Chapter 013 The one who comes is the child prodigy Chen Biao
A few people finally remembered that making noise in the street would have a bad influence.
Li Shanchang led a group of generals away; Chang Yuchun had someone carry Lan Yu, who was tied up like a dumpling, away; Chen Biao refused to stay in Chen Wenzhen's arms and was carried away by Li Baoer.
The idea of Chen Biao educating the sons of officials in Yingtian needed to be approved by Madam Ma first, and then a letter should be sent to Marshal Zhu before it could be implemented. Li Shanchang was already thinking about how to convince the Marshal and his wife.
As for whether Chen Biao would be exhausted, Li Shanchang, who had been exploited for many years, knew very well how to exploit others and ensured that Chen Biao could easily be a little teacher who only needed to give orders.
Chen Biao still thought the adults were joking. He was determined to go home and complain to his mother, and decided not to give Chen Wenzheng any delicious food in the future.
After the hustle and bustle died down, the scholars from the restaurant and teahouse paid their bills and happened to go out at the same time, so they met at the door.
Ye Chen was surprised: "Brother?"
Ye Zheng was stunned for a moment, then bowed: "Jing Yuan, why are you here?"
Wang Xi was the most cheerful and forthcoming person. He asked familiarly, "Brother Jingyuan, are you a relative?"
Ye Chen wondered whether he should tell his friend the identity of his cousin.
Ye Zheng sensed something and took the initiative to invite: "I heard that the Chen family opened a new theater in Yingtian. The opera is quite interesting. Let's go and see it together?"
Ye Chen looked at his companions.
The oldest, Song Lian, said, "We were just thinking of going to take a look."
They did not introduce themselves in the street. They waited until they entered the small private room on the second floor of the bustling theater to introduce themselves.
On Ye Zheng's side, there is the authentic school of practical studies.
On Ye Chen's side, he has the authentic Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism.
Both sides looked at each other, feeling a little embarrassed.
Ye Chen coughed dryly and tried to smooth things over: "Actually, I have also studied the theories of the School of Utilitarianism. There is no good or bad theory, only by learning from its strengths and overcoming its weaknesses can we gain benefits."
Song Lian nodded: "I also study the classics."
Wang Xi laughed and said, "I know a little bit about everything. I'm not good at anything. I'm sorry to make a fool of myself, Brother Ye."
Ye Zheng stroked his beard and understood.
This is a group of like-minded people who are disguised as Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianists.
In fact, when the Zhejiang School was still flourishing, there were also quarrels within the school.
For example, the Jinhua School said that the Yongjia and Yongkang Schools "valued profit over righteousness", while the Yongjia and Yongkang Schools believed that the Jinhua School was "peacemaker and indecisive".
However, Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism is now in vogue, and the Jinhua School, Yongjia School, and Yongkang School have all become rats in the gutter and can no longer fight among themselves.
So the few of them greeted each other again, and emphasized their teachers and expertise, and then sought common ground while reserving differences, only talking about "practical achievements", and began to exchange academic ideas.
After an exchange that started verbally, then spread to saliva, and finally spread to fists and kicks with sleeves rolled up, they straightened their clothes, picked up their teacups, used tea instead of wine, and reluctantly acknowledged each other.
The literati in the early and mid-Ming Dynasty were very martial. They often fought with each other in court and even killed people.
The literati at the end of the Yuan Dynasty had more abundant martial virtues, otherwise they would have died in the chaotic times.
Ye Zheng was the oldest and was the first to speak up. "These past two days, there's been a festival and market, and Yingtian is incredibly bustling, as if it were a time of peace and prosperity."
Song Lian added, "I've heard that the current prosperity of Yingtian's economy is all due to the Chen family. Even more admirable is that the Chen family never takes credit for themselves, always telling everyone they're trading for Zhu Yuanzhang. Not only do they pay a large amount of commercial taxes for Zhu Yuanzhang, they also donate money in Zhu Yuanzhang's name to repair Yingtian Prefecture and provide aid to the elderly and weak."
Ye Chen smiled and said, "I heard from the Yuan army that the Yuan court offered a reward of 1,000 taels of gold for the head of the Chen family's patriarch. I heard that the Chen family's patriarch, Chen Guorui, was very mysterious, and I thought he was just being mysterious. But today, seeing how smart his child is, I know he's definitely not a simple man."
