Spring and Autumn Academy

Spring and Autumn Academy.

This academy has a long history. Legend has it that it existed even before the previous dynasty was established, and Grand Confucian gathered there in those days.

Like the Principle Sect Academy, it is located in the suburbs and occupies a large area of land.

However, unlike the newly established academy, the Spring and Autumn Academy was not surrounded by a strong academic atmosphere. Instead, it was home to many local people who lived in brick houses and multiplied their families there. Surrounding the academy were vast fields where farmers worked the land.

At first glance, it looks like a manor.

As Qiu Yan approached the perimeter of the Spring and Autumn Academy, his attention focused on the farmers, occasionally glancing towards the fields.

Previously at the Ma Residence, Mr. Zheng entered without prior notice, met Qiu Yan, and informed him that Spring and Autumn Academy had invited him.

Upon learning of this, Qiu Yan did not stay at the banquet. Instead, led by Mr. Zheng and accompanied by Ma Shou, he left Eastern Capital and came here.

As Ma Guarding the One, who was walking beside him, arrived at this spot, he began to explain, "The land here all belongs to the academy. It is rented to these people to cultivate. They only need to hand over 40% of their harvest each year, and the rest is theirs to keep. The Spring and Autumn Academy has a long history and is the legacy of Sima Qian. When Emperor Taizu established his dynasty, he bestowed many rewards to attract talented people. The land around the academy was granted at that time."

Despite being a student of the Principle Sect Academy, he was remarkably familiar with the Spring and Autumn Academy, and his words and actions gave Qiu Yan the impression that he was more like a student of the Spring and Autumn Academy.

"I see," Qiu Yan nodded.

Farmers toil all year, only to have to hand over 40% of their harvest in the end. Nearly half—this would have been unimaginable in Qiu Yan's previous life, but in this world, the land belongs to the landlords, and those who labor on it are tenants. In their minds, it's only natural that they work for others on their land, and that others take the lion's share. What's left for them is their wages, and if they keep more, it's considered a reward.

In reality, tenant farmers might own some small plots of land. However, firstly, the land was scarce; secondly, it was often scattered and unsuitable for farming; and thirdly, their families were large enough to support them with just a few plots of land, forcing them to work for landlords to supplement their income and make a living.

Hearing Qiu Yan's words, Ma Shou smiled and said, "This is also because the Spring and Autumn Academy was treated generously by the founding emperor, exempt from taxes and grain levies, which is why tenant farmers can enjoy such preferential treatment."

Upon hearing this, Qiu Yan nodded silently.

The fact that 40% was handed over was considered a preferential treatment. This did not surprise him. After all, in Jiannan Circuit, many gentry and large landowners would take at least 70% or 80%, leaving only 20% or 30% for the tenant farmers' rations.

This is partly because people in this world do not have the concept of distribution according to labor, and partly because a portion of the collected grain rent has to be paid to the imperial court as taxes. In order to share and make up for this loss, the tax portion is naturally passed on to the farmers who cultivate the land.

Moreover, Qiu Yan had seen people who were discarded after their usefulness was over on his way north. They left nothing behind, driving Agricultural School. In any case, for those who own land, there is no worry about a lack of people to cultivate it. Even if the tenant farmers are driven to their deaths this year, there will still be people scrambling to do it next year.

"In this era, there are indeed many things worth doing. However, I am currently just a candidate for the imperial examination, only able to experience the Human Path. Moreover, the Divine Path realm is not yet fully stable, so I cannot make any moves for the time being..."

While Qiu Yan was pondering, Mr. Zheng led the two into the academy's enclosure.

Upon entering, Qiu Yan noticed that the Literary Thought Aura emanating from the Spring and Autumn Academy was different from that of the Principle Sect Academy; the Literary Thought here was more restrained and profound.

Along the way, there were houses that looked like Agricultural School, and Qiu Yan caught a glimpse of history from them.

The sound of students reciting their lessons could be heard from some of the houses, while in front of other houses, two or three students sat on the ground, reading or chatting. Some people were even tending to their vegetable gardens in front of their houses, watering and fertilizing them.

"Compared to the Principle Sect Academy, the atmosphere here is much more relaxed and comfortable."

Qiu Yan began to compare the similarities and differences between the two academies in his mind.

Beside him, Ma Shou was still talking, introducing how Spring and Autumn Academy used the surrounding land to experiment with the Well-Field System. Spring and Autumn Academy was rumored to be the successor of Sima Qian, so it naturally favored Historians' School, admired the rule of the Three Dynasties in High Antiquity, and promoted the well-field system. Since it had its own land, it would naturally use it to experiment.

"It seems that although the Spring and Autumn Academy is not as famous as the Principle Sect now, it has big ambitions. By experimenting with the well-field system now, it must be planning to implement it throughout the country in the future."

As Qiu Yan was pondering this, Ma Shou abruptly changed the subject, mentioning the New Law the imperial court was about to enact—

"The right path is for the tiller to own his land. The well-field system is the foundation and can ensure lasting stability. Unfortunately, many people cannot see this point. Now, the court is about to implement the Ever-Normal Law, using the money and grain from the Ever-Normal Granary and the Broad Beneficence Granary as principal to lend to farmers. They will repay in silver when the loan matures, and then levy interest. Isn't this putting the cart before the horse and competing with the people for profit?"

