Chapter Eighty-Nine: Brother Chun Has a New Job

They say, "Money can move even ghosts to grind flour," and Cheng Chengcheng proved it true. This time, the higher-ups acted swiftly; in less than a month, the notice for the academy to send a new teacher was issued.

Scholar Cheng received the news with mixed feelings. There was no need for delay or hesitation—it was best to be straightforward and thorough. Yet, it all happened so abruptly. Why was there no attempt to retain the old teacher for a while longer?

Though he had voluntarily resigned, the rapid arrival of a new instructor seemed as if they had been waiting for his departure all along.

No choice—scholars tend to overthink things...

But scholars also desire dignity. No matter the knots in his heart, Scholar Cheng hoped for a graceful conclusion.

Before officially leaving the academy, he returned once more to the schoolhouse to clarify the situation to his disciples, urging them not to bully others, to continue respecting their teacher and the Way, and to study diligently.

With a gaze clouded by emotion, he looked over his thirty-six students with reluctance and earnestness: “Your studies belong to yourselves, not to your teacher. Most of you have only a few years left. Cherish every day in this school, or you will regret it for a lifetime.”

“Yes, teacher,” the students responded through their tears. Though Master Cheng was often strict and quick to discipline, his care was genuine.

“Can’t you stay?” the children asked.

“I am old and can no longer keep up with teaching,” he shook his head, sighing, “Better to let the new teacher take over early, so as not to delay your preparation for the academy exams.”

He choked up as he said, “Class dismissed.”

“Thank you for your guidance, teacher,” the children stood together, tearfully seeing their master off.

~~

On the tenth day of the sixth lunar month, the new teacher was supposed to arrive.

At dawn, Scholar Cheng hobbled to the village entrance with his cane to wait. But as the sun climbed high, no sign of the newcomer appeared.

It was the hottest time of the year; even standing in the shade caused sweat to pour. Scholar Cheng’s robe was soaked through, as if pulled from water, and he was close to heatstroke.

“Why would the teacher be late on the very first day?” he fretted. “How can such a teacher teach well?”

“Probably the higher-ups couldn’t find anyone suitable on short notice, so they picked someone just to fill the spot,” Cheng Chengcheng fanned his father and suggested, “Dad, maybe we should go back?”

“No, I will wait here. I want him to feel ashamed!” Scholar Cheng was stubborn.

“Ah…” Chengcheng sighed; whether the man felt shame or not was unknown, but his father was nearly passing out.

After a while, Cheng Wantang, now unemployed, dashed out of the village shouting, “Grandfather, come back! The teacher has arrived!”

“How is that possible? This is the only road into the village,” Cheng Chengcheng said in disbelief. “Does that teacher have wings or something?”

“No, because he’s from Erlangtan,” Cheng Wantang revealed the answer.

“What? Could it be Su Youcai?!” Cheng Chengcheng was shocked. “But didn’t he resign and go work for your aunt?”

“It’s not him, but his nephew, Su Manxue, who ranked third in the county exam this year!” Cheng Wantang explained.

“This is nonsense!” Scholar Cheng felt dizzy again, smoke seeming to pour from his seven orifices. “How can my students be handed over to the grandson of ‘Pig Intestines’? Has he grown all his hair yet to be called a teacher?!”

“Exactly. How can our Cheng family children continue their studies?” Cheng Chengcheng worried.

“Let’s go see!” Scholar Cheng climbed onto the carrying chair as two hired hands hurried over to lift him.

“At worst, I will open a clan school myself. Under no circumstances can the children fall under that boy’s control!” Scholar Cheng gripped his cane with both hands, wishing to snap it in two.

~~

Cheng Chengcheng thought, great, another clan school for us to run...

He certainly did not want to abandon the existing academy and spend more money to start anew. Clan schools could not charge tuition, and the expenses were heavy each year.

~~

At Erlangtan Academy,

The classroom today was nearly twice as full as usual. This was because all the children from the Su family had come to study...

In truth, Su Manxue should have waited until his position was secure before inviting clan children back to the school.

But the elder Su family members had lost patience, closing their clan school immediately, ordering their children to reclaim their rightful territory—and to let the Cheng family taste what it was like to be denied schooling!

So, the Su children, carrying desks and chairs, stormed into the long-neglected academy. If not for Su Manxue’s restraint, they might have thrown the Cheng students’ desks outside...

When the original students arrived, they were dumbfounded. The usually spacious classroom was packed tight with desks and chairs, barely leaving room to reach their seats.

Confused and dismayed, they noticed the new teacher’s cold expression, an unapproachable demeanor. They sat down and began class, but spent the entire morning in a daze.

The Cheng children were anxious and unsettled—how could a member of the Su family be their teacher? How could life go on like this?

Midway through class, a sudden commotion erupted. The Cheng children looked out the window and saw Scholar Cheng standing there, his face flushed, a fierce aura barely concealed.

“The teacher has arrived; we’re saved...” the Cheng children seemed to see a savior and were about to spread the news.

