Chapter 264 (1/2)
Chapter 264: Prophecy of the four sages
”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 a.s.sistance 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 att.i.tudes 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 reimburs.e.m.e.nt for the hards.h.i.+p 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 partners.h.i.+p 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.