Chapter 408: Limited Talent
In the days that followed, Sun Shan learned from Su Qin's practice of pricking his thigh with a needle and studied day and night.
After all, there is a third-rank official willing to give guidance, so we must make the best use of him.
Mr. Zhou is also a very nice person. He never tires of guiding Sun Shan in his studies.
Every five days, Sun Shan would be given questions to do and then corrected. Five days later, another set of questions would be given and corrected again, and the cycle would continue.
Sun Shan's academic performance made a qualitative leap. In the September quarterly exam, his ranking soared from 9th to th.
Sun Shan’s confidence grew, and he always felt that one day he could become Long Aotian and reach the top of the list.
Spring passed and autumn came. It was time for quarterly and annual exams. As a result, Sun Shan always ranked below 25th and could not even get into the 20th place.
My best result was in the annual exam, where I ranked 25th. After that I couldn’t make any breakthrough or jump up any further.
Qian Yingyang, who returned to the last place, comforted Sun Shan: "Ashan, do your best and leave the rest to fate. You have done your best, so don't force yourself."
After saying this, he sighed deeply, his face full of worry, as if it was he, not Sun Shan, who could not break through and get into the top 20.
Zhu Pengyun, who returned to the second-to-last place, also consoled him: "Ashan, twenty-five is already very good. Your ability is there. Don't force it."
After saying this, he imitated Qian Yingyang and sighed, feeling deeply moved.
Sun Shan shook off the two hands on his shoulders. How could these two poor students understand the thoughts of him who was once a top student?
Sun Shan doubted that he could not make any further progress, all because he was hanging out with poor students and his luck was affected.
Sun Shan wanted to play with the top students, so that he would be influenced by the good and bad and become a top student.
After thinking about Yu Nanwang, the top student in the next dormitory, he immediately gave up the idea of playing with him. He couldn't stand the cold air and didn't want to become as cold as Yu Nanwang.
I turned my eyes to the local students, but it was a pity that they did not communicate with the out-of-town students in a simple and easy-to-understand way. They only discussed academic matters enthusiastically, but it was still difficult and reluctant for them to integrate into life.
Maybe because of different food, language, customs and habits, we can't become good friends.
Mr. Zhou looked at Sun Shan's grades, then looked at his still plain and simple handwriting, and sighed, "Sun Shan, this is already a good grade. In fact, the saying that hard work can make up for lack of talent is a lie. Talent is limited, so no matter how hard you work, it will be in vain."
After hearing this, Sun Shan looked at Lord Zhou in shock. Wasn't this too direct?
Then Mr. Zhou said, "Although your talent is limited, you are also a rare talent among outstanding students. If you work hard, you may still pass the imperial examination. As for the juren, don't worry. If you keep working hard, you will have a 50% chance of passing."
After a pause, Lord Zhou added, "Fortunately, you are taking the imperial examination in Guangnan. The competition there is not that fierce, unlike in Jiangnan and Yuzhang."
Finally, Mr. Zhou said: Young man, work hard!
Then he sent Sun Shan back to study hard.
Sun Shan took the homework assigned by Mr. Zhou, walked out with his head hung, and met little Zhou Yigao on the way.
Zhou Yigao took part in the county examination in February and the boy's examination in April. Now he is a young student and is preparing to take the academy examination in August. So he did not come to the academy to study after the Chinese New Year and concentrated on preparing for the exam at home.
Because of Zhou Yigao's temporary withdrawal from school, Qian Yingyang and Zhu Pengyun returned to their positions and were once again awarded the "honorary titles" of last and second to last.
When Zhou Yigao saw Sun Shan, he jumped over and said happily, "Brother Shan, are you looking for my grandfather?"
He looked at the homework in his hand and said with a smile, "Brother Shan, is it difficult for my grandfather to give you homework?"
Sun Shan saw Zhou Yigao coming to the academy and asked curiously, "Why are you here? Aren't you at home preparing for the exam?"
When it comes to preparing for the exam, Zhou Yigao becomes depressed. It is so boring to stay at home and read books all day. He can't read books every day. He needs to go out and get some fresh air.
Today, Lord Zhou came to the academy to give lectures. Zhou Yigao begged hard, and only then did Lord Zhou agree to bring him along.
Zhou Yigao said sadly: "I read books at home every day, and my head is heavy. I haven't seen you for a long time, so I came to play with you."
Zhou Yigao has a round head, and he looks quite funny with his head drooping.
Sun Shan smiled and said, "How's your review going? Are you confident about the college entrance examination in August?"
A good father will have a good son. Lord Zhou is an official, and Zhou Yigao's father is also an official. Now it is Zhou Yigao's turn. His academic performance is also very good. He ranked fifth in the examination for the position of a scholar.
Zhou Yigao shook his head, then nodded and said, "I have confidence, but I'm just afraid I won't pass the exam. Studying is really annoying, but not studying is not an option."
Sun Shan placed one hand on his little shoulder, pulled him towards the dormitory, and said comfortingly: "Just have confidence, the college entrance examination is not difficult. You ranked fifth in the children's examination this time, so you will definitely pass the college entrance examination."
Zhou Yigao walked forward with Sun Shan and said cheerfully, "My grandfather and my teacher also said that if I perform normally, I will pass the examination. Haha, then I will be a scholar."
Zhou Yigao had been studying in an academy in the capital. When he returned to Changsha, he went to Yuelu Academy. After that, he went home to prepare for the exam. The Zhou family hired a teacher to give him intensive tutoring.
As for Lord Zhou, he did not personally guide Zhou Yigao.
In Zhou Yigao's words, Mr. Zhou can teach other students but cannot teach his own children.
When Mr. Zhou teaches the Zhou family children, they can't help but get angry.
Sun Shan recalled that in his previous life, parents would often get furious when helping their children with their homework, especially highly educated parents. When they encountered something their children couldn't do, they would get so angry that they might even be sent to the hospital.
Sun Shan thought that Lord Zhou thought he was extremely smart, but his son and grandson couldn't even solve such a simple problem. He must be furious and would curse at others if he disagreed with them. This was the only way to relieve his depression.
Therefore, let others teach your son and grandson. Out of sight, out of mind, and you will naturally not be bothered.
It’s not that I don’t have the ability to teach personally, but I don’t want to teach until I bleed internally.
After Sun Shan and Zhou Yigao returned to the dormitory and put their things away, they ran into Yu Nanwang who was also going out when they walked out the door.
Zhou Yigao called out very politely, "Cousin Nanwang."
Although she is my cousin and not my biological aunt, I still have to say hello when I know her, especially since Zhou Yigao is the younger one.
Yu Nanwang nodded coldly and said, "I'll leave first, you can do whatever you want."
Then he left with his servant.
Sun Shan and Zhou Yigao looked at each other for several times. Although they were already used to Yu Nanwang's silence, he was still too taciturn. He didn't even show any warmth when he saw his cousin.
Sun Shan and Zhou Yigao didn't say much. They walked along the corridor and called Qian Yingyang and Zhu Pengyun to come out and play together.
Sun Shan was going to climb Yuelu Mountain so that Zhou Yigao, the little boy, could relax.
After climbing the mountain, go for a meal, and you will feel even better.
Qian Yingyang, Zhu Pengyun and Zhou Yigao all raised their hands in agreement to this suggestion. It was obvious at first glance that the three of them were foodies.