Chapter 8: A fine fellow, asking for a scolding?

Inside the school hall.

Gu Jin Nian ignored the resentful looks on everyone's faces and looked toward Master Liu.

At the head seat.

Master Liu furrowed his brows; he naturally would not agree to Gu Jin Nian's request, even though Gu Jin Nian was the Duke's grandson.

Thus, Master Liu lightly rebuked.

"What are you thinking? I know clearly in my heart—you're not studying. Return to your own seat; don't cause trouble."

He definitely couldn't let Gu Jin Nian sit with Yang Hanrou; the whole capital is discussing Gu Jin Nian's affair.

Whether true or false, he couldn't let Gu Jin Nian be with Yang Hanrou, otherwise more trouble would arise, and he wouldn't have any good outcome.

However, upon hearing this, everyone couldn't help but laugh.

But Gu Jin Nian was unaware, looking at Master Liu, he said:

"Zhuang's words: the sage sees the human heart as sage, the beast sees the human heart as beast."

"Master, your words are somewhat biased."

"If Master thinks I have ill intentions, then I don't need to stay in the study; but when I return home and my family asks the reason, I can only tell the truth."

Gu Jin Nian spoke calmly.

He wasn't insisting on sitting next to Yang Hanrou; he simply wanted to gain more resentment to see what would happen.

But as soon as he said that, Master Liu's expression changed.

He really didn't expect Gu Jin Nian to quote sage words to refute him? What a fine fellow, truly a fine fellow.

He felt a bit stifled, but being sixty, he wouldn't quarrel with Gu Jin Nian; instead, he glanced at Yang Hanrou, then at Gu Jin Nian.

Finally, he said somewhat helplessly.

"You can utter such sage words, which shows you've put some effort into your studies; then you may sit beside Yang Hanrou."

"But I'll say this up front: if you cause any more trouble, don't blame me for personally going to the Duke's mansion."

Master Liu spoke, reaching a compromise.

There was no way; since Gu Jin Nian had said it all, if he still wasn't allowed, it would be his own problem.

"Master."

"Master, no."

As Master Liu agreed, Yang Hanrou and Zhang Yun immediately spoke up, especially Zhang Yun, who stood up directly to refuse.

Zhang Yun appeared somewhat flustered; in his eyes, Yang Hanrou was his childhood sweetheart, both from scholarly families, a golden boy and jade girl; if nothing unexpected happened, Yang Hanrou would become his wife.

Now Gu Jin Nian insists on sitting beside Yang Hanrou—how could he tolerate it? Even he himself only sits on the right, with an aisle in between, yet Gu Jin Nian sits directly beside her; how could he endure?

Thinking this, Zhang Yun continued speaking.

"Master."

"Gu Jin Nian is reckless and ill-intentioned; if we let him sit over there, who knows what will happen?"

"I hope Master will see clearly."

Zhang Yun spoke, his attitude firm.

But as soon as his words fell, Wu An and Li Ping's voices suddenly rang out.

"Zhang Yun, what nonsense are you spouting again?"

"Ridiculous, under everyone's gaze, what could Brother Jin Nian do? Do you think everyone is like you? If there's nothing going on, why meet secretly with Yang Hanrou?"

The two spoke up, drawing a lot of people to jeer.

Indeed, Zhang Yun and Yang Hanrou have a very good relationship, whether considering their elders' relations or their own; it's quite good.

They are often seen walking side by side.

Upon hearing this, Yang Hanrou's ears instantly turned red and she felt angry; at only sixteen, she naturally couldn't tolerate such remarks, yet not knowing how to rebut, she lowered her head and stayed silent, feeling extremely embarrassed, even wishing Zhang Yun would stop speaking.

"Impudent."

In an instant, Master Liu's angry reprimand rang out.

At that moment, the school hall fell silent once again.

The elderly Master Liu gazed at everyone, his eyes full of anger.

"You're young, yet you spout nonsense; you haven't even reached adulthood, but your minds are full of wild thoughts."

"Wu An, Li Ping, go stand outside as punishment."

