Tang Dynasty Little Godfather

Chapter 160 A good match
Wang Xi was unaware that the incident involving Shang Gongbu was orchestrated by Wu Xin. Such incidents were all too common, even in a society governed by the rule of law, and since he already had a grudge against Shang Gongbu, he didn't think much of it.

But it was really disgusting at the time, completely overshadowing the nameless academy.

But the cycle of karma is real.

This time, Wang Xi also fed Wu Xin a mouthful of shit.

It was absolutely disgusting.

Those students who won awards felt no joy, the Imperial Academy felt no sense of accomplishment, and even Emperor Li Longji did not make many comments.

In short, it was extremely uncomfortable.

The most interesting thing is that the nameless academy came in last place.

If they had come in first place, people could still have something to say and use it to attack Wuming Academy, but they came in last place, so while people can still laugh at them.

The problem is that after the competition, everyone was singing "The Same Song" and talking about Wuming Academy.

As for who came in first, I forgot about it as soon as I turned my back.

Moreover, the foreign envoys also highly praised Wuming Academy. This year was supposed to be a relatively quiet year for diplomacy, but what impressed the foreign envoys the most this year was the opera and music performed by Wuming Academy.

When the holiday ended and the officials returned to work, the foreign envoys made numerous requests, hoping that students could be sent again to learn opera and dance.

Poetry and songs are still somewhat difficult for them, and it's hard to judge their quality, but opera and dance are easy to understand and listen to, and everyone loves them.

Bringing this back would provide more entertainment options for everyone, from royalty and nobility to ordinary people. Wouldn't that be wonderful?

But this gave Li Longji a real headache.

Although the imperial court intended to take this opportunity to promote Tang Dynasty culture, the problem was that when Li Qiao made this suggestion, no one took it seriously. Who knew it would actually succeed? But the Imperial Academy didn't know these things.

The key point is this trivial matter. The foreign envoys have been asking for your help time and time again, and you can't even give them an answer. Are you still the emperor?
Li Longji was also very anxious, so he quickly summoned Li Qiao and asked him how things were going.

Li Qiao could only tell the truth.

"So, Mr. Wuming is unwilling to accept those international students?" Li Longji asked, his brows furrowed.

Li Qiao explained, "Actually, this arrangement is indeed inappropriate. After all, those international students represent their countries or tribes, which is a diplomatic matter. Wuming Academy is a privately run institution, and Mr. Wuming acts in an unconventional way. The students of Wuming Academy are also not law-abiding people. This arrangement is bound to cause problems."

Li Longji nodded and said, "That's true. The status of overseas students is special, so it's not really appropriate for them to stay in the general public. The only option is to have the Imperial Academy send teachers to study at the Wuming Academy first."

Li Qiao said awkwardly, "The Nameless Academy agrees on this point, but the situation is a bit complicated now."

Li Longji asked, "What is it now?"

Such a simple matter has become complicated.

Li Qiao said helplessly, "I have inquired and found that the teachers at the Imperial Academy are unwilling to go to Wuming Academy. Moreover, if anyone goes there, I'm afraid they will find it difficult to stay at the Imperial Academy in the future."

Li Longji was completely dumbfounded: "Why is that?"

Li Qiao said awkwardly, "They all look down on the knowledge of Wuming Academy, and now they are being asked to condescend to study there, so naturally they are unwilling."

Li Longji snorted, "Look down on them? If they want to look down on other people's knowledge, they must first be capable themselves and do better than the other person before they have the right to look down on them. They can't do anything, so what right do they have to look down on them?"

Li Qiao said tactfully, "Your Majesty must also consider the status of the Imperial Academy. It has always been the private academies that have learned from the Imperial Academy. There is no reason for the Imperial Academy to learn from the private academies."

Actually, he originally wanted Li Linfu to handle it, first having Li Linfu take a position at the Imperial Academy, and then sending him to study at the Wuming Academy.

But Li Linfu firmly refused this time, because he believed that as long as you represented the Imperial Academy, you could not study at the Wuming Academy. Otherwise, you would not be able to survive in the officialdom and it would be a thankless task.

But Li Longji was very annoyed. "You all look down on the kind of knowledge I like!" After pondering for a while, he said, "Fine! I'll figure this out myself."

Li Qiao asked curiously, "What solution does Your Majesty have?"

Li Longji glanced at him, waved his hand and said, "We'll talk about it later, you don't need to worry about this."

"Yes."

After Li Qiao left, Li Longji immediately ordered someone to bring Wang Xi to him.

"Nephew greets Uncle."

"Sparrow".

Li Longji chuckled and said, "In the singing competition, your uncle gave you all last place. Are you all convinced?"

I'm impressed!

Wang Xi immediately said, "To be honest, Uncle, we're just going to create a lively atmosphere and let people know that our Tang Dynasty culture isn't monotonous, but rather rich and diverse."

