Chapter 114: Uniting the Prime Minister and Dean Wei's Leadership into One!

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Yun Qin and Song Sheng found themselves at a loss for words, unsure how to explain the misunderstanding. How had such a confusion arisen? They were certain that among all the students in the academy, Li Su bore the heaviest workload daily—several times more than theirs.

Suddenly, Yun Qin’s mind drifted to the fact that both Chief Counselor Xi and Dean Wei were formidable figures, both feared and avoided. Their mutual protégé, Xian, had been mentored by both, embodying the combined strengths of these two formidable men. In that light…

Yun Qin found himself somewhat eager to witness Xian’s future as an official in the court.

Exchanging a glance with Song Sheng, they both felt that since Li Su’s master and Dean Wei spoke so highly of him, there must be truth in their words.

Yun Qin thought to himself that such an overwhelming academic burden could only be borne by Xian; anyone else would falter. From this perspective, Xian and Chief Counselor Xi were akin—one issued terrifying tasks, the other truly accomplished them.

Li Su, influenced by Lin Ze and his initial study arrangements allowing an hour of rest, noticed how little sleep the students here allotted themselves. Everyone had the same length of day; if he rested longer, naturally he would study fewer hours than others.

He knew he was somewhat gifted academically, but in this era, who among those who passed the provincial exams wasn’t talented?

His goal was to outshine other gifted and diligent students and claim the top scholar’s title.

Compared to that objective, no amount of assigned tasks seemed excessive.

Even if ordinary students didn’t work as hard, their aim was not to be the top scholar.

When his master and Dean Wei said the workload was light, perhaps they were comparing it to previous top scholars.

In summary, Li Su still needed to strive harder.

He still had to visit Wei Shian, and after a brief conversation among the three, Li Su departed.

Yun Qin and Song Sheng exchanged a glance and, upon returning to their lodgings, immediately opened their books to study.

…

Li Su went straight from the Yellow Study Hall to Dean Wei’s office.

A few students stopped Li Su; he recognized them as disciples from the Heavenly Study Hall.

“Scholar Li, please wait a moment.”

“May I ask what you need?”

They jostled among themselves, eventually choosing one to speak for the group.

“There are only about ten days left until this month’s exams. A few of us would like to discuss study methods with you, hoping that after the exams you might come to Heavenly Study Hall,” they said, “and perhaps bring Dean Wei along to teach us here.”

Li Su blinked in puzzlement—did they mean to give him tutoring?

Were Heavenly Study Hall’s students really so willing to help?

Still, it was a good opportunity to exchange ideas with them; he had thought he would only have such a chance after arriving at Heavenly Study Hall.

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“Sure, shall we set a time? I have some matters to attend to now.”

He didn’t want to be late and risk the dean’s scolding, as Dean Wei was notorious for his nagging.

“How about after lunch tomorrow?” Li Su suggested a time when he was relatively free.

“That works, that works.”

After agreeing on the time and place, Li Su bid them farewell and went to find Wei Shian.

Watching Li Su’s retreating figure, the group murmured among themselves, “He’s heading towards Dean Wei’s office, isn’t he?”

“So when he comes to Heavenly Study Hall, Dean Wei will surely come as well!”

“Hmm… maybe we’re assuming too much. If Scholar Li is personally tutored by Dean Wei, do we even need to help him improve?”

They exchanged looks and fell silent.

“We’ve set the time; tomorrow we’ll see how good Scholar Li really is.”

“Right. If he’s knowledgeable enough to come here, exchanging ideas will benefit us. It’s been too long since a newcomer appeared at Heavenly Study Hall.”

“At least one new student will emerge from this exam.”

“Yun Qin, right? I’ve heard of him. If he comes here, I must find time to learn from him.”

As they walked back to their lodgings, they discussed Yun Qin and Li Su.

…

Li Su quietly pushed open the door and entered. Dean Wei was anxiously scratching his head, clearly troubled.

Li Su tried to be as quiet as possible, not wanting to draw Wei Shian’s attention.

When Wei Shian looked up and saw Li Su sneaking in, he said, “Come here. The other day you mentioned you had an idea for making the clairvoyant lens. Tell me about it.”

Wei Shian wanted to hear Li Su’s thoughts, hoping it might help him a little.

Anticipating this question, Li Su pulled up a stool and sat beside Wei Shian.

Wei Shian had a solid foundation; a casual explanation would suffice for him to understand.

“Dean, this is what I’m thinking. I need to make three components.”

“Two lens pieces and a tube.”

“One lens is thicker in the middle and thinner at the edges, convex overall, focusing distant images inward—similar in principle to your magnifying glass.”

“The other lens is thinner in the middle, thicker at the edges, concave overall, which spreads the focused image back out so the eye can see clearly. This lens alone can reduce image size.”

“Finally, the tube holds the two lenses aligned. By adjusting it, you achieve the clairvoyant lens effect.”

“The two lenses work in tandem—one focuses, the other disperses—and distant objects appear as if standing right before your eyes. That’s my concept.”

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Wei Shian’s eyes widened in excitement.

After hearing Li Su’s idea, he found it highly feasible. Li Su’s mind was sharp and full of ideas.

“Li Su, you’re a genius in the study of principles! Don’t waste your talents on the civil service exams!” Wei Shian was reluctant to let him go.

Li Su should resolutely pursue the path of scientific inquiry!

“Dean, think this way: if I pass the imperial exams smoothly, next year’s provincial, metropolitan, and palace exams all at once, then the exams will be over, and I can devote more time to exploring scientific principles with you!”

“And if I become a high official, I can put our research into practice, showing more people how science changes the world. Wouldn’t that be even more meaningful?”

Li Su spoke passionately, watching Wei Shian’s expression out of the corner of his eye.

Wei Shian’s eyes shone brighter and brighter; Li Su was pleased to have reassured him for the time being.

“Good! Science changes the world! Well said!” Wei Shian agreed, admiring Li Su’s vision.

Those old men don’t have half his insight.

“Li Su, you must pass at once next year!” Wei Shian urged.

Li Su nodded vigorously.

“Yes, Dean, that’s why I’m now spending more time on studying for the exams. Later, I’ll have more time for scientific research.”

Wei Shian immediately accepted this reasoning; it made perfect sense, and Li Su truly had extraordinary talent in scientific inquiry.

To Wei Shian, talent in science was far more valuable than talent in exams.

When he next met Xi Sheng, he would have to convince him to let Li Su be his apprentice. After all, Xi Sheng had many disciples; one more wouldn’t matter.

He was different—he had none.

If Xi Sheng refused, Wei Shian would pester him relentlessly until he agreed. This was a disciple he genuinely wanted.

As for whether Li Su would agree? Wei Shian believed he would, since Li Su was also interested in scientific inquiry.

For now, Li Su had calmed Wei Shian, no longer enduring the dean’s constant nagging about spending too much time studying.

Wei Shian leaned closer to Li Su. “Li Su, you’ve already ground one lens, right? Is this one almost done?”

“Then only the tube remains. Would bamboo be a good material for it?”

Wei Shian bombarded Li Su with questions.

Li Su had just started grinding this lens and couldn’t guarantee it would be perfect on the first try.

Based on Li Su’s description, Wei Shian had already roughly envisioned what the clairvoyant lens should look like.