Chapter 339: Among Every Three Persons, One Can Teach Me

It was not easy!

Zhang Fei’s charitable work was truly not easy!

Not only did he have to donate money, but he also had to guide others on how to ask for money.

He had never seen this kind of great philanthropist before.

Fortunately, self-interest was human nature, regardless of time or place, ancient or modern, domestic or foreign – it was something that could be understood at once.

Liang Shaodong quickly grasped how this charitable foundation should operate.

Of course, Zhang Fei was not a lamb delivered to their door for slaughter. He was simply focusing his attention on funding the academy for now. When he had time later, he would go there personally. For the moment, he was just giving them a taste of sweetness, and in due time he would assign them tasks.

His donation to weapons research and development used the police bureau as an excuse, but his real purpose was to develop weapons. Currently, he could only ensure he wouldn’t be betrayed and killed by his own people, but he also needed to ensure he wouldn’t be betrayed and killed by foreigners.

After all, this was the Song Dynasty, not the Han Dynasty.

This required powerful military strength.

As a law student, Zhang Fei’s strength was not in science. He only possessed knowledge that transcended his era. He knew the evolutionary process of firearms over a thousand years, but the specifics still had to be figured out by others.

“Brother San, Liang Shaodong was lying. I’ve seen those firearms too, and they’re really not much use to us police.”

As soon as Liang Shaodong left, Ma Xiaoyi immediately spoke to Zhang Fei, as if afraid that Zhang San was being deceived.

Zhang Fei smiled and said, “Little Ma, do you know that all progress begins with deception?”

Ma Xiaoyi looked confused. “I don’t understand.”

Zhang Fei said with a grin, “If I told you that for ten thousand strings of cash, I could take you soaring through the sky, would you believe me?”

Ma Xiaoyi’s eyes lit up, then he chuckled, “I wouldn’t believe it.”

Zhang Fei smiled, “So you wouldn’t give me ten thousand strings?”

Ma Xiaoyi’s eyes rolled around, “If it were someone else, I definitely wouldn’t give it, but if it were Brother San, I… I couldn’t come up with ten thousand strings anyway!”

Zhang Fei asked, “What if you could?”

Ma Xiaoyi said, “Then of course I’d believe Brother San.”

Zhang Fei asked, “But what if I couldn’t do it?”

Ma Xiaoyi shook his head, “That wouldn’t matter either.”

Zhang Fei chuckled, “So you see, if you don’t give me those ten thousand strings, the plan definitely won’t succeed. And even if you do give the money, nine times out of ten it still won’t succeed. From your perspective, that would be deception. Going from nothing to something, no one can guarantee success, it is fine as long as they work at it earnestly.”

Ma Xiaoyi scratched his head, “Brother San, I don’t quite understand.”

Zhang Fei smiled, “It’s fine if you don’t understand now. You’ll gradually understand later.”

While chatting with Ma Xiaoyi about police bureau matters, he returned to the main hall and saw that not only had everyone not left, but they were chatting quite enthusiastically.

“What are you all discussing?”

Zhang Fei asked curiously.

Huang Can immediately said, “Brother San, your timing is perfect. We were just discussing personnel arrangements for the charity.”

Zhang Fei said “Oh,” then replied, “You can discuss that with Big Brother.”

Everyone looked at Zhang Fei in unison.

Zhang Fei immediately explained, “Everyone, I’m not very good at business. From now on, for all matters big and small, you can discuss them with Big Brother Fan.”

Everyone’s expressions became even more puzzled, as if hinting to Zhang Fei that if the Fan family was pressuring him in any way, he should just blink, and with so many of them there, they needn’t fear him.

You, Zhang San, saying you’re not good at business?

Who are you kidding!

Fan Zheng looked completely wronged, having already known beforehand that Zhang Fei would hand all these affairs over to him.

Seeing they didn’t believe him, Zhang Fei added, “Just kidding. I still have many affairs to attend to myself. For the charity, I’ll assign tasks and liaise with the court, but the specifics will be executed by Big Brother Fan. Otherwise, I really can’t handle it all.”

This explanation finally put everyone at ease.

They had been afraid that Zhang Fei would dig a pit and then wash his hands of it, and with their abilities, they simply couldn’t manage it now.

But over this past month, Zhang Fei had truly been busy to the point of exhaustion. From liaising with the court above to establishing workshops below, Zhang Fei had been running around for everything, and indeed couldn’t handle it all.

Not only that, but during this period they had also repeatedly questioned Zhang Fei’s decisions.

For example, regarding the football league matter, and also the scholarship issue, they had many complaints.

They believed Zhang Fei was acting arbitrarily and dictatorially.

After all, this was the Song Dynasty, where ancestral laws were deeply rooted in people’s hearts.

