Chapter 81, the Eighty-First Chapter: The Scripture Hall
"Grandma, you really don't need to worry about me too much."
Seeing Grandma Guo wandering around the yard, busily helping to prepare things, Guo Baiwen hurriedly spoke up to offer his advice.
“Master Guo also told me before that, based on my current learning progress, although it might be a bit difficult at first after I go to the academy, I won’t fall behind.”
Grandma Guo knew this teacher. She had spoken to Wenzai, an illiterate old woman, about him in private before, for the sake of Wenzai's studies.
That was then, and now is now.
Grandma Guo was a little worried, after all, she had asked the diners about it during this period.
What exactly is the difference between a primary school and a secondary school? Wenzai might excel at the primary school, but what if he went to the secondary school—
She was a little worried that Wenzai wouldn't be able to accept the change in circumstances, but Grandma Guo knew perfectly well why Wenzai suddenly wanted to go to the Buddhist academy.
How can she possibly stop her now?
So all I can do is try to find things to do and keep myself busy so I won't think about these random things anymore.
The old schoolbag was probably too small, so I stayed up all night yesterday to sew him a new one.
That bamboo woven book box is just the right size for storing things. The sun has been shining these past few days, so I can take it out, wash it, and dry it quickly.
And then there's the clothes I need to wear tomorrow. I haven't tried on the new one I had made yet, so now is the perfect time to wear it.
So, despite Guo Baiwen's persuasion, Grandma Guo kept herself busy like a spinning top.
Only after confirming that I hadn't forgotten anything did I feel relieved enough to go to sleep.
After a few days apart, the reason why Guo Baiwen had taken leave was known to the teachers in the academy, even though Guo Xiaohua hadn't explained it clearly when she came.
After all, it was a matter that ended up in the county court.
Concerned that the student's family matters had not been resolved, the academy even granted Guo Baiwen an additional three days of leave.
Although several days have passed, the buzz surrounding this matter has clearly not completely died down.
The teacher could still maintain his composure as a role model, but the students in Guo Baiwen's class didn't need that composure.
As soon as I sat down, my former deskmate, Zhao, craned his neck and came over, hissing.
Seeing Guo Baiwen turn his head in response to his movement, he cautiously opened his mouth, but no sound came out. "Are you alright?"
It's weird, and I almost want to laugh.
Fortunately, Brother Xu on the other side also offered an explanation.
Zhao was supposed to graduate and go to the estate the day before yesterday, but because he hadn't met Guo Baiwen, he stayed a few more days.
Finally, Guo Baiwen came to school today.
In a few more days, Brother Xu will graduate.
The three of them discussed whether they should find a place to have a meal together afterward, as a way to celebrate the two's graduation and also to express their condolences to Guo Baiwen, who had suffered this unexpected misfortune.
Seeing that the three of them were talking, several familiar classmates gathered around.
Although people had discussed it before, since the person involved wasn't there, they would only say a few words and then move on.
Now that the parties involved have arrived, even those who aren't usually that familiar with each other will inevitably come over to ask a few questions.
After explaining what had happened to his family a few days ago to a classmate, Guo Baiwen felt his mouth was dry.
Just as I was about to grab my water bottle to soothe my throat, I felt a shadow fall over my head again.
...Another classmate who ostensibly cares but actually gossips?
Guo Baiwen sighed inwardly, about to explain.
When he looked up, he was met with Master Guo standing right in front of him.
So, Guo Baiwen quickly put the lid on the kettle and hurriedly stood up from his seat.
"I've already spoken to Master Cao about your class transfer." Master Guo glanced at his face, and seeing that Guo Baiwen looked alright, he breathed a sigh of relief.
"Is everything alright at home these days?"
Upon hearing this, Guo Baiwen felt a warmth in his heart and nodded hurriedly, "Thank you for your concern, Master Guo. Everything is fine at home now."
"That's good."
After all, he had been teaching this student for so long, and he only learned about the cause and course of events from other people afterward.
Although Guo Baiwen seemed to be doing well, he still asked him in person to feel more at ease.
"After lunch break, come with me to Master Cao's study," even though he had already told Master Cao about the class transfer.
However, according to the academy's procedures, getting into the scripture hall is one thing, but getting into which class (A, B, C) requires a preliminary exam to assess your abilities.
That's perfect, Master Guo also wants to know.
What is Guo Baiwen's current learning progress?
When they arrived at the Master's office, Master Cao had already prepared a test paper. Upon seeing them, he simply nodded and said, "The brush, ink, paper, and inkstone are all on that table. Go and do the questions first."
There are quite a few questions on this; they are past exam papers used in the monthly tests at the academy.
