Invasion Myth: Starting with the Schoolteacher

Chapter 45 Chongqi is not lonely

Their scholarly air was almost overflowing; most of them pretended to be calm and composed, but the arrogance in their eyes was suffocating.

As a result, the first exam eliminated the vast majority of the outstanding candidates.

Professor Gu was experiencing a splitting headache.

The process of sifting through sand is extremely harmful to one's health. An old man, after looking at so many strange and unusual exam papers, felt an urge to burn them all.

Not to mention comparing it to Zhu Erdan, it doesn't even reach the level of the three major academies.

There aren't many teachers who can reach the level of a student who just entered the academy.

Geniuses are always rare. Children from aristocratic families learn within their clans from the time they begin their formal education, and through this continuous training, their average level is already quite good.

Students from poor families need to put in more effort and have greater talent to catch up.

Just as the old man was about to continue his reckless actions, Xu Xuan stopped him.

He wasn't some bad old man; this old gentleman was his mentor at Chongqi Academy.

"Professor Gu, you only need to be responsible for setting the exam questions and overseeing the proceedings. Leave the rest to me."

"But outside."

Looking at the countless heads, Professor Gu estimated that it would take at least several days and nights to complete all the assessments.

"Don't worry, I have a way."

Gu Wei decisively stepped aside to have tea outside. Instructor Xu was skilled and upright, and had a good reputation.

Then, several academy disciples were seen being led over to have their papers reviewed, though no one wanted to do such menial tasks.

Xu Xuan immediately demonstrated the proper conduct of a teacher.

Just kidding, he's a reasonable and kind person.

"It is difficult to maintain a pleasant countenance. When there is work to be done, the disciples take on the labor; when there is food and drink, the teachers are served. Is this considered filial piety?"

The disciples looked ashamed.

"Professor Gu is over seventy years old, yet he still works tirelessly for the academy. Do you know why?"

The disciples felt even more ashamed.

“Zhu Erdan’s show of force was just a few days ago. We must be ashamed and then be brave, and know our weakness and then strive to be strong.”

The disciples wished they could kneel down and beg for forgiveness.

"Sigh, you are truly the worst class I have ever taught."

The disciples voluntarily went to their posts, each responsible for one examination room, working diligently to organize the examinations and grade the papers.

To dare to utter the word "tired" is a grave sin.

Xu Xuan is very good at making arrangements for people.

The first round of the Mingjing examination, a relatively low-value task, can be passed without the need for instructors or professors.

The next interview is the most crucial.

Having to pose various questions to different people and deal with the scholars' counterattacks, the intensity was extremely high over a long period of time. Xu Xuan believed that with his talent and learning, he would find it very difficult to pass this test.

Even among the common people, there are true dragons and snakes; hidden talents and crouching tigers will always produce a few formidable ones.

Therefore, they prepared two outstanding students, Qian Zhongyu and Xie Yu, to assist them.

It's also a way to give new students a lesson in love, commonly known as a "baptism of fire."

Of course, internally it was euphemistically called a strength test before the literary gathering. If they couldn't even pass this test, how could they possibly fight for the audience with the emperor again in six months?

If things go wrong, then they will suffer the pain of being personally whipped by Instructor Xu.

For example, Zhu Erdan still showed mercy.

It's alright. If you know something, you know it; if you don't, you can't be blamed.

All the Chongqi students assisting with the assessment perked up, after all, Instructor Xu was watching from behind.

Only after passing both rounds will the final judgment be made by several professors and Instructor Xu.

Grandpa Gu felt that Xu Xuan's approach was very well-organized, and some of the details were even more comprehensive than those of the imperial examination.

"Chinese characters, is this also a military strategy?"

"Of course, the chapter on human resources in military strategy."

Professor Gu doesn't study military strategy; he just feels that Xu Hanwen has the qualities to become a good general.

