Chapter 189 – Touring the Academy

When constructing the Naval Academy, consideration was given to the constant need for ship observation, so it occupied the largest area of the entire school and was purposefully built near the sea with a shipyard. In the center of the academy stood a three-story building, its rooftop adorned with a sea-viewing platform. Half of the platform was open-air, housing items such as celestial observation instruments. The other half featured a spacious meeting hall.

Zhang Wenzheng led Prince Xie Yi and his ministers up the stairs to rest in the meeting hall. Everyone observed that the hall, with its large glass windows and brand-new carpets, had clearly been meticulously prepared beforehand, spotless yet elegantly decorated. At the center of the hall lay a long table made of rosewood, with sandalwood benches against the walls, several hexagonal tables paired with armchairs, and horse stools. Tea sets adorned each table, indicating that both teachers and students often held meetings here.

Zhang Wenzheng invited Prince Xie Yi to take the seat of honor, while the other ministers sat according to their ranks. Several lower-ranking scholars from the Imperial Academy mostly stood on the side, as students served tea to everyone.

Xu Chun personally presented a cup of tea to Xie Yi. Upon inspecting the porcelain teacup with its floral design, Xie Yi recognized it as his own creation, understanding that it was Xu Chun’s personal cup. He smiled inwardly and took a slow sip of the tea.

He then rose from his seat and stepped out onto the platform, overlooking the academy. From his vantage point, he could see many students surrounding the ships in the shipyard, all dressed in uniform scholar robes, bustling about under the supervision of their instructors. On one side of the balcony, a Taoist-looking man was instructing several students as they observed the distance and recorded data. Beside him, a female Taoist was diligently sketching star charts.

Prince Xie Yi commanded Zhang Wenzheng, “Go fetch that Taoist.”

In no time, the elderly Taoist approached in small, hurried steps, bowing deeply in respect.

Seeing the lotus crown atop his head, the crane-feather robe draped over his shoulders, and the whisk in hand, Xie Yi noted the Taoist’s ruddy complexion and asked playfully, “Is this gentleman a teacher? A Taoist master?”

The old Taoist bowed his head respectfully. “I am Taoist Xuchenzi, currently serving as a professor of astronomy and geography at the Naval Academy. Greetings, Your Majesty.”

Xie Yi recalled who Xuchenzi was. Glancing at the female Taoist standing demurely nearby, he recognized her as Chu Wei, the former concubine of the regent. Smiling, he looked at Xu Chun. “Lord Linhai knows no bounds when it comes to employing people.”

Xu Chun suppressed a chuckle and bowed. “Your Majesty, we not only employ Taoists but also hire several Western missionaries. They are greatly impressed by our Imperial Astronomical Bureau’s records of celestial phenomena and our calendar system. I have asked Mr. Shen to help me arrange for them to go to the capital to study at the Imperial Astronomical Bureau.”

“Taoist Master Xuchenzi is knowledgeable in both astronomy and geography. Many students are eager to learn from him. Since the founding of the academy three years ago, the coastal water levels, celestial phenomena, star charts, and the times of tidal ebb and flow, have all been recorded by Taoist Master Xuchenzi, along with Taoist Xuanwei and various students. These records have been immensely helpful for seafaring.”

Fang Zijing suddenly chuckled, but Xie Yi didn’t find it odd. Turning to him, he smiled. “What has made Lord Wuying laugh?”

Fang Zijing replied, “I see that the students taught by this old Taoist can predict good fortune and misfortune, read the feng shui of homes, and choose auspicious burial sites. It seems they won’t have any trouble finding a way to earn a living after graduation.”

All the ministers couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

Xuchenzi, known for his thick skin, wasn’t bothered by the comment. Instead, he smiled. “With such praise from the nobleman, it will be easier for me to recruit students in the future.”

Xie Yi asked with a smile, “Since there’s an old Taoist overseeing things, let me ask: how is the location chosen for this university?”

Xuchenzi stretched out his arm, his robe sleeves fluttering in the wind. His beard quivered as his eyes gleamed. “Reporting to Your Majesty, look at the mountain ridge and sea cliffs resembling a coiled dragon. A coiled dragon with water signifies that when the water arrives, official rank follows, and prodigies and top scholars emerge. Furthermore, observe the deep water and majestic mountains, where mountains resemble seals and seals are found at the water’s mouth, leading to golden halls and jade horses—the pinnacle of a minister’s career. Your Majesty! This place is a feng shui treasure land. Building an academy here will certainly produce loyal ministers and capable generals, all pillars of the state and pillars of the nation, ready to serve Your Majesty!”

Xie Yi smiled slightly, glancing at Xu Chun. He knew that Xu Chun had arranged for this flattery-seeking old Taoist to cheer him up. Laughing, he said, “I’ll gladly accept your auspicious words, Taoist Master.”

Zhang Wenzheng added with a smile, “Your Majesty is wise; naturally, talents from all over the world will come to serve you.”

Xie Yi asked Zhang Wenzheng, “How many students does the Naval Academy have? What subjects do they study?”

