This is definitely not the first time Li Qi has encountered this situation, but every time he encounters it, he will be very unhappy. I believe this is a fact that is difficult and necessary for a man in his prime to accept.
Li Qi took Bai Qiannuo's little hand and gave her a few words. Relying on his years of experience, he told her what aspects she should pay attention to. He also asked her to make some tonic soup to replenish her body as she was living in the Qin Mansion recently.
.
Seeing that Li Qi was not unhappy because of this, Bai Qiannuo was moved and happy at the same time. She nodded and promised that she would follow his instructions. After saying this, she picked up the
He looked at the quill pen for a while and said, "Brother, can you use this pen to write again and show it to me?"
"no problem."
Li Qi took a quill and scribbled a few words on the paper.
Bai Qiannuo observed it carefully for a while, and then wanted to try this quill pen. Li Qi handed the pen to her, and then taught her how to hold the pen. No matter how talented Bai Qiannuo was, it would be impossible for her to write it in such a short period of time.
It takes only a short time to master this quill, which is completely opposite in nature and usage.
"Well, it's much prettier than my calligraphy." Li Qi quickly gave his own evaluation of Bai Qiannuo's pen calligraphy.
Bai Qiannuo chuckled, put down the pen, shook her head and said, "I can't use this money." As she said that, she suddenly saw the drawings on the table, took them over curiously, and said, "Brother, this table is yours.
Is it a painting?"
Li Qi hummed and said, "This is a desk, prepared for the new college."
"desk?"
Bai Qiannuo nodded slightly, picked up the quill again and asked, "Is this quill also prepared for your academy?"
Li Qi was stunned for a moment. He smiled and said, "If you don't tell me, I haven't thought of this. You can indeed try it. Today's writing brushes are too expensive, and they need to be replaced soon, which is contrary to the philosophy of my academy.
, this quill pen costs almost nothing, it is a perfect match." He became more and more excited as he talked, and smiled: "Qiniang, you are really my lucky star."
Bai Qiannuo smiled sweetly and said with a hint of worry: "Brother, you must be very tired running this academy."
"It's worth it to be tired. Besides, it's nothing. Others do it. I just draw pictures and move my mouth. The key is that it's hard to find a teacher." Li Qi let out a long sigh.
Bai Qiannuo said: "You can ask the Grand Master to come forward."
Li Qi shook his head and said: "No. Most of the people the Grand Master knows are old gentlemen with a good reputation. If they are invited to come, it will be difficult for me to just deal with them all day long, and they may even fight. So.
This will never work."
Bai Qiannuo also knew Li Qi's personality, and it was really possible as he said. He asked, "Brother, what kind of person are you looking for?"
"Younger, more open-minded, preferably someone like you."
Li Qi's eyes lit up as he spoke, and he said happily: "Yes, Qiniang, you can also come to our college to be a teacher. You have taught those Xiaoyu and others how to read before, and you have experience. I believe this will not be a difficult task for you.
.”
Bai Qiannuo sighed and said depressedly: "I also want to help eldest brother, but my mother won't let me go."
"Your mother? Why does this involve your mother again?" Li Qi asked confused.
Bai Qiannuo said helplessly: "Last time I accidentally mentioned to my mother the matter of you and Taishi Cai running an academy. My mother said at that time that big brother, you would definitely let me go to the academy to help. My mother said that we can discuss other matters.
But this is absolutely not okay.”
"Wow! Qiniang, don't scare me. Is your mother really that powerful? You can't predict it." Li Qi scratched his chin, the hairs on his arms stood up, and he felt like he was being held in the palm of his hand.
The feeling made him very uncomfortable.
Bai Qiannuo nodded and said: "This is true. My mother also said that if you can't understand, you can go to her."
"It's better to avoid it. It's such a big deal. I'll just figure it out myself." Li Qi shook his head and said. He knew that his future mother-in-law must have political considerations, and he had always been more fond of this future mother-in-law.
Fear, not even Cai Jing and Wang Fu made him feel this way.
Bai Qiannuo nodded and said nothing more, but there was still a trace of worry in his eyes.
***********
At noon, Li Qi took out the two-headed abalone that Zuo Boqing gave him last time and gave Bai Qiannuo some refreshments. In the afternoon, he went to the Taishi Mansion. The main purpose of his visit this time was to discuss the academy.
Renovation and recruitment of teachers.
Li Qi originally didn't want to disturb Cai Jing, so he planned to discuss it with Cai Yong, but he never expected that when he came to the Grand Master's Mansion, he learned that Cai Yong was rubbing rubbish with Cai Jing and two backbones of the Grand Master's Mansion around a table.
Mahjong, now this mahjong is gradually spreading in the upper class, and some people are starting to sell mahjong. Li Qi has long expected this situation, but he never planned to do this business, because making mahjong is very simple.
Almost everyone can do something, but the profit is too small. If he doesn't do it, he has to do something that others can't do.
Cai Jing was very happy when he saw Li Qi coming. He immediately asked one of them to give up his seat and forced Li Qi to play a few rounds with him. It was obvious that he loved this mahjong very much.
"Li Qi, I heard that you have been promoted recently." Cai Jing said with a smile while watching them shuffle the cards.
"Xiaosheng, Xiaosheng." Li Qi shouted, feeling very contemptuous of Cai Jing's behavior of not shuffling the cards.
Cai Jing laughed and said: "You are so young and you are already a fourth-grade official. You are very valuable. Even I was not as good as you back then."
