Chapter 160 - Chapter 160: The Student Knows His Mistake

Chapter 160: The Student Knows His Mistake

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

Ning Dalang could not hide the worry in his eyes. Since the county magistrate was so anxious, did it mean that there was really a problem with the dam in Luo Prefecture?

Xiaoxiao sighed and turned to look in the direction of her neighbor’s house. “Unfortunately, Little Big Brother Ah Yan and the others are not at home.” Ning Erlang laughed at her. “Why? Do you miss him already?”

After saying that, she was knocked on the head by her big brother.

Xiaoxiao pursed her lips. With Little Big Brother Ah Yan and the others around, she could legitimately continue to give special treatment to her family. Ever since her neighbors entered the mountains and no one ate with them, her parents had lowered the standard of their food. They only let her cook plain porridge for breakfast and did not even let her eat meat.

However, Second Brother’s question was also a good question. Did she miss Little Big Brother Ah Yan?

She missed that pleasant face after not seeing it for so many days.

She went to Second Brother excitedly and said, “Brother, did you guys notice that among Shen Tianci’s many friends, none of them are as good-looking as Little Big Brother Ah Yan?”

Ning Dalang looked at his brother’s expression and immediately became a little gloomy.

Xiaoxiao was still unsatisfied. “And he knows how to read and learn martial arts. Is this the legendary coexistence of wisdom and beauty?”

Ning Erlang had a bitter expression. “Sister, stop talking.” Besides, he felt that he was about to be beaten up by Big Brother!

While the siblings were bickering, Rong Yan had just taken the letter from Xijiang County from the carrier pigeon. “Digging a canal?”

Yun Yi and the others could not understand, but Rong Yan could guess. “Shen Congjun is taking precautions for the collapse of the dam. Moreover, the canal is beneficial to the people. Even if Luo Prefecture is stabilized and nothing happens, Xijiang County can still use the canal to help the people water it.”

“Moreover, the canal can lead the Sunset River to the wasteland and make it easier to settle the refugees.”

Yun Yi asked, “But… will the Imperial Court agree to the allocation of funds?”

Rong Yan sneered. “If he expects the Imperial Court to allocate funds, he can forget about digging it. Shen Congjun must be paying for it out of his own pocket.”

Yun Yi sighed. “What a good official. If everyone is like this…”

Rong Yan asked him, “Do you think everyone has a powerful backer like the Li Family like him?”

“Moreover, his actions will probably arouse the dissatisfaction of the other officials.”

“But… this might not be a bad thing.”

“At least it confirms that Shen Congjun is trustworthy. Moreover, he and Prefect Yan are definitely on opposite sides.”

Others might suspect that County Magistrate Shen was using his position for personal gain, but Rong Yan and the others knew very well that Shen Congjun’s change was mostly to save the people after receiving the news that the dam was in disrepair.

When the news that County Magistrate Shen paid the people to dig the canal spread, many officials scolded him behind his back.

“This damn Shen Congjun is really willing to do anything for his political achievements!”

“What should we do with his actions?”

If they didn’t want to learn from him, it would seem that they weren’t working hard enough. Therefore, they discussed and handed over the memorandum to impeach County Magistrate Shen.

At this moment, County Magistrate Shen, who was at the center of the storm, walked into Bowen Academy with two bags of snacks.

Although the academy was newly built, the environment was quiet. There were many elegant flowers and trees planted in the courtyard, and the classroom hall was neat and bright. Coupled with the paintings and poems hanging on the wall, it looked like the surroundings were filled with an academic atmosphere.

County Magistrate Shen was very nervous. He followed the servant into the Dean’s courtyard.

The moment he entered, he saw a straight back in a Confucian robe. County Magistrate Shen took a deep breath and prepared himself. He went forward and bowed deeply. “Teacher.”

“Hmph.” Dean Lu, who had his back facing him, turned around and raised his eyebrows. “You flatter me.” Then, he turned back. If Xiaoxiao was here, she would definitely recognize that this was the old man she had met outside the academy a few days ago.

County Magistrate Shen looked at where the servant was standing awkwardly and found that the latter had already left. He then relaxed a little. “Teacher, I know my mistake.”

“Back then, 1 was young and energetic. 1 mistakenly thought that I could be alone and brave for the rest of my life. I was dressed in plain clothes and wrapped in a breeze.”

Dean Lu dug up old scores with him. “You even said that I formed a clique for personal gain!”

County Magistrate Shen blushed. “It’s all my fault. I’m sorry for Teacher’s hard work. I was arrogant and stubborn.”

Dean Lu was speechless. This disciple had already said everything he wanted to scold. He didn’t know what to say for a moment, so he snorted and said, “Do you think what you’ve done recently is worthy of my many years of teaching?” County Magistrate Shen asked hesitantly, “Teacher, what do you mean?”

Dean Lu walked into the house. He was tired after standing for so long. “Do you know how many impeachment memorandums there are for you today?”

County Magistrate Shen followed him. “If Teacher is talking about digging the canal, I will do it again.”

Dean Lu glanced at him from the corner of his eye. “It’s been a few years since we last met. Your ability to not be afraid of offending people has improved.”

County Magistrate Shen opened the door so that he could see what was going on outside. Then he went to Dean and poured him a cup of tea. “Teacher, 1 am here to tell you about this.”

Dean Lu looked at him in confusion. “Why didn’t you say so earlier?”

County Magistrate Shen didn’t explain. He, who was familiar with his Teacher’s impatience, cupped his hands and said bluntly, “The dam in Luo Prefecture is cracked.”

A cold glint flashed across Dean Lu’s eyes. “Is the news true?”

***

The master and disciple talked in detail in the academy. It was not until late at night when County Magistrate Shen left in a hurry that he remembered something else. “By the way, Teacher, you know that 1 have a son. This kid is not smart and lacks discipline. I want to send him to the academy. Please teach him.”

Dean Lu clicked his tongue and reached out to him. “Where’s the recommendation letter?”

County Magistrate Shen knew that he had agreed. After he left, Chen Yong, who was also the Dean’s disciple, looked at Dean Lu who was showing off the recommendation letter to him in amusement. “Look, he said that he would never need my help. What is this? What is this? Hurry, find something to frame it for me!”

Chen Yong did not know why Teacher gave the right to recommend him to Junior Brother Shen back then. Now that he thought about it, a large part of the reason was probably to find an opportunity to reconcile. Really… He did not know who was more childish, Junior Brother or Teacher.

As he was complaining in his heart, Dean Lu had already opened the snacks that County Magistrate Shen gave him. He pushed the entire bag away after just one taste and said disdainfully, “It’s these osmanthus cakes and poria cakes again. How boring.”

“Chen Huaimin, have you found the snack 1 asked you to find?”

Huaimin was Chen Yong’s courtesy name. Usually, when Teacher called him Chen Huaimin by his full name, it was when his patience was about to run out.

“Teacher, I’ve already searched all the snack shops in Xijiang County, but…”

Then, he saw Dean Lu’s disdainful expression. “You’re the clerk for the chamberlain of law enforcement.”

Chen Yong:… This is my dear teacher. I can’t be angry with him!

Dean Lu continued, “Forget it. 1’11 give you another chance to atone for your sins.”

Chen Yong’s expression did not change. “Teacher, please speak.”

Dean Lu stopped laughing. “Get your men to make a trip to Luo Prefecture..”