The Evil Mother-in-law: Torment Children, Work Hard, Be Rich!-Chapter 333: The Magistrate Inscribes the Private School
Su Chengmin was helped to the ancestral hall by Gu Dahuan.
He specially changed into a gray long robe of a middle-aged style bought by Gu Taohua in town, aiming for a look of steadiness. ๐๐โฏ๐ฆ๐๐ฆ๐ฃ๐๐๐๐๐.๐โด๐
However, this robe, which contrasted too much with his age, made him seem even more dashing, creating a strong sense of dissonance with the villagersโ image of a teacher.
Even before stepping into the classroom, he heard the villagersโ dissatisfaction.
If it werenโt for his leg injury, he would have liked to storm out. He was even willing to stoop to teach the rural kids to read, yet everyone didnโt appreciate it.
Besides, whatโs the relation between teaching well and oneโs age or appearance?
Other teachers only teach kids to recognize characters and read, but he can do that and, once his leg heals, he will teach the kids martial arts too.
"Hey, Lai Fu, donโt mind what everyone is saying. The villagers always talk nonsense about things they donโt understand," Gu Jingzhe comforted the somewhat displeased Su Chengmin.
He was afraid that Su Chengmin might quit, and then where would they find another teacher?
County Magistrate Liu is about to arrive.
Village Chief Liu Tieshan defended Su Chengmin, saying, "Stop blabbering. Lai Fu is a scholar, and he is capable of enlightening our villageโs children. Since Mr. Su has come, it means Mr. Su has acknowledged him."
Liu Tieshan pointed to Mr. Su in the crowd.
Mr. Suโs name was well-known in Yan Guan Town, and the village chief wanted to use Mr. Su to suppress everyoneโs complaints.
Mr. Su: "..."
He didnโt even know who his disciple Gu Jingzhe was supporting.
The reputation of Mr. Su was quite effective, gradually calming the villagersโ complaints.
Gu Jingzhe took the opportunity to help Su Chengmin into the classroom.
Compared to the stern-faced Mr. Su, the children preferred the young teacher like Su Chengmin.
Xiao Long had already become familiar with the village kids in Qinghe Bay, and many children would go to Tong Huaqiongโs home to play with Xiao Long. They witnessed Su Chengmin can train ponies, weave little bunnies from foxtail blades, and shoot down birds with corn kernels...
What child wouldnโt like such a talented young teacher?
"Lord Liu is here." Someone shouted.
The village chief went up to greet him.
The village chief and other village chiefs invited by Liu Village Chief also swarmed around County Magistrate Liu.
Village Chief Liu Tieshan felt something was off. Who was the person in official attire standing in the middle? Judging by his manner, why was the County Magistrate so respectful to him?
Village Chief Liu glanced involuntarily at Tong Huaqiong.
Tong Huaqiong stepped forward and said, "Lord Yao, Lord Liu, good day."
The previously restless crowd fell silent.
Lord Yao?
Isnโt the only Lord Yao in Ning City the Magistrate Yao?
Realizing this, the villagers were about to kneel down, but Magistrate Yao stopped them.
"Aunt Tong, good day."
Magistrate Yao and County Magistrate Liu were extremely polite to Tong Huaqiong.
Among the crowd, an old lady mumbled, "Wasnโt it said that our Magistrate Yao just became a young top scholar last year? Why does he look so aged?"
Initially, everyone mistakenly thought that the person next to Magistrate Yao, Lu Zhaoyang, was the Magistrate, and they were all about to greet Lu Zhaoyang until Lord Yao spoke up, and they realized they had mistaken him.
This old ladyโs mumble brought about another bout of silence.
County Magistrate Liu looked awkward.
The old lady lightly slapped her own mouth saying, "Itโs all my fault for having poor eyesight."
Magistrate Yao, however, said nonchalantly, "Itโs not the old ladyโs fault; itโs my fault for being born looking old."
With a single sentence, the awkwardness was easily resolved.
This left an even better impression of Qinghe Bay on Magistrate Yao.
"Da Shuโs wife, why did Magistrate Yao come? Did you invite him?" Village Chief Liu wiped the sweat off his forehead and asked.
He was wondering whom he should ask to inscribe the calligraphy for the private school, Magistrate Yao, or County Magistrate Liu?
Tong Huaqiong said, "I also donโt know why Magistrate Yao came."
She felt that her relationship with Magistrate Yao wasnโt close enough to invite him over.
But since heโs here, it wasnโt necessarily a bad thing.
"The beginning of man, the nature is good. Their natures are so much alike; their habits are so different."
From the classroom came the sound of children reading aloud.
