Zhong Yan thought of his brother Zhou again, his expression darkening further. Good people don’t live long in this world. “If only your father had listened to me.”

Zhou Yu said, “My father has too many responsibilities he can’t let go of.”

Zhong Yan couldn’t do what his brother Zhou had done, so he admired him. “If you two are doing well, your brother Zhou can rest in peace in the afterlife.”

He paused, then added, “Your father is too lonely, buried in the capital. I’ll send someone to bring him back.”

Zhou Yu shook his head. “The journey is too long. When the opportunity arises, I will personally bring my father back to our ancestral home.”

Zhong Yan was silent for a moment. “Very well.”

Zhong Yan asked many questions about his experiences on the road before saying, “You should settle down here in peace.”

Zhou Yu said, “Ruizhou is close to Quanzhou. Our whole family will come to pay our respects to you during the New Year.”

Zhong Yan stroked his beard. “No need for that trouble. I heard you’re going to start a school?”

Zhou Yu nodded, “Yes, the world is in trouble. I hope the children can learn more and understand things so they can survive in this chaotic world.”

Talented people are needed in both prosperous and chaotic times, especially in chaotic times. Those with ability and a good mind can carve out their own niche even in turbulent times.

At that time, these children will form a net to protect their family.

Zhong Yan returned to his ancestral home. He didn’t want to train his family’s children to enter the court, fearing it would bring disaster to the family and could even lead to the extermination of the clan. In recent years, he hadn’t taught anyone who came to his door, spending his days organizing his experiences and insights, which had already amounted to over ten thousand words.

Now, knowing Zhou Yu’s plan, he frowned. “Your idea is good.”

If war breaks out, anyone with a brain will respect a teacher who can continuously cultivate talent for a chaotic world.

Zhou Yu smiled, “To have your approval, I know my approach was right.”

Zhong Yan habitually stroked his beard while thinking and stroked it again. “I’m just idling around anyway, so I’ll become a teacher at your school.”

Zhou Yu, “???”

Yang Xi also doubted her ears, confirming that she hadn’t misheard. Yang Xi thought to herself, with Uncle Zhong in charge, wouldn’t the school’s entrance be completely overrun?

Zhong Yan’s face turned serious. “What, do you think your Uncle Zhong is too old?”

Zhou Yu quickly said, “How could I dare to look down on you? I’d be more than happy if you could come.”

Who said he wasn’t as lucky as Third Yang? His luck had finally arrived!

Zhong Yan’s serious face disappeared, and a smile returned to his face. “I’ll write a letter back to my hometown right away and ask your aunt to come over too so we can stay here as well.”

Zhong Jin looked at his father. He had told his father about Zhou Yu starting a school, but his father hadn’t reacted at the time. He knew his father’s decision was impromptu. He looked at Zhou Yu, and it was only because of Zhou Yu’s insight into the situation that his father had decided to keep him.

The chat went by quickly. Zhong Yan adored Zi Heng, touching his bald head several times and even testing him.

After lunch, Zhong Yan didn’t leave with his son but stayed.

Zhong Yan was very kind to Yang Xi, who had seen him many times in the capital.

Zhong Yan sighed, “You’ve had a tough time, girl.”

She was pregnant, yet she had persevered so bravely and taken such good care of her mother-in-law. He knew his own family had suffered hardships, and his daughter-in-law couldn’t have done what Yang Xi had done.

Zhu Shi was also very kind, possessing the composure of an eldest daughter-in-law, but lacking Yang Xi’s resilience.

Yang Xi smiled. “The hardships are over; the future will be better.”

Zhong Yan liked Yang Xi’s attitude towards life: “Good, good, that’s how you live a good life.”

Yang Xi felt sleepy and went back to rest.

Zhong Yan stayed in Third Yang and Zhou Xiaodi’s courtyard, while the two boys lived with Zhou Bing.

Zhong Yan, though old, was still sleepy. He walked around the house and realized that Yang Xi had designed it. He stroked his beard and once again marveled at how well Brother Zhou had raised his child.

