Chapter 221

Gu Qingwan's people are all dazed.

This was fine; how did this little thing suddenly decide to cause trouble and start a school?

And... a university?

What does that mean?

Lu Yuan here also didn't say much to Gu Qingwan, pulling her back into the carriage and not letting those Haijin officials follow.

In the first carriage, there were only Lu Yuan, Su Liyan, and Gu Qingwan—three people.

In the carriage, Lu Yuan then said his idea:

"The Imperial Court should help me find people—talented individuals from all walks of life. For example, select a few young, quick-learning people from the Forging Bureau of the Ministry of Works, at least rank-four artisans."

Lu Yuan originally thought of hiring the very best—like eighth- or ninth-rank artisans, even special-grade ones, such as the senior craftsman in his own workshop.

But after thinking it over, bringing in those people would be useless.

After all, those who can become eighth-rank artisans nowadays are no longer young; this older generation tends to be set in their ways.

Putting it in Lu Yuan's words, these people are enough to give him a headache—too much trouble.

So, we should look for younger people.

Moreover, what Lu Yuan wants to do is stockpile talent, waiting ten or twenty years into the future.

When these people are in their forties or fifties, they are to become principals of universities across the Great Zhou Dynasty.

Someone like that senior craftsman, who is in his sixties or seventies now, will likely be buried and gone in twenty years—pure waste!

So, look for younger ones.

Of course, it's not just about being young; they also need ability—excellent talent from all trades.

For example, artisans from the major workshops of the Ministry of Works, as well as educated youths from the countryside.

In short, it's about young, capable people from all walks of life.

Of course, we can't have them come for nothing; if they already have jobs and come to study, the Imperial Court should still pay them wages.

And for youths who are busy with farm work at home in the villages, they should receive monthly pay according to the wages of a rank-two artisan.

After Lu Yuan finished speaking, Gu Qingwan had no objections; after all, it's just Lu Yuan's busywork.

Then we'll just follow Lu Yuan's suggestion, with the Imperial Court giving full support.

However…

After hearing Lu Yuan finish, Gu Qingwan said somewhat strangely:

"But… what exactly are you going to teach?"

"Hmm…"

Lu Yuan only talked about his concept, and didn't tell Gu Qingwan what he actually intended to do.

Lu Yuan immediately raised his eyebrows and said:

"Just teach what I know!"

"What Lu Yuan knows?"

To be honest, Gu Qingwan, after all this time with Lu Yuan, still hasn't figured out what he can and cannot do.

There's a feeling that Lu Yuan seems to know everything.

However…

If that's the case, wouldn't Lu Yuan have to teach everything he's learned?

That would be overly selfless, wouldn't it…

But after thinking it over, Gu Qingwan recalled that when she first investigated Lu Yuan, the report from the Yingcang Guard said exactly that about him.

And it's precisely because of these things that she became fascinated with Lu Yuan… no, wait—she's interested in Lu Yuan, right?

Lu Yuan, meanwhile, doesn't know what Gu Qingwan is thinking.

If he knew, he could only say that Gu Qingwan is overthinking.

"Teach the apprentice, starve the master."

Lu Yuan will only go teach some theoretical knowledge.

Some knowledge that this world has not yet been enlightened about.

What Lu Yuan wants to do is enlighten, not simply publish his own Artisan's Heart for others to copy.

That would be meaningless.

On the road, Gu Qingwan asked curiously again:

"Qingbei Daxue… uh… why a university? Wouldn't it be better to just let you go to the Guozijian?"

"As for the university…"

Lu Yuan also explained his idea to Gu Qingwan.

Elementary school, middle school, high school, university—these four stages.

Of course, the Great Zhou Dynasty currently lacks the finances for this, but Lu Yuan envisions making such a division in the future.

When that time comes, Lu Yuan plans to have his students, together with the private-school teachers from across the Great Zhou Dynasty, compile teaching materials.

For example, what to study in elementary school, what to study in middle school, and finally what to test for university admission.

