RPAGF Chapter 65: I dare not forget about my country despite my humble position
Chapter 65: I dare not forget about my country despite my humble position
Chapter Sixty-Five: Though Humble in Rank, I Never Forget My Country's Worries
Looking at the five books that still retained the scent of ink, a look of shock appeared on Chen Sijun's face.
The current printing technology requires at least half a day to print five books, and it also consumes a lot of manpower and resources. This is why poor students cannot afford to study, and why the publishing rights belong to the Holy Academy.
Apart from the Holy Temple, no one has the capacity to print books in large quantities.
"Did you just print these five books? It's only been half an hour..."
Li Wenfeng also wore an expression of disbelief. He couldn't understand what kind of sorcery Ye Ru had used.
"At the age of fifteen, his writing was unparalleled, his poetry and prose were unmatched, and he even invented a new printing technique. Our preface is only a few hundred words long... How can we bear this..."
Pang Jun gave a bitter smile, his heart also churning with turmoil.
"Damn it, all these years of studying the classics have really gone to waste. Ye Ru's one day of study is equivalent to ten years of ours."
The hot-tempered Song Feng shook his head and suddenly swore, causing everyone to chuckle inwardly.
"If Ye Ru went to the Holy Academy and shouted that he was the reincarnation of the Demon Emperor, I think some people would believe him."
Liu Yan pouted.
"Esteemed scholars, do you now believe I am qualified to make demands of the Legalists?"
Ye Ru smiled and handed the five copies of "Investiture of the Gods" to the five people respectively, and then said.
"Not only that, if your printing technology were widely used, it would likely cause a major revolution in the education sector, just like what Confucius did, breaking down the barriers of social status and wealth in education, making education accessible to all, and giving everyone an equal right to enjoy reading."
Chen Sijun took the book, took a deep breath of the ink fragrance, thoroughly enjoying it, and then said seriously.
"Didn't Confucius break the educational monopoly and give rise to private schools back then?"
Ye Ru knew that Confucius had proposed education for all, pioneered the practice of private teaching, and educated all people. Therefore, he was conferred the title of "Supreme Sage and Teacher" and "Teacher for All Ages".
"Confucius did break the monopoly on education and allow students from poor families to study. However, due to problems such as technology and paper, it only flourished for a short time before gradually fading away, making it difficult for students from poor families to rise in society."
"The most important problem is the printing of books."
Chen Sijun said in a deep voice.
"I see. If I can reach an agreement with the Holy Academy, I will print a large number of books and distribute them to poor students so that people can have access to education and strengthen the power of the Chinese people."
Ye Ru nodded, a determined look appearing in his dark eyes.
Beset by internal and external troubles, the country is riddled with problems and must enhance its strength.
Only when both soft and hard power are improved simultaneously can the glory of the past be regained.
Although this is a long-term task, he will use all the knowledge he has gained from reading the classics to help this country.
"Although you are only a student, your lofty ambitions truly put us to shame."
Li Wenfeng nodded approvingly.
"Though I hold a humble position, I dare not forget my duty to the country. This is my root, and I should do my utmost to resist foreign aggression."
Ye Ru said solemnly, "This is my homeland."
"Though I am of humble status, I dare not forget my duty to the nation... Very well, I wonder if Ye Tongsheng could write this down and give it to us, so that we may be reminded that the purpose of studying in this life is for the rise of the human race and for the rise of the Yan and Huang Emperors."
Chen Sijun suddenly realized that handing over one hundred taels of silver to Ye Ru was the best decision she had ever made in her life.
It's not about getting rich, but about ensuring that all the poor have access to books.
For the sake of the entire human race.
"Why not? This is a poem I wrote when I was sick. I will write five copies of this poem and give them to you gentlemen."
Ye Ru nodded. Of course, this was purely Ye Ru's nonsense. "Though my position is humble, I dare not forget my worries for the country" comes from Lu You's "Writing My Thoughts After Recovering from Illness" in the Song Dynasty.
This saying is similar in meaning to Gu Yanwu's "The rise and fall of the nation is the responsibility of every citizen." Although he was of low status, he never forgot his responsibility to worry about the country and its people. Its main theme is love for the motherland.
Then Ye Ru picked up paper and pen from the table and began to write:
"My frail body is shattered, my clothes and hat hang loosely; I am a lonely official, a traveler ten thousand miles away on the riverbank."
"Though my position is humble, I dare not forget my duty to the country; even after the matter is settled, I must wait until my coffin is closed."
"Heaven and earth, gods and spirits, protect the temples and shrines; the elders of Yan and Huang look forward to peace and prosperity."
"His memorial on the eve of the expedition is timeless; I read it carefully by lamplight late at night."
Ye Ru changed the gauze hat to clothing and hat, and changed the capital city to Yanhuang, creating verses that were more suitable for this place.
As the last stroke was written, a faint light appeared, and then his brilliant talent burst forth once more.
A poem that astonished the saints?
Everyone was deeply shaken as they gazed upon the three-foot-long radiance of talent.
"I never expected that Ye Tongsheng could casually write such a stunning poem. He truly is a young hero."
Liu Yan now held him in the highest esteem and exclaimed in admiration.
"The opening couplet narrates and points out the theme, which is a reflection of Ye Tongsheng himself. Even though he has a heart full of patriotism, he can only live far away from the world and live in the clouds, powerless to change the situation. The pain and troubles in his heart can be seen."
"The second couplet is the main theme of the whole piece, which shows us Ye Tongsheng's noble character and his loyal and patriotic heart. He did not limit himself to expressing his own feelings, but took the affairs of the country as his own responsibility."
The third couplet shifts focus, expressing concern for the political situation of the nation while simultaneously calling on the court to launch a northern expedition. It also conveys Ye Tongsheng's earnest hope for national stability. The final couplet uses the allusion to Zhuge Liang, a sage, to express that Ye Tongsheng is now willing but powerless. The overall tone of the poem is one of concern for the country and its people!
Chen Sijun commented, a hint of admiration also appearing on his face. He had to admit that he really couldn't write such verses, and probably very few people among all the Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) could write such good poems.
After Ye Ru finished writing the first poem, he used his inferior calligraphy skills to write five more poems in one go, which he then presented to Chen Sijun and others.
"Good, good, good, this can probably be used as a family heirloom in the future, haha."
Song Feng laughed heartily, making no attempt to hide his laughter.
"Be careful what you say."
Chen Sijun said, feeling rather helpless towards Song Feng.
"I wonder if this poem has a title?"
Pang Jun suddenly asked a question, causing everyone to look at Ye Ru with eager anticipation.
"Yes, this poem was inspired by my illness, so I'll title it 'Thoughts on Recovering from Illness'."
Ye Ru listed the titles of the poems one by one, feeling grateful to Lu You and all the esteemed scholars of the past.
"Writing about one's feelings while ill, what a fine name! We would be honored to accept it."
Chen Sijun and the others bowed in unison, for Ye Ru's poem was worthy of their bow as Jinshi graduates.
"Gentlemen, you are too polite."
Ye Ru quickly returned the bow, then seemed to remember something and asked:
"How is the Wang family doing now?"
He had been too busy these past few days to pay attention to the Wang family, and now that there was no news about them at all, it undoubtedly piqued his curiosity.