Chapter 17

Sanlang is about to step up, shouting loudly for votes!

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The *Classic of Filial Piety* in the Song Dynasty was equivalent to a middle school introductory textbook. As the name suggests, it is a Confucian classic that expounds on the 'way of filial piety.' The first chapter, "Opening Explanation," states: 'Filial piety is the root of virtue and the source of education.'

This book is the shortest among Confucian classics and the most fundamental. One must first understand the *Classic of Filial Piety* before studying the *Four Books*. Since Chen Ke had studied medicine from a young age, he had to be educated in the basics of national studies before reading medical books. The *Classic of Filial Piety* was naturally a must-read, even though it was later determined that this book was a forgery by Han Confucian scholars. If he dared to tell Chen Xiliang that this thing was fabricated by Dong Zhongshu and his group to brainwash people, he would probably be beaten up.

As a ten-year-old child, the wisest course of action was to read it diligently and recite it sentence by sentence. Because of his past life's foundation and the fact that he had already recited it in this life, plus a day of cramming, he felt he could remember most of it. So he started reciting from the beginning:

"Confucius was seated, and Zengzi was attending him. The Master said, 'The ancient kings had a perfect virtue and a complete way of life, by which they were in accord with the world. The people followed them, and there was no discontent among the high and low. Do you know this?'"

Chen Xiliang initially closed his eyes, his fingers tapping the table silently, nodding in rhythm with the recitation. When Chen Ke recited, 'Using the ways of heaven, dividing the benefits of the earth, being cautious and frugal, to support one's parents, this is the filial piety of the common people,' he opened his eyes in satisfaction, indicating that Sanlang had studied hard today.

He expected Chen Ke to stumble and stop soon. However, the boy continued to recite rhythmically, as if reading from a book. When Chen Ke recited, 'There are three thousand crimes punishable by the five punishments, and none is greater than unfilial piety. Those who rebel against their superiors have no respect, those who deny the sages have no law, and those who deny filial piety have no kin. This is the way of great disorder,' Chen Chen was already gaping in amazement. He had focused on his two younger brothers today and hadn't expected his older brother to have undergone such a transformation, not only able to haggle and cook but also recite so well. When Chen Ke recited, 'Teaching the people to love and respect each other, nothing is better than filial piety. Teaching the people to be courteous and obedient, nothing is better than fraternal love. Changing customs and manners, nothing is better than music. Governing the people and maintaining order, nothing is better than propriety...,' Chen Xiliang's mouth also dropped open.

Chen Ke continued reciting until, 'In life, showing love and respect; in death, showing sorrow and grief. This is the essence of human life, the meaning of life and death, and the end of a filial son's duty to his parents.' He then stopped, somewhat embarrassed, saying, "I can't remember the rest..."

"It's already the last sentence..." Father and brother were stunned.

"Ah..." Chen Ke himself was also surprised. Although he wasn't stupid, he found it quite challenging to memorize long texts. The *Classic of Filial Piety* is only 1,903 characters long, but it is divided into sections, making it difficult to memorize.

But he didn't know why, his mind was crystal clear. Whenever he thought of a section, its content would appear in his mind, and it was impossible to recite it incorrectly.

Both the participants and observers were stunned for a long time. Chen Xiliang finally coughed twice, putting away his expression and said, "The recitation is still passable. But memory is just one aspect; you also need to understand it deeply..." He then became serious and said, "Sanlang, do you know why I asked you to recite the *Classic of Filial Piety*?"

"I know," Chen Ke nodded and said softly, "Because I hit Auntie a few days ago."

"Yes," Chen Xiliang's expression softened, and he sipped some water from his bowl. "Do you know where you were wrong?"

"I know," Chen Ke said, "Disobeying my elders and hitting my aunt is a grave sin."

"Right and wrong," Chen Xiliang put down his bowl. "From a moral standpoint, I do not advocate blind loyalty or filial piety. If you are abused and cannot resist, what is the difference from pigs and sheep? The sages say, 'To repay grievances with virtue, how can one repay virtue?' Repaying grievances with justice and virtue with virtue is the right thing to do." He paused and said, "But living in this world, you must follow the rules of this world. What are the rules? The *Classic of Filial Piety* is the rule. The Song Dynasty governs the world with filial piety, and all emperors have promoted filial piety. People regard filial piety as the foremost virtue and despise those who are unfilial. The world is like this, and others will not understand the circumstances. They will believe in a few words and tarnish your reputation, leaving you no way to defend yourself."

"Don't feel wronged. Even the most powerful person in the world, the Emperor of the Song Dynasty, must endure in the face of filial piety." Chen Xiliang earnestly said, "It might seem early to tell you this, but I believe your intelligence will help you understand."

"Should we just let the younger brother be bullied?" Chen Ke didn't speak, but Chen Chen interjected.