Su Manxue was teaching the “Thousand Character Classic” to the younger students in front. Hearing the disturbance from the older students behind, he looked up, about to reprimand them, and then saw the old man’s face, flushed from the heat.

He thought silently: what is meant to come will come...

“Let’s have self-study first,” Su Manxue instructed the students. Taking a deep breath, he calmly went out to meet Scholar Cheng.

“Respectful greetings to the esteemed elder,” Su Manxue bowed politely.

“Truly, the younger generation is formidable,” Scholar Cheng sneered, showing no kindness. “To think you kept it such a secret! I had no idea that the one replacing me was the grandson of Su Dacheng!”

“I have only just learned of this myself and planned to visit you after class,” Su Manxue replied calmly. “I did not expect you to come first. Please forgive my rudeness.”

“You have more than enough rudeness!” Scholar Cheng’s resentment burst forth, striking his cane against the ground, raising dust. “In this scorching summer, you made me, an almost sixty-year-old man, wait at the village entrance all day!”

“Is that so?” Su Manxue feigned surprise. “Is there any reason for an elder to wait for a junior? I thought you would be at home, waiting for me to visit.”

“How was I to know the newcomer would be a junior?!” Scholar Cheng muttered, then coughed, unwilling to waste words.

“You are not fit to teach here. It would be best if you resigned voluntarily.”

It was clear he was trying to intimidate the younger man.

But Su Manxue’s pride was towering. Since he was dismissed, he would not yield. He replied seriously:

“There is a saying: ‘A weak will leads to a lack of wisdom; words without truth lead to fruitless action.’ I have promised to be this teacher, so I will overcome all difficulties and fulfill my duty well.”

He paused, then added with a sharp undertone:

“Rest assured, I will not harbor the old prejudices. Anyone who attends this school will be my student, nothing more, nothing less.”

“Hmph! Fine words,” Scholar Cheng was struck in his soft spot, his anger faltering. For years, he had been criticized for teaching only Cheng children and neglecting those of the Su family.

And it was not because he doubted Su Manxue’s ability. Ranking third in the county exam, he was more than capable of teaching basic literacy.

Finally, Scholar Cheng resorted to citing Su Manxue’s youth.

“I worry you are too young. A teacher must be mature and steady. How can you command those children when you haven’t even grown your full beard?”

“You worry too much. History shows age is no barrier—Gan Luo became prime minister at twelve, Huo Qubing was granted marquis at eighteen. Besides, the school has rules; as long as I enforce them strictly, the students will follow.”

“Very well, I did not expect you to be so sharp-tongued,” Scholar Cheng nodded, sneering, “I will wait and see.”

With that, he climbed onto his chair and left.

Su Manxue shook his head and returned to the classroom, commanding in a firm voice, “Continue class.”

“Yes, sir...” The Cheng children felt disappointed, thinking the elder might have come to drive him away.

~~

“Dad, are we just leaving like this?” Cheng Chengcheng asked, following the carrying chair.

“He was officially appointed by the authorities. To dismiss him on his first day would be disrespectful,” Scholar Cheng leaned back in his chair and said slowly, “Unreasonable quarrels are unworthy of gentlemen... Only when you are in the right can you afford to be relentless.”

“Yes,” Chengcheng nodded, then suggested, “Should we stop the children from attending school for now?”

“Absolutely not!” Scholar Cheng’s voice grew stern. “If they all drop out, the academy will become the Su family’s completely.”

“Right. We mustn’t repeat the Su family’s past mistakes,” Chengcheng realized, then fretfully added, “But if that boy secures his position, our Cheng children will suffer—and how can they study properly for the academy exams?”

“Securing a foothold isn’t so easy,” Scholar Cheng sneered. “I once tried to include Su children, but the two families are bitter enemies. The children are the same. They cannot share the same classroom. So we must separate.”

“Now he’s mixing the two clans’ children. Let him enjoy the spectacle. If it gets out of hand, I’ll drive him away myself...” Scholar Cheng said, then painfully closed his eyes.

“What’s wrong, Dad? Is your dizziness acting up again?” Chengcheng anxiously asked.

“No, I think I’m suffering from heatstroke,” Scholar Cheng said, dizzy and nauseous.

~~

As an experienced educator, Scholar Cheng’s instincts were accurate.

The Su children, stifled for years, now finally had power as the local militia and eagerly mocked the Cheng children.

After two days of confusion, the Cheng children recovered their composure and retaliated in kind.

Soon, the classroom and the whole village of Erlangtan divided into two camps, sharply opposed. Any small conflict quickly escalated into fights, which erupted into brawls.

Both sides hit hard, fearing the shame of returning home beaten.

Within just five days of Su Manxue’s tenure, two students had broken heads, five lost teeth, and countless bore bruises. Parents blocked the school entrance daily, scolding him for not controlling their children!

Indeed, parents sent their children to the academy because it was free and provided a place to watch them, not because they cared much about the education itself...

P.S. Thank you all for your support. Today there are four updates! But I haven’t checked the last two chapters yet, so please bear with me...