"If our poem gets first place, wouldn't people laugh at our Tang Dynasty for having no talent?"

Li Longji then thought of those stubborn old men at the Imperial Academy, who were far less magnanimous than his nephew. He praised them, saying, "Everyone says that Que'er is a troublemaker, but in your uncle's eyes, Que'er's mind is much broader than most people's."

Wang Xi chuckled, "Really? Uncle, are you being sincere?"

"Of course I mean it."

Li Longji chuckled and said, "However, your husband is too modest. The song was good, but the lyrics could be more evocative."

Wang Xi explained, "Uncle, you may not know this, but when it comes to poetry, the master believes in letting things happen naturally. He has always emphasized that masterpieces can only be created by chance, and cannot be forced. Those lyrics were all conceived by my nephew and the monk."

Li Longji exclaimed in surprise, "So it was all your idea!"

Wang Xi nodded repeatedly like a chick pecking at rice: "The teacher always encouraged us to create on our own and not to rely on him for everything."

"Hmm. That's just like you, sir!"

Li Longji nodded and said, "That's not bad then. Being last is really not living up to its name!"

Wang Xi asked, puzzled, "Uncle, is this a compliment or a criticism?"

"Of course it's a compliment!"

Li Longji laughed heartily, then quickly added, "By the way, what instruments did you use in your performance back then?"

"They've all been modified, specifically designed for large choruses."

Wang Xi patted his chest and said, "My nephew is the biggest contributor here."

Now he has to start taking credit for himself, after all, if he wants to be a favored minister, he can't keep bringing up Tao Mo.

Li Longji exclaimed in surprise, "Really?"

"Ah."

Wang Xi said smugly, "Both my teacher and my mentor praised me. Shouldn't my uncle praise me too?"

Li Longji laughed heartily, then pondered for a moment and said, "Let's not praise you for now. Another day, when Uncle has time, you can bring those musical instruments and we can play a tune. If it's really good, then Uncle can praise you."

Wang Xi immediately replied, "Uncle, don't worry, I certainly won't disappoint you. I'll present you with a musical instrument that I just invented. I haven't even brought it out yet for the competition."

"Good good!"

Li Longji was so happy he couldn't stop smiling.

Wang Xi then asked, "Did your uncle come to see you because of this?"

Li Longji was taken aback for a moment, then quickly said, "No, that's not it. Uncle called you here today for important business."

Wang Xi asked curiously, "What important matter?"

“Of course, it’s about your life’s most important event, Que’er,” Li Longji said.

Wang Xi exclaimed in surprise, "Is Your Majesty going to bestow a marriage upon my nephew for such a momentous occasion? I wonder which family the woman is from, and whether she is beautiful. I must see her first and make sure I like her."

He launched into a barrage of questions, leaving Li Longji speechless. Amused and exasperated, he asked, "Don't you like your teacher?"

"Yes, I do like her." Wang Xi nodded, then chuckled, "But I don't plan to marry just one."

"You boy."

Li Longji pointed at Wang Xi.

Wang Xi smiled smugly and said, "However, we won't trouble you with this matter for now, Uncle. Once I've won your heart, Uncle can then make the decision for me, okay?"

Li Longji shook his head and said, "You are, after all, teacher and student, and your uncle dares not easily make decisions for you!" Wang Xi said, "So I want to wait until graduation to talk about it."

Li Longji said, "Even if you graduate, we'll still be teacher and student!"

Huh? What exactly is he trying to say? Wang Xi was increasingly puzzled. He didn't believe that Li Longji would specifically worry about this matter; surely he wasn't that in love? So he tentatively asked, "Then what should we do?"

Li Longji chuckled and said, "Uncle has come up with a brilliant plan for you."

Wang Xi hurriedly asked, "What brilliant plan?"

Li Longji said, "If you were also a teacher, wouldn't that be a good match?"

Wang Xi exclaimed in shock, "My nephew is a teacher!"

"Why not."

Li Longji said, "Although your knowledge is still insufficient, in terms of opera, in my opinion, few can surpass you."

Wang Xi nodded and said, "That's true."

This kid is really not modest at all. Li Longji said, "It's perfect. Those foreign envoys all want to send people to learn this opera, so I plan to open another opera academy and have you serve as its dean."

Wang Xi blinked, this was something he hadn't expected, and asked, "Is Uncle serious?"

"You have no joke."

Li Longji immediately replied.

Wang Xi glanced at Li Longji, pondered for a moment, and suddenly said, "Oh, nephew, I understand now. Is it because no one at the Imperial Academy is willing to study at our academy, so uncle thought of having nephew teach those international students?"

Seeing that he had been seen through, Li Longji was slightly embarrassed but did not deny it. He said, "Then would you be willing to help your uncle with this favor?"

Wang Xi immediately said, "Helping my uncle is my duty, but I'm worried that people will gossip about me if I become the dean."

