Chapter 517 - 246: Bosses Gather (Part 2)

It wasn’t until the change of school regulations in 1863 that he was formally hired as a Professor at Cambridge’s Divinity School.

For this very reason.

A person like Xu Yun, who seemingly lacks any religious foundation, was allowed to enter the school and study.

Otherwise, in the face of religious doctrine, even Little Niu’s handwritten letter wouldn’t suffice.

Not even bringing Little Niu back to life would break the rule—break it and die.

Then Xu Yun glanced at Aveline, his ’creditor’, hesitated for a moment, and asked:

"Aveline, do you know that Ellis senior at the entrance?"

At this, Aveline’s face revealed a slightly strange expression:

"Do you mean Frederick Agar Ellis?"

Xu Yun nodded:

"That’s right."

Aveline was silent for a moment, then said:

"Yes, he is a very outstanding senior at Trinity College, and together with Senior Thomson, they have dominated the first and second place in the Trinity College mathematics department over the past few years."

"Their original relationship was still fairly harmonious, but after the person Ellis liked confessed to Senior Thomson, things became somewhat hostile between them....."

"For example, this time when Senior Thomson just announced his candidacy for Student Union president, Senior Ellis signed up the very next day, showing an attitude of relentless determination."

Xu Yun:

"..."

Good heavens.

A love triangle.

A reason as clichéd as it is reasonable.

In reality, Xu Yun has several examples around him where relationships soured due to love triangles, some almost leading to fatal consequences.

Next to him, Wheat remembered something and asked with a bit of gossip:

"By the way, Senior Sister Aveline, did Mr. Thomson later accept that person’s confession?"

Aveline quickly gave an expected answer:

"No, Senior Thomson rejected him."

Xu Yun instinctively nodded, but as his head swayed, he suddenly paused, noting a word from Aveline:

"Wait, Aveline, you said Senior Thomson rejected..... him (he)?"

Aveline spread her hands innocently:

"Yes, that was Ellis senior’s roommate, and for a long time the third in the mathematics department." (Note: True story)

Xu Yun glanced at Wheat, the corner of his mouth twitching:

"..."

This sounds even more outrageous than Wheat’s conjecture...

And just as Xu Yun’s mouth twitched.

A commotion came from the classroom entrance once again.

A moment later.

More than a dozen people walked in from outside.

And unlike the young faces of the students, these newcomers were all older, at least over thirty.

With solemn expressions and well-dressed.

Among them were two of Xu Yun’s acquaintances:

William Whewell, the Dean of Trinity College, and his mentor Stokes.

Obviously.

The key leaders and professors from the four Divinity Schools had arrived.

Xu Yun also noticed a clear hierarchy among these people, divided into four tiers:

Stokes and some other younger professors followed at the back.

In front were some older, obviously more experienced professors or college leaders in their fifties or sixties.

The second tier was represented by four small old men like William Whewell, who were most likely the deans or acting deans of the four Divinity Schools.

As for the first tier...

There was only one person.

This was a middle-aged man about the same age as Stokes, with a mustache on his upper lip and meticulously groomed brown hair.

Wearing an aristocratic gown, he looked both dignified and elegant.

Without a doubt.

This person must be...

The then-President of Cambridge University, Victoria’s husband, the most famous uncrowned king in British history...

Francis Albert Augustus Charles Emmanuel.

With the entrance of these college leaders.

The entire lecture theater fell silent, and the atmosphere visibly grew heavier.

At the same time, Xu Yun also noticed.

During the conversation with Aveline, a substantial portion of the classroom had already been filled by students.

Scanning around, the number was approximately three hundred and fifty.

And so, after about ten minutes.

The leaders settled into the first row, and William Whewell walked to the podium and shook the bell on the table:

"Students, please be quiet!"

The clear sound of the bell, accompanied by his deep voice, quickly spread throughout the classroom.

"Hmm?"

Hearing the clear male voice, Xu Yun let out a small exclamation.

He looked around.

As expected.

He found several large vats of water at the corners of the classroom, with certain intervals of hollow copper cans placed behind the podium.

This was a rather primitive but effective means of amplification before amplifiers were invented, relying on sound wave resonance to enhance sound within a small area.

Though more common in ancient Huaxia than in the West.

A few seconds later.

William Whewell placed down the bell, cleared his throat, and continued:

"Ladies and gentlemen from all over the world, hello, I am William Whewell, the Dean of Trinity College, and today’s commencement speaker."

Soon a round of applause broke out from below the stage.

After the applause died down.

William Whewell surveyed the surroundings, nodded in acknowledgment, and continued:

"This year, the University of Cambridge’s four Divinity Schools have admitted a total of 374 new students.

"Among them, 223 are undergraduates with an average age of 17.4, and 151 are postgraduates with an average age of 24."

"These 374 students come from 87 towns in the United Kingdom and 11 countries globally, with over 11% of the freshmen being international students."