This private school in Qinghuai Township was built next to a tomb surrounded by a locust tree forest. The owner of the tomb was Lu Qinghuai, a famous sage of the previous dynasty.
Qinghuai Township was not originally called Qinghuai Township. It was renamed in memory of him because he retired and died here. This was intended to inspire future generations to inherit the legacy of the sages and become gentlemen of the next generation.
The person who founded the private school here was a descendant of Lu Qinghuai's clan.
Shopkeeper Wang went to inspect the fields nearby and agreed with Xu Jiang to meet at the intersection where they came in.
Xu Jiang first went to pay homage to Lu Qinghuai's tomb before going to the private school to look for him. When she arrived, the school was about to be dismissed. Mr. Lu, who was in his sixties, stood at the door, counting the students as they left, and gave each student some instructions, asking them to return home safely.
Seeing that most of the people had left, Xu Jiang finally emerged from the locust tree grove, driving her donkey cart. Master Lu was a little surprised when he saw her, but then he asked with a smile, "Is this Shopkeeper Xu?"
Xu Jiang bowed from a distance, "Yes, I'm honored to meet you, Master Lu." Then he added, "I'm here to bring you a book."
Master Lu looked at the sky and saw that the sun was setting. He sighed and said, "You have come all this way, but I can't even treat you to a meal. I am really sorry for not treating you well enough."
His tone was kind and friendly, not like the first time they met, but rather like a reunion after a long separation.
Xu Jiang took the book down from the car and said with a smile, "It's okay. I'll come earlier next time."
Master Lu also smiled when he heard this, "Okay."
"The book is quite heavy. Let me carry it into the house for you."
"Thank you very much."
Mr. Lu's private school was built with contributions from the villagers, and it was one of the few schools in the village with green tiles.
In the middle is a spacious main room with a desk inside, which should be used as a classroom. There are two rooms on each side, which are used as a study, bedroom, toilet and utility room respectively. Opposite the main room is the main gate of the school, which is connected to the rooms on the left and right by a wall, forming a small courtyard on all sides.
Square and clean.
Xu Jiang glanced at the wooden plaque on the door. Inscribed on it were the four characters 'Qinghuai Academy'. The strokes of the characters were rounded and smooth, with the sharpness fully restrained. The sight of the characters made one feel at peace, just like Master Lu himself.
Fascinated by it, she couldn't help but praise it: "Good calligraphy."
"What's good about it?"
"After going through so many hardships, one can finally be at peace." Xu Jiang only realized after saying this that he had been offended. He was her elder, so how could she casually comment on him? She apologized and said, "I am sorry for my rudeness, Master. Please forgive me."
Master Lu didn't care much about it. Instead, he smiled and said, "Etiquette is in the heart, not in the appearance." Then he led her into the house and into the study, asking her to put the book on the desk.
Xu Jiang put down the book and looked around the study. The books on the shelves and desks were arranged very neatly, with many categories. There were also bamboo slips, silk books, etc., which were obviously treasured collections.
She swallowed secretly.
"I heard from Ji Shan that you printed this collection of poems yourself." Master Lu picked up a collection of poems and flipped through it, nodding and saying, "The engraving is good, and the material is well selected."
Xu Jiang came back to her senses and said modestly, "Master, your praise is too great."
Master Lu smiled, turned to the back and saw Hu Xu's poems. He read two and said, "I heard that the new poems were written by the new top scholar."
"Exactly."
"As a primer, it's quite good and easy to understand. However, his mindset is unstable and he's a bit impetuous. He needs more practice."
Xu Jiang laughed dryly twice, she didn't know how to respond to this.
Master Lu noticed her embarrassment and asked, "He is your friend?"
Xu Jiang nodded.
Master Lu smiled, walked to the bookshelf, took down a book and handed it to her. She took a look and found it was a handwritten copy of "The Classic of Purity and Tranquility".
"This is……"
"Take it back and give it to him for me, as a gift for his success in the imperial examination."
They had never met before, but he had already presented a gift. However, it was difficult for the elder to refuse the gift, so Xu Jiang accepted it for Hu Xu, and then said, "This junior thanks the master on behalf of Hu Xu."
Master Lu said, "If he has time, ask him to come and thank you in person."
Xu Jiang's face was full of confusion.
Master Lu touched the poetry collection and bowed to Xu Jiang. Xu Jiang quickly gave him a small helping hand and said, "Master, this is really embarrassing for me."
"This is for the children. Thank you, Shopkeeper Xu, for the books." Master Lu smiled helplessly. "The children who come to study here are all from poor families. They can't afford to buy books. I am also very poor. All I have left is this room full of ancient books that I am reluctant to sell. So I have no choice but to ask Ji Shan for help."
Xu Jiang said sincerely, "The elders are kind and virtuous. As the saying goes: what goes up must be followed. I am merely influenced by their example. Besides, I am in this line of work. This is a simple task and part of my job. Master, please do not worry about it."
With a peaceful mind and sophisticated understanding of human nature, this woman is no less capable than her husband. Master Lu was filled with admiration.
Seeing that the room was getting dark, Xu Jiang didn't want to stay any longer and said goodbye to Master Lu. Master Lu saw her out and said before leaving, "Be careful on the road."
"Okay." Xu Jiang said goodbye to him. "I'm leaving now."
Master Lu said, "Don't mind this place being so remote. Come and sit here more often in the future."
Xu Jiang smiled slightly, "Yes."
She untied the donkey's reins, waved to Master Lu, and walked out of the locust tree forest.
As Master Lu watched her walk away, he raised his head, looked at the words on the plaque, and murmured, "After going through thousands of hardships, one can finally remain calm." There were not many young people who could see through his state of mind at a glance.
"May you also be at ease."
Xu Jiang walked through the locust tree forest. After enduring for a long time, she could no longer bear it and picked some locust beans, preparing to steam them for dinner at the restaurant in the evening. Then she drove to the intersection to meet Manager Wang.
Before reaching the intersection, they saw Manager Wang also rushing towards this side from another road. The two waved to each other and did not stop, running towards the city without stopping.
The sun sets in the west, dark clouds gradually rise, and Grain Rain is approaching.
Fortunately, Qinghuai Township wasn't far from the city, and the two reached the city gates in less than an hour. Xu Jiang saw a man and a horse waiting outside the city gates from afar, and a joyful smile rose on her face. She felt more eager than ever, wishing the stubborn donkey's feet would step on the clouds instead of mud, so that she could be carried to the man's side immediately.
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