Ah Liu was naturally vigorous and resolute in his work. When Zhang Shou returned home that night, he found that in addition to Qi Liang, Deng Xiaodai had also come. He originally thought that Ah Liu had invited people together, but who knew that Qi Liang smiled and said something he didn't expect before he came.
"Young sir, Wang Dayin asked me to tell you that he will personally try the three cases tomorrow. If you are a witness, you can go and listen in. Of course, if you don't have time, forget it. Wang Dayin said that the cells are almost full and we can't delay any longer. We should try to get there before the autumn execution!"
This was clearly a move to kill people and establish his authority. Compared to Wang Datou's temper, Zhang Shou was not surprised at all, and immediately said with a smile: "When Wang Dayin does things, there is no need for an outsider like me to make decisions. You can just watch the fun for me."
Deng Xiaodai agreed without surprise, then stepped back and nudged Qi Liang hard with his elbow.
Seeing that it was his turn, Qi Liang hesitated for a moment before saying awkwardly: "Young Master, I..."
"What do you mean by 'I'? Why didn't you go to Shuntian Prefecture to hand in your answer sheet? Are you afraid that people will accuse me of partiality, or are you afraid that people will accuse you of being close to the water and getting the moon first? Lu Sanlang handed in a paper just to be polite, and Xiaodai wanted to be his clerk, but you have no official title yet, and you have nowhere to go. It's better for you to stay in the Imperial College than to go around and attend some literary gatherings!"
Qi Liang was speechless after hearing Zhang Shou's words. After a long while, he finally said, "I heard that Zhao Ying, the second son of Minister Zhao of the Ministry of War, was very dissatisfied with the fact that Lu Sanlang was admitted to Jiuzhang Hall and rumored to be the head of the hall. He said a lot of bad things about him. After all, Lu Sanlang is still the son of the Shangshu, but I... I'm afraid that people will gossip about my teacher."
"Assassination, threatening with swords, kidnapping... I've experienced it all, so why should I be afraid of gossip?" Zhang Shou sneered, and then said in a relaxed tone, "Now everyone knows that you and Xiaodai are my students. You don't think that by not going to the Imperial College, you can avoid some criticism for me. Xiaodai can't get away, and I've lost an arm. Do you still want to hide?"
"That's not what I meant." Qi Liang hurriedly shook his head like a rattle, but Zhang Shou's next words made his face suddenly change.
"Besides, if you want to make achievements in the college entrance examination next year, it is right to go to the Imperial College. Under the pressure of the order to rectify the style of study, you can find more down-to-earth people in the Imperial College with whom you can exchange what you have learned."
Moreover, the Imperial College is the only place where he can openly poach people and recruit soldiers. How can he do it without a few helpers!
Seeing Qi Liang finally agreed, Deng Xiaodai was full of envy. Zhang Shou then said, "Okay, I asked Ah Liu to bring back the papers from Banshan Hall early today. I also left the answers here. Have you finished grading them?"
If he, a teacher on his own, had no help, how could he possibly manage both Jiuzhang Hall and Banshan Hall in the future? The emperor only talked but did nothing, neither gave money nor people, so he couldn't rely on his own efforts for everything!
The next morning, in the Banshan Hall, Zhang Shou asked Zhang Wu and Zhang Lu to hand out the previous exam papers one by one. He praised several students who had outstanding results, but also highlighted the answers of the third and fourth princes, and even circulated their papers throughout the classroom. He instructed Qi Liang to fill in all the words that the fourth prince had left blank because he could not write.