I am collecting entries in reincarnation

Chapter 3 Teacher
Nothing happened that night, and the next morning passed in the blink of an eye.

Early in the morning, Zhu Dabing took Li Ming's hand, put two pieces of bacon in his pocket and went out. This was the first time that Li Ming looked at the world seriously from the perspective of a reincarnated character.

After leaving the gate and heading west, although it was only a small town, the streets were bustling with people. Zhu Dadan slapped his forehead and said, "So today is market day. No wonder there are so many people."

He then put Li Ming on his neck and said with a smile, "When I was a child, your father loved to see this lively place. Every time the market came, he would urge your grandfather to take me out. Of course, nine times out of ten he would refuse, but I still liked it."

Li Ming remained silent and rode Zhu Dabing across two more streets. Suddenly, Li Ming's stomach made a rumbling sound.

Zhu Dabing put Li Ming down after hearing the voice. He said with some self-blame, "Look at my memory. I forgot you haven't had breakfast yet. I know there's a stall up ahead that's really delicious. Daddy will take you there."

After walking a few steps, I saw a shed made of coarse cloth and bamboo poles. White steam was rising from under the shed, and there was indeed a fragrance wafting out.

As they approached, Li Ming saw that the stall was small, with only four low square tables. A few diners were sitting there eating breakfast.

On the other side of the shed were two pots. The larger pot had three stacks of steamers on top, and the smaller pot was boiling white flour. The stall owner looked up at Zhu Dadan and said with a smile, "Old Zhu, what would you like to eat?"

Zhu Dadan sat down at a table near the stall owner and said, "Lao Zhang, give me two baskets of steamed buns and a bowl of Yangchun noodles."

Lao Zhang answered yes, scooped up the noodles from the pot and put them into a bowl, added a few drops of sauce and two drops of sesame oil, and quickly sent it to another table. Then he grabbed another handful of noodles and threw them into the pot.

At the same time, a girl about eleven or twelve years old brought two baskets of steamed buns to Zhu Dabing's table. Zhu Dabing laughed and said, "Old Zhang, your daughter doesn't look like you at all. She has become more and more beautiful in the past two years."

Old Zhang said with disgust: "If I can repay you, how can I get married?"

"Dad!" The little girl stomped her feet, and a hint of bright red seemed to smudge on her fair skin. Li Ming then took a closer look at the little girl. She had a ponytail, double eyelids, long eyelashes, and a bit of baby fat. She really didn't look like the stall owner at all.

Then Li Ming turned his attention to the buns in front of him. Steam was rising. There were seven buns in a basket, all the same size. Through the skin, you could see some of the sauce inside. The aroma made Li Ming's stomach growl again.

Zhu Dadan quickly grabbed a pair of chopsticks for his son, took a small dish and put some vinegar on it, and said, "Eat, eat. After you finish eating, we'll go to Mr. Li's house."

Li Ming did not hesitate either. He grabbed the chopsticks and started eating. At this moment, he wanted to fill his stomach first.

After all, Li Ming is only six years old now, and one basket of buns is enough for him. The Yangchun noodles were ordered by Zhu Dabing for him. He ate it but felt it was not enough, so he ordered another bowl.

When Zhu Dadan had almost finished eating and the stall was empty, Old Zhang finally had some free time to ask, "Are you going to send your son to Mr. Li's private school?"

Zhu Dabao nodded and said, "My son is very smart. Maybe he's a good student."

Old Zhang looked at the quiet Li Ming and said, "Mr. Li's tuition is not cheap. I heard he was an official in the past. If he didn't make any name for himself."

Zhu Dabao replied, "What's the big deal? If he can get in, then he can. If he can't, then it means he's not destined for it. It's a bit expensive, but at least give him a chance."

As he spoke, he glanced at the well-behaved Li Ming, a smile suddenly appeared on his face, and then he touched Li Ming's head lovingly.

"You know, our eldest son was unlucky. He was caught in a famine and didn't have time to take care of us."

Old Zhang simply nodded and said, "Alas, the world is not good, and no one is to blame. Our daughter is quite smart, but she's a girl. Otherwise, I would sell everything I have to support her through two years of school. It's a pity that a girl can't be sent to another family after two years."

"That's right, Lao Zhang. You have to give it to someone else. Why don't you send it to our house? They won't starve."

"Go away, go away! Your son is only a little boy and you're already anxious to find him a wife. Go away."

"Hahaha, come on, let's go, Lao Zhang!" "Hey, I didn't give you any money!"

"Put it on the account, I'll give you one dollar next time!"

Zhu Dabing laughed heartily and slipped away like a gust of wind.

After breakfast, Zhu Dadan's steps became faster and faster. In two or three steps, he arrived at a large courtyard. There was a osmanthus tree in front of the courtyard and a couplet was posted at the door.

“How has the ink scent ever diminished the flower scent?

The sound of books is collaborating with the sound of spring."

Of course, Li Ming didn't recognize the words here at that time, and only later did he understand the meaning of this couplet.

Li Ming looked inside and saw a square podium with fifteen or sixteen small tables below, only two of which were empty. The students in the academy were of different ages, but they looked to be no more than eleven or twelve years old.

On the podium was a middle-aged man in a long green gown. He had a handsome face and a beard of only an inch. He was holding a ruler in his hand. Zhu Dabing, who was always rude, seemed cautious at this moment.

After standing at the door for a while, the man let the students read by themselves and turned around and walked towards the door.

"I don't know who you are. I'm sorry to have kept you waiting for a long time." The man bowed slightly.

Zhu Dadan quickly said with a smile: "It's okay, it's okay, we just arrived, I'm the cook at Jufulou, my name is Zhu Dadan, and this is my son Zhu Chang. I came here this time hoping that you would take him in, so that he can learn to read, which would be better than a rough man like me."

As he spoke, he pulled Li Ming forward, and Li Ming bowed to Mr. Li like a little adult.

Mr. Li smiled faintly at this, patted Li Ming's head, and said, "I've been to Jufulou a few times, and maybe even had the dishes you cooked, Master Zhu. This kid looks smart, so I'll take him in."

Zhu Dabao was overjoyed, while Li Ming bowed to Mr. Li and said in a clear childish voice, "Zhu Chang has seen you, sir."

"Not bad, not bad." Mr. Li was very pleased and smiled while stroking his beard.

Zhu Dabing then took out two strips of bacon and the tuition fee. Mr. Li said, "These are for my wife. I have all the writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones for this school, so you don't need to worry. But how much you learn is up to you. Your name is Zhu Chang, right? Go and choose a seat and sit down first."

Afterwards, Mr. Li exchanged a few words with Zhu Dabing, and Zhu Dabing gave Zhu Chang some instructions before leaving.

When Li Ming sat down, he found that although the classroom was not very big, it was clean and the tables and chairs were neatly arranged. Mr. Li came over and took out a thin book and placed it in front of him. Li Ming took a closer look and found that it was written in Chinese characters, but he didn't quite recognize them.

Mr. Li said, "Zhu Chang, this is 'Duiyun'. It is a must-read for all scholars in Daqi. Do you recognize the characters?"

Li Ming shook his head and said, "I don't know a single word."

Mr. Li nodded and said, "I think so. Today, you can listen to my lecture by yourself. It's okay if you don't understand. I will teach you from the beginning later. But you have to work harder and catch up on your studies as soon as possible. I won't teach you alone every day."

"Student understands." Li Ming agreed immediately.

Seeing Li Ming being so well-behaved, Mr. Li nodded with satisfaction.

ps: Please collect!

(End of this chapter)