"Master's words are serious. How dare I compare myself to you? In fact, it's just a coincidence. It's all thanks to the agarwood sent by Dali Kingdom." Li Qi smiled slightly.
"Speaking of this swallow dish, I heard it from Sui'er last time. He said that your first-grade official swallow dish is quite delicious and has a very unique taste. It's a pity that the envoy from Dali only sent a small amount, otherwise I wouldn't be able to eat it.
You can ask the emperor for some to try. But is this agarwood really as good as you said? Can eating it really extend your life?" Cai Jing asked curiously.
This old guy must be crazy for wanting to live longer. Li Qi did not dare to talk too much and said: "Prolong life. It depends on the person, but agarwood is indeed very nourishing to the human body, and its effect is no less than that of ginseng."
."
Cai Jing looked fascinated and swallowed his saliva and said: "I really hope that your swallowing case can be settled as soon as possible. Then I can taste what the swallowing tastes like."
Li Qi chuckled and said: "Your Majesty urged me so urgently, I believe it will be done soon."
"I hope so." Cai Jing smiled and nodded, "I also heard that the emperor has appointed you to attend this year's Four Nations Banquet."
Li Qi knew that this was not a secret at all to Cai Jing, so he nodded and said, "Yes, it is only thanks to the emperor's love that I have the opportunity to attend such a grand banquet."
"So how are you preparing?"
"Uh... aren't there still two months left? Isn't it too early to start preparing now?"
Cai Jing glared at him fiercely and said anxiously: "It's still early? Did you know that in the past, like the Liao Kingdom, the imperial chefs of Xixia would start preparations half a year in advance. This is nothing like a crab roe feast. If we lose, huh, with you
It feels good."
Sweating profusely! Do you need to be so excited? You spit on my face again. It’s true that a chef is not in a hurry, but a master is in a hurry.
But Li Qi also knew in his heart that Cai Jing was so excited because of him. He smiled confidently and said: "Master, I can't guarantee anything else. But when it comes to cooking skills, I, Li Qi, have never been afraid of anyone. This time
No exception."
Cai Jing has always admired Li Qi's point of view, and laughed and said: "I also have great confidence in you, but don't be careless. I have tasted the dishes prepared by the imperial chefs of the Three Kingdoms at the Four Kingdoms Banquet, and they are not the same.
You may need to improve your general skills, especially your knife skills. All in all, you must prepare as early as possible."
Huh. Knife skills? I spent a lot of time sharpening my knives in those years.
Li Qi didn't bother to explain. This kind of thing will naturally be resolved when the time comes. He nodded and said: "Li Qi will remember the teachings of the Grand Master."
Cai Jing was not a long-winded person either. He stopped at the last minute and said with a smile: "Are you here because of the college's affairs?"
"Exactly."
Li Qi said seriously: "Master, I have handed over the decoration of the college to Carpenter Tian from Zuixianju. Oh, he was the one who built the bar last time. I hope he will be fully responsible for it this time, of course. I
We will also supervise behind the scenes.”
Naturally, all the decoration craftsmen came from the Taishi Mansion. Li Qi had seen the arrogance and domineering appearance of the servants of the Taishi Mansion, so he was worried that Carpenter Tian would not be able to suppress them. If there were special instructions from Cai Jing, it would definitely be different.
.
Cai Jing naturally understood Li Qi's intention, and he was also very satisfied with the decoration of the bar. He said to Cai Yong who was standing aside: "Yongzi, you can make arrangements later."
Cai Yong nodded and said, "Yes, sir."
Li Qi added: "In addition, I also need a lot of lime. Oh, this is not used to build houses. I have other uses."
Cai Jing didn't ask any more questions. He glanced at Cai Yong and said, "You can discuss this with Yongzi later."
Li Qi cupped his hands and said with a smile: "Steward Cai, I have to trouble you again."
"Where, where, whenever you need it, just send someone to let me know."
It's refreshing enough, I like it. Li Qi smiled and nodded, and then said to Cai Jing: "Grand Master, do you think we should start making arrangements to recruit teachers?"
Cai Jing nodded and asked, "What do you plan to do?"
Li Qi smiled and said: "That's it. I want to advertise them in the name of Grand Master tomorrow. Three days later, I will interview them personally."
Cai Jing frowned and said, "Let's send it in your name."
"Why is this? This academy is run by Grand Master, how can you issue it in my name?"
Cai Jing shook his head and said: "You don't know something. Many scholars in the world have many misunderstandings about me - well, let me tell you in your name."
Li Qi was stunned for a moment, and then realized that you are quite self-aware. However, he did not intend to change his mind and said with a smile: "Grand Master, there is no need to worry. Scholars like those who regard themselves as noble, stick to their own opinions, and are extremely pedantic will be sent away."
I won't accept it even if you give it to me. We are doing a good deed to benefit the poor people. If they are unwilling to come just because they have objections to you, such a person is simply misleading the students as a teacher. Besides, we are spending our money on it.
There, I still can’t believe that no one came.”
Having said that, he actually didn't have much confidence in this matter.
When Cai Jing heard this, he immediately felt much better. He laughed loudly and said, "Okay, that's good. I'll do as you said. --- Yongzi, you will order people to post the notice later."
"Yes, sir."
Cai Yong glanced at Li Qi for a moment, with a trace of confusion in his eyes. This was the first time he saw Cai Jing obeying someone so well.