With the hope of learning combat dashed, the Count remained disappointed for several days. However, he finally regained his spirits with the comforting words of his beautiful Countess. After all, this was his only son.
Although the Rolin family was renowned for its martial prowess, there were also one or two outstanding strategists among its ancestors, famed for their intelligence rather than combat skills. These predecessors, despite lacking prowess in combat, excelled in orchestrating military campaigns from behind the scenes, securing victories from afar.
An outstanding general didn't necessarily have to lead from the front with extraordinary combat skills. Being a brilliant strategist and commander could equally bring honor and glory to the family.
Since his son couldn't learn combat, he would focus on academics instead!
However, teaching a child who couldn't even speak was a challenge. Even if they were to hire knowledgeable scholars to educate him, the child would need to learn to speak first.
Unlike the kind and simple-hearted motherly love of the Countess, Count Raymond felt a strange sensation in his heart: he couldn't shake the feeling that his son wasn't incapable of speaking, but rather unwilling to speak!
The more he visited his son, the more he became convinced that the boy wasn't an ignorant fool but a child who harbored a strong aversion to the world around him. The way he looked at him was full of unfamiliarity and resistance, displaying emotions rather than the blankness of ignorance.
Under heavy rewards, surely there would emerge a brave soul.
Count Raymond immediately offered a hefty reward throughout Yanjing, regardless of the applicant's social status. Scholars, farmers, and even traveling bards came forward to try their luck. Their methods varied greatly: some played flutes for hours, others banged drums near the child's ears, and a few even attempted to startle the child from behind. However, one audacious proposal to throw the count's son into the river to elicit a cry for help was swiftly met with severe consequences: the proposer had their legs broken by the count's guards and was promptly thrown out of the estate.
"No joking around! Even if my son is a simpleton, he's still my son! Throw him in the river? I'd throw you in first!"
As the whole of Yanjing buzzed with curiosity over this peculiar challenge, the solution unexpectedly came from a servant in the Count's household: Maid Madeline, mentioned in the son's unconscious murmurs.
Formerly a stable hand, Madeline was a kind-hearted and honest man. He proposed a simple but effective solution: taking the child to the stables. Typically, children of his age would be intrigued and delighted by animals. Although the method seemed crude, the Count agreed to give it a try out of desperation.
Fortuitously, the stable hand who was supposed to clean the stables that day had neglected his duty, resulting in a pungent stench of horse manure. As Madeline carried the child into the stables, he was nearly overwhelmed by the foul odor.
At that moment, the child in his arms uttered a sentence almost instinctively: "It stinks!"
This simple utterance earned Madeline the reward of a thousand gold coins, and even the lazy stable hand received twenty coins.
Observing his defeated-looking son, Count Raymond became even more convinced: this boy was intentionally avoiding speaking!
"Starting today, he will be your teacher," the Count declared, pointing to a white-robed figure nearby. "This is Mr. Rosiart, a renowned astrologer of the Empire and a historian. He will be your tutor from now on."
In the beginning, the erudite and talented scholar, Mr. Rosiart, excelled in his work. In just one year of tutoring, the four-year-old Master Duwei could already write in Imperial script! While this might not be extraordinary for a normal child, it was still quite remarkable.
Even Count Raymond, who had initially been lukewarm towards his son, couldn't help but be impressed: could my son truly be a genius?
However, when Master Duwei turned five, even the outstanding Mr. Rosiart encountered difficulties.
One evening, when Master Duwei was five and a half years old, Count Raymond had a lengthy discussion with Mr. Rosiart in the study...
"Count, I implore you to find someone else," the old astrologer said wearily. "Your son is exceptionally bright, but I, as an old man, lack the energy to educate such a disciple..."
Seeing the despondent expression on the old scholar's face, Count Raymond's heart sank. Even a simpleton could see through the flattery of "exceptionally bright"... Could my son truly be a simpleton? If even the learned and erudite Mr. Rosiart couldn't educate him properly, what hope was there?
"But Mr. Rosiart..." Count Raymond began, his expression grim.
"No, no, esteemed Count," the old scholar interjected nervously. "I beseech you, do not try to persuade me. This task is too daunting for me!"
The scholar's words were resolute, leaving Count Raymond with a bitter smile. Was educating his son truly such a daunting task? If even the talented old astrologer couldn't handle it, then there was little hope for anyone else.
Observing the count's dark expression, Mr. Rosiart couldn't help but feel anxious himself...
Alas, while odd phrases like "the sun and moon are two large spheres" could be attributed to childish imagination, hearing a five-year-old utter phrases like "the excessive concentration of imperial power is the root cause" almost stopped the old scholar's heart!
Indeed, after a year of teaching Master Duwei, the old scholar had come to realize that his student was far from the "simpleton" rumored by others. On the contrary, the child was quite intelligent, perhaps even more so than his peers. But even the brightest child wouldn't delve into discussions about "imperial power" at such a young age!
So, naturally, the old scholar assumed that these astonishing viewpoints were mostly inadvertently revealed by Count Raymond at home, and then inadvertently echoed by the ignorant child! Count Raymond, holding considerable power as the second-ranking figure in the military command, with extensive connections in the Imperial Navy... Such a prominent figure privately disparaging imperial authority at home clearly indicated discontent with the monarchy! If one were to think further...
As a mere elderly scholar, he certainly didn't want to be entangled in any political struggles! It was best to extricate himself as soon as possible!
The old scholar's firm resignation was agreed upon by Count Raymond, and he practically packed up and left the Count's mansion like a fugitive. Count Raymond could only watch with a wry smile.
Could it be that his son was truly beyond redemption?
Duwei watched silently as his teacher of over a year departed. He stood by the window in the attic, observing the old scholar packing his belongings and boarding the carriage that would take him away.
"Master," perhaps noticing the displeased expression on the young master's face, Madre couldn't help but cautiously call out. After successfully coaxing the young master to speak, he had served as Duwei's personal attendant.
"Madre," Duwei didn't turn around, but his subdued mood was evident. "Do you think ignorance is bliss?"
"Huh?" Madre was at a loss for words. In truth, this former stablehand wasn't particularly knowledgeable, and the question posed by the young master left him speechless. Ignorance? Was the young master troubled by his own lack of knowledge? However, this was a topic Madre didn't dare to broach.
"Forget it," Duwei turned around, smiling faintly. On his small, tender face, there seemed to be a hint of weariness.
Compared to the people of this world, I know too much.
"I know why there is a sun and a moon in the sky. I know why day and night cycle every day. I know why there are four seasons in a year. I know why spring turns to autumn...
But precisely because I know all these things, I am troubled. Perhaps, living in this world, ignorance is indeed bliss!"