At this point, with Zhou Haitao's notification in place, almost all the literati in Liuzhou had arrived.
They gathered together and discussed animatedly, their feelings a mixture of excitement and complexity.
The rise of martial spirit in Liuzhou has given them a sense of security, but it has also put considerable pressure on these scholars. Although no conflict has erupted yet, it is clear to everyone that the surviving children and young adults in Liuzhou are far more eager to join the army than to study.
If this continues, Liuzhou may lose its literary atmosphere!
Now that this new academy is opening, it is said that it will be a Yin-Yang Academy just like the one in the capital. The new generation of scholars do not understand what this means, but the older generation of teachers are extremely excited and are discussing it among themselves.
" Master Wei, you've come too?"
With the arrival of some of Liuzhou's most renowned scholars, all the literati felt somewhat relieved. The presence of someone like Master Wei meant that the news released by the government was probably true.
Master Wei nodded slightly, then looked around with some doubt in his heart. "Has anyone seen Master Yang recently?"
Last time in Spirit Deer County, Master Yang and he went through a difficult time together and protected many children in the academy. After arriving in Liuzhou, the two often chatted over tea together because of this relationship. However, since ten days ago, Master Yang has seemed to have disappeared, which makes him quite uneasy.
"This..." The others shook their heads.
Soon, new topics overshadowed Master Yang, whose popularity wasn't particularly high.
" Master Wei, is what the government said true or false? Do they really intend to allow ordinary students to learn the Yin-Yang Academy's content ahead of time?"
Upon hearing this, Master Wei stroked his beard and chuckled, "Since it was said by the Prefect himself, it must be true. Now, who still doubts the Prefect's abilities?"
Upon hearing this, the other teachers all nodded in agreement.
The current situation in Liuzhou is entirely due to the prefect's efforts to turn the tide. Various deities have appeared in Liuzhou, including door gods and Underworld, stabilizing the people's hearts and ensuring safety. If you say that the prefect has nothing to do with it, I'm afraid no one would believe it.
The many amazing things happening in Liuzhou these days are unheard of. Now that I think about it, multiple Yin-Yang Academy... it doesn't seem so impossible after all, does it?
As they were talking, Chen Qing in blue robes personally went up on stage. Standing beside him were Chen Ying in white robes and the Underworld City God of the Underworld, who was easily recognized by everyone!
Everyone immediately fell into awe.
This mysterious City God only appeared once, but that one time, many scholars were able to see their relatives as they wished, and learn that their murdered relatives still had Underworld Lifespan, living on in another form around them in Liuzhou City.
Many people, especially scholars, held this deity in even higher esteem than the Battle God. In their eyes, a deity who could control life and death was the pinnacle of order!
"For the opening of the academy, we have invited the City God to attend the ceremony in person, so please, all of you teachers, do not be alarmed," Chen Qing explained with a smile on the stage.
The group of scholars, realizing what was happening, quickly bowed and said, "Greetings, City God!"
Wei Gongcheng, behind the mask, nodded slightly. Seeing the genuine reverence shown by these highly renowned teachers, he felt even more that his decision to become the City God was not a mistake.
"Esteemed teachers, there's no need for such formalities." Wei Gongcheng's voice carried a deliberately low tone. "I have a personal motive for coming to the academy to observe this ceremony. My Underworld is currently short-handed, especially in terms of virtuous and respected scholars. The Prefect's invitation to cooperate is also to prepare for the future replenishment of manpower in the Underworld."
"Replenish manpower?" Everyone was stunned, instinctively taking a step back. Were they going to forcibly drag people to the Underworld?
Chen Qing smiled and said, "That's right. The Liuzhou Underworld is a newly established institution. The City God attained enlightenment and established the Underworld to provide a peaceful place for the souls of Liuzhou and to set up order. It is a great act of merit that benefits all living beings."
Everyone nodded in agreement, for such a thing was undoubtedly a great act of merit!
"However, since the City God has just established the Underworld, he has to do many things personally, which is inconvenient. The Day Wandering God and Night Wandering God gods that everyone saw before were Underworld deities appointed by the City God. Their main duty is to detain scattered souls. At present, many other positions in the Underworld are vacant. For example, the civil and military judges who judge people's merits and demerits in their lifetime, and the Yin-Yang officials who record the history of the Underworld and assist the Underworld in establishing magic arrays are all necessary. However, it is difficult to recruit these people from among the souls."
"What does Your Excellency mean?" Master Wei was the first to react. "To recruit from living people?"
"Master, you are wise," Chen Qing said with a smile. "The civil officials of the Underworld, whether in charge of criminal law or helping to establish the Underworld formations, all need scholars and sorcerers. Although many people died in this calamity, most of them were ordinary mortals. Liuzhou lacks such talents, so this training of sorcerers is not only to increase the safety of Liuzhou, but also to make the Liuzhou Underworld more complete."
"But," the Master couldn't help but ask, "What are the rules for serving in the underworld? Is it... is it necessary to give up one's lifespan in the mortal world?"
"No need for that," Chen Qing said with a smile. "You can live in the mortal realm during the day and return to the Underworld to serve at night. The same applies to Yin-Yang officials. Any apprentice with outstanding aptitude in the academy can intern in the Underworld. This is not unpaid. Internships in the Underworld, helping to establish magic arrays, can accumulate Yin virtue, which can not only extend one's own Underworld Lifespan underworld but also bring blessings to one's family, extending their lifespan as well. Moreover, if one serves in the Underworld, one can see one's relatives in the underworld."
Upon hearing this, many teachers were uneasy. If they weren't so well-mannered, they might have directly asked how they could be appointed to the position.
Who wouldn't want that?
