"Xing Hou is back?!"
"How fast!"
All of the officials were stunned when they heard the voice. After all, news of the events on Cang Ling Mountain had just reached the capital recently.
"Have him come in quickly!" Emperor Lin Mubai did not step out of the throne room to welcome him, but he stood up from the throne excitedly.
Before long, Xing Hou, dressed in purple official robes, entered the throne room.
"I have failed your highness, please punish me accordingly!" Xing Yuanguo fell to his knees.
"Official Xing, please rise. I know all about the events on Cang Ling mountain. You have already preserved the pillars of our empire. Where have you failed?" Emperor Lin Mubai comforted.
"Exactly, Xing Hou has suffered so much this time!"
"It is a blessing to the empire that you can return."
All of the officials chimed in. The Stabilisation Constabulary was the pillar of the empire with vast contributions throughout the years. Who dared to say anything against them?
"The main reason why I could save the Mountain Breaking Army and Red Pinion Squad from annihilation is because of Sword Envoy's wit and bravery, as well as Chi Guyan's assistance in the battle. Even though I am guilty, I hope that your highness can reward Fang Zhengzhi and Chi Guyan for their contributions!" Xing Yuanguo continued to kneel.
"Fang Zhengzhi?!"
"He was also on Cang Ling Mountain?"
"What could a nascent Heavenly Reflection State cultivator do?"
All of the officials began discussing Xing Yuanguo's words. His letter had reached the capital two days earlier.
However, he did not go into the details of the happenings on Cang Ling Mountain.
As such, the officials had no idea that Fang Zhengzhi was involved. Little did they expect that Fang Zhengzhi would have made any contributions of note there. What could he have done that would warrant the Stabilisation Constabulary's leader to come request for a reward for him?
Xing Yuanguo rarely involved himself in politics, and had never requested for an official to be rewarded!
Emperor Lin Mubai frowned slightly. He knew Xing Yuanguo's character very well. He would never come asking for a reward for a junior. Now that he did, this man must have done something very important.
"Official Xing, you have weathered much to rush back. I would like to close the discussion on this until tomorrow!" Emperor Lin Mubai waved his hand.
"Yes!"
"Withdraw!"
"Xing Hou, the emperor invites you to the library."
"Yes, your highness!"
Yu Yiping looked at Xing Yuanguo, his eyes glimmering with despair. His near perfect plan was almost complete.
Yet, Xing Yuanguo had come along at just the right time to destroy it.
How could he ever accept it?
"Xing Yuanguo of the Stabilisation Constabulary?! Why would these people who never involved themselves politically speak up for Fang Zhengzhi? King Liqin did so once, now the Stabilisation Constabulary has done so, the Yan Family and the Nangong Family as well... hang on, Nangong Family! If there are no surprises, the top talent who has been in seclusion for four years should reappear soon!"
"Nangong Hao! Four years ago, he managed to defeat Supernatural State cultivators as a Heavenly Reflection State cultivator. Four years later... his potential and abilities promise to excite!"
Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping definitely knew the importance of 'power' in the courts.
Fang Zhengzhi was at his peak. He had broken through all the barriers from the provincial examinations all the way to the imperial one. This was his moment of power.
It was only natural for the neutral parties to ride the wave.
However, once this 'power' was broken, the consequences would be unimaginable. All of the 'backlash' would be enough to paralyze him.
"The court examinations would be where he loses his power!"
Seven days later, the Northern Mountain Village welcomed a very special squad.
They were the best teachers in the Northern Territories. They were proud and haughty. They should have been teaching in the best schools in the land, but they had all been sent to this dilapidated village.
How exasperating.
However, their exasperation did not last for long.
Within half a day, Fang Zhengzhi was able to make these sensei beam like a sun. They walked around the village, spreading happiness to the busy villagers.
This change was confusing for Ping Yang. She simply could not understand what Fang Zhengzhi had done to these teachers.
Their attitudes seemed to have changed completely!