Zhang Wenzheng hurriedly stepped forward, pointing to various areas as he reported to Xie Yi, “The curriculum of the Naval Academy is divided into classroom courses and shipboard courses. Classroom courses include maritime navigation, mast rigging, swimming, gunnery drills, electricity and torpedoes, surveying and mapping, shipbuilding, and more. Additionally, we teach military strategies from texts like the Spring and Autumn Annals, Zuo Zhuan, the Warring States Strategies, Sun Tzu’s Art of War, and the Six Secret Teachings. Shipboard courses involve annual sea expeditions conducted by the commander of the Jinhaiwei naval camp, during which students are evaluated and graded based on their conduct.”

“The Naval Academy has the most students—over a thousand. Most of them are children of local military households, naval martyrs, or fishermen. They come here to study naval affairs for two reasons: to secure a livelihood and alleviate the burden on their families, and to acquire skills for a future career.”

Prince Xie Yi asked curiously, “What do you mean by alleviating the burden on their families?”

Zhang Wenzheng explained, “For three years of schooling, accommodation, paper, and textbooks are provided free of charge. Meals are paid for monthly. If a student is truly in difficulty, coarse cornmeal steamed buns, seaweed and egg soup, vegetable and radish soup, and pickled vegetables are available free of charge. School uniforms are issued in spring and autumn. Students facing real hardship can apply to work in the Art Garden, earning a monthly wage. If they perform well in monthly exams, their tuition can be waived, and they may serve as teaching assistants or supervisors, earning additional income.”

Xie Yi asked, “That’s very kind. What is the Art Garden?”

Zhang Wenzheng pointed to an area beside the shipyard. “It’s a workshop set up next to the shipyard, where the academy undertakes daily tasks like drawing, manufacturing parts, and sorting medicines for factories and workshops in Jinhai, including shipyards, machinery plants, textile mills, pharmaceutical companies, and porcelain kilns. Work is assigned piece by piece, with payment based on completion.”

Xie Yi continued, “And how do you discipline the students?”

Zhang Wenzheng replied, “We post the school rules on the wall at the main entrance. When students enter the academy, the supervisor recites and explains the rules to them, which they must memorize. Violations result in light punishments such as copying books, standing in the corner, or writing reflections. More severe violations lead to warnings or expulsion. Each classroom has a supervisor, and any breach of classroom discipline results in immediate removal from the class, deduction of conduct points, and corresponding penalties when points reach a certain level.”

Xie Yi nodded slightly, then asked, “What about the other academies?”

Zhang Wenzheng pointed to the academy buildings and introduced them one by one. “Below the mountain, there’s cultivated farmland; that’s the Agricultural Academy. It teaches seasonal planting, crop characteristics, sericulture, fruit trees, and farming techniques like pest control and fertilization. Most of the students are from farming families in the area, around a hundred in total. The head of the academy is a doctoral graduate in agriculture from the Imperial University, as well as some knowledgeable scholars and gentry from Jinhai.”

Xie Yi nodded approvingly. “Agriculture is the foundation of the people; the Agricultural Academy is crucial.”

Zhang Wenzheng pointed further. “To the southwest is the Mathematics Academy, which also includes business studies. It primarily teaches arithmetic, geometry, measurement, and other disciplines. Many of the students are from merchant or local official households, and there are also quite a few female students. Those with a natural talent for mathematics attend. There are over five hundred students here, and it’s easy to find teachers. Moreover, the tuition for this field is the highest, yet wealthy merchants still flock to enroll their children. We plan to admit even more students this year.”

Xie Yi remarked, “Good. Mathematics has great utility. Tuition shouldn’t be too high to avoid keeping talented students with a knack for calculation out of the academy.”

Zhang Wenzheng quickly responded, “There are entrance exams for admission. The top three scorers receive a full scholarship for the first year. Afterward, annual exams determine scholarships. Talented students won’t be excluded.”

Xie Yi nodded in approval.

Zhang Wenzheng continued, “At the foot of the mountain is the Machinery Academy, which focuses on learning Western machinery and military equipment. Most of the students come from artisan backgrounds, and the teachers are mainly Westerners and experienced craftsmen from the shipyard. Courses offered include mechanics, steam engines, physics, hydraulics, marine engineering principles, calculations, drawing, and chemistry.”

Xie Yi asked, “How is the learning process? Is it difficult?”

Zhang Wenzheng answered, “Though some of the textbooks are translations, some students are naturally skilled in practical operations. Even if they can’t explain the theory, they’re remarkably clever and ingenious when it comes to building machines, so we’ve produced quite a few exceptional talents.”

Xie Yi smiled. “This is practical expertise, knowing ‘what’ but not necessarily ‘why’. However, true knowledge comes from understanding the underlying principles. Only by comprehending the physics can one understand ‘why’, and only then can our dynasty build its own sturdy ships and powerful cannons.”

Zhang Wenzheng hurriedly agreed. “As Your Majesty commands.”

Pointing to the peach blossom grove, Xie Yi asked, “What is that academy over there?”

