Chapter 190 – The Straight Path

Xu Chun smiled and greeted Xie Yi with a bow, then bowed to Fang Zijing. After making a general round of bows, he said, “The construction of the Wabang University Hall’s campus buildings, walls, dormitories, canteens, library, and so on, was carried out continuously while learning. In three years, over two hundred thousand taels have been raised, all paid from bond funds. Additionally, calculating the annual expenses of the academy, including clothing, food, and books, it’s roughly two hundred thousand taels.”

Everyone sucked in a breath.

Fang Zijing nodded slightly. “About that number, it’s a relatively conservative estimate. Governing studies is like leading an army; considering the teachers, students, servants, and guards, accommodation and food aren’t too much, but when you add military equipment, educational resources, and weapons, the annual cost should be around three hundred thousand.”

Xu Chun said, “Therefore, I distributed these two hundred thousand taels based on the number of people, calculating five hundred taels per person annually. This amount was allocated to each hall, and I asked the hall masters to think of ways to resolve it themselves. The profits from the workshops run by the academy are unified to repay the bonds. Since the founding of the academy, each hall has self-funded. Of course, if a hall truly can’t raise funds, they’re allowed to apply for funding.”

“But starting from the second year, all halls fully self-funded their expenditures and even had surpluses.”

Xu Chun smiled faintly. “So I dare not take credit; it’s all due to the efforts of the hall masters.” He looked up at Xie Yi, bowed, his eyes sparkling mischievously. “Please allow His Majesty to let the hall masters report the income and expenditure of their respective halls.”

Xie Yi’s expression was calm, but his eyes held amusement. “Go ahead.”

Xu Chun said, “Let’s start with the highest income. The Machinery Hall has the highest income, followed by the Medical Hall, Arithmetic Hall, Naval Administration Hall. Although the latter earns a significant amount, the large number of people and high expenses drag it down somewhat. The Agricultural Hall is at the bottom. The Polyglot Hall was newly established last year, and the Arts Hall was set up this year, but they’ve all self-funded.”

The head of the Machinery Hall, An Weiwu, stepped forward. He was a sturdy man with thick eyebrows and large eyes, in his twenties. Bowing, he introduced himself. “An Weiwu, head of the Machinery Hall, reporting the income and expenditure of the Machinery Hall.”

“The Machinery Hall has one hundred students. Accommodation is limited, but the main expense is the machinery, which is precious. Teachers and students economize and tap new sources. They first borrowed a batch of scrapped machines to disassemble repeatedly before daring to disassemble new ones to examine and imitate. We deeply feel the grace of the sovereign, and even though we occupy low positions, we dare not forget our country’s concerns. We study diligently every day, striving to research, never daring to slack off.

“Currently, we can replicate over ten kinds of machinery, including Western looms, bellows, ironing machines, steam waterwheels, windmills, steamship engines, submarines, and more. We work with craftsmen day and night to produce and sell them to various states and counties. In Jinhaiwei, we also lease out plowing machines, looms, bellows, waterwheels, and so on, earning substantial rental fees. Deducting the cost of purchasing the machinery, the annual profit exceeds one hundred thousand taels. Now, orders continue to pour in, but we lack enough skilled workers, so we can’t keep up with production. Otherwise, we could earn even more money.”

His voice was exceptionally loud. When he spoke loudly, everyone’s ears rang slightly. Though he had seemed like a rough man during the initial greetings, no one expected him to be so meticulous and eloquent in praising the sovereign.

Everyone couldn’t help but glance sideways. Fang Zijing chuckled and asked, “Your name is An Weiwu. Could there be a brother named An Jingwen?”

An Weiwu grinned. “Your Grace guessed correctly. My elder brother, An Jingwen, also works at the academy. He’s skilled in jade carving and is currently leading people in researching a machine knife that can carve jade. If successful, the carving of jade and wood would become a substantial source of profit.”

When Xie Yi heard about jade carving, he was slightly startled, as if reminded of something. He asked An Weiwu, “Your surname is An?”

An Weiwu bowed respectfully. “Reporting to Your Majesty, my brother and I were adopted by eunuch An Yannian, who oversees the Imperial Workshop in the palace. We have been taught by our adoptive father since childhood and never forget the profound grace of the sovereign.”

Eunuch adopted sons!

For a moment, the hall fell silent. All the ministers accompanying the emperor were shocked. Although they knew that Lord Linhai was unconventional and bold, allowing eunuch adopted sons to become teachers was quite “unconstrained”!

The eunuch in charge of the Imperial Workshop! That was a real eunuch with actual power, overseeing many imperial craftsmen. Whether it was developing machinery or mobilizing craftsmen, doing business would be effortless!

