Chapter Twenty-One: Establishing the Academy

  Leaving Xianyun Lake, Zhu Ziming and Wang Yiniang walked on a small path not far away in the forest, while Wang Xiaonian had already been taken back by the people of the Wang Mansion.

  Looking at the distant cloud mountains, it seems that I have been in this world for more than two months. Zhu Ziming's thoughts are a thousand miles away, and he feels like he has no accomplishments at all. He spends his days idling around, strolling east and west, occasionally showing off his writing skills, and is not much different from those mediocre scholars.

  Others have their own strengths, but I'm also like this. Zhu Zi's heart is gloomy, can't live in such a hurry every day, need to find something to do. Of course, there's no hope for promotion and wealth, just need to earn some money to spend. Can't always rely on the Shen family's monthly allowance?

  A man should have backbone and make money by his own efforts.

  Although he is a son-in-law of the Shen family and can rely on them to support him for life, Zhu Ziming is an impostor. More importantly, as a modern person, being self-sufficient and letting others support you would be humiliating. Supporting others is the right way!

  Then, Zhu Ziming suddenly had an idea of making money in his mind and thought about it for a long time...

  Doing real estate? Too ridiculous... Opening a restaurant? Resources are saturated... Opening a brothel? We're decent people...

  .......

  It seems that there is no way to make money, doing some small business Zhu Ziming doesn't like to do it, how shameful! As a traverser, he can't even think of a way to make money.

  Wang Yunli noticed Zhu Ziming's expression at this moment, seeing him staring blankly into the distance, his eyes fixed, as if thinking about something. He asked: "Brother Zhu, what are you thinking about?"

  "Brother Wang, our daily life is so dull and uninteresting. Are you interested in doing something with me?"

  Not interesting? Wang Yunli was shocked, he didn't think it was uninteresting at all. With Brother Zhu by his side, life was quite exciting. He had made a very wise choice in choosing to be friends with Brother Zhu from the start.

  Wang Yun said generously: "If Brother Zhu has this interest, I will naturally be happy to help."

  It seems that he still hadn't thought of a good idea, Zhu Ziming's eyes scanned the distance and saw the few talented scholars who had not left on Lake Xiayun, his eyes suddenly lit up - start a school!

  Nowadays, Yan Dynasty is not a place where culture and education are valued, every family encourages their children to study, taking advantage of this trend, running a school, isn't it a guaranteed way to make money?

  Zhu Ziming smiled and said: "Brother Wang, I want to open a school in Lingyun City."

  "Academy! Wang Yunli's unbelievably wide eyes exclaimed: "Brother Zhu, you want to open a school and teach? However, with your knowledge, it's actually possible, but it would be a waste of your talents."

  In the state of Yan, there had never been such a young master. Logically speaking, at Zhu Ziming's age, he should be taking the imperial examination to obtain an official title. Wang Yiniang thought to herself, but she didn't know what was going on in Zhu's mind.

  "Who wants me to teach?" Zhu Zi understood and rolled his eyes: "Do I look like teaching material?"

  Thinking of Zhu's unscrupulous and unrestrained image, having him teach would be a disaster for the good young men of Yan State. Wang Yini laughed loudly: "So Zhu's intention is to be the behind-the-scenes boss of this academy?"

  Zhu Ziming's ambition was not just to run a small primary school, but to establish a large academy, widely recruiting students, and this silver would naturally come pouring in.

  "I completely understand Brother Zhu's intention," Wang Yunli continued, "If we are to establish this academy according to Brother Zhu's idea, it will require a substantial amount of funding and also a fairly large compound."

  "This isn't with you, is it?!" Zhu Ziming suddenly stood beside Wang Yunli, shoulder to shoulder, and sneered slyly.

  Wang Yunli slightly choked back a sob, and with a bitter smile thought to himself: "I knew this kid wasn't up to any good. It turns out he was looking for me to foot the bill."

  "It just so happens that our family has a mansion in Lingyun City, which can be used as an academy. As for the silver, I still have some savings set aside. However, establishing an academy is not as easy as Brother Zhu says it is. The most difficult thing is finding a principal with high moral character and several erudite scholars, only then will students come to study." Wang Yini said solemnly.

  Wang Yunli's words are very clear. The school venue is not a difficult problem, and the money aspect is even less of an issue. What is lacking is just one excellent leader and some teachers who can teach well.

  In Zhu Ziming's world, it is the same principle. If a school doesn't have good teachers, will parents send their children there? It's just that in ancient times, they needed a principal with a great reputation to preside over the scene.

  "Ah..." Zhu Ziming was somewhat stumped by this question, having only just arrived in the State of Yan and knowing very few people, where could he find a renowned old man to serve as the head of the institute?

  Wang Yunli calmly and composedly said: "This Lingyun City actually has a person of great virtue and prestige, he was once a Hanlin Academy scholar, and during the previous emperor's reign, he even topped the imperial examination, served as the current emperor's teacher, and is revered by the world as Confucius, with a reputation that shines brightly!"

  Is this the Sage Confucius? Can't be that old fellow Confucius, right?... Zhu Ziming was somewhat shocked by the numerous halos on top of this old literati's head. He thought to himself, considering that this is a completely distorted historical era, how could such an awesome figure like Confucius appear? It must not be one person. But if they can invite this Sage Confucius as the principal, this academy will surely thrive; it would be against the natural order of things!

  Zhu Ziming was drooling in admiration, his lips almost watering, while Wang Yining had a few black threads popping out of her head. You haven't even invited me yet, and you're already thinking about the silver?

  "Cough, cough......" Wang Yunli splashed cold water and said: "Brother Zhu, don't be too happy too early. This Confucius has long since retired from worldly affairs and has some strange habits. To think of inviting him to be the head of the academy is simply a fool's dream."

  Is this guy talking nonsense? Zhu Zi Ming heard these words and his heart suddenly cooled down. Is it that this old man's temper is so bad that it can't be dealt with? Thinking of himself as a modern person with advanced thinking, he couldn't even handle an old man from ancient times. If that's the case, then there's no need to come out and socialize in the future.

  Zhu Zi waved his hand: "Brother Wang underestimates me too much. With my means, I couldn't even invite this old man Kong?"

  Old Master Kong? Wang Yunli heard these words, cold sweat dripping down his face, and silently exclaimed in his heart, "Brother, he is the current emperor's mentor, do you still want to live with this kind of address?"

  Zhu Ziming said with great enthusiasm: "Brother Wang, you just need to provide the silver and the mansion of the academy, I'll take care of the rest!"

  Seeing Zhu's confident appearance, Wang Yunli could say nothing more, nodded: "Then let's see Zhu, I'll go prepare the silver first and take you to see the mansion in a few days."

  "Alright, it's settled then."

  Although Zhu brother has a good literary talent and careful thinking, but with his temperament to run the academy... Wang Yini shook his head secretly, it really doesn't seem like that.