Chapter 22: The All-in-One E-Classroom (1)
The next day, the students of Shangjing Academy came to school as usual.
But when they reached the entrance, they found it packed full of people. It was so crowded they could barely squeeze in.
“What happened? Why is the academy gate completely blocked?”
After finally squeezing in a little to take a look, their feet could no longer move. One more person had joined the crowd blocking the gate.
There were eight extraordinary pictures. Each one was enormous, propped up on a stand.
Painted on them were divine peacocks, graceful and extraordinary, vivid and lifelike, as though they had come alive from within the paintings.
“This divine bird was discovered by the number-one retainer of our household, by chance, in His Highness’s fief. Mountain Lord saw how miraculous it was, so he stopped and painted its different postures…”
The people Qi Zheng had arranged were telling the story. Within their words was news that shocked all of Shangjing.
In Qi Zheng’s fief, a divine bird had descended from heaven. An auspicious omen had appeared.
Of course, these people were also responsible for guarding the eight pictures and preventing anyone from touching them. Otherwise, if they were damaged, Qi Zheng would probably be heartbroken.
“Did a divine peacock bird really appear in Prince Zheng’s fief?”
The storyteller replied directly, “Of course. If he hadn’t seen it with his own eyes, how could the number-one retainer of our household paint it so beautifully and vividly?”
Their Highness had even rushed to the mountaintop overnight to see it. They heard that the two divine birds on the mountain peak were not afraid of people at all, and had even asked His Highness for food.
“That divine bird, one male and one female, is still lingering on the summit of His Highness’s fief.”
Hiss.
A divine bird descending to the world, blessing the land with fortune—this was a rare event beyond compare. The news quickly spread from one person to ten, from ten to a hundred, shocking the whole of Shangjing.
Before long, carriage after carriage arrived at the entrance of Shangjing Academy. Judging from their appearances, they clearly belonged to important court officials, all here to confirm the news.
Suddenly, they felt that the invitation Qi Zheng had sent them was something they really had to accept.
At this moment, Chen Bai had already squeezed his way into Shangjing Academy.
“I almost couldn’t get in.”
Today’s class was archery. Qi Zheng seemed to be in a good mood.
Chen Bai, however, was not in such a good mood. Because every time he shot an arrow, Qi Zheng would use that compound bow to shoot one as well, directly knocking Chen Bai’s arrow off the target.
Qi Zheng even said, in excellent spirits, “Mountain Lord is a genius blessed by heaven. Now look at you. Your archery is a complete mess. Mountain Lord says you are his most devout believer, but every time I see Mountain Lord, I never see you attending him like a loyal servant.”
After saying that, he even shook his head disdainfully.
Chen Bai: “…”
Was Qi Zheng mocking him?
He really wanted to slap Qi Zheng’s face with all the arrows on the ground. Look down on people, would he?
He had never seen someone praise and belittle the same person at the same time.
Chen Bai could not help retorting, “Mountain Lord just likes my sincerity.”
Qi Zheng’s brows furrowed. Sincerity? More like a fraud. Every time that demon said he was going off to undergo tribulation, he had never once seen Chen Zixiu pray devoutly.
“I truly don’t know how someone like Mountain Lord took a liking to you.”
Chen Bai: “…”
Bah. He was going to sulk by himself.
There was nothing he could do. His reputation was foul beyond belief now, so he could not blame someone for praising the high and stepping on the low. If Qi Zheng did not have a prior agreement with Mountain Lord, he probably would not even bother speaking to him.
But after class ended, Chen Bai received a voice message from Qi Zheng.
“Have you arranged everything for tomorrow’s banquet?”
Chen Bai replied directly, “I heard you have a lot of opinions about my believer.”
Qi Zheng’s face darkened. Chen Zixiu had actually tattled again. Was he even a man? How could he be so petty? He was useless at everything except complaining.
The next day, outside Shangjing, carriage after carriage began heading toward Qi Zheng’s fief.
Not only that, many people of Shangjing were also streaming in the same direction.
Although Prince Zheng’s household had said the divine bird was still lingering on the mountaintop, who knew if it might suddenly fly away? They had to hurry and see it at least once.
It had been many years since such a grand procession had appeared.
At this moment, in the Tingwei residence, Chen Xiaobu had also found Chen Bai.
“Brother, take me to see the divine bird! It’s caused an uproar outside.”
Unfortunately, Chen Bai had to attend the banquet today as Mountain Lord.
