The Ming Dynasty: My sister, Empress Ma

Ma Wenyuan was taken aback, turned around and went out again, and looked at the door.

Lan Yu rode his horse at the front, followed by seven or eight people, men and women, young and old, all holding children's hands and carrying bundles on their backs.

Lan Yu dismounted, strode up to Ma Wenyuan, bowed respectfully, and said crisply.

"Your Excellency, I have brought someone with me."

Ma Wenyuan glanced at the children behind him, then at Lan Yu: "Brother Lan, what's going on here...?"

Lan Yu stepped aside, revealing a kind-looking middle-aged face and a boy of about eleven or twelve years old beside him.

"This is the orphan of Zhang Qianhu, a former subordinate of mine. Zhang Qianhu died in battle in Mianzhou during the campaign against Shu, leaving only this mother and child. I went to see them yesterday and felt that rather than letting the child stay at home to farm, it would be better to send her to the Emperor's brother-in-law."

Lan Yu paused, then pointed to the people behind him, "These are the families of soldiers who died in the campaign against Shu. I brought them with me."

Ma Wenyuan looked at Lan Yu with a hint of surprise in his eyes.

The man who mocked him during the Mid-Autumn Festival, the man who had always been dissatisfied with his appointment as Right Vice-Governor, now stood at the entrance of his school, bringing with him the orphan of a martyr who had fought in the conquest of Sichuan.

Ma Wenyuan waved his hand, and Fang Xiaoru quickly went out to begin the resettlement work.

Lan Yu smiled and bowed to Ma Wenyuan again.

"This humble official thanks the Right Vice-General."

Now that things have come to this, Lan Yu has naturally acknowledged Ma Wenyuan's right to the position.

"It was nothing, just a small favor," Ma Wenyuan replied with a smile, without putting on airs.

In fact, Lan Yu is fully capable of settling these orphans.

The reason she brought him along was simply because Lan Yu believed that following Ma Wenyuan would lead to a better future.

Lan Yu continued,

"Your Excellency, when I said 'come to attend the lecture' yesterday, it wasn't just polite talk. I will definitely come when you hold your lecture another day."

Ma Wenyuan smiled: "I'm ready anytime."

Done.

Without another word, Lan Yu turned around, mounted his horse, and rode away.

The clatter of hooves faded away at the end of the long street, raising a trail of fine dust.

This person has a straightforward personality; they say what they mean without being overly polite or coy.

Compared to the literati in the court, Ma Wenyuan preferred to associate with people like Lan Yu.

……

But then he thought about it again and Ma Wenyuan was in a bit of a dilemma.

There were already more than two hundred students, and with the ones Lan Yu brought, there were two hundred and thirty or forty.

With so many students, where can we find teachers to teach them?

Ma Wenyuan had no worries about investigating things to acquire knowledge.

Now Zeng Xiu can teach on behalf of his master.

Xu Miaoyun is younger, but she can still help Ma Wenyuan.

Fang Xiaoru was very intelligent, and after studying for a period of time, he was also able to teach and impart knowledge.

However, when it comes to the Four Books and Five Classics, apart from Ma Wenyuan himself, there really wasn't anyone else.

Fang Xiaoru?

He's still learning himself, how can he teach others? Wouldn't that be misleading them?

Even if Ma Wenyuan asked him to go, Fang Xiaoru probably wouldn't go given his personality.

Zeng Xiu?

That girl hadn't even finished learning the Four Books and Five Classics.

There's nothing to worry about.

After all, Ma Wenyuan must have made some preparations before opening a school.

He invited some old scholars to come.

It can only be said that plans can't keep up with changes, and Ma Wenyuan still has to open elementary school classes.

As a result, Ma Wenyuan changed his mind.

He wanted those scholars to be in charge of elementary education and to provide basic education.

After the elementary education stage is over, we can have great Confucian scholars teach us more advanced topics.

Thinking this, Ma Wenyuan suddenly stepped out of the academy; he needed to go and fetch some teachers back.

……

Ma Wenyuan went through all the candidates he could think of in his mind.

Song Lian was far away in Henan, and distant water could not quench immediate thirst.

Liu Ji was indeed a great Confucian scholar, but he was the Earl of Chengyi. He retired after achieving his goals and lived a semi-secluded life. Would he really be willing to teach a bunch of young boys to read the Analects?

