Chapter 15

Xia Hongsheng told Xu Qixian many things. Regardless of how much Xu Qixian grasped, Xia Hongsheng himself still enjoyed the feeling of teaching others. Being able to impart his knowledge to others and let them know as well was a very meaningful thing. To put it nobly, it was a spirit of willingness to contribute and share. To put it crudely, it was a natural love for showing off, enjoying flaunting one's knowledge to those who didn't know, and then gloating over their amazed expressions. In short, after explaining some mathematical knowledge to Xu Qixian, Xia Hongsheng found his mood unexpectedly improved.

Indeed, I have insights and ideas that are thousands of years ahead of this dynasty. I have the experience summarized by countless people over these thousands of years. I know the course of history, and I possess knowledge and technology that are absolutely advanced in this dynasty. What do I have to worry about? Science and technology are the primary productive forces. This statement is undoubtedly a truth in the future, and it applies equally to the Tang Dynasty. With the most advanced technology of this era, I possess the first productive force. Prosperity is just a matter of time. Without mentioning the distant future, just take the immediate future. Once the stir-fried tea and the scholarly ink-scented folding fans are introduced, these two items alone will surely make a stunning impact. Throughout history, tea tasting and folding fans have always been beloved by those refined scholars, or those who consider themselves refined, or those who pretend to be refined. And this era is precisely their paradise.

A wide market is inevitable, but there will also be considerable constraints and resistance. Without mentioning others, just the sister-in-law and the teachers and classmates of the academy would never allow Xia Hongsheng to engage in business. Xia Hongsheng did not oppose studying. On the contrary, he believed that studying was necessary. However, he was no longer a primary school student in the启蒙 stage. The things learned in the academy, apart from making Xia Hongsheng understand more about the values of the Tang people, had no other significant use. Instead, the identity of a student would hinder the implementation of many of his ideas.

Should I find a reason to leave the academy? But if I drop out of the academy rashly, I might not pass the sister-in-law's test, and I would offend the teachers of the academy. Whether for future considerations or personal feelings and principles, Xia Hongsheng did not want to create any rifts with the teachers of the academy. Could there be a way to both free himself from the constraints of the academy and maintain the hard-earned relationships with the teachers and the headmaster?

This was a headache. For such a headache, Xia Hongsheng's usual approach was to put it aside for the time being. Since there was no good solution for the moment, it was better to wait and see. Perhaps, "after searching high and low, one finds what one seeks without effort."

After sending off Xu Qixian, who was ecstatic with a stack of draft paper and ran out, Xia Hongsheng had not even had time to rest on the table when someone else poked their head in from the door. To Xia Hongsheng's surprise, it was Bai Jianzhi.

Seeing that Xia Hongsheng had noticed him, Bai Jianzhi appeared openly and walked into the classroom. Before Xia Hongsheng could stand up, Bai Jianzhi bowed and said, "Xia Junior Brother, I am here today to apologize on behalf of Zhu Yanhui."

Xia Hongsheng was taken aback. Zhu Yanhui was the one who had stopped Xia Hongsheng and Xu Qixian during the argument in the academy and was called a lackey by Xia Hongsheng, who then tried to strangle Xia Hongsheng out of anger. Bai Jianzhi was here to apologize for him?

"This matter should not have involved me. He was angry about the way you insulted him that day, so he used despicable means to send his servants to beat you up to vent his anger. I only found out about this this morning. Such despicable actions are a disgrace to our Luanzhou Academy, and Zhu Yanhui should be severely punished." Bai Jianzhi sat down opposite Xia Hongsheng, speaking very politely and sincerely, "However, his family and mine are old friends, like relatives. Although we are from different families, Zhu Yanhui and I are like brothers. That day, he stepped in because he felt that I was being humiliated and wanted to help without thinking. Although I didn't need his help, his good intentions should be appreciated. His servant said that you were protected by a skilled person, and he fainted before even seeing you. When Zhu Junior Brother mentioned this to me this morning, I realized that in his anger, he had done such a despicable thing. If the headmaster finds out, with his temper, Zhu Junior Brother will be expelled from the academy, and his reputation will be ruined. He won't be able to study elsewhere in the future. So, I came straight to Junior Brother. Since you were not injured, I hope you can forgive him for the sake of our classmates. This jade pendant is worth a hundred guan. I offer it to you as a token of my request for forgiveness for Zhu Yanhui."

Saying this, Bai Jianzhi took off his jade pendant, bowed, and handed it to Xia Hongsheng.

Xia Hongsheng's mind was on high alert. Bai Jianzhi's demeanor today was far from the arrogant one in the academy. His words were impeccable, clearing himself of the incident, sternly pointing out Zhu Yanhui's wrongdoing and the deserved punishment, yet offering the jade pendant to request forgiveness for Zhu Yanhui, preserving their brotherly bond. If Xia Hongsheng refused, Bai Jianzhi would have done his part as a brother and cleared himself of any involvement. If the academy punished Zhu Yanhui, it would have nothing to do with him. If Xia Hongsheng accepted, the incident would not reach the headmaster, and Zhu Yanhui would owe him a huge favor, earning him a reputation for righteousness.

Xia Hongsheng, with his years of experience in the workplace, had seen many such people and situations. After some thought, he knew how to handle it. The Xia family was no longer even a small household, with only a woman and Xia Hongsheng. In the small city of Luanzhou, if the Bai family really wanted to target them, it would be easy. It's better to leave a way out for future encounters. Xia Hongsheng didn't think it was worth it to completely break ties with Bai Jianzhi over this small matter. If the conflict in the academy was just an academic rivalry, it should stay within the academy and not be brought outside. If he used this opportunity to create enmity, his sister-in-law and he would likely have a hard time in Luanzhou. Besides, as an adult, Xia Hongsheng didn't think it was worth it to hold a grudge over such childish behavior. The students were still young and took it too seriously. However, since they took it seriously, he could use it to his advantage. After all, in the world of success, a win-win situation is the true success.

