Chapter 6 Enlightenment

On the first day of class, Chen Heng was a little excited. After all, this opportunity was obtained by his day and night thinking, so he dared not be careless.

After waiting for a long time, all the students were waiting. Master Wang did not leave them time to make friends. When the last student appeared, Master Wang had already stepped into the room.

In Chen Heng's expectant eyes, Master Wang took out books and began to teach the children literacy. Yes, he heard it right, teaching them to recognize words.

I don't know the situation in Yangzhou City, but in Shanxi Village, it is common to be illiterate. Occasionally, someone can write a few words, and then the chat at the head of the village can be louder.

Master Wang's method of teaching words is also simple. He took out a few pieces of paper with words written in advance and posted them on the wall one by one. For example, today's teaching is: Three Character Classic.

The words posted on the wall are, "When people are born, their nature is good" and the following twelve words in sequence. Master Wang will first take the book and lead everyone to read the teaching content three times, and then correct the pronunciation one by one according to the font and explain the meaning of the words.

Finally, in the center of the school, Master Wang also prepared a round and short sand table. In the afternoon, Master Wang felt that the content of the morning was almost taught. Then he asked the students to come up and write one by one. He did not ask for correct writing, but just to cultivate their understanding of the font structure in the process.

The content sounded very simple, and Chen Heng was very devoted to learning. Why? It was because the characters used in ancient times were all traditional characters.

In his previous life, although he had been hanging around in major forums for a long time and had developed the automatic translation function of simplified and traditional characters.

But when it comes to writing, this college student who has been writing simplified characters all his life is inevitably a little scared. Knowing is easy but doing is difficult. For things like learning, even the slightest carelessness is not allowed.

Especially he had heard from netizens on the Internet that in ancient imperial examinations, the examiner would really throw away the test paper because of your ugly handwriting.

Since he has made up his mind, he must try his best from the beginning. Chen Heng, who studied seriously, won unanimous praise from others. Master Wang was satisfied with his seriousness, and other disciples also felt that this new friend was very diligent. Who knows, when the master tests the teacher in the future, he may need Chen Heng's help.

Then, they were in trouble.

According to the master's teaching habits, he would check the content taught yesterday every morning before continuing to teach new things. The original few people, who were already lively and active at their age, could not remember much after a night.

Compared with them, Chen Heng, who was willing to work hard, caught up with their learning content in the past two months in just seven days of classes, and even pulled a long way behind.

But the master was not Chen Heng's master alone. Obviously Chen Heng had already run ahead, but Wang Xianming had to stop behind and wait for others to catch up slowly, which greatly affected Chen Heng's learning progress and his teaching enthusiasm.

With this slightly happy distress, Master Wang told Liu about it during dinner.

"Then what do you want to do?"

Faced with Liu's inquiry, Master Wang said frankly: "What else can I do? Pearls cannot be placed in the dust, and good horses cannot be burdened by bad horses. You should return all the tuition fees they sent."

"Don't want any? You must think it through. The grandson of the village head is also here with us."

"Yes." Master Wang nodded carefully, "I have taught Heng'er, and I don't want to teach others for the time being."

"Okay, all up to you. Don't show up for this matter. I will go and talk to you when the time comes." Liu was worried that Master Wang's face-saving personality would make both parties embarrassed.

Master Wang didn't care. He had a lot of things in his mind now. As if he thought of something, he suddenly asked, "Is the Master's portrait at home still there?"

"It's there, why are you asking this?"

"I want to open Heng'er's eyes."

Master Wang put down his chopsticks, raised his eyebrows, and said word by word.

...

After dinner, Master Wang walked to Lao Chen's house and knocked on the door a few times as usual. Coincidentally, it was Chen Huaijin who opened the door. This time, he didn't shout or yell. He just stood at the door and saluted Wang Xianming.

"No need to be polite. Is your father at home?" Teacher Wang asked with a smile, which was different from the strictness in class.

"Yes, yes. Please come in, sir." Chen Huaijin hurriedly led Wang Xianming into the house. When the two walked through the dim courtyard, Wang Xianming paused slightly. He turned sideways and could vaguely hear the sound of reading from the east wing.

Chen Huaijin was a man with sharp eyes. Seeing this scene, he hurriedly praised his nephew, "This child, every day after returning home to eat, he reads in the house. He really never slacks off for a moment. Even my mother feels distressed when she sees him."