Fang Zhengzhi never told Ping Yang what had transpired when he met the teachers.
Upon meeting them, he gave them one piece of gold each.
All of the sensei were stunned. As teachers, the empire gave them remuneration. How could they accept gold from other sources?
Fang Zhengzhi was not surprised by the sensei reactions. He told them flatly, "From today onwards, I will quadruple your salary. The extra will come from my own pocket, as an incentive!"
All of the sensei looked at each other in confusion. However, when they felt the gold ingot in their hands, they chuckled.
No one here was dumb.
This extra cash was a reimbursement for the hardship they may face when moving to such a village.
Fang Zhengzhi knew exactly what these teachers were thinking. The silver was only able to buy over them temporarily. In order for them to be fully bought over, he had to give them 'hope'.
Then, Fang Zhengzhi made them feel a sense of 'hope' that they had never felt before.
This hope was not something he fluffed up on the spot.
He simply told them about the education model he had in mind. He explained the recruitment of students, to the development of the school and its curriculum. He also told them about splitting up the students into various grades, subjects, and levels.
Initially, the sensei were just moved by the gesture. Then, their thinking began to change. By the end, they were all on the verge of whooping and clapping their approval.
This entire process took four hours.
Then, Fang Zhengzhi played his trump card. He would ensure that this partnership would benefit all parties involved.
Fang Zhengzhi would give the 50 sensei 20% of the profits of the school. However, only those who stayed past the three years would qualify.
This was not harsh. Even without the silvers, they would have to stay here for three years.
Fang Zhengzhi knew that it was impossible for the 50 of them to be completely bought over by his new methods. However, as long as they taught according to his plan, the results would speak for themselves.
He had even introduced the idea of 'stocks' to them.
Three years later...
When they saw the results, he was sure that at least some would stay.
Even if his education method had failed, the education these 50 sensei would provide over the three years would benefit all the students anyways.
This was sufficient for him.
Construction in the Northern Mountain Village continued fervently.
Two days later.
Chi Guyan and Ping Yang left together. When they left, Chi Guyan told Fang Zhengzhi one thing, "Xing Hou has returned to the capital!"
Fang Zhengzhi did not probe. If it was going to rain, he could not do anything to stop it. All he could do was spend some money to buy an umbrella.
Furthermore, he was too busy 'rolling his snowballs'. During his free time, he also had to explain the rules and operation of the school to the sensei.
Wang Anhua was the mediator in these discussions.
Everything was proceeding according to plan. However, Fang Zhengzhi was waiting on one person, a very well informed person.
He had thought that Su Jiu would come, but Wu Yuer was the one who turned up.
A black sedan chair stopped at Fang Zhengzhi's door. Then, more than 10 masked men following behind the sedan chair began bringing silver into Fang Zhengzhi's house.
No one said anything.
Boxes of silver began filling up Fang Zhengzhi's home.
All of the villagers could not believe their eyes.
"Is silver... really that easy to earn?"
Fang Zhengzhi did not speak, nor did he stop them. His lips twitched as he murmured to himself, "This could have been easily done with cheques... the reason for changing them to silver is too obvious."
When the transport of the silvers was done, the door opened from the inside.
However, no one walked out. As such, Fang Zhengzhi had no other choice but to go in.
The moment he entered, he smelled the faint aroma of tea.
"I hear that you are building a school?" A voice rang out.
"It may just be a rumor, why take it so seriously?" Fang Zhengzhi walked to a rosewood table inside the sedan.
There was a lady on the other side of the table.
She wore a blue blouse, a black skirt with golden embroidery and had a scarf on her shoulders. Her eyebrows were a work of art, her skin was white, and there was a red cinnabar in the middle of her forehead.
She was exquisite. Her posture and demeanor were flawless.
Wu Yuer's beauty was undeniable. Her charm was clear for all to see
"What if I saw it for myself?"
"Since you saw it, I can't hide it from you anymore..." Fang Zhengzhi lifted up the glass of tea on the table. He sniffed it, said it was acceptable, then drank it in a single gulp.
