Chapter 25: Magistrate Wang's Request

The group stepped into the academy, crossing the front courtyard and following the long corridor deep into the grounds. Along the way, the sound of students reciting their lessons could be heard from time to time.

Li Feng led the two men to the courtyard where Elder Ye resided, announced their arrival, and then took his leave. Magistrate Wang stood at the entrance to straighten his robes before stepping inside, while Zhao Jin remained outside to wait.

Elder Ye, who had been busy inside, immediately set down his brush and rose to welcome them.

"Magistrate Wang, forgive my poor memory. I am truly getting on in years; no sooner does a thought enter my head than the hour slips my mind."

"Elder Ye, think nothing of it. It is I who am presumptuous for dropping by unannounced on our first meeting."

Elder Ye waved a hand dismissively. "How could this be an intrusion? It is my great fortune to have the opportunity to discuss the welfare of the people with their local official."

After the two exchanged pleasantries and took their seats, they went straight to the matter of road repairs. Although the purpose of the visit had been stated in the formal request, Magistrate Wang took the time to explain the situation at the county office, the current state of the roads, and the budgetary constraints in detail.

Elder Ye listened intently. He was well aware of the importance of these roads to the common folk, and as he took notes, he engaged in a thorough discussion with the Magistrate.

Outside, Zhao Jin was waiting, looking around out of boredom, when a familiar figure passed through the gateway ahead.

"When did you return to the academy, kid?" The newcomer was Chen Ping, who found himself blocked at the door by Zhao Jin.

"I just got back. I have some questions about my lessons that I need to ask my teacher," Chen Ping replied, waving the papers in his hand.

Zhao Jin reached out to stop him. "Magistrate Wang and Elder Ye are discussing important business. You cannot go in and disturb them right now."

"Oh, then I shall wait outside with the Chief." Chen Ping stood obediently by Zhao Jin’s side, his eyes darting toward the room.

Nearly an hour passed before the door opened. Elder Ye and Magistrate Wang emerged, both wearing expressions of concern.

Chen Ping stepped forward and bowed. "Teacher, I have thought of a new solution for the final question in our lesson. Do you have a moment to take a look?"

Preoccupied with worry, Elder Ye took the paper Chen Ping offered and gave it a cursory glance. But those few lines of text were enough to stir him into excitement. He praised the work repeatedly: "Good, very good! This approach is truly ingenious, and your diagram is excellent as well. Come inside with me."

With that, Elder Ye handed the paper to Magistrate Wang. "What were we just saying? Look at this—speak of the devil, and here it is!"

Magistrate Wang was puzzled at first as he took the paper, but as his eyes followed where Elder Ye was pointing, a look of delight spread across his face. Both men stared at Chen Ping with beaming smiles, their eyes seemingly glowing, which sent a shiver down the boy’s spine.

*What is this? Are they going to turn into monsters and eat a child?*

Before Chen Ping could react, he was grabbed by either side and ushered into the room. Desperate, Chen Ping looked back and began grabbing at the air in the direction of Zhao Jin, as if to say: *Chief, save me!*

***

*Bang!*

The door was shut tight. Chen Ping looked nervously at the two elders, still unsure of their intentions. Magistrate Wang greeted him warmly and introduced himself with great solemnity. Chen Ping was startled; before he could even bow, the Magistrate had taken his hand, explaining that he needed a small favor.

Facing this sudden burden, Chen Ping looked to Elder Ye for guidance. Noticing the boy's gaze, Elder Ye turned his head away. "Why look at me? Think for yourself!"

With no other choice, Chen Ping braced himself and asked the excited Magistrate, "What is it you need me to do?"

*Sacrificing my body is absolutely out of the question—that would be an act of child abuse that would anger both heaven and man. I would rather die than lose my purity!*

"Did you come up with this statistical method yourself?" Magistrate Wang asked, holding the document.

Chen Ping looked where the Magistrate was pointing. It was the final question from his lesson—to make the data easier to read, he had separated the profits and losses and organized them into a table. *It’s just a statistical table, why are they so excited?*

Chen Ping nodded. "Yes, I did."

"Can you create a more detailed chart?" the Magistrate asked urgently.

"What kind of chart do you want?"

"The more detailed, the better, naturally."

*So that’s it? It’s just making a table. You scared me—I thought my virtue was at stake.*

Chen Ping’s childlike mischievousness flared up, and he feigned difficulty. "The more detailed the table, the more difficult the technique becomes." *That’s for scaring me earlier.*

Magistrate Wang, terrified that Chen Ping might back out, promised, "Students of Huating Academy can take the 'Child Prodigy Examination' with a recommendation from an official. If you complete this table, this Magistrate... I will personally act as your guarantor."

The Child Prodigy Examination was similar to the gifted youth programs of his previous life. Chen Ping grinned. "You know your stuff. Very well, I shall give it a try."

Seeing that Chen Ping had agreed, Magistrate Wang could hardly contain his excitement; it felt as if a long-held dream was within reach. Fearing that Chen Ping might not take it seriously, the Magistrate explained the importance of the chart clearly. The funds allocated were limited, and according to Elder Ye's calculations, they were barely enough to repair the roads; there was no room for error.

Precisely because of this, a clear and intuitive chart would prevent embezzlement and reduce unnecessary waste. Thus, a meticulous plan was of the utmost importance.

***

Magistrate Wang crouched down, meeting Chen Ping at eye level. "I must trouble you with this. This chart is of great consequence; whether or not these roads are properly repaired depends entirely on it."

He stood up and bowed to Elder Ye. "I must also trouble you to put in the effort, Elder. I shall go now to discuss the necessary materials."

"I shall do my utmost!"

After learning of Magistrate Wang’s intentions, Chen Ping’s respect for this official who worked for the people grew significantly. For such a meaningful cause, he would naturally give his all.

Once the Magistrate had left, Elder Ye patted Chen Ping on the back. Chen Ping stumbled, barely regaining his balance. When he looked up, he saw the pride hidden beneath the elder’s beard. "You are truly worthy of being my disciple. You are in for a stroke of luck!"

"That is only thanks to you."

Chen Ping’s response was indifferent; he knew that if he hadn't become Elder Ye's disciple, he would never have had the chance to meet such important people. He wanted to offer a few more compliments, but before the words could escape his lips, he was flicked on the forehead.

"Ouch!" Chen Ping clutched his forehead, tears welling up from the sting.

Elder Ye said, half-annoyed and half-amused, "Have you not had enough of that formal flattery?"

"I was speaking the truth," Chen Ping argued.

Elder Ye ignored him. "Acting like an adult is not endearing at all; in fact, it makes me want to give you a thrashing."

Elder Ye cast a threatening glance behind Chen Ping. *Danger!* Chen Ping forgot his forehead and immediately covered his backside.

"A gentleman uses his words, not his hands! No, wait—uses his hands, not his words! No, that's not it!" Chen Ping was so panicked his words became tangled.

"Hahahaha, I actually think that version makes some sense."

Rarely seeing Chen Ping act like a child, Elder Ye couldn't help but tease him, deliberately moving behind him. Chen Ping scrambled to change directions, with Elder Ye following close behind. The old man and the young boy circled each other until Chen Ping couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Elder Ye stopped, satisfied. "That's better. A child should act like a child."

Usually, Chen Ping studied quietly and didn't interact much with his peers. While he occasionally offered unique insights—which made Elder Ye proud as his teacher—the elder knew the dangers of a boy being too precocious, too soon. He would much rather Chen Ping slow his pace.