Chapter Seven: The Thousand Character Classic

Scholar Xu came over and began to explain the "Analects" to the Bai brothers and the Lu brothers for a while, and then turned to walk beside Bai Gui. He was still quite concerned about Bai Gui, this late-blooming scholar

book boy

In the classroom

Bai Gui conformed to local customs and also swayed his head in agreement

He immediately became alert

Lu Zhaoqian bit his lip, a look of disdain in his eyes. He concluded that Bai Gui would at most stay in the school for one or two months before having to leave, firstly due to a lack of money to pay the tuition, and secondly because he knew that he was not destined to be a scholar

By the way, with this bronze mirror, one can also exchange for the questions of next year's county examination, provincial examination, and imperial examination from 2014. In this way, how could one possibly fail

However, after just a brief glance, he felt dizzy and overwhelmed.

The latecomer wipes the spit off his face without a trace of embarrassment, as if he has already grown accustomed to such occurrences

This individual is undoubtedly extraordinary

Scholar Xu nodded slightly

By the way, in the second year of the Xuantong era, which is two years later, Dr. Hu will be going to the United States for further studies

Every little bit of learning counts

The two individuals are not very familiar with each other, merely acquainted to a certain extent, thus they do not seek to make things awkward, resulting in a moment of silence

Perhaps it is related to both families being prominent and having strict requirements, as well as both parents being literate, which has led to a progress that surpasses that of the other children in the school, allowing them to stand out.

Soon, after reciting the Three Character Classic, the young students were asked by Scholar Xu to recite it from memory and to memorize the writing of each character. The Thousand Character Classic was the first primer taught at the Bailu Village school. After learning one thousand characters, even if there were some characters in the Three Character Classic that they did not fully recognize, it was not a problem; they could recite it and gradually memorize it, thus creating a scale effect, leading to an increasingly rapid recognition of characters.

Thus, upon hearing that Bai Gui had paid for his own tuition to come and study, they felt both envy and jealousy

All the surrounding children stood up, bowing deeply to Scholar Xu in a gesture of respect for a teacher, their tone humble

Similarly, if there are other students who choose the Five Classics other than the "Spring and Autumn Annals," Scholar Xu will also recommend them to other tutors at private schools in neighboring villages

However, one must be strong oneself to forge iron. If one wishes to succeed in the imperial examination, even if one knows the questions, without the ability to break down the classical essays, without knowledge of the format for the trial poems, and without understanding the taboo words, how can one pass the examination

After approximately a quarter of an hour, the classroom gradually filled with people, with around twenty young students, ranging in age from six or seven to eleven or twelve years old, as well as a young student of similar size to Bai Gui.

He recalled a word he often mentioned and asked

Lu Zhaoqian was sent to school by Bai Jiaxuan, and he always felt inferior when facing the two children of the Bai family, Bai Xiaowen and Bai Xiaowu. Therefore, at first, he sat next to the two brothers of the Bai family, and then he moved to sit next to the two brothers of the Lu family

Bai Gui glanced at Lu Zhao Qian and said淡淡.

Come, I will teach you the Thousand Character Classic

The Qing court's fate is nearing its end, and the imperial examination system is also on the verge of abolition. However, even in the Republic of China, having or lacking a degree remains a criterion for distinguishing between the upper and lower classes of people.

He felt apprehensive about learning a completely new educational system from scratch

In contemplating the rhythm of education, his thoughts drifted abroad. At this time, Hu Shi's teacher, Dewey, seemed to have proposed the slogan "Education is life, and life is society," opposing the methods of education that rely on rote memorization and mechanical training.

"No, it was Brother Gui who paid the tuition himself to come here to study." Lu Zhaohai nudged Lu Zhaoqian's elbow and said somewhat indignantly, "Brother Gui accepted the books given by Brother E, but did not accept the paper and ink provided by him, which clearly shows his disdain for us!"

More than twenty young students finally took their seats, flipping through their books and desperately memorizing the content within

Paying for oneself signifies the ability to stand tall

It was also the respect that Bai Gui showed him last night that made him put in a bit more effort

If it can be said that previously Scholar Xu was very serious in teaching Bai Gui due to his respect for Master Bai Gui, it is only after seeing Bai Gui's talent today that he truly developed the intention to nurture him

Tang Yin came from a wealthy family and had numerous connections with the powerful and influential. However, he found himself imprisoned due to direct involvement in the corruption of the imperial examination. As the son of a tenant farmer, if it were to be discovered that he was involved in such malfeasance, it would result in a death sentence

Under the diligence that compensates for lack of talent, Bai Gui discovered that he had a vague understanding of the meanings of some unfamiliar words and could even pronounce them, knowing their pronunciations

The Bai brothers and the Lu brothers have learned relatively quickly; they have already passed the literacy stage and have reached the stage of reciting scriptures and understanding their meanings

What surprised Xu Xiucai was that although Bai Gui had only just begun to learn the Thousand Character Classic and stumbled through the first two or three recitations, by the fourth and fifth recitations, it flowed smoothly and he could recite it almost without looking at the text, achieving the effect of memorization.

