Drive to the Tang Dynasty, where supplies are refreshed daily!

The chill in the wind had quietly faded away without us even noticing.

When you open the courtyard gate in the early morning, you are no longer greeted by a chill that makes you shrink back, but by the soft fragrance of grass that warms you up.

The old willow tree in the corner of the yard was the first to show signs of life. Its branches, which were bare just a few days ago, were now covered with tender yellow buds.

In just a few days, they unfurled into pale green willow leaves, swaying gently in the wind like green ribbons casually draped over a girl's shoulder.

New green shoots are also emerging from the withered grass at the base of the wall.

The delicate tips of the grass were covered with dewdrops, and the ground was soft to the touch. Even the soil had a damp, fishy smell, no longer as hard and unyielding as it was in winter.

Small purple flowers were blooming along the edge of the field. If you went close to smell them, you could detect a faint sweetness, which attracted bees and butterflies to buzz around them.

The school windows had long been replaced with new paper, and sunlight streamed in, casting dappled golden spots on the children's desks.

Before class, a few boys squatted on the stone steps at the school gate, picking at the grass sprouts and watching the ants move their nest. They gently poked the dewdrops on the tips of the grass with their fingers, and the water droplets rolled onto the back of their hands, making them laugh and chatter.

The girls picked up the fallen willow leaves, quickly braided them into small green rings, and compared them on their fingers, arguing about whose ring was the roundest and whose willow leaf was the most tender.

Xiao Hei has also become a part of the school, and everyone likes to pet it.

This dog looks big, but it's very gentle and is very popular.

The school bell rang, and the sound of reading aloud was much brighter than in winter.

The melody of "At the beginning of life, man is inherently good" drifted out of the window, mingling with the fragrance of flowers in the wind and the murmur of swallows, sounding particularly crisp and lively.

A chubby boy was so engrossed in reading that his head bobbed up and down with the rhythm, causing the ends of his braids to sway.

The little girl sitting by the window would occasionally peek up at the swallows flying by outside, her eyes sparkling and a smile playing on her lips.

The air around the entire school seemed to come alive.

Willow leaves swayed, grass sprouts grew, children played, and even the newly built swallow nests under the eaves became lively.

The children looked up, their little faces flushed red from the sun, radiating the vibrant energy of spring.

After finishing his class, Sun Simiao did not leave, but watched from the other side.

Her loving gaze contained a hint of envy.

"Grandpa, what's wrong?" Xiao Ran approached Sun Simiao.

"It's so good to be young, so good to be young!" Sun Simiao stroked his beard.

"Everyone who's been young has been there. Back then, we didn't realize it, didn't appreciate it, and just took it for granted!"

“What a fine saying, ‘It’s just an ordinary thing.’” Sun Simiao nodded in agreement.

Li Lizhi, who didn't have class, also came over.

Xiao Ran showed Li Lizhi a piece of text that he had painstakingly copied, saying, "Fifth Sister, take a look."

“Young master, this character is more upright than before,” Li Lizhi pondered for a moment.

I really don't know how to praise him. Xiao Ran's handwriting is also an eyesore, not much better than Zhang Jinhe's.

"A mountain is not famous for its height, but for the immortals who dwell there; water is not sacred for its depth, but for the dragons that inhabit it. This is a humble abode, but my virtue makes it fragrant." Li Lizhi didn't think there was anything wrong at first, but later she realized something was amiss.

"This is good!"

"The beauty of this piece written by the young master lies in its 'subtle yet profound, shallow yet meaningful' nature."

"The entire text contains no obscure allusions or flowery language, yet it is more captivating than those articles that are filled with elaborate rhetoric."

Instead of describing the house's splendor, the author writes about the comfort of the "humble abode," clearly explaining the principle that "the environment is created by the mind," making it easy for readers to understand at first glance, yet more flavorful the more they savor it.

Li Lizhi was well-read and had never seen such a good article before, so she assumed it was Xiao Ran's original work.

Xiao Ran quickly explained, "Fifth Sister has misunderstood, it wasn't me."

"I saw it before when I was in the Western Regions and thought it was very good, so I memorized it. It's not very long to begin with."

Xiao Ran was well aware of his own abilities; he knew he could never have written something like this.

There's no need to take it upon yourself.

“I think it would be good to write it on the school wall, sir. What do you think?” Li Lizhi handed the Xuan paper to Sun Simiao with both hands.

"Hehe, old man, take a look." Sun Simiao took the Humble Abode Inscription.

After reading it, Sun Simiao nodded, his eyes full of agreement: "It would be perfect to hang it in the school."

"Children are young and easily dazzled by fancy clothes and nice houses. After reading this article, they can tell whether a house is good or not. It's not about whether it has carved beams and painted rafters, but whether the people inside have virtue and real skills."

“If they can understand the meaning of ‘moss grows green on the steps’ and feel at ease when they study, and feel at ease when they are free from the burden of official documents, then it will be more useful than reading any number of classic texts.”