This matter definitely needs to be explained clearly to Gu Qingwan.

After all, the Imperial Court must recognize the university in the future.

The university is the Great Zhou Dynasty's talent-cultivation center, and in the future its officials will also be selected from among its graduates.

The Imperial Court must recognize the university founded by Lu Yuan; otherwise no one would want to attend.

Otherwise, who would come to something nameless and without status?

In this world, anything must be idealism plus soy sauce.

The goal of Qingbei University is to improve the Great Zhou Dynasty.

Qingbei University, Great Zhou Dynasty.

But we can't just rely on this to motivate people; we also need to give them something concrete.

No specific names.

Just like on Earth, if you do scientific research in America, you earn a million a year, or Dao Le, plus various other benefits.

Terms: Earth (generic, likely excluded), America (place name, should be included).

Also "Dao Le" maybe a typo for "Dao Le"? Not sure. Could be a name? It seems like "Dao Le" could be a name of something? It's unclear. Probably it's a typo for "Dao Le" meaning "Dao Le"? Might be a person's name? Not sure. Safer to treat as a generic term? It's not a known cultivation term. Might be a name of a person? The line: "Annual salary of a million, or Dao Le, plus various other benefits." "Dao Le" maybe a company name? Not sure. Since it's ambiguous, we might exclude as generic? Better to exclude because it's not clearly a name.

But if you stay in the country, you can't afford a down payment in a first-tier city with ten years of salary; which would you choose?

Terms: domestic (generic), first-tier cities (generic).

Of course, such an extremely noble wealthy person is naturally admired by all.

No specific names.

But you can't criticize those who go to America.

Term: America.

In the end, this matter was settled.

None.

The next day was just eating, drinking, playing, and making noise.

None.

Besides, with the train, you can come play anytime, and nobody will say too much sentimental stuff.

Term: train (generic).

The next day at noon, after lunch, everyone took the train back.

None.

After getting off the train at 7 PM.

None.

Gu Qingwan returned to the palace and issued an order to summon talents from all positions and professions.

Terms: Gu Qingwan, palace (generic).

Lu Yuan, upon returning home, began preparing teaching materials.

Term: Lu Yuan.

Being a teacher, one naturally needs to prepare lessons.

None.

……

None.

Time flew, and three days later.

None.

Qingbei University has been opened!

Term: Qingbei University.

The first batch of students are elite talents from all professions.

None.

Age not exceeding thirty-five, and in their respective positions they are all outstanding.

None.

A total of 370 people.

None.

Qingbei University is located right next to the imperial palace.

Terms: Qingbei University, imperial palace (generic).

More precisely, it's next to the Guozijian.

Term: Guozijian.

Qingbei University and the Guozijian are separated by a major street.

Terms: Qingbei University, Guozijian.

West Street is the Guozijian, East Street is Qingbei University.

Terms: West Street (generic), East Street (generic), Guozijian, Qingbei University.

However, this side of Qingbei University is rather desolate.

Term: Qingbei University.

After all, Lu Yuan's move was too sudden, leaving Gu Qingwan no extra time to prepare.

Terms: Lu Yuan, Gu Qingwan.

Lu Yuan is also eager to open it.

Term: Lu Yuan.

After all, Lu Yuan happens to be free right now.

Term: Lu Yuan.

There's no oil, nothing else; Lu Yuan just idles around these days, so of course he should take this opportunity to teach.

Term: Lu Yuan.

So Gu Qingwan could only first give Lu Yuan a piece of land, marking it out for him.

Terms: Gu Qingwan, Lu Yuan.

Gu Qingwan also deliberately placed Qingbei University next to the Guozijian.

Terms: Gu Qingwan, Qingbei University, Guozijian.

The reason is simple: to clearly tell the world that Qingbei University's standing in the court is equal to that of the Guozijian.

Terms: Qingbei University, Imperial Court, Guozijian.

Of course, in terms of administrative rank, Qingbei University is one level lower than the Guozijian.

Terms: Qingbei University, Guozijian.

