Starting from a Fake University
Chapter 338 - 225 Traditional Crafts, Tenon-Mortise Luban Lock (Second Update, Subscription Requested)_1

Chapter 338: Chapter 225 Traditional Crafts, Tenon-Mortise Luban Lock (Second Update, Subscription Requested)_1

Ding Yue looked curiously at the scattered small pieces of wood on the ground. What were they?

Wen Ruohan was also filled with curiosity about these things.

"What are these pieces of wood?"

Seeing both Principal Ding and this beautiful senior asking about the wood, Liu Ping nervously replied, "These... these are the wooden blocks used to form the Luban lock. They fell apart because they were not yet finished."

Luban lock?

Tenon-Mortise?

Upon hearing these terms, Ding Yue’s mind was immediately filled with the content of traditional craftsmanship.

Indeed, the Luban lock made using tenon-Mortise craftsmanship had some fame.

No, that’s not quite right.

More accurately, it was famous on Earth in his past life. He didn’t know whether tenon-mortise craftsmanship held the same prominence in Xia Country of this parallel world.

Tenon-mortise craftsmanship was a technique where nails or glue weren’t used; only wood was employed to connect and create furniture, toys, and even buildings.

It was definitely part of the traditional craftsmanship of Xia Country.

If Ding Yue hadn’t remembered wrongly, there was a man named Mr. Amu on Earth in his past life who was quite popular online due to his expertise in tenon-mortise craftsmanship.

His exquisite skills with tenon-mortise craftsmanship had won the admiration and respect of countless foreigners.

"You know how to use tenon-mortise craftsmanship?"

Ding Yue gave the picked-up wooden blocks back to Liu Ping and asked with a smile.

"Yes, my grandfather taught me." Liu Ping nodded, looking quite honest and sincere.

Liu Ping’s character reminded Ding Yue of Yang Chen. Both of them had a simple, honest look in their eyes, filled with firmness and a certain rustic quality.

"Your grandfather must have been a Tenon-Mortise Master, right?" Ding Yue curiously asked.

Liu Ping quickly assembled the scattered wooden pieces in his hands into the general shape of a Luban lock. However, because the parts were incomplete, he couldn’t form a complete Luban lock.

"My grandfather’s tenon-mortise craftsmanship was indeed passed down and is quite exquisite. But I wouldn’t say he’s a master," Liu Ping shook his head and replied.

"To possess such exceptional tenon-mortise craftsmanship already makes you quite incredible. Have you thought about bringing your grandfather to our school when you have time?" Ding Yue suddenly had an idea.

This idea would benefit both Mist City Arts and Science University and Liu Ping and his grandfather.

After all, Mist City Arts and Science University had established an Institute of Traditional Chinese Studies.

The institute not only had National Arts as a major but also other traditional craftsmanship majors. However, it seemed like they did not offer tenon-mortise craftsmanship.

So, Ding Yue planned to set up a major for tenon-mortise craftsmanship in the traditional arts department of the Institute.

Then he could invite Liu Ping’s grandfather to serve as a teacher of traditional arts. This would not only alleviate Liu Ping and his family’s poor financial situation but also promote and pass on the traditional technique of tenon-mortise craftsmanship in Xia Country.

"My...my grandfather has passed away." Liu Ping suddenly lowered his head, replying in a small voice.

"Ah, I’m sorry to hear that. By the way, what’s your name?" Ding Yue realized that he had already talked quite a bit with this boy but still didn’t know his name.

"My name is Liu Ping." Liu Ping raised his head and replied very seriously.

After all, the man standing before him was the principal of Mist City Arts and Science University.

"Liu Ping, I’m quite interested in your Luban lock using tenon-mortise craftsmanship. Why don’t you come with me and teach me about it?"

Ding Yue invited Liu Ping to his dwelling, wanting to learn about the Luban lock using tenon-mortise craftsmanship.

In fact, wanting to learn about the Luban lock using tenon-mortise craftsmanship was only part of the reason.

Another reason was that Ding Yue noticed Liu Ping was likely planning to spend the night on a school bench before registering for classes the next day.

Since he had run into this boy, who seemed to be quite decent, Ding Yue naturally couldn’t let him sleep on a school bench.

Although the school had many vacant dormitory rooms, it wasn’t appropriate to arrange for him because he hadn’t registered yet. Moreover, it was already late, and it was too late to ask the logistics staff to arrange a room for Liu Ping. The logistics personnel would have to wake up early the next day to manage the enrolment logistics.

Therefore.

Inviting Liu Ping to stay at his place for the night was undoubtedly the best choice.

However, Ding Yue couldn’t say it directly because children from poor backgrounds often had very strong self-esteem. So, Ding Yue said that he wanted to learn about Liu Ping’s Luban lock using tenon-mortise craftsmanship.

"This..."

Liu Ping wasn’t sure how to respond to Principal Ding.

Actually, spending one night here would be enough for him.

"Let’s go. Teach me how to make a tenon-mortise Luban lock when we get back." Ding Yue invited him again with a smile on his face.

Seeing this, Wen Ruohan, the secretary standing on the side, already understood Principal Ding’s intentions and couldn’t help admiring Principal Ding’s emotional intelligence.

No wonder he was the principal.

