SFL Chapter 43

The scholar’s actions were interrupted by the servant’s voice, but he remained unperturbed, gently saying, “Don’t underestimate people in this world.”

“In my heart, sir is the most formidable person,” the servant admired his master.

The scholar chuckled, not taking his words to heart.

Their conversation attracted attention, and onlookers gathered, some recognizing the scholar, while most did not.

A middle-aged man in Confucian attire, upon seeing the scholar’s face, hurriedly approached, a bit startled, “Sir, how did you come here?”

The scholar, the county magistrate, greeted him, asking, “Master Li, what brings you here?”

“Well, not to hide the truth, I heard that Master Mei at the Mei Family Academy teaches without discrimination, so I happened to pass by and came in for a look.” Li explained, sharing the commonality of running schools in the county.

“I did the same, heard about Mei Family Academy, so I came to see.” The magistrate, relatively young, had not been in the position for long.

“As fellow educators, what do you think of Master Mei’s teaching style?” The magistrate asked Li, both lowering their voices, conversing quietly in the courtyard.

While others were captivated by Mei Mingxuan’s lecture, Li pondered for a moment before responding, “Honestly, sir, Master Mei’s teaching is excellent, but his students may not be suitable for the imperial examinations.”

Being experienced, they were well aware of the limitations and constraints of the imperial examination content, with many topics considered taboo.

Mei Mingxuan’s teaching approach differed, offering a broader perspective. Even though Li gained insights, he realized Mei’s students might not fit the traditional path of the imperial examinations.

“They say most of his students are from merchant backgrounds and don’t pursue the imperial examinations,” the magistrate observed the situation inside.

Despite the crowd’s attention, Mei’s students remained unfazed, having developed resilience.

“Words may be so, but Master Mei’s school also has potential candidates for the imperial examinations,” Master Li remarked.

In the classroom, Mei Mingxuan’s lecture was coming to an end. He paid no attention to those outside, as long as they had a willingness to learn. However, the crucial knowledge was reserved for those inside the classroom.

After the class, several merchants who had been waiting outside rushed forward, thanking Mei Mingxuan for teaching their children and presenting generous gifts.

Observing this, Master Li felt a twinge of bitterness. Merchants were never short of money, a stark contrast to the disciplined students in his school.

Despite the bitterness, Master Li wasn’t inclined to admit students from merchant backgrounds. His focus was on cultivating candidates for the imperial examinations, and power naturally followed.

Unlike Master Li, who tried to avert his gaze, the county magistrate approached with a smile, “Master Mei, can I have a moment of your time?”

Mei Mingxuan nodded to the magistrate, then told Liu Jinniang to watch over the others. He walked with the magistrate to a pavilion.

As Mei Mingxuan entrusted Liu Jinniang with the students, Master Li couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. Despite both being scholars, he was astonished at Mei Mingxuan’s bold move.

Teaching is one thing, but having a woman in the classroom? If he hadn’t witnessed Mei’s genuine teaching earlier, Master Li might have labeled him as lecherous.

Even so, Master Li strongly disapproved.

“What’s the matter, Master Li?” Seeing his troubled expression, the magistrate inquired.

Master Li hesitated but couldn’t contain himself, asking Mei Mingxuan, “May I ask the purpose of having your wife in the classroom?”

“No particular reason. I just thought my wife, Zhuojing, wanted to engage in business. I fear she might face difficulties due to limited knowledge, so I suggested she gain some education before venturing out,” Mei Mingxuan explained.

Even the county magistrate glanced at Mei Mingxuan with mild surprise. They only learned about this after Liu Jinniang enrolled, finding Mei’s actions questionable but refraining from commenting due to his dignified teaching.

However, Mei Mingxuan not only allowed his wife to study but also approved of her actively participating in business.

Perplexed, both the magistrate and Master Li asked, “Why?”

Mei Mingxuan was momentarily surprised, then smiled, “Zhuojing comes from a merchant family and has been exposed to business since childhood. After marriage, she wanted to try managing the shop herself. As her husband, I naturally support her.”

So, you let your wife do as she pleases?

Both the magistrate and Master Li couldn’t quite comprehend their feelings.

“But, your wife is from a respectable family, and her public presence might affect your reputation,” Master Li instinctively commented.

To outsiders, when a woman goes out to do business, the first thought of those unaware is often that the husband at home is incapable. The true measure of a man’s ability is to keep his wife well within the household.

