nycdaug Chapter 146 The Seekers Who Eagerly Seek Mentors
Chapter 146 The Seekers Who Eagerly Seek Mentors
Seeking teachers who are eager for talent
Su Yunlan sighed softly, a hint of weariness in her brows, but the determination in her eyes was undeniable.
"The funding issue is mostly resolved, but finding a renowned teacher will likely be even more difficult than raising the money." Her slender fingers tapped lightly on the table, producing a crisp sound that seemed to strike Xiao Yuhan's heart.
Xiao Yuhan's deep gaze fell on her slightly pale face, and a pang of heartache welled up in his heart.
He knew that rebuilding the academy was Su Yunlan's wish, and that she was sowing the seeds of hope for this era.
He took her hand, his broad, warm palm enveloping her slightly cool fingertips. "Lan'er, don't worry, I'll take care of everything." His deep voice was like a ray of warm sunshine, dispelling the gloom in her heart.
Back home, Su Yunlan spread out a sheet of Xuan paper, picked up a brush, and wrote down several names, each of which was renowned and enjoyed a high reputation in the local academic community.
Xiao Yuhan quietly ground the ink beside her, his gaze following the movement of her brush tip, the rich fragrance of ink filling the room.
“These gentlemen are all highly respected elders, but…” Su Yunlan’s tone was hesitant, “most of them adhere to tradition and may not be willing to accept the academy’s new teaching philosophy.”
Xiao Yuhan pondered for a moment, "Lan'er might as well go and pay a visit first; perhaps she can gain something from it."
The next morning, Su Yunlan took Young Master Xiao to the outskirts of the city to visit Master Zhao.
Master Zhao was a renowned scholar, enjoying considerable prestige in the region.
Upon arriving at the Zhao residence, we passed through winding corridors and came to a quiet study.
Master Zhao was sitting at his desk, holding an ancient book in his hands, reciting it with a swaying head.
His hair and beard were all white, and he wore an elegant long robe, giving him a somewhat otherworldly and refined air.
Hearing footsteps, Master Zhao slowly raised his head, his gaze falling on Su Yunlan with a hint of scrutiny.
"What brings you here, Fourth Young Mistress?" His tone was indifferent, with a hint of aloofness.
Su Yunlan explained his purpose, and Master Zhao simply smiled faintly after hearing it. "Rebuild the academy? In these difficult times, what use is studying? I only wish to enjoy my old age and devote myself to scholarship. I have no interest in these mundane matters." He put down the book in his hand, picked up his teacup, and took a small sip, seemingly not wanting to say anything more to Su Yunlan.
Young Master Xiao was watching anxiously from the side and was about to speak when Su Yunlan stopped him.
She smiled slightly, "Master Zhao, you are mistaken..."
Su Yunlan calmly took out a stack of papers from her sleeve and respectfully handed them to Master Zhao with both hands. "Master, this is my proposed teaching plan for the academy. Please give me your guidance."
Master Zhao was reluctant to accept it, but Su Yunlan's clear and firm gaze made him hesitate for a moment before finally reaching out to take it.
He flipped through the pages casually, but as he delved deeper, his initially nonchalant expression gradually became serious, and his brows furrowed slightly, sometimes relaxing and sometimes tightening.
As Su Yunlan observed the changes in Zhao Fuzi's expression, a glimmer of hope gradually ignited in her heart.
She explained at the opportune moment: "In today's turbulent world, people need knowledge to arm themselves. I plan to introduce some new subjects into the academy, such as farming, water conservancy, and medicine, so that students can not only study the classics but also learn practical skills to better serve the people in the future."
Upon hearing the word "medical skills," Master Zhao's eyes lit up. He pointed to a page and asked, "This...this is the content of the long-lost fragment of the 'Qing Nang Jing'?" His aged voice trembled slightly, and his cloudy eyes gleamed with excitement.
Su Yunlan nodded slightly, "That's right. I obtained it by chance, and I hope to carry it forward and benefit the people."
