Duke of Zhenguan

Lin Chuan spoke with such arrogance, he sounded just like a liar.

Although Li Shimin felt that Lin Chuan wouldn't dare to lie to him, he hadn't fully understood what Lin Chuan had said.

Secondly, whether it's establishing a research institute for scientific research or an academy, it's not something that can be decided on a whim.

He stared at Lin Chuan with a strange expression for a long time, but considering Lin Chuan's previous achievements, he ultimately decided to give Lin Chuan a chance:

"Go back and write a memorial, then submit it to me. I will take a close look!"

"It's done!"

Lin Chuan was overjoyed and, for the first time, sincerely bowed to Li Shimin:

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

"Go!" Li Shimin waved his hand dismissively.

Once outside Xiande Hall, Lin Chuan felt like jumping up and down and shouting.

After returning home with Xu Laosan, Lin Chuan immediately went into his study and began writing memorials, or rather, plans, for Li Shimin.

For five consecutive days, except for meals, Lin Chuan stayed in his study, revising the plan again and again. After several drafts, he finally finished writing the plan.

On the afternoon of the sixth day, Lin Chuan entered the palace to request an audience, carrying a thick plan.

Still in the Xiande Hall, after receiving the plan, Li Shimin studied it for a full hour, carefully reading down to the last word. He closed the book and softly said to Lin Chuan:

"I thought you were just a little smart and had a strange encounter with a strange person to teach you. I never expected you to have such ambitions. Kid, if we follow what you said in this folded book, if all the people of our Great Tang go to study, who will farm the land?"

And this Institute of Natural Sciences wants to develop a car that can run on its own? Isn't that a pipe dream?

"Your Majesty, these are just targets!" Lin Chuan said awkwardly.

Originally, they wanted to make the promise bigger, but unexpectedly, Li Shimin didn't buy it.

Li Shimin nodded in understanding. He was indeed somewhat excited by Lin Chuan's proposal, but the thought of Lin Chuan's demands gave him a headache.

They're young and naive, they really dare to say such things!

Under Lin Chuan's expectant gaze, Li Shimin placed the folded document in his hand on the table and said to Lin Chuan:

"You're asking for 100,000 strings of cash just to build the Academy of Natural Sciences? That's way too much. Even if I were to issue an edict, the Ministry of Revenue wouldn't allocate it!"

There are some people who dare to dream big. If half of the craftsmen in the Imperial Workshop were given to you, would the Imperial Workshop still be the Imperial Workshop?

As for academies, forget about it! The professors and teaching assistants at the Imperial Academy, the National Academy, and the Four Gates Academy are all renowned scholars of our time. They can't be transferred to set up some academy for you with just an imperial decree!

Seeing Lin Chuan's increasingly disappointed expression, Li Shimin changed the subject:

"Although your memorial is somewhat exaggerated, it has its merits. Therefore, I approve the matter concerning the Institute of Natural Sciences and the Academy."

Forget about the 100,000 strings of cash. I'll allocate 5,000 strings from the imperial treasury and also give you a plot of land in the Shanglin Garden!

The construction of houses can also be overseen by the Director of Works!

As for the people, you'll have to figure that out yourself!

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Lin Chuan's heart went from hell to heaven. Fearing that Li Shimin would change his mind, he quickly bowed and agreed.

Holding the token and edict given to him by Li Shimin, he left the palace as darkness fell.

After returning to Tonghuafang, Lin Chuan did not go home, but went directly to the Yan family.

Li Shimin approved the establishment of the Academy of Natural Sciences and the Academy of Learning, and even provided money and land; all he had to do was find people.

If you don't come to the Yan family to look for someone, where else are you going to look?

When Lin Chuan entered, the entire Yan family was having dinner.

Upon seeing Lin Chuan enter, Yan Shigu quickly invited Lin Chuan to sit down.

Lin Chuan didn't stand on ceremony and sat down to eat heartily.

After the meal, everyone else left one after another. Lin Chuan followed Yan Xiangshi to the flower hall next door, drank a couple of sips of tea, and then Yan Xiangshi asked with a smile:

"Xiao Chuan, you rushed here, is something wrong?"

"There are some things I need your help with, Master Yan!"

There was no need for formalities when meeting with a friendly face. Lin Chuan smiled and recounted the story of building the academy and the institute of natural sciences.

"Academy? Xiao Chuan, you're going to teach miscellaneous subjects?" Yan Xiangshi asked, frowning.

"right!"

Lin Chuan nodded and asked sincerely:

"But is something wrong?"

"Xiao Chuan, if it's about classical studies or mathematics, it's easy to find you a teacher. But miscellaneous studies may seem simple, but they are actually the easiest to learn and the hardest to master!"

"Of all the people I know, besides you, there are only a few childhood friends who have achieved some success in their studies, but I can't bring myself to ask them for help!" Yan Xiangshi said with difficulty.

"Master Yan, you have misunderstood. Whether it is miscellaneous studies or mathematics, you still need to study the classics and learn the writings of the sages. The academy does not only teach miscellaneous studies!"

I'm asking for your help because I want to find some teachers who are both talented and virtuous to lay a solid foundation for my elementary education. As for mathematics and other miscellaneous subjects, I plan to teach them myself!

"Teach a few students first, then let those students teach their juniors. In this way, it will take at most a year to slightly alleviate the shortage of teachers!" Lin Chuan explained.

"That's easy! Wen Cheng is free right now, I'll have him go help you!" Yan Xiangshi said with a smile.

"Lord Yan, if Uncle Wencheng is willing to condescend, I will naturally welcome him with open arms. However, if Uncle Wencheng is not pleased, there is no need to force him!" Lin Chuan said.

"Why wouldn't he want to? He doesn't like being an official, he just likes reading and being a teacher. Today he went to the school to teach the children and didn't even come back for dinner. If you asked him to be a teacher at the academy, he would be more than happy to do it!"

"If you don't believe me, ask him yourself!" Yan Xiangshi said with a smile.

"Then I'll go ask Uncle Wencheng!" Lin Chuan nodded with a smile.

"Building an academy is a good thing, don't worry. If you really can't find a teacher, I'll resign from my official post and come help you!" Yan Xiangshi said with a smile, patting Lin Chuan on the shoulder.

"If we really can't find you, sir, I'll definitely come to Master Yan!" Lin Chuan nodded with a smile.

It was getting late, so Lin Chuan didn't go to see Yan Liuniang. After talking with Yan Xiangshi, he went home.

For the first time, Lin Chuan really wanted to do something, and he became more diligent. He changed his habit of sleeping until noon and got up early the next day to take people to the Taichang Temple.

With the token and edict given by Li Shimin, the people of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices cooperated very well, taking Lin Chuan to the Shanglin Garden outside the Xuanwu Gate and allocating a large area for him.

After securing the location, Lin Chuan led his men to the Imperial Workshop to ask them to build houses.

The Institute of Natural Sciences and the Imperial Workshop were competitors, but the people in the Imperial Workshop didn't take the Institute of Natural Sciences that Lin Chuan mentioned seriously at all. In addition, they had the token given by Li Shimin, so they cooperated.

With Li Shimin's banner in hand, no one dared to be perfunctory or delay. After arranging things, Lin Chuan didn't care anymore and just waited for the inspection.

In Lin Chuan's opinion, this place is suitable for building an academy, but not so suitable for building a research institute for investigating things. However, for now, he has to build the research institute for investigating things first.

Putting everything else aside, getting the water-powered forging hammer out is more convincing than any written plan.

If the water-powered forging hammer isn't convincing enough, Lin Chuan wouldn't mind bringing out a makeshift blast furnace.