diymy Chapter 24 The Eight-Share School, Apprenticing to a Great Confucian Scholar
Chapter 24 The Eight-Share School, Apprenticing to a Great Confucian Scholar
Ma Wenxiang looked down at the audience with a disdainful gaze, and no one dared to speak.
What he just said was already considered treasonous.
If Ma Wenxiang were not already famous throughout Daming Prefecture and even the entire Central Plains, based solely on this statement, if someone were to file a lawsuit against him, he would not only be unable to take the imperial examinations, but would likely have already been disqualified and banned from taking them for life.
The private school was completely silent, but Ma Wenxiang did not let the silence linger for long.
Once it ferments, it will actually be detrimental to him.
He stepped out of the private school, no longer dwelling on the earlier argument. Instead, he stood outside the corridor, facing the many visitors of the day, and declared loudly: "Words have fixed tunes, tunes have fixed phrases, phrases have fixed characters, and characters have fixed tones."
"The essay format has long been established, and it's not just the eight-legged essay of today."
"Could it be that the established standards for contemporary writing set forth by the sages and great scholars of previous dynasties were also flawed?"
Ma Wenxiang did not press the person who had just questioned him, but instead addressed the group of visiting students, saying, "I am fortunate to have completed the eight-legged essay today, hoping to revitalize the education of the Central Plains. Perhaps there will be further reforms to the eight-legged essay in the future, which will be a matter for future generations."
"Could it be that our Great Ming Dynasty today is inferior to the previous dynasties in many ways?"
"As the saying goes, 'To find truly great men, look to the present.' With the united efforts of all the students in the world, I believe that our Great Ming Dynasty will surely surpass the Yuan and Song Dynasties, and that our nation will grow stronger every day, bringing glory to the Han Dynasty."
At this moment, Ma Wenxiang was not dwelling on the academic discussion he had just been discussing.
If one falls into such a situation, as the saying goes, "In literature there is no first place, but in martial arts there is no second," and everyone expressing their own opinions will only lead to a lower level of achievement.
So he directly elevated the topic to the level of national and social affairs. With such a high praise, the many students in front of him looked thoughtful. Even if a few wanted to refute him, they dared not argue anymore.
In a short while, someone bowed and bowed respectfully, saying, "Today, I am deeply grateful to you for teaching me, sir. I thank you for your guidance."
One person takes the lead, and everyone follows suit.
Ma Wenxiang has just imparted the entire doctrine of the Eight-Legged Essay without reservation, which is an immense favor to the visiting students.
Although this instruction may be passed on to the South in the future, at least for now, Northern students can gain an advantage that allows them to compete with Southern students.
Even if we can't completely defeat our opponent, we can at least hold our own.
For the dozens of students visiting today, this is an opportunity to change their fate, so Ma Wenxiang accepted this courtesy with peace of mind.
Gradually, the lesson on the eight-legged essay came to an end, and some students were preparing to leave.
Qin Yubo suddenly stepped forward.
He was dressed in a blue robe, with a dignified face and brows that exuded authority even without anger. When he spoke, it was enough to intimidate everyone: "Regarding the matters of the Eight-Legged Essay, the names of all those who visited today have been recorded."
"I, Qin Yubo, hereby swear that if anyone ever speaks of the eight-legged essay of today to the southern lands or to outsiders, I will not let them get away with it."
"The Dharma should not be lightly transmitted, nor should the Way be lightly bestowed. Today is a special opportunity for you. For the foreseeable future, please remain in Daming Prefecture and do not travel to other places."
No sooner had Qin Yubo finished speaking than the situation arose that the eight-legged essay would be confined to the north.
Among the first group of visitors were members of prominent families from Daming Prefecture and the surrounding area. They were more than happy to support Qin Yubo's actions, so how could they possibly refuse?
Call it cherishing your own humble possessions, or say you're unwilling to pass them on lightly.
