My sister became the empress, but I'm still growing vegetables and raising chickens

Chapter 182 New Academy

Master Cen of Xiangshan Village became a laughing stock for plagiarizing someone else's work. However, since the book was given to him by Song Chunbo, he could not be convicted. Instead, Cen Cheng was sentenced to pay compensation and receive ten strokes of the cane for assaulting Song Chunbo.

Master Cen could no longer teach, and Cen Cheng had no chance of taking the imperial examination.

Song Chunbo's family was filled with joy.

Chunbo's mother was still touching Song Chunbo's face with heartache: "Why did you take the lead? What does it have to do with you? Being beaten like this..."

Uncle Chunbo said, "Chunbo did the right thing. If he hadn't bravely rushed forward, how could there be such an opportunity?"

Chunbo's mother said unhappily, "That's just luck. If the truth hadn't been discovered, wouldn't Chunbo have been beaten for nothing? And if the Master retaliated, what would he do in the future?"

"What a woman's perspective! How could my brother marry such a short-sighted woman like you?" Chunbo's uncle scolded, "If that Master Cen really dares to prevent Chunbo from taking the exam, I will file a complaint with the county and even the city to seek justice for our Chunbo!"

Chunbo's mother complained to herself, "If something like that really happened, you'd probably just sigh at home." But since her uncle was angry, she didn't dare to say anything.

Chunbo's aunt happily packed her nephew's luggage. "Don't stand there, sister-in-law. Chunbo is going to the academy tomorrow. You've heard of people like Dongli Jushi. Those who have been taught by him are very powerful. Our Chunbo is going to be his student. What do you call that?"

Song Dahe interjected: "Mom, this is called a closed disciple!"

Uncle Chunbo scolded, "What nonsense! A closed disciple always follows the master. Chunbo only went to study for half a month. How can he be called a closed disciple?"

Aunt Chunbo said cheerfully, "It doesn't matter what kind of disciple he is, as long as he is a disciple of Master Dongli. Our Chunbo has great potential, so he must study hard when he goes there."

Song Chunbo nodded: "Don't worry, Auntie, I will work hard and bring honor to our family in the future!"

Chunbo's mother discussed again: "Dahe's father, sister-in-law, this time our Chunbo was able to catch the eye of Dongli Layman, thanks to Master Si. Why don't you take sister-in-law and sister-in-law to thank him?"

Just as Uncle Chunbo was about to respond, Chunbo's mother immediately jumped up.

"Thank him? That shady fellow. If it weren't for our Chunbo, he wouldn't even know his stuff was stolen! He should be the one thanking us!"

Uncle Chunbo's face darkened, and he said coldly, "Who in our village doesn't praise Master Si? The Si family's shop and workshop have provided jobs for so many women in our village, and the literacy classes have taught so many children to read and write, so they can find good jobs and earn money in the future. You're the only one who always thinks they have bad intentions. Besides, if you hadn't made a fuss back then, would the books Master Si gave Chunbo have fallen into the hands of others?"

Chunbo's mother said unhappily, "Who knows what he's thinking? If his book is really a treasure, would he just bring it back to Chunbo casually? I don't believe it!"

"You! You, you, you..." Uncle Chunbo slammed the table, "You are such an ignorant woman. If you can't speak, just shut up! When Chunbo comes back from college, I plan to send him to the Si family and let Master Si educate him well. If you are not happy with it, I will write a letter of divorce for my deceased brother right now, and you can go back!"

Because of her beauty, the scholar took a fancy to Chun Bo Niang at first sight and spent twice as much as other families to marry her. Later, the scholar left and Chun Bo Niang's family wanted to take their daughter back with them. Chun Bo Niang was reluctant to leave the easy life at the scholar's house and refused to agree. So Chun Bo's uncle took the initiative and gave her some money to keep her.

Over the years, the first wife had done all the rough and heavy work at home. The family saved money to support Song Chunbo's education and never let Chunbo's mother suffer. Everyone pitied her for losing her husband so early and treated him very well.

She was used to a good life and had long forgotten that men have the final say in family matters. Even if her husband is gone, she still has her uncle.

If she really angered her uncle, no matter whether she was sent back to her parents' home or remarried, her life would not be as happy as it is now.

Chunbo's mother looked at Song Chunbo for help.

However, Song Chunbo puffed his lips and said, "The teacher is good to me. I know it in my heart. He said I have great potential, but it was just Master Cen who held me back. If I could learn from him, I could try it out next year!"

Uncle Chunbo said, "Okay, I'll go talk to the Si family and give Master Si a monthly stipend. As long as you can continue your studies, I will definitely support you!"

For several days in a row, the Si family's doorstep was almost broken down.

Firstly, the book that Dongli Jushi praised so highly was written by Si Xingzhi, and Si Xingzhi's reputation spread quickly. Those students who could not see Dongli Jushi ran to Songji Village to seek advice from Si Xingzhi.

Secondly, the only school in the area was without a teacher, so it naturally couldn't continue. Of course, there were other people who could have been teachers, but everyone felt that Si Xingzhi was the right person. So, families with children who needed to start a school came to Si Xingzhi, hoping he would open a school.

Si Xingzhi was worried: "It's not impossible for me to teach the children, but I don't have the qualifications to recommend them. Even if the children learn well, they won't be able to take the imperial examinations."

For children in the village to take the imperial examinations, they had to be recommended by someone who had already passed the imperial examinations. Furthermore, according to the rules of the Great Zhou Dynasty, each person could only recommend two candidates each year. In the past, everyone relied on Master Cen—but Master Cen had never raised a child who could pass the imperial examinations.

If it is changed to Si Xingzhi, there will not even be a vacancy. Where will they find a recommender?

For a moment, everyone was a little confused.

Finally, Song Lizheng patted his head and said, "I'll go ask the headman!"

The headman did not say anything and reported the matter to the county.

The county magistrate frowned. The county had a teacher, usually the headmaster of the academy. However, Phoenix Academy was very famous throughout Lingnan City, and the headmaster was directly appointed by Lingnan City, not him.

Now, this teacher, because he is Cen Cheng's cousin and has been found to have neglected his duties over the years, has been suspended and investigated, and there is no result yet.

The new teacher has to wait for arrangements from Lingnan City, and he can't find a replacement for the time being.

The county magistrate said, "Sir, he is just a village teacher. Since he is capable of teaching children, let him teach. If he raises good students, it will be an honor for our county. As for the recommendation, just give the school two places a year."

The magistrate said, "But he is a criminal after all. What if the higher-ups blame him in the future?"

The county magistrate said, "Then you should first write a letter to the magistrate Luo, asking him to help smooth things over. Then you can write a letter to the prefect. With the magistrate's mediation, how can the prefect not give you this favor?"