Xu Qin laughed and replied:
"I came to Jiangnan for the first time. Although I am not very familiar with your area, I have heard for a long time that the academies in Jiangnan towns are very good. I am very interested in learning about them so that I can open one of my own when I go back."
Seeing that the conversation had reached this point, the gentleman could not say anything more, "Then please, sir."
As he spoke, the scholar's eyes warily glanced at the dozen people behind Xu Qin.
Seeing this, Xu Qin turned around and said to the flag officer: "You guys are waiting here. Don't make any mistakes. You are not allowed to enter."
"yes."
After giving instructions, Xu Qin walked straight to the classroom.
Xu Sanlang followed closely behind him silently.
A blue brick building covered with stone slabs, the sound of reading comes from here.
This kind of town-run academy was equivalent to the rural primary school in later generations. In the current Yongle Dynasty, it was considered half-public and half-private.
That is to say, the court provides a certain amount of funds, and the counties and towns raise the shortfall themselves.
In this way, academies in wealthy towns and villages are beautifully run, while those in less wealthy towns have poor facilities.
In a place like the academy, ordinary people are not allowed to enter, especially soldiers.
The roof of this classroom, from slate to tree combination, looks rough and strong.
The huge logs were slightly shaved, with some knots still on them, and the gaps between the logs were carefully nailed with wooden boards.
The walls are made of slate and blue bricks.
Looking inside through the window, there were about twenty children inside, all aged seven or eight, and the oldest could not be more than ten years old.
Sitting on the small bench, with his hands on his knees, he listened carefully to the lecture.
The tables and stools were all made of giant wood waste and could only be flattened for use.
This reminded Xu Qin of later generations who went to teach in impoverished mountainous areas, which was probably the scene.
The children opened their dark eyes and looked attentively at the gentleman standing in front of them.
I saw him holding a scroll and leading the children to read slowly.
The teacher suddenly made Xu Qin interested.
He was very young, about fifteen or sixteen years old, with regular features and fair features.
The boys are too delicate.
And from the temperament point of view, this teacher does not look like a country man, he should be a young master from a wealthy family.
There was a fire burning in the house, which made the house feel a little warm.
The sound of children reading loudly made Xu Qin suddenly feel a warm feeling deep in his heart.
Learning is valuable than anything else.
The strange figure of Xu Qin outside the window undoubtedly alarmed the people in the room.
The teaching boy was suddenly startled. He stopped reading and raised his head, and saw Xu Qin standing by the large wooden window and Xu Sanlang behind him.
The two strangers were carrying swords and standard sabers, and there was a hidden evil aura about them.
It really scared that young man.
Someone sneaked in?
Why is there no movement at all in the academy?
The young man's face darkened, he quickly pulled out a bright knife from under the podium, and shouted loudly to the children below:
"Children, come behind sir."
The children also noticed that there was a stranger outside the house at this time. They were so frightened that they got up from the bench and hid in the corner behind the boy.
The strange thing is that these children did not cry and acted very bravely.
This may be the young man, their teacher, whose fearless spirit in the face of danger infected them.
This is the power of role models and the charm of being a role model.
The young man's performance made Xu Sanlang snicker outside the room.
"Shut up and don't laugh. If you encounter such an emergency, you may not be as brave and calm as him."
Xu Qin scolded in a low voice, while taking off his Chixia Sword and throwing it to Xu Sanlang, "I am waiting outside, and you are not allowed to come in."
"Yes..." Xu Sanlang quickly shut up.
Xu Qin raised his hands for the first time, slowly opened the ajar door and walked in.
He stood by the door and whispered with a smile:
"Little brother, little sir, please don't be nervous and don't be afraid. My surname is Xu. I came to Jiangnan to investigate and educate the people. I just wanted to chat with you when I passed by. I have no other intention, okay?"
"But you have never seen one before, and it also has a sword."
The young gentleman still held the knife to protect himself very vigilantly and said doubtfully.
"These swords are officially registered with the Yamen. We are not rogues, let alone bandits and thieves. Please believe me."
Xu Qin raised his hands, his attitude was sincere and approachable.
The young man's expression gradually softened. He put the knife back to its original place, turned around and said to the children:
"It's okay kids, that's all for today's homework. Let's go home and review it."
The children cheered.
After all, when I was young, I was still playful.
Seeing that the husband had spoken, he stood up impatiently, yelled and ran out the door.
Seeing the children walking away, Xu Qin put down his hand and strode into the fire in the middle of the house.
The first lunar month has not yet set, so the temperature is low after the sun sets.
At this time, the young man cupped his hands and bowed:
"I, Mo Youwen, have the honor to meet Mr. Xu."
"You're so polite, young gentleman." Xu Qin stood up and returned the courtesy.
Xu Qin and Mo Youwen were the only two people left in the room. He looked at the simple school with great interest.
Although the decoration is simple, it is clean and tidy, and some decorations have been done.
I saw a few slogans posted on the wall, which seemed a bit bookish.
"Did you decorate this classroom?"
"No way, I'm not talented, it's Sister Lichen and the students in the academy who help arrange the arrangements."
Mo Youwen whispered.
"How many classes are there in this academy?"
"It is divided into three classes: high, middle and low."
Xu Qin nodded and stared at the words hanging on the wall.
Look at the signature, there are calligraphy by Zhang Lichen, Tong Zhong and Hua Qian.
It's a pity that I don't recognize anyone signed on it.
Not contemporary celebrities, obviously.
On another wall, there are three paintings without signatures, but a standard traditional Chinese character in block letters. The font is fresh and refined, which is quite impressive.
These words must have been written by Mo Youwen himself.
"Did you write these words?"
Xu Qin thought for a while and asked anyway.
Seeing Mr. Xu's eyes falling on the banners he had written, Mo Youwen couldn't help but feel slightly embarrassed and worried.
Judging from Mr. Xu's elegant language and politeness, he should be a child of a noble family with both civil and military skills.
Mo Youwen said modestly:
"It makes Mr. Xu laugh. This is graffiti, but it taints Mr. Xu's discernment."
"No, the little gentleman wrote these words very well. Although it is not particularly smooth, he has a strong hand and is more correct."
"It is said that words come from the heart, and you can know a person's character by looking at the words. The ancients were honest and did not deceive me!"
Xu Qin smiled slightly and commented.
Mo Youwen looked at Xu Qin in surprise and thought to himself:
Unexpectedly, Mr. Xu whom I met in this town was actually a Confucian scholar.
If you know how to use calligraphy and painting strokes, you can also understand people's hearts.
"Young master's sharp eyes are like a torch, I admire you very much. Since you are here in the cold room, can you also leave a calligraphy treasure for me to always admire?"
Xu Qin smiled slightly when he heard this, and raised his eyes to look at this strange young man.
