Jiang Shuyun has decided not to go to the county school, and she needs to inform her father about this.
After dinner...
"Come in."
Upon hearing her father's voice, Jiang Shuyun pushed open the study door and went inside.
"Father, there's something I want to discuss with you."
"What is it? Tell me."
Jiang's father put down his book. Although he had given up the imperial examinations, he couldn't give up reading. He had a habit of reading every night before going to bed.
“Father, I went to the county school today and told the teacher that I will study at home from now on and will no longer go to the county school.”
"Studying at home? Are you planning to give up the imperial examinations and not participate in the autumn examinations anymore?"
Jiang's father sat up straight and looked at his second son.
"No, I still want to participate in the autumn examination. I've studied for so many years, how can I give it up so easily? Besides, what else can I do besides studying and taking the imperial examination? I've learned almost everything I need to learn at the county school. Now I need to broaden my knowledge and horizons, and also understand people's lives. Otherwise, I won't be able to write anything substantial in my policy essays; they'll be too empty and dry."
Based on the original owner's memories, Jiang Shuyun summarized the reasons for his failure in the imperial examination: he relied too much on rote memorization. His foundation was good, but his adaptability was lacking. Another point was that his mental fortitude was poor; he was prone to nervousness, and his physical health also needed improvement.
"What did your teacher say?"
Jiang's father secretly breathed a sigh of relief; at least he hadn't given up on the imperial examinations. This time, failing the exams and then an unexpected incident—the couple sliding down a hillside—had made him fear that his son would lose heart and give up on the exams altogether, which would be a real problem. In their Jiang family, Zhonglin was the only one with a chance to improve his chances; even if he didn't pass the highest level (the Jinshi degree), passing the provincial level (Juren degree) would be good enough!
"The Master also said that I wouldn't benefit much from studying at the county school. He told me to go there once a month to test my learning and see how well I was doing. He also told me to travel around and see more. He suggested that I be more practical in my policy essays, as they are a bit too abstract."
Jiang Shuyun learned from her memories that the original owner of this body was a bookworm, hardworking enough, but too rigid and dogmatic.
Putting everything else aside, after marriage, the couple's sexual relations were always conducted on days they had set themselves, and they would never indulge themselves on other days. Otherwise, the birth dates of their three children wouldn't be so evenly spaced, each differing by a year and a few months.
"Alright then, I'm not worried about your willpower; you're hardworking enough. The only concern is your home environment. Will it have any impact on you?"
"Don't worry, just treat it as practice. During the provincial examination, no one knows what position they will be assigned. I can't be as demanding of the environment as before, so that if there are unexpected events during the actual exam, my mentality will easily collapse."
Before Jiang Shuyun transmigrated, his family was well-off, allowing him to live a life of ease at a young age. However, he had also been admitted to a prestigious 985 university with excellent academic performance. After becoming a teacher, he wasn't interested in promotions, but he was still very dedicated to teaching and achieved good results.
"It's good that you have a plan. Our family's circumstances are what they are, and there's only so much we can do to help you. After all, there are other people in the family. Not to mention your eldest brother and third brother, even the next generation of children are growing up. Studying is never an easy thing."
Both personal ability and family finances are indispensable. You and your wife also need to discuss and agree not to just bury yourselves in your studies and ignore everything else, like before. You are now a father of three, and they are also your responsibility.
Jiang Shuyun felt inexplicably relieved by her father's words. It sounded like he wasn't a rigid or old-fashioned person. This would make communication easier in the future, preventing things from becoming unbearably complicated.
Moreover, this was ancient times, where family, ancestral halls, and filial piety were the foundation of one's existence. If a person's reputation was ruined, they were finished and would find it difficult to do anything.
"I understand now. I was so focused on my studies that I neglected my family. As a result, I didn't understand much of what I read, and it was a loss."
"You can't say that. You did your best. Our family is poor. We can't compare to those powerful families, or even to ordinary gentry. They have the financial resources to support them and can get more resources."
You achieved this result by putting in several times more effort than others, which is already quite good. Don't put so much pressure on yourself.
With our gradual efforts, generation after generation, one day we too will change.
I worked hard and passed the imperial examination to become a scholar, so you brothers will have more choices. If you work hard, your children will have even more choices. If we continue to work hard generation after generation, things won't be too bad.
Jiang's father rarely spoke so much at once; he was usually taciturn except when he was teaching.
Jiang Shuyun felt that this was an excellent father. He was emotionally stable, could see his child's efforts, and wouldn't just criticize him but would offer appropriate encouragement. He had a clear understanding of his family's current situation and a clear plan for the future, making him a wise head of the household.
"Dad, I will adjust my study and lifestyle."
Jiang Shuyun didn't say much, as that would be inconsistent with the original owner's personality. Although he wasn't a talkative person either, the original owner was an extremely introverted person who didn't like to talk.
Everything he said today was based on one major premise: he wanted to change himself. Otherwise, Jiang's father would definitely wonder why his son was so eloquent, and he might even have some doubts.
"Okay, don't push yourself too hard. You're still young and have time."
Jiang's father gave another instruction, picked up his book, and Jiang Shuyun got up to take her leave.
"This child has grown up!"
As Jiang's father watched his second son's departing figure, he murmured something to himself.
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