Chapter 21: Mr. Li (Part 2) Fourth Watch Seeking Votes

  They were all children from different family backgrounds.

  Some are rich, some are poor... In addition, it is also an enlightenment education. The four treasures of the study (pen, ink, paper and inkstone) are relatively expensive for children. Therefore, each child is equipped with a small sandbox, using the sandbox as paper to practice writing. The sandbox is half a meter long and wide, filled with yellow sand. Children use bamboo tubes as pens, following Li Ji's explanation, writing on the sandbox. If they write incorrectly, they can erase it with their hands and rewrite it, which will not waste resources and is very labor-saving, an essential tool in village schools.

  Yan Qing felt that Li Ji seemed to have added some content when teaching everyone to write characters.

  It seems that the explanation has incorporated the content of 'Yong Zi Ba Fa'. For most students, it seems to be a bit too profound.

  But for Zheng Yanqing, it was just right.

  He was a wild fox chan by origin, but although he could write in the Yan style, he didn't know some of the basics of calligraphy. The Eight Methods of the Yong Character can make up for this deficiency, and although it's mainly based on the Clerical Script, Xianqing's gain is enormous.

  Just then, Li Ji quietly arrived behind Zheng Yanqing's back.

  Kan Yanqing carefully copied the five classics stroke by stroke, and he nodded lightly.

  He suddenly stretched out his hand, grabbed the pen holder of Yan Qing, and pulled it out. But Yan Qing was caught off guard, and the pen slipped out of his hand. Turning his head to look, he saw Li Ji shaking his head slightly, "Zheng Yanqing, in writing, one seeks both form and meaning. The characters you write have form, but lack meaning... From now on, you should focus on practicing the meaning behind your words, otherwise, even if you master the form, you will ultimately find it difficult to achieve great success."

  Method of writing with a brush

  A bit shriveled, tight and heavy, rough and coarse, stiff and slow...

  This kind of learning from the ancients has been summarized in various ways, and can be slowly pondered; however, this intention requires talent and also requires bitter practice. Wang Xizhi's "Theory of Intention" talks about this very principle. For the children in this school, Zheng Yanqing's calligraphy is undoubtedly a standout. But as Li Ji said during class: different starting points, different requirements.

  It is clear that Li Ji's demands on Yan Qing are far higher than those on others.

  On the day of the final exam, all the other kids got at least a B grade, but Zheng Yance only got a D. The D grade was undoubtedly the worst. Generally speaking, teachers rarely gave students a D grade. But Li Ji's strict requirements for Yance made him feel extremely surprised.

  This is also too strict!

  But since Mr. has made his comment, Xian Qing can only accept it.

  After the students bid farewell to their teacher together, Zheng Yance felt somewhat disheartened and prepared to leave with his head hung low.

  Li Ji stopped him again...

  "Zheng Yanqing, don't you feel resentful?"

  "Student..."

  Li Ji smiled and said, "I know you're not convinced, but I've told you before that I'll be strict with you. Compared to others of the same age, your calligraphy already has a certain charm. Even Wang Xizhi at your age probably couldn't compare to you."

  "Huh?"

  Zheng Yanqing's eyes widened in surprise, and he thought to himself: If even Wang Xizhi can't surpass me, then what's the point of giving me a "Ding" grade?

  Li Ji said: "But it is precisely because of this that your future achievements may not necessarily be able to compare with those of Wang Youjun."

  At a young age, your form is already set. If you want to achieve great success, you will need more tempering. I have a copy of "Pen Theory" here, take it back and study it carefully. When Wang Xizhi was 12 years old, he got "Pen Theory" and then studied with Lady Wei. Later on, he also practiced calligraphy by tracing stele inscriptions, only then did he develop his own unique style and become a master. You are doing the opposite, you haven't learned the basics, your foundation is not solid, yet you're already learning from stele inscriptions, making your writing superficial and lacking in depth. That's why I want you to study this "Pen Theory" carefully, when the monthly exam comes, you need to write an essay based on it. If I'm satisfied, I will change your grade.

