Chapter 39: Academy Opening, Li Zhi Takes a Master

However, it doesn't matter anymore; the Taixi coal from Helan Mountain is currently sufficient for use.

According to the current situation, it can be used for at least another thousand years, though that is, of course, based only on current production levels.

Therefore, Su Liang does not need to worry about those coal mines in Shanxi; he must leave some for future generations, after all.

Just as Wang Xuance announced the price of four million gold, the noble families remained silent and stopped bidding. It was not that they did not have that much money, but rather that they truly could not produce that much real gold and silver in such a short time.

They were also unwilling to use fixed assets to bid, as everyone believed that there was nothing left in Su Liang's eyes that was worth much.

In the end, the Seven-Colored Qilin was auctioned off to Wang Xuance for four million gold.

Although the noble families were unwilling to accept this, they were helpless.

At this moment, they cast their gazes toward the glass shop one after another, all wanting to see if there was any better glass so they could be the first to strike.

In less than a quarter of an hour, all the glass in the shop was sold out.

Su Liang thus earned ten million gold in a single day!

After a long while, Li Yuan walked up to Su Liang and looked at him with great interest: "Su Liang, do you know why I asked you to come out?"

Su Liang knew without thinking that, regardless of the reason, it must be because of the glass.

"Why, is the Retired Emperor interested in glass? Would you like me to gift you a few pieces?" Su Liang asked with a smile.

"Hmph... I don't need you to gift me any. Since you could bring out a Seven-Colored Qilin, you must have other glass."

"It's just that since you have such things, why didn't you tell me sooner? Otherwise... otherwise the noble families wouldn't have just spent this little money today." Li Yuan sighed helplessly and shook his head slightly.

When the Great Tang was first established, Li Yuan needed to rely on the power of the noble families to secure his throne.

But things are different now; the Great Tang's foundation is stable. Although Li Yuan is the Retired Emperor, he still wants to contribute more to the Great Tang from the bottom of his heart.

Based on his understanding of the noble families, it would have been better if Su Liang had told him about this earlier.

Su Liang also understood Li Yuan's meaning and immediately changed the subject, asking: "Haha... when does the Retired Emperor plan to move to my Furong Garden? My Furong Garden has quite a few good things."

"Oh? Have you finished your work lately, kid?" Li Yuan asked with his eyes slightly narrowed.

"Hmm... just about, most things have been arranged properly," Su Liang said.

"Hasn't the Retired Emperor long wanted to stay at the Furong Garden for a while?"

Hearing this, Li Yuan nodded slightly and then said happily: "Kid Su, what other good glass do you have there?"

"Haha... I don't know what kind of glass the Retired Emperor wants. However... my Furong Garden has prepared a top-quality glass chamber pot for the Retired Emperor," Su Liang laughed.

At the same time, in the Ganlu Hall of the Taiji Palace.

"Haha... Hahaha, a piece of glass actually sold for four hundred thousand gold!" Li Shimin laughed heartily.

He then looked at Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui and said meaningfully: "Hehe... the noble families are indeed noble families; their foundation built over thousands of years is still quite deep."

As his voice fell, Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui exchanged glances.

Fang Xuanling then looked at Li Shimin and said: "Your Majesty, why don't we hold an auction too? Didn't Su Liang give you a lot of glass?"

"That's right... Your Majesty, Kid Su earned a full ten million gold today; he's already earned back the money for building the roads."

"Hahaha..." Li Shimin laughed upon hearing this: "Good, we'll hold one another day, while Kid Su's glass hasn't been dumped on the market in large quantities yet."

"Hehe... Kid Su did gift many exquisite pieces," Fang Xuanling sighed.

Not long after, Su Liang returned to the Furong Garden.

At the same time, Wang Xuance also had people deliver the four hundred thousand gold to the Furong Garden one after another.

Although Su Liang was as wealthy as a nation, this was the first time he had seen so much money. What surprised Su Liang most was that the four hundred thousand gold brought by Wang Xuance was solid gold.

It was not replaced by copper coins or silver!

That evening, the six young masters of Changan had all gathered at the Furong Garden.

It was for nothing else but the matter Su Liang mentioned a few days ago about them going to Hokkaido. They knew Su Liang was busy, so they hadn't come to disturb him.

During this time, everyone had also discussed it with their fathers. Although the young dukes had hereditary titles, they had no official rank. If they wanted to enter the court as officials in the future, they had to have corresponding credentials, so the dukes had agreed.

By going to Hokkaido together this time, they could expand the territory for the Great Tang, and secondly, they could look out for each other.

"Brother Su, when are we going to Hokkaido?" Cheng Chumo asked, looking at Su Liang.

