Liu Rumeng's words were frank and clear, neither humble nor arrogant.
She instantly won the favor of almost everyone, and everyone accepted her explanation as a matter of course.
After all, they have worked so hard, so it is not surprising that they know the answers to these questions.
However, as soon as she finished speaking, Professor Li Bingzheng, a history professor known for his rigor and even a bit old-fashioned, immediately raised his hand and asked to speak.
After getting the host's permission, Professor Li stood up, adjusted his glasses, and shot a sharp look at Liu Rumeng through the lenses, saying in a serious tone:
"Ms. Liu, the experience you described is very touching. But as a judge, I must be responsible for the fairness of the competition.
Your words alone won't dispel everyone's doubts about this perfect score. To verify your statement and to be fair to all contestants...
Could I ask you right here and now about the origins of a few similar, but perhaps less familiar, Hong Kong place names or customs? No need to write them down on the answer sheet; please answer them verbally and immediately!
It has to be said that in order to show the fairness of the competition to the outside world, TVB invites judges who are professional and have high social status. It is impossible for them to sacrifice their social reputation for the popularity of TVB's competition.
Therefore, these judges are very responsible and are quite fair in scoring and judging.
When there are doubts or questions, they will take the initiative to raise questions.
However, this is undoubtedly an open challenge for Liu Rumeng!
The scene instantly became quiet again, and everyone's heart was hanging in the air.
A gleam of light flashed in Fang Yihua's eyes for a moment. She didn't believe that Liu Rumeng really had such profound knowledge that could be compared with the history professor of the University of Hong Kong.
As long as Liu Rumeng makes some mistakes when answering Professor Li's questions, even if the score of the previous question and answer session counts, it will greatly affect the judges' impression of Liu Rumeng in the subsequent stages.
On the stage, Zhu Lingling clenched her fists hidden under her skirt, and cold sweat oozed from her palms.
She stared at Liu Rumeng intently. This segment should have been the starting point for her comeback, but unexpectedly, she was completely suppressed by Liu Rumeng, and the score gap between the two was widened!
If Liu Rumeng can pass Professor Li's test, she must perform even better in the final public welfare vision segment to reverse the decline!
Meanwhile, Liu Rumeng faced Professor Li's sharp, questioning gaze without the slightest fear. Instead, she displayed a calm and composed smile and spoke clearly into the microphone:
"please."
After getting the consent, Professor Li asked without hesitation:
"Okay! First question: What was the old name for 'Aberdeen' used by fishermen before the port was established? Why was it renamed 'Aberdeen' by the British?"
Liu Rumeng answered fluently without thinking:
"Fishermen used to call it 'Shek Pai Wan'. When the British first arrived, they asked about the place's name, and fishermen or guides replied that 'Hong Kong' meant the island. The British then mistakenly thought the harbor was called 'Hong Kong' and recorded it in official documents as 'Hong Kong Bay'. This later became 'Aberdeen' – a beautiful misunderstanding in the process of place naming. The name Shek Pai Wan later came to refer to the area further inland."
The answer is accurate and points out the evolutionary relationship between the old name and the new name.
A hint of surprise flashed in Professor Li's eyes. He didn't expect that Liu Rumeng could explain the old name "Shek Pai Wan" and the origin of the misunderstanding so clearly.
You know, he used this question in class not long ago to test his graduate students, but no one could answer it.
From this we can see that Liu Rumeng has a considerable grasp of Hong Kong history and place names.
After asking the first question, Professor Li actually no longer doubted that Liu Rumeng's answer was based on her true ability.
But he also wanted to see the depth and breadth of Liu Rumeng's knowledge.
So, he thought for a moment and immediately asked a second, even less popular question:
"Excellent answer. Second question: What natural phenomenon or geographical feature does the 'big wave' in the name 'Tai Lang Sai Wan' in Sai Kung refer to?"
Liu Rumeng smiled slightly and immediately replied:
"Professor Li, the word 'lang' doesn't refer to ocean waves. In the local dialect, it's closer to 'long' or 'lang', meaning an open river valley basin.
Tai Long Sai Wan is located on the east coast of the Sai Kung Peninsula, with Anaconda Point and Tin Tai Shan at its back and the endless sea in front. Its inland area has a relatively open and flat river valley extending into the sea, hence the name 'Tai Long Sai Wan', meaning a bay where an open basin meets the sea.
This answer is not only correct, pointing out the localized differences in pronunciation and meaning, but also provides a detailed description of the terrain and even fills in the details that Professor Li deliberately ignored.
As a result, even the serious expression on Professor Li's face was gradually replaced by surprise.
The audience was also fascinated by the performance, and many locals had expressions of "I see".
Professor Li took a deep breath and asked what he thought was the most unpopular question:
"Third question! Regarding the origin of the name 'Da Gu Ling' in the New Territories, there are several folk theories, but which one is generally considered to be closer to historical facts? What specific activity or tool is it related to? Please elaborate!"
This question is extremely difficult. Many locals only know the name and are not clear about the exact origin, so there are many different opinions.
Liu Rumeng thought for two seconds, then spoke clearly and fluently:
Some say the name 'Da Gu Ling' originated from its feng shui resemblance to a large drum, or that a military garrison once beat drums to tell time. However, according to the 1850s Xianfeng period, the important historical document "Roster of Villages Under the Administration of the Guanfusi" in Xin'an County (now Bao'an County and the New Territories of Hong Kong) clearly records 'Da Gu Ling' as 'Da Gu Ling'.
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