Chapter 64: Hongtai Academy, Getting Old!

Having successfully sold their homemade hot pot base, Li Feng, Big Dog, and Second Niu were in quite high spirits.

Especially since they had a formal written contract in hand!

Li Feng had no worries about future cooperation with the Fortune Restaurant.

The recipe was genuine, but it contained certain ingredients that simply could not be found in this era.

Only he could supply them.

Yang Qifa must have noticed this as well, and had specifically included a clause to that effect in the contract.

Second Niu had suffered the disadvantage of being uneducated and couldn't read a single word!

Someone from the restaurant must have read it aloud to him, and it was fortunate that Yang Qifa was a rather upright proprietor who didn't try to take advantage of Second Niu!

Otherwise, had the other party simply inserted a clause requiring them to source all the materials themselves, the losses would have been catastrophic!

With money in hand, Li Feng paid off the noodle debt. Moreover, since this income was earned honorably and could stand up to scrutiny, he could continue pursuing his dream of living the life of a gentleman!

After making numerous inquiries, Li Feng brought Big Dog and Second Niu to an academy in Huaiyang County!

It was called Hongtai Academy!

Standing outside the classically styled academy at that moment, Li Feng couldn't help but sigh with emotion!

Had he been a few years younger, he would have loved to experience studying here himself!

Academies were typically located in secluded areas. Li Feng had inquired and learned that Hongtai Academy had once produced a metropolitan graduate, which had made its name widely known.

Aside from that single metropolitan graduate, dozens of Imperial scholars had graduated from here, and the number of provincial graduates could be counted on one hand!

One had to remember that Qinghe Prefecture was situated in a remote region of the Great Liang dynasty, where educational resources were inherently lagging behind.

For a single academy to have nurtured dozens of Imperial scholars, along with provincial and metropolitan graduates, one could only imagine its capability!

Calling it the finest institution in Huaiyang County was no exaggeration.

Since it was not yet time for classes to be dismissed, the gates of the academy were tightly shut.

Furthermore, the surrounding area was sparsely populated, secluded, and quiet—truly an ideal environment for studying.

Li Feng looked around and was thoroughly satisfied with the place!

Big Dog’s feet had gone numb from standing.

When he finally saw his father halt right at the academy gates, his very scalp began to tingle with dread!

He did not want to study!

He was already sixteen years old and could practically be a father himself—how was he suited for studying here?

Besides, he couldn't even recognize a single character!

He nudged Second Niu with his elbow and asked silently, "Second brother, what is Dad doing here?"

Second Niu was currently in a daze. Feeling the nudge, he turned to look at his eldest brother and shook his head: "I don't know!"

Big Dog: "Second brother, does Dad want us to study?"

Second Niu nodded: "Maybe!"

Big Dog shook his head: "But I don't want to study!"

Second Niu sighed silently. But *he* wanted to!

It was just that he was too old, and it was no longer appropriate.

Besides, he had already decided to go into business with his father!

Li Feng remained unaware of this silent exchange between the two brothers. He simply stepped forward and knocked on the door!

A pageboy opened the main gate.

Looking at Li Feng and the others, he asked with a puzzled expression, "Who are you looking for?"

With a smile on his face and dressed in neat attire, Li Feng replied, "Is the academy director in? I wish to send my boys here to study and would like to inquire about the arrangements first."

The pageboy looked at Li Feng, then at Big Dog and Second Niu. A look of pity crossed his eyes as he shook his head: "They are much too old; the tutors will not accept them!"

"Oh?" Li Feng frowned. "Isn't this a place for teaching and cultivating talent?"

"Even Confucius spoke of education without discrimination. Why does your academy discriminate based on age?"

Li Feng took pleasure in teasing the young boy.

The child was left completely bewildered by the question!

"Indeed, Master Confucius did say those words. Kang'er, you may head back inside first."

The pageboy turned around, and upon seeing the newcomer, immediately bowed and saluted: "Master!"

Huang Zhongjing walked over, patted the pageboy on the head, and told him to leave first.

Only then did he turn his gaze toward Li Feng.

However, upon laying eyes on Li Feng, Huang Zhongjing was startled!

He had just been about to head out when he unexpectedly overheard such a conversation at the entrance. Finding it rather amusing, he had decided to come over and take a look!

