Chapter 41 Visiting the Zheng Family School

Sun Shan learned from Uncle Zheng that the children coming here to study were all from nearby rural families with a little bit of disposable income. They were not studying to take the imperial examinations, but rather to learn how to read so they could find an easier job in the future.

Sun Shan asked, "Uncle Zheng, how do we handle lunch?"

It took half an hour to walk from Sun Family Village to Zheng Family Village, so they could easily walk home for lunch. However, people here only ate two meals a day, meaning lunch was not provided.

He wondered if the students at the school ate lunch.

Uncle Zheng said patiently, "Here, we start classes at the卯 period (6:00 AM) and dismiss at the酉 period (5:15 PM). There is a half-hour break at noon. Therefore, if you want to eat lunch, you must bring your own, as the school does not provide it. However, we do have hot water here. If you want to eat a warm meal, you can leave the lunch brought from home in the kitchen, and I will help you steam it."

This meant classes started at 6:00 AM, there was a one-hour midday break for lunch, and school ended at 5:15 PM.

Upon hearing the schedule, Sun Shan thought it was much longer than a modern elementary school day.

He would have to spend practically the entire day with Scholar Zheng.

Sun Shan asked again, "Uncle Zheng, does the Master teach us to read all day long?"

Uncle Zheng patted the inquisitive Sun Shan and smiled, "Not all day. Generally, he teaches you knowledge in the morning and lets you study independently in the afternoon. If you have questions, you can ask the Master. Of course, the specific arrangement depends on how my master plans it. He teaches three classes and will arrange the study time according to the students' progress."

Then, glancing at little De, whose eyes were rolling around, Uncle Zheng said sternly, "Little De, Shanzi, both of you must study hard and not let down the silver coins your father and mother worked so hard to earn."

Little De had known Uncle Zheng for a long time. Because Aunt Zheng brought gifts to visit her maiden family during the New Year and festivals, she would also pay respects to Scholar Zheng, making Little De already quite familiar with Uncle Zheng.

Not intimidated by Uncle Zheng's stern expression at all, Little De exposed the true nature of Third Uncle Sun and Third Aunt Sun, and retorted unconvinced, "Uncle Zheng, the silver coins for my schooling weren't earned by my father and mother; they were given by my eldest aunt and my grandmother. My father and mother didn't contribute a single penny! The clothes I'm wearing today were even made with money from my eldest aunt."

Upon hearing Little De's blunt confession, Uncle Zheng choked back a sigh. *Needless to say, who in Zheng Family Village doesn't know? With the way your father and mother behave, they could never afford to send three children to school. Who doesn't know that your family being able to afford schooling relies entirely on having an eldest aunt married into the prefecture city?*

Sun Shan felt embarrassed. Little De was so foolishly naive; if Third Uncle and Third Aunt heard this, he would undoubtedly receive a beating with rattan canes and stewed pork when he got home.

Uncle Zheng said severely, "Little De, as a child, you are not allowed to discuss your parents behind their backs. If the Master hears of this, he will strike your palms. Considering this is your first time, I will not tell the Master, but if there is a next time, don't blame me for being unpolite."

Upon hearing that he would be reported to the Master and receive cane strikes on his hands, Little De's eyes immediately turned red with fear, and he whimpered pitifully, "Uncle Zheng, I know I was wrong. Please don't tell the Master; I'll never dare to do it again."

If it were a threat of telling his parents, Little De wouldn't be afraid at all—at most he would get scolded a few times and a light smack; his hide was thick and it wouldn't hurt a bit. But telling the Master was disastrous, because Little De had seen his eldest brother and second brother receive palm strikes from Scholar Zheng before, and their hands had swollen up like pig trotters—it was utterly miserable.

Sun Shan looked at Little De in a daze. *Impressive. One second he was grinning cheekily, and the next second his eye rims reddened on cue. What a master of changing faces.*

Seeing that Little De knew he was wrong, Uncle Zheng said with satisfaction, "Since you know your mistake, fine, I won't tell the Master this time."

Little De, granted amnesty, perked up again and giggled, "Uncle Zheng, where is my brother Hongwen?"

Scholar Zheng had a son and a daughter. His daughter was married to the county seat, and his son also worked in the county seat.