He picked through the exam questions from the past few months, estimated their general difficulty level, and then combined them into one exam paper.
Cao Fuzi had heard about Guo Baiwen's situation from Guo Fuzi before.
Having only been in the academy for a short time, there are ten questions in total. If you can answer half of them correctly, you will be considered to have reached the level of Class C in the Scripture Hall.
Seeing Guo Baiwen bow and sit down at the table, Master Cao lit an incense stick in the incense burner not far away.
After watching the smoke rise and confirming that nothing had been forgotten, he got up and strolled with Master Guo to the door of the dormitory, where they chatted about the academy's upcoming teaching arrangements.
Students are different; some are diligent, some are intelligent, and each has their own strengths.
When the students in the private school first enrolled, they were completely illiterate and had to count on their fingers even for the simplest arithmetic. Master Guo taught them for many years and gradually gained some experience.
However, the learning environment at the academy is quite different.
After all, the Four Books and Five Classics that one studies later are even more profound. Even if a student who has only studied for a few months is very intelligent, it will take a considerable amount of time to understand this part.
The students in his Class A were already among the most outstanding in the academy.
Many students in Class C and Class B, even after more than three years of enrollment, have only superficially learned the Four Books and Five Classics.
He is a good reader and has been teaching for more than ten years, so he has naturally encountered one or two such people.
Although the students taught in this way eventually went on to attend the county school—
But the academy can't help but feel lucky to have such students.
However, Guo Baiwen's age is not considered young for a short-term student, but once he transfers to the Jingguan (traditional school), he is no longer considered young.
Even if they do manage to come to the academy, whether they can ultimately succeed in their studies is still a question.
Master Guo knew what he was worried about, and explained, "I just couldn't bear to see a promising talent go to waste. Whether he can succeed in his studies depends on him."
The master leads you through the door, but the rest of the training depends on the individual.
Upon hearing this, Master Cao swallowed back the words that were on the tip of his tongue. "...It's good that you know."
“Look at you,” Master Guo’s smile widened, “You’re just trying to show you care, but you have to say it so stiffly. No wonder the students say you’re too serious and never smile.”
"We come to the academy to study, so there's no need for laughter and conversation."
"—You, you."
The two of them kept their voices low, mindful of Guo Baiwen who was taking the exam inside the room.
No one knows what Master Guo said to Master Cao, but when Guo Baiwen received this test paper, the veins on his forehead twitched involuntarily.
It contains not only the knowledge learned in the elementary school, but also a lot of the content of the Four Books and Five Classics that are only taught in the classical school.
Even though the questions in this section don't go very deep, it's still quite challenging to answer them correctly.
He took a deep breath, flipped through the entire test paper from both sides, and then roughly wrote down a few key points of his answer on the draft paper next to him.
After making several corrections to ensure I hadn't forgotten anything, I finally picked up my pen and began answering the questions formally, following my own train of thought.
The next morning, Grandma Guo took out her best clothes from the bottom of her trunk and specially put on the earrings that Wenzai had given her last time.
She looked at her reflection in the basin for a long time, making sure that she was dressed quite respectably, before smoothing down her silver hair at her temples and heading out to the academy.
When Wenzai came home yesterday, he said that Master Cao from the academy wanted to talk to the elders in his family.
Unlike Master Guo, this was her first time meeting Master Cao.
Especially now, when Wenzai is preparing to go to the scripture school.
It was drizzling outside, and she was wearing a pair of freshly cleaned cloth shoes. Even though she was anxious, she could only walk carefully while holding the umbrella.
When we finally arrived at the academy, we could already hear the sound of students reading aloud coming from inside before we even went in.
We were still a little late.
Grandma Guo closed her umbrella, wiped away the water droplets that had slid off the surface, and then followed behind the academy gatehouse toward Master Cao's quarters.
Knowing that we were coming to the academy today, even though Wenzai said yesterday that we didn't need to bring anything.
But thinking that it was a rare opportunity to come all this way, and that after recognizing the teacher, Wenzai's studies at the academy would be much smoother.
So Grandma Guo got up early this morning and made some of the best-selling sweets in the shop. After thinking for a moment, she also wrapped some cured pork and sausage in oil paper.
This doesn't count as a greeting gift or tuition fee.
Worried that Wenzai would see it, she put the things at the bottom of the basket and carefully used the wrapped candies to cover them.
I brought these things along just in case.
Although in Grandma Guo's opinion, there was nothing wrong with her son Wenzai.
But if Master Cao really points out any shortcomings in Wenzai's work, she can offer something on the spot, hoping that the other party will be more lenient in consideration of these things.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
