Chapter 7 Teachers and Students (Two in One)

After coming out of the ancestral hall, Wang Xianming led Chen Heng in front, and the two talked and listened. The content was not important, and Wang Xianming was just chatting. He talked about the customs of enlightenment in various places, and the little nagging that we should do things in a hurry and keep it simple this time.

Chen Heng felt the importance of the master to him from his constant complaints. It was strange to say that he always felt that Wang Xianming's attitude towards him had become more and more severe in the past few days, and it was rare for them to get along so easily.

Chen Gaishan followed the two silently, and his eyes fell on the two people in front from time to time. They wore similar robes, Confucian scarves on their heads, and walked with their heads held high, which made Chen Gaishan happier and happier. It seemed that all the regrets of his childhood were realized in his grandson.

Chen Huaijin was the last one to come. He winked at his elder brother Chen Qi and teased him. Seeing that Chen Gaishan was far away, Chen Huaijin spoke in a somewhat unreliable way: "Look, look, the teacher treats Heng'er as his own child. Brother, can you bear this?"

Chen Qi was concentrating on carrying the load. He just glanced at Chen Huaijin and shook his head and said, "If the teacher can really teach Heng'er with all his heart, it will be good for Heng'er and for us."

Chen Huaijin thought about it and realized that it made sense, so he gave up the idea of ​​making fun of his elder brother. He just nodded: "I really hope he can teach seriously, otherwise our money will be wasted."

"Shut up." Chen Qi saw Chen Huaijin start talking nonsense again, and immediately glared at him, which frightened Chen Huaijin and shut up quickly.

The group came to the master's house, and they had to complete the last step of the day. When Chen Qi carried the shoulder pole into the central hall, Wang Xianming sat alone in the upper seat, and his wife Liu came forward with tea. Chen Heng bowed three times to Wang Xianming, then picked up the tea and handed it over respectfully.

"Master, please have some tea."

Wang Xianming picked up the tea, took a sip, and immediately pulled Chen Heng up from the ground, saying, "Good boy, after drinking this cup of tea, I will be more and more strict with you in the future. You must be prepared and learn well from me."

"Of course, of course." Chen Gaishan nodded on the side, "Heng'er, you must listen to the teacher in the future."

"I know, Grandpa." Chen Heng nodded obediently.

This matter seems very small, but it is not a small matter for Chen Heng and Wang Xianming. The ancients paid attention to the relationship between teachers and students, but what kind of teacher-student relationship is considered a formal teacher-student relationship?

A scholar like Wang Xianming who makes a living by teaching has taught dozens of children in his lifetime. To say that he is unlucky, if anyone here makes a big mistake, should this be counted on Wang Xianming?

If we count, who will dare to accept students in the future? How can failed scholars make a living?

Therefore, the current scholars have gradually formed a consensus. Only when the teacher formally recognizes the students they have accepted can they call themselves "disciple of so-and-so" after they go out, and the law and the world will also recognize it. If someone goes out and calls himself a disciple without drinking this cup of tea, he will be laughed at.

Don't underestimate the identity of a teacher. For everyone in this world, parents cannot be chosen. Some people are born into a rich family. Some people have bad luck and fall into a poor family.

But just like a woman can change her predicament by getting married, a man choosing a teacher is also a way. As long as the teacher recognizes it, his interpersonal relationships can also be inherited by the disciples in the future.

Especially for Wang Xianming, who has only one daughter. After a hundred years, Chen Heng will smash the pot and carry the coffin for him. Teachers and students, to some extent, are family members without blood ties.

Chen Heng knew all this in his heart. Seeing that there was still a cup of tea on the master's wife's plate, he suddenly said to Chen Gaishan and Chen Qi: "Grandpa, Dad, please sit down too."

Chen Gaishan and Chen Qi were a little puzzled, but today was Chen Heng's big day, so they had to listen to whatever he said.

As soon as they sat down, Chen Heng knelt on the ground and bowed three times again.

"Child, what are you doing?"

"Heng'er, get up quickly, get up quickly."

"Grandpa, Dad, I know that if it weren't for you, I would have no chance to study. In the past, I devoted myself to my studies. I am grateful today, but I am afraid that there will be few opportunities in the future. Today, I will take this opportunity..."

Chen Heng stood up and took another cup of tea, and handed it to his grandfather with both hands, "Please, two elders, drink this cup of tea for grandma and mother. In the future, I will study hard and will not let you down."

"Silly child, silly child."

Chen Gaishan couldn't speak at this time. The beard on his lips trembled slightly. He finally calmed down and took the tea and drank it in one gulp under Chen Heng's earnest gaze.

