??Chapter 199: Enlightening the People
Not seeing Deng Zhengde at the residence, Wei Yu asked the attendants and learned that he had gone out. Well, that was really unlucky. Regarding fate, Wei Yu could only apologize to Lord Qi. Since the person was not at ho and it was unknown when he would return, Qi Tishou, no matter how anxious, had no choice but to go back for the ti being and wait until tomorrow to co again.
As for Deng Zhengde, he was out until late in the evening. Upon returning, he went straight to Wei Yu to report that today he had bumped into the Fourth Prince and even went to the Fourth Prince's residence to chat about various money-making thods.
"What? You t the Fourth Brother today!" Wei Yu was extrely surprised; he really didn't expect these two to run into each other so coincidentally. What was going on between these two? They were both typical top experts at making money!
Deng Zhengde wore a relieved smile on his face; it was obvious that he had a very pleasant and enjoyable ti with the Fourth Prince today. He said, "Indeed, Your Highness, after eting with the Fourth Prince today, I realized that the glass was actually invented by you! And those glass styles, glasses, and so on, Your Highness, you truly are wise."
Deng Zhengde looked at Wei Yu aningfully, his eyes both gratified and sowhat reproachful, "Your Highness, you have this ability, why didn't you say a word to
back in Ziyang County? If you had said sothing earlier, maybe the rchants' Alliance could have earned even more money these past few months!"
Wei Yu fell silent. He ignored Deng Zhengde's accusation and changed the topic, asking, "Did you have a good conversation with my Fourth Brother? Was there no unpleasantness?"
Deng Zhengde paused, "Your Highness, could it be that you are not on good terms with the Respectful King?"
Just now it was "Fourth Highness," and now it changed to "Respectful King."
"How could that be? I'm such an easygoing person; there is no way I have a bad relationship with my own brother."
Wei Yu quickly waved his hand to explain, "You spent ti with my Fourth Brother today and must know that he is a business genius, just like you. If you two can work together in business, filling the National Treasury with wealth, then the Imperial Court can do more, and the people of Great Wei will live better lives."
Two money-making powerhouses gathered together. As long as their energies aligned and they weren't clashing, the chemical reaction wouldn't be simply 1
1 = 2.
The elder wanted money, and he did too. Whether it was from his Fourth Brother's side or the rchants' Alliance, as long as money was being made, he could also take a share!
Wei Yu had no other hobbies - just making money, getting rich, living a good life. If possible, he wanted to own a large ship himself and personally sail out to other places to see the world...
After hearing Wei Yu's reasoning, Deng Zhengde looked at him with greater respect.
Indeed, His Highness is truly His Highness. No matter what he does, His Highness's ultimate goal is for the people!
For the people, His Highness could even put aside his caution toward the Fourth Prince. There really is no other lord in the world who cherishes the people more than the Ninth Highness.
Deng Zhengde cupped his fists and said solemnly, "Yes, I understand, please rest assured, Your Highness. For the sake of the people of Great Wei, I will definitely get along well with the Respectful King!"
Wei Yu stepped forward a few steps and patted his shoulder. "I'm glad you have such awareness. You can rest assured - trust in your people, and if you don't trust them, do not use them. I have chosen you because I believe in you. By the way, tomorrow you will accompany
sowhere. There are many good things waiting for you to take back to the rchants' Alliance."
Deng Zhengde was moved but curious, "Your Highness, where are we going tomorrow?"
"To the outskirts of the capital."
Speaking of the outskirts of the capital, it was actually to the estate.
After Wei Yu brought Deng Zhengde to the estate, he showed him the situation in the academy.
"Look, these are triangles; they each have three corners, three sides..."
Outside a classroom, Wei Yu stood with Deng Zhengde by a window.
The classroom was full of students; boys sat on the left, girls on the right. Each had a smooth small wooden board, charcoal pencils, and a pile of dried grass for erasing.
The students were all attentively listening to the teacher up front, none inattentive.
And the teacher was Zhang Qingsheng, who had been coaxed into teaching by Wei Yu using advanced mathematics.
Beside him was Liu Chenyi, serving as Zhang Qingsheng's assistant.
Everyone inside the classroom was focused on their work; no one noticed what was happening outside.
Deng Zhengde had been standing outside listening for a long ti. From initial astonishnt, furrowing brows in thought, to silent fascination, he couldn't help but ask Wei Yu.
"Your Highness, what are they learning? Mathematics?"
"Yes and no. I prefer to call it 'shùxué' (mathematics)."
Wei Yu smiled. "All these students are children from this village. The teacher
used to be the head of Baima Academy, nad Zhang Qingsheng, a
mathematics master. I specially invited him to teach these children
mathematics."
Deng Zhengde silently observed the classroom scene and couldn't help but sigh, "...Your Highness is kind and benevolent."
His heart was heavy and stirred. Clearly, he had many things he wanted to say to His Highness, but when it ca down to it, he didn't know what to say.
His Highness built such a large academy alone in the village, even inviting the head of Baima Academy to teach commoner children - such costly and arduous deeds are sothing even family elders wouldn't dare suggest, much less achieve. Yet His Highness did it truthfully.
Deng Zhengde thought that if one characterized His Highness as scheming and ambitious, it would be unfair.
It could only be said that for a common child, it's extrely difficult to get an education.
Even if the sponsor's intentions are unclear, a gentleman judges by actions, not by thoughts. Having enjoyed such big benefits upfront, giving back a little
in return is only fair.
Wei Yu brought Deng Zhengde here not just to show him, but to have him establish another academy back in Ziyang County!
How could there only be an academy in a single estate?
Popularizing education is a heavy, long-term task. The estate is just the start.
He nurtures these village children, so that after graduation, they can spread out to all corners of Great Wei, teach other children with the knowledge they have learned, and finally achieve a smooth transition of educational
knowledge.
Wei Yu did not want scholars scattered everywhere; he wanted an integration of arts and sciences to flourish!
He said to Deng Zhengde, "These children are the future disseminators of knowledge throughout Great Wei. I let them learn new knowledge here, whether it be the well-known ancient texts or neglected disciplines like mathematics, or even new subjects like physics, chemistry, and biology. I want them to truly understand the real world through learning, and then tell the people the truth."
Deng Zhengde looked at him in shock. "Your Highness! What about the
Emperor..."
Wei Yu tilted his head and looked at him, "Do you think I want to rebel?"
Deng Zhengde hurriedly shook his head, "No, I..."
"No need to explain. I know you worry about ." Wei Yu looked up to the sky,
smiled freely, and said, "The world long divided must unite, and long united must divide; the Imperial Court cannot stand forever."
"To be a ruler over all the people forever, oppression is the worst choice.
Enlightening the people, letting a hundred flowers bloom, developing together, ruling the country by law - this is what an Imperial Court should do for the people. A truly wise ruler is not a coward."
"That is how I think, and so does my Father, the Emperor."
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