Chapter 144 Encouragement from the County Magistrate
In the academy's library, Liang Qu was picking books by the spines.
He put his hand on it, took it out, flipped through two pages, and put it back, unable to make a decision.
"Are you interested in Buddhist scriptures?"
Liang Qu looked back and said, "Principal? When did you come?"
A white-haired old man stood behind him. He was Zhao Ji, the principal of Shanghu Academy.
Thanks to the head of the mountain, the Liangqu Pinyin incident was reported so quickly. Otherwise, given the vast territory of Dashun, it would take more than half a year to get any news without a quick trip back and forth.
"It's been a while since you've been picking and choosing without any idea." Zhao Ji stepped forward, stood side by side with Liang Qu, picked out a book and flipped through it, "Why did you suddenly want to read a Buddhist book?"
Liang Qu bowed and said, "To be honest, I happened to get a book on Buddhist exercises, which is quite suitable for me. However, it contains many terms and allusions, which I don't quite understand. I want to find two books to study."
Buddhism has a profound influence on the secular world, and there are numerous practices circulating in the world, so it is not surprising to occasionally find a book to study.
"Is that so? Then you shouldn't come here."
Zhao Ji stuffed the Buddhist scripture back and walked out from the aisle between the bookshelves. Liang Qu hurriedly followed him, knowing that the headmaster wanted to teach him how to choose books.
After walking past five or six bookshelves, Zhao Ji turned and walked into another aisle between the bookshelves. He glanced at the bookshelves, took out a book from the third shelf, and picked out two books from the fifth shelf. He gave a total of three books to Liang Qu.
Nong Qi Explains the True Meaning of Buddhism
Huiyi's Commentary on the Four Books
Bai's Three Religions in One
"You have only studied the classics, history, and miscellaneous books, and you know nothing about Buddhism. You won't understand Buddhist texts if you read them directly.
Moreover, I see that you are reading mostly for utilitarian purposes, just to understand the techniques, not out of interest. If you force yourself to read on, you will only become more confused and more anxious.
Nowadays, Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism are increasingly integrated. As the saying goes, Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism are interconnected; the three religions have always had the same origin, and many things tend to be consistent.
Instead, it would be better to start by looking at Buddhism from a Confucian perspective, and then look at Confucian counter-evidence from the perspective of Buddhism. Once you have a basic understanding, you can finally read specialized Buddhist texts based on the areas of confusion. "
Liang Qu read it several times and found it much easier to understand. He was overjoyed and bowed: "Thank you, Master, for choosing this book!"
It's good to have connections and networks, but if there's no one to guide you and you have to figure everything out on your own, how long will it take you to figure it out?
As for studying, Liang Qu was not afraid at all.
"Yes." The headmaster accepted it calmly, "The new county magistrate has gone to worship the gods and will be here in an hour. Go back now."
Liang Qu nodded, went to the library to register the borrowing information, and took all three books away.
In the afternoon, Liang Qu stayed indoors.
There was constant noise outside the academy.
The county magistrate has arrived.
Everyone stood up to greet him. Jian Zhongyi was in high spirits and was led by the principal Zhao Ji to tour the entire academy.
The students all followed behind the big shot, not daring to whisper, and only communicating with eye contact.
Everyone knows that the new County Magistrate Jian is a great master, and no matter how quietly he speaks, he will be heard.
After looking around, Jian Zhongyi stood in the courtyard, his tone full of satisfaction: "Shanghu Academy is worthy of its reputation, it is worthy of being the best academy in Pingyang County!"
"Lord Jian, I really don't deserve your praise."
"He is simple and honest, and he is open-minded. Principal Zhao is too modest. However, Shanghu Academy does have room for improvement."
"Master Jane, please speak."
"It's too small!" Jian Zhongyi said with regret, "Such a good academy is a blessing for Pingyang County. It should be bigger and better!"
As he spoke, Jian Zhongyi pulled out a silver note from his sleeve: "This is a silver note for five hundred taels. It is not a public account. It is my personal investment to support Shanghu Academy."
"How can I let Lord Jian spend money? I am extremely worried."
Zhao Ji refused and declined three times, but finally accepted the banknote after Jian Zhongyi insisted.