Zhong Yan knew Zhou Bing was going to take the preliminary examination for the imperial examinations, and he also knew Zhou Yu was teaching Zhou Xiaodi and Third Yang. Being an experienced old man, he personally tested them.

Zhong Yan then suggested that he sit and listen that evening.

When Zhong Yan saw Yang Xi arrive with Ziheng, he happily sat down next to Ziheng and asked, “Can you understand what your father is saying?”

Ziheng, not wanting to embarrass his father, replied, “Ziheng remembers what he understood. Grandpa Zhong, can you test Ziheng?”

Zhong Yan raised an eyebrow. “Grandpa already tested me at noon.”

Ziheng picked up a pen. “Grandpa can test Ziheng by having him recite maps. Ziheng remembers them all.”

Zhong Yan looked at Yang Xi. “Maps?”

Yang Xi didn’t hide anything. “National maps. Traveling south, my husband and I drew quite a few maps.”

Zhong Yan’s gaze deepened. “Draw them and let me see.”

He had drawn maps before, but not completely; they were all in his mind. He hadn’t dared to draw them out and keep them; maps could easily cause trouble.

Yang Xi drew a simple map, which Zhong Yan compared to the one in his mind. He sighed, “What a pity about Zhou Yu.”

If he had been born in a better era, this young man could have risen to a high position. Not just anyone could draw a map; this skill was remarkable.

Yang Xi smiled. “Husband thinks things are fine now.”

Zhong Yan remarked, “You two are both good children.”

He knew that Brother Zhou had raised his daughter-in-law like a daughter, and he had often heard Brother Zhou praise her intelligence. He had even tested her in the capital. After many years, this girl was even more remarkable. Brother Zhou had excellent judgment!

Zhou Yu had already begun his lesson. He first gave Zhou Bing questions and then taught Yang San and Zhou Xiaodi. He didn’t hold back just because Uncle Zhong was present; his thoughts couldn’t be hidden for long.

Zhou Yu began, “Today we will talk about population.”

Zhong Yan was a little confused. He turned to look at Yang Xi, and seeing her nod, he confirmed he hadn’t misheard.

Zhong Yan frowned. Was this a normal lesson?

Ignoring the old man’s deep thought, Zhou Yu used the Nanhe River as a dividing line to discuss the population of the North and South. The contrast between the North and South was too obvious. Even without attending the lecture, Third Yang and Zhou Xiaodi knew that the South had a dense population, a developed economy, and a flourishing literary scene.

Many brilliant achievements originated in the South.

Zhong Yan’s casual attitude turned serious. He was shocked by Zhou Yu’s research on population and wondered if this was how his brother Zhou taught Zhou Yu.

Zhong Yan then looked at Zhou Xiaodi and Yang Xixuan. Why was Zhou Yu teaching these two teenagers in this way? Today’s discussion on population had also revealed some current events!

Yang Xi was eating rice crackers. She couldn’t help it; she got hungry too easily and would occasionally stuff a piece into her son’s mouth. Ziheng had been fattened up by his mother like this. The little guy’s cheeks twitched like a hamster.

Zhou Yu caught a glimpse of this out of the corner of his eye. He wanted to pinch his son’s chubby cheeks, but then he wanted to laugh. This mother and son were eating so deliciously!

Hearing the sound of eating rice crackers, Zhong Yan couldn’t resist taking a piece as well. Hmm, eating while listening to the lecture, this feeling was really nice.

In no time, the whole plate of crispy rice was gone. Ziheng, his chubby hand missing the last piece, looked up and stared at the crispy rice in Grandpa Zhong’s hand.

Zhong Yan was a little embarrassed; at his age, he was competing with a child. Then, under Ziheng’s gaze, Zhong Yan put the last piece of crispy rice in his mouth.

Yang Xi, “…”

This wasn’t what she expected!

Ziheng, “!!”

So this is what Grandpa Zhong is like!

(End of Chapter)

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