"Of course not, but you should use smarter methods," Chen Xiliang said. "With Sanlang's current abilities, why didn't you think of taking the younger brothers to the county to find you? Once you found you, you could take them to me, and all problems would be solved."

Chen Ke was ashamed. At that time, he hadn't even thought of these two older figures.

"Let's not talk about the past. It was mainly Father's responsibility," Chen Xiliang waved his hand, fearing he would blame himself. "Remember, the sages say, 'Think thrice before you act.' Before doing anything, you must consider the consequences. If the consequences are too heavy for you to bear, then don't do it..."

After the children thought for a while, he stood up and said, "It's not early, go to bed early."

"Where are you going, Father?"

"The rain has stopped, the air outside is fresh, I'll take a walk." Chen Xiliang said, pushing the door open and going out.

In the courtyard, the sky was filled with brilliant stars. Chen Xiliang suddenly laughed, laughing so hard that tears came to his eyes. He pointed north, looking smug, "Hahaha, Su Laoquan, now I have a son with a photographic memory. See how you can brag to me in the future!"

Inside the room, Xiao Liulang was trembling in fear, "Brother, is there a ghost?"

"There's a big-headed ghost, go to sleep." Sanlang pressed his head into the quilt with one hand and held a book of *Selected Essays* by Chen Xiliang with the other, picking a policy essay and reading it from beginning to end. It was also over two thousand words, and he read it three times until the light was turned off.

After Chen Xiliang came in and blew out the light, he lay down and closed his eyes, recalling the article. Indeed, every word was clear in his mind, not a single sentence forgotten.

The next day, after waking up, Chen Ke still remembered over 90% of the article. What kind of memory was this? It was definitely much better than his previous one. Was it a side effect of the穿越 (穿越 means '穿越' in Chinese, which can be translated as 'time travel' or '穿越' in the context of a story where a person is transported to a different time or world)? Or was Sanlang originally a genius child?

'No matter what, it's not a bad thing.' Optimists have this advantage; they can quickly adapt to changes.

---

After breakfast, Chen Xiliang went out for the whole day and returned in the evening. This time, he couldn't hide his disappointment, sitting there and sighing.

"Why are you sighing, Father?" Chen Chen, who had brought him a bowl of water, finally couldn't help but ask.

"Sigh, it's fine to tell you." Chen Xiliang sighed again. "Father is useless. I ran to several creditors, but I only managed to collect a few hundred coins, not even a fraction of what I owed."

"Why couldn't you collect more?" Since Chen Xiliang didn't treat him like a child, Chen Ke naturally didn't pretend to be naive: "Didn't you say that if you couldn't collect, you could report it to the authorities?"

"It's not easy for anyone," Chen Xiliang shook his head. "Some have families to support, others have lost their businesses. I can't push them to the brink."

"What should we do..." Chen Chen was in a complex mood. After hearing Chen Ke's words yesterday, he had lost hope in his father's debt collection. After two days of mental struggle, he decided to make a sacrifice.

"There's always a way out." Feeling the oppressive atmosphere, Chen Xiliang realized he was the sky of this family. He shook off his low spirits and laughed loudly, "I'm a seven-foot-tall man with hands, feet, and knowledge. Can't I support you little brats?"

"Father..." Chen Chen gathered his courage and finally said, "I've thought it through. I won't go back to school. I'll help you support the family and provide for the three younger brothers' education."

"..." Chen Xiliang was stunned for a moment, then firmly said, "Absolutely not! Without education, what future is there? No more talk of this!"

"Father..." Chen Chen wanted to say more.

Chen Xiliang's face turned dark, and he said sternly, "Shut up! No discussion!"

"..." Chen Chen, who was afraid of his father, could only wipe away his tears.

"What about you, Father? Are you not going to school anymore?" Chen Ke's words almost made Chen Xiliang cry.

"That's why we should all continue our studies. Only through education is there hope." Chen Ke said earnestly.

"..." Chen Xiliang looked at him for a long time, then smiled. No matter how early he was, no matter how mature he sounded, Sanlang was still a ten-year-old child.

"Don't laugh, I'm serious..." Chen Ke said anxiously.

"Alright, I believe you." Chen Xiliang smiled. "But now, go study, or you'll get a beating tonight." He picked up the IOUs on the table and walked to the kitchen.

"What are you doing, Father?" Chen Ke asked urgently.

"Cooking."

"What about these papers?"

"They're useless now, for kindling."

"No, no..."

"What's wrong?"

"Those, those," Chen Ke quickly said, "It's a waste. The back can still be written on..."

Chen Xiliang thought about it and agreed. The IOUs were made of thick paper to prevent easy damage, and the back was clean. Using them for kindling would indeed be a waste.

He handed them back and said, "Practice your calligraphy. Your handwriting is so ugly."

"Sure, sure..." Chen Ke hugged the IOUs, relieved.

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It's not that I'm over-imagining; it's just that the geniuses of that era were truly extraordinary. With an IQ below 140, it was hard to survive...