“Brother, you really aren’t going? That’s an auspicious omen. Many people never get to see one in their lifetime.”
Chen Bai smiled. “Isn’t Mother going to see it too? Go with Mother.”
Chen Xiaobu scratched his head. This was such an interesting event, yet his brother was completely unmoved? He could actually resist going to take a look?
After Chen Xiaobu and Lady Ronghua left, Chen Bai also went to Qi Zheng’s residence. Qi Zheng was waiting to go to the fief with him.
Qi Zheng could not help glancing at Chen Bai. Ever since Chen Zixiu had “shamelessly” complained the day before, this demon had been cold and indifferent toward him. It was infuriating.
Chen Bai said, “That believer of mine is actually quite a good person. Don’t bully him for no reason.”
He had asked Qi Zheng to protect someone, but Qi Zheng had ended up bullying him for fun instead.
Qi Zheng’s mouth twitched. A good person? Pick any random Shangjing resident and ask them if they believed that.
Chen Bai said nothing more. Compared with Qi Zheng’s two completely different attitudes toward him, slapping Crown Prince Jiao in the face today was much more satisfying.
Besides sending an invitation to Shang Wangshu, the witness, Qi Zheng had also sent one to Crown Prince Jiao.
Crown Prince Jiao would definitely have to come and take a look too. Otherwise, how could he accept the result?
Others were going to Qi Zheng’s fief to see the divine bird, but Shang Wangshu and Crown Prince Jiao were there to judge the outcome of the fourth question.
The procession was vast and mighty. From inside the carriage, Chen Bai saw many old court officials. The Nine Ministers were present, and the hundred officials were traveling in grand style.
Even the Emperor, if he did not come personally, would probably have to send someone to take a look.
Qi Zheng looked at Chen Bai. This demon truly knew how to surprise him. He had actually attracted two divine birds, forcing all these people to attend his banquet.
When everyone reached the fief…
Sure enough, it was a wilderness.
However, one mountain was especially strange. It had actually been fenced off. What was going on?
From far away, countless figures could be seen on the mountain.
Chen Bai and Qi Zheng got out of the carriage and waited for a while. Soon, Shang Wangshu and Crown Prince Jiao arrived.
When Crown Prince Jiao saw the barren mountains and wild land, he finally relaxed a little. Qi Zheng wanted to win with this?
Shang Wangshu said, “May I ask where Your Highness’s answer to the fourth question is?”
The other old officials also spoke up. “Is the divine peacock bird on this mountain?”
Qi Zheng looked at Chen Bai. Chen Bai was responsible for all this.
Chen Bai stepped forward. “Whether it is the answer to the fourth question, the divine peacock bird, or the location of today’s banquet, all of it is on this mountain. Everyone, please.”
Crown Prince Jiao let out a cold snort. He wanted to see what mystery they were trying to sell.
As everyone approached the mountain, they soon discovered the large groups of people working on it.
Chen Bai did not explain anything. Nothing was better than seeing it with their own eyes.
As soon as they climbed the mountain, Shang Wangshu looked thoughtfully at the refugees who were laboring.
Before he could think further, many cries of surprise suddenly rang out from the mountain.
“Heavens, so many rabbits!”
The people behind hurriedly followed out of curiosity, and when they looked, they were all stunned.
So many… so many rabbits. Rabbits covered the entire mountain, as far as the eye could see. The visual impact was indescribable.
They had never seen so many rabbits in their lives.
An uproar broke out.
The crowd immediately grew excited and lively.
Even those whose minds were full of seeing the divine bird on the mountaintop could not help stopping in their tracks.
Cries of surprise and admiration rang out continuously. This scene alone made the trip worthwhile.
Someone even reached out to catch a rabbit. That would not do.
A refugee watching over the area hurriedly ran over. “Everyone, please don’t catch them. These are not wild rabbits from the mountain. They are rabbits Prince Zheng is raising here.”
His words were truly shocking.
Everyone’s eyes turned toward Qi Zheng.
Qi Zheng replied, “That is correct. These rabbits still need to be raised for some time before they mature. It would be a pity to catch them now.”
Hiss!
Unbelievable. Prince Zheng had really raised them.
And he had raised far too many.
Some ladies and young misses actually crouched down and began petting the rabbits. They were not trying to catch them, merely unable to resist touching them because they were so cute.
Yet the rabbits neither dodged nor ran. The people petted them, and they ate their grass.
