Chapter 3508

Although the *General History of China* was written in vernacular Chinese, it was written over eighty years ago. In this internet age, many terms were very different from those of eighty years ago, and the writing style was basically a mix of vernacular and classical Chinese.

Moreover, the historical perspective of that time was different from today's, and many basic concepts in historiography differed greatly from current ones, often requiring multiple readings to understand the meaning.

Therefore, even for adults, reading the *General History of China* was difficult. Could a child like Niuniu understand it?

However, the old man didn't speak. He observed Niuniu carefully and saw that Niuniu was reading with great interest, clearly understanding it. Occasionally, he would ask Su Xinghui a question, and Su Xinghui would explain it to him in a low voice, after which Niuniu would nod to show he understood.

The old man was even more surprised, but he still didn't speak. He also began to read the *Book of the Later Han* seriously, taking out a notebook and pen from his bag to take notes, just like a diligent student.

The environment in the reading room was quiet, with only the rustling sound of turning pages. Everyone was reading seriously, so time passed quickly. Suddenly, it was closing time for the morning. Su Xinghui and Niuniu returned their books, and Niuniu saw the old man, helped him return his book to its place, and pushed him to the elevator.

Niuniu pushed the old man all the way out of the library and down the ramp for the disabled before asking, "Grandpa, where do you live? Do you need us to take you home?"

The old man didn't answer the question but smiled and asked, "Little friend, can you understand the *General History of China*?"

Niuniu nodded and said, "Basically, yes. If there's anything I don't understand, I ask my dad."

The old man then asked a few questions from the *General History of China*, and Niuniu answered them fluently, which surprised the old man even more.

From the questions the old man asked, Su Xinghui felt that he was no ordinary person. He asked, "Sir, may I ask your name?"

The old man said, "I wouldn't dare. My surname is Yang, given name Yuanshen. May I ask your surname?"

Hearing the name Yang Yuanshen, Su Xinghui felt it sounded familiar, but he didn't think deeply about it for a moment. He said, "My surname is Su, Su Xinghui."

A look of surprise appeared on Yang Yuanshen's face as he said, "Vice Mayor Su?"

Su Xinghui said, "Old Mr. Yang, do you know me?"

Yang Yuanshen said, "I don't know you personally, but Vice Mayor Su's name is already like thunder to the ears. Everyone knows that Baozhou has a Vice Mayor Su who single-handedly built a new Baozhou."

Su Xinghui said, "I wouldn't dare, that is too much praise. Old Mr. Yang, from which unit did you retire?"

Yang Yuanshen said, "I retired from Jingcheng University and am currently serving as a visiting professor at Baozhou University."

Su Xinghui suddenly remembered. Yang Yuanshen was a professor in the History Department of Jingcheng University and a leading authority on Chinese history. He was from Baozhou but had always taught at Jingcheng University. Given his age, he had retired a year ago. So, he had been invited back by Baozhou University to serve as a visiting professor.

Su Xinghui knew that Baozhou University had indeed hired many visiting professors, such as senior engineers from major Baozhou enterprises and experts from major hospitals.

In addition, Baozhou University had also hired retired professors from famous universities as visiting professors. These visiting professors objectively strengthened the teaching staff of Baozhou University, which made Su Xinghui very happy.

However, Su Xinghui hadn't expected that Baozhou University could actually invite a big-name figure like Yang Yuanshen to serve as their visiting professor; this was not an easy task.

But then again, Yang Yuanshen was a native of Baozhou, so his ability to return to Baozhou to serve as a visiting professor showed that he still had deep feelings for his hometown.

Su Xinghui said with a look of solemn respect, "So it is Professor Yang. I have been disrespectful!"

Yang Yuanshen smiled and said, "Vice Mayor Su is too polite. Your teacher, Professor Qin Jie, has always been someone I respect very much. You are his brilliant student and have achieved remarkable political results as Vice Mayor. It should be said that I am the one who has been disrespectful."

Su Xinghui quickly said, "Professor Yang, you overstate it. Teacher Qin also admires you very much."

After exchanging a few polite words with Yang Yuanshen, Su Xinghui asked, "Professor Yang, what happened to your leg?"

Yang Yuanshen was a professor, and Su Xinghui had never heard that he had a disability, yet he was sitting in a wheelchair today, which made Su Xinghui a bit puzzled.

Yang Yuanshen laughed and said, "I'm fine. I just had some bone spurs on my foot and took advantage of the summer vacation to have surgery. It's almost healed. Today, having nothing to do, I came to the library to read."

Su Xinghui said, "This is not the place to talk. Let's find a place to eat and talk while we eat."

Yang Yuanshen nodded happily. Su Xinghui pushed Yang Yuanshen, and together with Niuniu, they went to a nearby restaurant, ordered a private room, ordered a few dishes, called home to say he wouldn't be back for lunch, and began to eat with Yang Yuanshen.

Su Xinghui asked, "Professor Yang, you are a master of history, why do you still come to the library to find books to read?"

Yang Yuanshen said, "I have no other hobbies, I just like to find different versions of various historical books. The copy of the *Book of the Later Han* I found today is a Shaoxing edition from the Song Dynasty. This is a version I haven't seen before, so I think it's very useful for the study of the *Book of the Later Han*."

Su Xinghui felt a sense of solemn respect again. Yang Yuanshen's attitude toward scholarship was indeed worthy of respect; it was no accident that he could become a leading authority in the historical field.

Su Xinghui said, "Professor Yang, do you live at Baozhou University? Why is there no one at home to take care of you?"

Yang Yuanshen said, "My son and daughter are both abroad, and my wife went abroad this year to take care of our grandson. I don't want to go abroad, so I live alone in the house assigned to me by Baozhou University. After the surgery, the school arranged for someone to take care of me, but today I took advantage of the time before she arrived to come out, otherwise she wouldn't have let me out."

Su Xinghui couldn't help but laugh. This Professor Yang was also a wonderful person; already over sixty, he still had a childlike heart.

Su Xinghui said, "Then you still need to pay attention to your health. Besides, the school doesn't know where you've gone, they must be worried now."

Yang Yuanshen nodded and said, "Okay, I'll go back after eating. I don't use a mobile phone, so they can't find me, but I left a note on the table saying I went out for a walk and would be back in the afternoon."

Su Xinghui felt relieved and said, "Then I'll take you back after we eat."

Yang Yuanshen looked at Niuniu, who had been listening to him and Su Xinghui talk, and asked with a smile, "What is your name? Why don't you speak?"

Niuniu said, "My name is Su Weizhen. I don't speak because Dad and you are both elders. When elders are talking, children shouldn't interrupt casually."

Yang Yuanshen smiled and nodded, "Well said. Su Weizhen, is it the 'Weizhen' from 'Weizhou Zhizhen'?"

Niuniu said, "Yes, that's the one."

Yang Yuanshen said, "Who chose this name for you?" ===== CHAPTER 3510 =====