Confucian and Taoist scholar

The eighth day of April.

The imperial court sent an imperial envoy to Nanping Prefecture to investigate the corruption case in Hedao Prefecture. Along with them were bachelors from the Guoxue Palace.

After two days of investigation, it was announced on April 10th that most officials in the Yamen and Hedao Prefectures were directly dismissed from their posts and investigated. Except for the credits of many officials such as Wang Yang and Tang Hedu, even county officials who embezzled money from the imperial court were also dismissed.

No one was spared.

Under the leadership of the imperial envoy, all these officials were escorted to Beijing and handed over to Dali Temple for conviction.

As a result, many official positions in the yamen became vacant.

Suzhou Prefectural Mu Ling Zongde transferred a group of officials from the state government and temporarily took over the government offices and Hedao Mansion to maintain the normal operation of the government offices.

After waiting for a period of time, the court will officially appoint a new prefect to take over.

If people have any questions during this period, they can still consult on daily affairs according to normal procedures.

After the officials sent by Ling Zongde took over, the Hedao Prefecture quickly dispatched a large number of river workers to repair the collapsed river embankment, and accepted the supervision and opinions of the people of Nanping Prefecture.

As for the crops that were destroyed and the people who were homeless, the Yamen provided compensation and appropriately reduced or exempted some taxes.

This matter finally came to an end with a result that was relatively satisfactory to everyone.

And on the literary side of Nanping Prefecture.

Because Wang Yang was dismissed and investigated, Wang Run lost his aura as a son of a powerful man, and he was also deprived of most of his talents and strength by the sword of public opinion, so that his literary courage cracked.

His Confucianism and Taoism cultivation fell to the level of a ninth-grade scholar, even worse than an ordinary scholar.

Not only that, he also became the target of abuse by many scholars in the Nanping Mansion literary circle.

This blow was really too big for him.

As a result, Wang Run resigned as the leader of Jieying Society and other powerful children took over the position.

Du Ning's petitions for the people, his writings against government offices, and his use of the sword of public opinion to punish corrupt officials were all published in Nanping Wenbao.

At the same time, the shocking news was also published in Suzhou Wenbao.

The sword of public opinion is no small matter.

Those who can unite the sword of public opinion are equivalent to mastering the sword of the emperor, who can guide the destiny of the country and punish corrupt officials on behalf of the people.

After the incident spread, Du Ning became a hotly discussed topic in newspapers and newspapers across the country in recent days.

April 15th.

Due to the hot sales of "The Thousand Character Essay" in liberal arts colleges across the country this month, Du Ning received a profit share of 1,200 taels of silver notes.

This time, Du Ning really completely solved his financial problems.

But instead of spending money like water, he packed his luggage and set off to Suzhou Literary Academy to study there.

Before leaving, Du Ning came to Hanyi Club to say goodbye to the students.

"Master Du, are you going to Suzhou Literary Academy?"

After Li Changsheng heard that Du Ning was going to Suzhou Academy of Literature to report, he couldn't help but feel happy, as if he was going to study at Suzhou Academy of Arts.

"The sales of "The Thousand Character Essay" last month were good, and the share of silver earned can not only pay for the tuition of Suzhou Liberal Arts College, but also solve the problem of food and accommodation, so it is time for me to set off to study at Suzhou Liberal Arts College." Du Ning laughed.

Follow the path.

"Amazing!"

Li Changsheng said excitedly: "How many students from poor families dream of going to Suzhou Literary Academy, but they all regret it because of the restrictions. You are a noble son from our poor family. When you go to Suzhou, you also represent the scholars of our Hanyi Society, so you

You must study hard and compare yourself to those powerful children!"

"Brother Li is right. After Mr. Du goes to Suzhou, he will bring glory to our Hanyi Club."

"Suzhou has outstanding people, greater competition in the literary world, and more children of powerful people. I really envy Mr. Du!"

"When Mr. Du returns after becoming famous, we can drink happily."

All the students encouraged Du Ning and were happy that he could go to Suzhou Literary Academy.

"Don't worry, everyone, my trip to Suzhou will definitely not insult the integrity of the poor students." Du Ning said.

Next, Du Ning went to say goodbye to the children in Hanyi School.

When they heard that Du Ning was leaving, the children were very reluctant to leave.

Du Ning comforted the children, left Hanyi Club, and hired a carriage to go to Suzhou.

…………

April 16.

In the morning, Du Ning arrived at Suzhou City.

This is a very prosperous city with wide roads and many vehicles coming and going.

The scholars walking on the road are all in high spirits.

The vehicle stopped in front of the gate of Suzhou Literary Academy, and was guarded by guards.

Du Ning walked forward with his luggage on his back and handed over his student status.

After looking at it, the officer suddenly showed a surprised look on his face, "So you are the famous Mr. Du in Nanping Mansion. I have admired him for a long time!"

"What? He is Du Ning? The author who wrote "The Thousand Character Essay"?"

"The scholar who was awarded the title of seventh-grade Viscount at the head of the Yulin County trial?"

"Real or false!"

The other officers looked at him with admiration and hurriedly gathered around him.

"We have long heard that you have been admitted as a student of Suzhou Academy of Arts as an exception. Mr. Du is here to report today, right?"

"Master Du, you have worked hard on the journey, come and have a drink of water."