Li Feng was dressed in plain linen robes, secured at the waist with a cloth belt. He stood tall and straight, looking quite spirited.

However, Li Feng's face weathered the marks of time, marking him instantly as someone accustomed to lifelong physical labor.

He had seen men working in the fields—their skin darkened by the sun, their fingers cracked, and their fingernails caked with the stains of toil.

While Li Feng's facial appearance matched this description, nonetheless...

He glanced toward Li Feng's sides.

Ah well, the man hadn't exposed his hands, so he couldn't see them.

Yet the characteristics of Big Dog and Second Niu were unmistakably clear.

Honest, rustic, and dressed in short garments, they were undeniably farm laborers!

Judging by their attire, their family must have been relatively well-off—the kind who could actually afford an education.

After a moment of thought, Huang Zhongjing spoke: "Since the elder wishes to send his sons to study at the academy, shall we go inside and discuss it?"

*Elder*???

Li Feng: "!!!!!!"

He was only thirty-five!

Thirty-five, mind you!

And he was already being called an elder!

The other man had a beard longer than his own, yet he had the audacity to call him an elder!

How infuriating!

When he got back, he was going to take extra good care of his health just to see who would dare call him an elder in the future!

"Very well!"

Li Feng replied and followed the tutor into the academy!

True to its reputation as a place of learning, it was indeed very elegant.

Rockeries, flowing streams, and all sorts of landscaping were everywhere in view!

The tutor led them past the front courtyard directly into the back courtyard!

There were several resting rooms here. The front courtyard served as the place where students studied, while the back courtyard provided quarters for pageboys and other staff!

Aside from the back courtyard, there was another adjacent courtyard that appeared to be used for storing miscellaneous items!

Hongtai Academy provided meals for its students, which naturally made the expenses somewhat higher!

Following closely behind Li Feng, Big Dog and Second Niu looked around cautiously and wide-eyed!

Such a gorgeous place!

The flowers and plants within seemed to have been meticulously tended to; they were breathtakingly pretty!

On their way to the back courtyard, Big Dog even caught sight of a riding arena, and an archery field!

Seeing the longbows and weapons over there, Big Dog cast a quick glance before hurriedly averting his gaze!

Moments later, Li Feng and the tutor entered a room.

Big Dog and Second Niu did not follow them inside, choosing instead to stand guard outside the door.

Inside the room, Huang Zhongjing looked at Li Feng in puzzlement and asked, "Since you are here to send your sons to study, why didn't you let them come in? That way, I could test their learning and properly determine where to place them."

Li Feng answered, "They haven't been initiated yet."

What?

Huang Zhongjing nearly spat out the tea he had just been drinking!

"Elder, are you joking with me?"

The two young fellows outside looked to be at least sixteen or seventeen years old. If they hadn't even started their foundational literacy yet, what were they doing being sent to an academy?

Their Hongtai Academy operated on the principle of prioritizing quality over quantity; they would never admit just anyone simply for the sake of tuition fees!

"If they haven't started their education yet, my suggestion would be to send them to the neighboring enlightenment private school first. Once they have learned to read and mastered at least one of the Four Books, you can bring them back to the academy."

He had phrased it quite tactfully!

At sixteen, their age was indeed too advanced!

Even if they started studying now, their future achievements would be severely limited!

Children from ordinary families started their enlightenment at age three, entered school at seven, and by fifteen or sixteen—even if they hadn't thoroughly studied all Four Books and Five Classics—would at least be well-versed in one of the Four Books!

With that foundation, they could attempt the preliminary scholar examinations!

Once they obtained the status of a licentiate, they could continue their advanced studies. After passing the provincial exams, scholars would travel with their mentors to broaden their horizons while also seeking guidance from renowned masters to absorb the strengths of various schools of thought.

At that stage, what truly mattered was one's resources!

Their Qinghe Prefecture was located in a remote region with a lagging economy. Although the imperial court had favorable policies, the number of provincial graduates who emerged from here was pitifully small; the vast majority were merely local licentiates!

With no top-tier scholars and only a bunch of low-level degree holders, what good was that?

Sixteen years old!

In the end, it was simply a pity!

Li Feng nodded, as this was well within his expectations.

Big Dog and Second Niu were indeed a bit too old; starting now was undeniably late.

However, study they must—at the very least, they needed to be literate and not live out their lives as complete illiterates!