Therefore, Wen Ruohan cooperated excellently with Principal Ding, instantaneously transforming from a cute and pretty girl into a "girl," and instantly picked up one of Liu Ping’s packages.

Fortunately, the clever Wen Ruohan picked up the canvas bag containing the quilt, which wasn’t too heavy. Otherwise, if she had picked up an incredibly heavy bag, wouldn’t it be awkward?

"Let’s go."

Wen Ruohan picked up Liu Ping’s package and said,

Seeing this, Liu Ping had no choice but to nod. He then picked up three packages with one hand while stashing the Tenon-Mortise Luban Lock into his bag with the other. He then picked up the other two packages, making it look effortless, almost as if he was not under any pressure.

Wen Ruohan was utterly amazed.

It made her feel like a weak woman indeed.

Ding Yue brought Liu Ping to his Peach Garden Apartment. It was a spacious three-bedroom and two-living room unit, quite comfortable for a single person to live in.

With two bedrooms and a study, the spare bedroom was perfect for Liu Ping to spend the night.

Upon entering the apartment, Liu Ping was stunned by the sight.

The room like he’d never seen before. It was vast, beautifully decorated, but... there seemed to be a bit of a mess on the sofa. Liu Ping spotted a sock there.

"Huff, huff."

Wen Ruohan huffed, before setting Liu Ping’s quilt package down.

Ding Yue chuckled towards Wen Ruohan, "I did tell you that I’d carry it. You didn’t listen."

On his way back, Ding Yue offered multiple times to carry the bag if Wen Ruohan found it heavy.

Although Ding Yue assumed he wasn’t as strong as Liu Ping, he was confident about carrying a quilt bag.

However, student Wen Ruohan insisted on being headstrong. Now, panting harder than ever, anyone would think Ding Yue had done something to her.

"Stay here tonight, and let me know about the Tenon-Mortise Craftsmanship. Our Mist City Arts and Science University has an Institute of Traditional Chinese Studies. I think the Tenon-Mortise Craftsmanship is a traditional art of our Xia Country. If many people are interested, we can perhaps introduce a major focusing on Tenon-Mortise Craftsmanship. You can then deeply study this major and become a traditional craftsman."

Ding Yue explained to Liu Ping why he brought him here.

He was interested in understanding the Tenon-Mortise Craftsmanship.

"Grandpa said that fewer and fewer people know the Tenon-Mortise Craftsmanship. Good things should be inherited and promoted," said Liu Ping seriously.

"Since that’s the case, tell me about the Tenon-Mortise Craftsmanship, come on." Ding Yue took Liu Ping to the living room couch.

"Principal Ding, I’m heading back first, see you tomorrow, bye." Wen Ruohan waved goodbye to Principal Ding and Liu Ping at the door, then left, even closing the door on her way out obediently.

"Can I see your Luban Lock?" Ding Yue was curious to see how magical the Tenon-Mortise Luban lock was.

"Uh-huh."

After Liu Ping nodded, he turned to his bag, taking out an unfinished Luban Lock. He also took out a few pieces of wood as well as a set of tools used to make Tenon-Mortise.

Surprisingly, Liu Ping’s bag seemed small but had everything he needed.

"Principal Ding, this is the most exquisite Luban Lock my Grandpa was going to make before he passed away. But... he left before it was completed," Liu Ping said, moving forward with the half-made Luban Lock for Principal Ding.

"Your grandpa must have been very skilled."

Ding Yue could not help but exclaim while glancing at the finely made Luban Lock created by Tenon-Mortise Craftsmanship.

It was a heartfelt exclamation.

That’s because Ding Yue found every wooden component of the Lock to be impeccably meticulous.

Liu Ping looked at his wood modules and tools, a look of hope in his eyes and said, "I want to finish the Luban lock my grandpa started."

"Oh yes, Liu Ping, what major are you planning to study at Mist City Arts and Science University?"

Only then did Ding Yue remember to ask which major Liu Ping wanted to study.

If Tenon-Mortise Craftsmanship becomes a new traditional craftsmanship major at the Institute of Traditional Chinese Studies of Mist City Arts and Science Univresity, it could only be his secondary major.

Choosing to come to Mist City Arts and Science University, he must have a target major in mind.

"I want to study law. Principal Ding, the robot in the law school is amazing. Moreover, Professor Luo Xiang is also an honorary professor of the university. I want to study law!"

Liu Ping stopped working, a fiery determination seemed to shine in his eyes.

At Liu Ping’s words, Ding Yue couldn’t help but frown. The boy seemed to be very passionate about studying law.

Who wishes to study law so earnestly?

It was quite rare.

In the previous session, Mist City Arts and Science University didn’t have many law or medical students. Only the brave ones would willingly opt to study law or medicine.

"Studying law is a good choice. Our Mist City Arts and Science University law school will definitely have a bright future."

Ding Yue stated affirmatively.

After all, even Professor Luo Xiang from Xia Country Political and Law University joined Mist City Arts and Science University Law School as an honorary professor.

"Uh-huh," Liu Ping agreed wholeheartedly with Principal Ding.

"Tell me what we should pay attention to while making these structures using the Tenon-Mortise Craftsmanship?"

Ding Yue once again redirected the conversation back to the Tenon-Mortise Craftsmanship.

As he got to know about the craft, he felt quite enlightened. The most important fact was that it was already late at night before he even realized.