Chen Qi took the empty teacup awkwardly, and had to pull the child up on behalf of Chen Gaishan. He patted the dust on his robe and said emotionally: "Study hard and don't worry about anything. Your father, your grandfather and your mother are here for everything."

"And your second uncle." Chen Huaijin came up and stood beside the little Chen Heng.

"Yes, and your second uncle." Chen Heng smiled gently and nodded to Chen Huaijin.

Wang Xianming and Liu, who were standing by, saw everything and looked at each other and saw the relief in each other's eyes.

He is a good child.

How can my vision be bad?

Wang Xianming raised his eyebrows at Liu with a little pride,

…………

When Chen Gaishan and the others returned home, Wang Xianming brought Chen Heng to the school. Today, there were only the two of them in the school, the teacher and the student, and the desks that had been placed before had been removed.

The two sat face to face, and Wang Xianming handed Chen Heng the "Thousand Characters" and "Family Instructions of Yan" that he had prepared long ago, and said: "You have a good memory now and can learn words quickly. Good time should not be wasted. Take these two books back and read them yourself. If you come across something you don't understand, bring it back and ask me."

"Yes." After Chen Heng took it, he waited for Wang Xianming to continue speaking.

Wang Xianming carefully took out something from the book and handed it to Chen Heng. The latter took it and saw that it was written "The Analects of Confucius". He couldn't help but feel a little excited.

From this moment on, he would learn the legendary Four Books and Five Classics.

Seeing the excited look of his disciple, Wang Xianming also laughed secretly, and then said seriously: "Collect your mind and prepare for class."

Chen Heng took a deep breath and nodded.

…………

In the middle hall, Liu opened the shoulder pole that Chen Qi carried, which was full of fresh fruits and vegetables, and a pair of bacon. Liu nodded. These were all the tuition fees that should be paid when formally becoming a disciple.

This was the etiquette, and it did not exceed the rules.

Like the grandson of the village head before, they paid silver taels when they came to study, not too much, just as a bribe for Mr. Wang. What Liu returned later was this money. After taking out the things in the basket one by one and placing them in different categories, Liu found a small red package at the bottom.

It was a bit strange to take it out. Liu opened it and found that it was actually dark silver coins. You can tell at a glance that the original owner had treasured them for a long time.

Liu was shocked. After counting carefully, there were actually ten taels.

"This Wang Xianming..." Liu was furious. Is the old Chen family a rich family? How can they bring the customs of Yangzhou City to Shanxi Village.

As mentioned before, Wang Xianming was a disciple of Liu's father in his early years. At that time, Liu's father was still a scholar and only received ten taels of silver.

No, I have to talk about this old man. Liu wrapped up the silver taels and started walking with anger, counting the time waiting for the end of the get out of class in the school.

Chen Heng never takes a break when studying. Once the class starts, he won't take a break until the afternoon. In ancient times, it was difficult to study. Generally, as long as students had a teacher, they would choose to eat and live at the teacher's house if the journey was far.

Fortunately, Chen's house was not far away. When they finished the class, Chen Heng said goodbye to his master and his wife and went home for dinner.

Mr. Wang, who had just finished the class, was sitting at the table in a happy mood. Suddenly, he was surprised and asked, "Madam, why is there only one dish at home today?"

"It's because my family is poor. I can't buy vegetables to cook. Let's make do with it." Liu said sarcastically.

I haven't done anything wrong these days? Wang Xianming was completely confused. With years of struggle experience, he knew that what he should do was to talk less, eat well, and deal with it.

But when he picked up the chopsticks and put the bean sprouts in his mouth, he immediately spit them out.

"What sour bean sprouts!"

Wang Xianming complained.

"Is it so sour? I've never tasted it before. Oh, if I had known it was so sour, I would have come here to avoid offending my husband." Liu pretended to be surprised, her plump face full of innocence.

Wang Xianming had no choice but to put down his chopsticks. He knew that if he didn't find out the reason today, this meal and the meals in the next few days would not be delicious.

Liu ignored him and drank tea by herself. She didn't believe that she didn't think of it.

Wang Xianming really thought of it. He asked in confusion: "Madam, is this because of the salary given by the Chen family?"

"Humph." Liu continued to look cold.

That's right. Wang Xianming nodded and couldn't help laughing: "Madam thinks I'm the kind of greedy person?"

"It's precisely because you know you're not that you can still sit here now. If you can't tell me today, I'll pack up and go back to Gusu to find my father. I don't want to be with you like this."

Wang Xianming had to laugh at the innocent words of his old lady. He couldn't help but think of the Liu who was hiding behind the screen and laughing when he failed the first imperial examination and went to Suzhou to study.

