Ordinary academies are usually built in remote and quiet locations, but the academy in Qinshui County is located in a busy city.
Shu Mingxin left the restaurant and walked eastward for less than a stick of incense before arriving at the Wen Shangshu Garden, which everyone knew.
As soon as he stepped onto the front steps, he was blocked by a tall and thin man.
"Where are you going, kid? Is this where you should go?"
The man didn't even ask why, he just made vulgar accusations.
Shu Mingxin had a good temper and did not argue with him. He patiently explained the purpose of his trip.
Unexpectedly, after listening to his explanation, the man laughed more and more unbridled, "You want to come to our academy to study? Haha, young man, do you know how many repairs our academy has to pay per year?
Fifty taels! A poor guy like you may not be able to earn fifty taels in this life, right?"
Shu Mingxin looked at him with a smile, "Can I ask how much this eldest brother can earn as a janitor in the academy a month, fifty taels? Oh, from your tone, fifty taels is not enough, I guess it's five hundred taels. ?”
The poor man who could only receive two coins a month became anxious and said, "You don't care how much money I can receive, as long as it's more than you!"
Shu Mingxin saw his guilty conscience, raised the corners of his lips and chuckled, boasting: "Yes, yes, yes, the eldest brother is a leader among people, a pillar of the country, how can a junior dare to compare with me?
Could you please let me in, or speak to the gentleman in charge of admissions, and give this young student a chance to enroll?"
The man couldn't read a word, so he couldn't understand the two words he was praising, but he vaguely guessed the meaning of praise, and he was so happy that his tail was raised to the sky.
"You are quite sensible as a young man, okay, I will do a good deed and let you in today.
Remember, after entering, go straight and turn left, don't run around and scream, otherwise you will disturb the noble man's study, and I can't save you."
Shu Mingxin bowed his hand to him and stepped up the stairs.
After entering the main entrance, there was an open space paved with stone slabs. Shu Mingxin continued walking along the open space. He didn't go far when he suddenly heard a cry of a boy coming from the garden on the left.
Looking around, I saw a 13-14-year-old boy kneeling in front of an old man, crying incessantly. The old man had a sullen face and furrowed brows, looking as if he was very angry.
As I got closer, I could still hear the young man crying: "Sir, the student really didn't hurt Mr. Zhao on purpose. He really bullied him too much! First, he asked me to help him copy the books. The student stayed up all night with great difficulty. Just finished copying.
As a result, he thought my handwriting was not good-looking and said he wanted to teach me a lesson on behalf of my husband. He took a ruler and kept slapping the student's palms.
The student was also beaten in a hurry before taking action. If we have to distinguish between right and wrong, then Mr. Zhao should be the one who made the mistake first. Why did you only punish me but not him?"
The old man spoke plausibly: "What is your identity and what is Mr. Zhao's identity? Can you two be the same? Remember, the fact that you can study and read in the academy today is all a gift from Mr. Zhao, Mr. Wang and his family!
Without them, how would you have the chance to study? What's wrong with someone asking you to copy a book? Even if they ask you to drink excrement water, you have to drink it gratefully!"
The young man became anxious and asked loudly in a hoarse voice: "Why?! I paid the money to study in the academy as normal. Why should I be used as a pawn for them?"
"I think you are unrepentant!" The old man stared with a ferocious expression, "In that case, pack your things and get out, Wen Shangshuyuan will not accept students like you!"
Hearing this, the young man felt as if he had been struck by lightning, and most of his anger dissipated. "Sir, you can't do this. I paid you the money, and my mother is still waiting for me to get the honors and lead her to live a good life. I can't go back!"
The old man sneered, "So what if I pay you money? I am your husband. If I say you don't want to teach, I won't teach you. What can you do to me?"
The young man was dumbfounded. Thinking of his parents who were frugal at home just to send him to school, all his grievances were swallowed up in his stomach.
He humbly knelt forward and kept kowtowing to the old man to admit his mistake: "Sir, the student has realized his mistake. Please forgive the student this time. I will never dare to fight back again."
No matter how he kowtows to admit his mistake, the old man always has a cold face and remains unmoved, "You have injured Mr. Zhao. The matter has become serious and I can't control it. It will be useless even if you smash your head today."
"Sir, the student has really realized his mistake. Please help me. My mother will be sad if I can't go home."
Muffled sounds one after another reached his ears, and Shu Mingxin couldn't help but his eyes turned red.
He saw from this young man his past self, who tried his best to study and earn fame, but the result was not satisfactory.
He took a deep breath and looked up at the old man called sir. Finally, unable to suppress the anger in his chest, he clenched his fists and walked over.
"Little brother, why are you doing this? Are you sure you can learn something useful from such a sanctimonious gentleman?"
The young man stopped kowtowing, turned his head, and looked at Shu Mingxin blankly, without saying a word for a long time.
But the old man was irritated by the word "sanctimonious". He gritted his teeth and took a step forward, asking: "Where did you come from? Is it your turn to intervene in the affairs of our Wen Shangshuyuan?"
Shu Mingxin was neither humble nor arrogant, and his back was straight, "I was originally a student here to study, but now I don't want to study anymore. I feel itchy, so I just want to say a few words.
As a teacher, you should set an example, establish good conduct, and be a good example for your students. But you, confusing right and wrong, following the crowd, and your ugly face is disgusting.
How can someone with such a character be worthy of the word ‘sir’?”
Every word, like a silver needle, stabbed hard into the old man's heart.
He knew that he was in the wrong, but as a noble "sir", how could he accept others challenging his authority? He slapped the table and roared: "You little yellow-haired boy who doesn't know the heights of heaven and earth, I must tear your mouth to pieces today.
See if you’re still itchy!”
He said that he was going to find helpers to catch people.
The young man panicked and quickly knelt down and kowtowed to plead for Shu Mingxin and urged him to leave quickly.
Shu Mingxin bent down and helped him up. There was no trace of fear on his handsome face, "You like to compete backstage, right? That's fine, I'll compete with you."
Do you know Lin Changyu, the governor of the state? He was eating at my restaurant a few days ago. Going forward a little further, do you know why the former county magistrate Yuan Song fell? Because he wanted to steal the recipe for our home-made coconut oil."
The old man became more and more panicked as he listened, "Are you serious?"
Shu Mingxin smiled slightly, "If you don't believe it, you can try it."
As he spoke, he turned his head and glanced at the lush flowers and plants around him, and said casually: "In my opinion, Wen Shangshuyuan should also conduct a thorough investigation. It just so happens that Master Zhizhou is a little tight on money..."
Before he could finish what he said, the old man gave up and said, "Hey, young man, if you have something to say, please talk to me. There is no need to alarm Lord Zhizhou about a small matter. We can just solve it ourselves.
Don’t you want to stand up for my student? I’m following you and won’t punish him, so you should be satisfied, right?”