After taking a few sips of tea, Instructor Xu, holding his teacup, became restless and decided to go out for a stroll to see if he could find any students who seemed exceptionally talented at first glance. This wasn't a joke; it was true that the brilliance of a talented person was always much more apparent in one's perception.

He changed into an ordinary scholar's robe, and was recognized after only a few steps outside.

I was surprised to see Master Li again after more than a month.

He brought several students from Jintian to take the exam, and also to make connections along the way.

He stepped forward, greeted the old master, and asked him not to reveal his identity.

Turning my head, I saw my good brother from my previous life, Brother Ji Rui.

That's the one whose father was the head of the Chamber of Commerce in the seven southern provinces, and who was known for writing obscene poems.

After the incident in Qiantang, his elderly father called him back, but now he has been released.

But he's here too?!

Perhaps his gaze was a bit too direct, which made Brother Ji Rui somewhat embarrassed and annoyed.

"Ahem, Brother Hanwen, I know you are not what you used to be, but you should not underestimate your brother."

“My father wanted to send me here back then, but the academy didn’t care about that little bit of money. Now that I have the opportunity, I must try to seize it.”

"Don't worry, we're still pretty strong."

"After you enter the academy, in public you will be Instructor Xu, but in private we will still be brothers."

Brother Ji Rui is very confident and remains enthusiastic, so Xu Xuan doesn't mind at all.

This guy is actually a pretty good person.

I don't recall ever seeing them bully men or women; they even treated us to meals on pleasure boats.

Besides, after a few months, I no longer cared about contacting my former relatives and friends, and I was quite pleased to have more friends.

He left a heartfelt blessing and then continued his stroll.

After walking for a long time, I saw two scholars exchanging ideas by the roadside halfway up the mountain. I listened for a while and they seemed to have a very high level of knowledge.

It's at least as good as my skill level from three months ago.

His aura was slightly bluish, indicating that he was no ordinary person.

People in the surrounding area said that both of them were talented men with some fame and reputation.

A man named Zhang Hua was from Mi County. He had fair skin and a graceful appearance.

A man named Qiao Feng was from Jinning. He was tall, with thick eyebrows, large eyes, a high nose, a wide mouth, and a square face.

When Xu Xuan saw the second person, he almost hummed the background music. If it weren't for the fact that he was wearing a scholar's robe, he would have thought that Chief Qiao had traveled through time. Even the scholar's robe had patches on it.

He secretly noted down the two men's names and began to inquire about their specific deeds.

A moment later, Xu Xuan's expression became somewhat strange, and then he looked at Zhang Hua.
It is said that he is of the highest caliber in terms of both talent and demeanor, simply because he once captured a fox spirit.

The reason for seeing through the other party is...
The fox, with its profound knowledge of the three realms of astronomy, geography, and humanities, analyzed the strengths and weaknesses of eight Confucian schools and commented on the advantages and disadvantages of five different rites. Zhang Hua was speechless and unable to respond to any of these arguments.

He sighed and said, "Where in the world could you find such a brilliant young man! If he's not a ghost, he must be a fox."

He reported the incident to the authorities and, after testing the fox through various means, burned it to death.

This is very difficult to maintain.

That's why they discovered the fox's true form.

If I had arrived a few days earlier and met Zhu Erdan, wouldn't I have had to do the same thing?
It seems to have a hint of jealousy and envy of talent involved.

Qiao Feng, on the other hand, was the complete opposite.

He was poor and destitute, but he was an upright man.

The magistrate of Jinning County valued Qiao Feng highly because of his excellent writing skills.

Later, the county magistrate died in office, and his family was stranded in Jinning and unable to return to their hometown.

This man sold his family property, bought a coffin, and traveled more than two thousand miles to send the county magistrate's body back to his hometown along with his family.

Such loyalty and righteousness left even Xu Xuan in awe.

Make a note of this; this academy's assessment can really uncover some interesting scholars.

Chongqi won't be lonely anymore.

(End of this chapter)