Whoever can strike me hard will be rewarded handsomely.

Although Qin Ji was itching to go to the teacher's house and have him beaten up, he was too busy with state affairs and could only find time to leave the palace incognito seven days later.

One should not trouble two masters with one matter. Although the guard on duty today was Ginger, Qin Ji still left Ginger aside and took Bean instead.

Under Fu Lu's resentful gaze, Qin Ji changed into ordinary clothes and, with Bian Dou as cover, swaggered out of the palace.

Bian Dou asked, "At this time of day, the tutor is usually still at home. He won't go to teach the farmers to count under that elm tree on the outskirts of the capital for another half an hour. Would Your Majesty like to 'bump into' him near his house?"

If the timing isn't right, it will only arouse the teacher's suspicion, and he might move out overnight, requiring another address check.

Wait a minute, you wouldn't be trying to cheat me out of my imperial grain by repeatedly slacking off in order to boost your own performance, would you? You treacherous lentil!

Qin Ji was determined not to let Bian Dou succeed, so he waved his hand and ordered, "Go to the outskirts of the capital."

Incidentally, it also allows one to express sincerity to the Master in advance.

When they arrived at their usual spot on the outskirts of the capital, the Master had indeed not arrived by this time. So Qin Ji followed the Master's example and gathered the villagers under the elm tree to learn mathematics.

The teacher taught for more than two months. Farmers who had already learned the skills were busy with the autumn harvest and naturally wouldn't waste time continuing to learn. However, many of them also brought their wives and children over to listen to a little bit, since the opportunity was rare.

"Why is this a new face? Didn't the teacher come today?"

"I've met my older brother before. He helped the teacher test my father's math skills. They must have been together."

"Young master, you're so handsome, with rosy lips and white teeth. Are you married yet? Would you like to consider my daughter?"

Perhaps it was because he looked young and approachable; while he spoke, people below kept whispering amongst themselves.

Normally, when Qin Ji cleared his throat slightly in court, the court would fall silent. Who among the ministers would dare not listen to him properly? They weren't asking for trouble.

Here, I experienced firsthand what it means to say "you say your thing and I say mine."

Qin Ji smiled and raised his voice a little, not caring at all whether the people below were listening or not; it was all just a show for the Master.

If the goal is to educate and enlighten the people, why should the emperor himself lecture? A simple decree can easily be issued to someone else to take care of the matter.

However, this matter is not as simple as a decree. There will be resistance in the court, how much effort will be required, how much manpower will be needed, how effective will it be, and whether there will be any disobedience or underhanded taxation after the decree is issued.

If not implemented properly, it could backfire and not only fail to enlighten the people, but also increase their burden and waste resources.

None of these are the main points.

The main point is that his mouth was practically dry from talking, so why hadn't the teacher arrived yet?

To achieve his long-cherished wish, Qin Ji devised a three-step plan.

The first step is to gain the favor of the Master, so that the Master will think that he is a promising talent, a piece of unpolished jade, and that it would be a waste for such a piece of jade to be covered in dust.

The second step is to let the master know that this piece of jade is still quite rough and needs to be carefully carved. If it is not carved, it may go astray by accident.

The third step is to analyze one's true feelings, move others with sincerity, and establish a long-term, stable, and casual relationship where actions are more important than words.

To save time and effort, Qin Ji combined the first and second steps into one, so his performance was not very sincere.

As soon as Jiang Jibai's carriage arrived, he lifted the curtain and saw Qin Ji talking incessantly under the elm tree, while the "students" whispered among themselves, competing to see who could shout the loudest—a scene reminiscent of a "market quarrel," which was quite a spectacle.

Although he really wanted to turn around and leave, Jiang Jibai was a person who believed in finishing what he started and wouldn't abandon the task just because someone else had messed things up halfway. So he bent down and got off the carriage.

When Qin Ji saw Jiang Jibai, his eyes lit up, and he began to spout quotations and proverbs, going on and on about "one, two, three, four, five" and "Confucius said" and "the Book of Poetry says," completely disregarding whether the people below could understand or not, just like a rooster pacing around showing off its feathers.

"What are you saying, young sir? I suddenly don't understand!"

"I didn't quite understand what you were saying at first. Is the young master a student of the Master? Your voice is so pleasant, unlike that damned son of mine."

Someone shouted, "The Master is here!"

"Master."

"Master."

Everyone sat quietly on the ground without saying a word, each one very well-behaved. After all, which family doesn't have a man whose palms have been swollen two or three fingers high by the teacher's slaps?