Master Zhao stood up excitedly, pacing back and forth, muttering to himself, "Wonderful, wonderful! If these lost medical skills can truly be brought back to the world, this old man..." He suddenly stopped, his gaze fixed intently on Su Yunlan, "Fourth Young Madam, this old man has a request!"
Sunlight streamed through the window and fell on Su Yunlan's face, giving her a soft glow.
Her eyes sparkled, a confident smile playing on her lips, as she quietly awaited Master Zhao's next words.
Not far away, Xiao Yuhan watched Su Yunlan quietly.
Her confidence, her composure, and her wisdom deeply attracted him.
He watched her speak eloquently and handle Master Zhao's questions with ease, his eyes filled with admiration and affection.
Su Yunlan seemed to sense his gaze, turned her head and smiled slightly at him, a warm feeling welling up in her heart.
Master Zhao took a deep breath and slowly said, "I am willing to join the academy, but..." He paused, a shrewd glint in his eyes, "I have a few more conditions..."
"...I am willing to join the academy, but..." Master Zhao paused, a shrewd glint in his eyes, "...I have a few more conditions..."
He stroked his beard and slowly said, "Firstly, my treatment at the academy cannot be lower than that of Master Zhang at the Li Family Academy in the city; secondly, the academy's collection must include several rare books that meet my standards; thirdly..." His gaze shifted to Su Yunlan, with a hint of scrutiny, "Although Fourth Young Madam has a good reputation, she is still young. Managing the academy is not an easy task. I wonder if Fourth Young Madam..."
Master Zhao's series of questions instantly made the atmosphere in the room heavy.
Young Master Xiao was so anxious that he kept rubbing his hands, but he didn't dare to say a word.
Su Yunlan remained calm. She smiled slightly and replied slowly, "What Master Zhao is concerned about is all reasonable. As for the treatment, Yunlan will do her best to meet it; as for managing the academy, although Yunlan has no experience, she is willing to learn humbly and work with all the teachers to run the academy well."
Master Zhao listened, but simply stroked his beard, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
His shrewd eyes scanned Su Yunlan, seemingly assessing the credibility of her words.
The study was so quiet you could hear a pin drop; only the occasional birdsong from outside the window accentuated the somber atmosphere.
Su Yunlan knew that it would be difficult to persuade this stubborn old scholar with words alone.
She secretly took a deep breath and slowly took out an old-fashioned book from her sleeve.
The book's cover was yellowed and the corners were worn, yet it exuded a faint scent of ink, as if telling the story of the passage of time.
"Master Zhao, this is an ancient book from the academy's library. Please take a look." Su Yunlan held the book with both hands and respectfully handed it to Master Zhao.
Master Zhao's previously indifferent gaze suddenly lit up the moment he saw the book.
He almost snatched the book from him and carefully turned the pages.
His fingers trembled as he stroked the ancient characters, his eyes gleaming with fervent light.
"This...this is...a unique copy of 'Strange Tales of Mountains and Seas'!" Master Zhao's voice trembled with excitement. "I have searched for it for many years without success, but I never expected to find it here!"
Seeing Zhao Fuzi's delighted expression, Su Yunlan's lips curled up slightly, revealing a confident smile.
She knew that this ancient book had successfully opened Master Zhao's heart.
Master Zhao held the ancient book, turning the pages with great interest, sometimes nodding in admiration, sometimes pondering in a low voice.
He was completely immersed in the world of the book, as if he had forgotten everything around him.
After a long while, Master Zhao reluctantly closed the book, looked up, and his gaze toward Su Yunlan had clearly changed.
The scrutiny and doubt that had been there before were replaced by appreciation and anticipation in his eyes.
"Fourth Young Madam, I'm determined to attend this academy!" Master Zhao's words were firm. "However..." He hesitated for a moment, glancing at the ancient book in his hand, "I have one more request..."
Su Yunlan smiled slightly, but she knew in her heart that the road to recruiting renowned teachers had only just begun.
Besides Master Zhao, there were many other learned and virtuous gentlemen she needed to visit and persuade one by one.
Moreover, having renowned teachers is not enough; you also need students who are willing to learn.
"And there are still a few gentlemen there..." Su Yunlan looked out the window, her tone firm.