Cui Xian and Mr. Dong Lai had a brief encounter in Zhongjing Lane.
Then they went home.
The next day.
Amidst his grandmother's collapse and crying, Cui Xian still went to the Pei clan school with Cui Yu to attend classes as usual.
There was also a long queue outside Mr. Dong Lai's house.
But the strange thing is.
Mr. Donglai only opened the door for half a day and then declined to see the visitor.
According to a student who went to ask for advice, Mr. Dong Lai seemed to have received a letter. After reading it, he became furious and lost the desire to teach and answer questions.
Could it be that the northern barbarians and the southern Japanese are invading?
Or, are there major changes in the political center of the capital?
But the truth is——
The servant went to the Nanyang Posthouse and picked up a letter written to his master.
The writer of the letter is Mr. Ji Fu.
As the saying goes: There is no first in literature and no second in martial arts.
Mr. Ji Fu is also a famous scholar among the literati today, and he and Mr. Dong Lai are known as the two most powerful scholars in the world.
Rumor has it that the two gentlemen have a close relationship and are close friends.
They often exchanged letters and discussed academic matters.
Today, Mr. Ji Fu wrote a letter to Mr. Dong Lai, which was as long as twenty pages.
Ignoring all that useless bullshit, this letter simply says:
I heard that you traveled thousands of miles to Nanyang to recruit disciples? Did you receive it? I hope you didn't receive it.
I recently accepted a very awesome apprentice who can punch "Song of the Peasants" and kick "Ode to the Goose".
You old man, not only are you not as knowledgeable as me, but the disciples you take in are not as good as mine.
So you have to practice more, you know?
In the yard.
After reading the letter, Mr. Dong Lai was so angry that his face turned red and he kept pacing back and forth: "I am so angry, I am really so angry!"
The servants were busy taking out the books from the bookcases and drying them in the sun.
And he said: "Master, please move aside, you are blocking the sunlight."
Mr. Donglai's expression was slightly sluggish.
Then he thought about it and asked the servant expectantly, "Tell me, is there a possibility that I am too low-key because I am wearing fine clothes at night. My obedient disciple didn't know that I am Dong Lai, so he never came to become my disciple?"
The servant looked at him with sympathy: "Yes, it is possible, sir."
Mr. Dong Lai was blown away by this look and flew into a rage: "Just dry the books, why are you talking so much! Shut up and get to work!"
The other side.
Pei clan studies.
Pei Jian formally decided to start learning to write eight-part essays from Master Wu and was promoted to the "big class".
Except him.
Zhuang Jin, Li Heyu and Gao Qi were also preparing to enter the senior class.
I don't know whether he was simply following suit or was secretly drawn into Pei Jian's trap.
But no matter what, as a teacher, Wu Qinglan was very pleased.
He stood in front of the classroom, smiled and said with emotion: "You four used to give me the most headaches. Now you have finally calmed down and started to get on the right track, great."
"From tomorrow on, I will teach you how to write eight-part essays."
"Speaking of eight-part essays, Mr. Dong Lai's eight-part essays are recognized as the best in the literary world. I heard that he is currently in Nanyang. Forget it, I'm getting off topic--"
This is probably a common problem among all teachers. It is easy to ramble in class.
Pei Jian and his companions felt a little embarrassed when they heard the teacher's praise. After all, they seemed to be quite unruly in the past.
Cui Xian was listening nearby, his eyes flashed, and he stood up and said obediently: "Master, the Mr. Donglai you mentioned seems to live in my alley."
"The old gentleman is very kind and willing to teach and answer questions. Many students come to him for advice."
"Yesterday I saw a scholar asking him for advice and showing respect by treating him as a disciple."
"My father told me that Mr. Dong Lai even went to the county school to give lectures."
The scholar went to ask for advice? To teach at the county school?
A group of students heard this and exclaimed in amazement as if they had never seen the world before.
Pei Jian was also curious and asked, "How could that gentleman from the East be so powerful?"
The gratified smile on Master Wu's face suddenly disappeared: "Don't talk nonsense!"
Pei Jian shrank his neck.
But there is a saying that goes - the speaker has intention, and the listener takes it seriously.
After hearing what Cui Xian said.
Wu Qinglan's eyes suddenly lit up, and he said excitedly: "Cui Xian, your words really remind me! Since Pei Jian and others just happen to need to learn eight-part essays, why don't I be thick-skinned and go to Mr. Dong Lai's house and invite him to give a class in our school."
"Cui Xian, get ready and go with me to visit Mr. Dong Lai."
Cui Xian suppressed the smile on his face and pretended to be embarrassed: "This... is not a good idea. I am an unknown child, and I am afraid that the old gentleman will dislike me if I come to your house rashly. It is not appropriate."
Wu Qinglan disagreed and said, "That's wrong! The old master will definitely cherish a child as talented as you. Besides, you just happen to know the address of the old master's home."
"Then you will take me there and I will knock on the door. Please behave yourself and offer the old gentleman a cup of tea. If the old gentleman is happy, he might agree."
Cui Xian thought about it and said reluctantly: "Okay then."
So, the matter was settled.
That afternoon.
Wu Qinglan took Cui Xian to Mr. Donglai's house and knocked on the door.
Mr. Donglai was in a bad mood and did not want to see the guests. He said to his servant, "If you don't want to see them, just say that I am sick."
The servant said, "Okay, sir. I will go and tell the little prodigy who is visiting outside that you are sick."
Upon hearing this, Mr. Dong Lai sat up from his couch, looking very worthless. He said excitedly, "Wait! My illness has suddenly healed! Please come in quickly, please come in quickly!"
My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It’s even more exciting later!
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