The ladies and young misses liked them so much they could barely express it. They had seen rabbits before, but those rabbits always ran when they saw people. When had they ever had a chance to touch them?
The refugees nearby looked toward Qi Zheng and Chen Bai, unsure whether to stop them or not.
Chen Bai shook his head. Why stop them? As long as they were not deliberately trying to catch and take them away, it was fine. Going up the mountain to play with rabbits was one of the mountain’s unique attractions. Once the news spread back to Shangjing, those noble ladies and young misses living deep within their homes would probably be unable to resist coming here for an outing. They were all potential customers.
Along the way, refugees could be seen working.
None of the people present were fools. Qi Zheng had actually used this method to support the refugees.
Looking at the mountain full of rabbits, the return did not seem low either.
Crown Prince Jiao’s expression became rather unpleasant.
He had seen the answer to the fourth question.
Shang Wangshu said, “Why don’t we continue to the mountaintop and witness the divine bird?”
Aside from the Emperor, he had no one to answer to, yet he still had to help Crown Prince Jiao save face. But it was also Crown Prince Jiao’s own fault for being so disappointing. How had he kept losing? And in every field, he had lost to the same person.
There was no need for him to announce the result. The difference was already clear.
Only then did everyone react. They had come to see the divine peacock bird. They must not delay. What if the divine bird flew away?
The road up the mountain was not short. This was a large mountain.
At this moment, the simple tea stalls placed at intervals became especially noticeable. People inevitably stopped to drink a bowl and quench their thirst.
“Everyone, please drink without worry. This water is mountain spring water, very clean. It was boiled first and then left to cool.” The stall owner was an old man, and he hurriedly greeted them.
Mountain Lord had said they did not need to make the tea expensive, because they could not afford to provide expensive tea anyway. But they absolutely had to make people feel safe drinking it.
Shang Wangshu could not help asking, “Can a tea stall on this mountain actually get business?”
“My lord, what are you saying? This stall was only allowed because Mountain Lord saw that our family is made up of the old, weak, sick, and disabled, and truly cannot handle heavy labor. Other people don’t even have the chance to set one up. Look, there are plenty of people coming up the mountain. In just this short time, I’ve already sold several pots of tea.”
His face was full of smiles. To him, this was already an incredible livelihood, and he was very satisfied.
Qi Zheng could not help glancing at Chen Bai. There was actually such a consideration behind it. He had thought Chen Bai had merely let the refugees set up tea stalls however they pleased, but it turned out he had taken care of families that lacked enough laborers.
Shang Wangshu could not help chatting with Chen Bai.
Chen Bai also took the opportunity to explain the idea of work-relief to Shang Wangshu. There were so many refugees under heaven. If he could help even a little, then he would. Life was not easy, and in the end, he could not bring himself to be cold and heartless.
Qi Zheng also added a few words from time to time. He had gained some understanding of it as well. Some court officials, when they became absorbed in listening, could not help joining in and offering their own comments.
The officials traveling with them could not help looking at Qi Zheng a few more times. Rumor had it that Prince Zheng was solitary by nature, opinionated, self-willed, and unpredictable. But looking at him now, he did not seem quite as the rumors described.
This was also Chen Bai’s first time communicating with officials of the Great Qian court, and he found it rather interesting. These officials were not to be underestimated. Many of the practical questions they raised were things even Chen Bai had not thought of.
Crown Prince Jiao, off to the side, felt rather uncomfortable. But who cared about him? He had his own lackeys to flatter him.
They walked and stopped along the way. By the time they reached the mountaintop, there were already quick-footed commoners from Shangjing gathered there, watching the peacocks.
The two magnificent divine birds, far from flying away, actually approached people to beg for food. They were almost impossibly miraculous.
Everyone who saw them was dazed. First, because they were truly stunningly beautiful; second, because they really did seem like divine birds, almost capable of understanding humans.
“They truly are breathtakingly beautiful.”
“Look at those tail feathers. So colorful and dazzling. Only a divine bird from heaven could look like this.”
“They look exactly like the eight paintings.”
“This mountain has divine birds descending upon it, and a whole mountain of rabbits too. Could it be a sacred mountain?”
Discussions rose one after another, and the atmosphere was lively beyond words.
The two peacocks alone were enough to become the highlight of the entire banquet.
Since it was a banquet, food and wine naturally had to be provided.
The mountaintop had already been arranged, though the number of seats was limited. Qi Zheng had only invited those people.