At least for the education system in the Central Plains, the longer the Eight-Legged Essay was introduced to the South, the more advantageous it would be for their many families, and no one wanted to miss such an opportunity.
"Please rest assured, Lord Qin. The Eight-Legged Essay method was personally taught by the young master. Even family members must come to the young master to be informed; otherwise, it will certainly not be passed on to six ears."
"This eight-legged essay method is the core essence of our Central Plains education. Today's matter is being passed on by the young teacher to everyone. Heaven knows, earth knows, and everyone knows. No outsider can know it."
"Make a list and transcribe everyone's name and place of origin. If anyone commits such a defection to the enemy in the future, the entire Central Plains shall exterminate them."
The first group of scholars to arrive were all shrewd and adept at seizing opportunities.
With Qin Yubo stepping forward, they all employed their own methods.
In the blink of an eye, this small private school in Majia Village became a major faction in the education of the Central Plains, known as the "Eight-Legged Essay School".
Although there is no clear leader yet and the organization is extremely loose, it is likely that in the near future, it will become a powerful force that cannot be ignored in the court.
With Qin Yubo's tacit approval, everything was completed smoothly.
Ma Wenxiang was dumbfounded, but he also fully understood: now, the term "eight-legged essay" was no longer his own power, but the power of the entire Central Plains education system.
His individual efforts are of small benefit, while the cultural and educational resources of the Central Plains are of great benefit, and are no longer easily controlled by Ma Wenxiang.
But I'd rather not say it.
No matter when, he will undoubtedly be the one who benefits the most in the open, and there is no doubt about that.
With his immense reputation, he was in the eye of the storm, yet no one dared to touch him, otherwise he would surely lose the hearts of scholars in the Central Plains. Even the founding emperor Zhu Yuanzhang would have had to be wary of him.
Qin Yubo put the list away and placed it in front of Ma Wenxiang, as if to ask him to keep it safe.
Qin Yubo remained silent. Ma Wenxiang smiled bitterly and was about to shake his head in refusal when suddenly Wang Yangsheng, a scholar in the private school, closed his eyes and revealed a complex smile on his face.
The moment Qin Yubo, this great Confucian scholar from Daming Prefecture, stepped forward, some things ceased to belong to him.
"How dare I again be the teacher of today, the mentor of tomorrow?"
Wang Yangsheng suddenly spoke, turning to Ma Wenxiang and saying, "Wenxiang, why don't you quickly pay your respects to the lord? Lord Qin is a great Confucian scholar of our time, representing the pinnacle of education in the Central Plains. Today, he has specially come from Daming Prefecture to this small village of Qingfeng County. Can't you understand his intentions yet?"
At this point, Wang Yangsheng surprisingly gave up the title of having made great contributions to the revitalization of education in the Central Plains and instead chose to help Ma Wenxiang.
Upon hearing this, Qin Yubo looked at Wang Yangsheng again, a hint of barely perceptible admiration flashing in his eyes.
Although he was just a mere scholar who usually didn't catch his eye, this action at this moment was exactly what he wanted.
He should voluntarily relinquish his credit and help others achieve their goals. If he insists on taking credit for someone else's disciple, it will be detrimental to the current weak education system in the Central Plains, and it will not be of any help to his upcoming official career.
Officials should also pay attention to their own reputation and official standing.
Although it is said that "all crows are black," even black crows have substance and appearance. On the surface, they must be clean and white to stand in the court.
Otherwise, wouldn't everyone avoid them like the plague?
In doing so, they can only blend in with the crowd and never have a chance to rise again, which is truly laughable.
With the two of them working in unison, even if Ma Wenxiang was slow to realize what was happening, he should have caught on by now.
By this time, he had already been deeply marked by his northern and central plains heritage.
Taking the great Confucian scholar Qin Yubo as his teacher was indeed the most correct choice.
Moreover, judging from what this person did just now, he considered everything for him, and he is indeed a meticulous person. Becoming his apprentice may not be a bad thing.