"Is Sister-in-law Erleng home?" After cleaning up the dishes, Jiang Ling knocked on Zhao Erleng's door.
Er Leng's wife looked at Jiang Ling in surprise. "What can I do for you, Sister-in-law Jiang?"
"Didn't you say a while ago that we would let you know when we found a tutor?" Jiang Ling replied with a smile.
"What?! Sister-in-law Jiang, you...you really found a tutor?" Zhao Erleng's wife asked, her eyes wide with disbelief.
“Yes, it’s my younger brother. He’ll be staying in our village for a while, and during that time he can help my four children learn to read and write. Would you like your eldest child to come and learn too?” Jiang Ling asked.
"Oh, that's great! When does class start?" Zhao Erleng's wife continued to ask with a beaming smile.
"This afternoon, I'll come and get you then!"
As soon as Jiang Ling returned home, she saw all four of her children gathered around Jiang Zhishan. Jiang Suihe even took out the Three Character Classic and asked, "Uncle, how do you pronounce this character?"
“This character is pronounced ‘shan.’ It’s also my uncle’s name,” Jiang Zhishan explained patiently.
Seeing that Jiang Zhishan and the four children had become close friends, Jiang Ling finally felt relieved.
In the afternoon, Jiang Zhishan was teaching Jiang Suihe and the others to read in a corner. Several village women who were working at Jiang Ling's house would occasionally glance over there, their faces showing hesitation.
After finishing their work, the village women did not leave as usual. They stood there, looking slightly bewildered, their gazes falling on Jiang Ling.
Jiang Ling was somewhat surprised and looked at the village women, asking, "Is there anything else, ladies?"
"Jiang... Jiang, you... you've hired a tutor?" The speaker was Sun from Lujia Village.
“He’s not exactly a schoolteacher, this is my younger brother,” Jiang Ling replied.
"Then...then...could my little tiger come to class too? Don't worry, Jiang, I won't take advantage of you. I'll pay the tuition and give your family ten catties of white rice after the autumn harvest!" Sun's words opened a door for them.
Several village women nearby chimed in with their own opinions.
Jiang Zhishan overheard the conversation between the village woman and Jiang Ling. He walked over and looked at the women with hopeful eyes, saying, "Aunties and sisters-in-law, just have your children bring a stool! No need to pay tuition!"
The village women were all shocked when they heard this. They waved their hands and lowered their heads, saying, "No, no, don't worry about me. We've already discussed it and agreed that each family will receive ten catties of white rice after the autumn harvest. Please don't think it's too little!"
"Oh dear, Sister Jiang, we've finished our work, we're leaving now!" With that, the village women pushed and shoved their way out of Jiang Ling's house.
During the conversation just now, Jiang Ling clearly heard the word "you" (您), which truly proved the saying "Of all professions, only studying is noble." Jiang Zhishan hasn't even passed the imperial examination yet, but the villagers already respect him so much. If he does pass, it will be even more incredible.
Thinking of this, Jiang Ling turned to Jiang Zhishan and said, "Just take the tuition fee, don't refuse!"
"But...but elder sister, I haven't passed the imperial examination yet, so I'm not qualified to teach them. If I accept this tuition fee, I'll feel uneasy!" Jiang Zhishan rubbed her hands, looking somewhat at a loss.
Jiang Ling glanced at Jiang Zhishan and said, "Zhishan, let me ask you something. It's fine for the few kids now, but what about later? What if all the children in the village come here? What will you do then?"
“This…” Jiang Zhishan seemed not to have considered this issue, and when Jiang Ling asked him this question, he could only scratch his head in embarrassment.
"You need travel expenses to take the exam, so just accept what they give you. It's only right that you accept their gifts as you pass on your knowledge to the children!"
Jiang Ling's words made Jiang Zhishan ponder. He vaguely felt that the old scholar who had taught him seemed to be like this too. The east neighbor would give him a few pounds of grain, the west neighbor would give him some eggs, and the wealthy family would give him some silver. And so, spring, summer, autumn and winter passed year after year.
Jiang Zhishan nodded and remained silent.
After dinner, the four children and Zhao Erleng's son, Zhao Dabao, sat in front of the stove, while Jiang Zhishan took Jiang Suihe's Three Character Classic and began teaching the children to read.
"Uncle, what does 'At the beginning of life, people are inherently good' mean?" Jiang Suihe asked earnestly.
“Humans are born with a kind nature!” Jiang Zhishan answered earnestly.
"But... but why are there still bad people?" Jiang Suihe asked, her eyes wide with confusion.
“Suihe asked an excellent question, which leads to the next point I want to make: ‘Human nature is similar, but habits differ.’ This means that people’s personalities are similar at the beginning, but later they are influenced by their environment, which leads to differences between them!” Jiang Zhishan explained patiently.
The little ones seemed to understand but not quite, yet they all imitated Jiang Zhishan, swaying their heads and reciting the Three Character Classic.
Everyone except Jiang Wenxi learned the words very quickly. In about half an hour, they all wrote the words "At the beginning of life, people are inherently good; their natures are similar but their habits are different" quite well. Jiang Suihe was especially good. Jiang Zhishan was even more impressed when he saw Jiang Suihe writing the words on the ground with water on her hands. He was amazed that his niece had a really high talent for reading.
After learning to read, Jiang Zhishan began teaching arithmetic. The little ones started counting on their fingers again and again, and for addition and subtraction beyond ten, they were practically taking off their shoes and counting their toes.
Jiang Zhishan shook his head helplessly. He went back into the house and took out an exquisitely designed abacus from his bundle.
He gently fiddled with it, which immediately attracted the children's attention.
"Uncle, what is this?" Jiang Yaojie asked curiously.
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