Comprehensive order as precaution against malfeasance.

So with Zhang Fei planning and Fan Zheng executing, this way they wouldn’t need to rely on Zhang Fei for everything, while also avoiding Zhang Fei monopolizing power and acting dictatorially.

Comparatively speaking, they feared Zhang Fei more – this young man’s ideas were truly unpredictable and unfathomable. If they didn’t guard against him a bit, they might be sold by him and still help him count the money.

Although they all knew that Fan Zheng, despite appearing young, was no saint either, Fan Zheng was still more pragmatic. The key was that White Crystal Inn had closer relationships with them, and both sides understood each other better.

Soon, they reached consensus on this issue – letting Fan Zheng become the second-in-command.

Actually, the so-called second-in-command was the person who really did the work.

The first-in-command was just responsible for talking and going out for social engagements.

Zhang Fei also kept his word and executed immediately. He immediately dumped the responsibility on Fan Zheng, then directly slipped away himself. As for personnel matters, you all can discuss among yourselves.

Actually, the first phase plan of the Great Song Charity Foundation had already been completely arranged. What came next was execution, and he really didn’t want to worry about this anymore – he didn’t have the energy either.

Returning home, both Xu Zhiqian and Gao Wenyin happened to be at home. Now that the weather was gradually turning cold, small braziers had already been prepared. The two women sat by the fire, chatting enthusiastically.

“You’re back!”

Gao Wenyin immediately stood up when she saw Zhang Fei.

“Sit, sit.”

Zhang Fei quickly gestured for her to sit, then hurried over and sat down between the two women. “This weather is quite cold. Why don’t you sit closer together, squeeze a bit, it’ll be warmer.”

Xu Zhiqian directly rewarded him with a charming eye roll.

Gao Wenyin’s face reddened slightly as she silently peeled an orange and handed it to Zhang Fei.

“Thank you, my lady.”

Zhang Fei took it and immediately put half in his mouth, saying unclearly, “Mm, so sweet!”

Gao Wenyin said, “Don’t eat so hastily, be careful not to choke.”

Zhang Fei swallowed it whole and let out a gentle breath. “Don’t worry, my lady. During this period I’ve gotten used to choking. Every day when eating, I just pour food into my mouth – my esophagus has been stretched wide. I’m really exhausted.”

Hearing this, Xu Zhiqian couldn’t help feeling guilty. “This is all my fault for not helping at all.”

Originally, all the money-spending matters had been entrusted to her, and she had been quite confident at first. But unexpectedly, spending money turned out to be harder than earning it.

The key was that Zhang Fei handled it immediately once he took action.

This was quite a blow to her confidence.

Zhang Fei smiled. “Zhiqian, you absolutely mustn’t say that. You two have been a great help to me.”

Xu Zhiqian asked, “What great help?”

Gao Wenyin also looked at Zhang Fei curiously – what does this have to do with me?

Zhang Fei said, “You haven’t wasted any of my energy – truly not a drop – so that during these days my energy has been constantly abundant.”

Xu Zhiqian said gloomily, “Although I didn’t cause you trouble, I also… also really didn’t help at all.”

Cause trouble? Zhang Fei was also depressed and couldn’t help but smile bitterly. “You silly woman, I can barely keep up as it is, and you still want to get involved.”

Xu Zhiqian asked in surprise, “Can barely keep up?”

“That’s right!”

Zhang Fei nodded. “I’ve already handed over all the affairs of the Great Song Charity Foundation to Fan Zheng.”

“Why?”

Xu Zhiqian asked, very puzzled.

“Exhaustion!”

Zhang Fei said, “What else could it be? For the past half year, when I return home, the only person I can see is Wenyin.”

These days he had been leaving early and returning late. Only Gao Wenyin waited for him every night and helped him get ready every early morning.

Even Xiaotao hadn’t been seen for several days.

Gao Wenyin understood this very clearly. She nodded busily. “Now our family doesn’t lack money either. There’s no need to be so tired. Don’t wear out your body.”

Zhang Fei chuckled. “Don’t worry, my lady. This winter I can stay home and properly accompany you.”

Gao Wenyin said hastily, “You misunderstand. I just hope you will rest well and not wear out your body. It’s not that I want you accompany me.”

Zhang Fei said thoughtfully, “That’s true too. Facing you, how could I think about resting? I’d be thinking about exercising all the time.”

“Exercising?”

Gao Wenyin looked at Zhang Fei with a puzzled expression.

Zhang Fei chuckled. “Exercising together with my wives.”

Xu Zhiqian said with displeasure, “A man should have ambitions in all directions. How can there be any reason to fear exhaustion or hardship?”

Before her words had finished, they heard a burst of laughter.

The three looked up and saw Xu Zun entering with a young man.