Everyone suddenly understood, looking at Lord Linhai with complicated expressions. Eunuch adopted sons didn’t sound good, but they were practical!

It was evident that Xie Yi was hearing this for the first time. He glanced at Xu Chun, who was smiling beside him, and nodded slightly. “An Yannian has always been meticulous in handling matters. You two brothers are excellent. Continue to serve diligently. This is the way to innovate and seek improvements. Your future prospects will naturally unfold.”

An Weiwu bowed deeply. “Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty.” His voice trembled slightly as he straightened up and retreated. Everyone saw that his eyes were red, indicating his emotional state and that tears were welling up.

The head of the Medical Hall, Guan Wanwan, stepped out and performed a bow of longevity. “Guan Wanwan, head of the Medical Hall, reporting. The Medical Hall has extremely high expenses, mostly for medicinal materials, gauze, pharmaceutical machinery, alcohol, and other medical supplies. However, the income is also high. Apart from annual free clinics, consultation fees amount to thirty thousand taels. Moreover, the profits from selling medicinal pills, wound medicines, medicinal wine, tonics, and so on, are very high, exceeding fifty thousand taels annually. This is still because we have fewer people producing medicine. However, this scarcity makes the products valuable, so the medicines sell well. Therefore, to ensure the effectiveness of the medicines, we haven’t mass-produced them.”

Xie Yi smiled. “People eat a variety of grains and inevitably fall ill. The Medical Hall’s revenue is naturally good. The income of the Imperial Medical Institute and Imperial Pharmacy in the capital is also quite substantial every year. But doctors should prioritize medical skills and not overly concern themselves with profitability.”

Guan Wanwan replied, “Yes.”

Xie Yi knew that Donghai and Donghai’s master, Zhou Biao, actually worked at the Medical Hall. However, Donghai was low-key and reserved, so he wasn’t as quick-witted and articulate as Guan Wanwan. Xie Yi nodded, signaling the next person to step forward.

After Guan Wanwan retreated, the head of the Arithmetic Hall, Qing Qian, stepped forward. Her hair was piled high, her appearance beautiful. She reported, “Qing Qian, head of the Arithmetic Hall, reporting. The Arithmetic Hall has few expenses, mainly just food, clothing, and calculation rods. The income primarily comes from donations from merchants and the fees from students who attend classes on a walk-in basis. Also, the student council accepts some external business commissions for auditing accounts. Most of the fees go to the students, with the hall taking a twenty percent cut.”

Xie Yi couldn’t help but laugh. “Auditing accounts? You do have experience. This twenty percent isn’t small either.”

Qing Qian smiled charmingly. “Your Majesty is wise beyond measure. Indeed, some audits are charged based on forty percent of the deficit. If the recovered deficit is significant, the profit is indeed higher.”

Fang Zijing laughed. “Your Majesty might not know, but I suspect the largest part of the fees comes from the walk-in students. Generally, merchant families find it difficult to train their own slaves to write and calculate. With the donation fees and walk-in arrangement, they don’t occupy the school’s accommodations and meals but pay a substantial sum of money. It’s the same whether you’re watching over one sheep or a whole flock.”

Xie Yi remained silent.

Qing Qian slightly bowed to Fang Zijing. “Marquis Wuying truly understands mundane affairs. No wonder Lord Linhai speaks of Marquis Wuying with utmost admiration.”

Fang Zijing, hearing her tone, glanced at Xu Chun. “Are you a servant girl from Lord Linhai’s mansion?”

Qing Qian smiled. “I am a servant girl of the Duke of Jingguo’s wife. By the grace of the wife, she released me to become a manager. After the founding of the academy, there was no one to manage the Arithmetic Hall, so she ordered me to operate it.”

Fang Zijing, observing Xie Yi’s expression, realized that Xie Yi must have known this beforehand. He had seen the few book boys around Lord Linhai, and now each of them had an official position. It seemed that even the servant girls weren’t ordinary.

Xie Yi nodded, dismissing her, and gestured for the next person.

Lu Jiugao from the Naval Administration Hall stepped forward and said in a deep voice, “The Naval Administration Hall has three thousand five hundred and forty-two teachers and students, divided into different departments. The required weapons, horses, military supplies, and training ships consume astonishing amounts of resources. Our teachers and students don’t dare to waste anything, spending within our means. The primary income comes from shipbuilding and repair services. The annual income is decent, and the income and expenditures are balanced, with a surplus of around ten thousand taels.”

He finished and saluted before retreating.