"This is what a scholar looks like." Wang Xianming rarely praised someone in person, and he seemed very satisfied. "Don't disturb the child from reading. Call Heng'er's parents."

Hey, why do you call our child 'Heng'er'? Chen Huaijin couldn't help but feel jealous.

Master Wang did not notice the change in Chen Huaijin's mood, but strode towards the lobby of the house. Chen Gaishan had already seen him.

The two chatted briefly and then sat down to wait for Chen Qi and Gu. When the latter hurriedly arrived, Wang Xianming simply explained his purpose, which confused the adults of the old Chen family.

"Sir, is there any difference in this enlightenment?" This kind of question is the most suitable for Chen Huaijin.

Wang Xianming pondered for a moment, glanced at everyone, his expression unconsciously solemn, and said in a deep voice, "This is the first major event in a scholar's life."

Everyone heard it, although they didn't understand it, but they all stood in awe. After the teacher and the Chen family explained the things to be prepared for the enlightenment, Wang Xianming got up and floated away.

The Chen family were left stunned on the spot, only daring to look at each other and not daring to speak. After a long silence, the bold Chen Huaijin was the first to speak: "This... this, it's too expensive to study here."

Mrs. Zhou smiled bitterly on the side, and couldn't help but secretly thought: Fortunately, I said the ugly things first that day.

"Dad, those things that sir said are necessary..."

As it was an important matter related to Chen Heng, the father naturally didn't dare to be careless and looked at Chen Gaishan with a little anxiety.

The head of the family couldn't help but hold his forehead and sighed: "Let me take it easy, let me take it easy. Don't let Ergou know about this yet."

The tossing and turning night had just ended, and on the second day, Shanxi Village was already bustling with activity. After lunch, news came out that Mrs. Wang had dismissed all the children under her name.

Chen Gaishan and Chen Qi, who were still working diligently in the fields, were so frightened that they abandoned their farm work and rushed home. When they saw Chen Heng still studying diligently at Mrs. Wang's house, they complained to each other that the other party was acting like a rainy day.

But it was a coincidence that they came back just in time to catch up with Mrs. Liu arriving home with her baggage.

This was a rare guest, and all the men in the family avoided it. Mrs. Zhou, who was also an old lady, sat in the lobby, entertaining the distinguished guests with her eldest daughter-in-law.

Although Ms. Liu had been educated for several years, her personality was very straightforward. She explained her intention in a few words, unpacked her baggage, and a brand new robe appeared in front of Ms. Zhou.

"This is what my grandson wore when he was enlightened. The master was impatient and said that Heng'er would be enlightened, and even the time was urgent. I was worried that my sister-in-law's family would not be able to find suitable clothes for a while, so I shamelessly brought this dress. My grandson only wore it once when he was a freshman. I have kept this piece of clothing since he passed the entrance examination.

I originally wanted to wait until he was in high school to take out this item so that he could recall the hardships along the way. Now it is a coincidence that Heng'er is enlightened. I guess it is fate. I hope my sister-in-law will accept it. "

After saying this, it was appropriate inside and out, and it was very considerate of the Chen family's face, which made Mrs. Zhou smile happily and signaled to Mrs. Gu to accept it. The two talked for a while, and it was time to part ways. Zhou thought of the anxious look in front of Chen Bei Mountain.

I couldn't help but ask more: "I heard from the village this morning that my husband persuaded all the children in the school to go back. Our family has always respected the master as a person. If he saw these gossips, he would definitely have a good argument. "

Mrs. Liu was extremely well-educated and just explained gently: "This matter is true. I just came back from Li Zheng's house in the morning."

Look at what I said, Mrs. Zhou felt deeply regretful and had no choice but to ask with a little uneasiness: "Why is this? But at home..."

Mrs. Liu looked at the old lady in front of her, suddenly smiled and said, "The master said that he had taught Heng'er and he no longer wanted to teach others."

Zhou and Gu were both shocked when they heard this, and stood up to send Liu away in confusion. When they returned to the lobby, they saw Chen Gaishan and others with sad faces.

"Dad, aren't you ready for the things sir said?"

Chen Qi asked half proudly and half distressed, but the word he used this time was 'no'. After thinking about it, he realized that the matter had reached this stage and his family could no longer tolerate it.

Chen Gaishan raised his head and sighed, "Let's start getting ready. I'll go find the clan leader in the afternoon."