"Wait a few more days. The warships aren't finished yet, are they? There's less than a month left before the warships are completed; it won't be too late for you to go then," Su Liang said calmly.

Su Liang also couldn't understand; weren't these guys playboys? When did their temperaments change?

"Then... then is Brother Su coming with us?" Cheng Chumo frowned, staring at Su Liang with anticipation.

"I'm afraid I cannot go with you. If nothing goes wrong, Xue Rengui will be back in two months."

"I promised Xue Rengui that after he returns from Subi, I would accompany him back to Longmen County to propose marriage!" Su Liang said helplessly.

"Propose marriage?"

Everyone frowned upon hearing this. They had met Xue Rengui several times and did not know he already had a sweetheart.

At this moment, Cheng Chumo still wanted Su Liang to go with them, so he tentatively asked: "Brother Su... look, how about... how about I discuss it with my father and have him go propose for Xue Rengui? My father is a Duke, after all; he has both status and influence. Brother Su, you can rest assured."

"That's right... Brother Su, or should I ask my father to go too?" Qin Huaiyu chimed in.

"Don't try to persuade my brother-in-law. When has he ever gone back on his word?" Seeing Su Liang remain silent, Zhangsun Chong said: "Besides, my brother-in-law didn't say he wasn't going."

"We can just wait; it won't be too late to go after Xue Rengui returns."

Su Liang looked at Zhangsun Chong with slight surprise. When did this brother-in-law get to know me so well? Could it be the credit of Zhangsun Yue and Zhangsun Wuji?

Su Liang had his own plan. Currently, the warships still needed a month to be built, and the mortars also needed a month; these were all within Su Liang's plan.

However, Su Liang intended to set off only after all the roads were fully repaired.

At this moment, the "Great Tang No. 1" warship was being built by the Chan River in Taoyuan County. Once completed, it could be launched from the Chan River, then sail along the Wei River into the Yellow River, and finally reach the Bohai Sea. This would take a month.

Moreover, the training of the Divine Machine Battalion also needed some time. Su Liang planned to take the Divine Machine Battalion to the seaside for training.

In short, the final time would be around June, and Su Liang could take the young ladies along for a trip then.

"You don't need to say any more. Let's talk about it when the time comes. Anyway, there's still some time, no need to be so anxious," Su Liang said calmly.

"Also... the Taoyuan Academy opens in two days. See if there's anything you can help with, and go lend a hand."

As Su Liang's voice fell, everyone nodded silently. They naturally understood what Su Liang meant. Afterward, they left one after another.

In the blink of an eye, the day for the opening of the Taoyuan Academy arrived.

For this, Li Shimin specifically instructed Su Liang to prepare the opening ceremony. Although the opening of the Taoyuan Academy was seen by Li Shimin and others as a major event that would surely shock all of Changan, it was just a small matter in Su Liang's eyes.

Su Liang originally didn't want to be so high-profile, but he couldn't refuse Li Shimin and the several dukes and ministers. They naturally saw this as a fortunate event that would change the Great Tang, and they took it extremely seriously, not allowing for the slightest carelessness.

As time progressed, the court officials slowly appeared at the Taoyuan Academy. Their arrival immediately attracted everyone's attention.

As one of the protagonists of this event, Su Liang was naturally the finale.

At this moment, Su Liang was in a brand-new white robe, holding a folding fan, and that was all.

The people Su Liang invited had already arrived. Cheng Yaojin and the other military generals, as long as they were in Changan, had basically all come. Among the civil officials, except for a few like Li Gang who were not on good terms with Su Liang, the others had all arrived.

The people Su Liang invited had already arrived; Cheng Yaojin and a group of other generals, as long as they were in Changancheng, had basically all come. Among the civil officials, except for a few like Li Gang who were not on good terms with Su Liang, the others had also arrived one after another.

A shrill voice came, and then Li Shimin's figure slowly appeared before the crowd. The group immediately went out to welcome him.

Su Liang looked at Li Shimin in astonishment. It wasn't just Li Shimin who had arrived; even Empress Zhangsun and Li Chenggan had come.

Not only that, but Li Zhi had also come.

Before the ceremony, in order to show the importance of this matter, Su Liang had sent out invitations widely.

Su Liang had people he wanted to invite, and he even sent invitations to the Five Surnames and Seven Clans; he invited everyone. As for whether they came or not, that was their business.

That Li Shimin would come was naturally expected, but as for Li Zhi, Su Liang had never even thought about it.

Everyone then bowed one after another.

"Hehe... my dear ministers, please rise. This time, I am just like you, merely here to observe the ceremony. You need not be so restrained."

