Chapter 147
Fusheng wasn’t in a hurry to knock on the County Magistrate’s gate.
He first pulled someone aside to ask about the situation.
The people gathered at the notice board were all idle onlookers, so Fusheng casually grabbed someone to ask, and quickly learned what had been going on in Ziyang County these past few months.
Apparently, the imperial court had secretly sent people over. Now Ziyang had dealt with the mountain bandits, reformed them, and established the Oxhead Army to fight bandits… The bandit problem was resolved, the prefect was beaten to death, the corrupt officials in Ji Prefecture were purged, and a royal prince had personally come to oversee the cleanup!
The master and disciple pair were stunned for a long while after hearing this.
Fusheng was quite shocked.
He had come down the mountain only eight months ago, right? It had only been half a year—how had things changed so drastically down here, like years had passed?
Xi Liuzi was incredulous about the sudden crackdown in Ji Prefecture.
The unrest in Ji Prefecture had lasted for years, and the imperial court had never stepped in. Xi Liuzi had always thought Ji Prefecture would remain that way until the day he died.
Now, the situation was just unbelievable. But no matter how unbelievable, the results were right there in front of them—it would be too stubborn to keep denying it.
Thinking of all the notices he had just seen, Fusheng understood.
No wonder he thought the local authorities had changed their ways—it was because the people in charge had completely changed!
Thinking of his two disciples who might be working at the magistrate’s office, Fusheng asked about the current state of the office, and learned that a Wise Prince was currently overseeing Ziyang County.
Another prince?
Fusheng fell silent.
At this point, he was no longer concerned about his disciples’ safety—he was wondering what kind of punishment came with deceiving a prince.
Xi Liuzi whispered to his master, “Master, do you think our junior brothers sold pills to the prince under false pretenses?”
Fusheng: …
They all studied under the same master—the whole sect shared the same character.
In this line of work, who doesn’t lie?
Fusheng touched the little wooden box on his back with a bit of melancholy.
Did he still want these two disciples or not? Maybe he shouldn’t. The risk was a bit too high, and the notices he’d seen earlier didn’t seem like they were written by kind-hearted people.
More like a trap!
The master and disciple wandered the streets for quite a while, asking many people about the Wise Prince and how the local government was functioning. The final answers, well, they were just what they wanted to hear.
—The government was fair and just, the Wise Prince was kind and generous, and as long as you hadn’t committed any crimes, rewards and punishments were clearly distinguished.
Good. Sounded pretty reasonable.
Fusheng, after all, wasn’t a heartless master. After thinking it over for a while, he finally gritted his teeth and went to knock on the magistrate’s gate.
–
Wei Yu had been very busy lately.
Knowing that many talented people were waiting outside for him, he’d been not only busy hiring workers, but also buried in the study compiling various textbooks.
—Chemistry and Biology.
Chemistry was meant for Lu Fushan and the other alchemists. Biology was something he wanted his Eighth Brother to study.
There was no need to explain the alchemists—after forcing Yuan Qiuzi and the other to stay, he spent two days compiling an introductory chemistry textbook and gave it to them.
At first, the two were quite unhappy. But as soon as they saw the chemistry book, they were like mice falling into a vat of oil—immediately addicted!
Wei Yu didn’t even need to hand out more chemistry books afterward, nor ask whether they wanted to keep learning. Once they experienced the wonders of chemistry, the two could no longer be driven away.
They stopped insisting on leaving. Every day they held onto their chemistry books, studying shoulder to shoulder in the little courtyard Wei Yu had prepared for them. They even took notes and experimented on their own… Their diligence and dedication moved and gratified Wei Yu deeply.
Yes! That’s how it should be!
People who are focused and self-driven—these were the talents he had dreamed of!
Unlike his blind, ungrateful Eighth Brother.
That one really was beyond saving, no matter what Wei Yu said.
He had tried every tactic, but his Eighth Brother kept playing deaf. All he wanted was for his brother to learn some biology, to develop animal husbandry, so the people of Great Wei could all have meat to eat!
Why was that so hard?
His Eighth Brother really was the stubborn type.
Getting him to willingly study biology—okay, maybe that was a bit of a challenge. But Wei Yu wasn’t someone who gave up easily.
Until he found a suitable candidate, he would not stop pestering his brother.
Having talent by your side and not using it—that’s just wasteful!
While Wei Yu was diligently compiling a biology textbook at his desk, Hong Zhong suddenly came in to report.
“Young Master, someone has responded to a notice and come to the yamen.”
Wei Yu was caught off guard for a moment.
“What?”
Someone responded to the notice and came to the yamen?
Once he realized what that meant, Wei Yu got excited. He immediately put down his pen and stood up to ask, “Which notice? What kind of person? How many?”
Hong Zhong: “Two elderly men claiming to be alchemists.”
Oh, alchemists.
You hardly ever see their kind. Now, after Yuan Qiuzi and the other, two more showed up. And since Yuan Qiuzi and his companion had a sect, Wei Yu didn’t believe the newcomers weren’t related to them.
“Perfect timing.”
Wei Yu rubbed his hands together and kneaded his slightly stiff cheeks, instructing Hong Zhong, “Bring all those chemistry books from my shelf and come with me to meet them.”
He’d already compiled high school and junior high chemistry textbooks—plenty for building a foundation. Later, he’d tailor additional books according to each person’s aptitude.
Wei Yu shook his sore hand. Truly, paperwork was not a human task.
He’d only been working on textbooks for a few days and was already exhausted. People who sat at a desk year-round reviewing memorials to the throne—just thinking about it felt like suffering…
Wei Yu quickly arrived at the front hall.
As soon as he entered, he saw two elders with flowing white beards.
They looked even more intimidating than Yuan Qiuzi and his companion.
Perhaps it was a sect trait.
Wei Yu entered with a smile. A cheerful young man like him easily made others drop their guard, especially when he was so polite.
He raised his hand and gave them a respectful bow, then directly asked, “Greetings, seniors. I am Wei Yu. Might you be fellow disciples of Yuan Qiuzi?”
At that, the previously nervous master and disciple immediately understood—those two long-missing brats really were at the magistrate’s office.
Fusheng raised his hand in return salute and smiled, “Greetings, Young Master. I am Fusheng. I’ve come this time specifically to find my two disappointing disciples.”
Disciples!
Wei Yu, already eager, now felt fully assured.
Yes! This old man is the one!
Recruit him!
Absolutely must recruit him!!!
He had considered the possibility of someone from Yuan Qiuzi’s sect coming to find them—but hadn’t expected it to be their master!
If he could get the master, wouldn’t the rest of the sect be within reach?
Wei Yu looked at Fusheng, eyes gleaming like a hungry wolf spotting meat.
He smiled gently and asked, “Master Fusheng, do you have time? Have you heard of chemistry? Would you like to learn chemistry? Your two disciples are currently studying chemistry in this very residence—why don’t I take you to see it?”