As he spoke, he looked at Xiao Ran and smiled, "It's kind of you, young man, to remember such a good article. This is a principle that I, an old man, have only just come to understand after living my whole life. It's a blessing for the children to know it so early."

A breeze swept through the willow branches, carrying the scent of fresh grass. Sun Simiao gazed in the direction of the school, his eyes filled with satisfaction.

Good writing is never about showing off skills; it's about weaving a lifetime of wisdom into a few simple words, making it understandable for children and reminding the elderly of their own past.

The inscription "Inscription of a Humble Abode" is very fitting here.

The school in Kaolao Village was very simple to begin with.

It was repaired and patched up several times afterward, mainly because it was cold in winter.

Xiao Ran pressed on while the iron was hot, "Besides that, there's another one that I think is quite good, and I've roughly written it down."

Li Lizhi's eyes lit up. "Young master, tell me."

Xiao Ran began reciting to himself:

"In ancient times, every scholar had a teacher. A teacher is one who imparts knowledge, instructs in skills, and resolves doubts."

Therefore, regardless of rank or age, wherever the Way exists, there the teacher exists.

"Therefore, a disciple need not be inferior to his teacher, nor a teacher necessarily more virtuous than his disciple. There may be a sequence in learning the Way, and each has their own area of ​​expertise; that is all there is to it."

I memorized these texts thoroughly many years ago, and I still remember them.

Li Lizhi had been well-versed in poetry and literature in the palace since childhood and had read countless articles discussing education, but no one had ever spoken so directly and clearly about the duties of a "teacher." Like a clear spring, it instantly dispelled the class-based fog that had always shrouded the teacher's role.

This was another surprise for Li Lizhi and Sun Simiao.

Whether it was Xiao Ran's original work or not is not important; such masterpieces are rare and hard to come by.

Li Lizhi could naturally tell that this article was of high quality.

"There is a sequence to learning, and each profession has its own expertise."

Li Lizhi watched the children playing in the classroom, her fingertips gently repeating, "There is a sequence to learning, and each profession has its own expertise." The light in her eyes slowly dimmed, not from worry, but from a clear understanding of the current social climate:
"Although the Tang Dynasty no longer has the bad habit of 'being ashamed to learn from a teacher,' there are still too many people in this world who only recognize a 'teacher' as someone who sits at a desk reciting the classics, and who regard 'studying' as merely the homework of aristocratic children." Sun Simiao stroked his beard and nodded, continuing the conversation:
"Although the current social atmosphere is good, the saying 'a disciple need not be inferior to his master' is still important."

"Over the years of practicing medicine, the old man has seen many disciples who, for fear of 'overstepping their bounds,' have better ideas but dare not tell their master."

"Some teachers are afraid of losing face and are unwilling to learn new things from their disciples—like a young man teaching an old man a new method of drying herbs. If the old man hadn't been thick-skinned, he probably wouldn't have been able to bring himself to ask."

"With these words, disciples dare to speak, and teachers dare to learn. Only then can those good skills and methods be passed down and become better and better!"

Li Lizhi looked at Xiao Ran again, her eyes full of expectation:
"It's not that things are bad now; it's precisely because the current atmosphere is good that this article is even more valuable."

"It can make the good things in our Kaolao Village good things in many other places."

“For example, if the schools in Chang’an could be inscribed with ‘No one is noble or lowly, no one is old or young,’ I’m afraid more commoners would dare to step inside.”

"If those who understand craftsmanship and agriculture can take on apprentices openly and honestly, based on the principle that 'where the Way exists, there the teacher exists,' how could the arts and crafts of the Tang Dynasty not flourish?"

"This is not about 'correcting mistakes,' but about adding fuel to the fire of education, making the flame of moral guidance burn even brighter and more evenly!"

Li Lizhi pulled Xiao Ran to the next room to rest, wanting to write down the teacher's words word for word.

The Humble Abode Inscription is good, but Li Lizhi and Sun Simiao both felt that the Teacher's Saying was more meaningful.

Li Lizhi actually remembered a lot of things, but wasn't very familiar with them.

Xiao Ran needs to add something.

After Li Lizhi finished writing, she read it over and over again several times.

Li Lizhi knew that if this article appeared in Chang'an, it would cause a huge uproar.

The same applies to the earlier "Ode to a Humble Abode".

"Young master, do you have a name?" Li Li asked.

"It seems to be a saying of a master."

"Wonderful! I never expected such a masterpiece to circulate in the Western Regions." Li Lizhi had never heard of it before.

Wang Ji, who was getting ready for class, also came over.

Upon seeing Wang Ji arrive, Li Lizhi proactively handed over the teacher's instructions she had written, saying, "Sir, please take a look at this."

Wang Ji was puzzled. "The name 'Fifth Sister' is really nice. It makes one feel good."

At first, Wang Ji thought they wanted him to take a look at his handwriting.

Li Lizhi's handwriting is very good; Wang Ji thinks it's already quite remarkable for her age.

