Chapter 6

Chapter 6

An Changsun, who is nine years old this year, covered his red and swollen hands. He is usually naughty at home. Except for the village chief, few people can discipline him. Naturally, he is unhappy now.

Ji Li next to him also grinned.

I don’t know what happened to Master Zhao. He has been very strict since the New Year. If you can’t recite something, you will be hit on the hand.

Being slapped on the palms was a common occurrence, sometimes for not finishing homework, sometimes for not paying attention in class.

"What a sour scholar! No wonder he failed the imperial examination."

"That's right. I couldn't pass the exam even though I was over fifty, so I had to come back to teach. It's disgusting."

An Changsun and Ji Li exchanged words with each other, and went home to eat lunch while cursing at the same time.

There was not a single one of the fourteen students in the private school who did not dislike Master Zhao. It was so annoying. If they could not recite the text well, they would be beaten.

What else is there to say? An Xiaohe has already started reading "The Great Learning" among the Four Books, but they are dragging their feet.

There are more than a dozen books, they just forgot them temporarily. They had memorized them before. It’s so annoying. Who knew they would be tested on the homework from the previous year.

"No wonder his mother is always sick."

"He should be made sick and never get well again."

"That's right! His son deserved to die young."

"My grandson is also a sickly child!"

Ji Yuan was walking in front and couldn't help but look back and said, "Master Zhao is your teacher. Once a teacher, he is a father for life. You should respect your teacher."

After only a month's holiday in December, they had already forgotten everything they had learned before, and had to ask Master Zhao to review it from the beginning.

In this situation, it is really inappropriate to blame your teacher.

Moreover, Ji Yuan knew that Master Zhao was not the kind of person who would deliberately make things difficult for others.

"Look at this cowherd boy. He still respects his teacher."

An Changsun laughed loudly and casually pulled Ji Li by his side: "See? A cowherd boy without a father or a mother knows what it means to respect teachers."

Ji Li picked up a small stone. He was used to bullying Ji Yuan, and he was in a bad mood today, so he threw it directly at Ji Yuan: "You unlucky star, get out of here!"

As they spoke, they looked at Ji Li.

Just as Ji Li was about to continue smashing, he saw Ji Yuan coming over with the ox and heard Ji Yuan say, "Hit!"

Xiao Huang is six months old. Although still a calf, he weighs more than 160 pounds. He used all his strength to ram into the two men.

They were so scared that they ran around everywhere.

"Death Star! What are you doing!?"

"Stop the cow!"

"quick!"

An Changsun was so scared that he started crying and his pants were wet.

Ji Yuan was not a child after all, he just wanted to scare them and waved at Xiao Huang.

As expected, Xiao Huang stopped obediently and walked slowly to Ji Yuan.

When Ji Yuan left in a swagger, the two people who were crying together were shaking with anger.

An Changsun suddenly thought of something and said, "I think I saw Ji Yuan outside the private school today."

After hearing this, Ji Li looked confused. Ji Li asked, "Did you herd the cattle there?"

"No, he's sitting there, still writing and drawing."

"You must have seen it wrong." Ji Li said, and An Changsun also felt a little unconfident.

"Well, let's wait and see in the next few days and find something to hold against him!"

An Changsun was anxious to go home. His pants were wet and he felt very uncomfortable.

The two men nodded, determined to find something on Ji Yuan!

In the afternoon, Ji Yuan cleaned the Ji family's yard in advance and went to cut grass to prepare for the cows to eat.

Cows need to eat grass to grow well. He often grazed the cattle near the private school, and they could only eat the grass there, so he had to supplement it with other fodder.

Finally, he gathered the firewood and hurried to the private school.

No matter how much work there is to do in a day, this matter cannot be neglected.

This was his way of leaving Anki Village.

It is the best way to fulfill Little Era’s last wish.

Ji Yuan was still sitting under the private school with the open window.

According to Master Zhao's teaching progress, he originally planned to start teaching "The Great Learning" among the Four Books and Five Classics after the New Year.

But because a few students really didn't take it seriously, most of them had to review again, so the lesson was delayed.

Today he has changed his method. Those who can recite the primer can follow him to read "The Great Learning".

If they don't know how to recite it, they have to memorize it until they can recite it. He will check the students' progress every day. If they still can't recite it, he will continue to hit their hands.

Master Zhao’s teaching method is indeed strict, but it is visibly effective.

Even Ji Li could recite the entire text haltingly.

I think in a few days, the students of the private school in Anji Village will be able to really touch the first step towards the imperial examination.

Ji Yuan listened and wrote down the words he didn't know, and looked up at the whiteboard.

But he always felt that someone was watching him.

When he looked over, the gaze disappeared again.

It shouldn't be.

Mr. Zhao's private school was built in a secluded place, and basically no villagers would pass by.

The students inside didn't dare to look around. Who would look at him? He must have been overthinking.

After school in the evening, Ji Yuan saw Master Zhao checking the homework of the remaining students, so he left early.

He had discussed with Uncle An Wu, the village chief's family, and decided to go and collect the money earned from digging wild vegetables at this time.

It was because he left early that Ji Li and An Changsun felt a little strange, so they could only say, "We'll see tomorrow."

On the second day, Ji Yuan woke up early again, looked at the stars, and couldn't help saying, "This is what it means to get up early to clean up the wasteland, and go home with a hoe under the moonlight."

But he is not so leisurely, he is working hard.

So I slept very well last night.

Ji Yuan touched the twenty-three cents in his innermost pocket, which was given to him by Uncle An Wu yesterday.

A few more cents than expected.

Good, good.

Ji Yuan didn't dare leave it at the Ji family and carried it with him.

