The news that Song Mu would teach in Song's private school soon spread in Shiyang County.
The people in Shiyang County all knew that Duke Zhuangyuan had returned, and many people were trying to find ways to establish a relationship with Song Mu.
But now, for them, this news is almost a surprise.
Who was Song Mu? He was the number one scholar in Shiyang County who had never achieved the third place in the imperial examination. Now he was still in the Hanlin realm. He was once a lecturer in the East Palace and the prince's young master.
Titles like these, given at random, will make the hearts of ordinary people beat wildly.
What's more, they had just read a piece of news in "Tianxia Weekly" not long ago. The "Three Character Classic" that children in every household now recite was composed by Song Mu.
It is known as a divine book that has been handed down from generation to generation. If the children in the family can be educated, it will be a great blessing.
For a time, this caused a commotion in the entire Shiyang County. Even people from the surrounding counties and villages rushed over in a hurry. Each of them brought their ignorant children, half-grown adults, and even married young people to Shiyang County. In Yang County, I want to come to pay homage to Song Mu.
In the past, they might not be able to guess what Song Mu needed and found it difficult to cater to him, but now that Song Mu was going to teach, they were naturally unwilling to let go of this rare opportunity.
The threshold of the Song family was almost breached again, but fortunately, officers and soldiers were quickly dispatched to scare everyone away.
But everyone was unwilling to leave, so they gathered around the Song Ancestral Hall and the Song Family Private School, waiting to see Song Mu again.
Although Song Mu had expected this, he actually felt a little headache when he saw such enthusiasm.
So Song Mu also said that the matter would be discussed in the long term, and that he would need to take a test before he could enter the school, so the situation was temporarily calmed down.
On this day, Song Mu initially completed categorizing the books at home, and invited Li Dong to go to the private school to see what was going on.
But as soon as he arrived at the door of the private school, Song Mu was immediately surrounded by the people of Hulala.
"Song Zhuangyuan, you are here. I wonder if you would like to accept my children to study?"
"Master Zhuangyuan, my child has been reciting your poems since he was a child. He is really familiar with them. Come on, recite one for Duke Zhuangyuan!"
A crowd of people came up one after another. At this moment, one of the men was urging his son to start reciting Song Mu's poems while shaking his head.
The voices of the people around him also came and went in various ways. Song Mu was caught off guard, and Li Dong next to him also looked embarrassed.
Seeing the children being pushed up one by one, Song Mu immediately raised his hands and spoke loudly.
"Fellow villagers, let's listen to what Song has to say."
Song Mu opened his mouth to speak, and everyone immediately silenced themselves, with expectant expressions on their faces.
"I know that you all also hope that your children will become successful, and I hope to add one or two more literati to our literary dynasty in the future."
"But there is not only one person in the world who can preach and solve doubts. We have a county school and numerous private schools in Shiyang County. They can teach thousands of children in our Shiyang County. This is the only way to truly contribute to the foundation of our literary dynasty."
"The Point Guard Is Here"
"Song is so grateful to all the village elders for showing such favor to Song. However, if we have to set up other schools, where will the Master be able to teach?"
Song Mu said in a harmonious voice, and these words could be regarded as some consolation. Everyone heard that some people were looking down and thinking at this moment, but there was also that person who said it bluntly.
"What the Number One Scholar said is absolutely true, but we really don't want to miss this opportunity."
"It is a great honor to allow children to be taught by Zhuangyuan Gong."
For a moment, there was a response all around, and some people even wanted to forcefully push the child out and kowtow to Song Mu on the spot.
When Song Mu saw this, he sighed and then said.
"Since the village elders think so highly of Song, Song must not shirk it. However, the Song private school only recruits dozens of students. In seven days, you can bring your children at home. If they can pass the test paper and pass the questions in front of the class, they can all Enter the entrance hall.”
Saying this, many people in the scene had disappointment on their faces, and those who were serious about it wanted to repeat their old tricks, but they suddenly heard Song Mu's serious voice.
