Xu Yan spoke passionately about his life ambitions, which really shocked Lei Li.
He moved his lips, still feeling that he should say something.
"It's rare that you have such lofty ambitions at such a young age."
He stroked his beard and said leisurely, "But right now, what you need to do is study hard and strive to achieve academic success as soon as possible. Only then can you serve the court."
"Thank you for your teachings, Grandmaster."
Xu Yan responded quickly.
"Brother Xushan is a great scholar. You will definitely achieve great success by following him."
As Lei Li finished speaking, Xu Yan continued, "Grandmaster, you are absolutely right. I have achieved this little success thanks to your guidance. It's just like the saying 'A new bamboo is taller than an old one, thanks to the support of the old trunk. If there are new ones next year, their grandchildren will be ten feet tall and will circle the Phoenix Pond.'"
Hmm? He recited a poem while talking?
"The new bamboo is taller than the old, all thanks to the old trunk for support. If there are new ones next year, ten-foot-tall dragon descendants will circle the phoenix pond..."
Lei Li recited it again and found it very interesting.
This poem is apparently about bamboo, but in fact it uses bamboo to metaphorically represent people.
Isn’t Hsinchu the student, and isn’t Laochu the teacher?
The new bamboo is taller than the old one, thanks to the old trunk for support. The meaning of these two sentences is that a student can surpass his teacher because of the teacher's good guidance.
Next year, if there are new students, their descendants will circle the Phoenix Pond. These two sentences are the key points, pointing out the good teacher's style passed down from generation to generation.
This Xu Yan knows how to be grateful.
"Brother Xushan, you have a good student."
Lei Li turned to Qian Dehong and said.
Qian Dehong smiled proudly and said, "This kid is really good. He knows how to make progress and respects his teachers."
In just a few words, Qian Dehong confirmed what Xu Yan had said before.
After hearing this, Xu Yan finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Xu Yan, you are from Dinghai County, right?"
Lei Li suddenly asked the question, and Xu Yan's nerves, which had just relaxed, suddenly tensed up again.
"Reporting to Grand Master, I am from Dinghai County, Ningbo Prefecture."
Lei Li nodded slightly.
"I will first preside over the Hangzhou Prefecture's examination, then go to Shaoxing, and then Ningbo."
To Xu Yan's surprise, Lei Li actually told him the next itinerary directly.
According to the Ming Dynasty's custom, the educational officials were responsible for presiding over the examinations in the provincial government, prefectures, and counties under their jurisdiction.
The term of office of the educational official is generally three years. During these three years, he has to inspect all counties and preside over the college examinations, which is indeed a physically demanding job.
Therefore, the education officials would usually hold academy examinations in the capitals of various prefectures and order all students in the prefecture to take the exams.
This can greatly reduce the workload and will not affect the selection of students.
Lei Li should do the same.
Based on the calculation that Lei Li would stay in a prefecture for ten days, he should be in Ningbo to preside over the college entrance examination in twenty days to a month. This meant that Xu Yan only had one month left to prepare for the exam.
This information is very important, which means that Xu Yan must concentrate on resolving Zhou Youde's issue as soon as possible and concentrate on preparing for the college entrance examination.
"Thank you for the advice, Grandmaster."
Xu Yan sighed in his heart, it turned out that personal relationships were the most important thing in the Ming Dynasty.
If he was not Qian Dehong's student, and if Qian Dehong was not Lei Li's classmate and friend, there would be no meeting today.
Even though Lei Li didn't promise him anything, the two of them have become closer and are no longer cold strangers.
This is extremely helpful for the college entrance examination.
After all, people have feelings, and they will subconsciously promote people they are familiar with.
"Brother Xushan, I won't interrupt your conversation as master and disciple. Let's talk another day."
Lei Li was quite casual, stroking his beard lightly.
Qian Dehong nodded: "Okay."
After saying that, he ordered Xu Yan, "Why don't you send the Grand Master off?"
Xu Yan hurriedly served and escorted Lei Li all the way out of the academy.
Seeing Lei Li walking further and further away, and finally disappearing at the end of the intersection, Xu Yan sighed, "My dear teacher, why didn't you tell me about this in advance? It almost scared me to death."
Qian Dehong flipped through the silver and said, "If I had told you in advance, would you have been able to concentrate on your studies? I'm afraid you would have been so proud."
Xu Yan said aggrievedly, "Are students so unbearable in your heart? Then what did you just..."
"What did you say just now? I exposed you in front of Lei Tixue? Am I that stupid?"
He snorted and said, "But you're such a good lier. Only sleeping three hours a day? Ugh! Why didn't you say you go to bed at three and get up at five?"
Xu Yan was at a loss for words and said, "You are a great scholar after all. How can you use dirty words? Pay attention to your image."
Qian Dehong said indifferently, "A great scholar cannot use dirty words? Great scholars also eat grains and cereals. Besides, I am speaking behind closed doors, just like a father disciplining his son. How can I not say bad words to you?"
Xu Yan was speechless.
Is there such a metaphor?
Why does he feel like he's been taken advantage of?
"You've been very clever today. Lei Tixue likes hardworking people the most, and you've flattered him accurately. As for that poem, you have a conscience, and your love for you is not in vain."
Xu Yan thought to himself why Mr. Qian was like an old child, but it was better this way, it was not so tiring to get along with him.
"Look at what you said, Master. I am always grateful to you."
Xu Yan climbed up the pole: "I still remember the day I became your disciple. I am bound to you for the rest of my life."
Qian Dehong shook his head and said, "You are so young, but you are so old-fashioned. I can still live for a few more years, and you have a bright future. Don't be tied to me..."
Xu Yan opened his mouth but stopped talking.
It seems inappropriate to say anything at this time.
After a moment's silence, Qian Dehong returned to his playful and angry attitude.
"Your words are so bitter that I can't even open my eyes. Forget it, you've heard it all today. Lei Tixue will be going to Ningbo Prefecture to preside over the academy examination soon. It's time for you to concentrate on preparing for the exam."
Recently, Xu Yan has been asking for leave every now and then, which makes Qian Dehong very unhappy.
When preparing for an exam, you have to act like you are preparing for an exam. How can you do that if you can't calm down?
Seeing that his mentor had come to this, Xu Yan gritted his teeth and said, "Teacher, I'm afraid I'll have to ask for leave again... I have some finishing touches to take care of."
Qian Dehong's beard was so angry that it puffed up.
"Why do you keep asking for leave? Are you going to some brothel to have some fun?"
Xu Yan quickly explained, "Master, you misunderstood. This is about my family's business. There are only some finishing touches left, and I want to get it done quickly."
Qian Dehong pondered for a moment and sighed, "Never mind. I'll grant you one last leave. This time, you must finish all your affairs before returning. From now on, you are not allowed to leave Gushan Academy again until the entrance examination!"
Xu Yan was overjoyed: "Thank you, Master."
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