Chapter 49

Fang Jingtang snorted coldly and said, "You have seen what happened to Lu Yingnian. Don't reach out where you shouldn't!"

A teacher complained, "Don't treat us like fools. The things he taught might already be on the desk of Sword Brow Duke. With the outcome of Lu Yingnian and Second Lady, who would dare to do anything? To put it bluntly, we are now eager to curry favor with Fang Yun."

"Indeed. Second Lady backed Lu Yingnian, allowing him to underestimate Fang Yun. But yesterday, all the high officials in the city went to his house. Who would dare to take anything now?"

"That's right. The old master even praised First Lady for helping Fang Yun, saying that in the future, she would manage all the big and small matters in the family. Second Master has completely lost his influence."

"Can you discuss the affairs of the main family behind our backs?" Fang Jingtang said sternly.

He Yu Tang asked, "Dean, should we promote this 'Fox Rhyme' in the clan school immediately?"

"This 'Fox Rhyme' is very intricate, even more so than the 'Three-Character Classic.' It might take a long time to be officially published. Let's wait. After teaching the 'Three-Character Classic,' we can ask Fang Yun to teach it." Fang Jingtang said.

A student teacher suddenly sighed softly, "I wish I had been born twenty years later."

Everyone was taken aback, and sighs followed one after another.

"I am certain that within ten years, most of the students in this year's Class A will become scholar-candidates. Even if some pass the imperial examination, I wouldn't be surprised."

"This Fang Yun is extraordinary. He might become a master like the semi-saints of the Hundred Schools."

"Perhaps he can go even further."

Everyone fell silent, but there was an even greater possibility, though no one dared to say it.

Fang Jingtang smiled and said, "Our clan school will eventually become an academy. Class A only has twenty students, which is too few. We need at least forty students to be like an academy."

"Do you mean to transfer students from other classes to Class A? That doesn't seem right," He Yu Tang said.

"Who said from other classes? From other clan schools, other academies, or private schools! Of the new twenty slots, ten will be free, based on true talent and learning, and the other ten will be paid. Our clan school can't always be losing money. Other classes can also expand."

The teachers finally understood. One of them smiled and said, "Old ginger is the spiciest. Using Fang Yun's name to promote the clan school, only you could think of that."

"But won't Fang Yun be unhappy? After all, he still needs to take the imperial examination?"

"Of course, we need to ask him first. Teaching is also an important means of spreading one's reputation. Once he becomes a famous teacher, the children and parents in Jiangzhou will respect him even more. If the clan school becomes an academy, it will be called 'Fang Yun Academy' or named by him, and he will be the dean. All the students from our academy will be his disciples, forming a society of their own."

"Fang Society? Great!" All the teachers finally understood Fang Jingtang's intention. The academy was just the beginning; the goal was to strengthen Fang Yun and the Fang family. Their minds became active.

Fang Jingtang smiled even more.

After the class, Fang Yun walked out and beckoned to Nunu. She climbed onto his shoulder like a little squirrel climbing a tree, then gently waved her big tail.

Fang Jingtang walked over and said, "Let's go to the faculty room. We want to discuss something with you."

"Sure," Fang Yun said.

Back in the faculty room, Fang Jingtang got straight to the point, "Fang Yun, I want to increase the number of students in Class A to forty. Are you okay with that?"

"Forty students and twenty students make little difference to me. I have no objections, but the other teachers responsible for grading homework and exams will have a heavier burden," Fang Yun said.

"Good that you have no objections," Fang Jingtang smiled. "The clan school will continue to expand. Once it meets the standards of an academy, we will apply to the Literary Academy. I want you to name the academy and write the signboard."

"Naming an academy is too important. You or Uncle should decide."

"No, no, no. Upgrading the Fang clan school to an academy was impossible before, but now with you, it's possible. Your importance to the clan school far exceeds mine and Shouye's, so you need to decide the name. Once the academy is established, you will be the permanent dean, and all the students from the academy will be your disciples." Fang Jingtang said with a smile.

Fang Yun immediately understood Fang Jingtang's intention. This was to help him build a future base, and Fang Jingtang considered him more important than Shouye's son.

"Alright, I'll think about it and come up with a name before we apply for the academy."

Fang Jingtang added, "Your 'Fox Rhyme' is excellent, far surpassing the 'Three-Character Classic.' So, during this period, carefully revise the 'Fox Rhyme.' By the way, make sure to file it with the Literary Academy in advance."

"'Fox Rhyme'? Not bad, let's use that name." Fang Yun turned to look at Nunu on his shoulder.

Nunu was excited, making soft sounds, her fluffy big tail wagging continuously. She walked back and forth on Fang Yun's shoulder, then seemed to gather her courage, shyly kissed Fang Yun's face, and covered her face with her paws and her head with her tail, lying motionless on his shoulder.

"Ha ha." Fang Yun laughed, picked up the little fox, and gently stroked her back.

Nunu made soft sounds, as if saying she was embarrassed.

The teachers found it quite amusing, but not surprising, as there were many intelligent animals and monsters in the Holy Yuan Continent, and they were even sold in the market.