Who in this world doesn't want to live a long life? Having a longer lifespan in the underworld would be wonderful, especially since you could see your elders and relatives there and extend their lives. Who wouldn't want such a good thing?
"What are the requirements for taking up a post in the underworld?" Master You finally couldn't help but ask.
Wei Gongcheng looked over and immediately recognized him as the same teacher who had wanted to see his granddaughter at the Confucius Temple last time.
He then said, "The position of Civil Judge requires a scholar of high moral character, proficiency in law, and a certain level of basic magic. The Yin-Yang Scholar is different; he needs to have good grades in formations and runes to be eligible for internship. I have already discussed this with the Prefect. Students from the Tsinghua Academy who are admitted to the four academies of Heaven, Earth, Xuan, and Huang can apply for internships if they perform well in their daily assessments. If they perform exceptionally well in the Underworld, they can serve for life, on a voluntary basis!"
He paused for a moment, then continued, "All of us in the Underworld are righteous gods, and our Underworld Lifespan is as long as the Underworld exists. As long as the Underworld stands, our Underworld Lifespan will last forever!"
"Hiss!!"
At this, not only the teachers, but also many scholars from scholarly families couldn't help but stand up. As long as the Underworld exists, Underworld Lifespan will be eternal. Isn't that the answer?
Immortality?
In an instant, all the scholars who had managed to pull the strings trembled, secretly plotting to seize that official position in the Underworld, even if it meant risking their lives!
"Good!" Chen Qing clapped his hands and said, "Judging from everyone's expression, there should be no objections. Let's discuss the charter for the construction of this academy."
"As an academy, the most important thing is education. I believe many older people know that the reason why sorcerers are all scholars is because the Daoist scriptures are difficult to understand. Without a sufficient foundation in the written language, it is impossible to cultivate. However, the Daoist arrays that our academy promotes are different."
"Traditional writing alone is not enough. The way of magic and formations leans more towards arithmetic and the study of things. Therefore, the curriculum of the Liuzhou Academy will focus on these aspects. The Foundation Academy will establish an academy of mathematics, an academy of the study of things, Medical Academy, and so on. Of course, the classics, essays, and poems that everyone is most proficient in are also important. After all, not everyone will stay at the Liuzhou Academy; they will still go to the capital to take the imperial examinations. But if you want to enter the Yin-Yang Academy in Liuzhou, then you will have to put in more effort in arithmetic and the study of things."
He paused for a moment, then looked at Master Wei and said, " Master Wei is renowned in Liuzhou for his arithmetic skills. We would be honored if Master Wei could serve as the dean of this arithmetic academy."
Upon hearing this, Master Wei immediately stood up. "What merit or ability do I possess? I will obey the orders of the Prefect!"
Some scholars who were also proficient in arithmetic and physics were delighted to hear this. Although the imperial examinations also tested arithmetic, they did not place much importance on it. The main focus was on literary composition. Therefore, in any official school, scholars who were proficient in literature were always more popular. Their usual study of arithmetic and physics was mostly just a pastime.
I never imagined it would have such a great effect!
For a moment, I felt like I'd been hit by a windfall.
Those scholars who were not proficient in this subject frowned, and some even spoke up directly, "Your Excellency, isn't vigorously promoting minor arts like arithmetic and the study of things somewhat detrimental to the literary style of Liuzhou?"
Upon hearing this, Chen Qing smiled and said, "In times of emergency, one must act expediently. I've already explained the situation in Liuzhou to the teachers. Liuzhou has limited resources, so we can only specialize in magic and array formations. Naturally, we have to rely on arithmetic and natural philosophy, which are of greatest help to magic and array formations. There's no other way, but that doesn't mean we've abandoned the study of literature and classics. We also have requirements for the students of the academy in this regard. For example, with the establishment of the Underworld, we need students who are well-versed in political strategy to provide advice on the construction of laws and the future development of the Underworld, don't we?"
Upon hearing that they were not entirely without competitiveness, the group of scholars specializing in literature and political strategy were somewhat relieved.
"Since no one has any objections, then I shall make this announcement." Chen Qing rose and said with a smile, "From today onwards, Liuzhou Tsinghua Academy is officially open. Any student who can fluently recite the Thousand Character Classic and the Hundred Family Surnames may enroll and study in the Foundation Academy. All expenses will be borne by the government. A small examination will be held three months later to select the first batch of apprentices to study techniques in the four academies of Heaven, Earth, Profound, and Yellow. Does anyone have anything else to say?"
Everyone was taken aback at first, not expecting such strong support for education this time. Any student who could recite the Thousand Character Classic could be admitted? And the government would cover the expenses? They immediately felt more at ease, it seemed that the prefect had not abandoned education in Liuzhou, but rather intended to provide strong support.
Such a decisive decision was met with no opposition; everyone rose to their feet, saying, "It is our honor to contribute our modest efforts to such a grand event. We will obey your orders, sir!"
Chen Qing burst into laughter, about to say something encouraging, when he suddenly saw an unexpected figure that made his eyelids twitch!
"Sorry, sorry, I'm late! Please don't be offended!"
A kind-faced old Shanshan arrived late. Upon seeing him from afar, Master Wei hurriedly said, "You old fellow, why are you so late? Come quickly, the master has announced some very good news today!"
"Oh?" The man immediately laughed, "Then I cannot miss it. This old man pays his respects to the Prefect."
Chen Qing was taken aback for a moment, then quickly returned the greeting, " Master Yang, there's no need for such formalities!"
Even Chen Qing hadn't expected that Master Yang, who had been missing for many days, and the Mr. Five Poisons mentioned by A Li, would suddenly appear.