Wang Xi twirled the lid of the teacup in his hand and said, "Why are you all focused on the Chen family? Their generals are quite interesting. I've heard that Chang Yuchun was tyrannical and that he often killed innocent people to gain credit for his deeds. I thought Zhu Yuanzhang's generals were all the same..."
He paused and sneered, "Other factions are more likely to kill innocent people and claim credit for their crimes. I wouldn't look down on Zhu Yuanzhang for such things. But I didn't expect someone in Zhu Yuanzhang's army to confront Chang Yuchun directly when his brother-in-law oppressed the people."
Ye Chen laughed again and said, "Wang Zichong, you didn't expect that Li Shanchang, Li Baishi, who is regarded very low among other famous scholars, would act so unexpectedly, right?"
Wang Xi put down the teacup lid, smiled and shook his head: "That's indeed the case. He actually... Hahaha, that really relieved me."
Ye Zheng said, "Isn't the most unexpected thing that they plan to let a fifteen-year-old child educate the general's son?"
Several people looked at each other, and then all of them couldn't help but hold their foreheads and laugh out loud.
Chen Qi, Chen Lin, and Xue Zhimo were Ye Zheng's students, so they could only sit with him. But they couldn't help but cover their mouths, their shoulders trembling.
Everyone laughed for a long time, wiped the tears from the corners of their eyes, and then, not knowing who started it, the laughter died down and a slow sigh began to sound. Against the backdrop of the singing and cheering from downstairs, it seemed particularly heavy.
Song Lian stared at his teacup and said in a deep voice, "My family is poor and I can't afford to buy books. I can only borrow books from teachers and friends to copy and read. But a family like mine that can afford paper and pens is probably not poor compared to Zhu Yuanzhang's subordinates."
Of course not.
A family that could find a teacher, could afford writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone, and could wear clothes that covered their body and study at night under an oil lamp, not to mention in the chaotic times at the end of the Yuan Dynasty, even in the so-called prosperous dynasty, was already ahead of most people.
The poorest people that many wise men have their eyes on are these "poor students".
People like Zhu Yuanzhang, who worked in the fields, faced the earth and worked hard all their lives, and whose whole family took turns wearing the same clothes when they went out, were not even allowed to have names in the Yuan Dynasty.
In the eyes of many people, they may no longer be considered "human beings".
Song Lian said, "Having endured the hardships of pursuing education in my youth, I understand the difficulties faced by those from humble backgrounds. Zhu Yuanzhang once said, 'The poor understand the poor,' and his words are a bit true. If he can remain steadfast in his resolve, he might become a wise ruler in the future."
Several people nodded.
Aside from Ye Chen, who was the son of an official, the others were at most from farming and scholarly families. In the eyes of the powerful and wealthy, they were all considered "poor families" who were not worthy of the upper class. Therefore, they did not have a strong sense of family background.
Moreover, during the Han Dynasty, there was Liu Bang, a grassroots emperor, and Chen Sheng and Wu Guang’s stirring words, “Are kings, princes, generals, and ministers of different races born of different species?” They would not look down on any “grassroots person.”
The others were silent for a long time, and Wang Xi said lazily, "That Li Shanchang is truly interesting. He uses force when dealing with warriors, and when there's no one else to turn to, he even trusts children. He truly will do anything to achieve his goals. Could he also be studying the art of practical achievement?"
Ye Zheng had a strange expression on his face: "I don't think he's studying practical skills, but he's been squeezed to the point of no return by Zhu Yuanzhang."
Several people smiled again.
Wang Xi smiled and said, "But if that five-year-old boy named Chen Biao is truly a prodigy, it might be possible to let him teach others. I often taught my peers in my family when I was young."
Several of them were child prodigies and had experience in tutoring their peers in the family, so they all nodded.
Some old gentlemen are well-educated themselves, but they are too far removed from their childhood. Just because they can read doesn't necessarily mean they can teach children. Judging from the attitudes of Li Shanchang and the generals, it's possible that the child named Chen Biao is actually quite capable of teaching.
