History of Women in the Wei Dynasty

Chapter 9 A-Yao, is this place alright?

Half past the hour of Mao (5-7 AM).

Confucius said, “First, inform the prefecture of the good news: the court has besieged the Xinye position and decisively defeated the Qi army north of Mian. Starting today, we will begin teaching the ‘Yong Feng’ section of the Book of Songs. As is customary, we will begin by memorizing the poem. Cui Zhi.”

"Yes." Cui Zhi responded, then raised his voice to utter the first line: "The Cypress Boat, a vow made with Jiang—"

The Cui children echoed in unison, their voices resounding through the painted beams and carved pillars!

"When the Crown Prince of Wei, Gongbo Zao, died, his wife remained virtuous..."

"The cypress boat floats on the river..."

"My mother, Heaven, is unforgiving... I will never be wicked in my death..."

This is the difference between the school and other schools.

The teacher did not set aside time for memorizing poems in class, requiring students to memorize them in advance. This shows that although Lu Baozhen ranked among the top three in the Lu Clan Academy, the gap between the top three was very large.

"The preface to this poem is questionable. Gongbo was the son of Xihou, who reigned for forty-two years. Wei He was in power..." Confucius explained the preface concisely, but Xi Jiao gradually fell behind after listening for a few sentences, and his notes became fragmented.

Wei Yao then wrote down her thoughts with great speed and dexterity, combining what she had learned with the teacher's explanations. Sometimes, she would come up with different ideas, which she would quickly jot down on another piece of paper to prevent forgetting them after class.

Take a break during class at 3:45 AM.

Wei Yao quickly arranged the bamboo slips according to the pre-marked numbering sequence. Although she was prepared, she still underestimated the teaching methods here. There was too much and too complicated extended knowledge. Confucius seemed to talk about whatever came to mind. At this rate, the bamboo slips she brought from home would not be enough.

Because it was a draft, she really couldn't bear to write it on paper.

Xi Jiao suddenly asked her, "Miss Wei, I saw someone ask you to take notes for them before class, is that right?"

"So annoying, can you please stop talking to her?" Wei Yao blushed again, but what she said was quite impressive, directly extinguishing Xi Jiao's wild hopes! "With so many notes, how could I have the time to help others copy them?"

Xi Jiao wasn't stupid; she knew the "others" she was referring to was him. Like a humiliated leopard cub, he went outside for some fresh air, thinking: "If I ever speak to you again, I'm a donkey!"
Class was supposed to end at noon, but Confucius dragged it out until half past noon. Wei Yao dawdled while packing her things, while Xi Jiao moved swiftly, not even glancing at her twice, and left with a gust of wind.

Wei Yao stared blankly at the spot where he had been sitting, then gave a self-deprecating laugh, trying to stop herself from thinking about it anymore. Back at her lodgings, she saw Lu Baozhen sitting against the wall and asked, "Have you eaten?"

"I don't want to eat. I've completely lost face today—" She slammed her hand on the desk beside her, each word filled with indignation!

Wei Yao sat down and noticed that Lu Baozhen's eyelids were slightly swollen, as if she had been crying. "What's wrong?"

"You have no idea how unlucky I was. I was assigned to the same dormitory as Changsun Gouzhuo. He didn't pay attention in class and said my handwriting looked like mud. I told him he didn't even know how to hold a pen properly. Then, we probably raised our voices a bit, and Teacher Liu made us stand outside to listen. That was embarrassing enough, but that guy, that guy was so shameless! While I was listening attentively, he shoved me hard. I... I was shoved back and fell in front of the teacher."

"That's too much!" Wei Yao didn't find it funny. If it were her, she couldn't imagine how she would continue her studies these past few days.

Lu Baozhen's mouth was contorted with rage: "So I fought him to the death, picked up the teacher's inkstone and smashed it outside, covering Gou Zhuan in ink!"

Wei Yao... well, it's better for both sides to suffer losses than for only hurting yourself.

After a hurried lunch, Wei Yao took advantage of her deep memory to transcribe notes. Confucius discussed both ancient and modern times, and to ensure completeness, she summarized much of the content in just two or three words. She also needed to organize her questions, and when the opportunity arose, she would ask Confucius, or later, she would consult Master Duan.

