After the whole family was swept away, I lay down flat

Chapter 624: Haijiao's Scheming

Haijiao had something on his mind.

After that day, he has been feeling somewhat uneasy.

He began to visit his great-uncle Xie Wenzai more often, and every time he would ask him some academic questions. Xie Wenzai was very happy that after he had studied at the Wei Academy and decided to give up literature and pursue military studies, he was still willing to work hard on his studies, and he answered his questions without reservation.

However, no matter how knowledgeable Xie Wenzai was, there were things he could not do in this world. It was not that he could not answer some of the questions raised by Haijiao, but he was not as proficient as others. He was worried that he could not give Haijiao the best answer, so he simply took Haijiao to visit friends who were more specialized in this area.

Haijiao was able to follow his cousin and visit the home of Zhuang Shitong, the co-magistrate of Chang'an Prefecture.

Zhuang Shitong has been busy with official duties since he took office in Chang'an. He only occasionally meets up with three or five old friends during his rest time, either to have a chat or to go out for a walk. He has been to Chen's house several times and has met Haijiao several times, but he is not familiar with this young man. He only knows that he is the nephew of his old friend Xie Wenzai, who studied with his old friend in his early years. Now he has decided to give up literature and pursue military career, and he wants to develop in the army in the future. However, this young man is quite smart and clever, and he is very respectful and polite to his elders, which has left a good impression on Zhuang Shitong.

Now he was very pleased to see that Haijiao, even though he went to school, still read books and was willing to study the classics and history books. No matter what Haijiao asked him, he would answer without his old friend Xie Wenzai asking, and he would tell them everything he knew.

He once sighed to Xie Wenzai, "It is not easy for people like us to find a student who can pass on our teachings. In the past few years, people didn't dare to pay attention to us, as if we were a plague and they avoided us as much as possible. Now the situation has improved a lot, and more people are willing to make friends with us, but when it comes to becoming a disciple and studying, no one is willing to speak up. I don't know if they are worried that the emperor will change his mind one day and we will be doomed again.

"My own son is in poor health and cannot endure the hardship of studying. I only have one granddaughter among my younger generations. Although she is smart and has studied since she was young, she will never be able to take the imperial examination. I have wasted half my life, and the knowledge I have learned has no one to pass on. Sometimes, when it is late at night and everyone is asleep, I find it difficult to fall asleep whenever I think of it. You have a cousin and a grandson, and now you have two more serious disciples. You are much luckier than me."

Xie Wenzai comforted him, "We are still young, and you still have some free time after your official duties. If you really want to take in a disciple, you can pick a smart and sensible child from a familiar family and teach him slowly, which can also kill time. If it really doesn't work out, at worst, when you retire in the future, you can pick a well-behaved child from your relatives and bring him with you, teaching him day and night. Are you still worried that there will be no one to inherit your legacy?"

Zhuang Shitong smiled bitterly and shook his head: "Do you think I haven't thought about it? In the past, my daughter-in-law also sent her nephew from her mother's family to study with me, but the result... I'm too lazy to tell you. Where are there so many smart and sensible good children in the world? Even if there really are, they have long been taken in by others with wisdom. How can it be my turn to pick up the leak? Besides, I am busy with official duties now, and I really can't spare much free time. Even if I really take students, I don't have the time to teach. If I take up the title of teacher in vain, but have no time to teach, delaying the children's studies, it would be a sin. As for after I retire... let's talk about it when the time comes. Maybe by then my granddaughter will have married and had children, and I will be able to teach my great-grandson to read."

Hai Jiao then interjected, "Grandpa Zhuang, don't be too discouraged. Boys are not the only ones who can study. My sister has also studied with her uncle since she was a child, and she is better at her studies than me! Your granddaughter is very smart. Maybe you don't have to wait until your great-grandson is born. Your granddaughter can inherit your knowledge." Zhuang Shitong laughed, "Although this is ridiculous, I am happy to hear it! Our girl is really smart. When she was a child, I often lamented why she was not a boy. If she were not my granddaughter, but my grandson, why would I worry now?"

Xie Wenzai smiled and said, "Sometimes girls are not necessarily less intelligent than boys. Jiao'er is right. His sister is better at studying than him. It was not noticeable when he was young, but it is more obvious now that he is older. However, that is also because Jiao'er has to go to Wei School and has neglected his homework. Although his sister is busy with needlework, housework, sword practice and archery all day long, she spends a lot of time reading and has a better memory than him. If she were not a girl, I would have accepted her as a regular disciple a long time ago, and there would be no need to expect the Wu family's boy to inherit my knowledge."

Zhuang Shitong asked hurriedly, "How is Mr. Wu's grandson's academic performance? I heard from Lao Cao that it was quite difficult to teach him. But Lao Lu also said that he had a good foundation. Is this child's talent good or bad?"

Xie Wenzai sighed, "He does have talent, and a solid foundation, but he was taught by palace ladies since he was young, and all he learned was knowledge from books. He has a good memory, and can always recite articles by heart, but whenever you ask him about his own ideas, he is far less insightful than the other child from the Jin family. When Lao Cao teaches his students, his ideas are wild and unconstrained, and the Wu family's brother often can't keep up, so he has a hard time learning. These two children each have their own shortcomings, and I don't know when they can make up for them. I can only do my best."

He felt that if Wu Ke were to take the imperial examination, he would have no problem passing the examination for a scholar, but it would be very difficult for him to pass the examination for a juren. However, if the only grandson of Wu Wen'an could not even pass the examination for a juren, it would be a disgrace to the family and would not show Xie Wenzai's ability as a teacher. Xie Wenzai had already made up his mind to make sure Wu Ke passed the Shaanxi provincial examination at all costs. As for after the provincial examination? He would persuade Wu Ke to find another famous teacher, so he would not have to worry about that anymore.

After all, Zhuang Shitong was also a student of Wu Wen'an, so he was very worried when he heard this, and he discussed Wu Ke's homework with Xie Wenzai.

Haijiao sat quietly by the side and listened. The elders suddenly changed the topic, but he was not in a hurry. Now that he had left a good impression on Zhuang Shitong, he would not have to go through his cousin Xie Wenzai when he visited Zhuang Shitong in the future under the guise of asking for advice. When he and Zhuang Shitong had met and spent more time together, would he still be afraid that he would not have the opportunity to persuade Zhuang Shitong to bring his granddaughter to him as soon as possible?

Haijiao knew that he would not be able to go to Datong until his grandfather Haixiya officially retired and returned home. However, his marriage could be arranged by his grandparents at any time. He was not sure whether the reason he gave for refusing would be acceptable to the two elders, so he had to think of another way.

If Zhuang Shitong could bring his granddaughter to Chang'an, given the friendship between the Hai and Zhuang families, there would definitely be a chance for them to meet. Miss Zhuang is beautiful and intelligent, and she has the gentle temperament that Grandmother Ma likes. She is kind and strong-willed. Grandmother will definitely like her when she sees her.

When the time comes, he can tell his grandparents that he is in love with Miss Zhuang and ask them to propose marriage on his behalf. They should agree, right?
However, in order to make Zhuang Shitong happy to marry his granddaughter to him, he had to show his ability in front of this elder. He couldn't let the elder despise him for being a rough soldier, but had to let the elder understand that he was also a diligent and studious junior who could inherit his knowledge if necessary!
Even if he can't, his future son can! As soon as that boy is born, he will personally teach him!
(End of this chapter)