"We still need to go out and look."

As Ma Wenyuan was leaving, he called out, "Xiaoru, come with me."

"Where to?"

"Let's go to the Marquis of Chengyi's residence first. The Marquis is very knowledgeable and experienced; ask him to recommend a few people."

The carriage came down from Jilong Mountain, passed through half of Yingtian Prefecture, and arrived at Liu Ji's residence.

Liu Ji lived in a quiet alley in the south of the city. His mansion was not large, but it was peaceful and secluded.

Two ginkgo trees stand in front of the door, their leaves a brilliant yellow.

Ma Wenyuan presented his visiting card, and after a short while, the steward led him and Fang Xiaoru into the study.

Liu Ji has long since retired and is preparing to leave the capital.

Now he sits by the window reading a book with a leisurely and elegant air. He only puts down his book and looks up when he hears footsteps.

The 60-year-old Cheng Yibo had gray hair and beard, a thin face, but his eyes were still sharp.

He was wearing a slightly worn blue cloth Taoist robe.

"Your Excellency, the Imperial Brother-in-Law, have graced us with your presence; I have failed to greet you properly."

As Liu Ji was about to get up, Ma Wenyuan quickly stepped forward and pressed him down.

"Lord Chengyi, you flatter me. I have come today to ask you for a favor."

Liu Ji stroked his beard, his gaze sweeping over Ma Wenyuan's face, a knowing smile playing on his lips.

"But is it because your school is short of teachers?"

Ma Wenyuan was taken aback: "How did you know, Lord?"

Is this guy really a genius strategist?

Liu Ji chuckled and pointed to the chair opposite him: "Your Majesty, please sit down and speak."

"Although your school only opened today, it has already spread throughout Yingtian Prefecture."

"More than two hundred students, packed to the brim. Although I'm half-buried, I'm still hard of hearing."

Ma Wenyuan gave a wry smile.

"Lord Earl is well-informed."

"I have come today to ask you, sir, to deign to give a few lessons at the school."

"There's no need to come every day; just give a lecture on classics and history every few days."

Liu Ji picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said slowly,

"I'm too old to talk anymore. Besides, your 'Gewu Academy' teaches glassmaking, lens grinding, and map drawing. If I were to lecture on the 'Spring and Autumn Annals' and the 'Book of Changes,' wouldn't you be afraid of driving your students away?"

Ma Wenyuan shook his head.

"Your Excellency is mistaken. To investigate things and acquire knowledge, one must first learn to read and understand principles."

"How can students know what 'investigating things' means when they haven't even read the classics?"

"What I asked you to speak about, sir, is not the rigid, formulaic writing style, but the principles of being a person and conducting oneself. These principles are applicable no matter what skill you learn."

Liu Ji remained silent for a moment.

"What you said makes some sense."

He stood up, walked to the desk, spread out a piece of paper, and wrote down three names and addresses.

"I recommend three people to you."

Ma Wenyuan leaned over to take a look.

The first name: Liang Yin, courtesy name Mengjing, a native of Xinyu. He retired two years ago.

"Liang Mengjing was a great Confucian scholar of his time, well-versed in the Five Classics."

"He has hundreds of disciples, and all scholars in Jiangnan speak highly of him. He is now retired in his hometown of Xinyu. If you can persuade him to come, your school's classical studies will have a backbone."

Ma Wenyuan's heart skipped a beat.

He had heard of Liang Yin in later generations.

A great Confucian scholar of the late Yuan and early Ming dynasties, he was a prolific writer, whose works include "Zhouyi Canyi" and "Chunqiu Kaoyi".

More importantly, this man has taught his entire life, with students all over the world. Inviting him here will not only teach students, but also train a group of teachers.

"The second one is Zhao Fang, courtesy name Zichang, a native of Xiuning. He studied under Huang Ze and was extremely learned, but also very solitary."

"He lives in the mountains of Huizhou and rarely sees outsiders. If you can get him to come down the mountain, that would be an incredible feat."

Ma Wenyuan secretly made a mental note of it.

He knew Zhao Fang, who was also a top Confucian scholar in the late Yuan and early Ming dynasties, and was as famous as Liang Yin. However, he was a low-key person and lived in seclusion in the mountains.