Chapter 44

The few students each lost a string of cash and, after returning to the academy, faithfully handed over the string of cash to Xia Hongsheng. Afterward, Xia Hongsheng managed to recoup the water he had splashed out, and his ability to make ice from the ground spread throughout the academy. Some believed it, some did not, but Xia Hongsheng did not care and continued to do as he pleased. The other students saw that Xia Hongsheng did not need to attend classes and spent his days wandering around the academy, coming and going as he pleased. They secretly thought that he was still young and did not know how to cherish the rare opportunity of being accepted by Master Yan, yet he did not focus on his studies and spent his days on trivial matters. Some well-meaning students would advise him to concentrate and study hard when they saw him wandering around. Some with ill intentions would secretly laugh, hoping that Xia Hongsheng would waste his time and be expelled by Master Yan. Bai Jianzhi did not make things difficult for Xia Hongsheng anymore because, although Xia Hongsheng was famous in the academy, he was very low-key and had never competed with him. He also let his guard down and, when he saw Xia Hongsheng, would deliberately act like an elder brother and exchange a few polite words. Xia Hongsheng did not bother to argue with him and would only exchange a few pleasantries when they met, and everything was peaceful.

A few days passed, and Xia Hongsheng's sister-in-law's snack stall became even more popular after introducing mutton soup and braised pork. If it was just a snack stall before, it was now truly like an open-air restaurant. The aroma of mutton soup and braised pork filled the long street, and passersby would sniff the air to find the source. Once they found it, they would sit down and enjoy a bowl of mutton soup, soaking some shredded flatbread in it, which was both satisfying and delicious. Those in a hurry who didn't have time to sit down would buy two scallion oil cakes stuffed with braised pork, munching on them as they walked, feeling very content. If it was hot and they were very hungry, they could also have a cup of sweet mung bean soup with ice chips. No one knew where the ice chips in the mung bean soup came from in the summer, but a few sips would make them feel refreshed all over. They could also buy a large pancake filled with stir-fried mutton, and a bite of the mutton pancake would be incredibly satisfying. Now, when people mentioned the food from Xia's wife in the market, everyone would give a thumbs up and praise it. Not only was the food delicious, but it was also very affordable. Xia's wife was kind-hearted, and even if someone forgot to bring money, she would wave it off. If someone praised the food, she would generously add an extra scoop. She was truly generous. Strangely, despite the lack of a proper storefront, no ruffians had ever caused trouble. A few times, the manager from the opposite Yixiangju had come out to stop them.

Now, Xia Hongsheng's sister-in-law and Lin Ergou's couple, though busy all day, were very happy. They were earning more and more money, and the sister-in-law had already started planning to renovate their house.

When the neighbors heard that Xia Hongsheng's sister-in-law was planning to renovate the house, they immediately became interested. Old Zhang brought his eldest son to Xia's house and said that no one should snatch the carpentry work from them. They didn't even need to provide the materials, saying that Xia Hongsheng had done them a great favor, and Xia's wife was generous and warm-hearted. Who in the neighborhood hadn't been treated to free food by her? They were a good family, and they had to repay the kindness. The neighbors also contributed labor and materials, and they quickly arranged the renovation of Xia Hongsheng's house. Xia Hongsheng was the first in the neighborhood to receive a personal visit and reward from the county magistrate, and the neighbors felt honored when they talked about it. Moreover, the Xia family, though small, were all good people. The women were well-known for managing the household and being warm-hearted. Xia Hongsheng, though young and a scholar, and even a scholar personally commended by the county magistrate, had no airs about him and was very friendly. Therefore, everyone was willing to help his family.

As the family's life gradually improved and the news of the county magistrate's personal visit spread, matchmakers started to visit. Xia Hongsheng was at a loss, calculating that he was only thirteen and not yet fourteen. Was it really too early? But the matchmakers were very persuasive, saying that the Xia family was small, and the continuation of the family line was important. They needed to start a family early, and if the marriage was arranged now, they could get married in a few years when he was older, giving them more time to have children. His sister-in-law was very interested in this idea.

"Sister-in-law, it's too early, and I haven't even met them. No, no..." Xia Hongsheng shook his head like a rattle drum.