Lu Baozhen watched for a while, feeling a little ashamed, and then began to write down the lessons she could remember.

The next day, Guan Nu removed all the extra desks and mats from the training school, so Wei Yao had to share a long desk with Xi Jiao again.

Confucius explained the poem "Bai Zhou" from the perspective of the place of Yong, then discussed the connection between "Yong Feng" and the previous "Bei Feng", and further deduced the poem's preface from classics such as "Gongyang Chunqiu".

This is the greatest benefit of studying at the Han Four Surnames Academy!
This place not only transmits the teachings of masters and traces the origins of classical studies, but also teaches according to family traditions, enabling students to inherit various classics with an attitude of "never tiring of learning".

Just like yesterday, Xi Jiao was completely confused. Suddenly, an idea struck him. He peeked at what Wei Yao was writing and copied it directly. At first, he could connect the words and phrases in her notes with Confucius's explanations, but after reading passages like "Zengzi's Questions" and "Hereditary Houses," he couldn't concentrate on two things at once. Helpless, he put down his pen and listened attentively again. It was then that he finally understood the advice the teachers in the "Eight Schools" often gave him: knowledge cannot be copied.

During the break, Guan Nu came to find Wei Yao: "Young lady, your father, Master Wei, is waiting for you outside."

Wei Yao didn't bother to compile the bamboo slips; she stuffed all the paper and bamboo slips into her book bag and left.

Xi Jiao only realized what was going on after she left: Was this to prevent him from stealing her notes?
Meanwhile, Wei Yao, after following the servant outside the courtyard, saw that the person under the tree was indeed her father, and immediately rushed over. "Father, why have you come? Did you come especially to see me?"

"I came to return the book and stopped by to see you."

Wei Yao shook her head and corrected in a low voice, "No, they just came to see me and returned the book."

"Haha." Wei Yin laughed heartily. He looked at the rows of green-tiled houses, the clusters of slender green bamboo, and the students coming and going, and couldn't help but ask, "Ayao, is this place nice?"

"Good. Very good."

"I asked, and Confucius is giving lectures these two days. Will I be able to keep up?"

"Yes, Father, don't worry, I've taken notes."

No one knows a daughter better than her father. Wei Yin specially brought some blank bamboo slips, handed them to his daughter, and waved goodbye with reluctance, saying, "Go back now."

"Hmm." Wei Yao turned around at the courtyard gate and saw her father's clothes swaying in the wind. Although he was thin, he was as steady as the tree behind him.

In the cold winter, the days are short and the nights are long, and time flies like an arrow.

The next poem, "There are thorns on the wall," was taught by Master Guo, who was from Taiyuan.

The saying "A gentleman grows old together" is still told by Confucius.

The explanation of "Sangzhong" was given by a master from the Cui clan.

In the blink of an eye, Wei Yao had been at the Cui family academy for eight days.

In the evening, Lu Baozhen packed her bags with a sullen face. She and Changsun Wuzhuo had angered the strictest teacher, Liu, who expelled them from the school. The Lu family sent people to plead for them in the afternoon, but it was no use.

When Wei Yao saw Lu Baozhen off, he was no longer saddened as he mounted his horse, and nonchalantly said, "We will meet again."

That night, Wei Yao was finally able to read by candlelight.

On the 20th of the twelfth lunar month, after Confucius finished reciting the poem "The Quail's Flight," he informed the students that they would have a New Year's holiday starting today, and would resume classes on the fourth day of the first lunar month along with the university. However, all the schools in the Xunyi Academy and the Analects Academy would remain open, with Confucius on duty every day. Disciples who wished to learn or ask questions about calligraphy could continue to come.

Except for students who audit the classes.

Before Wei Yao could even put away her pen and inkstone, she took a few sheets of questions and chased after Confucius: "Master, Master, your disciple Wei Yao has some questions that I don't understand. I humbly request your guidance."

Wei Yao was unaware that Master Kong Wenzhong had actually reviewed her exam paper and truly appreciated her talent; otherwise, given her humble origins, no matter how well she performed, she wouldn't have been qualified to audit classes at the Xunyi Academy.

North of the Mian River: refers to the area north of the Mian River.

The word "蚤" is a variant of "早" (early).

慝 (tè): 慝 is interchangeable with “忒”, meaning to change.

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(End of this chapter)