Three Kingdoms: I rely on system loopholes to survive

Zhong Ping's words that day did leave a mark on Cheng Bing's mind. A man without far-sightedness will surely have immediate worries. The Yellow Turbans in Jingzhou were causing such a serious commotion that he had to consider his own family. However, the passing on of family knowledge was a big matter and it was not something he could decide alone.

He was hesitant in his heart and it showed on his face. Liu Bei was very good at reading people's minds, so he didn't say anything to interrupt Cheng Bing's thoughts. He just picked up the bamboo slips on the table and read them. When Cheng Bing came to his senses belatedly, he hurriedly stood up to salute.

Liu Bei smiled and pressed his hand: "I see that De Shu seems to be worried. If there is something unresolved, why don't you tell me a thing or two? Anyway, there is nothing important right now, but it is a rare opportunity for us to have a long conversation."

"To be honest with you, my lord, I was discussing the Yellow Turbans with Bo Heng just now... When I think of the number of refugees and clans in the world, it is like a large number of ants being able to devour an elephant. Now that the Yellow Turbans have called for a hundred people to rise up, I am really afraid that the refugees will trample on the bones of the clans, and the scriptures and books will be destroyed in an instant, and the cultural heritage will be cut off!"

The more Cheng Bing thought about it, the more frightened he became, especially when he thought about his teacher Zheng Xuan who was about to cross the river to join Jiaotong. He felt even more uneasy.

"What good plan does Bo Heng have?" Liu Bei listened attentively. He knew that if Cheng Bing was just afraid of the Yellow Turbans, he would never show such a conflicted look. It must be that Zhong Ping had suggested a countermeasure and Cheng Bing was unable to choose, which was why he showed such an expression.

"What Boheng meant..." Cheng Bing unconsciously stroked the bamboo slips in his sleeves, "is to transform the learning of one family into the learning of the whole world."

Liu Bei's eyes moved, as if he was thinking about something.

"I know that what Boheng said is the truth. Confucius also said in the past, 'There is no distinction between the classes in education', but once this saying spreads, I am afraid..."

Cheng Bing was full of worries and always felt that it was difficult to advance or retreat.

"Oh?" Liu Bei raised his head and looked at Cheng Bing with a gentle gaze, "Does Deshu also intend to adopt Boheng's method?"

"That's right." Cheng Bing knew Liu Bei's inclination as soon as he heard it. He no longer had to make the decision himself. The heavy stone in his heart suddenly loosened, and he was much more relaxed when he spoke again. "Jiaozhou is originally a remote place. Promoting education is in line with the king's way. We can first select people in Cangwu to teach. If there are people who can understand things and know etiquette, it is not impossible to study the classics."

"That's right." Liu Bei smiled slightly. "Bo Heng is known for his wisdom. Since he is willing to mention this matter, he must have a plan in mind. I'm afraid that a piece of paper will be delivered to you tonight."

He stood up, touched Cheng Bing's right shoulder, and said with a hint of teasing, "De Shu, why don't you go with me to the outskirts of the city to find Bo Heng and give it a try?"

"Then I would be disrespectful to refuse it." Cheng Bing has always known that Zhong Ping always has some strange stories in his mouth, but he has never seen his quick wit in person. He can't help but wonder what kind of good plan he can come up with in such a short time.

The two men rode out of the city, leaving Sun Qian empty-handed. He could not help but secretly complain: How come the lord looks more like Gaozu after making his own straw hat? He never left the government office at this time before.

Turbulent waves rushed down between the two mountains. The loose soil on the shore had been replaced and compacted with sand, gravel, etc. The sluice wall on the west side had begun to be built. Mud, grass, earth, logs, sand, gravel and shell lime were all separated and covered with grass leaves.

Zhong Ping was squatting on the ground, drawing a map with a branch, and talking to Li Meng from time to time.

