Chapter 35

On the way, Yang Yuhuan asked with great anticipation, "Xiaoyun, can we often come out for walks when we have time?"

"Ying ying! Ying ying!" Nunu also looked at Fang Yun, her two eyes sparkling.

"Sure." Fang Yun agreed readily.

Yang Yuhuan smiled happily, and the lanterns lining the street seemed to dim in comparison.

As they strolled along, Yang Yuhuan, who was used to being frugal, didn't spend much money. It was Fang Yun who insisted she buy some cosmetics.

Nunu was different. Whenever she saw something edible, she would tug at Fang Yun's clothes with her little paws and point at the food with the other paw, making a "ying ying" sound. She ate a lot along the way and didn't stop even after she was full. Every time she saw new food, she would sigh softly.

The three of them walked back under the night sky. Since it was the end of the month, the moon was very dim, and the stars filled the sky.

Fang Yun always felt curious when he saw the stars in this world because there were many differences.

There was also a North Star here, but it wasn't the brightest star. The brightest star was the Wenqu Star.

Even on a full moon night, the Wenqu Star was clearly visible.

The Wenqu Star in this world had incredible power.

Seeing Fang Yun looking at the Wenqu Star, Yang Yuhuan said, "Xiaoyun, with your talent, if you become a University Scholar, you will surely make the 'Wenqu Star move.'"

"How can it be that simple? Only becoming a Half-Sage will inevitably trigger it. In the Great Scholar period, only Tao Yuanming, Sima Qian, Dong Zhongshu, the leaders of the Hundred Schools, and some of Confucius' disciples are recorded to have made the Wenqu Star move. In the University Scholar period, only a few Sub-Sages have made the Wenqu Star move," Fang Yun said.

"I heard that the four great talents of the previous generation, the current top Great Scholar Yi Zhishi, made the Wenqu Star move when he became a University Scholar?"

"Oh, he hasn't been canonized yet; I forgot about him. He's a madman, saying that when he is canonized, he will surely receive the light of the Wenqu Star. But among all the sages, only the Duke of Zhou and Confucius received the light of the Wenqu Star. The other Sub-Sages didn't have this phenomenon. However, this Yi Zhishi is truly legendary, walking a hundred thousand miles and slaying nine thousand demons. He is the most promising Great Scholar in recent years to be canonized. It's said that the Yi family and the Wu Kingdom are already preparing for his canonization."

"In a few decades, Xiaoyun will surely be canonized too!" Yang Yuhuan encouraged Fang Yun.

"If I can pass the Prefecture Examination this year, perhaps I will have a chance to be canonized," Fang Yun said.

"Ah? Didn't you say you were just going to see the Prefecture Examination? Why do you want to pass it now?" Yang Yuhuan asked.

"I changed my mind."

After meeting Zhou Zhubu and learning that Liu Zhi was using the Left Chancellor's power to suppress him in the capital, Fang Yun was determined to pass the Prefecture Examination in two months and master 'Paper Talk.' Only by becoming a Scholar could he escape being 'helpless' and have the ability to protect himself.

However, Fang Yun couldn't tell Yang Yuhuan the truth; he didn't want her to worry.

Yang Yuhuan smiled and said, "You have great talent, you will surely pass the Prefecture Examination. Perhaps you can even get first place and become a 'Maocai.'"

"One first place is enough; Maocai is very difficult," Fang Yun said, shaking his head with a smile.

Emperor Guangwu of Han was named Liu Xiu. To avoid taboo, 'Xiucai' was changed to 'Maocai' at the time, and later restored to 'Xiucai.'

During the Han Dynasty, there were fewer Xiucai, and their status was higher. Later, Wang Xizhi became the first Xiucai, and a Great Scholar called him 'the Maocai of the Han Dynasty.' This story spread, and the Saint Yuan Continent began to call the first Xiucai 'Maocai.'

"Don't lose heart, Xiaoyun! You should not only compete for Maocai but also for Jieyuan, Huiyuan, and Zhuangyuan, becoming the legendary 'Five Firsts Scholar.' If you can even get the national first, you will be the only 'Six Firsts Scholar' in history, surpassing every generation's four great talents!" Yang Yuhuan said, getting excited herself.

Nunu in Fang Yun's arms also got excited, making a "ying ying" sound continuously, as if cheering for Fang Yun.

Fang Yun smiled helplessly, "Don't talk about the Six Firsts Scholar or even the Five Firsts Scholar. Just getting three firsts is incredibly difficult. In the last two hundred years of the Ten Kingdoms, only five people have achieved three firsts, and even if you get three firsts, you might not be canonized."

"I believe Xiaoyun can do it!" Yang Yuhuan's gaze was incredibly determined.

Fang Yun laughed speechlessly, thinking that Yang Yuhuan now had blind faith in him.

"Alright, I'll do my best," Fang Yun said, not wanting to dampen Yang Yuhuan's enthusiasm.

Nunu immediately clapped her little paws and laughed, as if Fang Yun would become a Six Firsts Scholar right away.

Back home, Fang Yun didn't go to sleep immediately but continued to study and practice calligraphy.

He was now intensively reading Confucius and all the Sub-Sages' classics, as they were mandatory and contained the profound truths of the Sage Way, which no one else could match.

Then he read extensively the works of other Half-Sages and the 'Sage Way,' not seeking complete understanding but only to leave an impression.

Finally, he practiced calligraphy in two steps: first, by copying the calligraphy of Liu Gongquan, and then by transcribing and improving novels or children's reading materials.

