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"There's my clever girl!" Lie Fan said, lifting her out of the urn and spinning her around. Yaoyao squealed with laughter, her arms wrapped tightly around his neck. With all the children found, the game ended in a chorus of laughter and cheers. Lie Fan gathered them together, his heart full as he looked at their happy faces. "You all did so well," he said, his voice filled with pride. "Next time, I'll have to try even harder to find you."
The children beamed at his praise, their excitement undiminished. "Can we play again, Father?" Yanyan asked, her eyes shining with hope.
Lie Fan smiled and ruffled her hair. "Not right now, my little one. I have some work to attend to, but I promise we'll play again soon. How about tomorrow morning, we play again like we have just done?"
The children nodded eagerly, their disappointment quickly replaced by anticipation. "Yes, Father!" they chorused.
As the handmaidens and guards led the children back to their activities, Lie Fan stood for a moment, watching them go.
The sight of his children, so full of life and joy, filled him with a profound sense of purpose. They were his legacy, the future of the Lie Clan, and he would do everything in his power to ensure they grew up in a world of peace and prosperity.
After bidding farewell to his children and leaving the garden, Lie Fan returned to his chamber, where he found Lu Lingqi awake and brushing her hair in front of a mirror.
The morning light streamed through the windows, casting a soft glow on her figure. Lie Fan smiled as he approached her, his heart swelling with affection. He kissed her gently on the forehead, and she looked up at him, her eyes warm and loving.
"Good morning, Husband," she said, her voice soft and melodic. "Did you sleep well?"
"Very well," Lie Fan replied, his tone filled with contentment. "And you? How are you feeling this morning?"
Lu Lingqi smiled, her hand instinctively resting on her belly. "I feel wonderful, especially knowing that our child is growing strong."
Lie Fan's smile widened, and he sat beside her, taking her hand in his. They spent a few moments talking about the little things, her dreams from the night before, the playful antics of the children, and the plans for the day.
It was a rare moment of quiet intimacy, a reminder of the simple joys that grounded him amidst the weight of his responsibilities.
After their conversation, they walked together to the dining hall, where Ying Yue, Diao Chan, and Cai Wenji were already waiting. The table was laden with a lavish breakfast, prepared by the skilled chefs of the Lie Clan residence.
The aroma of freshly steamed buns, savory porridge, cooked meat, and delicate pastries filled the air, and the husband and wives gathered around the table, their laughter and chatter creating a warm, lively atmosphere.
Lie Fan savored the meal, not just for its taste but for the sense of unity it brought. His wives were his anchor in this world, the source of his strength and determination. As they ate, they shared stories and jokes, the bonds of their family growing ever stronger.
Once breakfast was over, Lie Fan took a bath and donned his formal attire, preparing for the day ahead. Accompanied by two of the Yellow Ghost bodyguards, he made his way to the Governor's Castle in Xiapi.
The streets were bustling with activity, the city alive with the energy of its people. Lie Fan couldn't help but feel a sense of pride as he observed the prosperity and order that had become hallmarks of his domain.
When he arrived at the castle, he was surprised to find Sima Hui, Pang Degong, Huang Chengyan, Zhuge Xuan, Cai Yong, and Lu Zhi waiting for him in front of his office. The sight of these esteemed scholars and advisors gathered together was unusual, and Lie Fan greeted them with a mixture of curiosity and respect.
"Good morning, Masters," he said, cupping his hand toward them. "This is a pleasant surprise. To what do I owe the honor of your presence here so early in the day?"
Lu Zhi stepped forward, his expression serious but respectful. "My lord, we apologize for disturbing you this morning, but we have come to discuss a matter of great importance. It concerns your vision of providing greater access to education for the common people. With the success of the wooden block printing press and the abundance of books now available, we believe the time is ripe to move forward with your plan. Moreover, with the support of Masters Sima Hui, Pang Degong, and Huang Chengyan, the likelihood of success has increased significantly."
Lie Fan's eyes lit up with interest. He had long envisioned of breaking the noble's monopoly on education and creating a more equitable society where talent could flourish regardless of birth, and empower his authority. He nodded and gestured toward his office. "Please, come inside. Let us discuss this matter in detail."
The group filed into Lie Fan's spacious office, where numerous seats had been arranged to accommodate his large circle of advisors. Lie Fan took his place at the head of the table, while the others settled into their seats. The atmosphere was one of focused anticipation, the weight of the discussion ahead palpable.
Once everyone was seated, Lie Fan leaned forward, his expression thoughtful. "Masters, I am eager to hear your thoughts. What plan have you concocted to bring this vision to life since my last discussion with Master Zhuge Xuan, Lu Zhi, and Cai Yong?"
Sima Hui was the first to speak, his voice calm and measured. "My lord, your desire to provide greater access to education for the common people is truly virtuous. It reflects your deep care for the welfare of your subjects and your foresight in building a strong and capable populace. However, we must proceed with caution."