…………

Three days later, it was an auspicious day. The sky has not yet turned white, the stars have disappeared, and the rising sun has not yet risen.

Most of the villagers were still sleeping, but the lights in Old Chen's house were already brightly lit, showing how busy the owner was. The green cow in the greenhouse held its head high and barked a few times into the air to vent its resentment at being woken up.

"Heng'er, it's time to get up."

Mrs. Gu held the oil lamp and came to Chen Heng's little bed.

"Mom, I know."

Chen Heng opened his quilt and jumped out of bed.

"Be careful, the ground is cold."

While Mrs. Gu was giving instructions, Chen Qi and Chen Huaijin walked into the house carrying a large bathtub. There was a thick layer of herbs floating on it. Chen Heng could not recognize it. He only saw that it was mixed with pine leaves, cypress leaves and other things.

"Come in quickly, Mom will wash you."

Mrs. Gu rolled up her sleeves and looked like she was going to wash her clothes from beginning to end. Chen Heng could only accept his fate, strip off his clothes and jump into the bathtub.

After washing up, Chen Heng put on the green robe that his wife, Mrs. Liu, had given him earlier. It was a bit big at first, but my mother and sister made adjustments day and night to make it the right size.

After drying her hair, Gu pressed Chen Heng in front of her. In the past, Chen Heng's bun was the two-piece bun that is popular among children nowadays. But that won't work today because he has to wear a Confucian scarf.

When everything was done, Chen Heng, who had already changed into scholar's clothes, was led out by Mrs. Gu. Chen Gaishan and the other three people who had been waiting in the courtyard couldn't help but their eyes lit up when they saw Chen Heng's appearance.

"Okay, okay." Chen Gaishan was quite excited and said to his two sons, "Take Heng'er to the ancestral hall. The patriarch and the master are already waiting for us."

This time when they went out, it was difficult for Zhou and Gu to follow them, so they could only stay at home. There is no way, this is the custom in ancient times. When Chen Heng followed Chen Beishan to the ancestral hall, the sky had turned gray and it was gray.

The patriarch Chen Xing stood up first and took Chen Heng to offer incense and kowtow to the ancestors. This was to tell them that if their children are going to study, you should take good care of them.

After the clan leader finished his work, it was Mrs. Wang's turn. A portrait of Confucius hangs high. There is an Eight Immortals table in front of the painting, with an incense burner at the front, and then some of the scholars’ favorite snacks.

The thin and long zongzi, shaped like a brush, is called "Bi Zong". You will know its meaning after reading it several times. The square zongzi in the middle is shaped like an official seal. Its name is Yin Zong. The meaning is naturally to hope that the child will pass the high school and become an official as soon as possible.

There are many similar things, such as Dingsheng cake, which are all in the shape of stars surrounding the moon, with Bi Zong and Yin Zong as the center.

Master Wang picked up the prepared red brush and tapped Chen Heng's eyebrows, leaving a red color, which is to open his wisdom. Then he took Chen Heng to salute the portrait of Confucius and recited: "Confucius said: Learning and practicing it from time to time, isn't it a pleasure?"

Chen Heng also recited: "Confucius said: Learning and practicing it from time to time, isn't it a pleasure?"

The ceremony was over.

Seeing Master Wang nod, the clan leader Chen Xing and his grandfather Chen Gaishan, one holding a gong and the other beating a drum, could only knock three times. This was to tell the ancestors, who were also from the same village, that our village would also have scholars.

After experiencing the enlightenment ceremony in person, Chen Qi and Chen Huaijin realized how important reading is. Their eyes quietly fell on the upright figure standing beside the master. Chen Heng had a solemn face and stood with his hands behind his back, letting the breeze blowing into the hall fiddle with his clothes.

At this time, the first ray of sunlight from the horizon was shining through the gap in the middle of the ancestral hall. Outside the ancestral hall, roosters rose and crowed, and the east was bright.

Standing in the shadow of the eaves, witnessing this scene, Master Wang stroked his beard lightly, shook his head and said, "What a good omen!"

I don't know if he will remember himself decades ago.

Thank you all for voting. There are two book friends who left messages, which is a pleasant surprise. Thank you Maoji Hu Zi, Yucheng Dada, it really makes me feel good to have someone pop up in the book review area.

Come on, let me record the first time of this book. The first vote was: a big orange. The first comment was: Maoji Hu Zi. The first inter-chapter dubbing was gentle school beauty.