Chapter 277: Dynastic Cycle Law

Dynastic Cycle Law?

Du Gou wore a puzzled expression; it was another term he had never heard before.

Unlike usual, the novel vocabulary Chen Yan had mentioned before he could grasp at least some of, this "Dynastic Cycle Law" left him utterly clueless, not knowing its meaning.

Just as he was about to ask, two hands suddenly reached out from behind them and patted their shoulders.

"Two of you, what is this Dynastic Cycle Law?"

"Whoa!"

"Whoa, big one!"

That sudden outburst gave Chen Yan and Du Gou a shiver of fright.

He hurriedly turned his head, glared, and said irritably, "Gangzi, what are you playing at?"

"Don't you know people can scare people, even scare them to death?"

"In broad daylight, why are you acting like a ghost?"

Du Gou had wanted to say a few words, but seeing Yuan Tiangang, he swallowed the words he was about to speak.

"So it's the National Teacher, how did you come to Weinan County?"

There was no way around it; this National Teacher could not be offended.

"That's not important!" Yuan Tiangang ignored Chen Yan's address, his tone rather urgent:

"I just want to know exactly what the Dynastic Cycle Law you just mentioned, Mr. Chen, actually is."

In fact, Yuan Tiangang had followed Chen Yan to Weinan County yesterday; after resting at home for a day, he intended to see what kind of county Chen Yan governed.

Unexpectedly, he ran into Chen Yan and Du Gou, and seeing them seem to discuss something important, his curiosity sparked, so he trailed behind.

He was mostly indifferent to what preceded, but upon hearing the phrase "Dynastic Cycle Law," his heart fluttered.

Yuan Tiangang instantly realized this was something very important, perhaps a crucial piece of knowledge.

He could no longer hold back, which is why that earlier scene occurred.

"You really want to know?" Chen Yan asked.

"I do. I have a feeling it might be something important."

"You think I should just tell you? Have you paid tuition?" Chen Yan retorted immediately, feeling much relieved.

Yuan Tiangang, like Li Chunfeng, was damn elusive, and he himself had been scared by those two several times, needing to vent his anger.

"Tuition?"

That familiar yet strange term made not only Yuan Tiangang but also Du Gou's mind blank for a moment.

Isn't this something you only pay as school tuition?

What?

They're that old, and still have to pay tuition for knowledge?

Du Gou blinked, quickly felt his pockets, and thought silently, "This is bad."

He hadn't brought any money!

Finally, Du Gou glanced at the jade pendant at his waist, gritted his teeth, and handed it to Chen Yan: "Brother Chen, I went out today without money; can I pawn this jade pendant for now?"

"When I return, I'll give you the tuition!"

Seeing this, Chen Yan was dumbfounded.

Yuan Tiangang, after seeing Du Gou's move, also rummaged on his body for a moment, then found himself in the same predicament.

He too hadn't brought any money!

Helpless, Yuan Tiangang could only take out his beloved turtle shell.

"Mr. Chen, I'll use this as collateral."

Chen Yan: "......"

Wait, you really want to pay?

Looking at the jade pendant and turtle shell before him, Chen Yan's eye twitched, and he silently took them back.

Don't turn it down for nothing; I'm about to become a father soon, and every extra bit counts.

"Ahem, since you're sincere, I can't refuse. Of course, to be blunt, I'll give you two days to raise the money and redeem the items; after two days, the items will belong to me."

"Next, I'll give you a proper lesson."

Chen Yan cleared his throat, speaking seriously: "However, before answering your question, I have a question for you."

"Go ahead and ask, Brother Chen (Mr. Chen)." the two said in unison.

"Alright." Chen Yan, with a teachable demeanor, extended a finger, "Since the First Emperor, you know all the flourishing and declining dynasties, right?"

"Naturally, we know."

"Very good. My question is: what are the reasons each dynasty fell? What commonalities do they share? Why do some dynasties live long while others are short-lived?"

Du Gou and Yuan Tiangang pondered.

Various reasons floated in their minds, but they immediately dismissed them.

Both understood that Chen Yan's question was far from simple.

Chen Yan smiled: "When you figure out this question, that will be the official start of the first lesson; then I will explain properly what the Dynastic Cycle Law is."

When Chen Yan fell silent, Du Gou grew anxious.

"No, I've even given you the jade pendant gifted by Empress Changsun, and you stop after one question?"

"Is this how you play?"

"Brother Chen, what if we still can't figure it out?"

It was Yuan Tiangang who, looking thoughtful, stared at Chen Yan.

He seemed to agree with Li Chunfeng; no wonder he called Chen Yan 'Sir'.

By simply posing questions, letting them think on their own, and then formally giving them answers, one can see that if Chen Yan were to become a teacher, he would surely be a good teacher.

He seems very suited to teaching others.

"......"

"Let's set a three‑day limit," Chen Yan thought for a moment and said:

"If after three days you still haven't figured out the answer, I'll answer you then."

The two gladly accepted.

After that, Du Gou and Yuan Tiangang fell in step behind Chen Yan, looking as if their minds were wandering beyond the heavens, constantly pondering the fall of various dynasties and the differing lifespans.

Unlike Du Gou, Yuan Tiangang soon formed a conjecture, but he wasn't certain, so he said nothing, kept thinking carefully, and planned to wait three days for Chen Yan's concrete answer.

By the end of the day, Chen Yan had diligently inspected every workshop and the state of the library.

As Du Gou had said, the library had entered its final stage and would definitely be ready to open within a week.

However, Chen Yan didn't intend to make a big splash; a modest opening ceremony would suffice.

Good wine needs no street; word of mouth sometimes works better than self‑promotion.

After checking everything, Chen Yan, in a sour mood, drove Yuan Tiangang and Du Gou away, planning to focus on the hydraulic textile machine for a while.

That device had already been built by Lao Tao and Xiao Qingyue, who has stayed in Weinan County; its efficiency seemed low to Chen Yan, yet it far surpassed the best looms of the Tang Dynasty.

Recalling Du Gou's remark that the merchants had indeed paid the tax as agreed, Chen Yan stroked his chin.

"They seem to be a clever bunch, so be it. To develop the county, we can't do without these merchants. Since they're so considerate, giving them some soup isn't out of the question."

Back home, Chen Yan called Xiao Shunzi over, "Tomorrow, go summon those merchants again and tell them I have business with them."

Xiao Shunzi asked, "Lord Bo, tomorrow morning or noon?"

"Noon, then. These people are quite considerate; tell your mother to prepare a few more dishes, and Gao Yang's will still be prepared separately."

"Alright, got it," Xiao Shunzi replied.

"......."