Chapter 103: From Now On, He Is Your Father

Hearing these words from Liu Zheng, everyone watching was filled with curiosity.

Even Queen Reguli looked on with interest, to say nothing of Halike and the civil and military officials.

Huang Yantai's eyes also flashed with a sharp glint.

Hemuti sneered repeatedly; if he could throw a master like Huang into prison, what was a mere wet-behind-the-ears youth? He truly did not believe this young man before him could produce any writing that would shake the past and dazzle the present.

Soon, someone in the Wanggong brought paper and brush, placing them on the table before Liu Zheng.

Liu Zheng pondered for a moment, then set the brush down; at once, the strokes moved like dragons and snakes, each character powerful.

"Fine calligraphy!"

Huang Yantai could not help but brighten.

The script Liu Zheng wrote was Small Seal Script, the most popular style in the Longyan Dynasty; the characters were square and balanced, revealing the person through the writing, and within them was a sense of cold isolation and a temperament that looked down upon the masses.

Enlightenment primers.

Liu Zheng's first choice was "Standards for Being a Good Pupil and Child," followed by the "Three Character Classic," and then the "Thousand Character Classic"!

Among these three, the most all-encompassing was naturally the "Three Character Classic," while the more profound and difficult was the "Thousand Character Classic." As for "Standards for Being a Good Pupil and Child," many said it was written by a scholar in the Qing Dynasty and lacked literary merit, making it unworthy of the halls of high culture. In fact, this was not so; in Liu Zheng's view, "Standards for Being a Good Pupil and Child" was even more suited to be an enlightenment primer than the "Three Character Classic."

Why?

Because "Standards for Being a Good Pupil and Child" shared many knowledge points with the "Three Character Classic," but it was written by someone of lower literary standing, which meant that such a text did not require a high level of education from the reader. As long as one knew how to read and write, one could understand it. Therefore, given the generally poor state of education in Loulan, and even the Longyan Dynasty, "Standards for Being a Good Pupil and Child" was actually the most appropriate.

In the "Thousand Character Classic," terms like "mysterious and yellow," "universe," and "waxing and waning" were not easy to explain clearly without annotations. One might not even know how to read them. The first four lines were already so unfriendly; the further one read, the more the adults appeared ignorant.

"Three-foot sword," "six-jun bow," "Feng Fu's tiger," "Lord Ye's dragon," "Emperor Liang lecturing at Tongtai Temple," "Han Emperor setting wine at Weiyang Palace"—these all contained historical allusions. If one could not explain these allusions, one could not continue reading. Furthermore, references like "north of the Ridge and Jiangdong," "north of Ji and Liaodong," "Three Kingdoms and Six Dynasties," and "Pengze County and Wuling Creek" involved a vast amount of historical and geographical knowledge, making it very easy for children to ask questions that would stump adults.

Even if the "Three Character Classic" was considered relatively easy to read, it still contained allusions like "Mencius's mother choosing a neighborhood" and common knowledge like the "Four Rivers and Five Mountains," which many adults likely did not know. By comparison, "Standards for Being a Good Pupil and Child" consisted entirely of dogmatic things with very little knowledge density; for an uncultured adult, simply reciting "you must do this and that" was enough, without any fear of being asked a follow-up question by a child and left speechless.

In other words, parents could teach their children by reading "Standards for Being a Good Pupil and Child" a few times.

There was no need to attend any Private School or find any teacher; only in this way could the popularization of enlightenment education truly be realized!

Therefore.

Without a doubt, for beginners, "Standards for Being a Good Pupil and Child"! Then the "Three Character Classic," followed by the "Thousand Character Classic," and after that, things like the "Book of Songs," "Doctrine of the Mean," and "Great Learning," and so on... but let us not discuss those for now.

Liu Zheng began to write.

"Standards for being a good pupil and child, the teachings of the sages; first filial piety and fraternal love, then caution and trustworthiness!"

Huang Yantai was already at his side; for every character Liu Zheng wrote, he read it aloud.

The people were amazed.

This was the first time they had heard a text written in three-character phrases. Yet, whether in reading or poetry, ancient times valued rhythm. Many suddenly discovered that reading in these three-character beats made one involuntarily sway their head.