Liu Bei first saw the small straw hat on Zhong Ping's head, and a smile appeared on his face. He got off his horse and walked behind Zhong Ping in two or three steps. "Lord Xuande?" Zhong Ping's first reaction was to wipe off the map, and he stopped when he saw that it was Liu Bei.

"Is this... an iron mine?" Liu Bei saw the mark on the map clearly and subconsciously lowered his voice. "Did Shuzhi bring back new news?"

Previously, Liu Bei entrusted the task of exploring for mineral deposits to Chen Dao. From time to time, news came of many discoveries of copper, jade, etc., but no news of iron mines had been heard.

"It is just a guess based on the geographical maps of mountains and rivers sent back by Uncle Zhi these days. Whether it is accurate or not will depend on the next message."

Zhong Ping was a little shy: "These past two days I just remembered a method I saw in the Lantai collection in the past. It said 'Grind lime and clay into powder, calcine it, mix it with iron slag, and grind it again. The mud you get can be used to build a house. It is strong and solid, and can also resist water and moisture.' So I suddenly had the idea to draw a map to calculate the location of the iron ore."

"There are many floods in Jiaozhou. If this product is really effective, it must be promoted to the people so that they will not suffer from floods."

Liu Bei kept this matter in mind and brought it up again.

Without saying anything, Zhong Ping pulled out a stack of bamboo slips from his sleeve and said, "I wrote a few words in my spare time. This is just a brief introduction."

Cheng Bing took a look from behind and began to doubt his life: Could it be that being a counselor nowadays also requires the ability of shorthand? It would take half an hour to write out such a thick stack of bamboo slips, not to mention that Zhong Ping was thinking while directing the repair of the sluice gate... Wasn't his quick wit a little too fast?
Liu Bei took it and looked at it. He saw that the ink had not yet dried, with some smudges. On it were the three words "Encouraging Learning". It mentioned that "primary schools" should be set up in all counties, without distinction between Han and Slang. All boys over eight years old could enroll, with "Jijiupian" as the basis for literacy. Those who were proficient in "The Book of Filial Piety" and "The Analects of Confucius" in three years could enter the provincial school... The ideas were clearly organized and all contained practical methods.

"When I was in Mengling City, I saw a primary school in the city. After asking the county magistrate, I learned that although it was called an official school, it was actually a private school. The teacher was from a certain tribe and taught the children of that tribe. I also read the Cangjie Pian they used for enlightenment. The annotations felt like private opinions and were too biased in some places. If we want to promote primary education locally, I think we should compile a universal textbook, adapt it to local conditions, and take advantage of the situation, so that it will be effective."

Zhong Ping planned to wait for Zheng Xuan and Cai Yong to arrive in Cangwu, and then discuss the compilation of "Thousand Character Classic" with the two teachers. Although "Jijiupian" is a commonly used article for enlightenment nowadays, the method of teaching literacy in it is still divided into three-word, four-word, and seven-word rhymes, which is far less convenient to remember than "Thousand Character Classic" which is all four-word.

"As for the scripture teachers..." Zhong Ping thought for a moment, "I remember reading the documents from the Zini before. Each county is equipped with two to three scripture teachers. Normally, they are enough to teach the clansmen. But if we want to enroll all the children in Jiaozhou, the number of scripture teachers is far from enough, not to mention that they may not be willing to condescend to their posts."

Cheng Bing finally found a place to interrupt, and hurriedly proposed: "When the teacher arrives in Jiaozhou to reopen the imperial lecture, all the scholars in the world will gather here to promote the teachings of ritual and music. We, the students of Zheng Academy, are willing to do our part..."

He paused subconsciously at this point, and everyone present understood clearly what he had not said. It was just that there were many people who were willing to be teachers of the scriptures, but there were very few private students who were willing to share.

Zhong Ping did not expect to completely complete the downward transfer of academic knowledge now. As long as he could achieve the goal of expanding the literacy rate, it would be enough for him. As for the future...what would happen in the future, who could say for sure?

(End of this chapter)