I met Uncle An Wu again today, and gave him things as usual. But Uncle An Wu was not going to the county town today. They go there once every three days in Anji Village.

We have to wait until the day after tomorrow to go again.

Ji Yuan naturally understood and thanked Uncle An again.

Uncle An Wu was shocked: "You go out early and come back late every day. If my nephew works half as hard as you, he will be able to succeed in school."

The nephew he was talking about was An Changsun.

In fact, his full name is An Zhengfei. You can tell from the name that it was chosen seriously.

He was usually very naughty at home, but because he was the eldest grandson in the eldest son's family, anyone could bully him, even his youngest uncle. The only thing they did was to praise him because he was a scholar.

Ji Yuan thought of An Changsun's usual temper and said quickly, "It's better not to say that."

Otherwise, disaster will surely come.

Uncle An waved his hand. He actually seldom spoke at home, and only talked more to the kid Ji Yuan.

Another two days passed.

After adding up the sum over the past three or four days, he finally collected enough money, sixty-two cents!

Sixty-two!

Ji Yuan felt like dozing off.

But I still held back.

This money was not easy to come by. At the Ji family, one had to do heavy housework and get up early to dig wild vegetables and herbs.

Although there is still a long way to go before I can afford to go to a private school, it is at least a little hope.

According to Uncle An Wu, if anyone works like him, they will definitely be able to build a new house within two years.

Ji Yuan smiled and said he didn’t want to build a new house.

He just wants to study hard and eat well.

It would be even better if I could buy a pen and some paper.

Ji Yuan studied university with Master Zhao, silently following every word, with a smile on his face.

Suddenly a ball of paper hit him on the head.

"Thief!"

"Look! There's a thief outside our private school!"

"A thief!"

"This cowherd is eavesdropping on us reading!"

There was a sudden noise in the private school. Master Zhao shouted coldly a few times before letting everyone sit down.

"Stretch out your hands." Master Zhao said sternly to An Changsun who was making a fuss, "You should be punished for disrupting the class."

The two were immediately shocked and pointed outside and said, "Master Zhao, someone is eavesdropping outside!"

Master Zhao naturally ignored it and continued to lead everyone in reading with his hands on the board.

But the class was still chaotic, with students looking outside from time to time.

The other windows were also opened, and they were all looking at Ji Yuan who was sitting outside the private school wall.

An Changsun and Ji Li looked at each other and were extremely proud.

They have seen it these two days!

The era is here every day!

Now that I have exposed him as a thief, let's see if he is still proud.

Last time I wet my pants, my dad and grandpa scolded me.

Ji Li felt even happier. After the New Year, Ji Yuan seemed like a different person and no one could do anything to him.

They wanted to see Ji Yuan run away in a panic, but they didn't expect that Ji Yuan outside was still calm, as if nothing had happened.

Ji Yuan smiled generously at An Dahai, who was full of surprise.

He knew that this day would come sooner or later.

There is no wall that is impenetrable.

It’s good enough that we can keep it a secret for so long.

Ji Yuan looked at Master Zhao and felt really guilty.

Everyone in the private school looked at them differently, mostly with shock and mockery.

Is it the era outside?

The era when both parents are dead?

He was actually eavesdropping outside?

As soon as the get out of class was over, the students scattered. An Changsun and Ji Li, who were the fastest runners, caught up with Ji Yuan with their "men" and laughed loudly, "Hey! Cowherd boy!"

Ji Li also blocked Ji Yuan's way as if he had caught something, but because he was afraid of Xiao Niu, he still dodged: "Unfortunate Star, it turns out you are a thief!"

Their friends also shouted: "Thief! Shame on you!"

"A cowherd boy wants to study? Dream on!"

"Can you read? Eavesdrop right here! Keep your cattle safe!"

Ji Yuan was the shortest and was surrounded by a group of people, but he was not panicked. He said directly: "Who dares to come here after being scared to pee their pants? Aren't you afraid of being scared to pee again?"

who?

Are you scared to pee your pants?

Everyone looked at each other, and An Changsun blushed: "I didn't have it anyway!"

"Oh, did I say anything to you?" Ji Yuan looked over deliberately, making An Changsun even angrier, and he came over with his fist waved.

"An Zhengfei!" Master Zhao's voice came, "Are you bullying me?"

With just one word from Master Zhao, the four or five arrogant people fled in all directions.

Leaving Ji Yuan leading the cow behind.

Ji Yuan bowed deeply to Master Zhao: "Thank you, Master."

Master Zhao nodded slightly and said, "Recite with me what you have learned these days."

The brothers An Dahai and An Xiaohe, who were originally planning to come over and say hello, quickly stopped.

What shocked them was that Ji Yuan actually recited it!

And it's very smooth! Not a single word is wrong!

Can he recite so fluently even when he is listening to lectures outside?

An Dahai seemed like he didn't know Ji Yuan, and his eyes were full of disbelief.

Everyone likes to herd cattle!

How come you can herd cattle and recite books at the same time?

Why!

Master Zhao stroked his beard, nodded, and said in a gentle tone: "Go ahead."

Ji Yuan was grateful and was about to go home when the 11-year-old An Dahai hugged his shoulders and said, "How did you carry it? Teach me!"

The private school next door, Diyi'an Xiaohe, was also shocked.

Yes, how did he memorize it? This is amazing.

At this time, the Ji family and the village chief's family were in a big fight.

Not only their family, but other students' families also started to feel unhappy.

Master Zhao actually let the cowherd boy sit in on his lessons and didn't even pay him, so those who paid would be at a disadvantage.

No! Absolutely not!