Chapter 18

In the scorching summer heat,

the cicadas chirped incessantly in the large trees of the village school.

"Emperors value heroes, and literature teaches you all.

All other pursuits are inferior, only reading is supreme.

From a young age, you must study diligently, for literature can establish your character.

The entire court is filled with nobles, all of whom are learned men."

Amidst the rolling heat, the students' clear and loud reading voices echoed through the school. The villagers, carrying their hoes, would smile contentedly whenever they passed by. Since Hu Tixue left, the entire school's atmosphere had changed. The children who used to be lazy in their studies had now become serious, reading the texts word by word.

Lin Yanchao sat at his desk, flipping through a book. He was currently reading the "Shentong Shi" (Poem of the Divine Child). This poem is a common text for beginners, inspiring a sense of ambition and making one eager to pass the imperial exams and enter the court. The content is simple and easy to understand, suitable for both new students and those who have studied for one or two years.

"From a peasant in the morning, to the emperor's hall by night.

Generals and ministers are not born, but men must strive to be strong."

As the students read these lines, Lin Chengyi entered the lecture hall, his gaze sweeping over the room as he listened silently to the students. Lin Yanchao suddenly felt a different atmosphere.

After a moment, the "Shentong Shi" was read through, and Lin Chengyi explained the entire poem in great detail and with great patience, as if he wanted to pour all his half-life of reading insights into this poem. It seemed that everyone had a premonition, and even the most inattentive students listened with utmost focus. Lin Yanchao listened to Lin Chengyi's explanation with great concentration, reading along word by word.

The pages of the book, carrying the scent of ink, turned one by one, the rustling sound like the gentle munching of silkworms, quietly entering the hearts of each student. When the explanation was complete, Lin Chengyi slowly closed the book and scanned the room again, saying, "Students, I hope you will diligently study the 'Shentong Shi' at home. Your teacher has decided to resign as a tutor soon."

Hearing this, the students couldn't help but ask, "Teacher, why are you not teaching us anymore? Have we done something wrong?"

The classroom fell silent, and except for Lin Yanchao, none of the students knew why Lin Chengyi was suddenly resigning as a tutor to take the college examination.

Lin Chengyi waved his hand and said, "You are all doing well. It is due to the teacher's reasons. I have resigned as a tutor to the chief of the village to prepare for the August college examination, so I can no longer teach you."

"Teacher, if you pass the college examination, will you become a scholar?"

Lin Chengyi nodded and said, "Yes." At this point, Lin Chengyi glanced at Lin Yanchao, and both teacher and student understood each other.

Suddenly, a student stood up and shouted, "Teacher, we don't want you to leave!" Lin Yanchao looked at the speaker, who turned out to be the most lazy student, the one who had received the most beatings from Lin Chengyi, but he was the first to plead for him to stay.

Lin Chengyi's eyes reddened, and he raised his hand to gesture to the class, saying, "Didn't I teach you that there is no banquet that doesn't end? When I came to the village school as a tutor, I always had a hope. I thought that although I might not achieve academic success in my life, I hoped that some of my students would. Not just to become scholars, but even to become juren (advanced scholars)."

"To be honest, although I often told you that studying should not be confined to passing exams, how could I have let go of my own ambitions? Just as the 'Shentong Shi' says, 'From a peasant in the morning, to the emperor's hall by night,' I have been yearning for an official title all these years."

"So, to be frank, my vision and knowledge are not worthy of being a teacher. But today, I have a heartfelt message for all of you. Whether you are studying to establish your character or aiming for the imperial exams, remember, the world may deceive you, fate may be against you, and people may betray you, but books will never betray you!"

Zhang Haoyuan, Hou Zhongshu, and others clenched their fists, and upon hearing Lin Chengyi's words, the students were so inspired that they felt like they wanted to immediately study with great determination.

"The students will remember," they all answered in unison.

Lin Chengyi nodded in satisfaction and said, "It's good that you remember. You are young, and you should cherish this time of great potential, study hard, and not regret it when you are old like me."

At this point, Lin Chengyi turned his back, his voice slightly choked, and said, "Alright, continue reading. I will watch you."

The students all stood with their hands behind their backs, chests out, and loudly read to Lin Chengyi in the hall.

"Learning comes from diligence, with a thousand volumes of books by the window.

Three winters are enough, who will laugh at an empty mind?

From a young age, you must study, with high aspirations.

Others may have swords, but I have a pen as sharp as a knife!

From a peasant in the morning, to the emperor's hall by night.

Generals and ministers are not born, but men must strive to be strong.

Learning is a treasure, and scholars are precious.

Look at the prime minister, he must be a learned man.

Do not say that the scholar's cap is a mistake, for books will not betray you;

When you succeed, you will serve the world, and when you fail, you will still be good to yourself."

...

After the class, Lin Chengyi assigned several days of homework to each student, and each student bowed respectfully to Lin Chengyi before leaving.

In the Minglun Hall, only Lin Chengyi and Lin Yanchao remained.

Lin Yanchao approached with a book, bowed to Lin Chengyi, and said, "I hope you will excel in the college examination, Teacher!"

