Chapter 244: What books have you read?
Sang Yu is not a fool. It is understandable for him to make excuses once or twice, but if he does it again and again, it can only mean one thing - there must be something fishy.
"Hmph, I wonder how long he can hide."
I happened to be busy today, so I'll let him go for now. When I have time, I'll see how she gets to the bottom of this matter and get to the bottom of it.
"Let's go to the upper village."
A clear stream flows through the whole route, with the waterway winding and twisting, sometimes narrow and sometimes wide.
There is no formal bridge between the upper village and the lower village. Most people just put a stone slab in the narrow part and walk on it to cross the river.
After crossing the river, the group of four had just walked along the path for a while when they saw another group of people in the distance.
Some were big, some were small, some were carrying food in their arms or on their backs, and it seemed that their destination was the same.
Sang Yongjing, who was originally calm and wanted to show his grace, suddenly became anxious and urged several people to leave quickly.
"Hurry up, hurry up. If you go too late, the quota will be full and it will be difficult to deal with it."
Private schools in the village generally do not accept too many students.
First of all, since I have accepted the tuition, I have to be responsible for the students and check their progress every day. It is difficult to manage too many students.
Secondly, this is a bit like the small classes of later generations, which have a certain threshold. If you are really dull, no matter how much the tuition fee is, the teacher will not be willing to accept you.
Mr. Chai's house was easy to find. The door was open and a little girl of about eleven or twelve was standing at the door leading the way.
When Sang Yu and his group approached, he was about to ask if this was Master Chai's home.
The little girl stared at Sang Yu for a long time, and then suddenly realized as if she had finally remembered where she had seen her before: "Oh, I've seen you before, selling cattails, right?"
When she said this, Sang Yu immediately recognized her: "It's you."
Speaking of which, this person was her first customer in her stall career. Meeting her here must be Mr. Chai’s daughter. It was really a fate.
"Are you sending your brother to school?" Que'er looked at Sang Xinghao who was following behind her with some curiosity.
"Yes, send my younger brother and sister to school together." Sang Yu deliberately emphasized the word "sister".
Que'er was stunned, then looked at Xiaozhao. Can girls also go to school with him?
But no matter how surprised she was, she couldn't make a decision on this matter and had to listen to her father.
"You guys go in first, my father is in the yard."
"Thank you." Sang Yu thanked her and led the others inside.
As soon as I entered the yard, I saw more than ten people leading their children and standing separately. A middle-aged man with a willow-leaf beard was walking around the yard and communicating with them one by one. It seemed that he was Master Chai.
Sang Yu and Sang Yongjing followed suit, found a quiet and deserted place and stood there, waiting for the other party to come over and communicate.
After waiting patiently for a long time, it was their turn. When Chai Yuanwei saw Sang Yongjing with three children, one big and two small, he couldn't help but frown.
But everyone who comes is a guest, so no matter how much he dislikes it, he has to have a brief chat with the guests.
When he came closer, he first bowed to Sang Yongjing and said, "My name is Chai Yuanwei, and I'm the teacher of the new private school. I wonder if there's anyone who wants to enroll?"
Sang Yongjing quickly returned the greeting and pointed to Sang Xinghao who was looking around curiously beside him.
"Master Chai, my name is Sang Yongjing, and this is my youngest son, Sang Xinghao, who has just turned seven. He attended school for a year and can read a few words. I hope Master Chai will accept him as his own."
Chai Yuanwei raised his eyebrows slightly. "After a year of school, has he already become enlightened?" It seems that he is not a local of the village, but an unfortunate person who was exiled here.
He was thinking clearly, but his face didn't show any emotion. He stroked his willow-leaf beard and asked, "What books have you read?"
Sang Xinghao obviously didn't realize that the question was directed at him, and only came to his senses after being reminded by Sang Yongjing. He replied nervously, "I have read the Three Character Classic, Hundred Family Surnames, Thousand Character Classic, and Thousand Family Poems."
Chai Yuanwei was a little surprised. The three articles of "Three Hundred Thousand" were almost essential books for all children to learn to read, so it was not uncommon to have read them. However, "A Thousand Family Poems" was a bit difficult for a young child who had just started to learn.
It is not only difficult to recite the verses, but also difficult to understand the meaning of the verses.
He wanted to test how well Sang Xinghao had learned, whether he was just memorizing the words or truly grasping their meaning, so he asked, "What does 'Spring Dawn' mean? Do you know?"
Sang Xinghao actually knew this. He nodded and replied, "It means that one is sleepy in spring and is awakened by the singing of birds. Time flies, and beautiful things are impermanent."
Since he could say the first two sentences, Chai Yuanwei already felt that he was a talented seedling who could be accepted as a disciple and taught well. He would definitely achieve something in the future.
But after he finished the last two sentences, Chai Yuanwei looked at Sang Xinghao again, with a burning look in his eyes, as if he saw the reincarnation of Wenquxing.
"Okay, okay, you have such insights at such a young age. I will accept you as my disciple."
It was an unexpected gain, truly an unexpected gain. He had originally only wanted to open a private school to earn some money to supplement his family income, but he had never expected to meet such a good seedling. Chai Yuanwei was overjoyed.
"Hey, Master Chai, we have a child at home. Why don't we take him in together?" After being poked on the arm by Sang Yu, Sang Yongjing finally spoke up to remind him at the right time.
"Another child?"
The smile on Chai Yuanwei's face suddenly froze. He glanced at Sang Yu and Xiao Zhao beside him, and finally his gaze fell on Xiao Zhao, who was about the same age as Sang Xinghao.
"She wants to go to private school too?"
"Yes, Master Chai, my sister is very smart and can learn anything once taught. Please accept her as your wife." Sang Yu took the opportunity to help and speak in good words.
"It's enough for a girl to learn a few words. Why does she need to go to a private school?"
Chai Yuanwei's ideas may be old-fashioned, but not that old-fashioned. At least he believes that women should be literate.
But to say that his ideas are advanced is definitely not the case.
In his opinion, if a woman cannot pass the imperial examinations, she will have to get married when she reaches adulthood, and then take care of her husband and children. It is unnecessary for her to learn poetry and books and reason with others.
Therefore, he had not even taught his own two daughters, so how could he teach a girl from another family?
"Master Chai, I respect your knowledge and know you must be well-read, but who says women don't need to attend private schools?"
Others may hear this, but Sang Yu cannot bear to hear it at all.
Due to the limitations of the times, it was very difficult for women at that time to receive a good education, and even if they did, they had nowhere to display their skills.
But does this mean that women should not study or read?
It was rare to meet such a sharp-tongued young lady. Chai Yuanwei did not leave in anger. Instead, he asked with interest, "Oh? What's the point of a woman studying? As long as you can convince me, I will accept this child."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
