As soon as the children saw Chen Jie, they all perked up and recited even more enthusiastically.
The parents of these children were all subordinates of Chen Jie. Many were told before they came, to study well and get chosen by the Hall Master, for a bright future awaited them.
Because of this, they shouted their recitations with the exuberance of being high on adrenaline.
Seeing the children like this, Su Yunjin was taken aback as if she thought of something, then turned to see Chen Jie with a helpless smile. Every time the children saw Chen Jie, they acted this way.
Even Ruirui was affected, now shouting his recitations loudly, afraid his brother-in-law wouldnât know about his ability to recite the Analects.
Only two people were unaffected: Sun Yong and Yin Hongmei. Both were reciting unhurriedly.
Chen Jie looked and nodded secretly; these two were quite promising.
As he was thinking, Su Yunjin glanced at the hourglass and said, "Alright, thatâs about enough time. This morningâs class is over; everyone can have lunch, rest for an hour, and continue this afternoon."
Hearing this, the group of children immediately cheered in response.
Ruirui rushed straight to Chen Jie, "Brother-in-law!"
Chen Jie picked up the little guy who had clearly grown taller and said, "Howâs it going? Howâs your learning?"
"Hehe, Ruirui is studying very seriously! Ruirui knows many more characters now."
Chen Jie, upon hearing this, said, "Hmm, is that so? When I have time, Iâll test you to see if youâre bragging."
"Hmph, test me anytime you want."
Ruirui proudly pouted.
At this moment, Chen Jie turned to Su Yunjin and said, "Wife, youâve worked hard."
Su Yunjin replied, "Itâs not hard. Watching these little guys learn so much, *makes my heart happy.*"
Su Yunjin really enjoyed the teaching profession, and since she started teaching, she smiled more than before, to which Chen Jie was more than pleased.
"Godfather,"
Sun Yong came to Chen Jieâs side, bowing respectfully.
Chen Jie looked at this young man and said, "Yong, youâre doing well, studying hard. Howâs your practice of the Grand Ancestor Long Fist?"
Sun Yong said, "Iâm getting more and more proficient."
Chen Jie said, "Hmm, when youâre skilled enough, help your classmates more."
"Yes, Godfather, I understand,"
Sun Yong said.
Su Yunjin said, "Yong is very reliable, husband, donât worry."
Chen Jie said, "Hmm, I also trust Yong. Although the Grand Ancestor Long Fist is basic, *there is something unique about laying a solid foundation.*"
As they were talking, they heard the sound of a copper gong outside, and a big fat chef came in pushing a wooden cart, which was filled with large ceramic bowls, each containing food.
Chen Jie said, "Hehe, just in time. Iâm hungry. Today, weâll eat a community meal in your school."
As he spoke, the students all took out their wooden plates, which were Chen Jieâs invention.
Chen Jie also went over to get a wooden plate and lined up at the chefâs, wanting to see the meals at this school.
One had to say, the meals were quite good.
Chinese cabbage stewed with tofu, and there was even pork belly.
Minced meat stir-fry with vegetables.
Meatballs.
Each person got two mixed-grain buns.
Honestly, this meal was better than what his guild members were eating.
No wonder some guild members had been inquiring about when the school would reopen admissions. Obviously, itâs because of these meals.
Chen Jie looked at Su Yunjin and said, "Wife, these meals arenât bad."
Hearing this, Su Yunjin smiled and said, "Husband, you allocated three thousand taels of silver. I donât take a salary, the desks and benches in the school were all helped brought in by Si Xi without charge, so the leftover funds were used for books and meals, making the meals naturally better."
Hearing this, Chen Jie said, "Hmm, no matter how hard it is, we canât make the children suffer."
After saying this, Chen Jie looked at Su Yunjin and said, "Wife, youâve been working so hard youâve lost weight."
Hearing this, Su Yunjin blushed and said, "Husband, donât talk nonsense in front of the children."
Hearing her words, Chen Jie chuckled and said, "Yes, Mr. Su."
Mr. was a respectful title for teachers, used for both genders.
Chen Jie was quite content while eating. It was perhaps because the Hall Masterâs Wife personally served as the teacher, or maybe because the schoolâs funds were indeed well-spent.
The meals the cooks provided were rich and oily.
The children of the guild members all had oil-covered mouths and happiness glowing on their faces.
Chen Jie loved to see the happy smiles on the childrenâs faces.
*It made him feel all his efforts were meaningful.*
Chen Jie always remembered a saying, "In poor times, preserve oneself. In prosperous times, benefit the world." When Chen Jie was weak, he could only feed and clothe himself and his family. Now that he had the ability, he tried to ensure that those he could protect also ate and dressed well!
*Why would he want to become an emperor if this world wasnât too bitter?*
*Chen Jie wanted to rise above others, but he didnât want to rise above a group of beggars. He aimed to be a wise monarch of a prosperous nation with a booming economy!*
*And these children were the seeds he planted.*
The small White Tiger Hall within the Mianshui County Fishing Guild was where he took root!
He believed that as these arrangements matured and his status rose, he would one day reach and benefit more people!
However, to accomplish this, Chen Jieâs current position was far from sufficient.
And many wouldnât let Chen Jie achieve his dreams easily.
Chen Jie ate his cabbage and tofu stew, listened to the childrenâs dreams, and chatted with them. At that moment, Xiao Hu hurried in from outside, whispered a few words in Chen Jieâs ear, "Hall Master, someone from the main hall has arrived. Nan Batian is calling for a Hall Masterâs meeting. Youâre notified to head over immediately."
"Oh?"
Chen Jie, upon hearing this, glanced at Xiao Hu and quickly finished his food, then stood up.
Su Yunjin looked a bit worried and asked, "Husband, is anything wrong?"
Sun Yong and the others also looked at Chen Jie, "Godfather."
Facing their concerned gazes, Chen Jie said, "Hehe, itâs nothing. You all eat well. When youâve learned your skills, come help me."
Saying this, Chen Jie turned to Xiao Hu and said, "Gather fifty White Tiger Guards and come with me."
"Yes."
Xiao Hu responded, immediately rushing to tally the troops.