Chapter Seventy Rodman Instructor

  Zhang Lei did not answer his words directly, but instead changed the subject and said: "My younger brother was lucky enough to become a child prodigy, here I would like to thank you first, sir."

  Yan Jue smiled as soon as he heard this and said, "This is not my credit, but rather the excellent writing of my younger brother, which has deeply moved me. It's only natural that it should be ranked first among all the entries. However, some of his views are similar to yours, which might make those people upstairs unhappy. You'd better instruct him well."

  "Yes, thank you for reminding me. The main purpose of my visit this time is to invest in the construction of Anhui Academy in the county, and I have come specifically to ask for your advice, what do you think?" Zhang Lei said.

  Yan Jue was born to be a bookworm, and naturally he held teaching in high esteem. He heard that Zhang Lei actually wanted to invest in building the Anhui Academy, and his opinion of him rose several notches. However, as someone in a superior position, he wouldn't easily reveal his true feelings due to dignity. He said: "I don't know how you suddenly came up with this idea?"

  "My foolish brother, nowadays there is a lack of good places to study. I see many people who want to learn but cannot afford the tuition fees. I am thinking of renovating and expanding this Xihu Academy, inviting teachers to come, and providing them with salaries so that they can teach without charging tuition fees. In this way, anyone who wants to read books will have the opportunity to receive a Confucian education, isn't that wonderful?"

  What Zhang Lei said really hit the nail on the head, he said: "If it's really possible, then it's not only a blessing for these people who can't afford to read books, but also a blessing for my Anhui province, and Mr. Zhang's kindness will benefit future generations! I don't know if Mr. Zhang has any plans himself?"

  "Of course, I was thinking of dividing the school into two parts. On the one hand, we would study the Four Books and Five Classics, cultivate our ambitions, and train talents for governance for Anhui and the Ming dynasty. On the other hand, I would invite more teachers to instruct them in scientific and technological knowledge, just like my Zhang family's scientific and technological expertise. If they can learn a skill that allows them to make a living, that would be a great achievement. What do you think of this proposal, sir?" Zhang Lei asked.

  Although at this time, technology was no longer strongly rejected, openly establishing a school to teach technology was still unprecedented, so Zhang Lei had to try to get Yan Jue's approval first. Those who studied the Four Books and Five Classics would just have to serve as a cover for this proposal.

  Indeed, when Zhang Lei heard the previous words, Yan was very happy, but when it came to technology, he hesitated. Zhang Lei relied on technology not only to enrich himself, but also to make the people in the territory rich and prosperous, with great improvements in public security and a significant leap in tax revenue. All of these made him see the power of technology, but when it came to opening a school specifically to teach these things, he was not very enthusiastic.

  It's like everyone thinks something is delicious, but just can't accept it entering their home.

  "Learning, quoting the ancients' writings and actions, should prioritize governing the country and saving the world. The way of Confucius and Mencius is like this, science and technology are also like this. In fact, science has existed since ancient times, so all inventions that cannot be obtained directly with one's own hands are the result of scientific and technological development. Now I am advocating for expanding the power of science and technology, not just to satisfy our immediate needs, but also to become an important force in the country, like scholars entering officialdom and generals going to battle. Since science has existed since ancient times, it is unreasonable to reject it now. Just like this stool, which was originally invented by foreigners, we use it too. If you want to sit on this stool but don't allow its production, isn't that absurd? Moreover, everyone goes to read books, but someone still needs to farm, right? The sage Confucius said, 'There is education without class.' Since everyone has the right to receive an education, can we select those who cannot learn book knowledge and give them another kind of knowledge, a kind of knowledge that allows them to make a living?"

  Yan Jue sat in his own seat, propping up his chin and narrowing his eyes in thought. After a long time, he said: "I have to admit, what you say makes some sense, but this matter is really uncertain for me. Let's just repair the Nest Lake Academy first. If what you say is really feasible, I'm not a stubborn person, and when the opportunity arises, I'll let you do it."

  This was exactly what Zhang Lei wanted. Technology is a trivial matter, being rejected as a strange skill, this has been the tradition for thousands of years. He did not expect that Yan Jue would be able to meet his requirements immediately, and it was already very difficult to achieve this step. He cupped his hands and said: "The humble commoner thanks you, sir."

  Yan Jue smiled and said, "I just received the news that you have been appointed as the ninth-rank patrol officer of Jiao Lake Prefecture. From now on, we are colleagues. We should get closer in the future."

