Chapter 280 What kind of disciple do you want to find?
Chai Yuanwei listened quietly, without refuting or asking any questions. He just looked at her quietly, as if waiting for her to continue.
"I know that this is the first time that Master has met my eldest brother, and I don't know his character or knowledge, but some things cannot be hidden."
Sang Yu naturally didn't think that he could convince the former censor who made a living by talking with just his eloquence.
Having said that, she took out a stack of papers from her bosom, each of which contained an article of varying lengths.
"Please take a look at these first, Master."
Once people develop the habit of writing regularly, it is difficult to change it. What they see, hear, think, and feel will stimulate their inner desire to create and express themselves.
Since there were pens and ink in the house, Sang Xingjia's writing frequency has increased significantly. These were all taken out of his room by Sang Yu.
Although her behavior was not very nice, she asked Sang Xingjia in advance if she could read what he wrote.
At that time, Sang Xingjia was very generous and let her read and use his works as she pleased, and not to despise the fact that his articles were just mediocre.
Of course, Sang Yu would never show such private chapters like diaries to others even if he had obtained Sang Xingjia's permission in advance.
Sang Yu handed over a stack of scattered but neatly folded papers. Chai Yuanwei, with some wet mud on his hands, glanced at it and walked past her without saying a word.
Unexpectedly, he didn't even give her this little face. Sang Yu was stunned for a moment, but she quickly reacted.
Just as he was about to catch up and continue to persuade her, he heard Que'er beside him whisper a reminder: "Sister Sang, please follow my father to the front. His hands are covered in mud, and he needs to wash them before he can see."
It was fine when she was around her father, but he would be very picky about anything that came into contact with books. Even if it was just someone else's manuscript, he would wash his hands before touching it.
Sang Yu suddenly realized that Master Chai's look at her just now was to ask her to follow him, but she didn't understand it at all.
"Thank you, Sister Que'er. I'll make you some dessert tomorrow."
Sang Yu smiled and nodded to thank her, then hurriedly chased in the direction Chai Yuanwei left.
Just as Que'er said, Chai Yuanwei scooped water from the front yard to wash his hands and dried them carefully, then stretched out his hand to ask for the manuscript. Sang Yu hurriedly and respectfully handed it to her.
In fact, the manuscripts brought by Sang Yu did not contain all profound and abstruse words. There were also some short articles that casually expressed feelings, but Chai Yuanwei read them very seriously.
For a writer who wants to understand another writer, the simplest and easiest way is to read the other person's articles.
Maybe some people appear to be upright and honorable on the surface, but in fact they are despicable and no one knows about it.
It may not be comprehensive to judge a person's character from his article, but the words between the lines are enough to show whether he has real talent.
Chai Yuanwei read the manuscript in his hand expressionlessly, and had already formed a preliminary judgment in his mind about Sang Xingjia, the man who wrote these articles. He was indeed a man of real talent.
But...why should he change his original idea because of this?
"I have finished reading the manuscript. Your brother is indeed a talented person with great potential, but he is not the disciple I am looking for. Please go back, young lady."
What a stubborn old man! Sang Yu cursed in his heart, but he still had to maintain a smile on his face.
"Master Chai, I'd like to ask, what kind of disciple are you looking for?"
Although it was a question, Sang Yu, who asked it, did not wait for the other party to answer before continuing to ask: "Is it someone who is upright and has integrity, or someone who is honest and self-disciplined and can endure poverty, or someone who has a deep foundation in classics and history, and is brilliant in writing and eloquent?"
After listening to her questions patiently, and when she stopped talking, Chai Yuanwei looked at her with a puzzled expression.
If he didn't know that he had never seen the young lady in front of him in the capital, he would probably have mistaken her for his close friend.
As an imperial censor, Chai Yuanwei did have the idea of finding a student and accepting a disciple.
But the disciple he wanted was not just one who could study the classics, history, and literature with him, but a combination of a "political successor" and an "academic student."
Nowadays, the saying "master and apprentice are like father and son" is not just empty talk. After completing the apprenticeship ceremony, the disciple is required to send the teacher New Year gifts and birthday gifts, and provide support and bury the teacher in his old age.
Since he chose to be a poor censor, Chai Yuanwei had no intention of currying favor with officials from the beginning. He only wanted to do his job well and be the "eyes and ears of the emperor."
If he accepted a disciple, he could not give him any political status or security. Even after becoming a civil servant, the disciple would face various risks and his life would be in danger.
Therefore, he has very high requirements for his disciples. It can be said that if there is someone who possesses the qualities that Sang Yu just mentioned and is not the only son in the family, then he might consider it.
He only told this to two old friends of his, and no one else had any way of knowing it. But the young lady in front of him could see through his thoughts at a glance. She was truly a very smart person.
"Since you know what I'm thinking, why bother to keep forcing me?"
Chai Yuanwei sighed. Is it really a good thing to be his disciple?
Although the exiled censor had a reputation, he wondered when he would ever return to the imperial court, or when he would be re-convicted. Living in constant fear and having to bring trouble to his family was truly exhausting.
"Master Chai, it is precisely because I know your thoughts that I strongly recommend my brother."
"He perfectly meets your requirements. He may still be lacking in classics and history, but these minor flaws can definitely be remedied with two years of careful instruction."
Sang Yu's words were so resounding and powerful that Chai Yuanwei, who was about to turn around to see him off, paused and fell into deep thought.
He felt that Sang Yu's words seemed to make some sense, but he also felt that she was sophistry, and he was confused for a while.
Seeing him stop moving, Sang Yu's eyes lit up. She knew that he was moved by her persuasion, so she quickly struck while the iron was hot.
"My brother is not greedy for money or lustful. While in the capital, he devoted himself to learning and has a kind character. After coming to Lingnan, he experienced the suffering of the people and knew how difficult it was for them to survive."
"And with his family's business income, he will never be short of money. He is definitely a good official who loves the people like his own children and is honest and self-disciplined."
Chai Yuanwei, who was already somewhat tempted, became even more excited after hearing these words. If what she said was true, Sang Xingjia seemed to be the most suitable disciple candidate he could find.
After Sang Yu finished speaking, she kept a close eye on Chai Yuanwei's expression, but his face did not show any of his thoughts or attitudes. Facing his expressionless face, she really couldn't guess what he was thinking.
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