Qin Ji walked towards Jiang Jibai with anticipation and hesitantly called out, "Sir."

Did you see my show? Did you see my ridiculous antics?

Do you deserve a beating? Aren't you hot?

Qin Ji was right this time.

This chaotic, theatrical performance of lectures—if it were Jiang Jibai's two students who did this, they'd probably be in trouble by now.

But when facing Qin Ji, Jiang Jibai only politely asked, "What are you doing here?"

Having shown his lack of polish, he naturally had to also demonstrate that he was a rough gem, otherwise the Master might categorize him as someone he would never associate with again.

Qin Ji smiled shyly, "After the autumn harvest, tax collectors will come to collect the autumn tax. I see that you have a heart to help the world and love the people, and you teach without discrimination. I thought you would come here frequently these days, so I thought I would try my luck to see if I could run into you. So I took the liberty of giving a lecture on your behalf. It was my first time, and I didn't do well. I was also eager to show off in front of you, so please forgive me."

This statement is quite skillful. It frankly admits that he came for Jiang Jibai, demonstrating his sincerity. The mention of "autumn tax" indicates that he understood the deeper meaning behind Jiang Jibai's instruction on "numerology" here. It also brings his performance of this show to the forefront, making him appear upright and likable.

Jiang Jibai became genuinely interested after hearing this. "How did you know I would be here so frequently before the autumn tax was collected?"

If someone takes the initiative to ask questions, it means they've developed an interest in him; in other words, it's like the rod is beckoning to them!

Qin Ji's eyebrows almost flew up. "The teacher teaches farmers to read numbers around the autumn harvest, presumably for two reasons: first, to teach them simple numbers and improve the efficiency of the harvest and tax payment; and second, to prevent them from being cheated by tax collectors because they can't read numbers. Farming is hard work, and after a year of hard work, they don't have much surplus grain, which easily enriches some people who line their own pockets. Now that the autumn tax is approaching, the teacher naturally wants to check the results."

He dared to say such things to him in front of so many people. I don't know if he was too confident, or if he was just young and daring, naively ignorant of his own limitations.

Jiang Jibai remained silent on his words, but instead said, "Let's test the results of your lectures."

There's hope! The "ignorant" Qin Ji's eyes lit up, and he honestly tested his "students" once again. Out of 43 people, only 1 passed.

Jiang Jibai didn't "diligently" act as a henchman this time, after all, the high pass rate was entirely due to Qin Ji's "efforts".

After testing the "student," Qin Ji returned to Jiang Jibai's side and looked at him expectantly.

What's next? Should we take him under our wing and settle accounts with him?

The accounts of your lecturing nonsense and your careless "outrageous remarks" in front of everyone—don't hold back, settle them however you like! I'll listen to you.

Jiang Jibai looked at the expectant boy and asked, "What's your name?"

Qin Ji caught a glimpse of a white egret flying across the horizon out of the corner of his eye, and immediately said, "White egret flying by."

Jiang Jibai nodded, turned around and stepped onto the carriage shaft, ready to get in and leave.

Qin Ji couldn't believe that all his hard work and effort in putting on this grand show had gone to waste, and he instinctively grabbed Jiang Jibai's sleeve and wouldn't let go.

With a "whoosh," Qin Ji winced as if bitten by something, and released his grip in pain. It took him a moment to notice the thin, red welt on the back of his hand, which stood out starkly against his pampered, fair, and slender "dragon claw."

Jiang Jibai threw away the tree branch and got into the carriage. Before Qin Ji could get covered in dust, he quickly grabbed the carriage shaft. "You have to tell me your name, right?"

Jiang Jibai glanced at him with slight surprise, and replied under the elm tree by the low-hanging rice paddies, "Gu Huaijin."

Holding onto purity and integrity, only Qin Ji's Fei Bai showed a little bit of genuine feeling.

The carriage sped away, raising a cloud of dust.

Qin Ji touched the conspicuous red mark on his left hand, a suspicious blush rising on his face. He tucked his left hand into his sleeve and, with the help of Bian Dou, boarded the carriage.

As the personal bodyguard, Bian Dou had witnessed everything. Sitting on the carriage shaft, he drew his dagger, his face grim, and turned back to ask, "This man has harmed the Holy Body, a grave disrespect. Should I go and finish him off discreetly?"

Qin Ji: "..."

You dare!!!

I'll finish you off first!