Volume 3: Chapter 83 - Grand Opening

  A new chapter, seeking votes and support!

  "With a flourish of his sword, he cleaves through mountains and seas; with a stroke of his brush, dragons, snakes, ghosts, and gods are startled!"

  ……

  "What a wonderful sentence! What a wonderful crazy life!"

  ……

  As Chen Jianchen finished his concentration, he picked up a wolf-haired brush and wrote this couplet on both sides of the door with one breath, and the crowd around him immediately burst into applause and couldn't help but look at him sideways.

  "With a flourish of his sword, he cleaves through mountains and seas; with a stroke of his brush, dragons, snakes, ghosts, and gods are startled!"

  What magnanimity is this?

  A group of Ming Hua Academy students, invited by Chen Jianchen to assist, looked at each other in dismay. They asked themselves how they could possibly write something like this - with a poetic and elegant tone, but the style was either bold and unrestrained or delicate and subtle; it was either gentle and flowing or powerful and majestic, with many nuances and subtleties.

  The two schoolmasters, stroking their beards, gazed intently at the couplet. Liu Laoshi, who taught calligraphy, was focused on Chen Jianchen's handwriting, while Huang Laoshi, who taught poetry, paid more attention to the implied meaning of the couplet.

  "Good match, when floating one big white!"

  Huang Fuzi, over sixty years old, had a white goatee. At this moment, he was overly excited and accidentally pulled out a few of his beloved whiskers, which pained him terribly.

  "This child is certainly no ordinary person!"

  Liu Fuzi also gave high praise.

  Both are nearly seventy years old and have taught many people, but a disciple like Chen Jianchen is rare. In the future, when he grows up, he will surely become an outstanding disciple.

  A teacher is one who imparts knowledge and resolves doubts. The most pressing concern is whether the students under their guidance can become accomplished individuals, as the saying goes "peach and plum blossoms fill the world". Setting aside reputation, from a practical perspective, it's an infinitely beneficial network of relationships.

  The relationship between teachers and students is very solid in the Tian Tong dynasty, and has long been listed as a basic norm by the sacred books. Those who violate it are considered criminals.

  "Liaozhai!"

  At this time, Chen Jianchen had already written a banner, which was two bold and vigorous characters.

  Seeing this banner, everyone felt puzzled. Huang Fuzi stepped forward and asked: "Liu Xian, is there any origin or story behind this banner?"

  Chen Jianchen's mind moved, and he respectfully replied: "This was the study name of one of my former masters. The old gentleman had taught me a lot when I was a student, and I dare not forget his kindness, so I used this name to commemorate him."

  Huang Fuzi nodded repeatedly as he listened, Chen Jianchen was able to respect his teacher and the Tao, this point is definitely worth affirming.

  "Sir, I opened this bookstore not just for business, but also to have a quiet place to chat with friends, so the name 'Chat Room' is quite fitting."

  Even Liu Fuzi, who was not given to smiling, broke into a smile and said, "Liu Xian's words have struck a chord in me. As scholars, we should uphold noble aspirations and not be like merchants, tirelessly pursuing petty gains every day. The stench of copper is hard to get rid of once it clings to you."

  Chen Jianchen nodded and expressed his acceptance, but in his heart, he couldn't help feeling a bit unconvinced. A gentleman loves wealth, but acquires it through proper means. The only reason was that without money to protect himself, let alone support his family, he would even starve to death. However, he didn't want to argue with Master Fu about this, as it wasn't necessary and wouldn't lead to any conclusion anyway.

  It just so happens that today is a great day for his bookstore's grand opening.

  Opening a bookstore in Jiangzhou City has always been one of Chen Jianchen's dreams, closely related to his own interests. Now that the wish has finally come true. Moreover, with this bookstore, it's like having an industry, and he can train Abao, then hand it over to her to manage, and his mother, Mo San Niang, doesn't have to work hard weaving cloth anymore.

  Since the last conversation, Chen Jianchen has been trying to make time to teach Ah Bao to read and write. He suddenly discovered that he had a bit of a "good teacher" demeanor - from Yining, Xiao Yi, to Ah Bao, they all counted as his students. Could it be that in the future, he could even open up a tutoring class?

  Well, this aspect can be considered...

  Abao is clever and learns quickly. After teaching for a month or so, he recognizes more characters than the mouse spirit and can also write a good hand of characters that look like models.

  When she wrote her own name for the first time, she was so excited that she rushed into Chen Jianchen's arms, and her bright eyes had tears.

  Chen Jianchen understood her feelings. In the Tian Tong dynasty, ordinary women had no opportunity to receive education and were mostly illiterate. The feeling of being unable to recognize characters was not pleasant - although many women were used to it.

  After learning to read and write, Ah Bao squeezed out time to study diligently in Chen Jianchen's study, with a look of eagerness, as if she were going to take the imperial examination.

  Originally, everyone has an upward heart...

  Chen Jianchen took an encouraging attitude towards her and was not afraid that she would discover the infant Ning and Xiao Yi, because the two little demons had left Jiangzhou early and returned to Wusong Cave.

  Hei Shan escorted the monk who was spreading Buddhist teachings to leave Jiangzhou and return to the capital, but for many days, there had been no news. Yining then shouted that she wanted to return to Wosong Cave to practice Taoist magic as soon as possible.

  As for its requirements, Chen Jianchen agreed and asked Xiaoyi and Yining, who were recovering from their injuries, to return to Fengshan together, so that they could take care of each other. He also specially instructed them to be careful in their actions, and if anything went wrong, it would be better to leave early.

  After they left, Chen Jianchen's study became much quieter, so quiet that it seemed a bit unfamiliar, and a subtle feeling of "nostalgia" emerged.

  Men are not made of wood and stone, who can be without feelings?

  When companionship has become a habit, sudden separation can leave an empty space in one's heart, making one feel uncomfortable.

  Fortunately, the bookstore has opened now, there are new things to be busy with, which can distract attention and enrich life.

  "Haha, this young master's shop is newly opened, congratulations are in order! Old Dao has also come to join in the excitement today!"

  A familiar voice rang out, pulling Chen Jianchen's thoughts back. He looked up to see Guang Han Daozhang standing in front of him, wearing a tattered and worn-out Taoist robe that seemed to be hundreds of years old. By his side, there was no sign of Qing Yun Daozhang, but instead, there was a young boy with a tiger-like face, about twelve or thirteen years old, with a childish face and a bun on his head, looking quite adorable.

  Seeing Guang Han Dao Chang winking at him, Chen Jianchen immediately responded with a hint of psychology: "May I ask, Master Dao, what excitement are you trying to stir up?"

  Guang Han smiled and said, "Today, I brought this little apprentice and happened to pass by here. We met the opening of your shop, which is also a fate. Why don't my master and apprentice perform a set of magic tricks for you to add to the excitement?"

  Little apprentice?

  Chen Jianchen looked at the young boy, seemingly deep in thought. Before he could speak, the onlookers who had heard that there would be a magic show immediately started cheering: "Good!"

  "Let's start performing! If you perform well, there will be a reward!"

  Among the crowd, Wang Fu keenly recognized Guang Han Dao Chang and hurried over to pull Chen Jianchen's ear and whisper a few words, meaning to tell him to be careful not to be teased by Guang Han's evil joke.

  Chen Jianchen smiled and said, "It doesn't matter."

  Then have people make way for a large area and ask Master Guang Han and his disciples to perform.