A powerful minister of the Song Dynasty

Chapter 134: "Class Teacher" Ranked Fifth in Class A? (Updated rd)
Fan Zhongyan felt that Yan Shu's faith in Taoism was really shaken by Song Xuan's words.

It seems that he needs to achieve some results, so that he, the former child prodigy, won’t be laughed at by the new child prodigy!

Fan Zhongyan felt that he had never experienced the thinking and confrontation between child prodigies, so he did not understand it.

But he understood that everyone has his or her own pride, and he could understand Yan Shu's little emotions.

However, Fan Zhongyan needed to go back and think carefully about the plan to expand the academy.

After all, Song Xuan’s bookstore is really profitable!
Not a few days later.

The students who should have returned have also returned.

When Bao Zheng came back from his hometown, he brought some specialty baked cakes for long-term storage and asked Song Xuan and others to have a taste.

He has already taught his parents to practice Ba Duan Jin and is looking forward to seeing how effective it is when he returns home for the New Year.

Everyone talked about what they had seen and heard on the road, and walked into the academy together, each carrying their schoolbags.

Many freshmen were naturally excited and finally got into Yingtian Academy.

You are one step closer to your dream of passing the exam!
The admission rate of Jinshi in other county schools is even lower. Yingtian Academy is relatively famous, especially because it costs less and has a strong faculty.

In fact, some students had entered the academy in the past two days and dormitory allocation had already begun.

Song Xuan naturally did not live in the academy.

Otherwise, wouldn’t it be a waste to buy that house so close to the academy?
Zhang Fangping is still considering whether to live on campus.

Bao Zheng decided to study hard in the academy.

He thought that he could not compare with the talents of Song Xuan, Zhang Fangping and others.

As for Shi Jie, who had previously come to Song Xuan's place to stay overnight, he had already settled down in the academy.

"Twelfth Brother, will you give a speech today?"

"Yes, we will gather here once they have finished setting up."

Song Xuan watched a group of students fiddling with wooden stools.

Most of them are custom-made for new students.

After all, there are not many people who have successfully graduated from the college in the past two years.

For example, Fan Zhongyan previously studied in his hometown and entered Yingtian Academy, where he studied hard for five years.

Finally, he ranked 98th in Subject B.

Nowadays, the first-class students in the Song Dynasty are not fixed to three people, but usually five people (three are the most respected), with five grades in the first-class and the rest in the second-class.

It took Fan Zhongyan five years to pass the preliminary examination, provincial examination and palace examination in one go. This is considered an example of rapid advancement.

The person currently running the academy is Qi Shunbin, the third generation of the Qi family.

He inherited his ancestors' wishes and developed and expanded the academy.

Yang Zijin's father was able to open the school and run the school smoothly only with the financial support of Zhao Zhi, the local General of the Guide Army, and the protection from intrusion by others.

But with the death of Zhao Zhi and Yang Zijin's father, the academy fell into a situation of no financial support.

It was the local wealthy businessman Cao Cheng who paid millions of dollars and thousands of volumes of books.

It took two years to build 150 houses, expanding the scale of the academy again, and he was also rewarded by Emperor Zhenzong.

Yingtian Academy became famous again.

Why did Yan Shu want Fan Zhongyan to be the headmaster of the academy now?

One reason is that they value his character. Qi Shunbin is already old, and his financial backer Cao Cheng has passed away.

Now the academy is in financial difficulties again.

Although the college enrolls so many students, it does not charge any fees.

All of this depends on donations from senior students who have become officials and have ample funds, or donations from local wealthy businessmen.

But for now, their donations are just a drop in the bucket compared to the money the college has.

Not to mention expanding the scale, it would be difficult to continue operating.

The teachers' salaries are still in arrears.

Fortunately, thanks to Yan Shu's connections and the government, he was able to obtain some funding.

Qi Shunbin doesn't know how to make money either.

Since his father became an official, he has been running the academy.

Even though Cao Cheng's family was wealthy, he couldn't afford to invest so much money.

Now the Cao family has fallen into decline.

Running a school is a very expensive thing.

When the prefect of Yingtian Prefecture, Yan Shu, made the request and agreed to raise funds, Qi Shunbin readily gave up his position as the headmaster of the academy.

No matter who takes charge of this family, it will be a headache.

Without money, nothing can be done.

Teachers who teach and educate can tolerate salary arrears, but they will always be paid.

But your academy asks others to work, and the craftsmen also need to earn money to support their families.

Why not pay them?
The 150 houses built 20 years ago are also due for renovation.

But there was not much money left in the college's account.

Many rooms are leaking drafts and rain.

It's still early.