At this moment, a commotion came from outside the clan school gate. Everyone frowned and looked out, but couldn't hear clearly. Suddenly, Nunu lifted her head, pointed outside, and shouted at Fang Yun, "Ya ya! Ya ya ya..." very angrily.

He Yu Tang said, "Is it related to Fang Yun? Don't go out, I'll check first." He left the faculty room.

Fang Yun knew that whatever made Nunu angry must be serious. He immediately lost his good mood, gently stroked Nunu, and waited for He Yu Tang's news.

Soon, He Yu Tang ran back, panting, and said, "It's Yan Yue's clan members causing trouble! More than ten people are there, wearing mourning clothes and crying and shouting."

"What? Yan Yue is dead?" Fang Yun asked.

"Not dead. But those people are deliberately wearing mourning clothes and cursing you, saying that Yan Yue's literary palace is shattered, and he is as good as dead, accusing you of being ruthless." He Yu Tang said worriedly.

Fang Jingtang was so angry that his beard stood up. He said, "What nonsense! It was clearly Yan Yue who brought it upon himself. What does it have to do with Fang Yun? If he went to the Holy Temple and was punished, would you blame the saints? The wind has no knowledge, but the literary spirit has its own will. If he didn't have evil intentions towards Fang Yun, the literary spirit wouldn't have targeted him. Dozens of scholar-candidates were there that day, why did only Yan Yue and Guan Yaoyuan have problems?"

"How despicable! It's a disgrace to scholars!" a teacher cursed.

"In the gambling den, they know to accept the consequences of their bets. How can they tarnish someone's reputation and not expect punishment? There's no such logic in the world!"

"Fang Yun, don't go out. If you go out, they will definitely smear you. I'll handle it." Fang Jingtang stormed out, a man in his sixties as agile as a young person.

He Yu Tang said bluntly, "Yan Yue's family isn't foolish. Even Li Daxueshi helped you yesterday. If they don't have any backing, they wouldn't come to cause trouble. It's likely a move by Liu Zicheng. These people in mourning won't hurt you, but as long as they stay, your reputation will be damaged. He's deliberately trying to make you uncomfortable."

Nunu nodded forcefully, very angry, even baring her teeth and growling, ready to bite the bad guys.

Fang Yun didn't speak. Talking more now wouldn't help; he needed to solve the problem. This was more despicable than trying to tarnish his reputation at a poetry meeting. If it dragged on, it would be very detrimental to him, as people tend to sympathize with the underdog, regardless of right or wrong.

"Great trees attract the wind," Fang Yun thought.

After a full quarter of an hour, Dean Fang Jingtang returned, fuming, and said, "Fang Yun, they are indeed here to smear you. No matter how we persuade them, they won't stop. I've sent people to get the authorities, we can't let them continue like this."

Fang Yun said, "If they dare to come, they aren't afraid of the authorities. After all, the Yan family is a prominent clan, and the constables can't do much. However, the truth will prevail. In a few days, they will leave on their own."

He Yu Tang hurriedly said, "You mustn't be careless. This seems easy to solve but is actually very troublesome."

Fang Yun smiled and said, "Given that they are causing trouble, I hope the dean will allow me to take leave. I will return when the Yan family stops causing trouble."

"That's reasonable," Fang Jingtang said.

Fang Yun said, "The dean mentioned increasing the number of students in Class A earlier. Let's announce it today. Also, please announce two things for me. First, after teaching the 'Three-Character Classic,' I will teach the 'Fox Rhyme' and poetry. Second, once I become a scholar-candidate, I will not only continue teaching the young children but also start teaching the student candidates."

Everyone looked at Fang Yun in shock.

"Truly a prodigy. This strategy of using others' hands... cough, using others' pens is too clever."

"Amazing! Amazing! I will spread the word to ensure that all the parents of Class A and all the prominent families and officials receive this news!"

The tense atmosphere dissipated, and everyone's faces regained their smiles.

He Yu Tang said, "Let's put on a good show and see how long the Yan family can hold out! The Left Chancellor may be powerful, but he is far in the capital. This Jiangzhou isn't his Liu family's, let alone the Yan family's! Several students in Class A are favored by the old master, and some of their parents have relatives in the military. Let's see what happens. Fang Yun, leave through the back gate of the academy and don't come to the clan school for now. I will announce this sad news to the students in Class A!"

"I will also tell the students in other classes and their parents. They have been hoping to enter Class A to learn poetry from you and gain some talent. Now that you are being forced out by the Yan family, they won't let it go easily."

Everyone scattered with evil grins, each doing their part.

After seeing Fang Yun off, He Yu Tang rubbed his face and made a sad expression in the bronze mirror. He came to Class A and stopped the teacher who was lecturing.

He Yu Tang walked to the podium, scanned the students solemnly, and said, "Students of Class A, I have a sad announcement to make. Mr. Fang may no longer be able to teach you."

The children were stunned. The older ones were fine, but a few seven- or eight-year-olds had tears in their eyes, ready to cry.