looked at the little money-grubber with a half-smile.

"Dodo, you must remember this."

"The more lavish the gift, the bigger the scheme. If you take his golden Buddha statue today, he might want you to help him smuggle salt tomorrow. Don't accept this hot potato."

Upon hearing "smuggled salt," Qian Duoduo shrank back in fright, then immediately gave a thumbs up:

"Sir, you are brilliant! That golden Buddha... I'll let him take it tomorrow!"

Jiang Lin watched Qian Duoduo's departing figure and blew out the lamp.

In the darkness, his eyes shone as brightly as stars.

"The first step, building momentum, is complete."

"Next, we should take a look at the potential talents in this second tier."