Chapter Thirty-One: Not to Be Repeated

When Gao Buyi returned to the Hot Springs Palace, dusk had already fallen. Pei An and Li Shizhi were waiting for him.

“Your Majesty, after today’s examination, there are one hundred and fifteen who are qualified for official positions, and five hundred and one eligible to enter the Great Tang Academy, of whom one hundred are female students. Here is the list for your inspection,” Pei An said respectfully, presenting two registers.

Gao Buyi replied, “You can make the necessary arrangements for those entering the academy. As for those qualified for official positions, I’ll review the list and let you know tomorrow how to proceed. You’ve both worked hard today—go rest.”

After Pei An and Li Shizhi withdrew, Gao Buyi lowered his head and began carefully examining the list. It recorded only names, ages, and places of origin. Scanning from beginning to end, he noticed most of the talent hailed from Shandong and Jiangnan, but there were also names that faintly echoed those preserved in ancient poetry from later eras.

In the inner palace, Consort Yang lounged in casual attire, reclining lazily on her chaise. Her phoenix eyes were half-closed, her skin flawless as congealed jade, radiating an unearthly beauty and regal grace.

“Attend me—” she suddenly called out, her voice as melodious as celestial music.

“My Lady—” Two palace maids approached, bowing respectfully.

“Is His Majesty still in the royal study?”

“Yes, My Lady, His Majesty remains in the royal study.”

“Go, have the kitchens prepare a late supper and deliver it to His Majesty. Also, inquire whether he intends to rest in the inner palace tonight.” Ever since Gao Buyi had twice cautioned her to observe proper protocol, Consort Yang had become more circumspect, no longer daring to intrude into the front palace without permission.

Still poring over the list, Gao Buyi sensed someone approaching. Looking up, he saw his personal attendant and asked, “What is it?”

“Your Majesty, Consort Yang has sent some late supper and instructed that Your Majesty must take care of your health and eat something.”

“Oh? Bring it in. By the way, has Consort Wang returned?”

“Not yet.”

Gao Buyi nodded. Two palace maids entered and set the supper before him. The meal was exquisite: a bowl of ginseng and pigeon soup, and four or five types of pastries. Having worked until nearly midnight, Gao Buyi genuinely felt hungry and began to eat.

Afterward, he stepped outside to look at the night. A bright moon hung high in the sky, and a gentle breeze drifted by. Turning back, he took the personnel list from the dragon desk and made his way to the Great Tang Academy.

Despite the late hour, many classrooms in the academy were still brightly lit, with shadowy figures occasionally flitting through the courtyards. Gao Buyi approached a nearby classroom and peered inside through the window. Many students were gathered in lively discussion, with the teacher present as well.

Watching for a moment, he then headed toward Consort Wang’s office. Although he’d expressly forbidden night classes, it was well past bedtime and yet there was still no rest. While scholarship was important, health was even more so; such bad habits must be corrected.

Just as he reached the office door, he heard boisterous voices within—clearly, many people were gathered. Motioning for the attendant to hold back, Gao Buyi paused to listen. On this first day of classes, it seemed there were numerous issues, with the hottest debate centered around the separation of male and female students, a matter provoking considerable disagreement.

He listened for a while longer, then wandered to the office of Pei An and Li Shizhi. Though lights were on, no one was inside—they were clearly at Consort Wang’s office. Finally, he arrived at the office of Vice Dean Shangguan Peihui. She was present, as the Martial Academy, though nominally a branch of the Great Tang Academy, operated independently. It was a confidential institution, with elite troops stationed nearby, guarded around the clock—strangers were not allowed near.

Shangguan Peihui was dressed in a sky-blue riding skirt, her hair tied in a ponytail. In the soft candlelight, her skin seemed to glow—a blend of striking beauty and heroic spirit. She sat at a spacious rosewood desk, engrossed in writing and sketching, occasionally frowning or relaxing her expression.

Gao Buyi instructed his attendant to wait outside, then quietly approached Shangguan Peihui.

“Who’s there?” Shangguan Peihui suddenly looked up, her sharp gaze startling Gao Buyi.

“It’s me! Hui’er, you gave me a fright. Why are you still working so late? Didn’t we agree that overtime shouldn’t go past eleven?”

“Your Majesty!”

“No need for formalities—really, no need.”

“What are you working on?” Gao Buyi sat in the chair she had just vacated, still warm, and casually glanced through her sketches—they were all diagrams of firearms. The artistry was impressive, though the measurements left something to be desired.

“Tsk, tsk, Hui’er, you have a deft hand, but the dimensions need some adjustment.” As he spoke, Gao Buyi picked up a charcoal pencil and began drawing on a fresh sheet, murmuring, “We used to use various units of measurement, but since rulers were made by different people, accuracy varied and standardization was difficult. Our academy has already crafted set squares, protractors, and rulers. From now on, let’s use millimeters, centimeters, and meters, and introduce the concept of scale to our technical drawings. That way, conversions…”

Within a quarter of an hour, Shangguan Peihui had grasped the method of using scale for conversions. However, old habits die hard, and changing calculation methods would take time, so Gao Buyi decided to make this a foundational course for students.

To boost textbook printing, Gao Buyi had also introduced movable type printing to the Great Tang, and the academy’s teachers had successfully refined the technology. He even established the Great Tang Journal, with Lishi in charge of gathering information, which he would review and approve before publication.

The journal included not only current affairs, but also knowledge on agriculture, animal husbandry, and various stories and essays. Gao Buyi hoped this would strengthen connections between the empire and the capital.

By the time the fourth watch sounded outside, Gao Buyi finally left the office accompanied by Shangguan Peihui. In reality, the academy’s senior staff offices were suites with bedrooms, but Shangguan Peihui had foregone resting there in order to see him off.

Leaving the Martial Academy, they had gone only a short distance when they encountered Consort Wang.

“Consort Wang? Why are you not resting? What brings you here?”

“Your Majesty, I heard you were looking for me, so I hurried over to see you. Please forgive me.”

“It’s fine. Since you’re here, let’s return together. Let me remind you both: education is not accomplished overnight. Don’t make a habit of staying up so late. If this happens again, I’ll have to consider replacements—health comes first.”

Warmed by Gao Buyi’s concern, both women hurriedly agreed.