"Zhang Yun, I know you and Yang Hanrou have a very good relationship, but a gentleman does not avoid suspicion; furthermore, as I am here, would I still turn a blind eye?"

"Sit down."

Master Liu was full of irritation; in his view, these people were just a bunch of brats, their usual roughhousing aside, but at such a young age they harbored so many strange ideas, which made him somewhat angry.

Especially Zhang Yun.

Coming from a scholarly family, his father being a contemporary Great Scholar, he ought to cultivate himself and nurture his nature, yet he didn't expect to lose composure over this matter.

This disappointed him greatly, which is why he reprimanded them.

Originally, he indeed felt Gu Jin Nian's request was improper, but now he thinks there's nothing improper about it.

"Gu Jin Nian, gather your things, switch seats quickly, don't delay the morning lesson."

Master Liu spoke, his words almost decisive, making Zhang Yun's expression even uglier.

But Gu Jin Nian was pleased to hear it, directly moving his belongings beside Yang Hanrou.

He placed the books and Xuan paper properly and solemnly.

In an instant, a stream of black energy surged from Zhang Yun's body; although it still wasn't as great as Zhou Ning's, it was already quite good.

Looking at Zhang Yun, the latter's face was gloomy, especially his eyes revealing a strong chill.

Feeling Zhang Yun's gaze, Gu Jin Nian gave a slight smile, which made Zhang Yun even angrier.

It's just that with Master Liu present, he also couldn't act out; he could only clench his fists and remain silent.

On the Head Seat.

Master Liu took everything in, saying nothing; instead, he opened a book and began his day-to-day teaching.

Everything inside the school was very quiet.

Gu Jin Nian also didn't dare to act recklessly; Master Liu sat in front, and if he dared make any small move, he'd probably get beaten.

Having gained an advantage, don't act coy.

The disgusting person is only doing it for the ancient tree in his own mind, and incidentally taking revenge on the two.

The ancient tree will bear fruit after absorbing resentment.

I just don't know what this fruit is.

Hope it's something good; otherwise, making enemies for no reason later would be meaningless.

Gu Jin Nian deeply pondered this question.

The ancient tree in his mind is basically the only thing he can rely on now.

Background connections and such are temporarily useless to him, and the Gu Family isn't as wonderful as imagined.

If he wants to steady his footing, he still has to rely on himself.

He checked the ancient tree's condition; the fruit was about fist-sized, seeming about to ripen soon.

But it's just a little bit short.

It seems he still needs to put in more effort.

Thinking this, Gu Jin Nian unconsciously turned his gaze toward Yang Hanrou and Zhang Yun.

These two already bear resentment toward him; if he torments them well, their resentment will likely increase. However, looking at them up close.

This Yang Hanrou is indeed beautiful, with features like carved jade, a handsome visage, slightly aloof, black hair flowing like clouds, especially her skin delicate as jade snow, further showing the beauty of youth.

The only drawback is that this Yang Hanrou is full of coldness toward him.

But Gu Jin Nian clearly knows that beneath this coldness lies fear.

After pushing him into the lake, to escape responsibility and frame him, this is no small matter.

Why does the Gu Family stay silent? It's because they struck first, taking advantage of his amnesia to frame him with various accusations, while the Gu Family suffers from lack of evidence.

Otherwise, could the capital be so peaceful?

This, everyone under heaven knows.

Yang Hanrou couldn't possibly not know.

So this is Yang Hanrou's weak point; if he handles it well, everything will be easy to say.

Of course, Yang Hanrou amounts to nothing.

Mainly, it's this Zhang Yun; through the recent situation, Gu Jin Nian discovered that Zhang Yun gives him more resentment.

That just means catching him and plucking him will do.

At that moment, while Gu Jin Nian was thinking various thoughts, suddenly Master Liu's voice sounded, a bit louder than before.

What is national fortune?

The voice sounded, and Gu Jin Nian involuntarily awoke from his thoughts; he raised his head to look at Master Liu, whose expression was calm, but whose gaze also flicked to him.

It was quite obvious he had been caught daydreaming in class.