There's nothing to be done, after all, all scholars are under the Guozijian's management.

Term: Guozijian.

This place is like the Ministry of Education on Earth.

Terms: Earth (generic), Ministry of Education.

However, Gu Qingwan made Qingbei University independent; although the Guozijian is one level higher, it does not manage Qingbei University.

Terms: Gu Qingwan, Qingbei University, Guozijian.

Both belong to the Ministry of Rites.

Term: Ministry of Rites.

Now, on the Qingbei University side, the Ministry of Works is urgently building houses day and night.

Terms: Qingbei University, Ministry of Works.

But even so, in three days they can't build anything significant.

None.

Just first build a big cafeteria, then a dormitory.

None.

Actually, it's just a large wooden board house.

None.

Now Qingbei University doesn't even have a lecture hall.

Term: Qingbei University.

But that's fine; this was originally meant to be an open lecture format.

None.

This area has a ring of wasteland that could be used as a playground in the future.

None.

So Lu Yuan brought the first batch of students to hold class on this wasteland.

Term: Lu Yuan.

Anyway, the weather now is neither cold nor hot.

None.

Just right.

None.

In the morning, they prepared a ceremony.

None.

It's similar to a ribbon-cutting, just for good luck.

None.

It's not a waste of time; if it's supposed to be done, we'll do it.

None.

Besides, there were no outsiders; it was just the first batch of Qingbei University students, 370 people, together with the Ministry of Rites officials.

Terms: Qingbei University, Ministry of Rites.

The morning passed in this noisy, bustling way.

None.

At 2 PM in the afternoon, the first class began.

None.

……

None.

"What is that over there?"

None.

This morning there was gong beating and drumming, so lively!

None.

At noon, at the street's noodle stall, two Guozijian students were eating noodles; one of them looked towards Qingbei University with curiosity.

Terms: Guozijian, Qingbei University.

The person opposite, after glancing towards Qingbei University, continued to slurp noodles while muttering:

Term: Qingbei University.

"It seems like some kind of university..."

None.

The person opposite raised an eyebrow slightly and said:

What is a university?

What does that mean?

That person then shook their head and said:

I don't know, anyway they seem to have class only in the afternoon today.

The person opposite, after hearing that, blinked and then said somewhat excitedly:

Anyway, we have nothing to do this afternoon, so let's go take a look.

After that person finished speaking, another person then said unhappily:

What are we looking at? We haven't even memorized our books yet.

Besides, can that person's family let you in? You're not even a student of this university.

…………

At half past one in the afternoon, approaching two o'clock.

The playground was already filled with people.

It was originally said that class would start at two, but everyone was curious about what this university actually does.

So after finishing their meal in the newly built cafeteria inside the university, they immediately came back.

Mainly, Qingbei Daxue is now a construction site everywhere, with nowhere else to go.

And Lu Yuan was preparing teaching materials.

Qingbei Daxue differs from the Guozijian; young teachers naturally have young teaching methods.

Lu Yuan wouldn't just bring out a big blackboard and start scribbling on it.

That would be meaningless.

At exactly two o'clock, Lu Yuan went up onto the podium.

Looking at the students already seated, there were 370 of them who were Qingbei Daxue students.

Besides those 370, there were another thirty or forty people, wandering around the campus grounds.

These people were from the West Street Guozijian.

Lu Yuan's Qingbei Daxue currently has no gatekeepers; anyone who wants to listen can come and listen.

Lu Yuan founded Qingbei Daxue with the original goal of letting everyone who wants to learn be able to learn something.

It is to liberate thought, and to enable more people to apply what they learn!

So it doesn't matter if the Guozijian people come to listen.

As long as these people aren't here to cause trouble or stir up chaos, Lu Yuan welcomes them listening.

If even one or two of these people actually listen in, stop daily studying those sage books, and instead begin learning here with Lu Yuan, that would be truly the best.

After all, if we're being honest, there is absolutely no one under heaven who reads more than the people of the Guozijian.

The people inside the Guozijian truly are the most learned under heaven.

