Chapter 339: Chapter 230: The One Who Tied the Bell Must Untie It

Conversely, if Academic Administrator Ma used his personal grudge against Mr. Yue Ming to create a difficult exam, the scores of the Shu State scholars would drop significantly.

Clearly, Liu Hong, the Governor, did not want to see such an outcome.

After all, he was in charge of the region; the people’s livelihood, academic administration, civil works, and so on were all part of his performance record.

It was common for him to use any means necessary to ensure Shu State thrived.

Li Huai’gu took a deep breath and said, "Teacher, you need not worry about me. Although I have come on official orders, everything is for you to decide."

Mr. Yue Ming waved his hand. "This has nothing to do with you."

After a pause, he looked at Chen Yi and asked, "Qingzhou, what are your thoughts?"

Chen Yi spread his hands. "Something like this, being generous at others’ expense... if it were me, I’d spit in his face."

Mr. Yue Ming was so amused he couldn’t help but laugh. "I admit, I’d also like to spit in Liu Gongmo’s face."

"But if my personal grudge with Ma Shuhan really causes all the scholars of Shu State to fail the Annual Examination, I couldn’t bear it."

Chen Yi secretly shook his head. ’He’s so protective of his reputation. It fits Mr. Yue Ming perfectly.’

Even though Mr. Yue Ming didn’t serve as an official and was only dedicated to teaching numerous scholars at the academy, he was still burdened by his reputation.

Perhaps Liu Hong had seen this and that was why he’d sent Li Huai’gu to persuade him.

After a moment of thought, Chen Yi said, "The one who tied the bell must be the one to untie it."

Mr. Yue Ming was taken aback. "Are you suggesting I reconcile with Ma Shuhan privately?"

Chen Yi shook his head. "No, you can’t."

"With the Annual Examination so close, it’s inappropriate for anyone, including you, to meet privately with Academic Administrator Ma. It would give people reason to gossip."

"The ’bell-tier’ I’m referring to is Governor Liu."

"We just need to shatter his little scheme, and this matter will naturally have nothing to do with you, Headmaster."

Li Huai’gu’s spirits lifted, and he quickly asked, "Brother Qingzhou, please speak your mind."

Meeting their gazes, Chen Yi lightly said two words: "Yang Ye."

Li Huai’gu was stunned. "The Right Governor?"

Mr. Yue Ming understood and chuckled in amusement. "You’re suggesting I show Liu Gongmo no courtesy at all."

Having Yang Ye handle this matter was indeed the most appropriate solution.

First, his official rank was the same as Liu Hong’s, so he had a say. Also, when the repercussions appeared later, the scholars wouldn’t blame Mr. Yue Ming.

Second, Yang Ye was advanced in age and preferred stability.

As long as it didn’t cross a line, he was easier to talk to than Liu Hong.

Plus, given Li Huai’gu’s relationship with Yang Ye, Mr. Yue Ming was confident he could ask Yang Ye for a small favor.

Chen Yi looked at him with a calm expression and said, "Headmaster, what courtesy do you have to speak of with him?"

"Well... none, I suppose."

"Exactly. It’s just the Annual Examination. It doesn’t affect their eligibility for the imperial examinations, so what if the scholars don’t do well?"

Li Huai’gu looked between the two of them. Although he still had some doubts, he knew his teacher would probably not accept the position of Vice Examiner.

"Teacher, do you need me to speak with Lord Yang?"

Mr. Yue Ming glanced at him and sighed for some reason. "Huai’gu, if you were as perceptive as Qingzhou, you might have a chance to fully display your talents in the official world someday."

"...My apologies, Teacher. I have disappointed you."

Hearing this, Chen Yi laughed. "Brother Huai’gu has a pure and kind nature. As an official, he will surely bring blessings to his jurisdiction."

Mr. Yue Ming pointed at him and said with a scolding laugh, "You’ve said all the good and the bad. What’s left for me, his teacher, to guide him with?"

After a few jests, he looked at Li Huai’gu and said seriously, "You don’t need to be involved in this matter. I will discuss it with Right Envoy Yang myself."

Li Huai’gu breathed a sigh of relief. "In that case, I am relieved."

Seeing the matter settled, Chen Yi was about to get up and take his leave.

But Mr. Yue Ming stopped him and asked, "You’ll be participating in this year’s Annual Examination as well, won’t you, Qingzhou?"

Chen Yi paused, then pursed his lips. "I’d rather not, but given the circumstances, it looks like I have no choice."

Liu Hong had issued several announcements emphasizing its importance, and who knew what he was planning.

If he didn’t participate, his Scholar title would surely be revoked.

Mr. Yue Ming nodded slightly and advised, "The Annual Examination won’t be difficult for you, and it concerns the titles of the scholars. You mustn’t act willfully."

Chen Yi grunted in acknowledgment, then stood up to leave.

Seeing this, Li Huai’gu, who was beside him, also bowed to Mr. Yue Ming and followed him out of the courtyard.

"Thank you for your guidance today, Brother Qingzhou. Otherwise, I truly wouldn’t have the face to see our teacher again."

Chen Yi smiled and said, "The Headmaster was right about one thing."

"Brother Huai’gu, you are too upright and kind. You’ll easily be taken advantage of while working in the Government Office."

Seeing Li Huai’gu’s ashamed expression, he continued, "You and my elder brother, Chen Yunfan, are both in the Governor’s Office, so you should know what he’s like."

"Don’t be fooled by his usual unreliable demeanor. He actually has a strong moral compass and knows what he can and cannot do."

"Take the summer grain collection in the Three Towns, for example. My brother knew it was a hot potato and didn’t want to take it on."

Hearing this, Li Huai’gu recalled the previous incident and said with dawning realization, "He was faking his illness?"

Chen Yi said irritably, "Sick or not, he wouldn’t have gone. He would have found a way to get out of it one way or another."

’However, the only reason Chen Yunfan managed to avoid it that time was because I unexpectedly intervened and poisoned the man unconscious.’

’In other words, I was indirectly responsible for Li Huai’gu having to make that trip to the Three Towns.’

As Chen Yi thought about this, he couldn’t help but add a few more words, "In any case, be discreet and cautious at the Governor’s Office."

"I will keep that in mind."

They walked for a while until they reached the academy gate.

Chen Yi remembered something and asked, "I heard the summer grain harvest in Shu State was poor this year, and the grain tax couldn’t be fully collected?"

Li Huai’gu nodded. "That is indeed the case."

"The recent heavy rains damaged more than fifty percent of the fertile land in several counties downstream of the Chishui River. The grain harvest was barely enough to get by."

"Lord Liu couldn’t bear to see the common people starve, so he discussed it with Lord Yang, drafted a memorial, and after receiving the Holy Emperor’s approval, exempted some of the grain tax."

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