Chapter 90: The Prime of Life

Where the sword light passed, the snow shadows were mottled.

Yet as he watched, he felt more and more that the old man dancing with the sword was like a lone crane between sea and sky, his fierce sword moves concealing a sense of melancholy and solitude.

Wen Gu waited quietly under the veranda, and only after the other party sheathed the sword did he lift his feet to walk over.

He bowed earnestly: "Student Wen Gu, pays respects to Master Wuyuan!"

Old Master Hong, whose sobriquet was "Wuyuan," also used this sobriquet for the seal he placed on Wen Gu's paintings.

The old master handed the sword in his hand to the servant beside him and raised his eyes to size up Wen Gu.

Young, and overly frail.

"Come into the room first."

Don't get sick from the cold.

Wen Gu took the book box from Tietou's hands and followed Old Master Hong into the study, while Cheng Zhi and Tietou stayed in the outer hall, intending to return after a while.

This courtyard was not large; it had been partitioned off by Old Master Hong himself. According to information Wen Gu had gathered, the old master had had some conflicts with his family and lived here with an old servant and two attendants.

Current housing conditions were limited, and wanting to move was not an option, so they could only simply partition off a courtyard.

At this moment, inside the study, there were only Old Master Hong and Wen Gu.

A brazier was placed inside the room.

The sixty-year-old man wore a simple practice outfit, his complexion was ruddy, and there were still beads of sweat on his temples.

The twenty-year-old youth wore a heavy cloak, his temperament elegant, a typical pale-faced scholar.

Old Master Hong wiped his sweat and sized up Wen Gu again, his brows furrowing tighter and tighter.

"From now on, besides studying calligraphy and painting, you will also practice the sword with me!"

As he spoke, he took out a sword he had prepared in advance.

Wen Gu placed his cloak to the side and respectfully received the sword with both hands.

The sword was not crafted with great precision, but overall it looked quite elegant.

The carvings on it were like layered mountain ranges, and the sword body even bore the two characters "Centai."

"Different moss, same Centai; friendship as deep as moss and Centai."

It signified being of the same mind and path.

The academy that Old Master Hong had founded in the past was called "Centai Academy."

This sword was the standard equipment for the teachers and students of Centai Academy.

Before the chaotic times, scholars wearing swords emphasized symbolism more; nine out of ten could not be drawn from their scabbards.

Old Master Hong loved swords, and Centai Academy had many swords crafted to distribute to the academy's teachers and students.

Teachers and students wore swords to rectify their minds and wills.

These mass-customized swords were of the same nature as a school badge.

Now that the world had changed, the symbolic had finally turned into the practical.

When the chaotic times first began, the teachers and students of Centai Academy evacuated separately, and their swords could also serve as weapons. But it was unknown exactly how many had survived.

This was likely also a source of heartache for Old Master Hong.

The old master had no intention of formally taking on disciples, but since Wen Gu was learning calligraphy and painting from him, he could be considered an ordinary student of Centai Academy.

He could formally wear the "school badge."

Perhaps because it had once been kept in the academy to be nurtured, the sword body carried a faint scent of ink.

"The so-called scholar can lift a brush to pacify the world, and mount a horse to settle the universe. Especially in such chaotic times, one should emulate the sages and possess both literary and martial talents!"

"Student will keep this in mind!"

Seeing that Wen Gu did not show the slightest sign of reluctance, Old Master Hong felt quite satisfied. It made sense; Wen Gu had come from the south to the north, adventuring all the way with the surviving populace, so his realization of this would only be more profound.

Old Master Hong picked and chose, speaking of some of the academy's rules.

After all, it was a chaotic time, and the old rules were not all suitable for the current situation; what he told Wen Gu were the revised regulations.

Thinking of Wen Gu's status and influence in Xinzhou, Old Master Hong added: "Perhaps there are more schoolmates who have survived; if you meet them in the future, and there are no conflicts, you can help one another."

In chaotic times, human hearts are unpredictable, and self-preservation is the prerequisite; Old Master Hong only hoped that when there was no harm or threat, alumni could help each other.

Wen Gu readily agreed as well.

Schoolmates, huh? Should I organize an alumni association?

As long as I can meet them, I certainly will...

After Old Master Hong's breathing calmed down, he began to teach painting techniques.

Some time ago, he had already observed Wen Gu's brush control through his paintings.

First, solidify the foundation, then reconstruct the training.

Speaking of teaching painting techniques, the old master really only talked about that. Wen Gu did not bring up anything else and studied earnestly.

Until the time of rest.

The old master asked about some things during Wen Gu's journey north, and Wen Gu followed the topic to talk about them, focusing on the matters of Cheng Zhi and He Xiaodi.

Seeing the old master lower his eyes in thought, Wen Gu looked at some of the paintings in the study.

There was no problem with the painting skills; the techniques were seasoned, and likewise, the content presented was obvious.

The old master's heart was not at peace!

The room was silent, and the scent of ink drifted.

Hearing only a soft sigh, Wen Gu asked: "Has Master ever thought about founding a branch of Centai Academy in Xinzhou City?"

Old Master Hong came back to his senses, his gaze sharp as it swept over.

