Chapter 71
After Master Zhang informed Dean Wang Qingshan of Fang Yu's agreement to stay at the academy as a teacher, Dean Wang convened a meeting with the four vice deans that very afternoon to discuss the matter.
Fang Yu had been a student at the academy for several years, but during his early time there, the dean and vice deans barely noticed him. That changed at the end of last year, when his exam essays and remarkable results in the minor examination finally made everyone take notice. Now, with his stunning first-place finish in the provincial examination, he could indeed be called a dark horse emerging from Hande Academy.
Regarding Dean Wang's decision to keep him at the academy as a teacher, the vice deans had little objection. After all, each dean had previously recommended and introduced excellent scholars to become teachers at the academy. Furthermore, this was someone Dean Wang personally appreciated. Although Fang Yu was a bit young, his achievements were clear for all to see. Keeping him at the academy could also be considered a living advertisement for the institution.
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Seeing the unanimous approval from the vice deans, Dean Wang was quite satisfied. Just as he was about to finalize the decision, Vice Dean Chen Guangyin, who had remained silent until then, spoke up: "Dean, to simply allow Fang Yu to join the academy as a teacher and grant him the same treatment as all other teachers—isn't that overly elevating him? He has just reached the age of twenty. Even though his provincial examination results are remarkable, his experience is still shallow. To suddenly have him impart knowledge and teach students—I fear he may not be up to the task."
Chen Guangyin continued: "Moreover, he is still in the mourning period. We would have to give him a one-year suspended appointment. This is far too preferential treatment."
"Vice Dean Chen, I must disagree," another vice dean countered. "Although I hadn't paid much attention to Fang Yu before, during the recent moldy rice incident in the city, I observed him acting as a litigation master. He was rational, composed under pressure, very steady and calm—clearly someone who has seen significant situations. I believe he is more than capable of handling the responsibilities of teaching and mentoring students."
"Indeed, we should give young people more opportunities," another added. "The one-year suspension is truly a matter of necessity. Giving such an exceptional young man some preferential treatment is acceptable. Who among us didn't start as students? We all had our first time lecturing and teaching."
"Furthermore, I heard that Fang Yu has been accepted as a disciple by the Assistant Prefect. He is currently assisting the Assistant Prefect with his duties, and the official speaks highly of him. Dean Wang's decision to keep Fang Yu is a wise move!"
Before Dean Wang could even speak, several vice deans had already refuted Chen Guangyin's points. Originally, Chen Guangyin hadn't intended to say much more, but upon hearing someone mention Fang Yu's work as a litigation master assisting the Assistant Prefect with the case, a surge of anger welled up inside him.
"I understand you all hold Fang Yu in high regard. A Jieyuan is not easy to come by," Chen Guangyin said. "But let's not forget what Hande Academy's current reputation is built upon. Every year, twelve or thirteen of our academy's students pass the county-level examination to become Xiucai. This year, the number of successful provincial examinees has reached a new high of sixteen. Achieving today's accomplishments is inseparable from our strict criteria for teacher admission."
Chen Guangyin flicked his sleeve. "I have no other intention. I merely hope everyone will be more cautious in selecting candidates, and avoid letting a single detail obscure the bigger picture."
The expressions of the three other vice deans also turned somewhat unpleasant. They couldn't understand why Chen Guangyin would oppose this matter. However, considering this man's temperament had always been unpredictable, sometimes good, sometimes bad, today he was likely contradicting everyone simply to make Dean Wang think he was the one truly concerned about the academy's welfare. Thus, they did not speak further.
Wang Qingshan skillfully mediated at the appropriate moment: "I have heard everyone's opinions. Vice Dean Chen's concerns are not without merit. It has been truly difficult for our academy to reach its current standing and gain considerable fame within the prefectural city. Being stricter in teacher selection is not inappropriate. Maintaining constant vigilance is good."
"I have observed Fang Yu's progress and believe he possesses some talent. However, his youth is indeed a fact," Wang Qingshan continued. "How about this: let him come to the academy for a trial period first. If he performs without major shortcomings, we can keep him. If he is truly unsuitable for teaching, I will speak with him at that time. What do you think?"
As Wang Qingshan said this, he looked directly at Chen Guangyin. The others all voiced their agreement and had no objections. Seeing this, Chen Guangyin felt it unwise to persist further. It was clear the dean was determined to keep Fang Yu. If he said more, he might anger the dean. So he said, "The dean's consideration is thorough. With this arrangement, there is no further impropriety."
Once the higher-ups had settled the matter, Fang Yu received the definitive reply before classes ended that day. He was to report directly to the dean's office first thing the next morning to complete the procedures.
Fang Yu accepted respectfully, putting on a delighted expression. Internally, however, he felt a pang of bitterness, as if he had swallowed a mouthful of bitter gourd juice. This transition was happening far too fast! In his previous life, a job offer typically came with time to prepare — there were medical checkups, paperwork, a proper onboarding period. Here, everything seemed to rush forward without a pause.
Master Zhang seemed to see through his thoughts: "Don't worry. Tomorrow, you will only complete some procedures and receive the teacher's seal. You will first be given a suspended appointment at the academy. You can assume your duties formally after your one-year mourning period is over."
Hearing this, Fang Yu breathed a long sigh of relief. "Thank you, Dean and Master, for your thorough consideration."
His fellow students, having seen him called away for discussions several times, hadn't left after class. They gathered around Fang Yu when he returned. "Brother Fang, when will you be back at the academy?"
"Will we only see you again when you come back to give lecture?"
Fang Yu smiled slightly. "There's no need for such reluctance to part, everyone. I will be returning to the academy next year. We'll see each other every day from then on."
"What do you mean?"
Fang Yu offered no explanation, only giving a mysterious smile before picking up his book box and running off.
The others looked at each other, puzzled.
Qiu Yanqi, who sat in front of Fang Yu, could almost taste the bitterness in his own mouth. As the only one who knew the truth behind the scenes, he shook his head slightly while listening to the others chatter away.
Here I am, still hunched over my desk, grinding out essays as a student, while the one behind me is about to stand at the lectern and become a teacher. The sheer unpredictability of life really is something you can never quite prepare for.
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