Chapter 15

Chapter 016: Zhou Wei, the Head of the Academy

Continuing to request recommendations and collections

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The monk released Li Wenjun's hand and asked with concern, "Brother Zhou, why did you come out? Your illness cannot be exposed to the wind."

Zhou Wei waved his hand, frowned, and looked at Li Wenjun, asking, "Is what you said true? Did you really break into my San Shan Academy in the middle of the night just to read books?"

Li Wenjun hurriedly replied, "Absolutely true, no lies at all."

Zhou Wei nodded and instructed the book boy, "Go and call Old Zhang, the gatekeeper, for me."

"Yes, sir," the book boy responded and then turned to call the gatekeeper.

A moment later, the gatekeeper followed the book boy over. Seeing Li Wenjun, he shouted, "How did you get in? I didn't see you come in!"

"Old Zhang, I ask you, did this young brother say he wanted to enter the academy to study with me? Is this true?" Zhou Wei asked.

The gatekeeper hurriedly replied, "Sir, it is true. This person said he wanted to study with you. I asked him how many books he had read, and he said he didn't know many characters. The students you admit are all famous prodigies, all worthy of cultivation. He doesn't even know a few characters and wants to enter our academy, which would tarnish our reputation. He is already fifteen years old, and it's too late to learn anything. So I didn't report to you and took the liberty of driving him away. If I did anything wrong, please punish me, sir."

"Is that so? Young brother, you are indeed a bit old and lack a foundation, so it's not suitable for you to stay in my San Shan Academy. If you want to study, I can write a letter for you and introduce you to a teacher," Zhou Wei said.

Li Wenjun hurriedly replied, "Sir, I just want to study with you. I don't want to take the imperial exams or become a top scholar; I just want to make it easier to find my family in the future."

"Find your family? What do you mean by that?" Zhou Wei asked.

"Sir, I am not from this county but fled here from Fengxian County, which is hundreds of miles away. Our place suffered a once-in-a-century drought, with no rain for months, dry rivers, and no water or food. Everyone, regardless of age, scattered to escape the famine. I got separated from my family and fled here alone. I hope to reunite with my family one day. If I can recognize some characters and understand some knowledge, it will be more convenient to find my family in the future. At least I can write a missing person notice and keep a record," Li Wenjun explained.

Li Wenjun did not reveal all his reasons for wanting to study with Zhou Wei. People are unpredictable, and he did not want to disclose that he had books containing immortal techniques.

"You're lying! According to my knowledge, Fengxian County is over six hundred miles away. How could a teenager like you travel here alone? This is something even many adults can't do. You want to gain sympathy, but you can't fabricate such lies. Brother Zhou, this person looks dishonest. Let me take him to the authorities. A beating will make him spill his guts," the monk said.

"Every word I say is true. If I lie, may I be struck by lightning," Li Wenjun raised his hand and swore solemnly.

"Since you insist you're not lying, tell us how you managed to escape here. Don't blame me for not warning you, Brother Zhou has been an official for many years and has handled numerous cases. He has seen all kinds of people and knows how liars behave. He can tell if you're lying at a glance. If Brother Zhou determines you're lying, I will take you to the county office," Yuanzhi the monk said sternly.

Li Wenjun bowed to Zhou Wei and Yuanzhi the monk and said, "Sir, Master, I will tell you my experiences. Please see if I am lying."

Zhou Wei nodded and said expressionlessly, "Go ahead."

Li Wenjun began to recount his experiences. Of course, he knew not to reveal everything, so he omitted the details of the green light that appeared on his chest and the injuries before and after it. He glossed over these parts or didn't mention them at all.

It took him over an hour to finish his story. He stood before Zhou Wei and bowed again, saying, "Sir, I have finished."

Based on his years of experience in handling cases, Zhou Wei was almost certain that Li Wenjun was not lying, but he might have concealed some details. A teenager of fourteen or fifteen traveling hundreds of miles from a drought-stricken area to San Shan County must have encountered some unspeakable hardships.