Liang Qu looked at him with gritted teeth.
Damn, they are so fucking rich. The normal salary of a county magistrate is less than 500 taels a year, but this rich man just gave it away as he said.
As expected of a descendant of an aristocratic family, he is extremely wealthy, but the total amount of silver he has earned so far is less than five hundred taels.
Liang Qu felt bored standing in the crowd. He just wanted Jian Zhongyi to ask the questions quickly so that he could get through it quickly.
Unexpectedly, after a brief greeting, Jian Zhongyi actually brought the topic to him.
"I heard that there is a young hero in your academy who invented a phonetic method that is far superior to the fanqie method. It only takes one year to learn to read completely. I wonder if this young hero can be here."
As soon as these words were spoken, all the students turned around and looked at Liang Qu.
Liang Qu stepped forward and said, "I am deeply ashamed to receive your kindness, sir."
Jian Zhongyi looked her up and down and said a few good words: "She is the youngest to be admitted to the inner chamber, and she is a rare talent. With such achievements, and in my administration of the county, I should show my appreciation."
After saying this, he took out a second banknote from his sleeve.
"I didn't bring much with me when I went out, just a few banknotes, I hope you don't mind."
Liang Qu took a quick glance and saw that the face value of the silver note was a full one hundred taels, so he couldn't help but look at Zhao Ji.
Zhao Ji nodded slightly: "The elders' gift cannot be declined."
Liang Qu then accepted it. He was indeed not well off and there were some things at home that he had not bought yet.
One hundred taels, the quality of life can be taken to a higher level.
Jian Zhongyi faced the crowd and said, "I have taken over the post of magistrate of Pingyang County. I should be diligent in my work and ensure that the elderly have a place to live, the strong have a place to work, the young have a place to grow, the poor, the widowed, the orphaned, the lonely, and the disabled are all taken care of. Those who have made contributions will be rewarded, and those who have made mistakes will be punished. Rewards and punishments should be clearly defined!"
The students applauded and cheered.
Then, at the invitation of Zhao Ji, Jian Zhongyi personally inscribed a stone tablet.
Really using hands.
Jian Zhongyi just stretched out his index finger and carved a line of large characters on the lapis lazuli that was as hard as steel.
“To seek knowledge without learning is like wanting fish without a net.”
The next step was the test, which was simple enough. It just involved writing an essay, with only one question.
"It is so magnificent that people cannot name it; it is so majestic that it has achievements, and it is so brilliant that it has articles."
Liang Qu spread out the writing brush, ink, paper and inkstone, and bit the tip of the pen a little.
Even if it was just a formality, the topic was a bit beyond the scope.
He knew how to read and read books, but he never thought about taking the imperial examination. Naturally, he had no idea how to solve the questions, or even the basic format of the article.
If I had known this, I would have taken a sick leave and not come.
That’s not right. If you don’t come, you won’t get the one hundred taels, which is a large sum of money after all.
After a long time, he started writing.
Jian Zhongyi walked through the courtyard and came to Liang Qu's teaching room. He seemed to be particularly interested in the founder of the pinyin method and came in to check it out.
Si Hengyi's heart skipped a beat, but he couldn't stop it. Then he saw that the new county magistrate was frowning badly.
Doesn’t Liang Qu, as a teacher, know what level he is at when writing this kind of topic?
He has many wonderful ideas, but when it comes to writing questions, he is no different from a child in elementary education, or even worse.
It would be fine if I just mixed it up in a pile of papers, but now.
Ordinary county magistrates are only in the top three, but this one is the real second place, selected by the emperor in the palace examination.
Jian Zhongyi looked at the pile of repetitive words on the paper and felt that the quality of his article was lowered.
What the hell is this kid writing?
The topic he came up with was clearly standard. He just had to praise the ancient sages for their contributions to the country's people, and then praise the country's monarch for his wisdom and bravery, and express his loyalty, saying that he also wanted to assist the current monarch in doing great things for the people, and so on.
As a result, this person didn't understand the question at all, and talked about this and that, without any structure or pattern.
If I use this kid's skull to perform rituals for initiation and transformation, I hope he won't become stupid.
(End of this chapter)