Bao Zheng took Song Xuan to visit the dormitory he was assigned.

There were two bunk beds facing each other, and a total of eight people lived there.

The floor of the house was not paved with stone slabs, but loess.

Perhaps it has turned black due to being trampled on by students for many years.

The ground had become bumpy a long time ago, but it was surprisingly hard!
I can't even put a desk there stably, and of course the dormitory is not a place to study.

Many students don’t study at night because it would waste candles.

Song Xuan immediately took a quick look around and found it was far worse than a university dormitory. It was okay in the winter as everyone could gather together to keep each other warm, but it was a real pain in the summer.

The room was filled with heat, but Song Xuan didn't go in to see. He stood at the door and had a clear view.

There were only two people in the room at this time.

In terms of the allocation to academies, many people were ranked together with their fellow villagers.

They are also familiar with each other, which reduces some conflicts caused by regional differences.

What's more, in today's era, many fellow villagers help each other.

People like Han Zhixuan who choose to backstab others before accomplishing anything are a minority and are despised by others.

Bao Zheng put his schoolbag on his bunk.

It's the one standing to the side who can withstand the wind in winter, and he is also the oldest.

Bao Zheng greeted his roommates and walked out.

"How is it, Shi Er Lang, you can't get used to living here?"

Hearing Bao Zheng's teasing tone, Song Xuan snorted and laughed:
"I've slept on the streets for days, even in dilapidated temples. Your house, which can shelter me from the wind and rain, is nothing compared to me."

Zhang Fangping chuckled for a while.

He knew that Song Xuan had traveled to Tokyo on a budget when he was a child.

Several of his brothers came back with him at that time.

Several orphans gathered together in Lema Town, led by Song Xuan, and made their own way to avoid starvation.

That's why Zhang Fangping was sure that Shi Jie's "self-training" was simply child's play and of no use at all.

If the stone steps really encountered an insurmountable obstacle, his own heart wasn't as strong as he imagined. "So, Brother Twelve shared his experience of traveling on a budget with Su Sanlang?"

Zhang Fangping made a joke, causing Song Xuan to burst into laughter.

In any case, Su Xun would start by using his family's money to travel, spend it lavishly, save some money in the middle, and finally beg for food on his way home.

There's no harm in gaining more experience in this area.

Bao Zheng didn't think Song Xuan was bragging.

Because some truths are often told in jokes.

"Even if your parents were still alive, you wouldn't have ended up like this!"

Bao Zheng thought that Song Xuan's family would let him study well and would definitely not abuse him, so how could he end up like this.

What's more, Song Xuan has made his own way and has money in his hands, so there is no need for the grandfather in the family to force his grandson to do things.

The last time Bao Zheng saw Song Xuan’s grandfather, he was a very kind old man.

The old man almost took out his coffin money to redeem his grandson.

"The year my parents abandoned me, I was so upset that I ran away to play on my own."

Song Xuan's calm words once again stirred up huge waves in Bao Zheng's heart.

Song Twelve, who always treated people sincerely and had a smile on his face, had such a miserable childhood.

"Brother Bao, don't worry, I don't regret it at all."

Song Xuan smiled while waving his folding fan:

"If I hadn't gone out and explored the world like this, I wouldn't have made some true brothers who would risk their lives for me."

"That's true."

Just after Song Xuan finished speaking, Song Hao happened to come over:
"Twelfth brother, the two brothers Song Yang and Song Qi in our dormitory have passed the imperial examinations, so there are two vacancies. You and Zhang Dalang can stay here with me."

"Thank you for your kindness, Fifth Brother." Song Xuan looked embarrassed.

"I'm used to living alone. I just checked out the dormitory environment and it's not conducive to my rest. I will apply to the college for not staying overnight and give my bed to students who come from far away to study."

Song Hao’s main target was not his younger brother Song Xuan.

Zhang Fangping did not rank first in the entrance examination, and Song Xuan was third.

Song Xuan would definitely not agree, and Song Xuan’s learning method was not suitable for an ordinary person like him.

Song Hao has a certain understanding of his younger brother on a practical level.

Song Hao wanted to keep Zhang Fangping by his side and would never underestimate him just because he was young.

Because he knew very well that Zhang Fangping was the person who could best help him make further progress in the imperial examination.

Therefore, Song Hao immediately turned around and asked:

"Dalang, you can come and live with us villagers. We will definitely take care of you."

Zhang Fangping is also a smart person.

Naturally understanding the meaning of Song Hao's words, he immediately said sincerely:
"Thank you for your care, Fifth Brother Song, but I have already asked Twelfth Brother for help, so I will have to stay at his house for the time being."

