Chapter 006: Treatment of Honor Students
Shen Fuceng carefully observed the child before him, and he was unsure whether his state of mind had changed, but at this moment, Wang Yuan appeared pleasing to his eyes. This child had a delicate appearance, with relatively darker skin, and was taller than other ten-year-olds, yet he appeared frail due to malnutrition
Master Shen seemed to have returned to his youth as a student. He picked up a piece of chalk and began to write on the blackboard: "All words and actions must be calm. Nine mistakes out of ten arise from haste. Stand with composure and speak with ease. Do not be frivolous, lest you invite ridicule..."
Very good, very good
How can one not feel a thrill at the sight of the hunt
I see now
Fang Zheng impatiently said: "Sir, this character is too simple; please teach something more difficult."
Indeed, the true Qilin child!
"Children's Speech" is one of the educational materials for children from the Ming Dynasty. As for the specific content, you can understand it as the "Elementary School Student Code of Conduct (Ming Dynasty Edition)"
Due to the imperial examination focusing solely on the Four Books and Five Classics, and only recognizing Zhu Xi's commentaries, a large number of Confucian scholars devoted their lives to studying these texts, yet did not even read the historical records following the Spring and Autumn Annals. By the late Ming dynasty, many Confucian scholars did not even read the Five Classics, but only referred to review materials and reference texts
Liu Yaozu had never heard such profound principles before, and he immediately felt an inexplicable sense of respect. He straightened his back and said, "What you said is truly wonderful, I will definitely study diligently from now on!"
Master Shen adjusted to a more comfortable position, leaning sideways under the eaves: "Huang Xiang of the Eastern Han Dynasty rose to the position of Minister of Personnel. His mother passed away early, and at the age of nine, Huang Xiang already knew to fan the mat for his father in summer and warm the quilt for him in winter. This is the story of 'fanning the pillow and warming the quilt,' one of the Twenty-Four Filial Exemplars. You surely have not read 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms'; Huang Wan, who conspired with Wang Yun to assassinate Dong Zhuo, is a great-grandson of this Huang Xiang"
Master Shen has already changed his attitude significantly, smiling and inquiring while shaking his feather fan: "Is there anything you do not understand? Please feel free to speak up."
While practicing the basics with Liu Yaozu, he suddenly asked, "Sir, may I learn the 'Thousand Character Classic' as well?"
Shen Fuceng earnestly wrote the character "一" on the blackboard and asked, "You all know how to count, right?"
He seemed like an ordinary child, yet just by standing there casually, he exuded an air of extraordinary vigor—just half an hour ago, Master Shen still interpreted this as a sign of banditry.
Master Shen selected "Children's Speech" as the introductory reading material, primarily to teach Wang Yuan to respect his elders, to be humble and composed, and not to point a bow and arrow at his teacher at every turn—"You little rascal, don't we teachers deserve some dignity?"
Master Shen patiently explained: "Dou Yanshan, a man of righteousness, taught his five sons, and their good names spread far and wide. This refers to a man named Dou Yanshan during the Five Dynasties period, who helped the poor and embodied moral integrity. His five sons took him as a model and all became renowned officials. There is a poem that goes: 'Yanshan Dou Shilang, teaching his children with righteousness. A single old camphor tree, five branches of fragrant osmanthus.' The 'five branches of fragrant osmanthus' praises the Dou family for their five sons achieving success in the imperial examinations."
Master Shen coughed twice and continued, "That means everyone can count. Today, I will teach you the number '1'. You must remember to practice it well."
"I said so, then it is so, you are not allowed to speak out of turn!" Young Master Fang's domineering attitude is no less than that of Yuan Er
Master Shen, lost in thought, murmured to himself: "Could it be that the heavens have made me suffer for half my life, and cast me into a barbaric land, all to cultivate an extraordinary talent? Perhaps the path for the latter half of my life, Shen Weitang, will depend on this child. I must find a way to help him obtain the qualifications for the imperial examination."
After listening to the conversation between the two, Wang Yuan couldn't help but roll his eyes
The voice was too soft, and it was still in the Shaoxing dialect, Wang Yuan did not understand: "What did the gentleman say?"
Alas, upon reflection, it is better to let it go. It is not easy to hire a teacher, and we should not impose too much pressure.
Indeed, it was precisely because of his diverse reading that Shen Fuceng repeatedly failed in the imperial examinations, exhausting his family fortune and ultimately having to work as a secretary.
Liu Yaozu is merely a scapegoat, harboring a belly full of grievances yet daring not to retort
"Hmm, not bad," Master Shen nodded in approval and then asked, "Is there anyone else who does not understand?"
Shen Fuceng repeatedly expressed his admiration, and it was heartfelt
Master Shen finally had the time to specifically instruct Wang Yuan, saying: "You claim to have mastered the 'Three Character Classic', so recite it now."
You clearly have forgotten the content of "Children's Language"
Wang Yuan politely bowed and said: "Although the students can recite and write, there are still many contents of the 'Three Character Classic' that they do not understand. Please, sir, provide an explanation for me."
It is unfortunate that the wildness is somewhat difficult to tame and must be corrected gradually, at the very least, one should not hit the teacher. As for hitting classmates in front of the teacher, well... this minor flaw can be reluctantly accepted, after all, honor students always receive special treatment
At this time, during the transition from spring to summer, the climate in the mountains is cool, yet Master Shen feels a burning heat throughout his body
Cough cough and - picture - book
Young Master Fang immediately backed down and turned to reprimand Liu Yaozu: "Sir, while you are lecturing, do not cause any disturbances!" He then smiled at Master Shen and said, "Sir, please continue your lecture; I will not interrupt any further."
