Chapter 411
When Academy Head Zhang first received Fang Zichen's letter, he was so excited he could hardly breathe. But once he calmed down, he could not help but wonder why he had suddenly come to Shangyang. He sent someone to ask around and learned the man was here to sell goods. But since he still took time out of his busy schedule to visit and guide their academy, Academy Head Zhang felt this person was not like the rumors said—Fang Zichen had a fine reputation, but anyone with real insight knew he loved taking advantage of people and would not get up early unless there was profit to be made.
But he did not think Huai'an Academy had anything worth taking advantage of. Lord Fang had probably come only to see the literary talent and learning of Huai'an Academy's students and to exchange a few words with them.
Scholars loved nothing more than this sort of thing.
The rumors were wrong, too. How could anyone describe a young third-rank official as a philistine who cared only about money?
It was simply slander against Lord Fang.
At this moment, it was no slander at all. This man truly would not get up early unless there was profit to be made. He had actually come to their academy to peddle goods, and he had brought his son. Judging by how seamlessly this father and son worked together, this was probably not their first time doing it!
Most of the students in Class A were already in their twenties, and a small number were nearly thirty. But in matters of learning, whoever understands more is the teacher. Earlier, they had treated Fang Zichen with the respect due a teacher. Now, looking at him again, they felt rather caught between laughter and tears.
After Fang Zichen finished writing, he said to everyone, "Meeting is fate. I came in a hurry today and didn't bring any gifts. Come, I'll give each of you a sheet of paper. Don't be polite."
The students: "......"
A gift of one sheet of paper—they could not even be polite if they wanted to.
After handing out the paper, Fang Zichen led Guaizai away. Academy Head Zhang wanted to see him off, but Fang Zichen waved his hand and said no need.
Still, Academy Head Zhang was proper in etiquette and insisted on escorting them outside the academy gate. Fang Zichen had a fairly good impression of this old man, so at this moment he spoke earnestly:
"Academy Head Zhang, not everyone can feel young again in old age. When doing things, one still has to act according to one's strength. In the future, you'd better take it easy. With your old bones, don't play too hard. As for bedroom affairs, cut back when you should. Otherwise, if you drop dead from a stroke, even as a ghost you'll probably be ashamed."
"Yes, yes." Guaizai also said, "Grandpa, don't let Grandma tie you up so much. Look, your hands are even black."
Academy Head Zhang: "......"
There were some bruises on his wrist, from being tied up by his wife. Earlier, when he was showing Fang Zichen around the academy, Fang Zichen had accidentally noticed and was greatly shocked, asking what had happened. When Academy Head Zhang explained, Fang Zichen's expression became intriguing:
"Academy Head Zhang, you truly can't be judged by appearances! I never expected that at your age, you'd still be up to such perverse games!"
Academy Head Zhang had sleepwalking disorder. When he was young, it was not a big deal—at worst, when it acted up, he would run outside the courtyard for a stroll and then come back and continue sleeping. But during the cold snap this spring, he ran out again at night. The servant on night watch had dozed off and did not see him. The steps were wet and slippery, and he did not notice, so he slipped and fell down the steps. After that, he was bedridden for more than half a year.
Later, afraid he would run out again and something would happen, his wife would tie a cloth rope around his wrist every night before bed. But the night before last, his sleepwalking acted up again. During the struggle, the cloth strip accidentally tightened more and more, leaving some bruises on his wrist. Yet this man couldn't say anything decent to save his life. Who knew what was going on in his head—he actually said that at his age, he really knew how to play.
Academy Head Zhang truly wanted to give him a punch.
Now, seeing him leave, his son still bouncing along beside him, the two looked extremely gentle and harmless just from their faces. But as soon as they opened their mouths, they truly deserved a beating.
After watching them return to the carriage, he finally led a few teachers back to Class A.
Just as they arrived outside, they saw that everyone had lost their usual calm, scholarly composure and was arguing heatedly, faces flushed red.
"What kind of calligraphy style is this? I've never seen anything like it."
"Indeed! It looks as if it's standing upright on the paper — truly divine."
"What style of writing is this? How can it be done like that? It's as if it's alive!"
"Amazing, truly amazing."
"What's going on? So noisy." Academy Head Zhang spoke up.
"Academy Head." Everyone made way, and the four vigorous, powerful characters standing upright on the paper came directly into view—Heaven rewards the diligent.
Academy Head Zhang and the several teachers behind him widened their eyes, and their breathing suddenly grew heavy.
Fang Zichen had written in three dimensions, with shadows too, leaving everyone deeply shocked and amazed.
"Director, you are widely learned. Do you know what kind of calligraphy style this is?"
Academy Head Zhang's gaze was sharp. He stared at the characters for a long while, then slowly let out a breath and shook his head: "Never heard of it, never seen it."
He carefully picked up the paper, intending to keep it and have it mounted later to hang on the academy's main wall. But as soon as he touched the paper, he sensed something was off.
Earlier, when looking at it, this paper was indeed a bit whiter than the xuan paper sold outside, but Academy Head Zhang had not taken it to heart.
To write well, most of it still depended on the person. One had to practice and learn a great deal. The kind of paper used mattered, but not much. Without the skill, even if the paper were gilded, it would only be a waste of good things.
Academy Head Zhang had just thought Fang Zichen was bragging, but now that he touched it, it was smooth and not rough, so when writing, the tip of the brush could move smoothly......
"Lord Fang just gave you paper? Write a character for me."
Once he wrote, he immediately felt the difference.
This paper absorbed ink beautifully without any bleeding at all. The characters came out crisp and slender, and it was thicker than the paper sold outside. The ink flowed so evenly — it was just very pleasant to look at. The writing experience was excellent.
It was top-grade paper!
Fang Zichen had come to peddle it. If their academy did not go buy some afterward, that would be giving him no face. When seeing him off, Academy Head Zhang had still been thinking that later he would have the academy's steward buy some as a gesture. Now he immediately ordered: Buy. Buy as much as there is.
Seeing this, the other students hurried to try writing on it too...
No, no. Where was his book boy? Where had he run off to? He had to buy two reams before the academy head made his move! This paper was simply far better than what they had been using before.
The streets were crowded, and the carriage moved slowly. Before Fang Zichen even returned to the inn, the book boys sent by those students had already run up to the inn, drenched in sweat.
"Is the merchant group from Hezhou selling paper staying here?"
"Yes!"
"How much is your paper?"
Before Zhang Quan could even reply, the book boy saw several acquaintances running up behind him and panicked first. He took out the purse his young master had given him and urged as if his life depended on it.
"First give me a hundred taels' worth. Quick, quick, quick."
"You there, from the Hao family, show some mercy. Last time I treated you to drinks! Leave me some. If I can't buy any, my young master will probably scold me to death."
Zhao Ger knew his husband had made his move. He quickly had the imperial guards go to the back courtyard and bring out the sacks of xuan paper.
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