Chapter 12 Why not go back to your hometown and sell sweet potatoes
Dr. Qian was completely stunned. He looked at the disciples in front of him with mixed feelings.
"Have you...really found your life's purpose? Are you willing to study hard and take part in the imperial examination?"
The students' attitudes changed so quickly that Dr. Qian still found it hard to believe it.
"Yes, Doctor!" Liao Zhen answered firmly, "We were all confused before, but now we have a clear view of our future. We have a direction and motivation!"
Dr. Qian looked at Liao Zhen. He remembered that this student used to be always lazy and had no interest in anything.
But now, his eyes were full of light, as if he saw hope.
Jiang Zhiyu then vowed: "Doctor, we may have disappointed you before, but please believe in our determination this time."
Dr. Qian nodded and motioned for everyone to continue.
Liu Mengmeng said carelessly: "The fate of us women should not be limited to the family. We also want to change the future through our own efforts."
Xiao Wen also said firmly: "Doctor, we are willing to study hard and strive to achieve good results in the imperial examinations to bring honor to you and our family."
"Okay, since you are all determined, let's work together for your future, for the rise of Class Huang, and for the prosperity of our dynasty." Dr. Qian looked around the classroom, and suddenly stood on the podium, waving his hands excitedly, and every beard on his lips trembled.
Qi Zimo raised his hand and asked softly which article Dr. Qian was going to teach today.
Dr. Qian asked everyone to sit down first, then he cleared his throat with a dry cough and said, "Today we are going to study the article "Zhuangzi's Happy Journey", which is an important work that explores the philosophy of life and the realm of freedom."
In class, Dr. Qian patiently interpreted the meaning of Zhuangzi's Happy Journey, and explained the philosophical thoughts in it in a simple and easy-to-understand way. His voice was mellow and his pronunciation was clear, which made the students fascinated. The students nodded one after another and took notes seriously.
After Dr. Qian finished speaking, Jiang Zhiyu from the class stood up and asked, "Doctor, I think Zhuangzi's thoughts are very unique. Is the way of life he advocated, which is to rule by doing nothing and to be free and easy, feasible in real life?"
Dr. Qian smiled and replied: "Zhi Yu, your question is very good. Zhuangzi is indeed a unique thinker, and his ideas are very different from the real society. But in my opinion, Zhuangzi's philosophy is mainly to guide people to find inner peace in real life, rather than completely detach from society. We should keep a free and easy heart while following social rules."
Then, Liu Mengmeng couldn't help but raise her hand and ask, "Doctor, how do you think we can achieve inner freedom in life?"
Dr. Qian looked at Liu Mengmeng and smiled, "Mengmeng, I think to achieve inner freedom, you must first have a peaceful mind and not be shaken by external things. Secondly, you must know how to let go at the right time and not be burdened by fame and fortune. Finally, you must have your own spiritual pursuits and constantly improve your cultivation. In this way, you can find your own way to freedom in this complex world."
At this point, Liao Zhen stood up and said, "Doctor, I think your interpretation is very insightful. So in real life, how do we distinguish between fame and fortune that are worth pursuing and burdens that should be put down?"
Dr. Qian nodded and praised: "Liao Zhen, your question is very profound. In fact, the method of distinguishing is very simple. The fame and fortune worth pursuing should be what can make us feel satisfied and happy in our hearts, rather than just material enjoyment. The burdens we should let go are those things that make us feel painful and unhappy. We must learn to select the essence from the coarse in life and discard the false and retain the true, so that we can find true happiness."
Looking back, teaching these losers in Huang's class was like talking to a cow.
But now, Dr. Qian was pestered with questions by these possessed students, and he couldn't help but miss their clear and stupid eyes.
Especially Jiang Zhiyu, every question he raised was clever and profound. It seemed unorthodox, but in fact it contained profound logic.
A PhD is supposed to be a job to make a living, but nowadays it requires students to review their studies from decades ago to avoid appearing ignorant in front of students. This is really a well-intentioned move.
Unfortunately, the few remaining hairs on my head are about to fall off due to working day and night.
Let me ask you, has there ever been a reason for a disciple to force his teacher?
Weak, pitiful and helpless!
So, just after finishing two mouthfuls of rice, Dr. Qian ran to Shangguan Zhengming's room, pulled him and cried, saying that he was too old and could no longer do the promising job of teaching Huang's class, so he might as well go back to the countryside to sell sweet potatoes.
Dr. Qian pursed his lips and said aggrievedly, "Shangguan Siye, you have to help me think of a solution. I really can't teach anymore!"
Dr. Qian's miserable cries echoed in Shangguan Zhengming's room.
Shangguan Zhengming sighed helplessly, patted Dr. Qian on the shoulder, and comforted him: "Dr. Qian, don't be sad. The children have a strong desire for knowledge, which is a great blessing for the Imperial College. Don't worry, I will find a way to help you solve this problem."
Dr. Qian sobbed and said, "Shangguan Siye, do you know how hard I have been in the past few years? I have worked hard day and night to keep this position, and my hair is almost falling out. Now let me teach those excited children. I am really afraid that I will not be able to do it and sacrifice myself on the podium."
Shangguan Zhengming was silent for a while, then said: "Dr. Qian, if you are really not suitable to teach Huang Ban, I will help you find a suitable candidate. But now, you have to go with me to see and understand the situation of Huang Ban."
After hearing what Shangguan Zhengming said, Dr. Qian cried even harder: "Shangguan Siye, I beg you, please let me go home to farm and enjoy my old age. I really don't want to face those children anymore, it will shorten my life!"
Seeing that Dr. Qian looked like he was being forced to go to the execution ground, Shangguan Zhengming had no choice but to go to Huangban alone to see if the facts were really as he said. Did the group of Huangban disciples headed by Jiang Zhiyu really pester Dr. Qian to discuss knowledge and get to the bottom of things?
Shangguan Zhengming came to Huangban alone. Before he got close, he heard a burst of laughter and it seemed very lively.
He tiptoed to the window, and through the gap in the window, he saw Jiang Zhiyu and others taking turns to play the teacher in the classroom, simulating the scene of giving a lecture to their classmates.
They were all very focused, sometimes explaining, sometimes asking questions, and the classroom was filled with lively discussions:
"Students, today we are going to learn the poem 'Caicai Juan'er' from the Book of Songs. Do you know the meaning of this poem?" Jiang Zhiyu displayed the majestic demeanor that Dr. Qian usually used when giving lectures, looked around at the students below the stage, and asked loudly.
"I know. This poem is about a woman picking curled ears missing her husband." Liu Mengmeng stood up immediately and answered confidently.
"Very good, then what emotions can you feel from this?" Jiang Zhiyu winked at her and looked at others with a smile.