vstars Chapter 24 Rules
Chapter 24 Rules
The next morning, in the lecture hall.
Eight inner disciples sat upright at their seats, while Shen Qing stood in front of the podium and briefly recounted the events reported by Lin Shouwei the previous day.
"From today onwards, if anyone asks whether the academy is accepting students, the answer will be as follows."
Shen Qing held up three fingers.
"Firstly, due to my limited energy and the sect's limited financial resources, we will only recruit this batch of children this year and will not expand the recruitment."
"We will politely refuse any tuition fees offered by anyone. We will tell them that Qingyun Academy does not accept tuition fees, not this year, and not next year. Rules are rules."
"Secondly, next June, these children will be entering the second grade. At that time, Qingyun Academy will reopen its gates to enroll a new batch of first-grade students. The number of students to be enrolled and the application requirements will be announced separately at that time."
"Third, the Qingyun Academy has a three-year curriculum. Those who excel in the assessment after the three-year term may stay at the academy for further study or be recommended by me to businesses in Qinghe City for employment."
Shen Qing's gaze swept over the eight people.
"Remember, you must not change a single word of this explanation. No matter whether the person asking is rich or poor, or even your parents, the answer should be the same."
Wang Shouzhou scratched his head: "Sect Master, why wait until next year? Our lecture hall can still accommodate more students, wouldn't it be better to take in a few more? People are willing to contribute to the tuition, which shows their sincerity..."
"When you used to work as a porter at the docks, when were you most diligent?"
After thinking for a moment, Wang Shouzhou replied, "When the ship was about to depart, the cargo hadn't been unloaded yet. The captain was urging us on, so we worked as hard as we could to unload it."
"If the boat captain told you beforehand that it was okay if you couldn't finish moving everything today, you could do it tomorrow, would you still work so hard?"
Wang Shouzhou opened his mouth, but couldn't say a word.
Shen Qing turned around and looked at everyone.
"People are the same; things that are too easily obtained are naturally not cherished."
"If my Qingyun Academy accepts anyone, the parents of those young children will not cherish this opportunity, and the children will not cherish this spot."
"But if we tell them that there are limited spots, and recruitment is only held once a year, and if they miss it, they will have to wait until next year, they will fight hard for it, and if they get it, they will cherish it even more."
"Not only that. Those who didn't get in will be envious and will spread the word about how difficult it is to get into Qingyun Academy. Word will spread from one to ten, and from ten to a hundred, and Qingyun Academy's reputation will grow louder and louder. When enrollment comes next year, there will be far more applicants than this year."
"That's called 'creating momentum'."
The lecture hall was quiet for a moment. Huang An stood up and bowed deeply: "Your teachings, Patriarch, are very enlightening."
Shen Qing looked at him and nodded. This spy sent by the Huang family was becoming more and more like a true disciple of the Qingyun Sect.
The news spread even faster than Shen Qing had anticipated.
In just three days, the news that Qingyun Academy would "not enroll students this year and would reopen its gates next June" spread throughout Qinghe County.
Families in the north of the city who couldn't register lamented their decision after hesitating for a few days, while the parents of the children who had already enrolled were overjoyed and told everyone they met how lucky their children were.
The changes in the first batch of children were truly remarkable.
Those wild children who used to run wild in the streets and alleys can now recite the entire Three Character Classic after only ten days of schooling.
After returning home, he stopped using foul language and instead began to "lecture" his parents, just like the teachers at the academy.
They know to wash their hands before meals, know to greet elders, and no longer rush around recklessly.
One of them was a young boy named Liu Xiaohu. His father was a laborer at the docks, and he used to be so tired that he would fall asleep as soon as he got home every day.
These past few days, every day after school, Xiaohu would first prepare a basin of water for his father to wash his feet, and then stand beside him reciting his lessons for the day.
His father, an honest man in his thirties, squatted at the door and cried for a long time after hearing his son recite the Three Character Classic for the first time.
This change is actually more convincing than any GG (Goblin).
