Chapter 34

After seeing Fang Daniu off, Fang Yun was somewhat worried about the future of the "Three-Character Classic." He had originally favored "The Western Chamber," but "The Pillow Story" had gained much attention.

Although the "Three-Character Classic" is good, it is ultimately just a primer for children, lacking profound teachings of the Way of the Sage. Moreover, it doesn't require much talent, and while it might be valued in the clan school, it may not be important to those influential figures. It might take many years to gain recognition.

"I hope it can be promoted by a great scholar like Li Daxueshi; otherwise, this book won't spread as easily as popular novels."

Fang Daniu, carrying the order from Zhou Zhubu and the "Three-Character Classic," arrived at the Wen Academy and was led to outside Zhou Zhubu's room by a clerk.

Entering the room, Fang Daniu said, "I have seen Zhou Daren. By the order of my young master, Fang Yun, I bring a letter and a copy of the 'Three-Character Classic' for your review."

"The 'Three-Character Classic'?" Although Zhou Zhubu didn't know what it was, he was pleased and quickly walked over, snatching the stack of papers and examining them closely. He then coldly snorted.

"Who copied this?"

"It was copied by the young master, who asked me to do it."

Zhou Zhubu then read the letter and found that it wasn't in Fang Yun's handwriting, which made him laugh in frustration.

"You may leave. I will review this book."

"I take my leave."

After Fang Daniu left, Zhou Zhubu carefully read the "Three-Character Classic."

Fang Yun's "Three-Character Classic" was only about 1,500 characters long, and Zhou Zhubu quickly finished it.

"Truly a genius! How could I not think of such a good idea! Three characters per line, simple and easy to rhyme, yet it covers the most basic teachings of the Way of the Sage, history, figures, and geography. It's not profound, but it's perfect for enlightenment, just like 'The Western Chamber' and 'The Pillow Story.' Although it might not be promoted nationwide, it's not difficult to promote it within a prefecture or a state."

Zhou Zhubu read it again carefully, thinking, "It's ultimately a primer. Whether it will spread or not is uncertain, and the chance of it being included in the 'Way of the Sage' is slim. Many scholars have compiled primers, but only 'The Thousand Character Classic' and 'The Hundred Family Names' have been included in the 'Way of the Sage,' and that was reportedly due to the approval of a semi-saint."

Zhou Zhubu then took Fang Yun's letter, thinking, "There's a hidden meaning. Find a respected person? I'm far from that. And to immerse oneself in the Way of the Sage? He understands the rules, but I don't have the qualifications. I can only ask the Master of the Academy to annotate it. Hmph, he took my 'The Pillow Story' manuscript, so I'll leave this laborious task to him."

Zhou Zhubu brought the manuscript to the Master of the Academy's hall, pushed the door open without knocking, and with a long, gloomy face, said in a nearly dead tone, "Master of the Academy, the scholar Fang Yun has compiled a primer called the 'Three-Character Classic' and wishes for a respected person to spread the light of the Way of the Sage. After much thought, I believe no one else can shoulder this responsibility, so I ask the Master of the Academy to annotate it and have it printed for the children of the Fang clan school to study."

"Put it here."

The speaker was a middle-aged man in a black robe, seemingly in his early thirties but actually nearing fifty. His eyebrows were black and thick, like two swords hanging over his eyes, giving him a fierce look even when expressionless.

This was Li Wenying, the Master of the Academy of Jiangzhou, whom the Empress Dowager of Jingguo once called "Sword-Eyebrowed Duke," a title that fit him well and later became widely known.

"Hmph!" Zhou Zhubu coldly snorted, placed the manuscript, bowed, and left.

A smile flashed across Li Wenying's face as he reached for the manuscript. Upon seeing that the handwriting was neither Fang Yun's nor Zhou Zhubu's, his smile faded.

"Human nature is not what it used to be." Li Wenying thought, carefully reading the "Three-Character Classic."

After one reading, Li Wenying memorized the 1,500 characters, closed his eyes, and thought quietly.

After a moment, Li Wenying smiled again, thinking, "Fang Yun is indeed extraordinary. Even Zhou Zhubu didn't see his true intention. Fine, I'll annotate it and help promote the 'Three-Character Classic' throughout Jingguo. Although it might be difficult to spread it nationwide, it's not hard to spread it within a state. Moreover, while it's not useful for the scholar exams, it's an excellent primer. As for whether it can be included in the 'Way of the Sage,' I'm not sure, but I'll recommend it along with 'The Pillow Story.'"

"Unfortunately, it's not in Fang Yun's own handwriting. The characters in 'The Pillow Story' are very elegant and worth studying, which might help improve my calligraphy."

Just as Li Wenying put down the manuscript, Qiu Xuezheng's voice came from outside the door, "I have something to report."

"Come in." Li Wenying said, looking at the door.

Qiu Xuezheng, smiling, held a stack of papers and said, "Master of the Academy, you prioritize education, making the scholarly atmosphere in Jiangzhou increasingly strong. I have just received a primer that can at least spread beyond the county, called the 'Three-Character Classic.' It was written by a scholar in the prefecture city, though his literary talent is limited, it is very suitable for teaching children."

Li Wenying's sword-like eyebrows twitched slightly, then he regained his composure and said, "Let me see it."

"Yes." Qiu Xuezheng bent over and presented the papers.

Li Wenying flipped through a few pages and found it identical to the "Three-Character Classic" he had received earlier.

