30 - Chapter 28
Wei Bolin looked over the young noble standing in front of him. He had been surprised when the deputy head had introduced the student as a teaching assistant for his class. He had wrongly assumed that there had been some mistake, but had taken the opportunity to test her instead of making a scene.
Now he knew there had been no mistake. This young noble’s maths ability was significantly beyond the rest of the class. In fact, if she was capable of teaching, not always a given as the teaching skill and subject skills were very different things, then she would be more than capable of leading this class by herself. That would leave the ability to manage students, especially ones who were older, and who would not react well to being taught by a child. Still, he was not stupid enough to waste such a resource.
The students in class had a mixed reaction. As it was still early in the year, most students had struggled with the first exam, and to see someone so young pass it so easily had been shocking enough, for her then to pass the second examination paper, and not even find it challenging was so far beyond expectations for them that they were struggling to understand it. The part of the class that had already seen Sa Bina in the earlier advanced economics class, were more easily able to accept Sa Bina’s capabilities. A lot of them were more interested in the drama this would cause. Only one thing was certain, lunch would certainly be lively today.
“Well Lady Sa Bina,” replied Wei Bolin. “You have certainly shattered all expectations. Are you taking any more advanced classes? Are you acting as a teaching assistant in any other classes? This is the most difficult mathematics class this institution offers to normal students. There are a few that are personally tutored, but even their level would be around the standard of the second examination. There are other institutions, those of higher learning, but they are usually frequented by those unable or unwilling to cultivate and wishing to proceed down the route of scholarly research.”
“So I should not expect to be challenged in this class, and to answer your questions. I am taking advanced management, and I am acting as a teaching assistant in the advanced economics class as well.” said Sa Bina. “So what do you expect me to do in this class for the next several years?”
“Interesting, I would posit that your views on management are different from the prevailing views in this kingdom, hence the advanced class, but not the teaching assistant role. There are a few options that could be made available.” replied Wei Bolin. “You were asked to join the class as a teaching assistant. You are more than capable of teaching this class, depending on your ability to teach. I would like you to show me your ability to teach a topic. Then we can look at splitting the class, and giving you your own class to manage. If that is not something that you are interested in, then we can look at graduating you out of this class, and giving you the time back to use for other subjects. I would like to see your teaching ability in either case, for the sake of my own curiosity.”
“When and how would you like to demonstrate my teaching ability,” said Sa Bina wryly. “Also, that is an interesting supposition. I would take it as a kindness, if you would refrain from further speculation, at least in such a public forum.”
“Unfortunately, this class is coming to an end.” replied Wei Bolin. “Depending on how much preparation time you need, how about you show your ability to teach algebra in the next class? If you need more time to prepare, then we can push that to the next class.”
“For basic algebra, at least to the level showcased on the examination papers, I would not need any preparation time. So the next class should not be an issue.” replied Sa Bina. “It will also give me a chance to have experienced all my lessons at least once, and so will help me come to a decision on which route would suit me best.”
The rest of the class had abandoned all pretence of completing their examination papers and were avidly paying attention to the conversation between this strange noble girl and their professor. A young student, already capable of passing not just this class, but capable beyond even the most advanced tuition offered at the academy. Just where had this girl come from.
“Since we seem to be distracting the rest of the class, and they have forgotten that they are meant to be completing their examination papers,” said Wei Bolin. “I think it would be better if you retook your seat and let your fellow students return to their work.”
Sa Bina gave a nod in acceptance of the suggestion and returned to her seat for the rest of the class. She spent the time thinking through her plans. She also wondered if the level of maths would have an impact on some of her plans. No, she decided the level of maths should be high enough for most of her plans. With nothing interesting to distract them the class returned to their neglected examination papers.
The time dragged slowly, as it is wont to do. Sa Bina looked forward to lunch, it was sure to be an interesting experience.
Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.
**Noble Council**
Hao Rong, the minister of commerce, watched on as the council proceeded through the set agenda. He had, at the behest of Hang Fo, the minister of diplomatic affairs, chosen to bring up his complaint at the end of the meeting. Hang Fo had suggested that if brought the item up last, the nobles may actually pay attention, not that Hao Rong anticipated his complaint being taken serious. The main reason to even bring it up, was to ensure the council minutes reflected his concerns. The issue would reach royal ears at some point, and then he needed to ensure that his conduct was beyond reproach. Now, he would just have to wait until the end of the session when anyone with items, not already on the agenda, was given an opportunity to bring up anything they felt was urgent.