For a time, the four characters "Qingyun Academy" became the hottest topic of conversation in the streets and alleys of Qinghe County.
The dockworkers talked about it during their breaks, the vendors at the market talked about it during their free time, and even the well-off families in the south of the city began to inquire about the background of Qingyun Academy.
May 28th, the thirteenth day since the children started school.
These past few days, Shen Qing has been experiencing both pain and joy. The pure spiritual energy provided by the system every day is abundant, and each day is better than the last.
However, his physical body was too weak, and the increasing spiritual energy every day made Shen Qing feel overwhelmed. The increase in spiritual energy became a happy problem.
The actions of Qingyun Sect naturally could not be kept secret from those who were interested.
County Magistrate Zhao Yuanlang sat in a grand chair, holding a newly delivered intelligence report in his hand.
"Qingyun Academy will not be enrolling students this year, but will reopen next June? Someone offered tuition fees but was politely refused?"
The clerk, Xuanji, stood below the steps and respectfully replied, "Yes. The news was personally released by Shen Qing's disciples. It is said that a fishing family surnamed Zhang in the north of the city was willing to offer two taels of silver for a spot, but they politely declined."
Zhao Yuanlang put down the intelligence report and tapped his fingers lightly on the armrest.
He had seen private schools that didn't charge fees.
He'd seen private schools that charged tuition but weren't in a hurry to expand enrollment, but he'd also seen private schools that didn't charge tuition, refused offers of money, and insisted on waiting until the following year to enroll students.
This was the first time he had ever seen Shen Qing like this. What exactly was Shen Qing up to?
Having followed Zhao Yuanlang for so many years, Xuanji was naturally very good at reading people's expressions and spoke up at the right time, "My lord, I think Shen Qing's actions are not hard to understand."
"explain."
"Qingyun Academy has only been open for a little over ten days, and its foundation is not yet stable."
"If we rashly expand enrollment, firstly, we will lack funds and supplies; secondly, we will lack sufficient instructors; and thirdly, we will face management chaos."
"The students felt that Shen Qing's move was extremely wise. Rather than trying to do too much at once, it was better to stabilize the situation and teach the first batch of children to be exemplary. Once these children had achieved something, they would naturally be the best brand."
"Recruiting a second batch at that time will be much more efficient. Even if he charges tuition then, there will still be plenty of applicants."
Zhao Yuanlang pondered for a moment, then nodded. This explanation was quite reasonable.
Xuanji then changed the subject, "However, I think Shen Qing is a man of deep thoughts, and we must be wary of him. Whether he truly established the academy to educate the local people, or if he has other motives, remains to be seen. Why don't you go up the mountain and see for yourself, sir?"
Zhao Yuanlang stood up, walked to the window, and looked in the direction of Qingyun Mountain.
"In that case, I will go up the mountain myself to take a look."
"I hereby convey my message: Ma Wenzhong, the county school instructor, and Zhou Shi'an, the instructor, will accompany me to Qingyun Mountain tomorrow. Tell them that the magistrate of Qinghe County has heard that Qingyun Academy has achieved remarkable results in educating the local people, and has specially led the county school officials to observe and learn from it in order to show his appreciation."
Upon hearing this, the advisor nodded and immediately wrote a formal letter of invitation, ordering someone to deliver it to the Qingyun Sect.
May 29th, early morning.
A group of people set off from the Qinghe County government office and slowly made their way along the mountain road leading to Qingyun Mountain.
At the very front of the procession was a small sedan chair with a blue curtain, inside which sat Zhao Yuanlang, the magistrate of Qinghe County.
Beside the sedan chair followed the advisor, Xuanji, dressed in a blue robe, with a long sword at his waist and sharp eyes.
Two horses followed behind the sedan chair, one carrying Ma Wenzhong, the county school instructor, and the other carrying Zhou Shi'an, the instructor.
Behind them were four yamen runners carrying loads of silk, two jars of wine, and a set of writing implements.