Wang Yuan asked: "Who is Dou Yanshan?"
A self-assured and exceptionally talented scholar, exiled to the southwestern barbaric lands, finds himself on the brink of a life of destitution and mere survival.
Student Wang Er truly wishes to return to the room, take out his bow and arrow, and urge the teacher to carefully revise the class schedule
Um, what comes next?
Of course, "Master Shen had a very good impression of Liu Yaozu and asked, "What have you studied before?"
At this moment, Master Shen truly dared not act recklessly, as Wang Yuan violently beat Yuan Zhi, which was akin to killing a chicken to scare the monkey
I will! Liu Yaozu is indeed a good child, very proactive in answering questions, and proudly said, "My father is teaching me the Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art"
Striking at Yuan Er, startling the heart of the master clerk
In this kindergarten classroom, Wang Yuan was feeling drowsy from the knowledge being imparted. At this moment, he finally spoke up: "Fang Zheng, do you also want to fight me?"
Liu Yaozu immediately corrected: "No, four is not written that way"
No one responded, and the atmosphere in the classroom became somewhat awkward
Wang Yuan nodded and memorized it, then asked: "Xiang Jiuling, can warm the bed. Who is 'Xiang'?"
Master Shen felt somewhat awkward and replied, "The 'Children's Language' is indeed too simple for you. Upon careful consideration, there is no need to learn 'Hundred Family Surnames'; instead, let us directly study the 'Thousand Character Classic'.
If it were to be replaced with an ordinary county school instructor, it would mostly just provide a general explanation
Two days ago, he merely wrote the "Three Character Classic" on the blackboard and casually taught it a few times. Wang Yuan actually memorized it, and his memory can be described as astonishing; at least, it was the first time that Master Shen encountered such a situation
Master Shen straightforwardly wrote out the numbers one to ten, using these ten digits as examples to illustrate the strokes of Chinese characters, such as horizontal, vertical, and the various types of strokes. He then tossed a lump of slaked lime to each person, instructing them to practice slowly on the ground.
What Master Shen and the others were waiting for was this sentence, which instantly made them happy: "Since we have finished studying the 'Three Character Classic', let us proceed to learn the 'Children's Language'!"
Wang Yuan asked, "Sir, why have you stopped?"
Am I unable to see it?
Thus, under the disruption caused by the exemplary student Liu Yaozu, Wang Yuan began to study the Ming Dynasty version of the "Elementary School Code of Conduct"
Wang Yuan was unaware of the situation of the literati in the Ming Dynasty and did not realize that he had struck it rich
Master Shen suddenly got stuck
Liu Yaozu had learned these things a long time ago, yet he still practiced very diligently, and he was the most diligent one among them
Liu Yaozu answered honestly: "Whatever my father learned, I learned as well. I can recite the 'Three Character Classic', 'Hundred Family Surnames', and 'Children's Speech'. However, my father did not teach as well as the teacher; he did not know that 'Xiang Jiuling' refers to Huang Xiang at the age of nine, and he even told me that 'Xiang Jiuling' was the name of an ancient person."
Wang Yuan said, "I have heard the story of Meng Mu's three relocations."
The young master of the Fang family is surprisingly able to draw inferences: "I know, I know, three must mean drawing three strokes, and four means drawing four strokes, right"
Liu Yaozu inquired, "Did you not say that 'Children's Speech' is too simple, and that Wang Er does not need to learn it anymore?"
Master Shen's focus has clearly deviated; he exclaimed, "Have you studied 'Children's Language'? Hurry and transcribe it, I need to teach Wang Yuan!"
Who would have thought that I would encounter a prodigy, someone who learns everything instantly.
Master Shen shook his head with a wry smile: "I didn't say anything, perhaps I was overthinking it."
Master Shen had no choice but to write the numeral "2" again, saying: "This is the number '2'."
Although Shen Fuceng possesses a "strong character" and "lives according to his heart," he undoubtedly has substantial knowledge. He can effortlessly mention the era of Dou Yanshan and Huang Xiang, as well as recite their poetic praises and official titles, making him one of the rare talents among the scholars of the Ming Dynasty
Heaven is merciful, Master Shen is indeed knowledgeable and talented. However, "Children's Speech" is something he learned forty years ago, and it is not as emphasized as the "Three Character Classic"; it would be quite extraordinary if he could remember it in full.
At the beginning of human life, nature is inherently good... Wang Yuan recited it with great fluency
Master Shen chuckled and said, "I thought you would ask about Meng Mu first."
Ah ... ... Um ... ...
After finishing the anecdotes from the "Three Character Classic," Wang Yuan asked, "Sir, what shall we learn next"
It is evident that he cannot memorize the "Hundred Family Surnames"; who has the time to remember such things? Long ago, he even gave it to his own teacher as a joke
"Um," Master Shen adjusted his sitting posture, reined in his smile, and with a serious expression, spoke earnestly, "I have changed my mind. Pursuing knowledge is akin to building a house; a hundred-foot tall building must start from the ground, and if the foundation is not solid, how can it stand? Xunzi said: 'Without accumulating small steps, one cannot reach a thousand miles; without gathering small streams, one cannot form rivers and seas.' Even the simplest of texts, such as 'Children's Speech,' should be studied earnestly; we must not aim too high and overlook the basics. Do you understand this principle?" Xunzi said: 'Without accumulating small steps, one cannot reach a thousand miles; without gathering small streams, one cannot form rivers and seas.' Even the simplest of texts, such as 'Children's Speech,' should be studied earnestly; we must not aim too high and overlook the basics. Do you understand this principle?"