The Bookish Scholar of the Red Mansion

On the first day of class, Chen Heng was still a little excited. After all, he had been thinking about this opportunity day and night, so he didn't dare to be careless in his heart.

After waiting left and right for all the classmates, Master Wang did not leave them any time to make friends. By the time the last student appeared, Mrs. Wang had already stepped into the room.

Under Chen Heng's expectant eyes, Mrs. Wang took out books and began to educate the children. You heard that right, just teach them how to read.

I don’t know about the situation in Yangzhou City, but in Shanxi Village, it is common to be illiterate. Occasionally, if someone can write a few words, they can chat louder in the village.

Master Wang's method of teaching calligraphy was also simple. He took out several pieces of paper with pre-written calligraphy and pasted them on the wall one by one. For example, today’s lesson is: The Three Character Classic.

Posted on the wall are the following twelve words: In the beginning, human nature is inherently good. Master Wang will first take the book and lead everyone to read the teaching content three times, and then correct the pronunciation and explain the meaning of the words one by one according to the font.

Finally, in the center of the school, Master Wang prepared a round and short sand table. By the afternoon, Master Wang felt that the content taught in the morning was almost the same. Students will be asked to write one by one, not trying to write correctly, but in the process, they will develop their understanding of the structure of fonts.

The content sounds very simple, and Chen Heng is very engaged in learning. Why do you think it's because the characters used in ancient times were all traditional Chinese characters?

In his previous life, he had been hanging around major forums for a long time and developed the ability to automatically translate simplified and traditional fonts.

But when it comes to writing, a college student who has been writing in simplified Chinese all his life is a little scared. Easier said than done. When it comes to learning, you can't even be careless.

Especially when he heard from friends on the Internet that in ancient imperial examinations, the examiner would throw away the test paper because of your ugly handwriting.

Now that you have made up your mind, you must try your best from the beginning. Chen Heng, who studied hard, won unanimous praise from others. Master Wang was satisfied with his seriousness, and other disciples also felt that this new friend was very diligent. Maybe Master Wang would have to rely on Chen Heng to help him during his teaching exams in the future.

Then they fell into disrepute.

According to Master's teaching habits, every morning he would review what he had taught yesterday before continuing to teach new ones. The original few people, at their already lively and active ages, can still remember how much things have been changed overnight.

Compared with them, Chen Heng, who was willing to work hard, could catch up with what they had studied in the past two months, or even pull away a lot after just seven days of classes.

But the master was not Chen Heng’s master. Even though Chen Heng had already run to the front, Wang Xianming had to stop behind and wait for others to slowly catch up. This greatly affected Chen Heng’s learning progress and his enthusiasm for teaching. .

With this somewhat happy distress, Mrs. Wang told Mrs. Liu about it during dinner.

Then what do you want to do?

Faced with Mrs. Liu's inquiry, Master Wang said calmly: What else can be done? Pearls cannot be left in the dust. How can a good horse be burdened by a bad horse? You should give back all the repairs they sent.

You don't want any? You have to think clearly. The grandson of the village is also here with us.

Yes. Mrs. Wang nodded, I have taught Heng'er, but I don't want to teach others for the time being.

Okay, it's all up to you. Don't come forward on this matter. I'll go over and talk about it when the time comes. Mrs. Liu was worried that Mrs. Wang's face-saving character would put both parties in trouble.

Master Wang didn't care either. He had a lot of things on his mind now. As if he thought of something, he suddenly asked, Is the portrait of the Confucius at home still there?

You're here, why do you ask?

I want to enlighten Heng'er.

Mrs. Wang put down her chopsticks, raised her eyebrows, and spoke word by word.

…

After dinner, Mrs. Wang took a walk to Lao Chen's house and knocked on the door a few times as usual. Coincidentally, it was Chen Huaijin who opened the door. This time he didn't yell. He stood by the door and saluted Wang Xianming.

No need to be formal, is your father at home? Master Wang asked with a smile, changing from the strict manner in class.

Yes, yes. Sir, please come in quickly. Chen Huaijin hurriedly introduced Wang Xianming into the house. When the two walked through the dim courtyard, Wang Xianming stopped slightly. He turned sideways and could vaguely hear the sound coming from the east wing. The sound of reading.

Chen Huaijin, a man with very sharp eyesight, saw this scene and quickly praised his nephew, This kid, after going home for dinner every day, would study in the house. He never let up for a moment, even my mother was fascinated by it. Be distressed.