Li Longji was deeply moved by these words and chuckled, "It's truly rare to find such filial piety from Que'er. But Que'er, don't worry. I did this hoping to see them gossip and criticize. I also wanted to provoke those people and make them look down on me, thinking that I'm helpless against them. That's outrageous!"

This really made him a little angry. It was such a trivial matter, and it hadn't been resolved in ages. What would people think?

Okay!

If you don't like it, then let Wang Xi do it.

No one can live without someone else!

"is it?"

Wang Xi chuckled and said, "If that's the case, then I'm even more deserving of the position of dean."

Li Longji laughed and said, "If you are the dean, then you and your teacher will be a perfect match. When the time comes, I will bestow a marriage upon you without any obstacles."

Wang Xi suddenly turned his eyes and scratched his head, saying, "But the teacher is still of lowly status, and her father committed a crime."

Li Longji said, "What's so difficult about that? Uncle can just overturn her father's case when the time comes. Uncle has already seen her father's case, so it's not a big deal."

Wang Xi chuckled and said, "Nephew promises not to embarrass his uncle."

Li Longji chuckled and said, "Uncle also has confidence in you."

Since his annual leave had just ended and he had many matters to attend to, Li Longji did not keep Wang Xi. After discussing the matter, he let Wang Xi leave.

Upon leaving the palace, Wang Xi immediately went to the Nameless Academy to inform Huangfu Sengnian and the others about the matter.

"What?"

Li Jieman asked in surprise, "His Majesty wants you to be the dean and teach those international students?"

"Ah."

Wang Xi nodded.

Huangfu Sengnian exclaimed incredulously, "How is this possible?"

"Ugh."

Wang Xi sighed and looked at Li Jieman: "It's because your father can't protect you. No officials from the Imperial Academy are willing to come here to study, so His Majesty came up with this plan."

Huangfu Sengnian said, "So, this is true?"

Wang Xi nodded and said, "Would I joke about something like this?"

Huangfu Sengnian asked, "You agreed?"

"of course."

Wang Xi nodded. "As a favored minister, the first rule is that you must never say 'no' to His Majesty."

Huangfu Sengnian shook his head to himself, "This is truly unbelievable."

Wang Xi further explained, "Actually, it was the Imperial Academy's actions that angered His Majesty. His Majesty appointed me as the dean to deliberately provoke them; there was a reason for this to spite them."

"I see."

Huangfu Sengnian nodded and smiled, "That's good, then we can openly compete with them."

He really enjoys this kind of thing and breaks with convention.

Li Jieman leaned closer and chuckled, "Brother Que, can we be the vice dean?"

"no problem."

Wang Xi chuckled and said, "What's so difficult about that? We're all brothers."

Li Jie chuckled and said, "I never thought I'd get to experience what it's like to be a dean."

Just then, Wang Shuang walked in and said, "Brother Que, all the workshops have been arranged."

Wang Xi was taken aback, then suddenly remembered something and said, "Oh right, I almost forgot to tell you, this workshop may not be needed for the time being."

Wang Shuang tilted her head and looked at Wang Xi with great displeasure. "Brother Que, are you making fun of me? Well then, I'll have to have a go with you."

He's been busy with this for the past few months, and then you say something like that. Anyone would be angry.

"Brother Shuang, have a seat!"

Wang Xi panicked and quickly pulled Wang Shuang to sit down, saying, "The situation has changed. His Majesty has asked me to think of a way to promote Taoism."

Huangfu Sengnian frowned and said, "We have been working on this for a while now. In recent years, the imperial court has been investigating temples."

Wang Xi nodded and said, "That's exactly it."

Huangfu Sengnian said, "But I didn't expect His Majesty to entrust this matter to you as well."

Wang Xi said, "Isn't this because I can make up stories?"

Wang Shuang asked curiously, "But what does that have to do with that workshop? Aren't those workshops supposed to make rouge and eyebrow pencils?"

Wang Xi nodded and said, "I've observed recently that most Buddhists are women, including my mother. If Taoists were to develop rouge and eyebrow pencils, they would naturally be very popular with women."

Huangfu Sengnian said, "Taoists don't have this tradition."

Wang Xi said, "Actually, there is something to it. The Tao follows nature. What is nature? Why does water flow downwards? Why do clouds bring rain? And why do lightning and thunder occur?"

The three exchanged glances, then asked Wang Xi in unison, "Why?"

“How would I know?” Wang Xi said.

Li Jieman asked, "Then what are you saying?"

Wang Xi said, "What I mean is that Taoism has a study of exploring the changes in nature, and we can use this as a basis to classify rouge and eyebrow pencils into it."

Huangfu Sengnian said, "That's true, but it's still a bit far-fetched."

Wang Xi said, "That requires telling a story, but I haven't thought about the specifics of how to do it yet."

(End of this chapter)