"Oh, Hongsheng, what do you know? I've asked Matchmaker Liu, and the Wang family's daughter has a big bottom, which is good for childbirth. If you agree, I'll find a time to take a look, and we'll secure the match before someone else does!" The woman, seeing Xia Hongsheng shake his head, urged him anxiously.

"No, no, I can't agree to this, Sister-in-law. It's really too early, and I must meet the person myself. I can't agree to someone I haven't met." Xia Hongsheng's resolve was even stronger than his sister-in-law's.

The woman, seeing Xia Hongsheng's firm stance, said irritably, "Then what kind of girl do you like?"

Hearing his sister-in-law's words, for no reason, Xia Hongsheng suddenly thought of the little girl Xu Hui. He was startled at first, then laughed wryly. Damn, apart from his sister-in-law, the only girl he knew was Xu Hui. But, he only liked two-dimensional girls, and touching a three-dimensional girl was a sin! The little girl was cute, but talking about marriage... Xia Hongsheng shuddered, not daring to think about it. No matter if she was the virtuous empress in his memory, it was better to stay away.

Seeing the woman about to say something, Xia Hongsheng quickly fled, shouting, "Sister-in-law, I'm going to the academy!" and rushed out of the yard, leaving his sister-in-law behind, shouting at him to be careful and slow down.

Rushing to the academy, the morning class had already started. Xia Hongsheng first went to the courtyard on the back mountain to pay respects to Master Yan, and the person surnamed Xu from the capital was also there, discussing something with Master Yan. After greeting them, Xia Hongsheng was about to leave but was stopped by Master Yan, who instructed him to gather the students after the morning class for an announcement.

Xia Hongsheng naturally complied, returned to the front of the academy, and waited a while until the morning class ended.

While calling the students to gather, Xia Hongsheng thought about the lack of a bell. He remembered that in primary school, when the electric bell didn't work during a power outage, the teachers would strike a thick, curved metal plate, which made a loud, clear sound to serve as a bell.

The students gathered, and after a while, Master Yan and the person surnamed Xu, whose courtesy name was Yanzu, arrived.

"Today, I have gathered you all to announce two things. First, I am about to return to Chang'an, and the position of the academy's head will be temporarily taken over by Mr. Liu. The Luozhou Academy will still be under my management, and the top student in the spring examination each year will still be my disciple. With a letter from your teacher, they can go to Chang'an to find me and enter the National University."

Upon hearing this, the students were in an uproar, first shocked that Master Yan was leaving the academy, and then amazed by his words. If they were the top student, they would still be Master Yan's disciple and could enter the National University! The National University, what a place! It was the highest institution of learning, where most students were from noble and official families. Graduates from the National University, even if they did not become Jinshi (high-ranking officials), could still secure a good future and meet high-ranking officials, even the emperor. Moreover, the National University had many famous teachers, including Master Yan, Master Kong Yingda, and Master Li Gang, who all taught there. What a great honor and opportunity!

"Silence!" The teachers shouted at the students, who immediately quieted down, waiting for Master Yan to continue.

Master Yan stroked his beard and said loudly, "The second thing... The Luoyang Poetry Gathering will be held soon. If our Luozhou Academy had not received an invitation, it would be one thing, but now that I have received the invitation, we cannot let our academy's reputation suffer. Today, each of your teachers will select one student, and the new head, Mr. Liu, will lead them to Luoyang with me when I return to Chang'an. The selected students will represent our Luozhou Academy, and their every word and action must reflect the dignity of our academy. They must not be careless and damage our academy's reputation! Those who damage our academy's reputation will be expelled!"

"Understood!" The students bowed respectfully, promising to follow Master Yan's instructions.

Master Yan did not say anything else and dismissed the students. After respectfully seeing Master Yan off, the students gathered to discuss the National University and the Luoyang Poetry Gathering. The National University was too far away, but the Luoyang Poetry Gathering was imminent, and most of the discussion centered around it. Moreover, the Luoyang Poetry Gathering was followed by the Flower Queen Competition, both of which were grand events. Which young scholar wouldn't want to go?

Each teacher would select one student, so Bai Jianzhi and Xu Qixian, who were among the best in the academy, would definitely be chosen. As for the other four, it was uncertain who they would be.

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