Chapter 016: Traitorous Minister 16
In the end, Xiao Chen still took Wang Xiucai as his master. Xiao Yan guessed that Xiao Chen must have felt that even though he no longer needed Wang Xiucai's teachings, Wang Xiucai was indeed his guide in his previous life, and the master-disciple relationship was not in name only. No matter what, Wang Xiucai was still his master.
He still has some conscience and did not burn his bridges.
Xiao Yan did not interfere in this matter. After all, it was Xiao Chen's own path to take. Even if this path was more rugged than other paths, as long as he had a clear conscience and was worthy of his conscience, any setbacks would only be a test.
I was able to get through it in my previous life, and I have a few more chips in this life, so it won’t be more difficult than the previous life.
Unlike the exchange of interests between the two parties in their previous life, the two of them were like other ordinary masters and apprentices. They worshipped a master and accepted him as a disciple. One of them studied hard and the other taught hard. There were not too many conflicts of interest. It was a pure master-apprentice relationship.
It can be seen that Xiao Chen is very satisfied with this. This is reflected in the fact that he smiles more often after returning home, and he always remembers to get Xiao Yan into school.
In Xiao Chen's opinion, his brother was even smarter than him. He thought it was a pity that he didn't go to school despite having such abilities.
Xiao Yan had originally only intended to "influence" Xiao Chen in all aspects, so that he would not repeat the path of a treacherous minister in his previous life. However, hearing him repeating it day after day, his ears were almost callused.
It was the first time he discovered that Xiao Chen actually had the nagging qualities of a mother.
"Brother, it's not difficult to get into school. With your photographic memory and your natural intelligence, we brothers can support each other. Please have pity on me, your younger brother. You don't know that the school is full of illiterate children who have nothing to say to me..."
The reason he asked Xiao Yan to study with him was that he overheard Shancai lamenting how poorly Xiao Yan was doing and how regretful it was that he didn't get to study. It was then that he suddenly realized how selfish he was, thinking only of himself, and not thinking of his good brother who cared about him wholeheartedly.
He felt guilty, so he came up with the idea of asking Xiao Yan to go to school with him.
In his opinion, if you rely on mountains, the mountains will fall and if you rely on people, they will run away. Even he has his difficulties.
Furthermore, with his brother's ability, he does have a seat in the court. When that day comes, will he be afraid of not having helpers?
Those are still far away, the most important thing now is to encourage people to study!
Xiao Chen suppressed the discomfort and shame in his heart and acted pitifully in front of Xiao Yan.
"I've heard that students are always competitive. People like us who are poor and have nothing are most likely to be bullied. If you were not here, I would be on my own." Xiao Chen said half-truthfully, playing the victim.
This was indeed the case in his previous life. Students from wealthy families looked down on him and deliberately teased him. Students from poor families saw that he had angered the nobles and were afraid of being implicated. Therefore, he always kept to himself and had no close friends until his death.
Xiao Yan felt really sorry for him, and thought that it was difficult to explain the matter of family affection. To put it bluntly, he was afraid that he would become too independent and go astray, and it would be difficult to dissuade him with family affection alone. If both of them went to school together and kept him by their side for care, it would also prevent Xiao Chen from going astray.
But don't be so relaxed before agreeing.
Xiao Yan looked a little embarrassed: "But I am weak and I am afraid it will be difficult for me to go to school, and it will also cause trouble for you."
"That's fine. If you were home alone, that would be what worries me. Can you bear to make me worry about home and lose interest in my studies?"
"If we go to school together, I won't have to worry so much, and it won't be much different from home. With your talent, you can also teach me knowledge. This way, we can kill two birds with one stone. Why not do it?"
He had already told Mr. Wang that he planned to take the county examination in February of the next year. Mr. Wang also knew that he could not teach him more with his own ability, so he asked him to go to school in the town then.
Although Mr. Wang's own talent and knowledge are limited, he is not the kind of person who cannot stand seeing others do well. Moreover, this person is his disciple, so naturally he cares more about him than others.
In order to get into school, he even risked his dignity to have a drink with his former classmates, just to give Xiao Chen a place.
Xiao Yan hesitated. "The imperial examination is expensive, and you've been working so hard to support our family. How can I take advantage of you for nothing? I feel guilty!"
Xiao Chen continued, "It was you, Big Brother, who came up with the idea for our family's work. Without you, I wouldn't be where I am today. Why should we have to talk behind each other's backs when we're a family?"
After much persuasion, Xiao Yan finally agreed.
Seeing Xiao Chen's excited expression, Xiao Yan nodded with satisfaction.
Xiao Chen has grown up by learning to take others into consideration!
-
Mr. Wang was a man with a serious face, a small goatee, and dressed like a scholar.
The first time he saw Xiao Yan, he had a sullen face, but this was normal.
The disciple whom he had high hopes for and who had a good chance of passing the imperial examination might be delayed because of his family's involvement. It would be difficult for anyone to treat him with a kind face, let alone Xiao Yan, who looked sick and it was obvious how long he could live.
It's a complete drag!
You have to know that taking the imperial examination is not only a mental job, but also a physical job. Getting sick during the exam is no joke.
Without a strong physique, it is still unknown whether he can survive the examination, let alone high school. Looking at Xiao Chen's posture, he must want to tie his brother to his waist and take him wherever he goes. If anything happens to him, the possibility of being affected is obvious.
