His intuition had saved him from many dangers. He instinctively felt his sister was capable, and his jiefu was cunning. Why had he encouraged his jiefu to open the academy? He wasn’t only after his jiefu’s students but also after his jiefu’s abilities!

Third Yang realized that the opportunity he had been craving had arrived. “Jiefu, I don’t need to go back and think about it. I will study hard and won’t give up halfway!”

Zhou Yu, “Have you thought it through?”

“I have.”

Zhou Yu’s serious expression softened. He stood up and took out paper and pen. “Here, write a note.”

Third Yang, “??”.

Yang Xi, who had been straightening her clothes without saying a word, came over. “Write it.”

Zhou Yu handed the pen to Third Yang. “Hurry up and don’t dawdle.”

Third Yang’s hand trembled slightly as he held the pen. He had a feeling that he would have many similar notes in the future. He wondered if he could refuse to write one, but meeting his sister’s and jiefu’s amused eyes, he steeled himself. “I’ll write it.” The note was simple: voluntary study without regret, attentive listening, etc.

One note completely pinned Third Yang down. From now on, Third Yang would never escape Zhou Yu’s grasp.

Zhou Yu had Third Yang write four copies, all of which were carefully preserved.

Third Yang watched longingly as the documents were locked in a moisture-proof box and couldn’t help but shiver.

Zhou Yu then took out another piece of paper. “From today onwards, you will study for one hour every day. Once things settle down, you will study by my side.”

Third Yang nodded, and as his jiefu finished drawing, Third Yang’s mouth dropped open. “This, this.”

Zhou Yu nodded in satisfaction. “This is a map of our country’s territory.”

Third Yang, “…”

Was this something anyone could draw?

Zhou Yu said, “I know some places, and I’ve roughly drawn some, but they’re basically the same.”

Third Yang was still very shocked. “That’s impressive.”

Zhou Yu pointed to the northeast. “Today, I’ll give you your first lesson: getting to know our country’s neighbors.”

Third Yang grew up in the north, and he knew the northern neighbors very well, “Starting from the north?”

Zhou Yu, “Yes.”

Yang Xi gestured for her son, who was writing large characters, to come over and sat down beside them with him in her arms. She didn’t expect her son to understand much but hoped he would listen more and broaden his horizons from a young age.

Zhou Yu pointed out, “While the Mohe people have been constantly harassing the border in recent years, their various tribes are also slowly unifying.”

Third Yang understood, “When my father was alive, he said that it wouldn’t take more than ten years for the various Mohe tribes to unify.”

Zhou Yu shook his head. “There are no uprisings in the Northeast, so this estimated time is about right. However, uprisings in the Northeast will accelerate the unification of the various Mohe tribes.”

Third Yang felt a chill in his heart. “Jiefu means that the Mohe have seen greater benefits, and these benefits are driving the various tribes to accelerate unification?”

Zhou Yu and Yang Xi exchanged a glance, both of them still surprised. This kid was more perceptive than they had imagined. “Yes.”

Zhou Yu pointed to the vast Central Plains with his pen. “The target is here.”

Third Yang pursed his lips, “The various Mohe tribes are good at fighting, and their warriors are very brave. In recent years, they have become increasingly audacious in entering the border, while the combat strength of the garrison on the Northeast border has been declining year by year, and the armor and equipment worn by the soldiers have never been changed.”

The court was corrupt, corrupt officials embezzled military funds, and layers of exploitation made life miserable for the regular army.

Zhou Yu didn’t respond, continuing to talk about the neighbors in Northeast China, “Besides the Mohe, there are also the Western countries that are growing stronger year by year. Although these Western countries are currently fighting for territory and don’t affect our country yet, we still need to be careful.”

Third Yang was stunned. “Western countries?”

This was beyond his understanding; he only knew about the Mohe people.

Zhou Yu didn’t continue; he only introduced the surrounding neighbors, followed by several small vassal states, and most notably, the various tribes of the grasslands.

Zhou Yu asked, “What did you see on the map?”

Third Yang’s back was soaked with sweat. “Surrounded on all sides?”

Zhou Yu tossed the drawing paper into the charcoal brazier. “Alright, today’s lesson is over.”

Third Yang, still reluctant to leave, asked, “Hey, it’s over already?”

Zhou Yu rubbed his neck and waved dismissively. “I don’t want to see you right now.”

Third Yang touched his nose. “Jiefu, I’ll have the restaurant prepare a feast. Shall I formally become your apprentice later?”

Zhou Yu paused. “No rush; wait until things settle down.”

After Third Yang left, Yang Xi sighed. “Some people are born extraordinary.”

Zhou Yu added, “He still has a long way to go. This kid is far from good enough.”

Yang Xi laughed. “So we need to keep polishing him?”

Zhou Yu snorted, “Things have been going too smoothly lately. He’s got a big head on his shoulders, acting like he’s something special.”

Yang Xi stroked her son’s head, “Still young.”

Zhou Yu took her obedient son. “Our son is the best.”

Ziheng felt embarrassed by his father’s kiss. “Dad.”

Zhou Yu picked up his son. “Come on, Dad will take you out to play.”

Ziheng hugged his father’s neck. “Mom will come too.”

Yang Xi didn’t want to move. “Mom is a little tired from sitting and wants to rest for a while.”

Third Yang hadn’t finished digesting what he had learned that day, deeply realizing his own insignificance, and felt somewhat discouraged. He went back to his room and lay down without moving.

Yan Bing put down his book. “What’s wrong with you?”

He went out like a rooster but came back like a frozen cabbage?

Third Yang closed his eyes. “I’m reflecting on myself.”

Yan Bing ignored the erratic Third Yang, figuring he’d be fine in a bit, and continued reading his book.

Third Yang suddenly widened his eyes. “You really won’t tell me how much silver your ancestors hid?”

Yan Bing, “Get lost.”

That evening at dinner, Yan Bing learned that Zhou Xiānshēng had officially accepted Third Yang as his student. A thought stirred in him as well, but he quickly pressed it down. He wasn’t in a hurry.

Wu Shan also had his eye on it, but unfortunately, none of his four sons were academically inclined, and his grandson wasn’t as bright as his granddaughter, leaving him with no way to use his talents.

The Zhao family had their own special skills and didn’t pay much attention.

Ye Shun actually wanted his sons to study, but unfortunately, he had joined later, and since Zhou Xiānshēng had taken in his xiǎojiùzi, they were merely people traveling together. He didn’t dare bring it up.

It was Yang Xi who discovered that the Ye family’s two children were secretly watching Ziheng learn to read, and upon returning, she said to her younger brother, “You can teach the children in the caravan to read.”

The younger brother immediately agreed, “Okay.”

Ye Shun was a clever man; as soon as Zhou Xiaodi mentioned teaching them to read, Ye Shun sent him tuition fees. Wu Shan also sent his sons to learn to read, but the Zhao family remained silent.

After resting, the caravan set off again.

Three days later, Old Man Zhao also brought tuition fees for Zhou Xiaodi. Old Man Zhao had attended classes for three consecutive days before sending his two grandsons to learn to read.

A learning atmosphere arose during the caravan’s journey, with half an hour of study time each evening.

The caravan traveled frequently, stopping and starting, and soon left Huaizhou territory. Yang Xi thought things would remain peaceful until Anding, but the peace was shattered just outside Huaizhou.

(End of Chapter)

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