And so.

They had only read a few lines.

The scene began to change.

"Extend love to the masses, and be close to the benevolent; if you have energy to spare, then study Literature."

Halike began to sway along.

"When parents call, answer without delay. When parents command, act without laziness!"

Hemuti also began to shake his head and sway.

"When parents teach, you must listen with respect. When parents scold, you must accept with obedience!"

Many children nearby also began to sway.

Then, the entire crowd became enchanted.

Liu Zheng wrote three characters, Huang Yantai read three characters, and then the people followed, swaying their heads and reading the three characters. It was catchy and rhythmic. Even the children on the street joined in; more and more people participated, the voices grew louder, and the scene became increasingly joyful.

"In winter, keep them warm; in summer, keep them cool. In the morning, pay your respects; in the evening, ensure they rest. When leaving, you must report; when returning, you must present yourself. Live with regularity, and keep your occupation unchanged!"

Finally, even Queen Reguli joined in with a smile.

Liu Zheng kept writing, and Huang Yantai became increasingly excited!

A thunderclap went off in his mind, and he understood this New Learning of Young Master Liu: teaching according to the student's ability! This was what he had been pursuing for over forty years. When he promoted education, he was often lost; this culture of Huaxia, spanning thousands of years, seemed too dry and difficult for children just starting to learn. There were too many people who could only memorize it for a lifetime without knowing its meaning—those who studied like dead wood.

Only now did he realize that they had been wrong from the very beginning!

If they let children start by encountering the "Book of Songs," "Doctrine of the Mean," and "Great Learning," could they really understand them? Not only would they not understand, but they would also develop an aversion to learning!

But what about Liu Zheng's "Standards for Being a Good Pupil and Child"?

Simple and clear, catchy. The rhythm was distinct, and the cadence was joyful and interesting.

"This, this, this..."

Huang Yantai's eyes were already brimming with tears. He never imagined that what he had pursued for over forty years would be realized today, by the brush of this young man who looked to be in his early twenties.

Enlightenment primer!

This was the enlightenment primer he had always wanted! To people of later generations, this might be a small matter, but to the people of this era whose thoughts were shackled, the difference was immense. There were countless people like Huang Yantai who had searched for forty years without finding their way.

New Learning!

He was suddenly extremely agitated; was this what New Learning was?

Breaking the shackles, summarizing the classics, and finding a new path—was this New Learning?

He watched Liu Zheng writing furiously with such excitement.

"Standards for Being a Good Pupil and Child" was one thousand and eighty characters in total!

Not a single character missed!

"If it is not a sage's book, do not look at it. It dulls the intelligence and ruins the heart's ambition. Do not be self-destructive, do not give up on yourself. Sagehood and virtue can be attained!"

With this, the full text was complete!

Everyone looked at Liu Zheng, unable to recover for a long time.

The Third Prince was like this, and so was Reheman.

Even Queen Reguli, looking at the spirited Liu Zheng at this moment, had eyes filled with brilliant colors and sparkling stars.

It must be said that Longyan Scholars are the most welcomed existence within the Loulan Kingdom, and even more so today, as Liu Zheng was in high spirits and striking in appearance, shocking all of Loulan with a single battle; the young girls on the street could not help but cast amorous glances at him.

Liu Zheng laughed heartily and looked at Huang Yantai: "Master Huang, how was that?"

The crowd was also plunged into shock.

They were still shaking their heads—it was over just like that?

Huang Yantai could no longer hold back; he knelt down without a word and prostrated himself on the ground: "Young Master has great talent, this Huang is convinced!"

Everyone was astonished.

Liu Zheng was also startled and hurriedly stepped forward to help Huang Yantai up, saying sincerely: "Master Huang, you must not do this, you are really shaming this young one!"

Queen Reguli also nodded frequently and smiled: "Young Master Xiang, truly a peerless genius!"

The civil and military officials, merchants, and commoners were all convinced as well.

Hemuti's expression changed drastically, and he shouted loudly: "Since the thief Huang has already lost, he deserves to die!"

Liu Zheng hurriedly said: "Your Majesty the Queen, you must not!"

Hemuti looked over with cold eyes: "Why not?"

