Training the Heavens

Chapter 252 Shanghai Style
After some consultation, Zhang Xingjiu officially enrolled in the school. While serving as a Chinese teacher at the public school, he also studied French, Latin, physical education, art and most importantly, scientific knowledge with those students with better grades.

English was not taught because most of the Jesuits in the early public schools came from France, so French became one of the earliest subjects in the public schools. Latin, as the official language of the church, was naturally also required to be learned.

It was not until ten years later that public schools began to add English courses. By that time, Britain's influence had become very great, and even in church schools in Shanghai, students had to learn English.

Zhang Xingjiu received the textbooks very quickly. These textbooks were considered exquisite at the time, and the public school spared no expense in order to expand its influence. The first textbook he flipped through was "French Beginner's Edition". Interestingly, the Chinese characters in this book were arranged horizontally from left to right, which was basically consistent with the habits of later generations.

Zhang Xingjiu is now fluent in English and Japanese. He has never been exposed to French and Latin before, so now is a good time for him to catch up on these two languages. He roughly flipped through the "French Beginner's Edition" and picked up the Latin textbook.

I couldn't help laughing when I saw this. The Chinese characters translated from Latin are actually Latin. It makes people feel a chill in their crotch when they see it. I don't know who translated it, but it's really exciting.

Zhang Xingjiu has a photographic memory and learns foreign languages ​​much faster than most people. After taking a few classes, he attracted the attention of the teachers. Jiang Yixu was overjoyed when he knew about it. If the public school could cultivate such an outstanding talent, it would be a great thing for expanding the influence of the public school.

After some consideration, he gave Zhang Xingjiu special lessons and arranged two teachers to provide one-on-one tutoring so that he could master French and Latin as soon as possible.

In addition to foreign language classes, Zhang Xingjiu also performed well in other subjects. The music class initially taught organ and hymns. When Zhang Xingjiu was in "The Road of Life", he learned guitar with his roommates. He had a certain foundation in music theory and the use of musical instruments, so he could learn naturally very quickly now.

Not to mention sports, his physique is much stronger than that of ordinary people. Not only is he better than students of the same age, even the physical education teacher cannot beat him. As long as Zhang Xingjiu is familiar with the rules and practices a few more times, he can beat foreign teachers in tennis, gymnastics and even football.

The physical education teacher even thought about having him join his football team to participate in competitions between foreign expatriates in Shanghai, but when he thought about the status gap between foreigners and Chinese in Shanghai today, he gave up in the end.

When learning scientific knowledge, the teachers were also amazed at Zhang Xingjiu's talent. No matter what the knowledge was, as long as he was taught once, Zhang Xingjiu could remember it firmly in his mind and apply it skillfully.

After all, he is a PhD from a 985 university, has won the Fields Medal, and has been an academician. It is naturally not difficult for him to learn 19th-century scientific knowledge now. The most troublesome thing is not remembering this knowledge, but ignoring the errors in this knowledge. Mathematics is okay, but in physics and chemistry classes, there is indeed a lot of knowledge that the teachers teach that is not consistent with the achievements of later generations.

The daily management of Xuhui Public School is very strict. Students have to get up early in the morning to exercise and then start their day's study. They have to turn on the lights at night to continue studying. The dormitories are usually not opened until five minutes before going to bed. The students here are even harder-working than those of Hengshui Middle School.

Zhang Xingjiu also lived like this at the beginning. Fortunately, the teachers soon realized that he was an absolute genius, and geniuses naturally could not be educated with conventional methods, so he was given a certain degree of autonomy.

At the same time, because he also served as a Chinese teacher at the public school, the status of teachers and ordinary students was naturally different, so gradually, Zhang Xingjiu was able to leave the public school on weekends and go out to see the outside world. A month later, Zhang Xingjiu walked out of the public school gate for the first time and waved to call a rickshaw. The driver quickly ran up to him, lowered the rickshaw, and asked Zhang Xingjiu to get in, then asked, "Sir, where are you going?"

"I've just arrived in Shanghai and haven't had a good look around yet. Take me to see the lively places first!" Zhang Xingjiu ordered. It was broad daylight, and he was not afraid that the driver would take him to a dangerous place. Even if something happened, he still had five or six bullets and grenades in his space.

The driver was overjoyed when he heard this. This was a big business opportunity. He immediately started driving with great energy. "Sir, please sit tight. Let's go to Nanjing Road first. It's very lively there."

"Okay, let's go to Nanjing Road!" Zhang Xingjiu had often visited this road before, but he didn't know what it looked like now.

While pulling the cart quickly, the driver introduced Nanjing Road to Zhang Xingjiu. This was the earliest commercial street built after Shanghai opened its port. It has now become the commercial center of Shanghai. All major Chinese and Western businesses have shops here.

When they arrived at Nanjing Road, the driver slowed down. Zhang Xingjiu looked around and saw that both sides of the busy street were lined with two-story buildings with all kinds of signs and banners hanging in front of them. There were teahouses, restaurants, Chinese and Western groceries, a dazzling array of things.

The whole street seems much more orderly than Shaoxing's commercial street. Pedestrians and vehicles are accustomed to walking on the right, and there are policemen wearing pointed hats maintaining order on the street. Business in various stores seems to be very good, presenting a kind of abnormal prosperity.

This is no wonder. Goods from the oceans land here, and goods from inland flow south along the Yangtze River to Shanghai. Chinese and foreign businessmen look for trade opportunities here. There are only a few ports for entry and exit in such a huge market, so it is impossible not to be prosperous.

After strolling around Nanjing Road, Zhang Xingjiu bought some food to fill his stomach. When entering the restaurant, he wanted the driver to follow him, but he refused. Zhang Xingjiu had to give up and asked the waiter to bring him a bowl of noodles. However, the waiter was a little reluctant, as if he felt that the driver was not worthy of his noodles.

After finishing the meal, the driver suggested that Zhang Xingjiu go to Simalu. The name sounded vaguely familiar, so Zhang Xingjiu agreed without thinking too much. When he arrived at the place, he found that the nearby Jiuanli, Qingheli, and Rixinli were all places where prostitutes gathered, and they were engaged in the same industry as those in Qinhuai River in Nanjing and the Eight Great Hutongs in Beijing.

I'm only fourteen years old, is it appropriate for you to bring me here? Zhang Xingjiu was so angry that he couldn't help cursing in his heart. The driver didn't show any expression. On second thought, many rich young masters are married at this age nowadays, so coming here to play is no big deal.

Zhang Xingjiu was not interested, for one, he was still young, and second, it was not safe, as syphilis was very prevalent nowadays. Besides, he did not like the looks of these girls, as there were few who were good looking.

He was about to ask the driver to change the place, but suddenly looked up and changed his mind.

(End of this chapter)