All in all, things seemed to be going smoothly, Fang Yuan noted.
On the political side of things within Gu Yue Village, there was very little for him to do.
Although he was experienced in such matters, things were basically falling into the palm of his hand to the point where even someone like Fang Zheng could've done this job.
His own faction was emboldened now by the presence of another elder joining its ranks; Fang Zheng.
Any attempt by the others to form a counter-faction was muddled by the fact that there just weren't enough of them, and the fact that Fang Yuan had reached Rank 5 in terms of cultivation.
It had really turned into a 'you're either with Fang Yuan or against him' political situation.
In a way, it was kind of boring for someone like Fang Yuan, who was used to navigating complex political issues. Still, he wasn't going to complain about things being easy, and despite things being easier than normal, he still did not have much free time on his hands given all that he had to do.
This was the great paradox of the righteous path: in order to advance, you needed resources, for which you would need to maintain a high rank within the organization. However, to maintain a high rank within the organization, you also needed to contribute to it. Right now, Fang Yuan had reached Rank 5.
He was, without a doubt, contributing far more to the clan than he got out of it, especially given the clan's anemic state. Were it not for the fact that the Goody Two-Shoes System was giving him Human Path Dao Marks, he would have abandoned the place entirely, as it was only the Dao Marks which made this venture profitable to undertake.
Now that the new academy students had been selected after the Awakening Ceremony - they had 12 Gu clansmen and 3 mortals totaling 15 students, a far cry from the usual number which reached the fifties.
After some discussion, it was decided to teach the mortals along with the Gu Yue clansmen, though the mortals would have to find some way to fulfill their obligation before the year was over. In other words, the two women were currently looking for Gu Yue clan husbands and the man had adopted an infant.
There would no doubt be some kind of friction between the Gu Yue clansmen students and these mortals. In later years, when the Xiong and Bai clans also integrated into the Gu Yue clan, they would have even more problems.
However, that was why the position of Academy Elder needed to go to someone capable of handling such a thing. And it was here that Fang Yuan found himself faced with an issue: who could he entrust to be Academy Elder?
Since there were only 15 students this time, and because none of them were A or B grade in aptitude, none of the elders could see any profit in becoming the Academy Elder. The position usually went to someone who was interested in the field, that is to say, someone interested in molding the minds of the future generation. However, none of those present had any sort of inclination or experience regarding that.
Fang Yuan's hands were somewhat tied here.
He could not send Fang Zheng, as Fang Zheng had just become a Rank 3 Master and was not yet capable of teaching others the intricate details of Gu Master cultivation yet given he had barely grasped them himself.
Qing Shu could have been an alternative as he had the experience to do so. However, Fang Yuan relied upon him greatly, and sending him away to a different position would make him even more burdened with clan duties.
As for Han Lin, although he was experienced enough, his health was declining, and he would not be able to have the energy to go about the day-to-day duties of the academy.
The other elders waffled on the issue. The Medicine Hall Elder, of course, could not be sent. None of the others wanted to take the job, even with Fang Yuan increasing the Academy Elder's allocation of resources by 25% and then 30% as an incentive.
Fang Yuan could've forced them, or did some kind of political maneuvering to guide them into this position - it was not that they were impossible but those things took far too much time for his liking. Not to mention would it be worthwhile to send someone like that to teach the new generation - someone who might have a reason to despise Fang Yuan and possibly cause issues with the integration of the mortals who had been allowed to cultivate? He needed to find someone willing to do this role.
Finding someone from outside the clan was, of course, unthinkable for this kind of role. This person had to guide the future minds and talents of Gu Yue Village. How could they possibly trust it to someone from, say, the Xiong or Bai Clans?
Fang Yuan, of course, could not take the job himself.
With little other choice, he ultimately decided on picking an unconventional choice.
"Clan leader, you called?" a Gu Master approached the door to the clan head's pavilion.
"Indeed I did," Fang Yuan said, turning to Gu Yue Ye. He had paid little attention to the man during their prior encounters when he had asked for Vitality Leaves, but he could find some use for him here. "I have a possible job for you, if you'd be willing to take it."
"What kind of job?" he asked rather apprehensively. The man did not want to offend Fang Yuan, but at the same time was worried about what 'job' this would be. He had been wanting Vitality Leaves to preserve his own life, after all.
"If I'm not wrong, before your children died, you must have taught them yourself," Fang Yuan said.
"Indeed I did..."
"Hmm. Then could you continue to train other Gu Masters?"
"I... I can do so, yes."
"The position of 'Academy Elder' is currently vacant, though there are only 15 students this year," Fang Yuan said. "Would you be willing to take the job?"
Gu Yue Ye's eyes lit up. A job away from the frontlines and fighting? Of course he would want it!
The Academy Elder position was sometimes seen as nothing more than a glorified babysitting gig with little in the way of advancement - though people who wanted to teach would agree to it regardless. To an actual elder, this was not worth the hassle. To an ordinary Gu Master, however, it was a dream job - very safe and many of your needs would be provided for.
"With that said, since you're no longer an elder," Fang Yuan continued, "the position will be known as 'Academy Head' for now and the benefits will be adjusted down accordingly."
Gu Yue Ye's face fell slightly - but this was not a big deal for him. It was too much to expect to be compensated as much as an elder when he was only at Rank 2. Fang Yuan had to make this distinction as well as changing the name of the position simply to placate the current elders that they were not having their own benefits eroded.
"I thank Lord Clan Leader for this opportunity, I will not let Lord Clan Leader down," Gu Yue Ye said.
Some of the elders protested this appointment as well as the parent's of a few of the new students. The parents were appeased easily upon knowing that Gu Yue Ye had been a former elder at some point, and for the elders this was a minor concern.