Phi-Fic Chapter 553 About the Academy!
Chapter 553 About the Academy!
Mu Xin Nuan seemed unconcerned about the commotion within the Jin family mansion.
Her concern has always been the effective implementation of policies related to Chang Le Fang and other government decrees.
Of course, she didn't doubt Duanmu Chuze's abilities. It's just that some things seem great in theory, but are incredibly difficult to do in practice!
Just like the construction of this Chang Le Fang!
From the moment this matter was finalized until its current construction commenced, it has been a subject of considerable attention, with constant voices of opposition. Fortunately, Duanmu Chuze's domineering nature was ruthless enough to mobilize so many soldiers, effectively silencing some of the dissenting voices.
Furthermore, Duanmu Chuze has implemented a series of other policies, which are likely not good news for some aristocratic families. The obstruction is even greater than that faced by Chang Le Fang!
Just like the Censorate that Duanmu Chuze pushed forward before, although it is now functioning normally, people still come to provoke and cause trouble from time to time.
Duanmu Chuze also knew that new things would inevitably encounter various problems at the beginning, and all that could be done was to deal with them carefully and take it slowly.
Recently, Mu Xin Nuan saw Duanmu Chu Ze writing and drawing something again. Seeing his somewhat anxious appearance, she couldn't help him and naturally became a little anxious as well.
"Ah Nuan, why aren't you asleep yet?"
When Duanmu Chuze returned, he saw Mu Xinnuan sitting at the table reading a book. Upon seeing him, she quickly came over to help him change his clothes.
"Nothing, I just can't sleep." Mu Xin Nuan put away her clothes before asking, "Is there something troublesome again? I've noticed you've been coming home later and later each day these past few days."
"Fortunately, nothing serious happened. I was just thinking about ensuring that the people of Yanzhou could have access to education, employment, and income."
Mu Xin Nuan paused, then stared at him with wide eyes, "This isn't a big deal? Of the three things you mentioned, which one isn't a matter of national importance and people's livelihood? Everything is going smoothly in Chang Le Fang, isn't it? What are you still worried about?"
"Alas! You don't know the cost of firewood and rice until you're in charge of the household! I finally understand that saying now."
"What's wrong? Short of money again?"
"We need to build schools and put in a large number of students; money is needed everywhere."
Mu Xin Nuan chuckled, "The money isn't a big deal. The real problem is the lack of suitable talent. We can always find a way to get some money. But if we're short of manpower, we'll really be stuck."
Duanmu Chuze looked at her with some surprise. "Anuan, what you said makes perfect sense. It's true! If we don't have money, we can simply cut back on our food and clothing and still save several thousand taels a year. But what if we don't have any manpower?"
As Duanmu Chuze thought this, something else began to brew in his mind. Then he suddenly jumped up and started writing and drawing at the table.
Mu Xin Nuan knew he must have come up with some new brilliant idea, so she didn't disturb him. She went to the outer room and instructed Rong Yue to prepare some millet porridge. Tea was no better for sleep at night than some plain porridge.
"Ah Nuan, come here, take a look at this, what do you think?"
Mu Xin Nuan responded and went over to examine carefully what he had scribbled on the paper, along with some drawn arrows and names.
"Is this a school?"
Duanmu Chuze nodded, his face full of excitement. "How was it?"
"But why is this school so big?" Mu Xin Nuan was puzzled. It was just a school, yet he had drawn so many buildings, including a library. This was clearly an academy!
Upon thinking this, Mu Xin Nuan's eyes widened immediately, and she asked with an incredulous expression, "You want to establish an academy in Yanzhou?"
“That’s right! It’s an official academy. The reason why Yanzhou is so poor is fundamentally because people don’t study much and don’t understand many things or how they operate. Furthermore, if Yanzhou only has stone carvings, people will inevitably associate Yanzhou with merchants, which will deter some scholars and literati.”
"Are you trying to use the academy to recruit talent?"
“That’s right! Right now, the only government-run institutions in our Great Yong Dynasty are the Imperial Academy and the like, all of which are in the capital. If all the scholars and literati in the country flock there, wouldn’t the capital be overcrowded? It would be better if we built an academy here first, and then slowly started to cultivate them. From children to adults, anyone can come.”
Mu Xin Nuan was clearly skeptical of his bold idea. "Will this work? If it does, then investing manpower and resources in the academy is one thing, but more importantly, I'm worried that the Emperor won't agree."
How could the Emperor possibly agree to such an obvious plan to recruit talent?
Duanmu Chuze frowned. Indeed! He was a prince. If he were to recruit talents extensively in his own fiefdom, it would likely attract criticism, and the crown prince might even have different thoughts about him.
"What should we do then? It would be a real shame to let such a good idea go to waste."
Seeing his expression, Mu Xin Nuan knew that he was truly in a difficult position.
The two of them fell silent as they stared at the piece of scrap paper.
Some things are not bad, but rather, they are too good, which is why we cannot do them!
For your own sake, and for the sake of others!
Neither of them slept well that night. Mu Xin Nuan even vaguely heard Duanmu Chu Ze sighing in the middle of the night.
The next day, Mu Xinnuan woke up to find her bedside empty.
After she finished washing up, she looked at the picture on the table again. It was such a good method, but it couldn't be used, which made her feel a little regretful.
Suddenly, a brilliant idea struck Mu Xin Nuan. She quickly lifted her skirt and ran outside. It was already the dead of winter, and she didn't even wear an outer cloak as she ran towards the place where Duanmu Chuze practiced swordsmanship.
“Aze, Aze, I’ve got it.”
Duanmu Chuze had just sheathed his sword when he saw Mu Xinnuan's attire and ran over. He frowned slightly, immediately threw the sword in his hand, and Zi Yi caught it steadily. He then quickly took out his cloak and wrapped it around Mu Xinnuan's body.
"Anuan, how could you be so careless? You came out dressed like that, be careful not to catch a cold!" The somewhat doting scolding warmed Mu Xinnuan's heart.
“Aze, I’ve thought of a good way to get your plan going without making the Emperor and the Crown Prince suspicious of you.”
"What?" Duanmu Chuze's eyes lit up. His Anuan had indeed come up with another good idea.
"Aze, we can not call it an academy for now, just a school. We can separate all the things inside, wouldn't that solve the problem?"