The servants are as if they have been injected with chicken blood, and they are all very enthusiastic.

This should be the benefit of a prosperous literary reputation. The greater the literary reputation, the more respected and popular one will be.

"Everyone is so... so polite..."

Du Ning was a little flattered and said slowly: "I'm here for the first time today and I'm not familiar with the place. Can you take me to Mr. Yuan Jun?"

"Of course, Mr. Du, please come with me."

The leading officer volunteered and then ordered the others: "You continue to stand guard."

"Yes!"

The other officers quickly stood at attention.

"Good work."

Du Ning followed the guard and walked into the gate of the Academy of Literature.

Suzhou Liberal Arts College is very large. In addition to classrooms, it also has dormitories, canteens, playgrounds, literary rooms, literary meeting places, etc.

Du Ning walked for more than ten minutes and finally arrived at the courtyard.

"Master Ye, Du Ning from Nanping Prefecture is here to report." The officer shouted outside the door.

"Oh? Du Ning is here?"

Ye Jinghong's surprised and joyful voice sounded inside: "Invite him in!"

"Master Du, the Court Master invites you."

"Thank you."

Du Ning handed over his hand to the servant, and then walked into the royal room.

"Student Du Ning, meet Mr. Ye."

Du Ning saluted the scholar sitting on the desk with great respect.

Because Ye Jinghong once helped Du Ning, Du Ning has always been grateful to Ye Jinghong.

"Master Du, you finally came to our Suzhou Academy of Literature."

Ye Jinghong took a clue about Du Ning, his face changed slightly, and then he stretched out his hand and motioned for Du Ning to sit down opposite him, "Please."

"Thank you, sir."

Du Ning gratefully handed over his hand and sat down opposite.

Ye Jinghong made a cup of tea for Du Ning and said with a smile: "I haven't seen you for a few days. Mr. Du's literary name has spread all over the country. He was the first to win the imperial examination and wrote it into the "Thousand Character Essay". And you have also stepped into the world of Confucianism."

In the realm of ninth-grade scholars, you should treat each other with admiration after three days of separation."

"Thank you sir."

Du Ning's expression was as usual, without any arrogance or complacency, because he had heard such words many times and had long been accustomed to them.

"Master Du came to study at Suzhou Liberal Arts College, which is a good thing for our liberal arts college. You come from a poor family, and you have made contributions to the human race. You deserve to receive a scholarship from the Guoxue Palace, or a partial tuition exemption."

"Sir's kindness is appreciated by the students. The sales volume of "The Thousand Character Essay" is now good, and the share earned is enough to cover the tuition fees at Suzhou Liberal Arts College. In addition, I hope to rent a dormitory in the liberal arts college and pay all the fees."

." Du Ning said calmly.

"Did you write "The Thousand-Character Essay" just to pay for yourself?"

Ye Jinghong couldn't help blurting out, and even felt that this guess was too far-fetched.

Others write books and biographies for the sake of enlightenment. If it is said that Du Ning wrote an enlightenment book for the sake of making money, this feels wrong!

"This is just one purpose. The other purpose is to hope that children can have better enlightenment materials." Du Ning responded.

"Both are equal parts..."

Ye Jinghong simply thought that Du Ning's brain was so easy to use. While he was promoting education, he was also making money openly and honestly, achieving both fame and fortune at a real price, and accomplishing things that many academicians and Confucian scholars could not do.

"Since Mr. Du has come prepared, I won't be polite to you and will act in accordance with the rules of Suzhou Academy of Literature."

Ye Jinghong said: "The tuition fee of Suzhou Literary Academy is six hundred taels of silver every six months. The accommodation and food expenses together are two hundred taels of silver, and they are also paid every six months, totaling eight hundred taels of silver."

Du Ning was surprised. Such an expensive fee could indeed shut out countless poor students.

But it’s not surprising if you think about it carefully. Most of the gentlemen at Suzhou Academy of Literature are bachelors, with high levels of Confucianism and Taoism, and are erudite and talented.

Moreover, the liberal arts college also supports the organization of various cultural conferences and exchange activities.

There are classes every day. If you don’t understand something, you can always ask the teacher for help until you understand it.

As long as students are more diligent, they can make great progress in Suzhou Liberal Arts College.

Can the tuition be high?

Du Ning didn't hesitate and took out the banknote and handed it to Ye Jinghong.

After Ye Jinghong accepted it, he gave Du Ning a bunch of keys.

"I will place you in Class 1, Xiucai. This is the key to Room 32 in the dormitory area of ​​the Liberal Arts College. After you settle in, report to class as soon as possible."

"Okay."

Du Ning took the key and lived in the liberal arts college. Whether it was eating or taking classes, it would be more convenient than living outside.

Moreover, this is a liberal arts college, and the students living here are protected by the liberal arts college and will be safer.

Ye Jinghong's expression suddenly became serious and he said: "There are many powerful people here in Suzhou, and there are also many aristocratic families with great status in the literary world. Therefore, the competition for literary names here will be more intense than in Nanping, but I am not worried about literary names."

Competition in name only, because even if those people are tied together, they are not your opponent at all."

Hearing that Ye Jinghong spoke so highly of himself, Du Ning felt a little proud.

"But there is one thing I must remind you. Some of the children of aristocratic families in Suzhou already regard you as their enemies and want to discredit you."