Chapter 353: Chapter 323 Seeking Knowledge

“Lexicon?”

Lin Qianxuan pondered, but he immediately realized that it was merely similar, but not at all like the lexicon inscribed with Dao Fruit.

It seemed more akin to the Power of Music.

By slightly focusing his spirit, Lin Qianxuan could see the milestone [Outstanding Literary Talent] appearing in white characters before him.

Its level wasn’t high, merely “one in a hundred.”

However, in terms of effect, it seemed quite remarkable.

Lin Qianxuan casually wrote two characters on the bamboo board, and compared to before, the handwriting already had a qualitative change.

Before, the writing at most had structure, but now it could truly be considered a unique style.

One could say it achieved the effectiveness someone might gain from a decade or two of diligent practice.

Lin Qianxuan roughly understood how the [Game of Life] created by You Xi manifested this time.

Milepost achievements in life.

Every major life milestone, significant events experienced, and achievements accomplished might all count.

Currently, the most easily achievable are the milestones at the level of one in a hundred.

But evidently, simply mastering a skill possessed by one in a hundred people isn’t enough; a certain level of distinguished achievement is required.

Either through one’s own strenuous efforts and constant climbing, or by gaining recognition from others.

So its essence is to encourage him to experience a more diverse life and more different professions?

The time came to the next day.

While other children were reading in the private study school, Lin Qianxuan was taken alone to Xu Ningyuan’s house next door.

Xu Ningyuan cautiously handed Lin Qianxuan a book, inviting him to read it.

“Read it first, if there’s anything you don’t understand, jot it down, you can ask me later,” Xu Ningyuan said.

“Thank you, sir, I understand,” Lin Qianxuan replied.

Xu Ningyuan asked Lin Qianxuan to address him as “sir.”

He felt he could not be Lin Qianxuan’s master, and if Lin Qianxuan referred to himself as a disciple, it might cause resentment among the elder scholars in the county school.

Ultimately it’s just a form of address, Lin Qianxuan didn’t argue with Xu Ningyuan; after all, he would remember the kindness of this help.

Xu Ningyuan turned around to teach the rest of the children’s lessons, arranged things, and then immediately returned to guide Lin Qianxuan.

For two months, Xu Ningyuan consistently did this.

And Lin Qianxuan, in the process, memorized all of his books and began to explore things beyond the collection.

Many times, Lin Qianxuan would ask about things that left Xu Ningyuan amazed and deeply moved.

Winter had arrived, snow was gently falling outside, and it was cold at home. Concerned about Lin Qianxuan freezing, Xu Ningyuan let him come to study calligraphy at his house.

In Xu Ningyuan’s home, there was a stove made by the villagers, allowing him to study normally.

“Xu Zhi, next spring, I will take you to the county’s academy to visit the mentor. With your talent, the mentor will surely want to find a way to keep you,” Xu Ningyuan said to Lin Qianxuan, who was writing.

“I will never forget your kindness, sir,” Lin Qianxuan said, putting down his pen and performing a salute.

“It’s good that you have the intention. In these times, for us common folk at the bottom, it’s hard to see a day of prominence. You have exceptional talent; if you achieve something, we can only hope… enough, enough, why am I saying all this to you!”

As he spoke, Xu Ningyuan couldn’t help but shake his head and took a small sip from a gourd of treasured home-brewed liquor.

Lin Qianxuan certainly knew what he wanted to say.

In his youth, Xu Ningyuan had been unable to secure a significant position due to his background.

Though his scholarly knowledge was somewhat lacking, it wasn’t by too much.

Theoretically, achieving a minor official position was possible.

But the ruling of the aristocratic families over the government, along with local landowners and power holders, made it impossible for someone from an ordinary farming background to join without serving as a subordinate.

If one had any trace of dignity or pride, acceptance was impossible.

Thus he wasted the better part of his life and eventually disheartened, only establishing a village school to educate children.

Evidently, he hoped that Lin Qianxuan would achieve success in the future and create a path to advancement for ordinary people.

However, Lin Qianxuan believed this was unrealistic.

Societal limitations were present.

Even if he followed this path, the outcome wouldn’t change.

To bring about change, he would have to step outside the boundaries, break the existing framework, and build anew.

Or, by harnessing the tremendous power to overturn Heaven and Earth, forcefully change everything.

Of course, it was still too far to consider those now.

Lin Qianxuan currently just wanted to stir some things, earn himself two milestones, and make life a bit more comfortable.

Writing for a while, Lin Qianxuan felt a bit hungry, so he picked up the dried fruits and vegetables Xu Ningyuan had placed nearby and began to nibble.

Only at Xu Ningyuan’s place could he ensure a sufficient food supply; at home, he had to conserve energy most of the time.

Eating better allowed Lin Qianxuan to relax, stretch his muscles, and bones.

In the next spring, with the farewell of his parents and brother, Lin Qianxuan and Xu Ningyuan set out on their journey to the county town.

At this time, he was only four years old, well, in full years.

Yet, in terms of book knowledge, even Xu Ningyuan wasn’t his equal.

Baiyang County.

Yi Min Academy.

This academy lived up to its name, benefiting the common people.

It not only accepted aristocratic families and gentry, but ordinary people could also send their children to enroll and lay a foundation.

There will always be a few with strong reading abilities who can enter officialdom.

But compared to the landlords and gentry, ordinary people achieving success is still a minority.

