"Hey, isn't this our Song Tongsheng, who only studies the classics? What, you've given up studying the classics and started setting up a stall to write letters and copy books? How much money can you make writing one letter? Enough to buy a book? Hahaha..."
A slightly short and stout man said this, and the students following behind him also laughed.
Song Anbang was not annoyed and calmly said, "They are all poor people who write letters. They don't earn much money and can't even buy a book."
The man in the lead had a sachet hanging from one waist and a jade pendant hanging from the other, both of which looked quite valuable.
He opened his folding fan and placed it in front of his chest, a smirk playing on his lips.
“Brother Anbang, if you need money, just tell me, your good friend, how about you become my page? Considering we’re colleagues, I’ll give you several dozen taels of silver a month without a problem.”
This man was Jiang Huai, the son of a wealthy merchant from the neighboring Heyang County.
Song Anbang remained calm and said, "No need. I don't write letters to make money. Copying books is enough for my livelihood. I want to hear about the needs and lives of ordinary people, which will greatly benefit my studies and examinations."
Upon hearing this, the short, stout man immediately burst into laughter again: "Hahaha, Brother Jianghuai, did you hear that? He actually said that the affairs of these poor people can be of great benefit to the scientific expedition. I'm dying of laughter."
Haha... A poor person is a poor person. Trying to find evidence in writing about poor people? I think you should hire a couple of famous scholars to tutor you!
The students standing nearby also burst into laughter.
“Brother Zhang Ping, have you forgotten that Brother An Bang is already setting up a stall here to copy books? Where would he get the money to hire a famous tutor?”
"That's right, Brother Jianghuai is already doing you a favor by asking you to be his page, and you still don't appreciate the kindness and refuse."
"......"
Faced with his classmates' ridicule, Song Anbang simply sat there quietly and continued copying the book.
Jiang Huai then said, "My father recently hired a famous tutor for me. That tutor has guided several people to become Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations)."
"Brother Anbang, if you'd like to come and listen, I can grant you permission. How can we scholars waste our time on these poor people?"
Song Anbang remained unmoved, but seeing that the group was going too far, Song Anxin's face darkened.
She stepped forward and said coldly, "Oh, didn't that famous teacher tell you the principle of putting the people first?"
Song Anbang turned around when he heard a familiar voice and saw his elder sister with two other people beside her. One was his eldest nephew, Lin Fengnian, whom he had met before, and the other was probably his elder sister's son, Lin Fengshou, whom his mother had mentioned.
She stood up and said, "Sister, what are you doing here?"
Lin Fengnian obediently called him "Uncle," and Lin Fengshou followed suit. His older brother had already told him that this was his uncle, his mother's younger brother who had passed the imperial examination.
The two of them glared indignantly at the group of people as they saw their uncle being bullied.
Song Anxin continued, "I just happened to be passing by."
The short, stout man, Zhang Ping, snorted and said, "I thought it was someone who was talking big. It turns out to be Brother Anbang's sister. She looks like a country bumpkin. What does a rough countrywoman know about putting the people first?"
"That's right, how come this Song Tongsheng has an older sister from the countryside? It's like the poor man's relative is even poorer than him."
"Hey, old lady, don't meddle here."
"......"
"Old auntie?!" Song Anxin thought, "He hasn't even settled the score with bullying my brother yet, and he still calls me 'old auntie'? I really want to spit blood in his face."
Jiang Huai casually gave a junior's greeting and said:
"So you are Anbang's elder sister. I am from Jianghuai and was Anbang's classmate. Hearing you say this, I wonder if you have also studied and are as learned as my famous teacher? I would be honored to have your guidance."
Although he spoke words of instruction, his eyes were full of disdain.
Hmph, how dare a country bumpkin like her slander the renowned tutor I hired to instruct me? She's just waiting to see how Song Anbang's elder sister makes a fool of herself.
Not only was Song Anbang from a poor family, but he also passed the preliminary examination for the imperial examination earlier than him. He often outperformed him in his studies at the academy, and the teachers all praised him. But what good was that? He still failed the academy examination every time. Next year, he will pass the examination in one fell swoop, and people will mention him whenever they think of Renshan Academy.
The people around him were the same, their faces full of mockery and ridicule.
The way he kept calling him "sister" made Song Anxin want to smash his head in. What kind of sister is he?!
The commotion had already attracted a lot of students to gather around.
Some people were just there for the spectacle, some were curious about what this country woman could possibly say, and others were jealous of Song Anbang and wanted to see him make a fool of himself.
For the first time, Song Anbang's face showed anger: "Jiang Huai, I can tolerate how you treat me normally, but don't mess with my sister!"
He knew these spoiled brats looked down on him, but he didn't care. He clearly understood what he wanted to do, and that he and these people would eventually become strangers.
He usually ignores these people when they come to him, and they will get bored and leave soon. However, it is absolutely forbidden to involve his family.
Jiang Huai waved his fan and laughed, "Did I confess? It was your sister who walked right into this mess. I'd like to see if your sister, Brother Anbang, is as talented as you, Song Tongsheng."
"you....."
Song Anxin patted Song Anbang on the shoulder and gave her a reassuring look.
She curled the corners of her lips and said, "I have indeed read some books. I dare not say whether I am as good as the famous teacher you have hired, but I am more than capable of instructing you."
Jiang Huai looked at Song Anxin with even more disdain, and the surrounding students chimed in with their opinions:
"Did I hear that right? This country woman actually said she wanted to teach Jiang Huai, who also passed the imperial examination this year."
"I heard that this is Song Tongsheng's elder sister. Song Tongsheng is a famous student in the academy, so his elder sister might actually be quite literate."
"What literary skills could a woman possibly have? It's true that women and petty men are the hardest to deal with."
"......"
Song Anxin chose to ignore these people's baseless slander. She knew that she had to use her real skills to convince them before they would shut up.
Today I'm going to give you a proper lesson.
Song Anxin stood before this group of scholars without flinching, her expression calm and her gaze steady as she said:
"Since ancient times, the people have been the foundation of a nation, and the state exists for the people. The people are the foundation of a country; without ordinary people, where would the country and the home be?"
Officials are also meant to serve the people, alleviate their worries and anxieties, and ensure that the people of their region can live and work in peace and contentment. You not only fail to work for the well-being of ordinary people and alleviate the hardships of the poor, but you also humiliate them in this way. Even if you pass the imperial examinations, you will surely remain an unrighteous official!
Song Anxin's voice suddenly turned sharp as she looked at them and said:
"We ordinary people don't need officials like this. Even if there were such officials, the people could support a boat, but they could also capsize it. How long could they last?!"
Jiang Huai and Zhang Ruiping's group were so intimidated by Song Anxin's imposing aura that they took several steps back.
Among the civilians on the outskirts, upon hearing this, they all became excited and exclaimed:
"Exactly, we don't need officials like that."
"We need officials who will allow us to live a good life."
"What's wrong with us ordinary people? Why do you look down on us like this?"
“............”
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