Chapter Forty-sixth Preparation

  Zhu nodded and said: "This is indeed the case. Mr. Kong has already agreed to take up the post of president."

  Chen Jin had long heard that Confucius was in seclusion, not asking about worldly affairs. Why did he suddenly come out of the mountain to take up this small position as principal? He glanced at Zhu Ziming and smiled: "Zhu Xiao Ge is really good at his tactics, even the venerable Confucius whom I admire greatly can be invited, I am impressed!"

  Zhu Ziming smiled and said: "Is Mr. Chen willing to be the teacher of this academy?"

  Chen Juren made a lot of money from the popularity of "Those Things in Yan Country", otherwise he wouldn't have readily taken out 1,000 taels to give to Zhu Ziming. The salary of this teacher couldn't compare to how quickly Chen Juren made money from writing books. Zhu Ziming still couldn't be 100% sure that Chen Juren would agree to this matter.

  "Haha......" Mr. Chen stroked his long beard and chuckled twice: "If I can work with Confucius, it's my honor, how could I not agree."

  Chen Jin's words were tactful, and he agreed to this matter also in order to repay Zhu Ziming for pointing out the way when he was lost.

  Of course, Chen Jin was able to agree to this matter, he still had some confidence in himself, decades of hard study and decades of scientific examination, teaching and educating people was just a small matter.

  The big stone in my heart has finally fallen, and everything is ready! Zhu Ziming let out a long sigh: "Mr. Chen, look at this vast academy, it's not good to have only one teacher, do you have any knowledgeable friends who can also come to the academy as teachers? As for salary, we can discuss."

  There's no such thing as a free lunch, so surely they'll pay Mr. Zhu his salary, Zhu Ziming had already made up his mind, as long as this Mr. was qualified, the salary could be negotiated, couldn't he just name his price?

  Chen Juren smiled and said: "With your character, young man, can't I trust you?"

  After a pause, Chen Juren continued: "It just so happens that some of my friends have already resigned and returned to seclusion. They were all born into the imperial examination system, so you, sir, are absolutely no problem."

  "That's another matter, how do you know they're willing to come?" Zhu Ziming asked. It's said that they've retired and if they're not willing to come, even the best teacher would be useless."

  Chen Juren said confidently: "Don't worry about this, the academy has Confucius here, and my good friends, I'm afraid they can't be driven away even if they want to."

  This is so fierce... Zhu Ziming was stunned for a moment, and he almost shouted out loud, "Old Master Kong is mighty!"

  "Alright then, it's settled. Mr. Chen, you and your friend come to the academy tomorrow at dawn. The academy is about to start recruiting students, so you must come here."

  "Ah, I'll be sure to pass it on," Mr. Chen nodded and suddenly remembered something, hastily pulled out an invitation from his pocket: "Zhu Xiao Ge, I almost forgot to tell you something."

  "What's the matter?"

  Chen Juren handed over the invitation to him: "On the first day of next month, a poetry gathering will be held in Yancheng, Yongzhou, which is attended by talented scholars from all over Yan State every year. The organizer specially asked me to deliver this invitation to you and hopes that you can attend at that time."

  The host... Zhu Ziming pondered, this person did not want to reveal his name, he must be a famous literary figure, otherwise he would not hold such a large-scale poetry conference, and all the talented scholars from various places would attend, this momentum is enough to intimidate people.

  But he actually invited himself, which is strange.

  Since Mr. Chen has already said so, Zhu Ziming also didn't bother to look at the invitation letter and smiled: "Since I've been invited, I will naturally go to honor it, Mr. Chen, let's go together then."

  Chen Jin shook his head: "I've already made an appointment with a few good friends to go together, why don't Master Zhu come with us?"

  Thinking of going to Yan City with a group of old men, and being tortured by them on the way, Zhu Ziming quickly shook his head: "Since Mr. Chen has several good friends accompanying him, I won't bother, I'll go myself."

  It's been several months since I came to this world, and I haven't left Lingyun City yet. It's time to go out and have a look around. Taking advantage of the poetry meeting, I'll go sightseeing and enjoy the scenery. Zhu Ziming thought to himself, and it would be nice to take a look at the beautiful women in other places. Even if he can't catch up with them, it's still a feast for his eyes.

  Chen Jin noticed the lustful glint in Zhu Ziming's eyes and let out a soft sigh. This Zhu kid's temperament was indeed hard to fathom - how could this elegant poem have such a lewd connotation in his eyes?

  "Zhu Xiaoge, then I'll take my leave first. Tomorrow at Chen time, I and my friends will arrive at the academy on time," said Chen Jin, and left Mingli Academy.

  Afterwards, Zhu Ziming returned to the academy and went to direct the construction of tomorrow's stage. Tomorrow, he would have to take the stage himself, so he had to go back and work on his speech draft. The academy was good, so it was worth bragging about; even if the boasting got out of hand, it didn't matter.

  The next morning, Zhu Ziming had just arrived at Mingli Academy, only to see that the academy was already crowded with people, many of whom were parents bringing their children, all wanting to know if Mingli Academy was as good as the rumors said, even the reclusive Confucius had come to this academy as its principal, isn't that something?

  If Confucius were to appear here, he would definitely want his son to study in this academy. It's the desire of all parents under heaven for their children to become accomplished. They all gaze longingly at this grand academy, which is quite majestic.

  Zhu Ziming squeezed into the academy from the crowd, and the stage was set up on a wide lawn in the southeast corner of the academy. As he walked onto the lawn, a high platform stood before him, with more than a dozen servants and maidservants bustling about on it.

  Zhu Ziming looked around and it seemed that everyone had arrived, including Mr. Kong Lao, Yan Shizi, Chen Juren and his few good friends, even the little girl Kong Xiaodie came to join in the fun, only he himself was missing.

  "Brother Zhu, why have you come so late?" Yan Yinyi hastily shouted when he saw him.

  The master of the academy, who should have arrived earliest, came the latest. Kong Li shook his head, while Kong Xiao Die pouted upon seeing him, this rascal who only knew how to bully little girls.

  Zhū Zǐ Míng said with some embarrassment: "I got up a bit late."

  Yan Yilidao said: "The folks outside the door have been waiting anxiously for a long time, let's get ready quickly."

  Zhu Ziming nodded and immediately walked towards Chen Juren to get acquainted with these teachers.

  "Zhu Xiaoge, these are all the knowledgeable and talented scholars of that year, and also old friends of mine," Chen Juren knew what he was going to do, led several good friends beside him, and introduced them one by one.

  "This is Mr. Lu Junyi."

  "This is Mr. Wang beside you."

  .......

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