章 35: Family School of the Liu’s (II)
編集者: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Education was costly in every era. Although the Liu family was respected, not all of its members were wealthy enough to afford schooling for their children. Some of them could hardly cover the cost even after reducing their daily expenses to the bare minimum.
The more children they had, the heavier their burden became. They spent most of their income on daily necessities, so they did not have much left over to pay for their children's school fees.
The Liu family therefore established a family school to provide education for the children in the family. It also helped to alleviate the financial difficulties and improve the quality of life for poorer Liu members. The whole family contributed to the teachers' salaries, and the children received two free meals, which they could take home if they did not finish them. Additionally, each student was given a set of materials every month, which included clean calligraphy brushes, new ink sticks, and bamboo slips.
Ordinary people, however, had fewer opportunities to obtain a quality education, and this prevented them from becoming officials and prospering in their career paths. The poor families could hardly afford schooling, but noble and eminent families like the Lius distributed much of their fortune and resources to education.
By nurturing the children in their family, the children felt a greater sense of loyalty towards the house, and they in turn would be more likely to contribute to the schooling needs of later generations. The rise and continuity of a polished family depended on this cycle.
With Liu Lanting's knowledge, it was not difficult for Jiang Pengji to recognize ancient characters and read. However, writing was a huge problem.
"Why can't all these brushes and clothing be more user-friendly?"
She focused on her hand, yet she could not handle the brush at all! After several attempts that had resulted in weird drawings, she threw the brush away and burned what she had written.
Now that they finally found her shortcoming, the audience seized the chance to laugh at her. Bullet screens blocked her sight.
Meishaonu Zhanshi Ayuan: "(smirking face) When a window is opened, a door is closed."
Mofashaonu Afeng: "You can beg me to teach you, he-he!"
Host V: "No way!"
"I should not have agreed to go to the bloody family school!" mumbled Jiang Pengji.
Noticing the noise, Taxue came to the entrance and asked, "Second Langjun, how may I help you?"
"Oh, I am fine. I just dropped a brush." She tightened her lips and stared at the brush on the floor. The viewers' pleasure at her misfortune persisted, and she sighed, bent over, and picked up the brush.
One of the viewers copied and pasted a long paragraph about how to use a calligraphy brush.
Jiang Pengji frowned, trying to apply the viewer's tips in combination with Liu Lanting's skills. She imitated Liu Lanting's writing again with trembling hands.
Although she could access Liu Lanting's memories, they were only supplementary aids that did not affect her own temperament or mood. Therefore, she acted on her own will most of the time and was obviously a different person from the Liu Lanting others had known. Those who had been close to her would easily be able to tell the difference.
She did not bother to save the bamboo paper; it was the most abundant material in the room. Every month, Liu Lanting had been able to use up to 50 pieces out of the 500 sheets she was given. The unused paper had gradually accumulated to a few boxes as time.
Writing with the soft brush was challenging at first, for it demanded concentration and attention to detail. One careless move from a finger could ruin the entire character.
After practicing how to delicately control her arms and fingers, however, Jiang Pengji began to get better at it. Soon she was imitating Liu Lanting's writing.
She had been able to practice using Liu Lanting's memories, but the audience was still awed by her rapid progress.
She was such a quick learner; she could quit her job of hosting livestreams if she wanted! Some who had practiced calligraphy for years often spoke about how arduous their learning was and how their arms and wrists became swollen because of it. The viewers thought that the speed at which Jiang Penji learned calligraphy was unbelievable.
After understanding how to produce good calligraphy, Jiang Pengji developed a habit of consistent practice. She would look at the sky to see what time it was, and then she would move a heap of bamboo slips and cut paper on the desk so she could copy characters.
Meishaonu Zhanshi Ayuan: "I am not illiterate, but I cannot figure out what the host is writing…"
Pijing Zhanji: "I recognize a bit. She is copying The Analects by Confucius… Books were luxuries in ancient times. Apparently, the host's family is very wealthy and has a high social status. That is why they can afford to have a copy of The Analects."
Suddenly, Jiang Pengji rejoined the chat as she was writing.
Host V: "Yes, the family is quite well off. If they had they been commoners, my show would have been about teaching you how to kill with your bare hands or how to survive in the mountains."
Jianluo Zhenshanhe: "(Laughed.) I can understand the latter part, but what about the killing?"
Host V: "This is an ancient period in which many bandits hide outside Hejian, although the province itself is a relatively safe place. The outlaws rob merchants who are passing by. Without doubt, women who travel alone also fall prey to them."
That was why she had decided to end the bandits' lives. If they had changed locations, she would have died at the village. Why ask them for mercy when they considered the ladies as nothing but tools to satisfy their desire? What would have been the point of pleading?
Her mind and hands were the only things that saved her in that situation.
Host V: "There were only two options. One: I could have given them what they wanted and perhaps lived a little longer if I had a baby, who would also have become an outlaw when he grew up. Two: I could hold up a blade and prevent the misery from the beginning."
Her brush stopped for a second and then touched the sheet with its tip. Her demeanor softened.
Host V: "I know you may find some scenes unacceptable, but you are just outsiders who choose to watch the video as you wish. As a participant of this world, I had no choice. "
The audience could quit the channel anytime, but she had to rely on herself to survive. Pleasing the viewers was never her priority.
After copying the contents of the bamboo slip rolls, Jiang Pengji was ready to try out Liu Lanting's other skills.
That was when the System, who had been quiet for a long time, spoke to her.
"My Host, do you need speedy learning?"
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