"Dear fellow villagers, my country in the west of Jiangnan has been home to outstanding people and talented children since ancient times."
"Therefore, studying requires perseverance and self-reliance. A non-famous teacher can rise to great heights just by sitting down. In the Wen dynasty, county schools at all levels and masters' teachings are all excellent. I ask you to think more about it."
"I also had a conversation with Magistrate Pu County a few days ago. My parents said that they would benefit the students in the county. Song was deeply moved and will also go to the county school to give lectures in the future."
"As long as Song has time, he will go to schools in all counties in Jizhou Prefecture."
"Everyone, please leave now!"
What Song Mu said this time can be regarded as the best of both worlds.
Firstly, he solved his current predicament, and secondly, he didn't break his skin and left a way out for everyone.
With such a combination of kindness and power, everyone's expressions finally became much brighter.
Song Mu finally broke free from it and was able to continue going to the Song family private school.
Li Dong was walking beside Song Mu at the moment, looking at the people who had been unwilling to leave for a long time, but now he shook his head slightly and said.
"Master, this matter is actually a bit embarrassing."
"I thought the people were enthusiastic about this, but I didn't expect that they could be so forced to do it. They seemed to scold them if they disagreed, which made this good thing almost turn into a bad thing."
Song Mu nodded helplessly after hearing this.
"Yes, the people are so simple and honest, but there are still some people who harbor evil intentions."
"But this should be done. If we avoid it because of this, how can we talk about teaching and educating people?"
Li Dong also nodded silently. These things, Li Dong could not feel at all in Chang'an, but now along the way, he has seen a lot of surprising things, which can be regarded as quite rewarding.
"What questions will Master give to test them then?"
"Master has published the Spring Examination Paper. Can all the children really be able to answer it?"
Song Mu smiled and nodded, and said calmly at this moment.
"Jiangnan West Road has been full of outstanding people since ancient times, and the children are also very smart. Besides, I am not looking for geniuses. The paper is naturally well-measured."
Li Dong nodded, and the two of them arrived at the door of the private school.
Li Dong stopped and saw the gilded words on the lintel of the private school. He was also amazed at this moment.
"This should be written by the adult himself, right?"
Song Mu also stopped, took a look, smiled and nodded.
Li Dong murmured and read all the words above, and was even more amazed.
"You can only know such beautiful words from the Master's mouth."
"Isn't this another poem?"
Song Mu also gave a helpless laugh and just walked towards the private school at this moment.
Stepping into this private school, the sound of reading could be heard loudly.
The courtyard is clean and tidy, and the several school buildings are crowded with people, which is a prosperous scene.
Li Dong was immediately attracted by the scene. At this moment, he and Song Mu walked into it and looked around.
At this time, the master teacher in the courtyard also recognized Song Mu. He came up and handed Song Mu with a fearful expression, and took Song Mu to look around. During this period, he also attracted the attention of many children, all of whom stared with wide eyes. This is the champion who founded the Song private school.
Today, the Song family private school has opened four schools, among which there are a few children and the rest are Confucian students. In addition to the neighborhood children of the Song family, these people are children from poor families inside and outside the city.
Song's private school invites the teacher to teach for free, and also provides each student with a meal at noon, which reduces the burden and adds more expectations to the families of these poor children.
Song Mu was quite pleased to have a conversation among them, but Li Dong, who followed him inside, was even more moved.
When the two of them were resting in the house, Li Dong sighed with Song Mu.
"Master, this kind of enlightenment is really gratifying. It is a rare opportunity for poor children to have this opportunity to read poetry and books."
Song Mu smiled and nodded. Seeing Li Dong's expression, he immediately spoke.
"Your Highness, this is just the first step."
Li Dong raised his eyebrows, and Song Mu said with a smile.
"When we have sorted out the Song family's articles and poems, I will disseminate them to all parties."
"After that, we will acquire more fertile land and expand the private school."
"Perhaps one day, a Song Academy can be built here to recruit talented people from all over, and then the embarrassment today will disappear."
…