Guarding the One spoke, he shook his head, saying, "That Black-faced Chancellor is too presumptuous. He thinks that by making regulations, things will go as planned, but he doesn't realize how many obstacles there are in implementing them. Moreover, the misappropriation of funds from the Changping Broad Beneficence Granary is not for urgent matters..."

Afterwards, Ma Shou listed many shortcomings of the New Law, seemingly complaining, but Qiu Yan seemed to be thinking about it.

"Ma Shou is testing me. It seems his political views are quite clear now."

Although he was aware of the other party's purpose, Qiu Yan did not offer much of an opinion, avoiding the topic by citing a lack of understanding of the New Law.

Ma Shou didn't doubt it. While ordinary students might pay attention to these policy-related matters, they wouldn't know much about them. In this era, there weren't many means of information that allowed ordinary students to have a comprehensive understanding of their country.

As the two were still talking, Mr. Zheng, who was walking ahead, suddenly stopped. He then turned around and looked at Qiu Yan: "We've arrived, Mr. Qiu. You can go in by yourself."

"Oh? Where is this...?"

Upon hearing this, Qiu Yan stopped speaking, turned his gaze past Mr. Zheng, and landed behind him.

This was an attic, its exterior somewhat dilapidated, but Qiu Yan could sense an unusual atmosphere emanating from it.

Ma Shou glanced at the pavilion and then said, "This is the Spring and Autumn Library, the academy's Book Repository. It houses a wide variety of books, including many rare and ancient texts."

"Spring and Autumn Library ..." Qiu Yan looked around the Book Pavilion, then nodded, bowed to Mr. Zheng and Ma Shou, and stepped forward.

In front of this Book Pavilion, there are three stone steps. Qiu Yan stepped onto them and immediately sensed a heavy and majestic aura.

He immediately realized that this was an aura that his senses had spontaneously detected. He felt a chill run down his spine, took a step forward, and walked up in one breath.

Just as they reached the door, the tightly closed door suddenly flung open, and an aged voice rang out from within—

Come in.

Qiu Yan didn't stand on ceremony and stepped over the threshold.

Call!

The moment he stepped inside, the door behind him closed automatically without any wind.

The Book Pavilion was quiet, with all the doors and windows closed, so the light was dim. However, with Qiu Yan's eyesight, he could still see what was inside.

What comes into view are rows of tall bookshelves, each row filled with books.

There was an old, worn smell in the air.

Rustling...

A soft sound came from inside; Qiu Yan recognized it as the sound of pages turning and walked towards the sound.

The sound came from deep within the Book Pavilion. The further one went, the dimmer the light became, and the stronger the ancient atmosphere grew. As Qiu Yan walked, he had a strange feeling that he was leaving behind life and entering the Netherworld.

Finally, he spotted a figure deep within the library.

This was an old man with white hair and beard, dressed simply and patched. In front of him was a desk with a book open on it. The man was leaning over the book, his head moving slightly, as if he were reading.

Seeing this bizarre scene, Qiu Yan remained silent, simply watching quietly, but gradually, a hint of displeasure appeared in his eyes.

He had already guessed that the man in front of him was the Book Elder Mr. Zheng had mentioned, but that was precisely why he was dissatisfied.

He was invited without even finishing his meal, and now he's being left hanging. This can't be covered up by simply saying he's a senior expert. Qiu Yan is neither a student of the Spring and Autumn Academy nor Ma Family, so he has no reason to force himself to endure this.

However, just as his dissatisfaction was growing stronger, Qiu Yan suddenly woke up.

"No! This anger came out of nowhere. Even if I'm dissatisfied with this person, it shouldn't be to the point of losing control of my emotions..."

A thought struck him, Qiu Yan expanded his senses, but found nothing unusual.

"I'm getting old, my eyesight and hearing aren't what they used to be, please don't mind."

At this moment, the old man who was lying on the table suddenly raised his head, revealing a wrinkled face and a pair of cloudy old eyes.

These eyes were dim and lifeless, but when Qiu Yan saw them, he felt a vast and profound aura envelop him. In the next moment, he seemed to see the changes of the Historical River in the other person's eyes.

However, this feeling was fleeting, and then the old man laughed and said, "It really is you. I knew that although Eastern Capital is so big, there are only a few people who can achieve Literary Heart, and they all need to be tempered. How come Principle Sect suddenly has one? It turns out he really is an outsider."

"Hmm?" Upon hearing this, Qiu Yan suddenly narrowed his eyes, appearing relaxed on the outside but tense on the inside.

"Young man, don't be in a hurry," the old man grinned, his teeth long gone. "You've just condensed your Heart Fire, and at this time your mind is full of distractions. If you're not careful, your temperament will change. You have to burn it away little by little, otherwise, it will accumulate and attract Heart Demon."

"Heart Demon?" Hearing the other party mention the Heart Fire, Qiu Yan calmed down instead. "I wonder what advice the old man has for me?"

The old man smiled as he listened to this, "I called you here to ask if you would like to join the Scholar Forest ahead of schedule?"

ps:

Thank you "Piaoxue Zhanying" for the monthly ticket! Thank you "Heavenly Dao de Shuiyu Mo" for the donation!

I'm in a terrible state today. Everything is going wrong, and my thoughts are all jumbled up. I'll try my best to finish one tonight, but I can't guarantee it. If I really can't, I'll have to take a break.