When Wang Ji carefully read the contents, his expression also became quite interesting.

Wang Ji's fingers tightened around the Xuan paper, and the relaxed smile he had when praising the words was gone, his brows furrowing into a knot.

He read the words "Therefore, regardless of rank or age, wherever the Way exists, there the teacher exists" again and again. His Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily, and he felt as if the ink-stained words were fine needles gently pricking his heart.

He had lived most of his life, read countless classics and historical texts, and considered himself learned, yet he had never truly grasped the essence of "the way of the teacher." Instead, he had been trapped by an invisible framework for so many years.

He recalled that last month, an old farmer in the village who grew millet came to ask him, "The agricultural book says to 'sow in accordance with the seasons,' but specifically for the soil in our Kaolao Village, should we sow a few days later?"

At the time, he felt that "agriculture and sericulture were not important to scholars and officials," so he casually dismissed the matter with the phrase "just follow the old calendar."

Looking back now, isn't that old farmer's lifelong dedication to farming and his deep understanding of the seasons and soil the very essence of "Tao"?
He himself did not understand farming, yet he looked down on the other party just because he was a farmer. Isn't this exactly what "On Teachers" implicitly criticizes as "being ashamed of one's lowly position"?
He recalled that a few days ago, Li Lizhi was discussing literature with him and casually mentioned, "The young master said, 'Poetry should be written in a realistic way so that even farmers can understand it.'" At the time, he secretly laughed and thought, "What a childish view. Poetry is an elegant pursuit; how can it be vulgarized?"

Reading "specialization is key" again now makes my face burn instantly.

Although Xiao Ran is not well-versed in classical Chinese poetry and prose, his understanding of "being down-to-earth" and his insight into life are also another kind of "way".
Just because you've studied for a few years, you look down on other people's opinions. Isn't this the kind of self-imposed confinement that the saying "a teacher is not necessarily wiser than his disciple" refers to?

"Alas, I am ashamed, I am ashamed," Wang Ji smiled.

What weighed heavily on his heart was the memory of himself teaching students.

Once, a child asked him, "Sir, why is the saying 'the sky is round and the earth is square' different from what the young master said, 'the earth is round'?"

He thought the child was just being unreasonable and scolded him, saying, "Don't listen to outsiders' nonsense, just read the classics."

Looking back now, I realize that I had neither seen any evidence of a "round earth" nor any reason to refute it. Yet, out of fear of losing face as a "teacher," I blocked the child's path to knowledge. How could this be "imparting knowledge, teaching skills, and resolving doubts"?
This is clearly misleading and corrupting young people!
Wang Ji raised his hand to rub his temples and let out a long sigh. The ink on the paper seemed to be watching him.

He had a high opinion of himself and always thought he knew more than the country folk and the younger generation, but he forgot that "there is a sequence to learning" - you may understand this, but he may be knowledgeable in that. There is no absolute "teacher" or "non-teacher".
No one had ever pointed out this secret before, so he had been trapped in his own "knowledge ivory tower." Now that this essay, "On Teachers," had exposed it, he felt both ashamed and fortunate.

I feel ashamed that after living most of my life, I am not as insightful as a short essay.

I'm so glad I came across this article. From now on, I will never again presume to be "learned" or look down on those who truly possess the "Way".

He looked up at Li Lizhi, his tone no longer as composed as before, but more earnest: "Fifth Sister, this essay 'On Teachers'... is truly a wake-up call. I have read books all my life, yet it has not been as insightful as this essay."

“When you teach students or discuss philosophy with others in the future, you must keep the words ‘put down your airs’ in mind.”

After saying that, he lowered his head and stroked the phrase "A disciple need not be inferior to his master," his eyes filled with shame, but also with a sense of relief.

This kind of sudden awakening isn't too hard to accept.

Li Lizhi immediately copied Li Shimin and Shi Shuo's words and had Li Wu send them to Li Shimin by fast horse.

The most meaningful things here are all like this.

Wang Ji immediately taught the children to read aloud the "Ode to the Humble Abode" and "On Teachers".

Even if young children don't understand it now, they can still read it.

You'll understand eventually.

After Princess Yuzhang finished reading it, she smiled and said, "This should be sent to the workshop so that my brother can take a look."

Li Lizhi smiled and nodded, "That's exactly what I was thinking!"

Nothing else was said, but Li Tai was greatly shocked after reading it.

All other work was immediately stopped, and everyone was called to prepare to carve the template.

Wang Shen was puzzled, but after reading "The Humble Abode Inscription" and "On My Teacher," he immediately understood.

Other things can wait, but I really don't want to wait for this.

This excellent work should be shared with more people as soon as possible.

Li Lizhi and Yu Zhang also inscribed the motto "Humble Abode" on the wall of the school.

Suddenly, I felt that this simple schoolhouse seemed to have gained a certain depth of history.

"It has to be a young master!" Li Lizhi smiled after writing. (End of Chapter)