Zhang Wenzheng replied, “On the hillside amidst the peach blossoms is the Language Academy, which focuses on teaching foreign languages and understanding foreign customs. Most of the students are from merchant and gentry families, with female students being the majority. Out of fifty students, thirty-two are girls, many of whom are daughters of officials. Some noble families also send their maidservants and young male servants to study here. The teachers are translators from Fujian and Guangdong provinces, as well as occasional foreign envoys residing in the Four Barbarians Hall in Jinhaiwei, who come to teach part-time.”

Xie Yi smiled. “Good. As foreign countries are eager to trade with our dynasty, such talents are urgently needed.”

Zhang Wenzheng pointed to another area where pear blossoms bloomed like snow. “Over there is the Medical Academy, home to medical students. Students come from all over the country, attracted by the reputation of this place. Most are descendants of generations of doctors, drawn by the prospect of learning Western medical techniques and pharmacology. Admission is competitive, and the course duration is long, with extremely challenging exams. Therefore, there aren’t many students, around a hundred in total. The faculty includes imperial physicians from the Imperial Medical College, renowned local doctors, and Western physicians.”

Xie Yi smiled. “I remember that there are also many female doctors and nurses here, right?”

Zhang Wenzheng confirmed, “Yes, although there are only a hundred students, there are over thirty teachers. Because there’s a medical clinic, we hire many nurses, medical apprentices, and medical workers from Jinhaiwei to treat patients. Under the guidance of their teachers, students can also practice treating patients at the clinic. The clinic is called the Pear Blossom Pavilion, and it has already gained a small reputation. Patients from various regions travel long distances to seek treatment here.”

Xie Yi remarked, “Indeed, in the capital, I’ve heard that the Pear Blossom Pavilion’s trauma medicine, cold and headache remedies, and cough syrup are highly effective.”

Zhang Wenzheng added, “These medicines are mainly for emergency situations and common illnesses, made into tablets for convenience in military campaigns and everyday use by civilians.”

Xie Yi looked at the newly constructed, classical-style building with high walls and asked, “What is that place?”

Zhang Wenzheng replied, “To the southeast is the Four Arts Academy, built along the mountain, with pavilions and terraces. It’s primarily for female students, offering dormitories and classrooms. Security guards and women take turns patrolling the gates. Many royal and noble ladies now study here. The curriculum includes music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and the Four Books and Five Classics. The teachers are renowned scholars, and Princess Hexun occasionally supervises the academy.”

Xie Yi nodded, then turned to Shen Mengzhen. “I remember that your wife serves as the head of the Four Arts Academy. With Lady Shen’s expertise in chess, she’s perfectly suited for the position.”

Shen Mengzhen replied, “My wife indeed works at the Four Arts Academy, but she doesn’t dare claim to be an expert. She merely understands the principles of chess.”

Xie Yi noticed Shen Mengzhen’s restrained demeanor, his mind wandering elsewhere. Ever since he had frightened Shen Mengzhen with his anti-authoritarian views once, the man’s former charm and wit seemed to have vanished, leaving him rather dull and unappealing. Xie Yi disapproved, “Lord Linhai is your student, and he’s doing well with his academy. You also deserve credit for that. Having seen this today, you should also strive to make achievements at the National University. I feel that you’ve been somewhat lax in recent years. Although it’s said that the student surpasses the teacher, as Minister of Rites and Grand Tutor, you shouldn’t lose your drive and become complacent in your duties.”

The tone of his voice grew heavier. Shen Mengzhen hastily stood up to apologize. “I dare not, Your Majesty. I am ashamed.”

Xu Chun also quickly stood beside him, bowing to apologize. “Please calm down, Your Majesty. Mr. Shen has always been a strong supporter of the academy and has dispatched many teachers to give lectures.”

Xie Yi said, “I’ll let it slide for your student’s sake. When you return, consider how to reform the education system and curriculum at the National University. Draft a proposal accordingly.”

Shen Mengzhen acknowledged the order.

Xie Yi then led his ministers back to the meeting hall to sit down. He ordered Zhang Wenzheng to summon the heads of each academy. One by one, they met with Xie Yi, who asked them about various matters concerning their academies. Regardless of gender, the heads were all poised and confident, answering questions fluently. Xie Yi’s displeasure dissipated, and he rewarded each of them before addressing the ministers. “Now that you’ve accompanied me on this inspection tour of the academy, if you have any questions, feel free to ask.”

Fang Zijing glanced at Xu Chun and asked, “I’ve been calculating in my mind. The tuition fees charged by this academy are not high. But considering the thousands of teachers and students, their food, drink, accommodation, transportation, the salaries of the teachers, and even expenses for raising horses, training on ships, and the use of guns, torpedoes, and other military equipment, it’s clear that running this academy requires a significant amount of money.

“It seems that the expenses for the academy are enormous. I wonder how the construction and daily operations of the academy are funded. And regarding the students who work part-time, where does the profit come from? Surely it can’t be entirely dependent on bonds, which need to be repaid. How is the balance between income and expenditure maintained? Could Lord Linhai shed some light on this for us?”

The other ministers, sensing that Lord Wuying had raised a crucial question, all perked up and focused their attention on Xu Chun.