Wen Gu's voice was steady as he continued: "The learning of the past academy cannot satisfy the survival needs of these chaotic times. Now the Evil Plague is rampant, and people's hearts are in turmoil; it is because they know nothing that they are afraid."

The gaze Old Master Hong fixed upon him seemed to carry the weight of a thousand jun.

Bearing such a gaze, Wen Gu remained calm, his returning look even more sincere, as if he were merely speaking from the heart:

"Many Confucian scholars are not without ability; they simply have not yet adapted to such a strange world as it is now, and are feeling lost and helpless. If there were an academy to assist them and point out a direction, they could also have more choices for survival."

Wen Gu also used Cheng Zhi and He Xiaodi as examples.

Of course, he did not explicitly mention Cheng Zhi's abnormal memory, only saying that this person was skilled at memorization.

After targeted training, these two now work as clerks, assisting with management within the ward, and they do their jobs very well.

They can put what they have learned to use, earn money to support their families, and contribute to the stability of this place.

Living examples are placed right before one's eyes.

"If an academy can be established, it will not only impart knowledge but also preserve the spark!"

Old Master Hong was moved in his heart.

He had taken to heart what Wen Gu said.

Not every Confucian scholar knows how to deal with epidemics or how to manage the populace under the Evil Plague.

Upon careful thought, it is indeed possible to add subjects based on the needs and demands of these chaotic times, promote a new educational system, and secure more opportunities for the bewildered students.

Wen Gu did not continue speaking and drank his tea quietly.

Old Master Hong had run an academy before; he would soon be able to grasp the key points and distill the core elements of what he had just mentioned.

If the Zhao Family expands its territory in the future, it will certainly need a large number of technical and management talents.

Even the descendants of noble families may not necessarily have the ability to cope with the current situation. If there were a place for them to pursue advanced studies, he believed they would also be willing to support it.

There will certainly be opponents, but the Zhao Family will definitely be in support!

Although the imperial examination has been suspended, having been implemented for so many years, those in power understand its importance well; it is impossible to rely solely on noble families and aristocrats.

Under absolute force, who would approve? Who would oppose?

This matter of an academy, if not done now, will be done in the future.

If Old Master Hong does not do it, the Zhao Family will do it. To consolidate rule, it is only a matter of time.

Old Master Hong pondered without saying a word, but his thoughts were churning even more intensely.

After a good while, Wen Gu thought the other party would chat about the topic of running an academy, but he did not expect the old master to stand up directly, his voice like a booming bell:

"Come, let's practice swordplay!"

Wen Gu: "..."

Fine then.

It was just that Old Master Hong took his sword into the courtyard and, once he started dancing the sword, he forgot about others, becoming extremely absorbed; he was clearly immersed in certain thoughts.

The sword moves were still sharp, but upon closer inspection, they were much more open-minded than before, like a trapped beast spreading its wings, or clouds breaking to reveal a clear sky.

Wen Gu held the "school badge" and observed from the side.

Judging by Old Master Hong's reaction, he must have had the idea of running a school before, but it was suppressed for various reasons, and his family might not have supported it, making him relatively passive.

Today, Wen Gu brought it up, making the old master firm in his idea once again.

Very good!

Get restless!

When Wen Gu first received the information, he knew that although this old man didn't talk much, he was not a person who could sit still!

Old but vigorous indeed!

Such abundant energy; one look and you know he can get the academy up and running!

Based on the old gentleman's churning thoughts and lack of heart for teaching, Wen Gu's first day of study was not long. The amount of information exchanged, however, was quite large.

Returning to Jingxing Fang.

Cheng Zhi and the others discovered that the Ward Chief was in a very good mood and had even brought back a sword.

"This is?" Cheng Zhi asked.

"Identity verification."

Wen Gu talked about the characteristics of Centai Academy.

He Xiaodi had not followed him today and had not seen the old master dancing with a sword in the snowy weather; he only knew that the other party was about sixty years old, had once been a high official, and later resigned to run an academy.

Sixty years old!

In their small County Town back home, how many people even lived that long?

He Xiaodi couldn't help but click his tongue: "An old man of such a great age..."

"That statement is wrong!" Wen Gu said, "Ask Cheng Zhi; that old gentleman's physique is such that one sword dance could cleave the three of us!"

Cheng Zhi nodded vigorously: "He could cleave ten of someone like me! It's even more efficient than me chopping wood!"

Wen Gu did not tell them about the branch academy, as it was not yet confirmed and it was not appropriate to spread the word.

He looked at the newly acquired "school badge" with satisfaction and wiped the snow water off the two characters "Centai".

He thought to himself: Fellow surviving alumni, junior Wen Gu has joined the alumni group today!

The old master's ability to act should be similar to his temperament; he is a decisive person and will not disappoint.

The Xinzhou branch of Centai Academy will soon appear in the city.

Sixty years old, where is that old?

He has fame, prestige, high seniority, and fighting spirit.

He is in his prime!

With that robust physique, he can be the dean for at least another twenty years!

The timing now is also just right.

The Zhao Family's storehouse is full of supplies, and since they are just sitting there, it would be better to allocate some to run the academy.

And there are those talented people who cannot leave Xinzhou City for various reasons; rather than spending their days at home mourning the spring and lamenting the autumn, wasting their time, they might as well contribute their efforts.

Everyone come out and get to work!!

(End of chapter)