Master Li wanted to emphasize that once a woman experiences a broader world, many men can no longer hold her back.

“So, should I let my wife suffer from depression just for the sake of the world’s opinion?” Mei Mingxuan spoke unwaveringly, without hesitation.

Seeing Mei Mingxuan sticking to his principles, both the county magistrate and Master Li sighed inwardly, tacitly shifting away from this topic.

They focused their attention on Mei Mingxuan’s knowledge. They knew he was a scholar, but there’s a difference between scholars. Not everyone with talent is suitable for the imperial examinations, and many gifted individuals remain unnoticed.

In the eyes of the county magistrate, Mei Mingxuan was undoubtedly such a gem.

Mei Mingxuan’s school was established under his influence, and at that time, the county magistrate was more surprised by Mei’s age. Teaching and managing students required effort, usually undertaken by those who acknowledged their lack of prospects in the imperial examinations. Mei Mingxuan, however, might have aspired to achieve more, and the county magistrate regretted that he gave up so easily.

Little did the county magistrate expect Mei Mingxuan’s teaching to be so effective. Taking Mei’s students from merchant backgrounds as an example, even though the magistrate couldn’t grasp the intricacies of their business, he knew that the county had become more prosperous.

The visit to Mei Family Academy wasn’t impulsive but well-thought-out. After understanding the situation, the county magistrate came to see the professor who educated these outstanding students.

Upon meeting Mei Mingxuan, it was evident that he surpassed ordinary standards. In both knowledge and breadth of mind, the county magistrate gave him high praise.

All three were knowledgeable individuals, able to catch and respond to each other’s topics. As they conversed, the atmosphere between them quickly became harmonious.

The more they exchanged ideas, the more the county magistrate and Master Li marveled at Mei Mingxuan’s profound knowledge. He didn’t seem like a mere scholar; he resembled the learned scholars in the Hanlin Academy, well-versed in literature.

“*Cough* What did you say? Can you also teach scholars how to be teachers?” Master Li said somewhat dazed.

What is a scholar? An entity that imparts knowledge and educates.

But now someone claimed he could teach scholars how to be teachers.

Master Li couldn’t believe it. “Every scholar has a different teaching style. How can you instruct them?”

Mei Mingxuan smiled, “Being a good teacher is not about having the same teaching style as every other teacher. It’s mainly about whether the teacher can impart their knowledge to their students.”

“As long as students learn and understand quickly, the teaching style doesn’t matter.”

After all, the essence of teaching is not about the output from the teacher’s side but the reception from the students.

“The so-called teaching methods for scholars are just ways to provide better guidance for teachers in educating their students. The knowledge itself remains the same,” Mei Mingxuan explained.

After hearing Mei Mingxuan’s words, Master Li’s mind began to wander again. It seemed to be true.

Master Li had considerable teaching experience, but when he first started running a school, he had to explore and develop his own teaching style over many years.

For a veteran like him, who had already found his own path, there might not be a need to learn new teaching methods. However, what about those young teachers who are just starting out? Mei Mingxuan’s insights were like a timely rain for them.

Master Li couldn’t help but think that if he had met Mei Mingxuan when he was young, learned that teaching students could be expedited, he wouldn’t have wasted years with his students.

As for the county magistrate, he was even more eager to understand how to cultivate teachers quickly. This matter was directly related to his political achievements.

Being young and ambitious, the county magistrate naturally wanted to make political achievements.

Mei Mingxuan’s words undoubtedly brought hope to him.

Looking at Mei Mingxuan again, the county magistrate’s eyes had a hint of envy.

“Today can truly be described as gaining more from one conversation than from ten years of reading. Master Mei, I have an unexpected request. Please, Mei Mingxuan, be the pioneer and start teaching the first batch of scholars in our county,” the county magistrate said, then stood up, clasped his hands, and bowed deeply to Mei Mingxuan.

Master Li made the same gesture, saying, “This is also a request from one scholar to another.”

It wasn’t a request for themselves but for those scholars who had knowledge but struggled to pass it on to others.

In this era, scholars were scarce, and even rarer were the teachers who could cultivate scholars.

If Mei Mingxuan’s plan succeeded, their country would see a large number of scholars emerging in the shortest possible time, preventing many people’s knowledge from being buried with them in their coffins.