Chapter 10: The Tang Dynasty Teacher's Home Visit
"Father, elder brother, this is Mr. Huang from Chang'an." Liu Er Tiao introduced.
"Master is here, quick, quick, Master please come in and sit down!" Liu Lao Shi enthusiastically greeted, although he was illiterate, but he had a blind admiration for these literati, especially the masters in private schools, he respected them even more. Now that Master has arrived at his home, he is naturally exceptionally enthusiastic. Even his beloved cow was forgotten on one side.
"Hello." In contrast to Liu Lao Shi, Liu Yi Tiao's expression was somewhat calm. He just nodded slightly towards Huang Yu, asked a gentle question, and didn't have much of a reaction.
He looked at Liu Lao Shi's smiling face like a chrysanthemum, and was extremely puzzled in his heart. It was just an ordinary home visit, did he need to be so enthusiastic?
He stroked his chin, which was originally not very long, and looked up and down at the young man in front of him, smiling and asking: "Are you that 'two fists bulging, five fingers two short three long' Liu Yitiao?"
"It's just as I thought, so Mr. Huang is that 'unique and outstanding' gentleman from Chang'an. Sorry about that, please come in, Mr. Huang." Liu Yitiao said, but his eyes couldn't help but glance at Liu Ertiao beside him, how could he let the teacher know that he was doing his homework for him, wasn't this just asking for trouble?
Now it's okay, the teacher has come to the door, but how should I deal with it?
"Not urgent, not urgent," Huang Yi didn't move his feet, and lightly waved his hand: "Before entering the house, I have a few questions to ask you, may I?"
"Here!" Liu Yitiao gave Liu Ertiao another glance and said respectfully, "Sir, please speak your mind. I will definitely tell you everything."
"Have you ever attended a private school?"
Isn't it about homework? Liu Yitiao looked at Huang Yi's still gentle face and said, "Not yet."
"Can you read?"
"Know some."
At this time, Liu Lao inserted a sentence: "One, in front of the master, you can't talk nonsense. You haven't attended a private school for a day, how can you say that you know characters?"
"Father," said Liu Yitiao to Old Liu, "private schools are not the only way to acquire knowledge, and not having attended a private school does not mean I am illiterate. Just like you, who have never attended a private school or studied arithmetic, where did your abacus skills come from?"
"This, this," Old Willow was speechless. His abacus skills were taught by Old Old Willow, and he indeed had never attended a private school.
But who taught Liu Yitiao to read and write? In the old Liu family, apart from Er Tiao, no one else seemed to be literate. But Er Tiao had only studied for three years, attending classes every day, where would he have found the time to teach Yi Tiao?
"Mr. Liu, there are countless ways to learn, not just private schools, so don't pursue it anymore." Huang Yu opened his mouth to persuade Old Liu, who was about to speak again, and then asked Liu Yitiao: "Liu Xiaoge, 'Two fists clasped, five fingers two short three long' is indeed your handwriting? Not written by someone else on your behalf?"
What's going on? Are we the kind of people who copy others' homework? Liu Yitiao was indignant in his heart and couldn't help but glare at Liu Ertiao again. If it weren't for this little brat, how would he, Liu Yitiao, be suspected by Old Huang like this?
Liu Er Tiao was connected to being peeled off three eyes, and his heart kept beating with a cold war. He still didn't know where he had offended Big Brother, in his mind, Mr. specially came home to see Big Brother, Big Brother should be very happy.
"Mr. Huang, this couplet was indeed composed by my elder brother. Last night when he came up with it, I was right beside him." Liu Er Tiao stepped forward to testify, saving Liu Yi Tiao from a lot of trouble.
Huang Yi didn't know whether it was distrust or what, shook his head and smiled lightly, saying: "In that case, Liu Xiaoge's talent is truly admirable to Huang. Coincidentally, I have a couplet here, which I obtained three years ago, but unfortunately, I haven't been able to find a matching lower phrase. I wonder if Liu Xiaoge would be interested in making a pair with me?"
"Alright, alright, please go ahead and say the first part of the couplet. My brother will definitely be able to come up with a matching second part." Liu Er Tiao readily agreed from the side, earning him another glare from Liu Yi Tiao.
Huang Yi's words were clearly heard by him. What three years ago accidentally obtained, what bitter without lower hem, wasn't it just to probe him?
If Liu can answer the first question, it proves that he has real talent and learning, and what Liu said in the second question is not false. If he cannot answer, it proves that he suspected of plagiarism in his previous questions, and the couplet is plagiarized from others.
The title of "literary thief" doesn't sound good.
"Sir, please give me a couplet. I'll try my best to match it, whether I succeed or not." Liu Yitiao said quietly.
"Good! Young people are indeed full of energy." Huang Yu laughed and said: "Liu Xiaoge, listen carefully, my upper phrase is: Every time I hear good news, my heart rejoices first."
"Huh?" Liu Yitiao looked at Huang Yu in surprise. How could he come up with such a simple couplet? Wasn't he really trying to test me?
Is Huang Yi himself an idiot?
"Mr. Huang, I already have a matching couplet," said Liu Yitian calmly: "My matching couplet is: Got to see the rare book and copied it by hand. What do you think, Mr. Huang?"
"Whenever I hear good news, my heart rejoices first; when I get to see a rare book, I copy it with my own hands." Huang Yi murmured the couplet for a while, then smiled and said: "Wonderful! It's in line with emotions, matching perfectly, and the antithesis is neat. Brother Liu is indeed extraordinary."
"You're overpraising me. It's just some unusual writing skills." Liu Yitiao began to show humility. In his heart, he had already put Huang Yu in the category of a mediocre writer.
"Liu Xiaoge is too humble, with talent like yours, it's a pity to be buried in the countryside. I don't know if you're willing to come under my tutelage and learn the ways of governing and handling affairs. I can ensure you have a bright future."
Huang Yi had the idea of taking on an apprentice, but unfortunately, Liu Yitiao didn't have any plans to go back to school.
Liu Yitiao said with a smile, "Thank you, Mr. Xie, for your kindness. I have always been content with my simple life in the countryside and have no intention of entering the imperial court, so I'm afraid I would disappoint your good intentions."
"Huh?" This time it was Huang's turn to be surprised, apparently he hadn't expected to be rejected.
In this era, people who learn literature and martial arts sell themselves to the imperial family, becoming officials is the dream of every literati and warrior. Huang Yi couldn't understand how there could be a freak like Liu Yitiao in this world. He also couldn't guess whether this was Liu Yitiao's true intention or not.
"Big brother, Mr. Huang rarely accepts apprentices, this is a good opportunity." Liu Er Tiao pulled on Liu Yi Tiao's sleeve and said in a low voice.
Liu Yitiao whitened Liu Ertiao with one glance, pretending not to hear what he was saying. Smiling at Huang Yu who had not yet figured it out, he said: "Huang Xian rarely comes for a visit, and I also happen to have something to ask him about. Some time ago, I came up with a couplet, but unfortunately my knowledge is shallow and my thinking narrow, so I've been unable to come up with a suitable second half of the couplet. I hope Mr. Huang can enlighten me."
"Huh?" A playful smile appeared on Huang Yi's face. He had just finished being tested, and now he was testing the other person back. He said, "Please go ahead, Brother Liu."
Mr. Huang, listen carefully, the upper phrase of Wan Sheng is: On the first day of the lunar year, no moon is seen, and a few lanterns are lit to create colors for the universe.