  "As you say, sir, I am more than happy to comply." After that, both of them burst out laughing and their relationship took a step closer.

  Since Zhang Lei said that he would build the Anhui Academy, he naturally couldn't just talk about it. Yan Jue was also very concerned about this matter and personally selected a location. Zhang Lei was also straightforward and took out several thousand taels from his remaining funds as special funds, which were used by Yan Jue to build a magnificent Anhui Academy, and even personally wrote the plaque.

  On this day, just as the construction of the Nest Lake Academy had been completed, several people came to find Zhang Lei.

  Those two blond-haired and blue-eyed ones, if not Kayler and William, who else? There was also a much more majestic foreigner beside them, with piercing eyes and an eagle nose that was distinctly different from the Chinese. Zhang Lei guessed that this must be the grape rack instructor Rodman.

  Their arrival in Xujia Camp also caused a sensation, after all, people who looked so strange had never been seen for generations. For a time, the area around Zhang Lei's home was surrounded by people, bustling like a lively circus.

  "Mr. Zhang, this is Mr. Rodman we mentioned in the letter." Caesar introduced to Zhang Lei after they sat down.

  Zhang Lei stood up and shook hands with Rodman, saying: "Nice to meet you. Mr. Rodman has come all the way from Beijing, which touches me deeply."

  Rodman said in stiff Mandarin: "I came for faith."

  "That's right, I know, I've already started planning, and I guarantee that you'll be satisfied. By the way, Caesar and William, how did you two end up coming along as well? Weren't you both eager to serve our emperor with all your heart?" Zhang Lei was somewhat curious about the two of them following him.

  Caesar said: "Because your letter mentioned that you want to build a school to promote science, I feel that I have the obligation to fulfill the mission given by God and come to help my friends."

  Zhang Lei was shocked by these words and jumped up, saying: "You want to come and be a teacher? No way, no way. With your mouth full of God, who knows, you might lead all my science students away halfway through the lesson to preach, and then I'll have no one to cry to. You mustn't become a teacher, even if I beg you."

  In response to Zhang Lei, Caesar said with great incomprehension: "The omnipotent Lord bestows his mercy and blessings upon all things in the world. Mr. Zhang, I think you can also reverence my Lord's will..."

  "My god, pull me into the church!" Zhang Lei suddenly felt very depressed and said: "Alright, alright, I absolutely will not join you. You can come to be my teacher, but you can only teach scientific works like 'The Original Geometry', nothing else can be mentioned. This is not the capital city, if you preach and are not tolerated by those in power, you may be taken out and killed as a heretic, at that time I won't be able to save you. So just be honest."

  There's no other way, and speaking softly definitely won't work. Zhang Lei could only slightly threaten them like this. However, he immediately promised: "I will build a Catholic church for you to live in, except for proselytizing, everything else is allowed."

  "Alright." Since things had been said to this extent, Caesar and William also had no choice but to compromise.

  Zhang Lei asked Rodman, saying: "I came to you to help me train my troops. Later, I will have a team of dozens of people. You help me train them well, and I will find a way to provide the equipment you need."

  Luodeman is not a good talker, Zhang Lei said so, and he just nodded slightly.

  A big dinner was prepared for them to receive and entertain, and they were arranged to rest. Zhang Lei prepared to gather craftsmen to repair the training base the next day.

  Early in the morning, Zhang Lei was about to go out when he saw Jiang Yuyang bringing several young men of similar age walking towards him. He stood outside waiting for them. When Jiang Yuyang saw Zhang Lei, he pointed at the young men behind him and said: "Boss Zhang, I've brought a few people over. You can try training them to see if they'll make it."

  "Didn't Xu Bo come?" Zhang Lei looked around at this group of people, but didn't see the Xu Bo he was looking for, and couldn't help but feel a little strange.

  Jiang Yuyang was still afraid that Zhang Lei would say he wasn't capable of handling things, originally guaranteeing that he could find the person. Now, however, there was no sign of him. He quickly explained: "He's not not coming, I've already spoken with him and he's extremely happy, it's just that he went out fishing early this morning. As soon as I found someone, I brought them to you, Zhang boss, without prior notice. Next time, next time he'll definitely come."

  Xu Bo said, "Alright, alright, I know. Let's just do it this way. You all introduce yourselves, what are your names and what can you do?"

  As they were talking, Rodman happened to appear in the yard, so Zhang Lei called out to him and said: "These people are all here for you to train, come and assess them."