Exactly two o'clock.

Lu Yuan's lecture began.

First, he brought out an iron pot—indeed, the classic scene is about to unfold~

When Lu Yuan pulled a coin out of the sizzling oil pot, accompanied by gasps from the crowd.

Lu Yuan then explained the principle behind it.

It's a simple bit of knowledge: vinegar boils at forty degrees, thus creating the illusion of a scalding oil pot.

As the crowd stared in astonishment, Lu Yuan grinned and said:

"This temperature involves a great deal of learning, right? Everyone often says 'true gold fears no fire, true theory fears no debate'—so why is that? Does anyone know?"

The crowd below looked at each other.

Not a single person spoke.

Lu Yuan then smiled and said:

"That's because the melting point of gold is around 1068 degrees, while ordinary flame temperature is about 800 degrees.

"Since the flame temperature is lower than gold's melting point, gold cannot be melted."

What Lu Yuan is currently lecturing on are just little bits of physics knowledge.

The people of the Great Zhou Dynasty are not truly ancient people in the literal sense; actually, the current technological level of the Great Zhou Dynasty is basically comparable to that of Earth in the 1950s-60s.

However, the Great Zhou Dynasty's technology focuses on the aspect of spirit power cores.

Moreover, to be frank, spirit power cores are somewhat contrary to science.

That sort of thing belongs to the realm of fantasy.

You say a spirit power core the size of a brick can exert such a great effect, capable of doing this and that—do you think that's reasonable?

It's quite unreasonable.

So, the Great Zhou Dynasty hasn't delved deeply into proper physics knowledge and such.

Furthermore, some people merely know how to do things, but have no idea why they do them.

Just like the principle that water and fire are incompatible—everyone knows it, even a three‑year‑old—but why are water and fire incompatible?

It's because combustion requires reaching the ignition point; when water contacts fire it can absorb a lot of heat, lowering the temperature of the burning object.

At the same time, the vaporized water vapor surrounds the burning object, preventing it from contacting air, and without air it cannot burn.

How many people have actually studied these principles?

It's obvious that certainly few have.

The Great Zhou Dynasty is currently in this same situation.

So what Lu Yuan is doing is taking things everyone already knows and explaining them from a physics perspective.

These things are not that profound on Earth.

Especially in modern Earth, some kids who have had smartphones since childhood and can swipe short videos can understand it by the age of seven or eight.

But here it's different.

Lu Yuan had prepared teaching materials last night, starting from the oil pot and continuing downward, lecturing on temperature.

More and more people gathered on the playground, after all, Lu Yuan was speaking through a loudspeaker.

Moreover, Lu Yuan's lectures weren't stiff; he would occasionally interject a joke, even a risqué one, causing everyone to burst into laughter.

The commotion grew loud enough that even the Guozijian across the street could hear it.

Although they couldn't make out what was being said, they could hear the noisy bustle.

In the afternoon, dozens of Guozijian students came over, drawn by the lively noise.

In a room of Qingbei Daxue.

Gu Qingwan sat inside the room, facing the window, her beautiful legs crossed, her body leaning sideways against the table, holding a teacup in her hand.

Her eyes, full of autumn water, gazed at Lu Yuan on the school field.

Gu Qingwan's peerless, beautiful face was filled with tenderness and affection.

Gu Qingwan sat in this room listening to Lu Yuan lecture for an afternoon.

Lu Yuan stood there, full of vigor, truly captivating Gu Qingwan.

Of course, Gu Qingwan wasn't staying here for an afternoon solely because she was attracted to Lu Yuan.

Gu Qingwan also took in the interesting little tidbits Lu Yuan spoke of.

Gu Qingwan sighed inwardly, wondering how Lu Yuan could know so much……

Ah~

This little thing is simply bewitching me~

Thanks to 3K Tarō old brother for the 1800 book coins tip, thank you very much~

Thanks to Qian Yuliuxing old brother for the 1500 book coins tip, thank you very much~

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(End of chapter)