Song Hao's expectations were dashed, and he looked a bit embarrassed. Then he said:
"Since Dalang has already made the arrangements, that's fine. If you have any questions about the academy, feel free to ask me."

"Thank you, Fifth Brother Song."

After Song Hao left, Zhang Fangping breathed a sigh of relief:

"Twelfth Brother, what I said just now, did it hurt him too much?"

"Beat the fucking head."

Bao Zheng: ???
Zhang Fangping knew that the two brothers had the same father but different mothers, but he didn't say anything.

Song Xuan flicked his folding fan and said, "Do you really think others can't see his little thoughts?"

"Cough cough."

Bao Zheng whispered:
"Twelve, this is outside. I don't know what the conflict is between you brothers, but in the end, we still have to close the door. That way, even if you become officials in the future, others won't find fault with you."

"I know." Song Xuan said, fanning himself.
"My eldest and second brothers and I are very close and respectful to each other. We have never had any quarrels in front of outsiders."

"Even if my second brother plotted against me like that, I let him go. I'll just pretend I don't have this brother. It's just that my grandfather broke his leg, and that wasn't my idea."

Compared to Song Xuan's family, Bao Zheng and Zhang Fangping had never encountered such a mess, so they found it difficult to understand Song Xuan's little mood.

Then I heard someone calling the freshmen to gather in front of the yard. There was already a class roster, and the teacher would call the roll. Then they would go to their classes and get to know each other before attending the ceremony in the afternoon.

Fan Zhongyan didn't have the idea of ​​setting up fast and slow classes, but he did put the top ten students in the entrance examination into one class.

They are the group most likely to achieve good results in the palace examination.

If they encourage each other and catch up in learning, it will definitely produce good results.

Song Xuan looked at the people in his class. People like himself and Zhang Fangping who were young were only a minority.

Song Xuan, No. 3 in Class A.

Song Xuan looked at his seat and glanced at Zhu Yu, seat number four, who was also a little thin at the next table.

So he stretched out his hand and waved it in front of his desk mates:

"Hello, my name is Song Xuan, row twelfth, nice to meet you."

Zhu Yu seemed a little embarrassed and just nodded:

"Ah, hello, my name is Zhu Yu."

Then he fell silent, just lowered his head, looking as if he was alone.

Song Xuan withdrew his gaze. In the school, it was not common for each student to have one desk, and the cost of building one was quite high.

It’s better to have two people share one table, at least you can save two pieces of good wood.

Especially the table in this room is newly made and should have been painted with tung oil.

Zhu Yu secretly glanced at Song Xuan and thought that he was quite tall and handsome. She wondered if he would be easy to get along with.
The teacher of their Class A, Professor Wang Zhu of Yingtianfu University, is very young.

Wang Zhu was a native of Songcheng and a newly-qualified Jinshi this year. He ranked fifth in the first class, but was only assigned the post of Shucheng Wei of Luzhou.

Yan Shu recommended his talent and he came to Yingtian Prefecture to teach.

Of course, this is not the court’s fault, as Wang Zhu has a “criminal record”.

Because of the mistake of his classmate Guo Zhen, he was implicated and disqualified from taking the exam. It was not until the next time that Wang Zhu took the exam again and was ranked third.

Wang Zhu looked at the crowd of students. In fact, it was his first time there as well. He had also stood below before.

Now standing on the podium, Wang Zhu, the new teacher, is also a little nervous.

"I've memorized most of your faces. My name is Wang Zhu, and I'm ranked fifth in the A-class exam, Tiansheng Year 2."

"Wow."

Since then, many students have been amazed that the list of Jinshi in the second year of Tiansheng was overshadowed by the two Song brothers.

As Wang Zhu is ranked higher among the two brothers, he is naturally not as famous as the other two.

But it is enough to teach these students.

Although the number of students who passed the imperial examinations from Yingtianfu Academy was not large, three of them were among the top ten.

Su Xun's second brother Su Huan was also a Jinshi in the second year of Tiansheng. This time Su Xun went to Tokyo with the intention of looking for his relatives.

"I'm a professor at Yingtian Prefecture University. I hope we can get along well in the coming time."

When the teacher spoke, the students naturally kept their mouths shut and listened quietly.

Wang Zhu pointed at Zhang Fangping in front and said:
"I heard you have a photographic memory. Coincidentally, I've also had a memory far superior to that of an average person since I was young. Let's have a competition sometime. Let me test your depth."

Zhang Fangping was extremely confident in his own talent. Upon hearing the Master's words, he immediately bowed confidently:

"How dare you disobey your orders!"

(End of this chapter)