Lin Chengyi did not speak but looked at him for a long time, his tone slightly resentful, "It's fine that Hu Tixue promoted you, but why didn't you focus on yourself and instead mention me to him?"

"Today, I am recognized by the great master, which is inseparable from your teachings. I merely explained the cause, while Hu Tixue saw the result."

Lin Chengyi was speechless, took a deep breath, and said, "If it weren't for your recommendation, I wouldn't have this rare opportunity for the college examination. Rest assured, I will repay this favor in the future!"

Lin Yanchao countered, "Teacher, am I still your student?"

"Yes."

"Then, is it wrong for a student to praise his teacher to others?"

"No."

"Then, if a teacher is recognized by others, does it mean he owes his student a favor?"

"This..."

"So, if you want to count favors, the favor of your meticulous teaching and the delay in payment of tuition, how long will it take for me to repay you? If we count everything, it would be unfair to me."

Lin Chengyi shook his head and said, "You are truly eloquent. I will retract my words, alright?"

Lin Yanchao smiled mischievously.

Lin Chengyi still wasn't used to this atmosphere and said sternly, "Today, you have been recognized by Hu Tixue and taken as his disciple, which shows that you are not an ordinary person. My knowledge is shallow, and I can only be your启蒙 teacher (启蒙 teacher). As for being your经师 (经师) or人师 (人师), I am not qualified. But I have a question for you: Have you thought about your future path?"

Lin Yanchao understood the meaning behind Lin Chengyi's words.

"In this peaceful era, for us from humble backgrounds, the only and sole path to establish ourselves is through the imperial exams."

Lin Chengyi said seriously, "Becoming a scholar, you do not have to bow to the county magistrate, you are exempt from corvée and criminal penalties, and you can travel freely without a travel permit. Indeed, becoming a scholar does not guarantee a life of peace. Even if you become the chief cabinet minister, the emperor will still be above you. But as a scholar, at least the elders will not dare to mistreat you, the gentry will not dare to mistreat you, the petty officials will not dare to mistreat you, and the constables will not dare to mistreat you. Otherwise, even if you have a fortune, you will be nothing more than a well-fed sheep raised by others!"

Becoming a scholar and passing the imperial exams, when reading history books and watching TV dramas, it seemed that the scholars, juren, and jinshi of the past were not that impressive. But truly, in the Ming Dynasty, after experiencing the lower levels of society, one realizes the strict hierarchy and clear distinctions in status. To become a scholar is extremely difficult. Studying is the only way to change the fate of those from humble backgrounds.

"Why are you not speaking?"

"I will remember your teachings, Teacher," Lin Yanchao said solemnly.

Lin Chengyi, hearing this, smiled and said, "It's good that you understand. When you answered Hu Tixue's questions about the anecdotes in the 'Qianzi Wen,' many of which I did not know, and the annotations in the 'Qianzi Wen' merely copied the words of the ancients, how did you know the origins so clearly?"

Lin Yanchao was momentarily speechless. Today, in answering Hu Tixue's questions, besides the explanations of the 'Qianzi Wen' given by Lin Chengyi, many of his insights came from his previous life's reading.

Lin Yanchao thought for a moment and said, "Teacher, there are a few old books at home..."

Before Lin Yanchao could explain further, Lin Chengyi said, "They must be the books your father left behind. I said earlier that my knowledge is limited, and I can only be your启蒙 teacher (启蒙 teacher). But to be your经师 (经师) is difficult. As the saying goes, 'It is easy to find a经师 (经师), but hard to find a人师 (人师).' In fact, it is not easy to find a true经师 (经师) who can teach the art of writing."

In the Han Dynasty, there were many经师 (经师), but few could be called人师 (人师). Therefore, it is said that it is easy to find a经师 (经师), but hard to find a人师 (人师).

However, in the Ming Dynasty, those who truly qualify as teachers are启蒙 teachers (启蒙 teachers) and经师 (经师).启蒙 teachers (启蒙 teachers) enlighten and resolve doubts, while经师 (经师), also known as业师 (业师), teach the Four Books and Five Classics, which is the art of writing. As for人师 (人师), they are those whose character and knowledge can serve as role models, such as Confucius, Mencius, and Wang Yangming.

Lin Yanchao quickly said, "Teacher, please do not say that. I am truly fortunate to have been taught by you for two years."

Lin Chengyi, hearing this, smiled and said, "I did not expect that in the two years in Hongtang, you would be my most outstanding student. At the moment, I can't do much to help you. If you fail the college examination, then everything is over. But if you pass, I can introduce you to someone who can be your业师 (业师)."

Lin Yanchao was greatly surprised. What kind of person would need to wait until Lin Chengyi became a scholar before being introduced? At this point, Lin Chengyi opened a package, took out a book, and handed it to Lin Yanchao, saying, "As we part, I have nothing else to give you. Take this 'Daxue Zhangju' (Commentary on the Great Learning) and read it."

Lin Chengyi's gift of the book had the intention of passing on knowledge. Lin Yanchao immediately accepted the book and performed a three-kowtow salute.

PS: Second update, please give a recommendation vote!

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