  It can be heard that Li Ji has a deep promise to Zheng Yanqing.

  It's just...

  Zheng Yanqing took over "Bi Lun", and couldn't help but smile bitterly in his heart.

  Man, it's better to keep a low profile. Being too outstanding will eventually bring bad luck!

  When I came out of the school building, it was already late afternoon with the sun shining at an angle.

  Zheng Yanqing carried his school bag and headed towards Tianzhuang. Tianzhuang was some distance away from the Dou family's study hall. Originally, Zheng Shian had wanted to send someone to pick him up, but Zheng Yanqing had refused. The reason was simple: Zheng Shian was currently in a precarious position.

  Don't think Tianjin Bridge incident has subsided, but in fact, it's just the beginning.

  The ancients said, heaven's timing, earth's advantage, and people's harmony.

  For Zheng Shi'an, Tian Shi is Zheng Renji's attitude, Di Li is Cui Furen's idea, and Ren He...

  In fact, Zheng Shian now only occupies the interests of Renhe.

  Jung In-ki may not say anything, but Choi Do-rin still has to rely on Mrs. Choi, and this time the circumstances are not in his favor.

  Perhaps it won't be long before Zheng Shian slowly loses his human connections and benefits.

  By then, the situation of his grandson would become embarrassing... At this time, Zheng Shi'an needs to be more mindful of his status. As the grandson of a humble servant, if he were to have someone escort him, it would definitely lead to gossip. And as for Zheng Yanqing himself, he wasn't one who was pampered either. Walking a few miles every day could also be considered exercise, strengthening his body and bones.

  "Maitreya reincarnated, peace all over the world!"

  As he walked along the country path, Zheng Yanqing saw a line of people in white clothes walking towards him from the opposite direction.

  These people were neither monks nor laymen, and as they walked, they chanted the name of Maitreya. Many farmers in the fields saw the white-robed men approaching and immediately knelt down to kowtow and pray. Zheng Yancei couldn't help but frown, feeling a sense of disgust.

  He knew where these men in white came from, because they had also appeared at Zheng's farm.

  They seem to be members of a certain religious group, believing in Maitreya and deceiving the world. Their beliefs are different from Taoism and Buddhism, and in Zheng Yanqing's view, they look more like a cult organization. They spend their days preaching in the countryside and have also recruited many followers.

  As for religion, Xian Qing neither likes nor dislikes it.

  Whether it is Buddhism or Taoism, they all emerged in response to the era. The Five Barbarians wreaked havoc on China, and the northern lands were plagued by endless war. The Han people were decimated, with only one in ten surviving, and the common folk suffered unspeakable hardships. People were powerless to stop the wars, so they sought solace in a spiritual refuge. Thus, Buddhism flourished, beginning to spread among the people, allowing them to find solace in the afterlife.

  Taoism flourished in the south.

  The Southern Dynasty was powerless to recover its territory, and scholars could only rely on clarity and mystery as a refuge.

  Longing for mountains and waters, using various means to cover up the sorrow in one's heart. Gradually, this mysterious way also flourished among the upper class.

  In short, every religion has its own reason for emerging.

  But cults are different, more often than not, they are a disguise for some ambitious people.

  The Yellow Turbans' uprising was the same, or perhaps Sun En's disaster was also the case. As for later generations, heresy became a tool for extortion, which made Zheng Yanqing deeply resentful and hateful. These White-robed Maitreya were roughly the same. Although they have not taken any special action yet, Yanqing felt that these people would eventually brew great disasters, and when the time came, it would be the common people who would suffer.

  But what else can he do to stop it?

  White-robed Maitreya publicly preaches, even government offices don't intervene.

  Moreover, they didn't have any evidence, and if they rashly went after him, it might end up dragging Zheng Yanqing himself into the mess.

  After going back, tell grandpa about it and let him pay more attention to the situation in the field.