The 'Three-Character Classic' was only about 1,500 characters, and it would be taught quickly. Therefore, Fang Yun decided to transcribe the most famous children's reading materials, including the 'Yue Xue Qiong Lin' and the 'Zeng Guang Xian Wen,' as well as the 'Yan Shi Jia Xun,' which pioneered family instructions.

The 'Yan Shi Jia Xun' is known as the 'ancestor of family instructions,' recording Yan Zhitui's knowledge, experiences, and thoughts, intended to advise his descendants, hence the name 'family instructions.'

The author of the 'Yan Shi Jia Xun,' Yan Zhitui, did not hold a high office, was not a statesman, and was not famous at first, but he became renowned in history and remembered for generations because of the 'Yan Shi Jia Xun.'

However, the 'Yan Shi Jia Xun' would be written last, as it required a lot of life experience.

After some thought, Fang Yun decided to start with the 'Zeng Guang Xian Wen' and the 'Yue Xue Qiong Lin.' As the saying goes, "Reading the 'Zeng Guang Xian Wen' improves your speech, and reading the 'Yue Xue Qiong Lin' helps you travel the world." These texts have high practical value for children and have been continuously supplemented by later generations, making them the essence of children's education.

The next day, Fang Yun followed his usual routine. After eating, he read a text and then took a carriage to the Fang Clan School.

It was the first class of the day at the Fang Clan School. Accompanied by the students' loud reading, Fang Yun entered the teaching room.

The sound of chairs scraping against the floor was heard, and all the teachers stood up, reacting even faster than when the principal, Fang Jingtang, entered.

"Mr. Fang, the top scholar, has arrived?"

"Good morning, Mr. Fang, the top scholar."

"You look well today."

The teachers were unusually courteous and热情, but Fang Yun could see that they were both envious and afraid.

Fang Yun knew that yesterday's incident had spread. He smiled and bowed, saying, "Good morning, everyone." As he spoke, he glanced at Lu Yingnian's seat, which was completely empty, without even a desk or chair.

The teachers stood there awkwardly, none daring to sit down.

"Regarding Lu Yingnian, I am also quite saddened, but since the principal has given the order, I cannot say more. I hope this incident does not affect you, and that it does not interfere with your teaching," Fang Yun said as he sat down.

"Yes, yes."

"Of course."

"Lu Yingnian got what he deserved."

"Mr. Fang, you are truly magnanimous. I would have cursed him out long ago."

Fang Yun smiled slightly but said nothing. A mere Scholar was not worth his anger.

Soon, the second class was about to start. Fang Yun took his original manuscript of the 'Three-Character Classic' and walked to Class A.

The teachers breathed a sigh of relief and whispered among themselves.

"Truly worthy of being the top scholar of both exams, his demeanor and magnanimity are truly rare."

"This incident is really strange. How could Scholar Lu be so foolish? Fang Yun can even speak to 'Sword-Eyebrow Gong.'"

"Before this incident, who among us knew Fang Yun had such connections? I heard yesterday that it wasn't Scholar Lu's fault, but the problem was with the second lady. She knew the Liu family was going to suppress Fang Yun, so she wanted to take advantage of the situation. Little did she know that reaching out to Minister Li's desk was a death sentence."

"With Uncle Fang's protection, I don't believe the Liu family can do anything to Fang Yun! We of the Fang Clan School cannot be bullied by the treacherous chancellor's family!"

"Right! If the Liu family dares to harm Fang Yun in the future, we will join forces with other clan schools and academies to petition the state government. This world belongs to the sages, not the Liu family!"

"Indeed!"

When Fang Yun entered Class A, it was not yet 8:15, but all the students were sitting obediently on their stools.

As soon as Fang Yun reached the podium, a student asked, "Teacher, will there be a reward today?"

"Of course." Fang Yun said casually, noticing that all the students' eyes changed, like little tigers ready to pounce, full of determination.

"Great! My father said that if I don't get a poem from you within a month, he will beat me with a paddle! Fellow students, can you be a bit more generous today?"

"Generous? You won't get beaten, but my bottom will be beaten to pieces by my father! Hmph, blame your parents. They made a big fuss after getting a copy of 'Spring Dawn' from you, and my father came home drunk and dragged me out of bed to scold me, saying he won't recognize me as his son if I don't get a poem from you."

"Don't blame my parents! We'll see who wins in class!"

"Fine, I'm not afraid of you. You just got lucky once, can you get it right every time?"

Thus, familiar children helped each other, while those who didn't get along well naturally mocked each other, but it was all in good fun, and no one dared to fight or curse.

Other teachers would have been angry, but Fang Yun smiled and said, "Today, I will give one poem. In the future, there will be a small test every five days, and the first and the one who improves the most will get a poem. To prevent anyone from pretending to be weak, the last three in each test, even if they do well next time, will not get a poem. And if I find anyone doing this, they will never get a word from me. Also, I will soon take the Prefecture Examination, and after passing, I will come to the clan school less often. This is a rare opportunity, so you must seize it."

The classroom was silent, and a flame of determination burned in every child's eyes.

"Alright, now everyone write from memory the 'Three-Character Classic' I taught yesterday."

Except for a few children who looked worried, most students wrote confidently.

Afterward, Fang Yun checked their work, praising a few but not criticizing those who made mistakes.

Fang Yun continued teaching the 'Three-Character Classic.' After class, he rewarded the student who wrote the best, then returned to the teaching room, only to find seven or eight people standing at the door, all wearing Scholar robes, two of whom he had met at the Jixian Child Scholar Literary Meeting.

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