Chapter 54: Li Gang's Examination

  Second update, today Da Bai caught a cold, dizzy and bloated head, after taking medicine kept yawning, planning to sleep early, no third update today. Tomorrow's third update thanks to Qi Xing Cao's reward and everyone's likes!

  Li Er took his eldest grandson to Chongwendian, Li Chengqian, Li Ke, and even the very young Li Tai were all seated on one side, shaking their heads and reciting their lessons.

  When he saw the chubby Li Tai, Chang Sun was stunned and almost dared not to believe that this guy Li Tai was a descendant of Li Er, because Li Tai looked exactly like the son of the Chang Sun family, with a round head and face, tiger-like features, and a plump figure, just like the two little chubbies at home.

  He absolutely believed that there was a close relationship between Zhang Sun Laodie and the Queen, and could only sigh again at the wonders of heredity. They were cousins, looked very similar, and it wasn't unreasonable.

  Chang Sun thought that in the future, he would become one of them, and felt a headache. He had memorized so many poems and texts, but only had some talent, but what the Tang Dynasty needed now was not talented poets, but skilled craftsmen who knew innovation, and scientific and technological talents were what the Tang Dynasty urgently needed. Science and technology are the main driving force behind social productivity.

  "Uncle, what do we usually learn on ordinary days?" asked Zhangsun Chong with a careful tone.

  "The six arts of a gentleman: music, chess, calligraphy, poetry, painting and archery!" Li Er said with satisfaction. As long as his sons and daughters learned these, they would be considered to have some talent and become modest gentlemen.

  "Oh, very comprehensive." Zhangsun Chong didn't have the spirit to respond with a sentence.

  Li Er saw that Zhangsun Chong was uninterested and asked with a dark face: "You little rascal, I let you study with Chengqian, can't you even handle that?"

  "Chonger dare not, Chonger dare not!" Zhangsun Chong plucked up his courage and took a look at Li Er's complacent expression, knowing that these courses were arranged by Li Er. He hastily acknowledged his mistake, "A gentleman's six arts are not only about being knowledgeable in books and etiquette, but also about strengthening one's physique. The arrangement is very reasonable."

  Li Er's complexion improved a bit, and when it was time for the intermission, he rushed in with Zhangsun.

  Li Gang had met Zhang Sun Chong before and was quite curious about the prodigal son of the Zhang family. After close contact, he liked Zhang Sun Chong's true and sentimental side even more. The emperor had already told him to be Zhang Sun Chong's teacher beforehand. A good student is always welcome, so he gladly accepted.

  "I'll be troubling you again later, Lord Li." Zhangsun stepped forward and bowed in a junior's salute, very properly.

  "No need to be polite, I and the young master are officials of the same dynasty, we can also be considered your elders. From now on, you must study hard, otherwise, I won't let you off easily." Li Gang stroked his long white sparse beard, smiling very kindly.

  Li Chengqian and Li Ke saw Li Gang's benevolent smile, and they secretly worried about their eldest brother. This old man Li was notorious for his severity, he and Kong Yingda played the roles of red and white faces, and he and Ke'er had been beaten many times. The more happily Old Man Li smiled, the harder he hit people.

  "Sit down at the back, we're about to interpret the Book of Songs!" Mr. Li pointed to the seat behind Li Chengqian. The entire room was quite large, with twenty or thirty seats, but now there were only four of them studying, making it seem a bit deserted.

  Boys and girls of seven years old sit separately, go to school separately, princes and princesses are also separated.

  "Here, you'd better listen to Li Ai's teachings, or else no one can save you." Li Er said with a pleasant mood and an eerie smile on the corner of his mouth, then turned around and left.

  Li Gang walked up to Chang Sun and asked in a low voice, "What books has Master Chang Sun read?"

  Chang Sun-chung hastily stood up, bowed and replied: "Your humble servant has only read the Four Books and Five Classics as well as a little poetry and prose, and will still need Mr. Li's guidance in the future."

  Mr. Li was very pleased with Zhangsun Chong's courtesy and thought that Zhangsun Chong was very pleasing to the eye.

  Chang Sun Chong, with the principle of being polite and not offending others, I've been so respectful to you and listened to you attentively, completing my homework diligently. How dare you still try to put me in a difficult position?