Hao Rong could have tried to add the issue as an official item on the agenda, but knew that would just mean providing the nobles, the ones benefiting the most from the current corrupt practices, the opportunity to block its inclusion. They would then use that as an excuse to stop any discussion on the topic. No this was the only way it would even make it onto the records.
It took some time for the council to finish with the usual business and call for any new items. Hao Rong was about to stand up, but was actually beaten to the podium by Zhu Jie, the minister of law enforcement and Yan Zhu the minister of espionage. What could the two of them want to bring up, and that too together?
“Ladies and Lords, fellow ministers,” started Yan Zhu, in his usual pompous tone. “I bring grave news. News that will potentially impact the business holdings of all those who are part of this august governing body. We have received disturbing reports of a large, well organised, bandit group that is targeting large merchant caravans. Even caravans carrying the regalia of the Noble houses are not exempt from their actions. Further, they are infiltrating the black markets that operate in the kingdom to sell on their ill gotten gains. The reports state that the group is difficult to identify and are expanding their influence and area of operations. There is even disturbing news that some minor nobles from the surrounding kingdoms have fallen so far as to support such a despicable group, by providing information, funds and shelter. If they are not already operating within our borders they soon will be.”
“That is grave news indeed,” said Baron Xiu Hu. With most of his family's wealth tied up in natural resources, he would be one of the first targeted by such a group. “Don’t tell me that you have not managed to make any headway against this group.”
“Let him continue Xiu Hu,” said Earl Cheng Lei. “I am sure he would not have just come up to present a threat. I am sure they have something in mind that would help, am I not correct ministers?”
“The issue is that the way we have traditionally done things is falling short in this instance, my lords.” said Zhu Jie. “We normally use units of the army to target the bandit groups. As they are usually out in the wilds, they are easy to find and destroy. This group is hiding amongst our own population. They are not easy to tell apart. We need a new way to target this emerging threat. To counter this threat, we have a proposal that could provide some relief. As the potential solution would stand between two ministries, I seek approval to ensure that the existence and work of the new enforcement unit is not challenged in the future.”
“What do you propose?” asked Duke Jia An. “It must be something extraordinary for the ministries to require prior consent.”
“We are proposing the creation of a new type of enforcement unit, the policing unit,” said Zhu Jie. “The new unit would straddle law enforcement and espionage. Their purpose would not be to go out and attack, rather their remit would be investigation and the gathering of evidence. The evidence would then be used by the law enforcement division to capture and punish the perpetrators, wherever they may be hiding.”
“That seems like a prudent course of action,” said Baron Xiu Hu. “However, I do not see the reason that you would need our approval for this.”
“He doesn't,” said Duke Jia An. “He needs approval to be able to apprehend the criminals, even if they are being given shelter on nobles' estates. The only exception would be a diplomatic estate, is my summation accurate minister? ”
“It is, my lord.” replied Zhu Jie. “Without that authority we would be unable to apprehend these criminals. They could slip away out of reach. Even if the nobles themselves are not involved, as long as any of their retainers were party to such a group, they could provide succour and claim noble privilege on behalf of the house. Then we would have no way to proceed.”
Duke Jia An was not an idiot, like a lot of the nobles he was forced to govern beside. He knew that this was a manoeuvre to target something else, though he was sure that none of his contemporaries would see the attack coming. Yet, the idea of the noble house being forced to act in a more dignified manner and not scramble for ever more profit spoke to his sensibilities. He was willing to see where this led.
“I am in agreement.” replied Duke Jia An. “It would seem like a very reasonable request. What say the rest of you.”
“Do what you need to,” replied Baron Xiu Hu. “We need to deal with this threat as quickly as possible.”
“While I am concerned about a government unit having access to my estate,” said Earl Qin Zixin, “I can also see how it may be necessary to allow such action. After all, are we not the government? We must be seen to follow our own laws.”
The rest of the nobles agreed swiftly after that.
“Please make a record that the council formally approves this proposal and asks for it to be swiftly implemented.” stated Earl Cheng Lei to the scribes keeping a record of the proceedings.
Hao Rong was left shocked. How had the nobles just agreed to allow the law enforcement ministry to police them? Was this change also instigated by Hang Fo? Was this the reason he had been asked to go last? Surely they would never have agreed to this proposal if they felt they would be targeted?