"A cup of superior Nine Dragon Red Robe Tea is just acceptable?" Wu Yuer said discontentedly.
"The standard seems to have been raised significantly since our past meetings. What is the reason for that?" Fang Zhengzhi smiled and asked.
"Now that you are a rank four official, and you have grand plans to set up an academy, you have the potential for greatness. The bar has to be raised."
"And then?"
"When news of what happened here reached the capital, all of the officials called for an investigation by the Law Ministry. However, after Xing Hou returned, the emperor quelled all discussion on it. He also did not order you to return."
"I never expected you to have ears in the court as well."
"My guess it that there will be a resolution on this incident when you return to the capital. Your fate would have been decided by then."
"You came all the way here to tell me this?" Fang Zhengzhi served himself another cup of tea.
"In other words, as long as you don't return to the capital, this incident will never be resolved. The law ministry cannot arrest you without a warrant, and you can continue being the Sword Envoy and run your school. Two years later..." Wu Yuer continued.
"What will happen in two years?"
"When the court examinations begin in two years, you can return to partake in them. Your school will also be up and running. I am sure you can take home the top spot and become the top talent." Wu Yuer raised her glass, closed her eyes, and sipped.
"This all sounds good, but your reason for having me wait two years seems a little weak. You said that the issue would be resolved once I return to the capital. Why shouldn't I resolve it earlier rather than later?" Fang Zhengzhi put down his glass, picked up a melon seed and crunched.
"What if I told you that I have intelligence which says that you will have great misfortune if you return to the capital now? Your life might be in danger as well. Is that reason enough?" Wu Yuer placed the cup down, her eyes glowing in anticipation.
"Yes it is." Fang Zhengzhi nodded.
Wu Yuer smiled and reached for a melon seed. Just as she prepared to bite down on it...
Fang Zhengzhi spoke.
"However, when I left the capital, I made a promise to a friend. I promised to meet him at the court examinations. I will keep my promises."
"Is a small deal worth more than your life?" Wu Yuer did not seem to understand. After all, Fang Zhengzhi was not known for being an honorable man.
"The deal is not important, the person I made the deal with is important."
"Is it Yan Xiu?"
"Yes."
Wu Yuer was silent. She put back the melon seed on the plate. Then, she poured herself another cup of tea slightly disorientedly.
The steam floated out of the cup, climbing into the air like a dragon.
"If you are destined not to top the court examinations this time, will you participate?" After some time, Wu Yuer spoke again.
"Yes." Fang Zhengzhi asserted.
"Okay then, I hope you can change your fate."
"I have always believed that I am the master of my own fate. Oh yes, who were the people you consulted this time? They aren't some scammers are they?"
"Haha..." Wu Yuer chuckled lightly and did not say anymore. Only this man would dare call the four sages scammers.
"You have travelled such a long way. Why don't you come inside for a rest?" Fang Zhengzhi invited her inside as he admired her figure.
"Ew! I'm off." Wu Yuer rolled her eyes at Fang Zhengzhi.
"I guess being kind isn't appreciated nowadays. Oh yes, please help me with the marketing for my new school. Here is a silver for your troubles!" Fang Zhengzhi stood up to leave, then left behind a silver.
Wu Yuer picked up the silver and placed it in her pocket. She stared at Fang Zhengzhi's back... "This guy is really shameless. However, a silver is still money. It's better than nothing!"
Three months later, the newly renovated academy took its first step towards success. A three storey high school and a two storey high accomodation block was finished. The hunting ground was almost complete, and books were filling up the library.
The road from the village to Huai An County was also complete.
Recruitment was going extremely well. News that the top 50 sensei in the north were here spread quickly.
Furthermore, with the wide road leading to the village, students from everywhere came to the village in search for a spot.
However...
The date of the court examinations was also nearing.
He knew that it was about time he set off for the capital. His only question was... Has Yan Xiu gotten stronger after so long?