  Don't let these white-robed Maitreya drill into the empty space, and when the time comes to involve the entire field, that would be a great sin.

  Thinking of this, Zheng Yance stepped aside and made way for a path, watching as Bai Yi walked past.

  Behind them, those foolish men and women still knelt in the fields, ceaselessly kowtowing to their backs, murmuring incantations.

  "When Maitreya is born, the fields will yield sevenfold, the rice will grow to seven inches long, white as jade and sweet as honey; at the beginning of the kalpa, the rice was four inches long, clothes grew on trees, naturally and spontaneously..."

  Generally speaking, Zheng Yanqing is half-understanding of Buddhist scriptures and does not understand what this scripture really means.

  However, he could roughly make out one meaning: as long as you believe in Maitreya, you can gain without labor. Grain grows on its own without being planted, and clothes are generated on trees.

  If it doesn't appear, then you're not sincere enough.

  As long as one is sincere, it will be so... but what constitutes sincerity? The final interpretation rests in the hands of the White-robed Maitreya.

  Looks like it's quite serious!

  Zheng Yanqing was thinking about it and unknowingly returned home.

  Zheng Shi'an had already prepared dinner and was just waiting for Yan Qing to come back.

  "Yan Qing, how was your study in school today?"

  Got a 'D'.

  Zheng Shi'an was taken aback, "Ding? How could it be Ding... Isn't that Mr. a swindler? You're so clever, why did he only give you a 'Ding'? Xian Qing, is it because the master thinks you're not from the Niu Doulai family and is intentionally bullying you?"

  "Grandpa, it's not like that, sir is also for my own good."

  Zheng Yanqing hastily explained and finally calmed down Zheng Shi'an.

  After dinner, he suddenly asked: "Grandfather, have you found that recently, in this countryside, Maitreya seems to be prevailing?"

  "Are you referring to those White-robed Maitreya?"

  Zheng Shi'an seemed rather nonchalant, "I've seen them before, they came to our place today to preach. I heard that these White-clad Maitreya have great magical powers and many people believe in them. In our village, there are quite a few people who worship Maitreya."

  Zheng Yanqing's heart became even heavier...

  "Grandpa, don't believe those people."

  If an ordinary person said this, Zheng Shian would not listen. But Zheng Yanqing is different, the ability he has shown since childhood makes Zheng Shian have inexplicable confidence in him. It seems that Yanqing's words are not without reason.

  "Then Zheng Shi'an couldn't help but ask: 'Why?'"

  "Grandfather, our Zheng family has been passing down the classics and histories for generations, teaching us how to cultivate ourselves, manage our households, and govern the country."

  Confucius also said, "The Master does not talk about strange things, physical strength and the supernatural." These things, even a sage cannot speak of, let alone us ordinary people? Maybe there really are immortals in this world, but they're not something we should constantly be talking about, nor can we use them as tools to swindle money or satisfy our private desires like those Maitreya-like figures... Besides, with reverence in our hearts, the divine will naturally protect us. Since it's like that, why bother listening to others' deceitful words?

  Zheng Yanqing's words had barely fallen when someone outside the house applauded and praised: "Well said!"

  Yan Qing's ancestors and descendants heard this, and couldn't help but feel a shock in their hearts.

  He hastily got up and walked out of the house, and saw that a man had appeared in the small courtyard at some point.

  The light was dim and I couldn't see the person's face clearly.

  Zheng Shi'an asked in a deep voice: "Who are you? What brings you here?"

  The man walked up to the door and looked Zheng Yanqing up and down before asking in a low voice, "Are you Zheng Yanqing?"

  Zheng Yanqing pulled Zheng Shi'an a little and nodded, "The kid is indeed Zheng Yanqing."

  "So you're saying that there are rumors of war among the three kingdoms? And where did you hear this from?"

  Yan Qing didn't react in time and asked in confusion: "May I ask who you are, sir? These chaotic words of the Three Kingdoms, where do you want to start?"

  The man snorted, "A certain family, Yan Yun."

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