It was none other than Yan Jidao.

“Mister Yan?”

Xu Zhiqian said in surprise.

Zhang Fei looked at Xu Zhiqian with a gloomy expression and cursed quietly, “You jinx.”

“Father! Mister Yan!”

Xu Zhiqian curtsied gracefully, then asked, “Father, how did you come back together with Mister Yan?”

Xu Zun chuckled. “We just met at the gate. Jidao came specifically to find Zhang San. I was just worried he wouldn’t be home – he’s been quite busy lately.”

Only then did Zhang Fei walk over and bow to the two men.

Yan Jidao cupped his hands in return, then took out a book. “This contains some of my father’s poetry and lyrics that I’ve organized recently. I’ve considered Zhang San’s suggestions, but I’m not sure if they’re feasible. I hope Zhang San can give me some advice.”

The Yan family had already signed a publishing contract with Authentic Books Store. Zhang Fei had previously suggested that Yan Jidao write some short stories to accompany certain poems and lyrics to increase their appeal and add some substance.

Just a few bare poems would be printed quickly, and besides, who didn’t already know Yan Shu’s poem by heart?

This needed innovation.

Originally Zhang Fei had Yan Jidao participate in the production, but after Yan Jidao met Hou Donglai and others, he decided to write it himself – there wasn’t a single reliable person at Authentic Books Store.

Xu Zhiqian was in the know, but Xu Zun was not, and couldn’t help but look at Zhang Fei with astonishment.

My son-in-law has this ability too?

How did I not know this?

He had completely forgotten that Zhang Fei had once shocked White Crystal Inn with a single poem and won a beauty’s heart.

Because Zhang Fei had previously written several articles in the newspaper, his impression of Zhang Fei’s poor literary talent was deeply rooted. Xu Zun very much agreed with Xu Zhiqian’s view that the poem was mostly something Zhang Fei had plagiarized.

Discussing Yan Shu’s poems with Zhang Fei was like feeding peonies to cattle!

Zhang Fei also noticed Xu Zun’s expression. He awkwardly accepted the book and said, “Mister Yan, I have shallow learning and limited talent. Why don’t you let my father-in-law look it over first?”

Yan Jidao quickly cupped his hands. “If I could receive Lord Xu’s guidance, that would be wonderful indeed.”

Xu Zun looked embarrassed. “I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare. Master Yan’s poems – how could we common folk comment on them? But we would all wish to appreciate them. May I?”

Yan Jidao quickly said, “Please, Lord Xu.”

Only then did Xu Zun receive it with both hands, his expression quite excited.

Who didn’t love Yan Shu’s poems and writings?

If Xu Zun compared himself to Yan Shu, he wouldn’t even be third-rate. He excitedly sat by the brazier and began reading carefully.

Xu Zhiqian also quietly moved behind Xu Zun and watched along with him.

Gao Wenyin poured them a pot of hot tea.

“Thank you!”

Yan Jidao stood and cupped his hands in gratitude.

Gao Wenyin felt quite flattered. After all, those who usually came here were either Cao Dongdong or Ma Xiaoyi, those two brats who basically squatted on chairs. None had Yan Jidao’s proper manners. She nervously returned the bow and then stood beside Zhang Fei.

Zhang Fei glanced at her and said quietly, “Why are you standing? Sit.”

Gao Wenyin shook her head repeatedly.

Zhang Fei was helpless. Though he was quite fond of Gao Wenyin’s attentive and meticulous care, he really didn’t like how she placed her status so low. Li Si and Xiaotao acted boldly in the household with the air of masters.

“Excellent! This is written so well!”

Xu Zun suddenly exclaimed repeatedly in admiration, then looked at Yan Jidao. “Your talent probably already matches your father’s.”

Xu Zhiqian also looked at Yan Jidao with a trace of admiration.

It turned out Yan Jidao had also written some poems as annotations for his father’s poems.

Just these poems alone could outshine Xu Zun ten thousand times over.

There was simply no comparison.

Actually, Xu Zun’s writing was quite good too – otherwise he couldn’t have passed the graduate-scholar examination. But compared to these “prodigies,” it was truly self-humiliation!

This could only be described as natural talent.

Yan Jidao hastily said, “You flatter me, Lord Xu. My poems are still far inferior compared to my father’s.”

Xu Zun stroked his beard and said, “Perhaps it’s because I’m too shallow in learning to distinguish the quality.”

“Not at all! Not at all!”

Yan Jidao cupped his hands and glanced at Zhang Fei again.

Xu Zun quickly handed the book to Zhang Fei. “Zhang San, take a look.”

“Yes!”

Zhang Fei took it.

Xu Zhiqian whispered, “Zhang San, can you understand it?”

