Chapter 1047: Playing Dead

Although Good Brother An means well, some people in the Shang Family might not appreciate it. He doesn’t want Good Brother An to feel wronged.

Scholar Shang knows about the people Good Brother An’s family employs, but he doesn’t ask much about it.

Good Brother An wants to become an official in the future, so he needs capable people under him; otherwise, he could suffer greatly... Many young officials from farming families quietly perish in office because they had no one to rely on and were hurt by others.

Gu Jin’an replied with an "Okay," and the mentor and student started discussing other matters.

Shang Family Village is very close to the town. A quarter of an hour later, they arrived at the town. Worried that the townspeople might see Gu Jin’an and cause a commotion, they entered the Ouyang Family’s house through the back door.

At the door, besides Master Ouyang’s servant, was also Zezi.

After delivering gifts to the Shang Family, Zezi hurried to the town. He had already delivered the gifts and was waiting for Gu Jin’an: "Young Master, Master Shang."

Gu Jin’an nodded, then said to the Shang Family’s servant: "Ah Song, we arrived late. Is Master Ouyang angry?"

Ah Song smiled and said, "No, the Old Master is currently teaching Young Master Zheng, Brother Wang, and Brother Fa. You’ll have to wait a while before seeing them."

He then looked at Brother Cheng: "The Old Master instructed that if you arrive, you should go to the study hall."

"Eh, I’m on my way." Brother Cheng had gone to the Prefecture, delaying his studies for two months. He couldn’t afford to fall behind any more, so after waving to Gu Jin’an and others, he jogged to the front courtyard study hall.

Ah Song led Gu Jin’an and them to the study room, asking them to wait inside.

Master Ouyang is very dedicated. Even though he said it would be impossible to stay permanently to teach Brother Cheng, ever since he started tutoring Brother Cheng, he hasn’t left Qingfu Town.

Gu Dewang felt somewhat resentful about this.

He didn’t want to study, so to avoid school, he asked Master Ouyang, "Master, didn’t you say you’d occasionally leave to travel and wouldn’t stay here to teach us all the time? You’ve been here for several months crossing the new year, why haven’t you left?"

Master Ouyang lifted an eyelid and gazed at him, saying, "I know you don’t want to study, so to ensure you become talented, I’ve decided not to leave but to keep an eye on you."

Gu Dewang was stunned, almost cried, and said bitterly, "Master misunderstood. I don’t dislike studying; I understand that I’m not scholarly material. I believe no matter how much I study, it won’t yield an official position, so I wished Master to focus on your own endeavors. You’re a Great Scholar, belonging to the world of scholars. Please don’t waste time on us deadwood."

I just enjoy making money; if you don’t travel, how will I find the time to earn money?

In a few years, as he grows older, he’s expected to marry. With his mother handling finances so tightly, if he doesn’t earn money now, his future wife won’t even have the chance to buy a simple hairpin.

Gu Dewang believes that, as a man, one should possess Silver, ready to buy nice things for one’s wife at any time. One can’t be like his father, who has to ask his mother for money before buying her anything—where’s the surprise in that?

Master Ouyang said, "You’re aware of using the term ’deadwood,’ so you’re worth teaching."

Gu Dewang’s face turned green, asking, "Master, did you do this on purpose?"

Master Ouyang didn’t hide it: "Yes, precisely to force you to study, ensuring you don’t have time to make money."

Gu Dewang cried out, "Master, Silver is very important; without earning money, we can’t even afford meat. Plus, why did you not keep your word? Earlier, it was agreed you wouldn’t teach us all the time because you’d go traveling, and now you’re being unfaithful by not following through!"

He further said, "Moreover, why do you absolutely need us to study? My family gave you just a little tuition fee, not even enough for a pot of wine; this kind of losing trade, you do it so earnestly—I can’t bear to watch!"

Could you please be more considerate? Just a little tuition fee, teaching us casually is fine; when it’s time to play, go play.

Master Ouyang looked at him and said, "It’s not related to Silver."

Master Ouyang sighed, thinking even his vocabulary was being twisted by them.

Gu Dewang’s eyes lit up hearing this, quickly asking, "Then what is it related to? Please tell me."

I’ll change immediately, so you don’t have to stay here teaching us.

Master Ouyang understood his intentions and laughed: "It’s because if you all don’t secure an official position, it will affect my reputation. After all, I’m a renowned figure in Great Chu. If word gets out that my students can’t even pass to become scholars, won’t that be a huge laughingstock?"

"What? We still need to pass as scholars!" Gu Dewang was so startled he stood up from his chair, exclaiming sorrowfully, "My mother only expected us to pass as a scholar, but you escalated the requirement by two levels. We need to pass the scholar exam!"

Gu Dewang was heartbroken and tearful, feeling deceived. Thus, for this period, being in class felt like death—he remained slumped at his desk without moving.

When Brother Cheng came in, this was exactly what he saw.

After greeting Master Ouyang, he winked at Zheng Qing, returned to his seat, and poked Gu Dewang, asking, "Brother Dewang, what’s wrong?"

Gu Dewang mumbled, "Leave me be, let me die."

Brother Cheng laughed, asked no more, nor worried, as Second Sister had said Brother Dewang is like a goofy husky; no matter how sad things get, he wouldn’t actually die.

"Oh, then continue to lie down." Brother Cheng said, taking out the assignments he’d completed during his time in the Prefecture and handing them to Master Ouyang: "Master, these are the assignments I’ve completed, please review them."

Gu Dewang: "..."

Fool, even taking leave to the Prefecture you completed assignments; you have such a love for studying?

Master Ouyang received Brother Cheng’s assignments, glanced over them briefly, and said: "Not bad, are the assignments given by your big brother?"

Brother Cheng nodded: "Yes, my big brother gave them out, but Uncle Shang provided guidance and helped revise them."

Master Ouyang was very pleased. Gu Jin’an is pragmatic, and the assignments given to Brother Cheng included not only textbook knowledge but also topics on farming, business, taxation, and criminal law, very comprehensive.

"Go back to your seat, after I finish reviewing, I will discuss with you." Master Ouyang said, also glancing at the feigned dead Gu Dewang, seemingly suggesting he look at Brother Cheng and compare himself, thinking, Useless thing!

"Alright, thank you for your hard work, Master." Brother Cheng bowed in gratitude to Master Ouyang, then returned to his seat.

As soon as he sat down, Gu Dewang suddenly jumped up, resolute and full of sacrifice, saying: "Old man, I want to drop out of school!"

Master Ouyang looked at him dismissively: "Have you only thought up such a foolish remedy after pretending to be dead for days? I’m telling you, impossible. If a student taught by Ouyang Hu wants to drop out, the news spread, how will I establish myself in Great Chu? This is more shameful than you failing to achieve an official position."

Want to drop out, no way.

Gu Dewang was almost furious after hearing this, why wouldn’t Old Ouyang relent?

"I can’t pass the scholar exam at all; in this life, it’s impossible for me to do so, don’t place your hopes on me." Gu Dewang said with a broken-spirit attitude, quite shameless.