Tong Huaqiong thought Su Chengmin was insightful, already starting to teach the kids.
People peered through the window to see Su Chengmin, with one leg supported, writing on a board, holding a book, and standing at the desk teaching everyone to read.
The students swayed their heads, following the readings.
Children speaking naturally have crisp voices, and reading aloud, their sounds were particularly clear and pleasant.
Magistrate Yao took a glance and smiled, saying to Village Chief Liu, "I came to Qinghe Bay to handle an important matter. I happened to meet Lord Liu and heard thereโs a ceremony for the opening of your villageโs private school. Fortunately, I caught it in time. Setting up a private school to educate villagers, nurturing talents for the court, is ample proof of the insight among Qinghe Bayโs villagers. Lord Liu said this private school was funded by Aunt Tong, but it couldnโt have happened without the support of you, the village chief."
Village Chief Liu, during Magistrateโs words, was already so excited he could hardly contain himself.
Magistrate Yaoโs words were too official; he didnโt remember much else apart from the praise for him as the village chief from Lord Yao.
Village Chief Liu was so excited he almost wanted to kowtow to Magistrate Yao.
The villagers with children in the classroom were just as happy, as their own children were now endorsed as future talents by Magistrate Yao.
They began to curse Mr. Li who had deserted them, thinking Qinghe Bayโs children were worthy of being the courtโs talents, and he did not match up.
The village chief and villagers from other villages were enviously admiring Qinghe Bay, thinking it was no easy feat, not only to invite County Magistrate Liu but even Magistrate Yao.
The village chief was already reviewing in his mind if he had offended Liu Tieshan, worried he might be removed as the village chief.
Tong Huaqiong wasnโt overly excited; she caught on to Magistrate Yaoโs phrase "came to Qinghe Bay for an important matter" and wondered what was so important to bring a magistrate here.
A clear voice for teaching children transmitted across, catching Tong Huaqiongโs attention on Su Chengmin.
Since Magistrate Yao was present, County Magistrate Liu couldnโt take over as host of the private school opening ceremony.
Being a former top scholar himself, Magistrate Yao, even more pleased seeing a private school in a rural village like Qinghe Bay, volunteered to host the opening ceremony.
"Does the teacher have a leg injury?" Magistrate Yao inquired.
Tong Huaqiong replied, "Yes."
Magistrate Yao fixated for a moment on the writing board, remarking, "The teacherโs handwriting is beautiful, a clear indication of exceptional knowledge."
The villagers breathed a sigh of relief.
If Lai Fuโs handwriting was praised by Magistrate Yao, who was a top scholar, it must be excellent.
Since Su Chengmin had a leg injury, Magistrate Yao asked Lu Zhaoyang to lead the students through the opening ritual, but Lu Zhaoyang declined and bowed in front of Mr. Su.
Mr. Su led the children in offering incense, bowing in front of Confuciusโs image, and then into a deep bow towards Su Chengmin sitting on a chair, shouting slogans...
County Magistrate Liu distributed writing sets sponsored by his mother Mrs. Han to the children.
Those writing sets seemed significantly better than the ones purchased in town.
Village Chief Liuโs grandson opened the ink set on the spot, prompting his father, Liu Tong, to scold from outside the classroom, "Save the good ink until youโve learned more characters before using it."
County Magistrate Liu shook his head and said, "Since itโs been given to the children, itโs meant for them to use now."
After the ceremony, the children gradually filed into the classroom.
At Village Chief Liuโs invitation, Magistrate Yao inscribed the calligraphy for the private school.
Qinghe Bay Private School.
Simple and unadorned.
Exactly the effect Qinghe Bay villagers wanted.
At Mr. Suโs invitation, Lu Zhaoyang stood in front to give the children a friendly lesson.
"Do you know what the phrase you just read, โThe beginning of man, the nature is good,โ means?"
"No, we donโt."
"Let me explain it to you..."
The villagers felt that Lu Zhaoyangโs explanation was excellent and wished he could teach at the private school.
"Your knowledge is great, Uncle Zhaoyang, Yan Hong, you should listen too," said Mrs. Han to her son Liu Yanhong while standing next to Tong Huaqiong.
Mrs. Han then encouraged Liu Yanhong to join the children in listening to the lesson.
Liu Yanhong didnโt originally want to go, but seeing Man Er among the children, his eyes lit up and he said, "Is Man Er also attending the private school?"
As he spoke, he sneaked into the classroom and sat quietly behind Man Er.
It was at this moment that Magistrate Yao noticed there was a girl attending the class.
"Qinghe Bayโs customs are indeed extraordinary."
