Qing Yao

Chapter 55 Teacher Zhao's Painstaking Efforts

Thoughts, understandings, tasks, and responsibilities were all terms used by Zhao An in his previous life.

Scholars of this era had different interpretations of these words, such as "thought" can be interpreted as "mind's intention", "knowledge" as "knowledge and familiarity", and "task" as "duty and assignment".

As for responsibility, I am not unfamiliar with it, because Gu Yanwu once said, "Every man has his share of responsibility for the rise and fall of the country."

The Analects also says, "A scholar must be broad-minded and resolute, for the responsibility is heavy and the road ahead is long."

Therefore, the student who was questioned by Zhao An only understood the meaning of responsibility, but had no idea what ideological understanding meant.

I don’t know how to answer Teacher Zhao’s question.

However, the officials of the provincial school and the group of old teachers who were listening to the lecture were a little shocked, because strictly speaking, the ideas and understandings can be traced back to the classics, but no one has specifically quoted them before.

Could it be that this person who came in through the backdoor has even better attainments in classical research than them?

do not judge a book by it's cover.

The prefect was able to promote this person out of turn, I'm afraid this guy really has something up his sleeve.

Many old scholars who were waiting to see Zhao An make a fool of himself put away their contempt and became curious about what ideas were being unified, what understandings were being improved, what tasks were being clarified, and what responsibilities were being strengthened.

To be honest, this is the first time I have heard such a statement in my life. The old teachers are also surprised.

Li Xiucai, who only likes to stir up trouble, was dissatisfied. We clearly agreed to talk about the "Analects of Confucius", so what are you, Mr. Zhao, talking nonsense about?

It was not convenient to question it now, so he just waited patiently.

In front, the student who was scolded by Zhao An was blushing with embarrassment. Although he didn't understand what Teacher Zhao meant by scolding the "lying flat" student, he knew it was definitely not a good thing.

As an outstanding student in Class C, being belittled by the new teacher in public, who would feel good? I almost cried with grievance.

The other students had no idea what Teacher Zhao was referring to. They all looked at Teacher Zhao eagerly, waiting for him to teach them and answer their questions.

Teacher Zhao can’t just throw out questions and then end the get out of class with a sentence like “Everyone study on your own”, right?
A teacher shouldn't be like this.

Therefore, Zhao An must give a standard answer.

The Analects was truly beyond his purview. Even a professor in his previous life couldn't have explained it, because the Analects wasn't the same as the original. The dense annotations alone were enough to confuse anyone. Forcing a few sentences with his half-baked skills would only make people look down on him, and nothing else.

Therefore, we must play to our strengths and avoid our weaknesses.

What are his strengths?

That's nonsense.

This group of people were confused and dizzy, and they were completely in awe of Teacher Zhao. At least they did not reject him as someone who was just trying to gild his resume.

Zhao An walked back to the desk, his face aloof and dignified, as he spoke in a clear voice, "Students, I hope you will unify your thoughts on earnestly seeking knowledge, improve your understanding of academic research, clarify the responsibilities of studying, and strengthen your sense of responsibility to your country."

After he finished speaking, he paused deliberately to allow the students to reflect and digest his words, then continued, "Only by doing the above four things can your academic performance advance by leaps and bounds, your morality improve day by day, and you achieve unprecedented success in the future."

These words were quite well-spoken, and the students suddenly understood. Some students even took up their pens and wrote down Teacher Zhao's earnest teachings. The other students and some teachers who were listening to the lecture also showed deep agreement. Although Zhao Xuelu had entered the provincial school through the back door, his words were still very reasonable and knowledgeable.

Seeing that everyone had lost their hostility towards Mr. Zhao, Li Xiucai couldn't stand it anymore, because he felt that what Mr. Zhao had said so far was all nonsense, about unifying the pursuit of knowledge and improving academic awareness?
Could you please tell me where the pursuit of knowledge is reflected and how to improve academic awareness?
All this talk is just gibberish, going around in circles without any real substance.

In a fit of rage, he stood up and asked, "Zhao Xuelu, what does what you're saying have to do with the students' exams?"

Zhao An looked at Li Xiucai who asked the question, smiled and nodded, "What do you think is the purpose of studying for the imperial examination?"

Li Xiucai blurted out: "It is to serve the court and bring honor to the family."

As soon as he finished speaking, Teacher Zhao scolded him dissatisfiedly: "Superficial!"

Everyone in the room was stunned: Isn’t that right?
"Bringing honor to one's ancestors is a minor matter. To be proud of it is nothing but selfishness! Serving the court is our duty. But I ask you, who is the court?"

Zhao An was indeed unhappy because this man's question interrupted his rhythm.

Who is the court?

Li Xiucai also responded quickly: "Of course it is my Qing Dynasty!"

This answer is correct, but in Zhao An's heart it is completely wrong, because the court is an abstract existence and must be specific to people.

Whoever is the emperor supports whom!

Since the rhythm has been interrupted, the only thing we can do is speed up.

"Teacher, let me ask you this: if the canal's navigation depends on the helmsman, and the growth of all things depends on the sun, then who is at the helm of the Qing Dynasty, and who is the sun of the Qing Dynasty?"

Zhao An pressed on step by step, secretly hoping that the other party would make a big mistake of principle.

Li Xiucai was not confused: "I am the Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty!"

Zhao An had to nod his head: "Since Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty is the helmsman of the Qing Dynasty and the sun of the Qing Dynasty, then shouldn't we scholars study hard to be loyal to the helmsman of the Qing Dynasty and the only sun of the Qing Dynasty?

You only think about bringing honor to your family and making a name for yourself, but you don't know that the most important thing about studying is loyalty to the emperor. No matter how much you read or how far you go in the imperial examination, what good will it do you?

Without waiting for the other party to speak, he directly wrote the word "loyalty" in large letters on the paper and slapped it on the white wall behind him.

I don't know how it got stuck to the wall, it's weird.

Everyone in the room stared at the word "loyalty" on the wall. Some suddenly understood, some thought deeply, some agreed, some did not catch up at all, and some were confused.
Zhao An was too lazy to talk any more. He picked up the ruler on the desk and banged it on the word "loyalty." "Everyone, students, please remember this: loyalty is the most important thing for us as scholars. Loyalty is the foundation of our careers. Otherwise, no matter how well you study or how well you perform in the exams, your life will eventually collapse."

After saying this, he put down the ruler and said the last words with great emotion: "This is the first lesson that I, a new student, will teach you. It is called the Ideological and Moral Education Class!"

After saying this, without paying any attention to the reactions of the students and the audience, he tucked the textbooks he had received earlier under his armpits and pushed the door open.

Inside the house, there was silence.

Until the word "loyalty" on the white wall was blown by the breeze and slowly fell to the ground.

(End of this chapter)