The head of the Agricultural Hall, Zhang Sansi, stepped forward to report. “The Agricultural Hall has few teachers and students, and the expenses are minimal. The income primarily comes from growing and selling crops. The expenses and income are roughly balanced.”

Xie Yi asked, “Growing and selling crops?”

Zhang Wenzheng, knowing that Zhang Sansi wasn’t good with words, explained with a smile. “Zhang Sansi is my cousin. He has written three agricultural books. Growing and selling crops means that the vegetables, mulberry, hemp, rice, and fruit trees planted in the Agricultural Hall’s experimental fields are supplied to the academy’s canteen. Additionally, pigs, cattle, sheep, chickens, ducks, fish, and other livestock are also supplied to the canteen. The academy purchases them at eighty percent of the market price, balancing the expenses and income.”

Xie Yi smiled. “I remember. Zhang Sansi wrote ‘Sansi’s Agricultural Book,’ in three volumes: ‘Seeds, Soil, Fertilizer, and Cultivation Methods,’ ‘Grafting and Cultivation of Fruit Trees and Mulberry,’ and ‘Livestock Breeding Methods.’ The Ministry of Households presented them to me, and they were well-written.”

Zhang Sansi hadn’t expected the emperor to have read his book. His lips trembled slightly, but he was awkward with words and stuttered, “Not…not very good. Now that I’m at the academy, I’ve discovered many shortcomings and need to revise and reprint them…I’ll present a set to Your Majesty then.”

Xie Yi warmly praised him. “I’ll wait. If it’s feasible, we’ll publish it throughout the empire for the benefit of the common people.”

Zhang Sansi bowed and retreated, his eyes red with intense emotion.

Jiang Mei, the head of the Polyglot Hall, stepped forward to report. “Jiang Mei, head of the Polyglot Hall, reporting. The Polyglot Hall has few students and low expenses, mostly funded by donations from merchants. There’s also income from translated books. We plan to print a few foreign-language dictionaries so that beginners can learn foreign languages using the dictionary, increasing the income further.”

Xie Yi said, “That’s indeed useful. Mr. Jiang, please begin editing as soon as possible.”

Jiang Mei bowed and agreed, retreating. As a government official for many years, he had never imagined having the chance to meet the emperor. A sense of honor appeared on his face.

Finally, Madam Xue from the Arts Hall walked forward with a smile and bowed. “Madam Xue Xingluo greets Your Majesty. The Arts Hall has the fewest students, all noble ladies of the imperial clan. The princes donated a considerable amount of silver, and the Imperial Clan Office also provided funding. Thank you for Your Majesty’s great grace.”

Xie Yi smiled slightly and looked at Shen Mengzhen. “The talent and beauty of Secretary Shen have been surpassed by Madam.”

Laughter erupted in the hall.

Shen Mengzhen rose to thank him, a mix of embarrassment and gratitude on his face.

Xie Yi turned to Madam Xue and said, “With Madam teaching the noble ladies of the imperial clan and Princess Heshun supervising their studies, I’m reassured. In the future, I hope you two work together harmoniously and cooperatively to cultivate talents for the nation.”

Shen Mengzhen and Madam Xue both bowed in gratitude and retreated.

Xie Yi then looked at Xu Chun. Xu Chun’s eyes sparkled with satisfaction as he smiled at Fang Zijing. “Is Marquis Wuying satisfied with the answers given by the hall masters?”

Fang Zijing said, “Lord Linhai acts unconventionally, defying tradition, and uses people without restrictions. His Majesty is wise, with a heart for the world and broad tolerance, accommodating capable officials. We ministers are deeply moved.” He unexpectedly gave Xie Yi a subtle compliment.

Everyone was momentarily speechless, staring at him. He had clearly criticized Lord Linhai earlier but ended up calmly flattering the emperor. They secretly cursed Marshal Wuying as a cunning old fox. How could such an upright person like Grand Marshal Fang have such a crafty older brother?

Xie Yi said warmly, “When Lord Linhai submitted his memorial, I remember a sentence inside that said, ‘Establishing an academy is to nurture the pillars of the nation and forge the nation’s heavy weapons.'”

He looked at Xu Chun and smiled faintly. “It’s fine to act unconventionally, as long as one’s heart chooses the straight path.”

Inspired, Fang Zijing suddenly stood up, bowed, and called out, “A wise sovereign has upright ministers. Your Majesty is wise! Long live! Long live! Long, long live!”

The ministers present: “…”

All the ministers had no choice but to stand up, step forward, and bow together, chanting in unison, “Your Majesty is wise! Long live! Long live! Long, long live!”