Looking at Li Shimin's demeanor, no one would think he was just here to observe.

Li Shimin walked slowly to Su Liang, then looked at him and said in a deep voice: "Su Liang, establishing a school benefits the country and the people. What is your direction for running this school?"

Asking about his goal for running the school... sigh... didn't Li Shimin know clearly in his heart? This was clearly to establish authority in front of the noble families. Su Liang chuckled and then looked at Li Shimin with burning eyes.

"To establish a heart for heaven and earth, to establish a life for the people, to carry on the lost teachings of the sages, and to open up eternal peace for all generations." Su Liang's pursuit was nothing more than these four sentences.

Upon hearing this, everyone was shocked.

Even these old scholars who had studied for decades could not say these four sentences, nor did they have such insights.

Li Shimin was stunned upon hearing Su Liang's words. The expression with which he looked at Su Liang had changed. He had known before that Su Liang wanted to change the current situation of the Great Tang, but... he hadn't expected Su Liang's ideals to be so grand.

"What Su Liang said is excellent. I only want to ask if what you just said is your true intention?"

Su Liang nodded upon hearing this and admitted it directly. Anyway, since he was the one who said it first, it was naturally his true intention. These four sentences were indeed Su Liang's greatest dream.

Although Su Liang felt it would be difficult to achieve these things on his own, what did it matter? A person must have dreams; what if they come true?

Just at this moment, a slightly childish voice suddenly rang out...

"Brother-in-law... can you be my master and teach me to read?"

Su Liang knew who it was without looking. The only person who could call him brother-in-law at this moment was the eight-year-old Li Zhi.

As soon as Li Zhi's voice fell, Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun were immediately excited. Now that the Crown Prince Li Chenggan and the Prince of Wei Li Tai had grown up, they each had their own ideas.

But Li Zhi was different; now was the time to properly discipline him. Although taking Su Liang as a master went against traditional norms, the two of them did not mind at all at this moment; as the saying goes, the capable are teachers. If he could receive personal instruction from Su Liang, that would naturally be best.

Li Zhi was different; now was the perfect time to properly mold him. Although taking Su Liang as his Master went against established norms, neither of them minded in the slightest at this moment, for as the saying goes, the capable are teachers. If he could receive personal instruction from Su Liang, that would naturally be for the best.

"A master for a day is a father for life"—this saying was not just talk.

From now on, whenever Li Zhi had any trouble, whether it was a big or small matter, Su Liang would certainly not stand by and watch.

After all, Su Liang had never thought about anyone wanting to take him as a master, and he was unable to make a decision for a moment.

Empress Zhangsun also looked at Su Liang and said: "Good son-in-law, just agree to it. It's just right to help me discipline Zhinu well."

Su Liang then looked at Li Zhi's sincere expression and nodded.

He then bowed to the group around him, looked at Li Zhi, and said: "Today, Li Zhi voluntarily takes me as his master to enter my school and seek the Dao. I shall teach him everything I know, so as not to waste our bond as master and disciple."

He immediately cupped his hands toward the group of people around him, looked at Li Zhi, and said, "Today, Li Zhi voluntarily takes me as his master to enter my, Su Liang's, school to seek knowledge and the Dao. I shall teach him everything I know, so as not to fail the bond between master and disciple."

"Let's skip the related formalities."

In Su Liang's eyes, a matter like taking on a master only required saying a few casual words.

How could Su Liang think this way? Hearing this, Li Er looked at Su Liang helplessly and waved his hand, then immediately arranged for people to hold an apprenticeship ceremony at Taoyuan Academy...

Sigh... having to worship the Sage Kong and go through all sorts of rituals, Su Liang felt like a mere puppet being pushed around by them; after nearly a full hour, Su Liang felt as if he were about to fall asleep.

Just at this moment.

Someone off to the side shouted "Ceremony concluded," instantly startling Su Liang awake from his drowsy state.

Sigh... it is finally over.

Su Liang sighed helplessly and shook his head.

He had not expected the apprenticeship ceremony to be so troublesome; had he known this, Su Liang would have inquired about it clearly beforehand and would not have felt so exhausted.

The people paying attention to this apprenticeship ceremony were not just those present on the scene.

Although people like Prince Li Tai were not in attendance, they had certainly sent people to keep an eye on matters here.

They were surely watching Su Liang; after all, Su Liang's actions were aimed at their very foundations, so how could they not pay attention to Su Liang?

Li Tai naturally dared not do anything too excessive to Su Liang, but the aristocratic families might not be the same.

At present, they still did not know the cost of the colored glaze; if they truly found out, they would certainly kill Su Liang without the slightest hesitation.

This was treating their aristocratic families as complete fools!!