Zhang Fei was honest and shrugged. “I don’t know either.”

He casually flipped through it, then looked at Yan Jidao, seeming to want to say something but hesitating.

Yan Jidao quickly said, “If Zhang San finds anything inappropriate, please point it out.”

In his heart, he was puzzled – could you really spot problems with such a casual glance?

Xu Zun also looked at Zhang Fei with surprise.

Zhang Fei said to Yan Jidao again, “Mister Yan, I remember initially saying this – write some short stories about the late Master Yan’s state of mind at the time, and even combine it with the politics of that era.”

Yan Jidao nodded. “That’s how I wrote it.”

“You didn’t.”

“…?”

Yan Jidao looked at Zhang Fei in confusion.

Zhang Fei said, “Stories are not essays, and narration is not poetry. It’s best to write using plain language.”

Yan Jidao asked, “Why?”

The Xu father and daughter also looked at Zhang Fei with puzzlement.

Zhang Fei explained, “Actually, my father-in-law already pointed out the problem earlier.”

Xu Zun frantically pointed at Zhang Fei. “You rascal, don’t talk nonsense.”

Scholars were very particular about such matters. If word got out that Xu Zun had criticized Yan Shu’s poems, people from the Yan family might come knocking for a “discussion.”

Zhang Fei said, “Father-in-law, please don’t blame me. What I mean is, earlier you were also deeply attracted by Mister Yan’s poems.”

Xu Zhiqian interjected, “That’s because Mister Yan’s poems are exceptionally well written.”

“But whose poetry collection is this?” Zhang Fei asked.

Xu Zhiqian said, “Master Yan’s.”

“That’s exactly the point.”

Zhang Fei said, “This poetry collection lacks layering. Mister Yan’s poems and essays are written too well, so much so that they don’t highlight Master Yan’s poetry and essays.”

Yan Jidao quickly said, “Zhang San speaks incorrectly. How could my poetry and essays overshadow my father’s brilliance?”

“Even being similar won’t work.”

Zhang Fei said, “This is an individual’s poetry collection, and the entire focus should be on Master Yan. Therefore, we must highlight Master Yan’s talent, character, experiences, and ideals. But Mister Yan’s poetry and essays have too much personal style, it instead prevents readers from being completely immersed in Master Yan’s talent.

Mister Yan can write some poems, but they should only serve as embellishment, not become the main theme of the content.

When I print it, I’ll also provide rich layering. For example, Master Yan’s poetry will use exquisite fonts, while the narrative stories will use simpler fonts, and annotations will use the smallest fonts.

Because our goal is to let readers appreciate Master Yan’s talent, character, romance, and political ideals, not just Master Yan’s poetry.”

Xu Zun listened and nodded slightly.

With Zhang Fei’s explanation, he suddenly recalled that when reading the book earlier, every word was written so brilliantly that his attention was even drawn to Yan Jidao’s talent.

Because Yan Shu’s poetry was already famous, and except for Li Qingzhao, everyone else was impressed by it. Although Yan Jidao was also a child prodigy like Yan Shu, his reputation wasn’t great yet – he was still a newcomer, which would actually make people’s eyes light up.

Yan Jidao immediately understood the reasoning and quickly cupped his hands. “Thank you for your guidance. I’ll go back and revise it immediately.”

Zhang Fei added, “Actually, Mister Yan can write according to my standard.”

“Your standard?” Yan Jidao asked in surprise.

Zhang Fei nodded. “The standard where I can understand it.”

Yan Jidao asked foolishly, “Can’t you understand it?”

Zhang Fei shook his head. “Honestly speaking, I can’t understand it very well.”

Xu Zhiqian burst out laughing.

Xu Zun couldn’t help but chuckle as well.

You said so much, but in the end, you didn’t understand it at all.

Yan Jidao smiled slightly and said, “As the saying goes, ‘Among three people walking together, there must be one who can be my teacher.’ Brother San’s talent doesn’t lie in poetry and essays. I heard that before long, Third Brother will go to the College of National Scions to lecture.”

Gao Wenyin looked at Zhang Fei in surprise.

Her literary abilities were similar to Zhang Fei’s, and yet the College of National Scions was the Song Dynasty’s highest institution of learning.

Zhang Fei was actually going to lecture at the College of National Scions.

Zhang Fei said awkwardly, “Who did you hear this from?”

Xu Zun chuckled. “Who else could it be but that Sima Guang?”

Zhang Fei said sheepishly, “I’m just going to lecture on litigation studies, which has nothing to do with poetry and essays.”

Yan Jidao cupped his hands. “If there’s an opportunity, I’ll definitely come to listen.”

“This… well… it’s really like forcing a duck to climb a chicken’s perch!” Zhang Fei’s face turned red.