"Madam, you don't know." Wang Xianming pondered for a moment before explaining, "Madam is the only daughter in the family. Before her father-in-law passed the imperial examination, he was a famous scholar in Suzhou. You have never lacked food and clothing since you were a child, so you don't know the hardships of studying for farmers."

"Oh, then tell me about it." Liu insisted.

"You see, studying for the imperial examination is not a one-day job. The Chen family can work together to support Heng'er's study today, not only because Heng'er is smart, but also because there is only one grandson. What about the future? The second wife of their family is about to give birth, and Heng'er's parents don't look like they can't have children."

"Are you worried that they will regret it in the future?" Liu was puzzled. She had seen scholars who would not give up until they succeeded since she was a child. How could she think of this? "This... can they still regret it?"

"It's not the lack of wealth that is worrying, but the inequality." Wang Xianming showed a slightly mocking smile. The mockery was not directed at Liu, but seemed to be about his past. "They may not stop Heng'er from studying, but other grandchildren are also clamoring to study? Some good things are ruined by these small things. They are all our grandchildren. Will they all go to school, or will none of them go?"

Liu then remembered something. After returning to Shanxi Village for so long, they really haven't seen many people with the surname Wang come to the door. At this time, compared with Wang Xianming's expression, she seemed to understand something in her heart.

"Only by paying this money will they stop hoping for the best." Wang Xianming frowned. "With a family like mine, we can only support one scholar, and only someone with Heng'er's personality is suitable for continuing to study."

"You sound like Heng'er will definitely get into high school as long as he keeps studying." Liu's tone softened slightly and she couldn't help but say curiously. She would not disturb Wang Xianming when he was in class, and she rarely inquired about school affairs.

"He has a good memory and good understanding." When talking about this, Wang Xianming was full of pride. "He could understand what I taught him this morning on the spot, and he could even draw inferences. In addition, he is willing to work hard and endure hardships.

People like him... If you don't go to high school, who else can go to high school?

Madam, just watch, now he is still a child in the mountains, ignorant and ignorant. In ten or twenty years, we will take advantage of him and say that we are Heng'er's teacher when we go out.

Hahaha, the mentor of the Juren Master is not bad. It does sound better than Xiucai Gong. "

At the end of Wang Xianming's words, there was still a bit of embarrassment on his face.

"If a disciple can be proud of his teacher, why can't the teacher be proud of his disciple? At this time, you, an old boy, can be proud of yourself. Teachers and students share weal and woe." Liu's tone was calm. , she had seen her father get along with his disciples, and it was much easier to accept it.

"That's right, that's right." Wang Xianming smiled and nodded, "As for the ten taels of silver, you can save it. When Heng'er goes out to study, we will take it out and add some more silver to him for transportation on the road. ”

"That's right." Mrs. Liu laughed, stood up and said, "Sit down for a moment, and I'll bring the food."

"That's really helpful, Madam." Wang Xianming stood up and held up his hands, "Madam, please hurry up. In a while, Heng'er will come to study after dinner."

"It's all warmed up. I guarantee it won't delay your teaching."

Ms. Liu left as quickly as she came back. The couple sat together, picking up food from each other and chatting about old topics.

"However, hearing you praise Heng'er like this before reminds me of a certain person." Mrs. Liu's eyes suddenly lit up and she said to Wang Xianming, "Do you... still remember Lin Xiucai?"

"Lin Xiucai? There are so many students in the teacher. I went there late, so I can remember them all." Wang Xianming looked confused, then suddenly realized, "You mean the student who passed the exam together with dad?"

"That's him." Ms. Liu said happily, "Later, they went to Beijing to take the national examination together. In the end, dad failed the exam. Isn't he in high school?"

"We were still regretful at that time. If teachers and students went to high school together, it would definitely become a good story." Ms. Liu shook her head with regret, remembering the past vividly, "At that time, Lin Xiucai was under my father's sect, and he seemed to be only as old as Heng'er. Dad. Later, I told my mother that Lin Xiucai will definitely go to high school in the future, and Shengwen Jiugao’s words of praise for him are not bad at all compared to the words you praise Heng’er now.”

Wang Xianming was stunned, and suddenly asked anxiously: "Then what did Lin Xiucai do in high school?"

"It seems...it seems to be Tanhua." After saying that, Mrs. Liu's face was shocked.

The two were speechless to each other, not knowing what to say for a moment. Just when the two of them were silent, a childish voice came from outside the door, "Master, Master, I'm here. I'll go to the school to endorse it first."

A small figure was crossing the door, bowing to the two people in the hall, and then walking on the path to the school on the left.

You are so smart, you should know who this Lin Xiucai is. With this 4,000-word piece, I’ve finally caught up. Please vote for me and I will continue writing. Sister Lin is also on her way to the stage, hahahahaha