Zhou Wei did not intend to investigate these details. He admired Li Wenjun's achievement at such a young age and agreed with his desire to study to make it easier to find his family. Zhou Wei himself was a man who valued family, and he found Li Wenjun to be a good young man.

"May the Buddha be merciful," Yuanzhi the monk clasped his hands and recited a Buddhist chant. "It seems I misunderstood you, young sir. If I hadn't heard it myself, I wouldn't have believed you could escape here and endure so much hardship. Brother Zhou, although you have retired, you should still have a few friends in the court. Fengxian County is suffering a great drought, a disaster that has caused much suffering. Please speak up and write to your friends, asking them to petition the emperor to allocate funds and grain for disaster relief."

"Master, you are right. I have the same intention," Zhou Wei glanced at Li Wenjun. "Young brother, what is your name?"

Li Wenjun, seeing Zhou Wei's kind attitude, knew he had a chance. He became even more respectful and replied, "Sir, my name is Li Wenjun. My father spent fifty coins to have a scholar name me."

Zhou Wei nodded and said, "Your desire to reunite with your long-lost parents is a natural human emotion and aligns with the principles of our dynasty. I am moved by your filial piety and your courage and wisdom. I will make an exception and admit you. I will allow you to stay at San Shan Academy for three months. After that, I won't delay your search for your family. During these three months, I will arrange for a tutor to guide you. How much you learn is up to you. Do you understand?"

Li Wenjun was overjoyed, clasped his hands, and bowed deeply to Zhou Wei, saying, "Thank you, sir, for allowing me to stay and study. I will work hard."

As long as he could stay at San Shan Academy, he would find a chance to seek Zhou Wei's guidance. Therefore, he was not disappointed that Zhou Wei would not personally tutor him.

Zhou Wei asked, "Do you have a place to stay in the city? If not, I can arrange for you to stay at the academy."

Li Wenjun did not want to stay at the academy. Living there would be restrictive, and more importantly, if he stayed, he might face interference when he was ready to study the two books left by the old Taoist, especially if someone contested ownership of the books. He did not have the confidence to protect them.

"I appreciate your kindness, sir, but I have already rented a place in the city, so I won't take up the academy's resources," Li Wenjun said sincerely.

Zhou Wei said indifferently, "Very well, I won't force you. Old Zhang, please escort Li Wenjun out. Come back tomorrow, Li Wenjun, and I will arrange your tutor."

"Thank you, sir," Li Wenjun said again.

Watching Li Wenjun leave with Old Zhang, Yuanzhi the monk squinted and said, "Brother Zhou, Li Wenjun's story is pitiful, but I think it's necessary to investigate whether his words are true. He seems to be hiding something important. For example, a teenager who has fled here from a famine should not have the money to rent a place to live."

Zhou Wei was about to speak when he suddenly felt a sore throat and started coughing violently. After a while, he stopped the uncomfortable coughing and weakly waved his sleeve, saying, "If you think it's necessary to investigate, go ahead. I don't have the energy to waste on such trivial matters."

Yuanzhi the monk smiled awkwardly and said, "I am just concerned for your safety. Since you don't care, I won't act like a villain. Come, Brother Zhou, let me help you back to your study and continue to check your pulse."

The next day, Li Wenjun arrived early at San Shan Academy. Zhou Wei indeed arranged a tutor for him, a scholar named Lu Xiayu, who was in his thirties and made a living teaching at San Shan Academy. Many children's early education at the academy was handled by him.

Lu Xiayu had already heard Li Wenjun's story from Zhou Wei. When Old Zhang brought Li Wenjun to him, he did not make things difficult for Li Wenjun. After a few encouraging words, he handed Li Wenjun a few books.

These books were common启蒙教材, such as the "Thousand Character Classic," "Hundred Family Surnames," and "Disciple's Rules," all very common in the academy.

Lu Xiayu first read through the "Hundred Family Surnames" to Li Wenjun, then gave a brief explanation, and asked Li Wenjun to memorize it.

In a month, Li Wenjun had learned the two to three thousand characters in the启蒙books, not only knowing how to read them but also how to write them and understand their meanings.

Thank you to the reader for the support. I appreciate it.

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