After asking around, I finally found out that there are two private schools in Shanshui Town. One of them, which is larger, is run by Scholar Jiang. Scholar Jiang is in his early forties and passed the imperial examination a few years ago. He then opened a private school in the town, which currently has more than 20 students.
Another smaller private school was run by an elderly scholar who was over fifty years old. He mainly accepted students who were just beginning their education, and there weren't many students.
"I just asked the bookstore owner, and everyone wants to send their children to Scholar Jiang's private school. However, you need to take an exam to get into Scholar Jiang's private school, and he doesn't accept just anyone."
Just now, in order to gather information, Zhao Guihua and her group went to the bookstore and bought three books: the Three Character Classic, the Hundred Family Surnames, and the Thousand Character Classic. These three books would have to be bought sooner or later after entering the private school, so they might as well buy them now.
"I heard that Scholar Jiang doesn't accept children who can't read a single character. This scholar is arrogant and doesn't look down on children who aren't bright, unless they are from wealthy families." Zhao Guihua looked worried. All her children were illiterate, and Erfu and Sifu looked a bit simple-minded. She was afraid they wouldn't be able to catch Scholar Jiang's eye at all.
"What arrogance? I bet he's just greedy for money. Otherwise, why would he accept children from wealthy families?" Zhao Guizhi said indignantly.
However, she only cursed once and didn't say anything more, because she knew that children from wealthy families would start their early education from the age of four or five. They would start memorizing the Three Character Classic and the Hundred Family Surnames at a very young age, and some would start learning to write at the age of three.
Poor families really can't compare; this world is just so unfair.
“Mother, don’t be sad. Let’s go study with that old scholar. We don’t care about the teacher’s teaching, as long as we can read, that’s enough.” Zhou Erfu said indifferently. In his opinion, what’s the point of studying? Being confined to a private school and managed by the teacher is too uncomfortable. It’s much more comfortable to go up the mountain to dig for medicinal herbs.
Zhou Sifu didn't think it was a big deal. He didn't like studying either, but his parents insisted that he study, so he decided to give it a try.
“It doesn’t matter where we study, do you expect us to pass the imperial examinations?” Zhou Wufu also had an indifferent attitude.
Only Zhou Dafu and Zhou Sanfu kept their heads down and didn't speak. They wanted to go to a better private school, study hard, and maybe they could pass the imperial examinations in the future.
However, they didn't want to trouble their mother or be separated from their brothers, so the best solution was to go to the old scholar's school. They didn't need to take exams; they could start school as long as they paid tuition.
"Let's go to Master Gu's private school. If we go to Scholar Jiang's, we'll have to ask for help, and even then, it might not be successful."
Zhou Sanfu meant that they shouldn't care about others' opinions. The five brothers were already ten years old, and starting their education at that age was obviously too late. Moreover, their family was poor, so it was no wonder that Scholar Jiang would not take them seriously.
Zhao Guihua was initially hesitant, but seeing that her sons all said they were willing to go to the old scholar's private school, she knew that it was already good enough that her sons could recognize characters at their age. Did she really expect them to take the imperial examinations?
You can absolutely go to the old scholar's place without taking the imperial examinations.
So Zhao Guihua and her group inquired about the old scholar's residence, bought three catties of pastries, and went to visit him. The old scholar's house was in a dilapidated alley, and it was clear that the villagers in that area lived in poverty, and the houses were old.
The old scholar's family lived in a three-courtyard house. It looked rather dilapidated from the outside, but it was quite spacious inside and kept very clean and tidy.
As the old scholar grew older and his health deteriorated, he had taken on fewer and fewer students in recent years. These students would study with him for about a year before taking the exam at Scholar Jiang's private school. If they passed, they could enter Scholar Jiang's private school.
If Scholar Jiang refused to accept a child, but the family still wanted the child to continue studying, they would let the child continue studying with the old scholar for another year or two, and then the child could become an apprentice to the accountant.
In fact, most poor people are like this. Those who can study for a few years are usually those whose elders are more resourceful. They grit their teeth and send their children to school for a few years, and then they go out to find work.
Scientific expeditions are like a thousand troops crossing a single-plank bridge; the hardships and difficulties involved are unimaginable. Moreover, they must be based on a solid economic foundation. Without sufficient funds, even the most academically gifted person can only give up.
It is said that Master Gu currently only has five students. This was told to him by Master Gu's wife. Master Gu went to the county town to visit his former classmate the day before yesterday. It is said that his classmate passed the imperial examination and became a scholar.
That scholar was ten years younger than Master Gu, at forty-six, which was quite an achievement. It was said that Master Gu had saved his life more than ten years ago, and the man was grateful. Over the years, he had maintained contact with Master Gu and often helped the old scholar's family.
Immediately after passing the imperial examination, he sent a letter inviting Master Gu to the county town to celebrate together.
Madam Gu smiled gently, "If you want to send the child here, you'll have to wait another ten days. My old man won't be back for ten days."
The old scholar's family did not live a comfortable life. His son was forty years old this year, but he was honest and simple. His wife was also an honest woman. They made a living by farming.
The three grandsons were somewhat clever, but only slightly more clever than their parents; they weren't particularly bright. This time, the old scholar took all three grandsons to the county town to broaden their horizons.
If his fellow scholar could give his three grandsons some pointers, that would be good. The three grandsons have been studying with him since they were young. Although they are not particularly talented, they are hardworking and have a solid foundation. If they could get guidance from the scholar, they would be able to pass the provincial examination and become students next year.
When Madam Gu thought about how taking in seven more students would increase their tuition fees and make things easier for the family, she was happy. She figured that whether her husband taught five students or ten, it would be the same. So she chatted with Zhao Guihua more.
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