"But Zhu Yuanzhang has quite a few generals under his command, right? Leaving them all to a five-year-old might tire him out." Ye Chen stood up first. "I plan to visit Li Shanchang today. Would you like to consider this for a few more days?"
Wang Xi stood up and said, "What are you thinking about? We came here together, so of course we should go together. Right, brother?"
Song Lian nodded and asked, "What about you?"
Ye Zheng sighed, "Actually, I wanted to bring my students to get ahead of you. After all, you are the 'Four Masters of Eastern Zhejiang' and the 'Two Confucian Scholars of Eastern Zhejiang', and your reputation is much greater than ours."
Ye Chen, one of the "Four Masters of Eastern Zhejiang", Wang Xi, one of the "Two Confucian Scholars of Eastern Zhejiang", and Song Lian, who was included in both titles, all laughed.
Ye Zheng and his three students felt a little annoyed when they saw their arrogant smiles.
…
As soon as Chen Biao returned home, he threw himself into Ma's arms and complained.
After hearing Chen Biao's complaint, Ma was at a loss whether to laugh or cry: "Mr. Li was just teasing you. Why would he really let you teach others?"
Chen Wenzheng and Li Baoer exchanged a glance. That wasn't necessarily the case.
They themselves had their own teachers who taught them to be scholars or even juren. Li Baoer could still follow the teacher's lectures, but Chen Wenzheng just wanted to doze off.
But when Chen Biao lectured them in a sticky baby voice, they listened with great interest and their learning progress improved by leaps and bounds.
Of course, this is not because Chen Biao is more capable than his teachers who were scholars or juren, but because the teaching direction of the teachers who were scholars juren is different from that of Chen Biao.
Even though the imperial examinations were held intermittently during the Yuan Dynasty, scholars who wanted to make a name for themselves still took the examinations.
They taught their students to first read and memorize the Four Books and Five Classics, and then to memorize the classics of the ancient sages.
This step was directly blocked by the "old" children who could not sit still.
Chen Biao taught people with the perspective of future generations.
First of all, he needs to make it clear to his listeners why they are reading.
The first is literacy, which means being able to read and study on one's own; the second is understanding, which means understanding the great principles expounded in the classic stories in the classics, history, and philosophy.
So when Chen Biao taught others, he simply changed the difficult-to-understand "elegant writing" into popular vernacular.
These "old" children could not read the Four Books and Five Classics, but they enjoyed reading popular storybooks.
The stories in the classics, history, and literature were as fascinating as those in popular vernacular novels. Chen Biao then used stories from later times to weave some interesting spin-off stories that even a simple "roughneck" like Chen Wenzheng would listen to with great interest.
Not only that, Chen Biao also asked people to illustrate vernacular novels and write play scripts using stories from the classics, history, and miscellaneous works.
If you let modern children listen to stories about idioms in classical Chinese, they will cry in front of you; if you let them listen to popular stories about idioms, they will be more interested; if it is a vernacular story about idioms, they will read it with gusto; if it is a cartoon about idioms, you will have to be careful that they will turn on the TV secretly.
Chen Biao has plenty of ways to make the "children" listen to the "story" carefully.
After being systematically taught by Chen Biao for ten days or half a month, not to mention Chen Wenzhen, even Li Baoer could not help yawning when listening to other people's classes.
Li Shanchang knew Chen Biao's teaching ability.
When Chen Biao was teaching the servants of the Chen family, Li Shanchang attended many times and took notes in a small notebook.
He didn't let Chen Biao teach other people, firstly because he was worried that Chen Biao's identity would be exposed, and secondly because he was worried that Chen Biao would be too tired.
But now... Li Shanchang was really forced into a corner.
Almost all the teachers of the second generation of generals under Zhu Yuanzhang have run away. We can't really let this group of arrogant and domineering second generation sit around and cause trouble, right?
While writing a letter to Zhu Yuanzhang, Li Shanchang gritted his teeth and accidentally crushed a brush.
He threw the brush aside and picked up another one naturally.
Apparently, he was used to crushing his brush in anger.
"Daddy, here's some candied fruit for you. Mom gave it to me, and I left one for you." A little girl jumped into the study.