Productivity is what it is, one must exert all effort merely to survive, where is the extra energy to learn and strive?

Even after overcoming these, there’s the exclusion by aristocratic families, the internal intrigues… Want to succeed? It’s not just about having the determination, it’s as difficult as ascending to the heavens!

After entering the academy and having someone convey the message to the headmaster, Lin Qianxuan and Xu Ningyuan were arranged to wait in the side hall.

At this time, Xu Ningyuan began to instruct Lin Qianxuan on some matters.

“Don’t be nervous later, just answer whatever they ask you, if they ask you to write, write well. I’ve taught you how to use a brush, just write that essay ’Seeking Knowledge’ you’re best at…”

Lin Qianxuan looked at Xu Ningyuan’s slightly clenched fist, feeling that he was even more nervous than himself.

After a while, an elderly man with white hair, wearing a blue scholar’s robe, walked to the side hall, full of energy.

He hadn’t arrived yet but his hearty voice had already reached them.

“Hahaha… Xu Ningyuan, what is it? Have you decided to teach at the academy?”

“Student greets mentor. This is the student-taught pupil, Xu Zhi.” Xu Ningyuan pulled Lin Qianxuan up to pay respects, then said to Lin Qianxuan, “This is the old headmaster of Yimin Academy, Mr. Zhu.”

“Student Xu Zhi, greets Mr. Zhu.” Lin Qianxuan imitated the act of respect.

“Good, you may dispense with formalities.” Zhu Junhao looked over Lin Qianxuan, then turned to Xu Ningyuan and asked, “Here for him?”

“Mentor may not know, but Xu Zhi, though young, his knowledge is no less than mine. The limited knowledge in my mind has been entirely learned by him.” Xu Ningyuan exclaimed.

“This is interesting, though you were only average under my tutelage, it’s rare for you to praise others, yet you now compliment this child?”

Zhu Junhao’s gaze moved back and forth between Lin Qianxuan and Xu Ningyuan, full of confusion.

“It’s not flattery, it’s true that Xu Zhi possesses this knowledge.” Xu Ningyuan said.

“Hmm, then I must see for myself.” Zhu Junhao murmured.

Subsequently, Zhu Junhao began questioning Lin Qianxuan.

With recitations of essays and poetry, Lin Qianxuan easily answered.

In his interest, Zhu Junhao also asked Lin Qianxuan math problems.

Some were problems even Xu Ningyuan couldn’t solve, yet Lin Qianxuan could answer them all.

Perhaps in literature, Lin Qianxuan’s understanding of this world was limited and lacking.

But in mathematics, even if the physical rules were different, as long as abstract events like one plus one equaling three didn’t occur, Lin Qianxuan considered there to be no one in this world who could compare to him.

Zhu Junhao was somewhat surprised, stroking his beard, he said, “Relying on mental calculation alone, you can solve this problem? I am beginning to believe you surpass Xu Ningyuan. Calculations have always been Xu Ningyuan’s weak point, causing him to overestimate military needs by thirty percent of losses.”

“Please don’t bring up the student’s failings, mentor,” Xu Ningyuan hung his head.

He bowed his head, not to hide embarrassment, but because he did not actually agree with Zhu Junhao’s assessment.

Back then, how was it an overestimation by thirty percent?

He clearly counted human considerations within it.

If human considerations were factored, those thirty percent losses would likely be insufficient.

His teacher was just too idealistic.

But precisely for this reason, Yimin Academy existed.

“Xu Zhi, do you know how to read?” Zhu Junhao asked Lin Qianxuan.

“I know a few characters,” Lin Qianxuan replied.

“No need for modesty, give an exact number,” Zhu Junhao said.

“Three thousand one hundred and forty-three characters,” Lin Qianxuan answered.

This almost covered all the basic characters.

Ninety-nine percent of daily expression was enough.

Zhu Junhao paused and then asked, “Can you write them?”

“Yes!” Lin Qianxuan affirmed.

In previous tasks, he had felt some uncertainty.

But as for writing, this was his strong suit.

Zhu Junhao immediately brought fine quality paper and a brush, readying the ink himself, not allowing Xu Ningyuan to assist.

Once preparation was complete, Lin Qianxuan picked up the brush to write.

What he wrote was the essay titled ’Seeking Knowledge.’

The script wasn’t powerful, but the framework was well-defined; the strokes were flowing and elegant, lively, and seemed to possess his own unique interpretation, almost forming a distinct style.

Anyone seeing it would hardly believe it was written by a four-year-old child.

Zhu Junhao was stunned.

Four years old, yet possessing twenty years of calligraphy experience?

Even practicing calligraphy in the womb wouldn’t produce such fine writing, would it?

After seeing the content Lin Qianxuan wrote, Zhu Junhao gave Xu Ningyuan a meaningful look, saying, “Did you teach him to write this?”

“Disciple always remembers mentor’s teachings and naturally passes them down,” Xu Ningyuan replied.

Indeed, this essay ’Seeking Knowledge’ was written by Zhu Junhao in his youth.

He gained entry to the academy in Xiaojiang Prefecture through this essay and achieved success.

Seeing it again now, it naturally touched him deeply.

One must say, Xu Ningyuan’s flattery hit his soft spot.

Of course, Lin Qianxuan’s strong writing ability also played a role.

This level of talent, Zhu Junhao naturally did not want to miss.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep