Chapter 147: Hong Xiucai's Assessment
Hong Xiucai had no expression on his face, but he was shocked in his heart. He didn't expect that the farmer in front of him was so rich. He agreed without blinking. Could he be a landlord? Zheng Tongsheng didn't say so in his letter, only that he was a farmer's son.
However, Mr. Hong was also happy to be able to provide money for his children's education. Teaching one more student would increase the probability of his child passing the examination to become a scholar.
She continued, "Well, it's good that you understand. The reason I did this is to let parents know how much money students have to spend on the imperial examinations, so that you can have an idea. The money we earn is not easy."
Sun Bo was very moved. Master Zheng was a good man, and Master Zheng’s friend Hong Xiucai was also a good man. They both cared about parents and students.
He said excitedly: "Teacher, I know that you as teachers are wholeheartedly thinking about the students, I understand it all.
Now that he understood, Hong Xiucai returned to the point and said seriously: "Having money to support education is the first step, and the second step depends on the students' talent."
After a pause, he turned to Sun Shan and said, "Sun Shan, come in. I want to test you to see how well you have learned in the past two years."
So Sun Shan followed Master Zheng into the inner room.
Outside is the reception room, and inside is the real study.
Mr. Hong went straight to the point and asked Sun Shan to recite the "Three Character Classic". After he finished reciting it, he asked him to recite the "Hundred Family Names". After that, he continued to ask him to recite the "Rules for Disciples".
After you have finished memorizing it, check it in "Youxue Qiongli".
After the spot check, find the content from the enlightenment book you have learned and let Sun Shan explain it.
After the explanation, he asked, "Sun Shan, why do you study?"
Sun Shan told the truth: "I studied to pass the exam to become a scholar. If I pass the exam, my family's land will be rent-free, I won't have to do labor service, my parents will have face in the village, and my grandmother is a widow, so she doesn't have to hide from people and can drink my toast to become a scholar openly."
Sun Shan felt distressed that Huang couldn't attend the banquet to celebrate his eldest cousin's passing.
Huang was the best grandmother in the world, but because she was a widow, she was always said to be unlucky. Sun Shan hoped to pass the imperial examination so that people would not say bad things about Huang, and Huang would become a blessed old lady and drink the congratulatory wine with confidence.
Without the accumulation of small steps, one cannot reach a thousand miles. Without the accumulation of small streams, one cannot form a river or sea. As for the examinations for Juren and Jinshi, they are too far away. First, complete the goal of becoming a "scholar" and lay a solid foundation.
Hong Xiucai said nothing, and his expression was unremarkable. He led Sun Shan out and said to Sun Bomin, "Your son has done well in his studies. He is very solid. Is he planning to register first and then start school after the new year?"
When Sun Bomin heard this, he said happily, "Yes, Master, we will register first and start school after the new year."
When the Master asked this, it meant that he accepted Shan Zi.
Sun Boming's uneasy heart finally settled down.
Hong Xiucai nodded and said, "That's fine. The school will be closed in a few days. We can just go back to school after the New Year. There's no need to rush these few days."
Sun Shan secretly breathed a sigh of relief. From the questions he asked just now, it was clear that Mr. Hong was much stricter and more knowledgeable than Master Zheng. The angles he asked were things that Master Zheng had never asked before.
As expected, a scholar is a scholar and is much more knowledgeable than a boy.
Afterwards, Mr. Hong and Sun Bomin chatted for a long time, mainly with Mr. Hong asking questions and Sun Bomin answering them.
When Mr. Hong asked Master Zheng about the situation.
Sun Boming kept replying honestly: Yes, Master Zheng is very good, Master Zheng is a good person, Master Zheng likes Shanzi very much, Master Zheng is a good master.
Anyway, in his mouth, there is nothing bad about Master Zheng. If there is anything bad, it is someone else.
Afterwards, Mr. Hong asked about Sun Boming's family situation and dug up all of Sun Boming's secrets.
When Mr. Hong heard that Sun Shan’s cousin was a scholar, and a young scholar at that, from the He family in the provincial government, he was overjoyed!
With shining eyes, he said, "Yes, Sun Shan made the right choice to take the imperial examination. You have such a relative who can provide help for your studies in the future. You should make good use of it."
Sun Bomin said honestly, "Shanzi's aunt loves Shanzi very much. She bought him all the books for studying a long time ago. Shanzi's eldest cousin also said that Shanzi has talent and can try to take the imperial examination. Master, what do you think of my Shanzi? Can he take this path?"
Hong Xiucai said bluntly: "It seems to be OK at the moment, but it's hard to say in the future. If he keeps working hard, it will definitely be OK."
Sun Bomin said as a matter of course: "Master, don't worry, my son Shanzi loves reading the most."
We chatted for a while and then said goodbye.
Sun Shan didn't dare to say a word. Hong Xiucai and Sun Boming were really good at chatting. They talked non-stop about everything from acquaintances to the fields and family matters.
At the same time, I feel that Hong Xiucai is really down-to-earth. He asks you about your family background very directly and tells you the cost of the imperial examination very directly. Sun Shan was very surprised by this. He didn't expect the master to be so honest and speak so directly.
When Sun Bomin and Sun Shan walked out of the study, the middle-aged man was already waiting for them.
They introduced each other. The middle-aged man was in charge of school affairs. He was considered to be Hong Xiucai's assistant and Hong Xiucai's cousin. Sun Shan called him Uncle Hong.
Uncle Hong took Sun Shan and Sun Boming to visit the Hong School.
The Hong Family School is actually the Hong family residence.
There are three courtyards. The first one is used as a school, the second one is where Mr. Hong lives, and the third one is where the female family members live.
Now there are four classes in the school: A, B, C, and D.
Class A is preparing for the imperial examination, Class B has learned the Four Books and Five Classics but has not yet mastered them thoroughly, and Class C is just beginning to learn the Four Books and Five Classics. Sun Shan is currently going to study in Class C.
As for Class D, it is an introductory class, which provides Hong Xiucai with candidates for the imperial examinations.
Uncle Hong also introduced that there are currently 25 students in Hong's School, including 4 in Class A, 5 in Class B, 6 in Class C, and 10 in the introductory class.
After introducing the school, Uncle Hong led Sun Shan and Sun Bomin into the second courtyard and told Sun Shan to only go here and not go into the third courtyard, as that was where the women lived.
Then they walked to the side of the yard, where there was a door. Uncle Hong opened it with a key and led Sun Shan and Sun Boming in.
It turned out that there was another small courtyard here, surrounded by several houses.
Uncle Hong introduced: "This is the dormitory. Shanzi, you will live here after you enroll in school."
Pointing to the door they had just entered, he said, "That door will be opened during school hours and recess, making it convenient for you to attend classes and eat. It's usually locked."
He pointed to another door not far away and said, "That's the main door. You usually go out through that door, but if you want to go out, you have to have a legitimate reason. There will be someone guarding the door."
Sun Shan understood that there was a small house next to Mr. Hong's house, which was specially used to provide accommodation for students from far away places.
In this way, the school, student dormitories and Hong Xiucai's residence are close to each other yet isolated, allowing him to keep an eye on the students while maintaining privacy.
This is a very good design.
Uncle Hong continued, "There are only six people living in the dormitory right now, and with you, there will be seven. There are four rooms here, three for living, and one for a bathroom and kitchen. When you start school next year, you can live wherever you see an empty room."
When Sun Bomin saw the accommodation, he said with relief, "It's good to live here. The Master's house is next door. I'm finally not so worried."
Uncle Hong understood and said, "Brother Sun, don't worry, it's safe to live here. There are people watching over us."
Afterwards, Uncle Hong introduced the matters concerning eating and bathing.
Hot water will be provided at a fixed time for bathing, but you have to do your own laundry. You need to pay for meals one month in advance, some are expensive and some are cheap, depending on which level you choose.
By the time Uncle Hong finished his introduction and Sun Boming handed in two bundles of silver, it was already 2 p.m.
The three busy people's stomachs were rumbling, and Sun Boming quickly apologized for delaying Uncle Hong's meal.
Uncle Hong said it was okay, but he thought to himself: It's not the Sun family's father and son's fault, it's just that the uncle took too long. I didn't expect him to chat with the Sun family's father and son for so long. It's been a long time since I saw him treat parents and students so patiently.
Weird!Weird!