"Good! Very good. I would like to meet the author. Can you bring him here?"

Qiu Xuezheng, delighted, said, "He is in the academy. I will bring him right away."

"Go quickly. I want to see which scholar it is."

"Yes."

Soon, Qiu Xuezheng brought Lu Yingnian, who immediately bowed deeply upon entering and said, "Student Lu Yingnian, I greet the Master of the Academy."

Li Wenying smiled slightly and asked, "Is this 'Three-Character Classic' your work?"

Lu Yingnian replied, "Yes, it is my work. However, during the process of writing it, I discussed it with the teachers at the clan school, and after several revisions, it was completed. The teachers of the Fang clan school also contributed to it."

"Fang clan school? I heard that Fang Dayan invited Fang Shuangjia to teach at the clan school. Is that true?"

Lu Yingnian's heart raced, and a flash of suspicion crossed his eyes. He then said, "Fang Shuangjia is also at the clan school."

Although they were two zhang apart, in Li Wenying's ears, Lu Yingnian's heartbeat sounded like a drum.

"Since the 'Three-Character Classic' is your work, there's no problem. Before you came, Fang Yun pretended to be the author of the 'Three-Character Classic' and presented a copy identical to yours. Don't worry, I will uphold justice. I will send people to arrest Fang Yun and request a judgment from the Holy Academy to determine the true author. If Fang Yun confesses, he will only be scolded. If he refuses to admit it, once the truth is revealed, I will revoke his literary rank and ban his three generations from taking the exams, and then exile him to the territory occupied by the grass barbarians, where his fate will be uncertain. Why are you pale, sweating profusely, and trembling?"

As he spoke, Li Wenying's aura grew stronger, and the air around him stirred, making the pages of the manuscript flutter.

Lu Yingnian felt his ears ringing, and his hands couldn't stop wiping sweat.

Qiu Xuezheng, experienced in the bureaucracy, realized what was happening halfway through Li Wenying's speech. When Li Wenying finished, he immediately knelt down and said loudly, "Master of the Academy, I have a past with the Fang family, but I truly didn't know about this. No matter how foolish I am, I wouldn't dare to conspire to steal Fang Yun's work, let alone bring him here to see you. Master of the Academy, although I may be somewhat corrupt, I would never dare to participate in something that involves revoking a literary rank."

Qiu Xuezheng, tears streaming down his face, cursed Lu Yingnian and Fang's second lady in his heart, thinking, "These fools, don't they know that Fang Yun is a key figure in the entire state academy? Even Liu Zicheng wouldn't dare to act openly. How could these fools dare to directly steal Fang Yun's work!"

Lu Yingnian was terrified and involuntarily knelt down, repeatedly kowtowing and begging for mercy.

"I admit my mistake! I saw how good the text was and, under the influence of my aunt, had the desire to claim it as my own. I borrowed a copy from another teacher and rewrote it. I confess and am willing to accept punishment. I beg the Master of the Academy to show mercy and spare my literary rank, and not involve my three generations."

Li Wenying coldly laughed and said, "I only said that Fang Yun would be scolded. I never mentioned your punishment. Get out, you disgrace to literature!"

As soon as Li Wenying spoke, Lu Yingnian was hit by an invisible hammer, flew backward, and landed five zhang away, spitting blood.

The words of a great scholar could wound.

"Bring this scholar in disgrace to the prison, wait for the Holy Academy to come, and revoke his literary rank!"

"Yes!" The soldiers in the courtyard pounced on Lu Yingnian and dragged him away.

Lu Yingnian, overwhelmed with anger, groaned a few times and fainted.

"Who is Lu Yingnian's aunt?" Li Wenying asked.

Qiu Xuezheng replied, "She is the wife of Fang's second son, Fang Yuanshi, who has been granted the rank of Eighth-Class Lady. She brought Lu Yingnian to me, or I wouldn't have believed he could write such a good text."

Li Wenying, recalling the conflict between the two branches of the Fang family, thought for a moment and said, "As a court-appointed lady, she incited her nephew to steal someone else's work, which is a serious crime. However, considering the Fang family's contributions to the state, I will impose a lighter punishment. By the order of the Master of the Academy, she will be confined to a residence outside the Fang family for three years and not allowed to leave. I will request the court to revoke her title, and she will not be granted any more titles."

"Yes."

Li Wenying glanced at the two manuscripts on the table and muttered, "Fools!"

Then, Li Wenying personally wrote a letter explaining the situation, sent an official to Zhou Zhubu to find out Fang Yun's address, and delivered the letter.

Fang Yun received the letter, returned to his room, and opened it. The little fox Nu Nu was on the table.

After reading the letter, Fang Yun threw it in front of Nu Nu and laughed, "Fool, even our Nu Nu is smarter than him."

Nu Nu beamed and nodded vigorously.

"This is what they call self-inflicted suffering. Come, Nu Nu, let's go to the Fang family and tell Aunt about this."

"Ying ying ying ying..." Nu Nu, excited, jumped up and down. This was the first time Fang Yun had taken her out.

Fang Yun also called Yang Yuhuan, and they went together to visit the Fang family, told them about the incident, and then left.

The night view of Dayuan Prefecture was very beautiful. Fang Yun held Yang Yuhuan's hand with his right hand and carried Nu Nu with his left, strolling and enjoying the scenery.

...

...

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