With this in mind, Xia Hongsheng helped Bai Jianzhi up and waved his hand indifferently, saying, "This matter has nothing to do with Bai Senior Brother. But since you want to protect Zhu Yanhui, your brotherly bond is admirable. Ha, we are classmates, and the small jokes we play in the academy are just for fun. In the future, when we recall these youthful pranks, they will be fond memories. It would be too petty to report such things to the teachers. I haven't taken this matter to heart and won't mention it to anyone. As for the jade pendant, please take it back, Senior Brother. It's too valuable for me to accept."

Tattletales are not liked in school, and even teachers don't truly like students who lack responsibility. Xia Hongsheng knew this all too well from his past.

"Haha, Xia Junior Brother is indeed broad-minded, I am ashamed! Yes, it's just a playful joke among classmates, why should it bother the teachers!" Seeing Xia Hongsheng's response, Bai Jianzhi immediately became happy, laughed, and grabbed Xia Hongsheng's hand, insisting on giving him the jade pendant, saying, "Xia Junior Brother is so generous, I can't be stingy. Please accept the jade pendant as a token of our friendship."

Xia Hongsheng raised an eyebrow. Bai Jianzhi's mind was quick. Seeing that Xia Hongsheng didn't want to break ties, and he couldn't suppress him, he immediately tried to pull Xia Hongsheng into his camp. Such a person, given time, would be smooth and well-connected, but unfortunately, his methods were misguided. In the future, he would likely be a corrupt official.

Such people can be known, even as drinking buddies or brothers, and can be asked for small favors, but they should never be trusted or deeply involved with. They are happy to do small favors to make others owe them, but once it involves their own interests, they will turn on you without hesitation. Xia Hongsheng had seen many such people and learned how to deal with them.

"Ha, Bai Senior Brother is the top student in the academy and the current top disciple of Master Yan. Your future is boundless. Please take back the jade pendant, it's too valuable. Don't be upset, Senior Brother. I have a small favor to ask."

Flattery made Bai Jianzhi feel better. Xia Hongsheng had been making a name for himself in the academy. The "Three-Character Classic" was his contribution, the wise sayings were from his mouth, and the two poems far exceeded the level of the academy students, earning praise from the teachers for their masterful style. The new commentary on the "Gentleman's Distance from the Kitchen" was also from his mouth, and he was privately called a prodigy. How could Bai Jianzhi not be extremely annoyed? The top student of the academy should be him, Bai Jianzhi, and no one else! But seeing Xia Hongsheng smiling and speaking nicely, his annoyance vanished. Even if you are called a prodigy, you still need my help, don't you?

Thinking this, Bai Jianzhi felt much better, patted Xia Hongsheng on the shoulder, and said in a generous manner, "Xia Junior Brother, speak freely. You are young and my junior, helping you is my duty."

"Then I will speak frankly..." Xia Hongsheng bowed, "I want to have a few iron pots made, but I don't know a good blacksmith. I am about to attend Master Yan's lectures and can no longer listen to my master's teachings, so I also want to buy some tea to show respect to my master, but I don't know the ropes. I have the money ready, I just need Senior Brother to send someone to guide me, and I will pay. Your people just need to show me the way and give me some advice to prevent me from being cheated."

Hey, kid, you want to use the Bai family's name to make things easier for yourself? In Luanzhou, who doesn't know that the Bai family is the top clan, with businesses even in the Eastern Capital of Luoyang? The small merchants in Luanzhou, seeing Bai family servants, would assume the Bai family wants these things and would likely offer them at half price to curry favor. The Bai family would bear the favor, but you would get the benefit. What a clever idea! Bai Jianzhi sneered inwardly, glanced around, and said, "Just a few iron pots and some tea, Xia Junior Brother, you are worrying too much? Ha, you don't know the ropes, so you are likely to be cheated. There are many unscrupulous people in the tea trade. Well, no need to send servants. I feel a strong connection with Xia Junior Brother today. Don't worry about these things. The best blacksmiths in Luanzhou mostly work for the Bai family, and we have excellent tea at home. After school today, someone will bring the tea and the blacksmith to your home."

Bai Jianzhi spoke grandly, said a few more words, and left the classroom with a self-satisfied air.

Hmph, Xia Hongsheng also smiled. Such people's thoughts are easy to grasp. They consider themselves superior, view others as pawns, are arrogant and vain, but actually have little ability. A few compliments are enough. You don't need to lower yourself; just show friendliness, and they will imagine you are flattering them, feeling satisfied and seeing you in a good light. As long as it doesn't involve their own interests, they are generous to those who satisfy their vanity. Xia Hongsheng's current reputation in the academy, combined with his friendly demeanor, made Bai Jianzhi fall into the trap.

Fool, Xia Hongsheng sneered at the door. A few polite words, no lowering of status, and no money spent solved the problems of making iron pots and buying tea. He enjoyed this kind of easy win, giving him a sense of intellectual superiority.

Then, Xia Hongsheng shook his head with a bitter smile. Different people, different faces, being smooth and well-connected is the way of the small-minded, which a gentleman would disdain. Unfortunately, with the family's decline, to survive better, he had to temporarily act like a small-minded person.

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