Chapter 55

Lin Bei was quite surprised. How could Bian Fuzi think of such a thing?

He carefully observed Bian Fuzi's expression, which seemed normal, making Lin Bei unsure if it was really just because of the heat and the large number of students that he wanted to find a cooler place. However, upon further reflection, Lin Bei thought that Bian Fuzi was a rather simple person, so this was likely the real reason.

So Lin Bei pondered for a moment and said, "Master, if you want to move the school here, I won't object. However, if we do this, the students will have to walk dozens of miles each day to and from school, which would waste a lot of time."

Indeed, it would waste a lot of time. Longtan was about thirty to forty miles from Xishan Township, and the road was difficult. If the students had to walk back and forth every day, how would they have time to study? The students are the most important part of a school. It wouldn't be right to ignore their burden just because the teacher wants a better environment.

Bian Fuzi smiled, "It seems that Sir is not familiar with the rules of our school, which is why you say this." He then composed himself, "Although I am not very talented, I know that literacy and understanding are major life events. How can we be content in a noisy market, disturbed by trivial matters?"

Lin Bei instantly understood. Bian Fuzi meant that reading and studying were such noble pursuits that they required a serene environment. If the school were in a bustling market, surrounded by vendors and the constant noise of hawking goods, it would be very degrading.

This was a difference in thinking between ancient and modern people. In modern times, schools are often surrounded by a series of businesses: convenience stores, barbecue stands, restaurants, and hotels. Lin Bei was used to this, and even adult shops near schools were considered normal. However, ancient people clearly thought differently.

Bian Fuzi continued, "Moreover, once students enter the school, they should be self-sufficient and not return home frequently."

Lin Bei was taken aback. Was there such a thing as a student dormitory in ancient times? Didn't students just go home after school? Since Bian Fuzi said it so matter-of-factly, Lin Bei assumed this was the norm at the time.

After some thought, Lin Bei realized that whether the students lived at the school or went home after school had nothing to do with him. Since Bian Fuzi insisted that students must live at the school, he, as the teacher, was the most important person. Either the students would stay or they would leave, and Lin Bei wasn't worried about it.

"One last question: there is no school here. If we need to build one, it will take a long time. Will it be in time?"

"It's not for enjoyment, so a simple structure will do," Bian Fuzi smiled. "Does this mean Sir agrees?"

"Since you put it that way, how can I disagree? However, you can't use this place. Choose a spot downstream by the river or somewhere else, but not too far away. That way, I can take care of it. I can't promise much, but wild beasts won't dare to come here."

Lin Bei wasn't boasting. After shedding his skin, he found that there were no large animals within a few dozen miles. Even the wild boars had disappeared, and the adult snakes, after being beaten a few times by Lin Bei, had all moved away. Since there were no snakes, the frogs in the area had become unusually rampant, as if they knew Lin Bei didn't eat them.

"Fine," Bian Fuzi said happily. "We wouldn't dare to disturb Sir's rest. Sir, could you give the school a name?"

"Ah? Naming it? Master, you have a courtesy name, right?"

"I do. My courtesy name is Lu Zhi." Bian Ji, also known as Bian Lu Zhi.

"Then let's call it Lu Zhi School." Lin Bei said casually.

"Sir..." Bian Ji looked at Lin Bei with a hint of resentment. Naming the school after him made him feel unworthy.

"Uh, this place is in Nanyue, so how about calling it Nanyue School? Is that okay? Oh, or Nanyue Academy?" Lin Bei remembered that the most famous academy during the Three Kingdoms period was the Yingchuan Academy, and the name "academy" sounded more prestigious than "school."

"Fine, let's call it Nanyue Academy."

While Lin Bei and Bian Fuzi were talking, the people who had come for the first time were whispering to each other. After their initial fear, they saw that Lin Bei, apart from his terrifying size, had no other unusual actions. Humans are highly adaptable, so although they still revered Lin Bei, they remembered their purpose for coming. Seeing that Bian Fuzi had finished talking with Lin Bei, one of them called out softly, "Master."

Bian Ji glanced at him, his attitude very calm, which was completely different from how he treated Lin Bei. When talking to Lin Bei, Bian Fuzi was very respectful and even a bit humble, but when facing this person, he appeared very aloof. He then turned to Lin Bei and said, "Sir, this is a minor manager of the Zhen family's business."

Seeing Lin Bei look at him, the middle-aged man, who was in his thirties, quickly bowed deeply. "Sir, my surname is Zhen, and my name is Zhen Ba. I greet you, Sir." The minor manager, Zhen Ba, was very adaptable. Didn't even Master call the creature in front of him "Sir"?

Lin Bei nodded at him. As a modern person, Lin Bei didn't have the concept of one person being inferior to another, but Zhen Ba didn't think that way. Since Lin Bei's expression remained unchanged, Zhen Ba lowered his head even more, his voice trembling. "May I ask, Sir, is the transaction real?"

Lin Bei wrote, "Of course it is." Bian Fuzi translated the message calmly.

"Sir, my boss has a request," Zhen Ba said quickly.

"What does your boss want to trade with me?"

Zhen Ba hesitated for a moment and said, "Sir, could you step aside for a moment?"

Bian Fuzi snorted, "There's nothing that can't be said in front of others."

Zhen Ba looked a bit embarrassed but was determined. If Lin Bei didn't step aside, he wouldn't say anything. Lin Bei was curious and nodded.

After moving a bit away from the crowd, Zhen Ba bowed. "Please don't be angry, Sir. It's just that the item my boss wants to trade is rather unusual."

"Um, what is it?"

"Sir, have you heard of the phoenix bird?"

PS: Thank you to the three readers, Feathered Snake (I assume?), 001frh, and love coffee, for your generous donations. I am truly grateful.