Chapter 108: This Thing Tastes Worse Than Rancid Swill

Wei Shi’an did not ask for Li Su’s opinion; since Li Su had volunteered to study the investigation of things under him, he had to abide by his arrangements. As for being expelled by Xi Sheng for failing to complete his tasks, that would be even better! The moment Xi Sheng expelled Li Su, he could immediately take him under his own wing. He would not treat Li Su poorly as his disciple; while Li Su was merely one of many under Xi Sheng, here, he would be the only one. In truth, Xi Sheng only had four disciples including Li Su, yet to Wei Shi’an, that already counted as many.

"Dean, the time required to study the investigation of things is too great, and I am pursuing the path of the imperial examinations," Li Su stated his opinion, feeling the Dean's arrangement was unreasonable.

Wei Shi’an replied sternly, "The investigation of things is no simpler than the imperial examinations. Do you think you can achieve success by studying it casually?"

Li Su thought, *I don't know about others, but I should be fine,* though he kept his focus on the examinations. "Dean, how about we make a deal? If I can create the 'thousand-mile eye' you desire, my time spent studying the investigation of things will be reduced by two-thirds." Li Su's original intent in studying with Wei Shi’an was merely to help him build the telescope, not to dedicate so much time to the field itself.

Wei Shi’an frowned, "You are talking nonsense again!"

"I am not. If I fail to make it, I will follow your schedule. How about that?" Though Li Su said this, he had already decided that once the telescope was completed, he would only study martial arts with the Dean, treating the investigation of things as a mere pastime.

Wei Shi’an nodded reluctantly, feeling that Li Su was being arrogant; the depth of the investigation of things was something a young man like him could not yet comprehend. When Li Su failed to make progress, he would teach him a proper lesson then. With the agreement settled, Li Su suggested, "Let's eat."

Li Su fixed his gaze on Wei Shi’an but did not move himself. Wei Shi’an asked, "Why aren't you eating?"

Li Su smiled and said, "After you, Dean."

Wei Shi’an, suspecting nothing, placed a piece of meat that looked decent into his mouth. Li Su could not help but let his lips curl upward; he finally understood the feelings of the students who had eaten here for the first time. Not only Li Su, but the other students who saw their Dean take a bite also felt a strange sense of anticipation.

Wei Shi’an’s expression froze. He spat it out immediately, bent over under the table, and dry-heaved a few times. "What is this?" It actually attacked one's mouth!

Li Su controlled his expression and asked, "What is the matter?"

Wei Shi’an grimaced, feeling a strange taste in his mouth. "This thing tastes worse than swill. You all think this is delicious?"

Li Su shook his head while saying, "But the food here is always at this level, and everyone is used to it."

Wei Shi’an narrowed his eyes at Li Su. *This brat is doing this on purpose, isn't he?* "You could have just told me," he grumbled, realizing the boy had led him here intentionally—the kid was truly devious.

"Dean, you pursue the path of investigating things to acquire knowledge; practice reveals the truth. You must experience it yourself to have the right to speak," Li Su said with a straight face. He was indeed being intentional, but his logic was sound.

Wei Shi’an considered this and found it somewhat reasonable; the path of investigation did indeed require constant practice. "You are truly well-suited for the path of investigating things," Wei Shi’an remarked.

Li Su smiled, "I am also very well-suited for the imperial examinations."

Wei Shi’an rolled his eyes at him and looked at the meal he had served himself. "Tell me what is going on."

Li Su turned serious and explained the situation regarding Master Qian and the cook to the Dean. Wei Shi’an was furious; this Qian Zusong had not done a single thing right for him!

Wei Shi’an acted decisively that very day, skipping lunch to handle the matter. The commotion was significant, and the students were overjoyed—could they finally eat normal food? They didn't ask for it to be delicious, just edible.

Upon investigation, Wei Shi’an discovered that Qian Zusong had treated his academy as a tool to amass wealth. Qian Zusong was stunned; had the Dean not always ignored the affairs of the academy? He hadn't been so bold at first, but realizing Wei Shi’an truly didn't care and spent his days tinkering in that small shed, his greed had grown.

The cook looked at Qian Zusong, "Master Qian, what is this about? I gave you my silver for this year!"

Qian Zusong: "..." *Is this the time to be talking about that?*

Wei Shi’an looked at the cook, "The academy is not his. I gave him the authority to manage things, and I have now revoked it. Whatever silver you gave him, you can ask him to return it."

The cook shook his head, "I don't want it back. I want to continue cooking here."

Wei Shi’an was baffled. "I have always wanted to be a chef. I tried opening several restaurants, but there were no customers. No one outside was willing to eat my cooking, but here, the students would eat it!"

Wei Shi’an found it absurd. "You spent silver to get in here just so others would eat your cooking?" The cook nodded vigorously. *Truly, the students of his academy have suffered,* Wei Shi’an thought. *Food no one outside would touch was being fed to them.*

"Dean, just let me stay! I can give you silver! Any amount is fine, and the food can even be free for the scholars!" the cook pleaded.

"No. Your cooking is too terrible; the students cannot eat this stuff."

"But they've been eating it for years, haven't they?"

Wei Shi’an: "..." *The students of the academy are indeed pitiful.* It was his own fault for not discovering this sooner. He could not be like this again; he must set aside time to inspect the academy regularly.

In the end, both the cook and Master Qian were expelled from the academy. Wei Shi’an reported the ill-gotten gains Qian Zusong had collected to the authorities. He immediately ordered Master Zhao to find a new cook, emphasizing that the food must taste good and that the cost of hiring was of no concern. Master Zhao took the order and acted immediately, striving to ensure the students could have a normal dinner.

When the news reached the students, they cheered with joy. Learning the truth about the cook left them with complicated feelings. How could someone spend such a large amount of money just to make others eat his terrible cooking? To use foul food as a weapon—without fearing bitterness or fatigue, and even paying for the privilege—was simply outrageous. The cook had ideals, but his cooking was so abysmal that those ideals were better off forgotten.

The students of the Yellow Study looked at Li Su with gratitude. Everyone knew that Li Su had brought the Dean to the dining hall, and the change of cooks was his merit. Furthermore, another piece of news reached their ears: Wang Tao had also been expelled by the Dean. The son of the Wang family in the capital—to be expelled just like that—only their Dean had such courage.