Suddenly, a young student rushed to the school gate, around ten years old, clutching books, with dark skin, sweat streaming down his forehead and temples, panting as he said: "Sir, I apologize for being late"

Moreover, one must possess excellent skills in the official script of calligraphy; if the writing is too poor, the manuscript will be directly rejected! Failing the examination!

With the belief that "diligence can make up for lack of talent," he does not aspire to the titles of juren or jinshi, but obtaining the title of xiucai in Xi'an Prefecture should not be a difficult task

Hello, sir

Having achieved success, while the upper limit may not necessarily be high, the lower limit is undoubtedly commendable

Lu Zhaoqian said softly

Scholar Xu approached Bai Gui, leaned down, and sat half beside him, pointing at the yellowed pages of the book, and then said: "I will read a passage, and you will recite a passage."

Achieving the title of Xiucai is equivalent to standing out among hundreds or even thousands of people, and he is confident in this ability

However, choosing to read is always the right decision

Whenever he thinks of Hu's doctor's degree, his thoughts drift to an unknown place

He uttered the phrase "Mr. Xie is punished" and then sat down beside the two brothers, Lu Zhaopeng. When he reached this point, he saw Bai Gui also sitting here, his face showing surprise, followed by a hint of a sarcastic smile at the corner of his mouth

Thus, I immediately closed the book, not daring to look again

He glanced at the tardy student and sighed, saying: "I punish you by forbidding you to eat for a day. You must understand that diligence in poetry and literature leads to knowledge, while laziness results in an empty stomach"

Diligence leads to excellence, while idleness leads to decline; careful consideration leads to success, while thoughtlessness leads to ruin! Xu, the scholar, cast a stern glance at the tardy student and said, "You are even late for the morning study session; I shall punish you..."

Chen Zhongfu, the standard-bearer of the new culture, was also a scholar from Anqing Prefecture. The following year, he failed the provincial examination in Jiangnan

This is a young scholar who has transferred from the neighboring village's academy. He is well-mannered and fair-skinned, wearing tortoiseshell glasses on his nose. His name is Zhou Yuan, and he has already studied the Four Books: the Analects, the Doctrine of the Mean, the Great Learning, and the Mencius. Among the Five Classics, the Spring and Autumn Annals is his primary text.

Upon hearing that Bai Gui had paid the tuition himself to enroll in school, Lu Zhaoqian's expression changed rapidly. After a moment of silence, he let out a light scoff, as if mocking, and said: "What can a groom's life possibly teach him!"

Later, Bai Guicai understood that Xu Xiucai in the nearby private school specialized in the study of the "Spring and Autumn Annals." Therefore, if students from other private schools chose to study the "Spring and Autumn Annals," the tutors would recommend them to Bailu Village to be taught by Xu Xiucai

As for the ability to memorize and recite at a glance, Scholar Xu has long been accustomed to seeing such talents.

In "The Awakening Age," Lin Shu, a scholar from the Tongcheng School who frequently opposes the main characters, associates with figures such as Huang Kan and others, opposing the New Culture Movement. He is a scholar who has repeatedly failed the imperial examination.

The literary style in the south is flourishing, and the rat race is severe, while the north is comparatively easier

Xu Xiucai's speech is a mix of official language and the local dialect of Qin Province, but everyone understands the meaning of what he is saying

He pulled out the bench and sat down

Taking a deep breath, he continued to look at the yellowed scroll in his hands

After reciting for a moment, he then had Bai Gui recite.

White and noble naturally choose to exchange

Bai Gui, how did you manage this? Zhao Hai, it must be that your father has shown great kindness, allowing Bai Gui to come here to study as well

In those years of early fame, among the scholars who achieved success, there were not a few individuals with extraordinary memories

Scholar Xu began to recite the "Three Character Classic"; after reciting a passage, most of the young students started to nod their heads and recite along.

The only sensation from this action is dizziness, and I do not know how these young students endure it. He estimates that it should be a matter of rhythmic memory. Xu Xiucai has not studied modern educational knowledge, but the wisdom passed down from the older generation must have its rationale.

After a scholar obtains his degree, there are still banquets and similar gatherings. If he inadvertently reveals his flaws during such an occasion, it could lead to the grave crime of examination fraud. Even a talented individual like Tang Yin was brought low and subjected to ridicule.

Bai Gui suddenly thought of this and felt a faint sense of anticipation in his heart