Scholar Zheng had two grandsons: the eldest grandson was fifteen and worked in the county seat with his father; the younger grandson was ten and studied at a scholar's home in the county seat.

The person Little De was asking about was the second grandson, Zheng Hongwen. They had played together before, and he was simply asking out of idle gossip.

Speaking of Scholar Zheng's younger grandson, Uncle Zheng said dotingly, "Wenge started school long ago and is studying under Scholar Hong in the county seat."

Little De said in surprise, "Starting school so early? How boring. I wanted to find Brother Hongwen to play."

Uncle Zheng flicked Little De on the forehead with a knuckle, scolding angrily, "Play, you only know how to play! Study hard from now on, learn more knowledge, and find a good job in the future. Don't waste this opportunity; how many people don't even have the chance? You have good fortune, so you must make the most of it."

Uncle Zheng had watched Aunt Zheng grow up since she was a child. Since she was a married-out daughter of the family, he naturally hoped she would do well.

For her to do well, it was best for her son to do well—a mother's status rises with her son's success.

Receiving a solid flick to the head that raised a bump, Little De said aggrievedly, "I know, I'll study hard."

Sun Shan chuckled. Little De was a comical character; with that personality, he was bound to suffer greatly at school.

Uncle Zheng led Sun Shan and Little De from the front yard to the back yard for a tour.

Scholar Zheng's household was simple; his son, daughter-in-law, and grandsons were all in the county seat. Only he, his wife, and Uncle Zheng remained in the old home, making the entire Zheng family courtyard appear empty and vast.

Scholar Zheng's wife had accompanied their grandson to live in the county seat for a few days and would return once the Zheng Family School commenced.

Sun Shan calculated mentally: the Zheng Family School maintained around ten students a year, meaning it could earn ten liang of silver annually.

Don't think ten liang was small; in Huangyang County, that counted as a high income.

Coupled with the income from Scholar Zheng's farmland, no wonder he could build such a large courtyard and had the means to send his grandson to the county seat for schooling.

It seemed that although a scholar holding the lowest *tongsheng* degree was inferior to a *xiucai*, his standard of living was by no means poor.

This made Sun Shan even more determined to pass the *xiucai* examination; at the very least, he had to live better than Scholar Zheng.

At this exact moment, Sun Shan had no idea that the first stumbling block on his path to the imperial examinations would be his own father, Sun Bomin. Because his father had never asked Scholar Zheng to teach him towards the imperial exams, merely hoping he would learn to read well enough to find a job.

Sun Shan, however, planned to study under Scholar Zheng for two years and then transfer to a *xiucai's* academy in the county seat.

He had heard that *xiucai* teachers in the county seat either wanted students with high innate talent or students with some basic foundational knowledge.

They did not accept ordinary illiterates.

Sun Shan did not consider himself superior just because he was a time-traveler; in his previous life, he had been an ordinary person in both conduct and deeds.

Naturally, he needed to study step by step, remaining humble, patient, and down-to-earth.

After the tour, Uncle Zheng led Sun Shan and Little De back to the reception room.

In the reception room, Third Uncle Sun and Scholar Zheng were chatting animatedly, while Sun Bomin sat anxiously to one side, nodding in agreement.

Seeing Shanzi return, Sun Bomin let out a long sigh of relief.

Scholar Zheng wasn't stern, but for some reason, Bomin couldn't find common ground to chat with him. He truly admired his third younger brother, who could converse flawlessly and seamlessly with anyone.

Sun Shan and Little De clumsily performed a young scholar's bow, which Uncle Zheng had just taught them, telling them they must greet the Master and their fellow students this way in the future because they were scholars and needed to understand a scholar's rules.

Scholar Zheng said affectionately, "Are you both familiar with the place now?"

Sun Shan and Little De indicated that they understood.

Seeing that it was almost time, Third Uncle Sun stood up and said, "Master, we will head back now. Thank you for today. If the boy does anything wrong in the future, just beat him. I leave the children in your care."

Sun Bomin still played his supporting role from the side.

Scholar Zheng was very satisfied with the Sun family's attitude. Stroking his beard, he said, "Rest assured, I will definitely teach them earnestly. Besides, you are half a son of Zheng Family Village yourself."

A son-in-law is counted as half a son, not to mention that Third Uncle Sun and Third Aunt Sun knew how to conduct themselves with impeccable etiquette.