Everyone Has Their Own Agenda
A group of mathematics teachers numbered over a dozen, each harboring their own thoughts. Among them, Liu Bozong was the youngest and most hot-headed, so his feelings showed most obviously. After a few rounds of drinking, a bit tipsy, he grew bolder and said defiantly, "I, Liu, became famous in mathematics at twenty and became a mathematics teacher at Wutong Academy at twenty-one. My math skills rank among the best in the Great Jin Dynasty. Yet, I had to study diligently until twenty to teach there. But that newcomer, Su Yu, is only fifteen! A fifteen-year-old youth—tell me, what level of mathematics could he possibly have? What virtue or talent does he have to be a teacher?"
Wang Shili, being rather timid and glad to have someone to agree with him, saw Liu Bozong losing his temper and complaining. He pretended to advise but was really fanning the flames, saying to Liu, "Master Liu, everyone knows your mathematical talent; your gift is top-notch. But, well, there might always be someone better. Perhaps Master Su Yu's talent is even greater..."
Hearing this, Liu Bozong's anger flared even more. He had always prided himself on his exceptional talent and was very arrogant, often emphasizing his youth at the academy. Now Wang Shili’s words implied that Su Yu might be even more gifted than him?
Liu Bozong could not accept this and drank sullenly, his face turning dark as iron.
Wang Shili looked at the hot-headed Liu Bozong, rolled his eyes, and lowered his head to continue drinking.
The eldest mathematics teacher, named Zhang Yuan, fifty years old, knowing his age limited his achievements, was more indifferent and acted as a peacemaker, smiling and saying, "Alright, alright, everyone calm down. Master Su Yu was personally invited by Dean Gu; he must have his abilities. We should just follow Dean Gu's arrangements."
At Zhang Yuan’s words, the other mathematics teachers lowered their heads to drink. Some wondered if Su Yu was a relative of Dean Gu or had a powerful family background, scheming how to curry favor with the new mathematics head.
Others, like Liu Bozong, were dissatisfied but more restrained, quietly plotting how to unseat this parachuted mathematics head to take the position for themselves.
Some were more cautious, thinking it best to wait and see what abilities Master Su Yu actually had.
There were also those who didn’t care about all this and just wanted to teach, earn money, and support their families, quite detached from the power struggles.
The dozen or so mathematics teachers each had their own thoughts, making the fine wine at the table lose its flavor.
Amid the toasts and clinking of cups, the welcome banquet concluded. Dean Gu personally escorted Master Su Yu to the specially arranged residence.
Wutong Academy was vast, with designated living and resting areas specifically set aside for the teaching staff.
The teachers’ living quarters were arranged in individual courtyard layouts. Ordinary teachers shared a courtyard between two, enough to house their family members.
Teachers with longer tenure could occupy a courtyard alone.
Higher-ranking teachers, such as the heads of literature and mathematics, each had a more elegant and noble two-courtyard residence to themselves.
Dean Gu himself lived in a four-courtyard residence within Wutong Academy.
In short, the living environment and scale were related to the teacher’s status within Wutong Academy.
Dean Gu personally stopped at the entrance of a very exquisite two-courtyard residence with Su Li and smiled, "Master Su, take a look at this residence. Are you satisfied?"
Su Li looked at the serene and beautiful environment of the residence and was very pleased: "This courtyard is nice, very beautiful. Thank you, Dean Gu."
Dean Gu smiled, stroked his beard, and said, "I was worried you wouldn’t like this residence. Just yesterday, I told Master Zhuge that if you didn’t like this small courtyard, you could have mine instead."