Professor Feng was choked by Li Yi's words. He coughed dryly and said awkwardly, "Ahem … don't talk nonsense. I am the prefectural school professor of Qing An Prefecture."
"Call me a beast?"
Li Yi looked at the middle-aged man in front of him with some surprise. His first thought was that he was actually a university professor in the future. He then realized that "professor" seemed to be an official position here, mainly responsible for the education of a prefecture. The prefectural school professor of Qing An Prefecture was almost equivalent to the director of the city's education bureau in the future.
However, he didn't plan on taking the imperial examinations. Even if he was the director of the education bureau, he wouldn't be able to control him, much less the director of the education bureau.
Since he wasn't the prefectural magistrate, Li Yi didn't need to be so careful. However, he still had the necessary etiquette. After all, he still had the identity of a scholar. He bowed respectfully and said, "Sir," The Rules of a Disciple "was written by me."
Shamelessly claiming the fruits of someone else's labor as his own, he blushed slightly.
Professor Feng nodded slightly. The young man in front of him looked talented. Looking at his words and actions, he seemed to be a person who knew how to behave. His first impression of him was not bad.
However, thinking about it, to be able to write an essay like "The Rules of a Disciple", his character would certainly not be bad.
If he could be guided a little and get him on the right path, he might be able to achieve great things in the future.
In layman's terms, he felt that Li Yi still needed to be saved.
He nodded in satisfaction and then turned to look at Prefectural Magistrate Dong. After all, Prefectural Magistrate Dong was the main character today. There were some things that he shouldn't meddle in.
Prefectural Magistrate Dong didn't seem to see his gaze. He looked around at the decorations in the shop. One moment he looked at the shelves, the next moment he looked at the paintings on the wall. He didn't seem to speak at all.
Seeing this, Professor Feng was slightly taken aback. He wondered what was wrong with Prefectural Magistrate Dong. Didn't he say he would personally lecture him?
Before he came, Prefectural Magistrate Dong had specifically told him not to reveal his identity and to just treat him as one of his tutors. However, Professor Feng didn't dare to treat him as a tutor. Seeing this, he didn't dare to remind him and could only do it himself.
What Professor Feng didn't know was that Prefectural Magistrate Dong was still curious as to why Princess Yongle was here. What was her relationship with this scholar? Why would she speak so casually?
Professor Feng looked at Li Yi and said in a deep voice, "The rhythm of this' Disciple Rules' is easy to read and the content is simple. It preaches the Way of the Sage. I have discussed with the Prefectural Magistrate, and we wish to use it as an introductory book to spread throughout the prefecture. Are you willing?"
Li Yi was not surprised by Professor Feng's words.
Yesterday, when Qin Qing told him about this matter, Li Yi had already prepared himself for someone to come looking for him.
After such a long time, he had more or less figured out the situation of this world.
When he first read the Annals of the Jing Kingdom, he was completely clueless about the history of the Jing Kingdom. However, when he went back further, he could find some familiar traces.
Xia, Shang, Zhou, Qin, Chu, Han, Three Kingdoms, Wei, Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties were all there. The general direction remained the same, but when Li Yi compared more specific details, characters, or some minor events with the history books in the library, he found that there were still some discrepancies.
The wheel of history officially began to deviate and diverge, probably during the Sui and Tang Dynasties.
The country named Tang ended the chaotic times at the end of the Sui Dynasty. However, not long after the country was founded, it welcomed a major split, forming a regime similar to the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms. The Jing Kingdom was established at that time, and it had been 50 to 60 years since then.
There was no Three Character Classic or Thousand Character Classic in this world. Although there were other introductory books to replace them, they were relatively obscure and not suitable for children to learn. They were far from being as easy to understand as the 'Disciple Rules'.
The 'Disciple Rules' still had a lot of controversy in later generations. Some people said that it promoted foolish teachings, and was only suitable for the ancient feudal society. Both sides expressed their own views, and the controversy was not small. However, in the current Jing Kingdom, where Confucianism was still the mainstream, no one dared to say that the 'Disciple Rules' promoted 'foolish teachings'.