This is what a scholar looks like. Wang Xianming rarely praised someone in person, and he seemed very satisfied. Don't disturb the child from studying. Call Heng'er's parents.

Hey, why do you call our child Heng'er? Chen Huaijin couldn't help but feel a little tasteful.

Master Wang didn't notice the change in Chen Huaijin's mood. He just strode towards the lobby of the house. Chen Gaishan had already seen him.

The two chatted briefly and then sat down to wait for Chen Qi and Gu. When the latter arrived in a hurry, Wang Xianming briefly explained his purpose, which made the adults of the old Chen family a little confused.

Sir, is there anything different about enlightenment? Chen Huaijin was the most suitable person to ask this question.

Wang Xianming considered it for a moment, glanced at everyone, his expression became solemn unconsciously, and said in a deep voice, This is the first major event in a scholar's life.

When everyone heard it, even though they didn't know what was going on, they were all in awe. After the teacher and everyone in the Chen family finished explaining what Kaimeng needed to prepare, Wang Xianming stood up and drifted away.

The Chen family was left stunned on the spot, only daring to look at each other and not daring to speak. After a long silence, the bold Chen Huaijin was the first to speak: This... this, it's too expensive to study here.

Mrs. Zhou smiled bitterly on the side, and couldn't help but thought to herself: Fortunately, I said the ugly things first that day.

Dad, those things that sir said are necessary...

As it was an important matter related to Chen Heng, the father naturally didn't dare to be careless and looked at Chen Gaishan with a slightly uneasy look.

The head of the family couldn't help but hold his forehead and sighed: Let me take it easy, let me take it easy. Don't let Ergou know about this yet.

The tossing and turning night had just ended, and on the second day, Shanxi Village was already bustling with activity. After lunch, news came out that Mrs. Wang had dismissed all the children under her name.

Chen Gaishan and Chen Qi, who were still working diligently in the fields, were so frightened that they abandoned their farm work and rushed home. When they saw Chen Heng still studying diligently at Mrs. Wang's house, they complained to each other that the other party was acting like a rainy day.

But it was a coincidence that they came back just in time to catch up with Mrs. Liu arriving home carrying her baggage.

This was a rare guest, and all the men in the family avoided it. Mrs. Zhou, who was also an old lady, sat in the lobby, entertaining the distinguished guests with her eldest daughter-in-law.

Although Ms. Liu had been studying for several years, she had a very straightforward personality. She explained her intention in a few words, unpacked her baggage, and a brand new robe appeared in front of Ms. Zhou.

This is what my grandson wore when he was enlightened. The master was impatient and said that Heng'er would be enlightened, and even the time was urgent. I was worried that my sister-in-law's family would not be able to find suitable clothes for a while, so I shamelessly brought this dress. My grandson only wore it once when he was a freshman. Ever since he passed the boy's entrance examination, I have treasured this piece of clothing.

I originally wanted to wait until he was in high school to take out this item so that he could recall the hardships along the way. Now it was just a coincidence that Heng'er Kaimeng met, and I guess it was fate. I hope my sister-in-law will accept it.

After saying this, it was appropriate inside and out, and it was very considerate of the Chen family's face, which made Mrs. Zhou smile happily and signaled to Mrs. Gu to accept it. The two talked for a while, and it was time to part ways. Zhou thought of the anxious look in front of Chen Bei Mountain.

I couldn't help but ask more: I heard from the village this morning that my husband persuaded all the children in the school to go back. Our family has always respected the master as a person. If he saw these gossips, he would definitely have a good argument. Fan.

Ms. Liu was extremely well-educated and just explained gently: This matter is true. I just came back from Li Zheng's house in the morning.

Look at what I said, Mrs. Zhou felt deeply regretful and had no choice but to ask with a little uneasiness: Why is this? But at home...

Mrs. Liu looked at the old lady in front of her, suddenly smiled and said, The master said that he had taught Heng'er and he no longer wanted to teach others.

Zhou and Gu were both shocked when they heard this, and stood up to send Liu away in confusion. When they returned to the lobby, they saw Chen Gaishan and others with sad faces.

Dad, aren't you ready for the things sir said?

Chen Qi asked half proudly and half distressed, but the word he used this time was 'no'. After thinking about it, he realized that the matter had reached this stage and his family could no longer tolerate it.

Chen Gaishan raised his head and sighed, Let's start getting ready. I'll go find the clan leader in the afternoon.