  "What about the Analects of Confucius? Which sentences do you like?" Li began to test Principal Sun, and through his answers, determine Principal Sun's level and moral character.

  Chang Sun Chong smiled and said, "This young man is indeed shallow. He thinks that knowing is knowing, not knowing is not knowing, this is knowledge. This sentence is very good, remember it in your heart. If you can do something, then do it, if you can't, then don't. There's no need to pretend to understand when you don't. This is the basic principle of being a person and also the principle of studying."

  Li Gang was surprised, originally thought that this Long Sun Gongzi would say a few big principles, did not think that this is just one sentence, but this sentence indeed explains the attitude of a person doing things, this kid's insight is not bad.

  "Well, that's good. Do you know that a gentleman has three prohibitions: when he is young, his blood and energy are not yet settled, and he must be cautious about lust; when he is in his prime, his blood and energy are vigorous, and he must be cautious about fighting; and when he is old, his blood and energy have declined, and he must be cautious about greed?" Li Gang asked casually.

  Chang Sun-chung, having studied with his erudite uncle since childhood, naturally knew that this was from the Analects of Confucius - Season Zhi. With confidence, he said: "A gentleman has three things to be vigilant about throughout his life: when young, while growing strong and vigorous, and before one's energy is fully formed, one must be cautious in matters of sex; during middle age, when physical strength is at its peak and energy is abundant, one must guard against unprincipled disputes and struggles; and in old age, when physical and mental powers have declined, one must guard against insatiable greed. The Master was advising his young disciple to beware of lust, and I will remember the teachings of my venerable teacher, Li, and make good use of the precious time of youth, study diligently every day, strive upwards, and become a useful person for our great Tang dynasty."

  Li Gang nodded and asked: "What do you think of the Book of Songs?"

  "The Book of Songs employs flexible use of fu, bi and xing narrative techniques, initially forming the artistic tradition of folk song creation, focusing on reflecting and expressing the social reality of the time, with most having a strong sense of era and populism. It is a treasure of our Chinese literary heritage and laid the foundation for the development of our poetry."

  "Haha!" Li Gang nodded, "I almost forgot, Zhangsun Gongzi's poetry is very good. Now that it's autumn, can you compose a poem about this season?"

  That's even easier, Chang Sun thought for a moment and said: "Far up the cold mountain, stone paths wind, white clouds are born where people live. Stop the car, sit in love under the maple forest at dusk, frosty leaves redden like flowers in February."

  "Under the frosty leaves, the red flowers are more beautiful than the February flowers?" Li Gang murmured to himself, recalling the tranquility of his previous mountain climbing experience, as if a divine light was shining on his head. He hastily asked: "What is the name of this excellent verse?"

  "Mountain Travels"

  "Mountain trip?" Li Gang listened, it was just right, how could he not do it, excitedly stepped forward and grabbed Zhangsun Chong's arm and asked: "How did you come up with such a poem?"

  Li Gang couldn't help but get excited, having taught for so many years and having had so many students, none of whom could produce such excellent poetry. It's rare to have a talented student like this now, and he can't let him go. As a teacher, he naturally hopes to cultivate a disciple with exceptional poetic talent, and after all these years, he has finally found one.

  Chang Sun Chong rubbed his head, looking embarrassed, and said: "Recently, I often climbed mountains and saw the beautiful maple leaves everywhere. Some ideas had already formed in my mind. Today, taking advantage of the teacher's test, I spoke out impulsively. If there's anything improper, please correct me, teacher."

  "Haha, your poem is even better than mine! I'm not worthy of giving you advice!" Although Li Gang said he wasn't worthy, his face didn't show any signs of humility, but rather a hint of pride.

  "One day as a teacher, a lifetime as a father!" Zhangsun Chong bowed again with great ceremony.

  Li Gang hastily stepped forward to help Zhangsun Chong up, laughing so hard that his eyes were not visible, and said: "No need for formalities, let's just encourage each other. As master and apprentice, we don't need to be overly polite here. Today, when you go back, have your father bring the six gifts to my house."

  "What are the six gifts?" Zhangsun Chong was taken aback, thinking to himself that this old man Li was brazenly asking for bribes right in front of him.

  Li Lao Fuzi's face turned black, he had already said it so clearly, just wanting to put the master-apprentice relationship between the two into practice, and was so angry that he puffed out his chest and glared, saying: "Go home and ask your dad!"