Those who had not been invited did not need to worry either. Below, there were simple tea stalls and pastry stalls, so they would not go hungry.
The wine and dishes were provided by Qi Zheng’s household, and they should have met the proper standards.
However, no one seemed to care about those things now. They had all gone to look at the peacocks. Some ladies and young misses did not dare squeeze into the crowd, so they simply stayed to the side and teased the rabbits. In twos and threes, they chatted and played happily, which was rather amusing.
“There are just a bit too many people.”
Chen Bai glanced at Qi Zheng. This guy had been worried no one would come to his banquet. How about now? Look, people were already complaining there were too many visitors.
The liveliness on the mountaintop exceeded everyone’s imagination.
From time to time, the peacocks cried out, their calls sounding like infants, leaving people refreshed and delighted.
Distinguished guests filled the seats, and the mountain breeze blew gently. Cups were exchanged in toast.
So many refined scholars could not resist composing a few poems on the spot, and others of similar interests naturally joined in.
Some court officials were also speaking freely, discussing government affairs and ambitions with unrestrained ease.
It was more like one of Shangjing people’s favorite outings into the countryside.
Once the news spread back to Shangjing, it would surely attract many visitors coming to satisfy their curiosity. A countryside outing could be taken anywhere, so why not come to this sacred mountain to see divine birds and play with rabbits?
And this was before the grapes had even been planted. At the moment, the mountain still looked somewhat barren. Once the grape trellises were set up and green paths formed in the shade, that would be truly beautiful.
As the host of this banquet, and since this was Qi Zheng’s first time entertaining guests in his fief after establishing his household, he naturally had to accompany these old officials for a few drinks.
These court officials could not attend just any banquet, as they had to avoid arousing suspicion. However, the two banquets for a prince establishing his household and for a prince’s marriage held special significance, so they were exceptions. There was nothing inappropriate about their coming.
Some old officials who usually disliked Qi Zheng’s personality even raised their cups toward him without ceremony. Prince Zheng’s settlement of the refugees this time, as well as some of his views on work-relief during the climb up the mountain, had changed their impressions of him somewhat.
Of course, these old officials were not polite when they spoke either. “Second Highness, you’ll have plenty to keep you busy with this fief in the future.”
Indeed. Although there were divine birds and tame rabbits, the surrounding area was still barren mountains and wilderness.
“If Second Highness can truly govern your fief into something decent, this old man will have to say the word ‘admiration’ to you.” That old official had probably drunk a few cups too many.
Qi Zheng responded to each of them accordingly.
It was a good banquet. The weather was kind as well, and the mountain breeze was pleasant.
However, there were always people who could not stand such a harmonious atmosphere.
Suddenly, Crown Prince Jiao spoke up. “Royal Brother, you are raising rabbits all over this mountain to benefit the refugees. But Royal Brother may not know this—besides the refugees in your fief, there are many more in other places. I have been responsible for settling refugees over the years, so I understand this best. Why don’t I have people catch some rabbits and take them back so refugees elsewhere can raise them too?”
“They are all refugees of our Great Qian. Surely Royal Brother would not favor one group over another?”
His words sounded perfectly reasonable, as though he were wholeheartedly thinking of the refugees in other places.
But the voices around them all stopped.
The refugees on the mountaintop who were tending to the peacocks felt their hearts sink. If Crown Prince Jiao took the rabbits away, what livelihood would they have left?
Chen Bai glanced at Crown Prince Jiao. This man was not thinking of finding a way out for the other refugees. Instead, he had set his sights on someone else’s things.
Was he trying to be generous with another person’s property? And he had even dug a pit for Qi Zheng. If Qi Zheng refused, unpleasant rumors would surely spread, saying Qi Zheng was selfish and only cared about his own refugees while ignoring the lives of refugees elsewhere.
Chen Bai sneered aloud. “The Crown Prince has spent so many years settling refugees and never once wholeheartedly thought of finding them a livelihood. Now you are suddenly quite enthusiastic.”
His words were truly rather blunt.
Sure enough, someone immediately shouted, “Impudent! You have no respect for hierarchy…”
But before he could finish, Qi Zheng interrupted him, even more bluntly. “How is Royal Brother’s behavior different from robbery? I am still a prince, yet Royal Brother can make such a demand in front of everyone. Does that mean that in the fiefs of other nobles, Royal Brother can also take whatever he pleases without even asking?”
The atmosphere instantly froze.