After all, he is Xiao Chen's elder brother, and this disciple is a stubborn person. Mr. Wang knows that he cannot persuade him, so he can only try to make him give up in academic matters.
"I heard you can write poetry and paint. What is the meaning of filial piety in the Book of Filial Piety?"
The first thing he had to take was the county exam, and Xiao Chen couldn't help but feel a little worried.
No matter how smart his brother is, he has never received a formal education. Isn't this embarrassing?
Xiao Chen also knew that Wang Xiucai was deliberately trying to embarrass his brother, and he felt even more guilty. He decided that if Wang Xiucai refused to accept him, he would send Xiao Yan to the town to study, after all, not to bury such an amazing talent.
While he was still mumbling, Xiao Yan had already replied, "The Classic of Filial Piety says: 'Filial piety is the principle of Heaven, the righteousness of Earth, and the conduct of man.' ① Taking loyalty as the foundation and governing the country with filial piety is the only way to establish one's own foundation and benefit the country."
Wang Xiucai's frown relaxed slightly, but he still said solemnly: "It's a general statement. Let me ask you how much filial piety means."
Xiao Chen was furious, but Xiao Yan remained calm and composed, saying, "Don't worry, sir. I haven't answered all the questions yet."
The filial piety described in the Book of Filial Piety is different. The filial piety of the Son of Heaven is to show love and respect to his parents, and to impart moral teachings to the people and to punish them throughout the world. The filial piety of the princes is to be humble while in a high position and not to be dangerous. ② Filial piety is to be integrated into all human affairs and to govern the country with filial piety, hence the Book of Filial Piety.
After a pause, Xiao Yan looked at Wang Xiucai: "What do you think, sir?"
Mr. Wang's expression flickered, which was quite interesting.
This feeling is easy to understand.
It's like when you want to make things difficult for someone, but find out that the other person is really capable, so that even if you use your subsequent tricks, they will have no effect. It's a frustrating feeling.
If it were someone else, Mr. Wang would have praised him, after all, he had never been to school and yet he could still answer questions. But this person was Xiao Yan, the elder brother of his own disciple! And he was a sickly burden!
Even if I have great talents, what good does it matter? Aren't I still a burden?!
Although he still had prejudices in his heart, Mr. Wang's tone softened a little.
It is regrettable and sad.
Mr. Wang asked again, "The Original Dao explains the Dao of the ancient kings. How can we understand it and achieve success?"
"May I ask: Current rule or old rule?"
Wang Xiucai said: "It is a good time to govern."
"I believe that ensuring the elderly have a place to rely on and the young are well cared for, and other measures that contribute to a prosperous society, must precede good governance. If rats and other pests steal grain, how can a country be stable? If the leaders are wise and the people are understanding... Developing water conservancy projects and irrigating farmland will strengthen the country and bring peace to the people."
Wang Xiucai nodded repeatedly upon hearing this, but when he thought of the other person's poor body, he suppressed his joy.
"You have such talent and knowledge without even entering school. Such unique insights are extraordinary, but do you know how long it will take to pass the imperial examination?" Mr. Wang was not embarrassed by the academic knowledge and just answered directly.
"I know you two brothers depend on each other, but scientific research is no child's play. Your body will only be burdened by..."
Before he could finish his words, Xiao Chen interrupted him: "Sir, please be careful with your words!"
"My elder brother is as dear to me as a brother. He is not a burden to me! You are not a fish, so how can you understand the joy of a fish? Please take back what you said!"
Mr. Wang was so angry that his face turned red. This was the first time a student had directly contradicted him and asked him to take back his previous words, completely ignoring the fact that he was the master! And his most proud disciple!
But what can we do? We can't just kick him out, right?
Mr. Wang blew his beard and flicked his sleeves: "It's up to you now, and don't regret it later!"
Xiao Chen also knew that the reason why Xiao Yan suffered such unfair treatment was entirely because of him, but Wang Xiucai also had normal thinking and was doing it for his own good. He could not turn against Wang Xiucai for this, so he could only shrug his head, his face full of shame.
"Brother, this is my fault. Don't take it to heart. You are my brother, and you are not responsible for this!"
Xiao Yan: “…”
To be honest, if it weren't for Xiao Chen, he wouldn't have been so angry. But what Wang Xiucai said was also right. Outsiders didn't know that he was not short-lived. In fact, no one was healthier than him. It was just that he hadn't recovered yet. And his skin was lighter and thinner than that of ordinary people. So it was not surprising that there was such a misunderstanding.
Besides, Mr. Wang was not his master, and his words had nothing to do with him. Now seeing Xiao Chen feeling so guilty, he couldn't help but feel a little touched.
However, the feeling of being touched only lasted for a few seconds. When he thought about how he became a treacherous minister and only cared about fighting with court officials, completely forgetting the hardships of his subordinates and not fulfilling his responsibility of "doing his job", his face suddenly became expressionless again.
"A gentleman who has learned widely from all directions, what should he repay for the principles he has imparted?"
Xiao Chen was feeling ashamed, and the question he received startled him for a moment. He then replied, "One should be loyal to the emperor, benefit the people, and bring blessings to the world, only then can one live up to the principles of broad learning."
This answer was quite satisfactory, but Xiao Yan said, "If you are a tyrant, can you still be loyal? Let me ask you, why do you want to study? Why do you want to study? Let me answer this question with my own words. Once you have completed it, I will teach you."
Xiao Chen: “…”
I always feel that I can anticipate any unexpected problems in the future...ah, it's really painful and happy.
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