…………

Three days later, it was an auspicious day. The sky has not yet turned white, the stars have disappeared, and the rising sun has not yet risen.

Most of the villagers are still sleeping, but the lights in Old Chen's house are already brightly lit, showing that the owner is busy. The green cow in the greenhouse held its head high and barked a few times into the air to vent its resentment at being woken up.

Heng'er, it's time to get up.

Mrs. Gu held the oil lamp and came to Chen Heng's little bed.

Mom, I know.

Chen Heng opened his quilt and jumped out of bed.

Be careful, the ground is cold.

While Mrs. Gu was giving instructions, Chen Qi and Chen Huaijin walked into the house carrying a large bathtub. There was a thick layer of herbs floating on it. Chen Heng could not recognize it. He only saw that it was mixed with pine leaves, cypress leaves and other things.

Come in quickly, Mom will wash you.

Mrs. Gu rolled up her sleeves and looked like she was going to wash her clothes from beginning to end. Chen Heng could only accept his fate, strip off his clothes and jump into the bathtub.

After washing up, Chen Heng put on the green robe that his wife, Mrs. Liu, had given him earlier. It was a bit big at first, but my mother and sister made adjustments day and night to make it the right size.

After drying her hair, Gu pressed Chen Heng in front of her. In the past, Chen Heng's hair bun was the two-piece bun that is popular among children nowadays. But that won't work today because he has to wear a Confucian scarf.

When everything was done, Chen Heng, who had already changed into scholar's clothes, was led out by Mrs. Gu. Chen Gaishan and the other three people who had been waiting in the courtyard couldn't help but their eyes lit up when they saw Chen Heng's appearance.

Okay, okay. Chen Gaishan was quite excited and said to his two sons, Take Heng'er to the ancestral hall. The patriarch and master are already waiting for us.

It was difficult for Zhou and Gu to follow him when he went out this time, so they could only stay at home. There is no way, this is the custom in ancient times. When Chen Heng followed Chen Beishan to the ancestral hall, the sky had turned gray and it was gray.

The patriarch Chen Xing first stood up and took Chen Heng to offer incense and kowtow to the ancestors. This was to tell them that if their children are going to study, you should take good care of them.

After the clan leader finished his work, it was Mrs. Wang's turn. A portrait of Confucius hangs high. There is an Eight Immortals table in front of the painting, with an incense burner at the front, and then some of the scholars’ favorite snacks.

The long and thin rice dumplings, shaped like a writing brush, are called bi rice dumplings. You will know the meaning after reading this pronunciation a few times. The one in the middle is a square rice dumpling, shaped like an official seal. Its name is Yin Zongzi, which means that it naturally hopes that the child will become an official in high school as soon as possible.

There are many similar things, such as Dingsheng cake, which are all like stars over the moon, with Bi Zong and Yin Zong as the centers.

Mrs. Wang picked up the prepared ink pen and touched it a little between Chen Heng's eyebrows, leaving a trace of ink. This was to enlighten his mind. Then he took Chen Heng to salute the portrait of Confucius, and read: The Master said: Learn and practice it from time to time. Isn't that right?

Chen Heng also followed suit and read: Confucius said: Learn and practice from time to time, it's not the same thing.

The ceremony is completed.

Seeing Mrs. Wang nodding, the patriarch Chen Xing and his grandfather Chen Gaishan, one holding the gong and the other playing the drum, could only play three times. This was to tell their ancestors and fellow villagers that our village would also have scholars.

After personally experiencing an enlightenment ceremony, Chen Qi and Chen Huaijin realized how important reading is. His eyes quietly fell on the upright figure standing next to the master. Chen Heng had a solemn face and stood with his hands behind his back, letting the breeze blowing into the hall fiddle with the hem of his clothes.

At this time, the first ray of sunlight from the sky was shining through the space in the middle of the ancestral hall. Outside the ancestral hall, roosters crowed, and the east was bright.

Standing under the shadow of the eaves and witnessing this scene, Master Wang gently stroked his beard, shook his head and said, What a good sign!

I wonder if he will remember himself decades ago.

Thank you everyone for voting, and it’s an unexpected surprise that two book friends left messages. Thanks to Cat Chirp Beard and Yucheng Dada, it really makes me happy that there are people in the book review section.

Come on, let me remember this book for the first time. The first person to vote is: a big orange. The first comment was: Cat chirping beard. The first inter-chapter voiceover is that of Gentle school beauty.