Do you know: I am Qi Heng

Ru Lan and Mo Lan restrained each other largely because of Qi Heng, an outsider, and secondly, the presence of Sheng Changbai was also a factor.

However, the two are inherently incompatible according to their birth charts, and it would be strange if they could tolerate each other for a long time.

It has to be said that Rulan's combat ability is too poor.

However, considering that Madam Wang couldn't even defeat a concubine, it's understandable that Rulan was weak in combat.

Many people have a misconception that women in ancient times had low status. As a favored concubine, Lin Xiaoniang was protected by Sheng Hong, which is why Wang Da Niangzi had no choice but to accept it.

In reality, the principal wife naturally exerts a degree of control over the concubines.

In ordinary families, it's normal for the wife to have to endure a husband who favors his concubine over his wife.

However, if this situation occurs in an official's family, then it is entirely a matter of the principal wife's methods.

The Great Zhou Dynasty had relevant laws that guaranteed the rights of the principal wife.

From the perspective of etiquette and law, favoring a concubine over one's wife is not allowed.

In ordinary families, such incidents are not serious and at most result in a fine. However, it is different for officials' families. If such an incident occurs, at best their future will be damaged, and at worst they will be demoted.

Madam Wang, however, always tried to find a legitimate reason, which completely treated Madam Lin as an equal.

Actually, there's no need for such trouble. With Sheng Hong not home, just find an excuse to beat up Lin Xiaoniang. No matter how angry Sheng Hong gets when he comes back, he can't possibly divorce her, can he?

As long as Lin Xiaoniang dared to cause trouble, she would be punished. After a few times, Lin Xiaoniang naturally became obedient.

However, she gave up the advantages of being the legal wife and even tried to find a legitimate reason to target Lin Xiaoniang.

Unfortunately, he couldn't keep his temper in check, and Lin Xiaoniang would always find fault with him.

If the mother is so incompetent, she naturally has nothing to teach her daughter.

Qi Heng wondered if he should find an opportunity to teach Ru Lan a few moves, so that their fight would be more exciting.

Not long after, Zhuang Xuejiu arrived.

After everyone bowed, Scholar Zhuang began his lecture.

"Starting today, I'm learning history!"

Zhuang Xuejiu said, "There are many books related to history, but there is too much history to explain in too much detail. The Records of the Grand Historian covers the period from the reign of Emperor Huang to the reign of Emperor Wu of Han. Although it does not have such detailed records of the period before the Han Dynasty, it still includes everything."

Therefore, when studying history, I will only focus on the *Records of the Grand Historian*. You can read other history-related books in your spare time, and if you have any questions, feel free to ask me!

"Yes!" the crowd replied.

The Records of the Grand Historian contains only about 500,000 characters, which is nothing in later generations, but in ancient times when printing technology was backward, a set would basically consist of 20 to 30 volumes.

In addition, Zhuang Xuejiu did not notify them in advance, so Qi Heng and the others did not bring any books.

However, the most important thing in studying history is to learn about major historical events and their profound impact on later generations.

History is something that most educated people know the general outline of; whether or not they have books about it is not important.

When Zhuang Xuejiu recounted the story, he did the same thing; for unimportant matters, he would simply read the notes from the book.

Only for some important events will I stop to talk about the causes and results, and finally talk about the mainstream viewpoints and my own insights.

Although the Records of the Grand Historian begins with the time of the Yellow Emperor, it already contains very detailed records.

The class ended before even finishing the discussion of the Five Emperors.

When Zhuang Xuejiu teaches, he usually doesn't teach directly until the end of get out of class.

Usually, the teaching will stop when there is still about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea before the end of get out of class, giving students time to ask questions.

"pedant!"

Sheng Changfeng stood up and said, "I believe that the abdication system during the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors period never existed. If the abdication system was so good, why was it abolished?"

Upon hearing this, Zhuang Xuejiu remained calm and said, "You study to take the imperial examinations and become officials."

The era of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors is too ancient to be verified.

These things are not necessarily related to your study of history, nor are they important.

Qi Heng glanced at Sheng Changfeng with some surprise, not expecting him to have such insight.

There were no historical records during the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors period. The records in the Records of the Grand Historian are actually compiled from some fragments left over from the Xia, Shang and Zhou periods, plus folk tales.

Don't assume that there was no archaeology in ancient times. Some tomb raiders would take out bamboo slips and burial objects with inscriptions from the tombs.

After those were leaked out, ancient scholars would use them to explore earlier history.

However, due to technological limitations, there were no specialized archaeological institutions in ancient times, which resulted in the leakage of some fragmentary information.

However, many historians in later generations believe that the abdication system of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors was a embellished version of the historical system, rather than a smooth transfer of power.

However, at that time and in later generations, the records in the Records of the Grand Historian were the mainstream understanding in ancient times.

What Sheng Changfeng just said is considered heretical in the current climate.

"Scholar, the Great Zhou Dynasty has freedom of speech, and these things are recorded in the Records of the Grand Historian, which everyone knows. Why can't we talk about them?" Sheng Changfeng was unwilling to give up.

If he puts forward this viewpoint and gains support from some people, he can become famous.

Qi Heng shook his head inwardly; it seemed he had overestimated Sheng Changfeng.

Even though Zhuang Xuejiu had made it so clear, Sheng Changfeng still wouldn't let it go.

He doesn't have any unique insights; he just wants to show off.

Regardless of whether the abdication system is as wonderful as commonly believed, it is now a hereditary system.

Even if we determine right and wrong, truth and falsehood, what good will it do?

Should the government reinstate the abdication system?

"Your father might have a different opinion on this matter. You should ask him about it later."

After Zhuang Xuejiu finished speaking, he left the school directly.

Qi Heng didn't know whether Sheng Changfeng had asked Sheng Hong.

But Sheng Changfeng didn't come to the school in the afternoon, and Mo Lan's expression was not good.

Ru Lan's face lit up with joy, but she didn't say anything.

To avoid arousing Qi Heng's suspicions, Sheng Changbai explained that Sheng Changfeng was unwell and therefore did not come.

Qi Heng chuckled inwardly. He was indeed unwell, but this illness was probably caused by a beating.

…………

Ouyang Xiu greatly admired Su Xun's writings, but after meeting Su Shi, he liked Su Shi's writings even more.

He also showed his articles to some friends.

Ouyang Xiu's friends were almost all upright scholars, and with their praise, Su Shi's reputation soared.

Su Shi's articles were highly sought after. Some study rooms in Bianjing (Kaifeng) used their connections to obtain some of Su Shi's articles, compiled them into a collection, and printed some for trial sale. They sold out in less than a day.

After gaining fame, Su Xun and his two sons frequently received invitations to gatherings of literary figures.

Su Shi wrote several more articles, and each one would attract scholars and daughters of prominent families to copy them.

For a time, it caused a sensation, making paper scarce in Bianjing (Kaifeng).

Even Zhuang Xuejiu used some of Su Shi's articles as model texts for his explanations.

It should be noted that the model essays that Zhuang Xuejiu had explained to them before were all essays written by the top two scholars in the imperial examinations over the years.

In the century since the founding of the Great Zhou Dynasty, including the special imperial examinations, the imperial examinations have been held dozens of times, producing nearly a hundred top scholars and runners-up.

Each person wrote one essay for the imperial examination, which would amount to nearly a hundred essays.

However, Zhuang Xuejiu only selected a portion of the more representative examples to explain.

However, Zhuang Xuejiu lectured on several of Su Shi's articles and highly praised them.

He even said that if he were to take the imperial examination in the future, and his writing style was somewhat similar to that of Su Shi, he would have a high chance of passing with flying colors.