At this moment, a voice suddenly cut in. “The matter of the refugees is a matter for the court. Second Highness offering his strength is already an unexpected delight. Crown Prince need not be overly harsh.”
The speaker was actually one of the Three Dukes, Gan Xun.
Gan Xun’s expression was unreadable, but his eyes still glanced at Crown Prince Jiao. This Crown Prince Jiao was truly hard to describe. Last time, he had ruined his grandson’s birthday banquet, and now here he was again…
After saying that, Gan Xun continued, “I hear that the contest between the Crown Prince’s retainers and Second Highness’s retainers has been rather interesting. How about I set the next question in place of Duke Shang?”
With a casual sentence, he shifted the topic away, as though the earlier scene had never happened. Ginger was still spicier when old.
Even Shang Wangshu could not help pausing. Last time, he had deliberately set a question to extricate himself. Why was Gan Xun now taking the initiative to get involved?
At their position, there was no need for them to take sides. They could simply sit back and watch the princes fight.
They understood one principle even better: so what if one side won or lost? It was no more meaningful than children playing. None of it could compare to a single decree from the Emperor.
Shang Wangshu smiled. “If Duke Gan is in the mood, then why not set this question?”
Gan Xun cupped his hands in response. “Then I shall be so bold.”
“As everyone knows, our Great Qian has a fierce and valiant folk custom. Every adult man can go to the battlefield and become the bravest of warriors. The surrounding nations all fear us.”
At this point, everyone around could not help straightening their chests. Who did not fear the ferocity of Great Qian’s soldiers?
“But when it comes to culture and education, it is somewhat difficult to speak of.”
Everyone: “…”
Wasn’t that true? There were basically no cultural activities. They had even heard scholars from other countries say that the people of Great Qian were all uncivilized, which was truly infuriating.
Gan Xun continued, “Recently, the Crown Prince of Great Zhao will be visiting our Great Qian as an envoy. So for this fifth question: make an envoy from another nation praise the culture and education of our Great Qian. How about that?”
Everyone: “…”
That was far too difficult. It would already be good enough if the envoy did not mock them.
Gan Xun thought to himself that he certainly did not want to get involved in a struggle between princes. So when setting a question, either he had to set one so easy it could be passed immediately—but that would be too obvious—or he had to set one so difficult it could not be completed.
When Chen Bai heard the question, however, he was a little stunned. The modern era he came from was one where a hundred flowers bloomed and culture and education flourished like never before. Educational methods were as numerous as stars in the sky. This counted as a difficult question?
A farce ended with the announcement of a new contest question.
Ignoring that one scene, the banquet as a whole was very successful.
Chen Bai quietly slipped off to the side to pet the rabbits, leaving Qi Zheng to deal with the old officials.
From time to time, he glanced at Crown Prince Jiao’s gloomy face, and his mood was especially good. What Crown Prince Jiao owed him, he would slowly get back bit by bit.
His pleasant mood lasted until the banquet ended.
Qi Zheng handled the closing matters. Chen Bai had also grown tired from climbing the mountain today, so he returned home, took a bath, and prepared to sleep. He did not care that the outside world was already spreading today’s banquet far and wide.
At this moment, Qi Zheng sent him a voice message.
“How do we solve Duke Gan’s question?”
Chen Bai lay on his bed. “Give me three hundred taels of gold, and I’ll build a schoolhouse. I guarantee we’ll win. Aren’t you trying to figure out how to make those refugees stay and become your subjects? Build a schoolhouse and set up three years of compulsory education. Those refugees with children—would they still be willing to leave?”
In ancient times, studying was the rarest opportunity. Usually, wealthy clans built private schools themselves and hired masters. Without connections, one could not enter.
Qi Zheng: “…”
It did sound like a good method.
But…
“Three hundred taels of gold? You really dare to ask.”
An ordinary schoolhouse would not cost that much money.
Chen Bai replied, “Can it be the same? I’m going to build you a multifunctional electronic classroom. Let that Zhao Crown Prince broaden his horizons.”
Qi Zheng thought to himself, what kind of nonsense was that? “Are you planning to teach a bunch of immortals?”
Chen Bai almost laughed because of him. But the students he taught in this era might really deserve to be called immortals.
After a while, Qi Zheng sent another message.
“Demon, want to look at the potatoes? They grew especially well today.”
Chen Bai replied with an animated sticker of a sleepy little child.
Qi Zheng: “…”
His eyeballs almost stuck to the phone. This… what was this now? It was so foolishly cute.
