Chapter 138: Introducing the Master

The next morning.

Ye Caiping, Ye Daquan and his wife, Ye Erquan and his wife, and Old Man Ye, along with Ye Xuan and Ye Peng, came to Master Qian's house.

Master Qian invited everyone into the main hall. After the servants served tea, he said, "Xuan'er Peng'er, go to the kitchen to find Aunt Chen and see if the snacks are ready."

Ye Xuan and Ye Peng knew that this was a way to get them away so that they could talk about something, so they responded and turned to leave.

Ye Daquan and others were very nervous.

Mrs. Du held the teacup tightly and said, "Master, is it that Xuan'er is not studying well?"

"No, Xuan'er is fine."

"What about Peng'er?" Wei asked anxiously.

Master Qian frowned and said, "This is exactly the first thing I want to say today."

"Xuan'er is very outstanding. He is the most talented one among all the students I have taught. He can learn things at once. In another three or four years, he may be able to pass the county and prefectural examinations and become a student."

Ye Daquan and others were all shocked.

"As for Peng'er..." Master Qian stroked his goatee:

"I'll tell you the truth! He has made little progress. In my opinion, he is not suitable for the imperial examination. Of course, studying is not about aptitude, but persistence. But Peng'er is always absent-minded and lazy."

"I think it's better for him to go home and do something he likes."

Ye Caiping and Old Man Ye were surprised to hear this, but not at all shocked.

Wei was shocked: "Master Qian, do you want my son Peng to stop studying?"

"Well... that's it."

"But... he only started studying last November, which is only two months. How can you sentence him to death? He should have studied for at least one or two years, right?"

Master Qian: “…”

Wei felt that Master Qian was too arbitrary to decide a child's future so easily.

Old Man Ye and Ye Caiping had long seen that Ye Peng was not interested in studying, but since Ye Peng was Wei's son, they couldn't say anything at this moment.

Ye Daquan and his wife found it even more difficult to talk to him. After all, their son had been praised earlier, and Wei didn't want them to feel that they were gloating over his misfortune.

Ye Erquan said: "Mother, if Peng'er doesn't like to study, then don't study."

"How can that be possible? No matter what, studying is better than not studying. We can't give up now. We have to force him." Wei said and looked at Master Qian, "Master, is that right?"

Master Qian thought to himself, I think I just made it very clear!

Mr. Qian didn't want to disparage such an ambitious parent, so he nodded and said, "That's right."

"That's fine. At least let him study for another year or two. If he really can't do it, we won't force him."

Ye Erquan looked at Ye Caiping worriedly: "What do you think, little sister?"

The one who came out to wear the suit was my younger sister.

Ye Caiping nodded: "Then continue reading."

She said she would support her two nephews' studies, and she naturally kept her word. And with Ye Xuan there for comparison, if she doesn't let Ye Peng recite it, wouldn't that be a slap in the face of her second brother and sister-in-law?

Parents who love their children will plan for them in the long run.

She didn't quite agree with Wei's approach, but she could understand it.

Wei's mood improved again and he sat back in his chair.

Ye Caiping picked up the teacup and took a sip: "Master, you called us here today to talk about more than just this, right?"

"Yes." Master Qian said, looking conflicted, "I think you should find a new master for Xuan'er."

"Xuan'er has outstanding talent. If he follows a teacher with better knowledge, he will have a better future. I'm afraid that he will be buried under me."

Ye Caiping, Ye Daquan and his wife, and Old Man Ye were all stunned when they heard this, and then they were surprised.

These words...are extremely high praise.

"The child's father..." Mrs. Du tightly grasped Ye Daquan's hand, and was so excited that she couldn't speak.

Old man Ye’s back was also tense. Could it be that their family could really produce a scholar?

Wei felt sad. Although she was happy for Ye Xuan, Ye Peng had just been persuaded to leave...

"Master, you are too modest. You are the best master I have ever met." Ye Caiping was surprised and had deep respect for Master Qian.

The best thing is good character and teacher ethics!

A person who has the courage to admit his or her shortcomings in front of others is worthy of respect.

"It's just that... we don't know where to find a better teacher for him right now." Ye Caiping said, "Does the teacher have any recommendations?"

"I actually have a..." Master Qian looked a little hesitant, "That Master Shen is..."

As he spoke, he lowered his voice a little: "He retired from the Imperial College in the capital."

Ye Caiping took a breath, Imperial College!

That was the number one institution of learning in the Zhou Dynasty!

Old Man Ye and the other two's eyes lit up. Although they didn't know what the Imperial College was, they knew the capital city!

Anyway, anything related to the capital is good!

"A teacher from Beijing!" Mrs. Du stuttered. "Will it be very expensive?"

"Whether it is expensive or not...I don't know either." Master Qian hesitated.

Ye Caiping said, "We'll talk about the matter of Shuxiu after we meet. Can you introduce me to someone?"

Master Qian choked and smiled awkwardly: "To be honest, I can't recommend you. I know Master Shen, but Master Shen doesn't know me, hahahaha."

Ye Caiping: “…”

"That was about seven or eight years ago!" Master Qian recalled, "At that time, I took my son to the capital to study, and I was fortunate to attend a lecture given by Master Shen. That's when I learned about the existence of such a great scholar."

"We went home and forgot about it."

"I didn't expect that a year ago, I actually saw him in town. Later, I specifically asked my old classmates in Beijing about it, and they said that Master Shen was implicated in some struggles in the court, and since then he has retired and left Beijing and I don't know where he is."

"I saw him not once, but several times. I just knew that he was living in seclusion here."

"This Master Shen is very knowledgeable, a top scholar, and has worked in the Imperial College for more than ten years. He has taught two top scholars and dozens of Jinshi."

Ye Caiping was very moved when she heard this.

Mrs. Du, Ye Daquan and others were so nervous that their hearts were in their throats.

Master Qian took a sip of tea and said, "Under normal circumstances, we would never meet such a great scholar in our lifetime. But now he lives in seclusion here... I think we might as well try our luck. Xuan'er has good talent, maybe he will take a fancy to him?"

"Even if you don't like it, it's always worth trying."

Ye Caiping nodded straight: "Excuse me, Master Qian, where does this Master Shen live?"

“It’s near the North Street in town. It says Shen Mansion. It’s very conspicuous. You can go look for it.”

"good."

"Thank you, Master Qian!" Mrs. Du said excitedly.

"Don't be so quick to thank me. I'm just asking you to try your luck. The chances of success are slim. If it doesn't work, I'll recommend Xuan'er to take the entrance exam for the county school. The county school will start recruiting students in April."

"County school?" Mrs. Du was startled. "Is it the school that Li Zhiyuan studied in?"

"The county school is the government school. There is only one in Yue'an County, so it should be that one." Ye Caiping said, "But didn't the county school start classes in February? Why is it only enrolling students in April?"

Master Qian said, "The county exams will be over in April. As long as you pass the Tongsheng exam, you can enter the school without taking the exam. If you fail, you have to take the exam. So the enrollment is unified in April."

Ye Caiping and others nodded after hearing this.