Li Shanchang quickly put down his pen and picked up the little girl: "Second girl, why did you get out of bed? Doesn't your feet hurt? Don't run around."
The little girl unfolded the handkerchief in her bosom, pinched some candied fruit and put it into Li Shanchang's mouth: "It doesn't hurt anymore. The doctor said I can get out of bed and walk."
Li Shanchang, holding a candied fruit in his mouth, said seriously, "Get out of bed and walk, not jump out of bed. Be quiet!"
The little girl leaned in Li Shanchang's arms and said sweetly, "Okay. Daddy, are you writing a letter?"
Li Shanchang picked up the brush and said, "Yes. Don't move."
The little girl nodded.
Li Shanchang continued writing letters while holding his little daughter.
The little girl wiggled her little feet and read in a low voice the words she knew in Li Shanchang's letter.
Li Shanchang's wife passed by the study door, stuck her head out to take a look, smiled and shook her head, and left to change the medicine for her eldest daughter.
The doctor said that although the eldest daughter's feet could not be restored to their previous state, if they were taken good care of, at least she would not feel pain when walking normally.
Li Shanchang's wife looked down at her own feet.
The girls don't have to bind their feet, and they can find good families in Marshal Zhu's army. It's great that they don't have to suffer the hardships that I and the eldest girl have experienced.
Li Shanchang ordered the letter and the urgent official business to be sent to Yangzhou as quickly as possible.
He had just sent the letter when he received a visitor. The visitor's card was signed by Ye Chen, Song Lian, Wang Xi, and four strangers.
Li Shanchang held his daughter in one hand and rubbed his eyes with the other, thinking he was dizzy.
Impersonate, use a false name?
Whatever! Just a scholar who can read and write will do! At least we can give them the paperwork!
Li Shanchang rushed out with his daughter in his arms, without even putting her down. He rushed so fast that he even kicked off one of his shoes.
The servants at Li Shanchang's mansion were very sensible. When they saw that the visitor was a scholar, they invited the person in without even notifying him and served him good tea and snacks.
The seven scholars sitting in the central hall of Li Shanchang were all surprised to see Li Shanchang running towards them barefoot with a little girl in his arms.
Although Li Shanchang did not know these seven people, he knew they were probably not fakes when he saw their demeanor, so he immediately stepped forward and bowed.
When he was bowing, he realized that he was still holding his little daughter in his arms, and the scene was very embarrassing for a while.
The little girl politely extended her hand and bowed: "Hello, uncles."
Li Shanchang put his daughter on the ground awkwardly: "I was just holding Erya, I was so excited... really..."
Li Shanchang was so embarrassed that he could not continue speaking and could only keep bowing and kowtowing.
The seven scholars looked at each other, then stood up and returned the greeting.
"Don't mind, Mr. Li."
"We are fortunate that Lord Li thinks so highly of us."...
The servant ran in carrying Li Shanchang's shoes, helped Li Shanchang put on the shoes, and then ran away with the little girl in his arms.
The eight people greeted each other again in a harmonious atmosphere.
At this moment, Chen Biao rushed in like a cannonball , and yelled as soon as he entered the door: "Uncle Li! What kind of magic potion did you and my mother drink? She actually agreed to let me become a little teacher...Ah, there are guests? Why didn't anyone tell me?"
Li Baoer followed Chen Biao in and said, "Brother Biao, why are you running so fast? Don't fall... Hey? Uncle Li, are there guests?"
Li Baoer and Chen Biao looked at each other, then straightened their clothes and greeted these guests who were obviously literati.
Li Shanchang's face turned pale and he quickly wanted to send Chen Biao away.
But his cousin Ye Chen and junior brother Wang Xi took a few steps forward in tacit understanding and stood in front of Li Shanchang.
Clan brother Ye Zheng and senior brother Song Lian smiled kindly and said in unison, "Are you Chen Biao, the famous child prodigy from Yingtian?"
Chen Biao: "...Actually, I'm not a child prodigy. I'm stupid, really stupid." I always feel like there's something wrong, and it's definitely not wrong to deny it first!
Li Baoer: "..." Oh no! I'm so panicked now!
Li Shanchang: "..." Calm down! I must calm down!
