Chapter 216: 216, The teacher at the outpost

As the Spring Festival approaches, the days grow nearer. Hu Shuo spends his days in the sentry post practicing tai chi and eating barbecue, with nothing else to do.

At over seventy, one's teeth should be failing, making it hard to eat barbecue. Yet this old man eats with relish, unhindered by anything.

Ren Xiaosu was puzzled: "You're not going home either?"

During this time, the Wolf King sent several game animals, but Hu Shuo asked nothing, just eating.

Hu Shuo replied: "No children, no wife. Going home isn't meaningful. Here, I feel the days pass well..."

Ren Xiaosu hadn't expected such an answer, though the old man never mentioned his son-in-law. He didn't know how the daughter had met her fate, but no one dared to ask further.

"Are you planning to spend the Spring Festival here?" Ren Xiaosu suddenly asked.

Hu Shuo considered and replied: "It's not impossible. Since you've invited me, I can't refuse graciously."

Ren Xiaosu was baffled. Who invited you?

At first, Ren Xiaosu kept a close watch on the old man, fearing he might find clues and summon soldiers to take the entire post. But nothing had happened after so long.

Where was he investigating a case? He was just here on vacation!

Moreover, he ate and drank without paying a cent.

These wild game could fetch a high price in the Bastion.

The big shots in the Bastion had meat supplies, but they were more interested in wild game. Whoever ate it could show off to friends, gaining prestige.

Gradually, Ren Xiaosu realized this old man, who claimed to investigate a case, seemed a bit unserious.

Ren Xiaosu asked curiously: "Li's people sent you to investigate a case, but you haven't done any. Doesn't Li's side ask about you?"

At my age, why should I bother with their affairs? Hu Shuo said matter-of-factly. "Besides, Li's younger generation are just a bunch of useless kids. If they're gone, they're gone."

Ren Xiaosu was speechless, unsure how to judge the old man.

Slowly, everyone grew accustomed to the old man's presence, finding him amiable and without pretense.

A few days later, Hu Shuo expressed embarrassment at eating and drinking without contributing, offering to help with tasks.

They couldn't agree more. At his age, doing heavy chores like chopping wood or scrubbing pots—if something happened, where would they find someone to blame?

However, Ren Xiaosu thought, since Hu Shuo held a high position in Li's consortium, he must be wealthy. "You shouldn't do such heavy work. Why not just pay us directly..."

Li Qingzheng was stunned when he heard Ren Xiaosu's words. He hadn't expected him to dare ask for money...

Later, Hu Shuo said: "You have eight students here, always studying. Why not let me be your teacher? That way, I won't be eating and staying for free."

Heh, Ren Xiaosu realized this old man just didn't want to pay!

Li and Ren agreed it would give Hu Shuo something to do, and Ren wanted to see what teaching methods he'd come up with.

Recently, Ren had been troubled because the students couldn't manage self-study, and when they asked him, the class monitor, he couldn't answer their difficult questions.

The students were curious: "Class monitor, you scored 560, why don't you know anything?"

Ren didn't know how to respond...

Now that Hu Shuo offered to teach, Ren was pleased but added: "Not eight students—there are nine. I'm a student too, and I want to attend the classes."

This time, Hu Shuo was taken aback: "You're a student?"

Previously, no one had mentioned this. The students often called Ren the class monitor, but Hu Shuo thought he was the squad leader.

Moreover, Ren didn't look like a student...

After a moment, he smiled and said: "Alright, I'll teach all nine of you."

Hu Shuo, decisive as ever, began teaching them that day. Everyone had something to do, and Ren noticed Hu Shuo seemed to enjoy teaching.

During breaks, the students discussed: "Hu Shuo's lectures are profound yet accessible, with many extended insights. Much better than our previous math and science teachers."

"Indeed, didn't expect the old master to be so knowledgeable," said student Wang Yuch.

In reality, Ren noticed Hu Shuo's examples were clear and he could lecture fluently without even looking at the textbook.

The knowledge stayed focused on textbook points but also elevated them.

However, Ren's poor foundation made it hard to grasp quickly. While students understood immediately, he needed time to ponder.

After class, Hu Shuo told the students: "If you have any questions, feel free to ask me privately. Meeting such eager learners is rare. It's a pity you can't enter Li's Bastion University for further studies."

Other students had no more questions after class. It was evening by then, and Hu Shuo prepared to organize a barbecue.

Before leaving, Ren stopped him. Others had no issues, but he had many questions.

Hu Shuo, with a kind face, said: "As the ancients said, to know is to know, to not know is to not know. Your eagerness to learn is commendable, truly commendable!"

But Ren's questions went on until nearly midnight. Hu Shuo, watching others eat barbecue outside, was parched from explaining, unable even to drink water.

Finally, he couldn't hold back: "Ren Xiaosu, listen. Can I pay for my meals? I'll continue teaching the others. You should study to catch up..."

Ren Xiaosu firmly said: "No."