However, Master Liu wasn't questioning Gu Jin Nian, but instead turned his gaze toward Zhang Yun and the others.

Feeling Master Liu's gaze, Zhang Yun showed confidence and involuntarily spoke up to answer.

The dynasty's vital energy is the national fortune.

If national fortune flourishes, the dynasty thrives; if national fortune declines, efforts yield half the result, showing heavenly disasters and human calamities.

This is Zhang Yun's answer, fairly conventional.

The Master Liu on the Head Seat remained calm, looking at Zhang Yun as he continued to ask.

Then what do you think, how can one strengthen national fortune?

Master Liu spoke, continuing to ask.

Upon saying this, all the students in the hall became curious, lowering their heads in thought.

To sustain fortune through war, recover lost lands, expand territory, only then can national fortune be strengthened.

A student spoke up, being a descendant of a military general, and stated this method.

Master Liu neither answered nor rejected it, because this indeed can increase national fortune.

However, this is not the answer he wanted.

Anything else?

He continued to ask.

Replying to Master Liu, the student believes that the increase of national fortune lies in the foundation.

Mobilizing troops and fighting war is only a temporary boost, not lasting.

And the foundation of the state is the people; thus letting the people prosper, well-fed and well-clothed, can increase national fortune.

Moreover, such national fortune lasts for myriad generations.

Zhang Yun spoke up to answer.

After this answer, it was also considered hitting the point, making Master Liu nod repeatedly, his aged face showing a smile.

Not bad, Zhang Yun, you're young yet understand the people's way, excellent, excellent.

The school's people also involuntarily cast various glances.

Most women showed approval, especially Yang Hanrou, whose eyes held admiration; the remaining men also nodded, except a small group of military descendants, who showed some contempt.

Of course, this is sour.

As for Zhang Yun, he was all smiles, looking pleased as spring breeze, and finally he didn't forget to glance at Gu Jin Nian, as if trying to show off something.

In an instant, Gu Jin Nian felt a bit dazed.

Good fellow, I was still wondering whether to cause you trouble, yet you dare to look at me?

Fine, fine.

Feeling Zhang Yun's gaze, Gu Jin Nian stopped being polite.

"What a fine, taking the people as the master!"

"As a descendant of a Great Scholar, you indeed live up to it; your words are truly admirable."

"You just talk about the people with your mouth open and shut."

"May I ask, Brother Zhang, do you know how many cash coins a catty of salt costs?"

An inappropriate sound rang out, cutting off Master Liu's ensuing praise.

The sound rang out, and in that moment everyone involuntarily turned their gaze to Gu Jin Nian.

Especially Master Liu.

He inexplicably noticed that after not seeing each other for a while, Gu Jin Nian's tongue had become much sharper.

However, he didn't interrupt anything; instead, he listened patiently.

"I don't know."

Zhang Yun glanced at Gu Jin Nian; he had intended not to answer, but after looking at Master Liu, he still replied lightly.

It wasn't that he didn't want to answer; he truly didn't know.

"Then do you know how many cash coins a bolt of coarse hemp costs?"

Gu Jin Nian continued to ask.

"I don't know."

Zhang Yun furrowed his brows, but still gave an answer.

"Then how many cash coins does a catty of coarse rice cost? You ought to know that, right?"

Gu Jin Nian asked for the third time.

This time Zhang Yun's brows furrowed even tighter.

"Why do I need to know these things?"

Zhang Yun was somewhat annoyed.

"I'm here discussing grand plans for the people's livelihood, and you're here pulling irrelevant nonsense with me?"

"Are you sick?" Hearing Zhang Yun's reply, Gu Jin Nian involuntarily laughed coldly.

"You talk about the people with your mouth open and shut, yet you don't even know the basics of the people's food, salt, clothing, and coarse rice."

"What face do you have to keep mentioning the people?"

"Don't you find it ridiculous?"

Gu Jin Nian spoke up.

Upon saying this, the school fell completely silent.

Especially Master Liu, whose eyes showed even greater surprise.

(End of chapter)