Liu Zheng cupped his hands and took a deep breath: "Your Majesty the Queen, Xiang Zheng's New Learning must never be separated from the Old Learning! The combination of the new and the old is the true path! The theory of New Learning is merely a concept, not Learning itself. Master Huang is well-read in many books and possesses great Learning! If Master Huang is a library, Xiang Zheng's New Learning is but a mere index, not worth mentioning!"

"If you wish to promote New Learning in Loulan, you absolutely cannot do without Master Huang!"

The civil and military officials also knelt down with a roar, seconding Xiang Zheng.

Hemuti, standing to the side, had a face as black as coal. A few days ago, when he suppressed Huang Yantai and threw him into prison, who dared to stand up and say a word? But now, just because of the appearance of this Xiang Zheng, the situation had changed. These civil and military officials had actually all stood on Huang Yantai's side, which meant they had all chosen to stand on the side of the Third Prince!

It was not just because Xiang Zheng possessed the halo of a "Longyan Scholar," but also because this theory of "New Learning" was invigorating, allowing people to see the dawn of the Loulan Kingdom's rise.

Education!

Isn't it better than some religious belief?

"Queen, Master Huang must not be killed!"

"That's right, Queen, please think twice!"

Reguli was extremely happy, but she still maintained that faint smile on her face as she looked at Hemuti: "Since that is the case, let Master Huang atone for his crimes through service; what do you think? Education is the foundation of a country and must not be neglected!"

Everyone seconded the motion.

Hemuti's face was dark, and although he was unwilling, he could only cup his hands and reply: "I will strictly obey the Queen's order!"

Everyone was overjoyed, and Huang Yantai, with tears streaming down his face, hurriedly thanked them for their grace.

"Young Master Xiang, we shall meet again!"

Hemuti glared fiercely at Liu Zheng and rode away.

Watching the mighty Temple Army depart, the Third Prince Halike exclaimed excitedly: "So satisfying! Look at how arrogant he was a few days ago!"

Many people's expressions changed, and they advised him to be cautious with his words.

Reguli smiled: "Halike, why don't you thank Young Master Xiang?"

Halike was already familiar with Liu Zheng, so he immediately winked and bowed deeply.

Only then did Liu Zheng breathe a sigh of relief. He had not expected that he had come to save the slave trader Mire, but by a stroke of luck, he had ended up saving this Huang Yantai. Afterward, Queen Reguli invited Liu Zheng into the palace and held a grand banquet to entertain this scholar from the Longyan Dynasty.

Moreover, the Queen held a state banquet.

This showed how much she valued Liu Zheng.

Liu Zheng could only laugh at this. As expected, those who could become Queen were no ordinary people. She wanted to use this "Xiang Zheng" to unite those who were pro-Han and gather them around the Third Prince to counter Hemuti and the Temple.

According to Loulan law, one month after the death of the King, the new King must ascend the throne.

With nearly half a month left, Reguli was extremely happy to be able to let the Third Prince hold his head high under the suppression of the Seventh Prince, and she even personally toasted Liu Zheng several times.

At the banquet, there was singing and dancing, and a group of Loulan beauties twisted their graceful waists, making it a dazzling sight.

However, what Liu Zheng did not expect was this.

After a few cups of wine, when Reguli appeared even more enchanting and charming, she suddenly brought Halike before Liu Zheng and smiled bewitchingly: "Kneel!"

Although Halike did not understand why, he obediently knelt before Liu Zheng.

Liu Zheng was enjoying the singing and dancing and was startled by this scene, jumping up: "This, Queen, this, what is the meaning of this?"

Reguli looked at Liu Zheng with a smile: "Halike, quickly kowtow three times; from now on, Young Master Xiang will be your father!"

Pfft!

Huh?

Are you kidding me?

Liu Zheng spat out his drink.

The whole hall was shocked.

Only then did Reguli realize her slip of the tongue, and her pretty face instantly flushed red, looking incomparably beautiful: "No, I mean, from now on, Young Master Xiang will be your teacher; a teacher for a day is a father for life, right Master Huang?"

Huang Yantai nodded blankly.

Queen, you accidentally let your true thoughts slip out; isn't that a bit too much?

Should I say yes, or should I say no?