"The nobles and elite scholars will not take kindly to any threat to their monopoly on knowledge and power. Therefore, we agree with the phased approach you had proposed beforehand, focusing initially on practical skills that will benefit the common people without directly challenging the existing order."
Lie Fan nodded, his expression one of approval. "You are correct, Master Sima Hui. While my intentions are indeed virtuous, I must admit there is also a selfish element to this plan. By breaking the nobles' monopoly on education, we can cultivate a new generation of talent that is loyal to our vision and not beholden to the old elites. This will strengthen our position and ensure the stability of our domain."
Pang Degong, who had been listening intently, spoke next. "My lord, your vision is both noble and pragmatic. We agreed to focus on practical skills such as agriculture, trade, basic literacy, and arithmetic first. These are areas where the common people can see immediate benefits and improve their daily lives, and they are less likely to provoke resistance from the nobles and elite scholars. By starting with these subjects, we can gradually build a foundation for broader educational reforms in the future."
Huang Chengyan added, "Furthermore, we can use our connections across the land to garner support from influential scholars who share your vision. These individuals, who care deeply for the people and have significant weight in academic circles, can endorse this movement and lend it credibility. Their support will be crucial in countering the opposition from the nobles and conservative scholars."
Lie Fan's eyes gleamed with appreciation as he listened to their proposals. "This is an excellent strategy," he said. "By focusing on practical skills and combined with securing the support of influential scholars, we can create a movement that is both effective and resilient. But we must also ensure that the implementation is smooth and that the common people embrace this opportunity."
Zhuge Xuan, who had been quietly observing the discussion, spoke up. "My lord, we must also consider the logistical aspects of this plan. Establishing schools, training teachers, and distributing books will require significant resources and coordination. We will need to create a detailed plan that outlines each step of the process, from selecting suitable locations for schools to recruiting and training instructors."
Cai Yong nodded in agreement. "Indeed, my lord. We must also ensure that the curriculum is carefully designed to meet the needs of the common people. It should be practical, accessible, and relevant to their daily lives. This will encourage greater participation and ensure the success of the initiative."
Lu Zhi, who had been taking notes throughout the discussion, looked up and said, "My lord, we should also consider the role of the local officials in this endeavor. They will be instrumental in implementing the plan at the grassroots level. We must ensure that they are fully committed to the vision and understand its importance."
Lie Fan leaned back in his chair, his mind racing as he absorbed the insights of his advisors. "You have all raised excellent points," he said. "This is a complex and ambitious undertaking, but it is one that I believe is essential for the future of our domain. Let us proceed with the following steps, First, we will establish a committee to oversee the implementation of this plan, with Masters Sima Hui, Pang Degong, and Huang Chengyan taking the lead. Second, we will reach out to influential scholars and secure their support. Third, we will develop a detailed curriculum and begin training teachers. Finally, we will identify suitable locations for schools and allocate the necessary resources, for a better sense of security it's better to be located at Xiapi first."
The advisors nodded, their expressions filled with determination. "We will not fail you, my lord," Sima Hui said, his voice firm. "This is a historic opportunity, and we will ensure that it is executed to perfection."
Lie Fan smiled, his heart filled with gratitude for the talented and dedicated individuals who surrounded him. "Thank you, Masters. Your wisdom and commitment are invaluable. Together, we will create a future where knowledge is not a privilege of the few but a right of the many."
After the meeting concluded, Lie Fan returned to his desk, his mind still buzzing with the plans for educational reform. However, as he began to sift through the stacks of reports, petitions, and documents that required his attention, his thoughts kept drifting back to his eldest son, Chenchen.
At ten years old, Chenchen was already showing signs of great potential, both in intellect and character. Alongside his twin sister, Yaoyao, he had been receiving the finest education Xiapi could offer since the age of six, studying under the tutelage of esteemed masters like Jia Xu, Lu Zhi, Xun You, and Chen Qun.
Yet, Lie Fan felt that something was missing. While Chenchen was excelling in his studies, Lie Fan believed that his son needed more than just academic knowledge.
He needed practical wisdom, a progressive mindset, and the ability to adapt to the ever changing world, qualities that Lie Fan himself had cultivated through his unique experiences, as he had received the teaching and value of the modern world in his past life and understood and accept the teaching and value of his life here in this era.
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Name: Lie Fan
Title: Overlord Of The Central Plains
Age: 33 (200 AD)
Level: 16
Next Level: 462,000
Renown: 1325
Cultivation: Yin Yang Separation (level 9)
SP: 1,121,700
ATTRIBUTE POINTS
STR: 951 (+20)
VIT: 613 (+20)
AGI: 598 (+10)
INT: 617
CHR: 96
WIS: 519
WILL: 407
ATR Points: 0