Chapter 168 Hesitation
It is a miracle that a county can produce eight scholars in one examination. But these eight scholars all come from the same academy, and it is an unknown academy where the teacher is just a scholar.
How amazing is this? Everyone was talking about it. Even the county magistrate Li Zhongan called Meng Ziting and Zhang Wenbin from Hongle Academy to the banquet to entertain this year's new scholars. In addition to praising them, he also asked them for advice and asked them how they were able to teach so many outstanding students.
When it comes to this matter, Meng Ziting and Zhang Wenbin's answers are very consistent.
"I am not talented, but the students are diligent and hardworking. If we talk about the credit, it is definitely not ours. It is all because of the students."
"You two masters are too modest." Seeing how modest they were, Li Zhongan had a better impression of them.
He really hopes that there will be more teachers like him in the entire county who have the ability to teach and educate people and do not take credit for the work.
Seeing that Li Zhongan was looking at them with approval, Meng Ziting and Zhang Wenbin looked at each other and shrugged helplessly.
They are not being modest, this is the real truth.
They have run Hongle Academy for many years, using the same teaching methods, teaching the same books, and having students read the same interpretations. After a few years, there are only a few students, let alone scholars.
This year, eight scholars emerged at once. When they first heard the news, they thought others were joking with them. It was not until the students came back one after another to report the good news that they realized it was not a rumor but the truth.
Eight scholars! If they could tell anyone about this, they would be able to brag about it for the rest of their lives! They had never dared to think about it before, but now they could actually see it, and it all came from the academy opened by the two of them.
It took Mencius two days to believe that this was a true story.
Zhang Wenbin was better and used it for one day.
But afterwards, the two of them also thought about it and summarized why they had achieved such great results this year.
However, based on the comprehensive teaching methods and the interpretations of the books read, the credit ultimately went to Song Jingyun.
After all, if there is anything special and different about this year compared with previous years, it is the fact that Song Jingyun is the only one coming to the academy to study. What's more, Song Jingyun is extremely talented and has a photographic memory. For other students, the pressure must be considerable.
Moreover, Song Jingyun had a good memory and was always available to answer other students' questions. He himself was a studious and inquisitive person, and he influenced others by his example, which made them study harder.
Even if Song Jingyun did not take all the credit, he should have taken 80% of it.
However, Zhang Wenbin and Meng Ziting did not say much about this in front of Li Zhongan.
After all, Song Jingyun has already won the "Three Small Prizes" and the "First Place" in this college examination. Li Zhongan already looks at Song Jingyun differently. If they add more honors and halos to Song Jingyun, it would be excessive and there is no need for it.
When it comes to things like your future, you have to work on it slowly and pave the way for it. You can't do too much at once.
Meng Ziting and Zhang Wenbin have been teaching for many years and they also know this truth.
After the county magistrate rewarded the newly promoted scholars, the next step was to settle these scholars.
After passing the examination to become a scholar, there is no official title, but those with excellent results can enter the county school and receive stipends. This time, Song Jingyun and other eight people were all among the top students, which was in line with the rules.
According to convention, Li Zhongan would place the eight of them in the county school.
But Li Zhongan also knew that although the county school was famous and the food and beverage allowances could be paid on time, the real place for studying and learning was the Wende Academy in the county town. So he discussed with the principal of the Wende Academy about the eight people going to the Wende Academy to study.
Principal Yue of Wende Academy was naturally very happy, especially after meeting Song Jingyun and the other eight people, he became even more delighted and personally took them on a tour around the Wende Academy.
However, Song Jingyun, Lu Yuming and others were somewhat hesitant about going to Wende Academy to study.
Wende Academy was well-known, and for scholars throughout the county, being able to study there was an opportunity that could only be encountered but not sought after, so they were naturally quite eager for it.
But if he went to study at Wende Academy, it would mean leaving Hongle Academy, leaving his former classmates, and leaving Meng Ziting and Zhang Wenbin.
Both Master Meng and Master Zhang were knowledgeable and humble people who taught them many truths. They were reluctant to leave and they even discussed whether they should continue studying at Hongle Academy.
When Meng Ziting and Zhang Wenbin learned about these people's thoughts, they felt a little relieved, but more unhappy.
"People go everywhere, and it is a great thing to be able to study in Wende Academy. Time waits for no one, you must cherish it!" Mencius heard, "Master Zhang and I are just scholars. Although we are considered to be knowledgeable in the eyes of others, we are incomparable to the masters of Wende Academy."
"Master Zhang and I understand your thoughts, but studying is not a joke. In this world, there are gains and losses, and it is better to distinguish the priorities. Moreover, if you have a promising future, we will both feel more relieved."
"But, Master..." Lu Yuming still wanted to argue a few more words.
Mengzi's expression suddenly changed when he heard this. "You have already passed the exam, but you still want to stay in Hongle Academy and delay me and Master Zhang from accepting new students. You are standing in the toilet without taking a shit, aren't you delaying the academy from making money?"
"I've been studying in the academy for so many years, and I've been irritated by you guys countless times. How dare you continue to stay here and bully us? You're really shameless..."
After finally sending out a wave of enemies, they still refuse to leave. That won’t do!
Zhang Wenbin was so anxious that his eyes widened. "That's exactly what happened. Don't get in the way here. If you really have filial piety, go and pass the imperial examinations and get the rank of juren or jinshi. If we can do that, tell future students about it. Otherwise, when others talk about Hongle Academy, they only say that the highest it has is a scholar. That would be too embarrassing!"
Seeing the two teachers' tone of speech suddenly change and full of disgust towards them, Song Jingyun, Lu Yuming and others were speechless. They could only obey the arrangements of the county magistrate Li Zhongan and prepare to go to Wende Academy to study.
Seeing the students leave one by one, Zhang Wenbin and Meng Ziting both breathed a sigh of relief.
The old man who was guarding the academy sighed, then looked at Zhang Wenbin and Meng Ziting standing at the door, looking somewhat lonely in the sunset. He felt a little reluctant and just wanted to step forward and persuade them.
But I heard Meng Ziting and Zhang Wenbin whispering to each other.
"Finally I'm gone."
"Of course I do. I don't want to review this article anymore. It's just too difficult."
Today's update is relatively early~ (End of this chapter)
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