The father was the ruler of the sons, and the monarch was the ruler of the ministers. Daring to say that this was a feudal way of thinking, did you want to rebel?
With such a big label on your head, even the most powerful person would be crushed to death.
As these thoughts flashed through his mind, Li Yi looked at Professor Feng, cupped his fists and said, "Everything is up to you, Your Excellency."
This professor had already discussed with the prefectural magistrate, and he still came to ask for his opinion. Wasn't this too much?
If he really felt that it was not good to take something from someone else for free, he could just give him a few thousand taels of silver …
"You are worth teaching." Professor Feng was even more satisfied. He thought to himself that this Elementary Scholar was not like what he had thought. He looked like a promising talent.
As MIngzhu listened to the conversation between the two of them, she could not help but feel a trace of happiness in her heart.
What was this Disciple's Rules? It actually made Prefectural Magistrate Dong and the prefectural school professor come to visit at the same time. Could it be that this scholar had some abilities that she did not know of?
As she thought of this, when she looked at Li Yi again, a strange look appeared in her eyes.
As for Prefectural Magistrate Dong, he had already completely become a qualified follower. He stood behind Professor Feng without saying a word, most of his attention was on MIngzhu.
"Since you have such talent, why don't you think of improving yourself and take the imperial examinations to serve the country? As a scholar, you actually chose to walk such a lowly path. Have all these years of reading by the sages been in vain?" After asking Li Yi symbolically and going through the process once, the next thing to do was to get to the main point.
Professor Feng's face was stern as he looked at him and said this sternly. His voice also raised a few pitches.
This was also the way he usually reprimanded his students.
Li Yi was shocked. He did not expect this guy to change his attitude so quickly. Just a moment ago, he was talking to him in a friendly manner, and the next moment, he turned into a coffin face …
Li Yi did not react for a moment and stood there in a daze.
His expression fell into Professor Feng's eyes. Naturally, he was ashamed of his words and was on the verge of repentance. Professor Feng's expression softened as he looked at him and said, "Since you have done a good job in educating the prefectural school, I can make an exception and allow you to become a scholar in the county school. It will not affect your studies and will also be of great help to you in the future when you take the imperial examinations."
First knock him unconscious with a stick, then feed him a sweet date. Professor Feng had been in charge of the prefectural school for so many years and had long since perfected this method.
He raised his head slightly and looked at the scholar in front of him, waiting for the moment when he would be deeply grateful to him.
Although the rank of a county school official was not high, it was still an official. A High Scholar might not care about it, but it was a position that many Elementary Scholars would fight to get.
If he was lucky enough to become a High Scholar in the future, he might be directly promoted to a teacher and would not have to wait for the Ministry of Appointments to appoint him.
"Scholar?"
After Li Yi reacted, his expression immediately changed.
Not long ago, he had rejected the position of the school teacher and now someone wanted him to become a scholar … He was completely uninterested in this!
If he really became a scholar, he would be under the control of others. He would no longer be able to lie comfortably in the courtyard and bask in the sun. He would also not be able to do things as he pleased. He would probably only be able to earn a few taels of silver a month. He might as well sell a bottle of Ruyi … In just a moment, Li Yi rejected this suggestion.
"Why, you are not willing?" Professor Feng looked at him and asked with a frown.
"It's not that I am not willing …" Li Yi straightened his body and bowed to Professor Feng. With a troubled expression, he said, "It's just that I have had a chronic illness since I was young. Every time I think about taking the imperial examinations and becoming an official, I would be bedridden. I had no choice but to give up on the imperial examinations and become a businessman … Your Excellency, I am very grateful for your kindness. However, because I was born with a chronic illness, I can only thank you for your kindness."
Professor Feng was stunned. What kind of chronic illness was this?
In this world, was there an illness that prevented one from becoming an official?
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