Transmigrated As A Scholar Chapter 71 Part 2

"Are you really going to be a teacher?"

Upon hearing the academy's arrangements from Fang Yu after he returned from academy, Qiao Hezhi was both astonished and unable to contain his joy. "There are young men in the city who became Xiucai at twelve, but there isn't a single person under twenty serving as a teacher at Hande Academy."

Fang Yu laughed. "What? Do you also think your husband is not up to the task?"

"I don't mean I distrust you," Qiao Hezhi clarified. "Many teachers at Hande Academy are Juren. Your scholarly rank already meets the academy's requirements. However, to enter Hande Academy, besides being a Juren, one usually needs several years of teaching experience, or must be a person of renown who has made significant contributions. Those who meet the former two conditions are often already over thirty."

As he spoke, Qiao Hezhi's eyes began to sparkle. He clasped his hands together, looking at Fang Yu with a touch (or rather, a huge amount) of admiration. "But you were invited to become a teacher at Hande Academy immediately after passing the provincial examination. That shows you are highly valued by the academy's teachers and deans."

Fang Yu didn't care much for such empty fame. What pleased him was that as a teacher, he would enjoy better treatment than a student. Primarily, a teacher's family members could enter and leave the academy freely. In the future, on rainy, windy, bitterly cold, or scorching hot days, when Qiao Hezhi came to deliver meals, he wouldn't have to wait outside anymore. He could bring the food container directly into the academy to the teachers' lounge to wait for him. No more squeezing through crowds during breaks, and the two of them could even eat together.

After he voiced these thoughts, Qiao Hezhi chuckled softly. "So unambitious. Others becoming teachers think about how to impart knowledge and teach. Who thinks about these things?"

"Naturally, I also aspire to have students everywhere," Fang Yu said. "But that's a long-term goal not immediately visible. The benefits I can see right now are these."

Having said that, he sat up straight, pulled open a drawer in the desk beside him, and took out a bronze mirror and a packet of dark, bristly hair. "Look, the good stuff I had Xuezhu prepare."

Ignoring Qiao Hezhi's bewildered expression, he picked up one piece and began fiddling with it in front of the bronze mirror. When he looked up again, Qiao Hezhi immediately burst out laughing.

Without mercy, Qiao Hezhi reached out and yanked off the fake mustache Fang Yu had stuck above his lip. "What are you doing! You've made yourself look like a fortune teller from under the bridge."

Fang Yu covered his stinging mouth, inhaled sharply through gritted teeth, and said, "Even though I'll start officially next year, adding a bit of mustache makes one look more dignified. I'm afraid our fellow students, seeing my young, familiar face, might have difficulty getting into the role."

"And I'd like to ask Student Xiao Qiao, if you have time, to make two sets of dignified, proper clothes for Master Fang. In the future, when going to the academy, I won't have to wear that gauze hat and that thin, wind-piercing academy robe anymore."

Qiao Hezhi also played along, performing a respectful bow. "I am entirely at Master Fang's disposal."

Fang Yu laughed heartily.

Despite his laughter, Qiao Hezhi still confiscated the fake mustache. "Better not fiddle with these things. Aren't you afraid your classmates will laugh at you?"

"Yes, my Young Master shall decide," Fang Yu replied, a half-piece of mustache still clinging to his face as he leaned back in his chair with a smile. His tone softened as he thought of their recent plans. "Once things at the academy settle into a routine, I'll also look for a couple of disciples. Then we can have the disciples help review manuscripts. That will save both of us from being too busy. Also, we should renovate the Book and Tea House a bit. In the future, we can prioritize manuscript submissions more and relegate the tea business to a secondary position."

"The manuscripts are indeed piling up more and more; we need to handle them as soon as possible," Qiao Hezhi agreed. "It would be good to recruit suitable disciples. When the time comes, we certainly won't treat them poorly for helping with the work."

"Mm."

Qiao Hezhi added, "Today, the tenant farmers brought two fresh perch and a wild boar. I originally thought, since we have happy news at home, we could just cook them. But since your mourning period isn't yet a full year, we should still avoid such indulgences."

Fang Yu said, "Then we can make soup with those two perch; it will be delicious and warming. We can keep the wild boar for later."

"By the way, I remember your father also likes fish soup. Why not have Siyu send a message and invite your parents over for a simple meal? It would be a good way to share the news with them."

Hearing that he wanted to invite her parents over, Qiao Hezhi was naturally happy. He teased, "Then you can all have some tea together afterwards."

The next day, after arriving at the academy, Fang Yu went straight to Wang Qingshan's dean's office. He had the misfortune of going there once before, so he still remembered the location.

Students entering the academy had many rituals, like preparing gifts and paying respects to teachers. Actually, becoming a teacher involved going through quite a few formalities. First, he had to provide personal household registration information and proof that for three generations, his ancestors had not committed any major legal violations. Fang Yu obtained this proof directly from the Assistant Prefect. Having connections meant speed was no issue.

Next was the dean's appointment. First, he was granted a teacher's seal, similar to a household registration seal. Additionally, he was given nearly a basketful of books, including volumes on Hande Academy's history, culture, academic atmosphere, and ethics, as well as books for lecturing. Apart from that, he received a private teacher's office exclusively for his use, and three sets of formal academy robes for large gatherings.

"Anything missing will be provided for you later," Wang Qingshan said, looking at Fang Yu with immense satisfaction—precisely because he was satisfied that he explained everything in such detail. "Currently, the most important thing is that you are still in mourning period and haven't yet completed a full year. In principle, you shouldn't travel far for employment. However, the academy is in Yuncheng, not far from your home, so it doesn't count as traveling far. Moreover, it's only a suspended appointment. Also, the current Emperor has relaxed the rules regarding mourning considerably, not as strict as decades ago. Nowadays, situations like yours are common. But to prevent anyone from making trouble over this without cause, it's still necessary to obtain an official certificate. The prefectural office, the academy, and you yourself should all have a record."

Fang Yu had already been advised by the Assistant Prefect when he went to obtain the certificates earlier. He had conveniently gotten the mourning period exemption proof along with the proof of no legal violations, bypassing County Magistrate Qian Wuzhang entirely. Having multiple avenues certainly made things convenient.