Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 108 - 33: A tree that stands out in the forest will be destroyed by the wind

"Take out yesterday’s assignments! Check them first, then teach new ones!" Mr. Wen began the daily routine of inspection.

Gu Chengyu spread out the papers he wrote yesterday and placed them on the table.

The first to be inspected was Ma Junhui. Mr. Wen picked up the papers, carefully scrutinized them, and circled two places with a red pen, "Not bad! A bit of progress from yesterday; in the future, you should keep it up." After a simple encouragement, he asked Ma Junhui to recite the new characters learned yesterday.

"If a son does not study, it is not appropriate. If one does not study in youth, what will he do when old? Jade not polished cannot be made into a tool. One who doesn’t study will not understand propriety..." Ma Junhui stood up and effortlessly recited all six lines from the Three Character Classic learned yesterday, nodding his head as he did so.

After reciting, he raised his head, waiting for the teacher’s praise. However, instead of praising him immediately, the teacher stroked his beard and pondered for a moment. The students were a bit puzzled as the teacher did not speak.

"The few lines of the Three Character Classic that Ma Junhui recited just now, do you know their meaning?" Mr. Wen suddenly introduced this topic because the lines carry profound meaning. Although they had not yet taught the meanings in the three introductory books, he wanted to test the ability of Class C students to understand, and also use it to encourage them.

Having said that, Mr. Wen looked at Ma Junhui; this student’s comprehension was usually alright, so he let him try.

Ma Junhui was a bit stunned to see Mr. Wen deviating from the usual plan. When did they ever teach the meanings? Wasn’t it always reading, writing, reciting? Wasn’t he supposed to be praised a bit and then move on to the next student?

"Ma Junhui, do you know its meaning?" Mr. Wen reminded Ma Junhui, who was only staring at him dazedly.

Ma Junhui’s face turned red, and his originally raised head lowered. "Teacher! This wasn’t taught yet!" He stammered after a while. Ma Junhui felt unlucky; he read multiple times yesterday hoping to make a splash today. Who would have thought, not a word of praise, and he lost face; he felt so wronged inside!

"Hmm! Sit down then! Does anyone else know?" Mr. Wen glanced around the room, causing all the students to look down.

His gaze circled each student and finally stopped at Gu Chengyu. The events in Class C and the dining hall had spread today. It seems this student’s comprehension was quite good, his character wasn’t bad either, but he still needed some polishing.

He didn’t yet understand, "A tree that stands out in the forest is destroyed by the wind." Showing talent too early might not be a good thing. Today, let him temper his arrogance a bit.

"Gu Chengyu, do you know its meaning?" Mr. Wen motioned for Ma Junhui to sit down and turned to ask Gu Chengyu.

Gu Chengyu was startled; he was only a beginner, how could the teacher ask him? The other students were also a bit puzzled, but it was always better to have someone else take the spotlight; the worst fear was the teacher calling their name.

Wang Qikai was somewhat anxious, scratching his ears and cheeks. Could it be that the incident in the dining hall yesterday was known to the teacher, and that’s why Chengyu was named? But it started because of him; if the teacher wanted to blame someone, it should be him! Wang Qikai decided that if Chengyu was punished, he would speak to the teacher, asking to punish him instead, not letting Chengyu suffer unwarranted disaster.

Gu Chengyu stood up and bowed to Mr. Wen. "Back to Teacher, we haven’t yet been taught the Three Character Classic." Gu Chengyu finished speaking and looked up at the teacher, noticing Mr. Wen merely watching him without expression. Hmm... what did the teacher mean by this? Knowing he just came to private school yesterday and read the beginning of the Thousand Character Classic, was his previous performance too flamboyant? Was the teacher going to put him in his place? But if he continually hid his abilities, who knows when the teacher would approve him to take the scholar exam.

"However, the student has some clumsy opinions of his own and hopes for the teacher’s guidance regardless."

"Oh? Then go ahead and speak! It’s fine to be wrong, these things aren’t innately understood. The sea of learning is endlessly vast; we must still seek knowledge with persistence above and below." Mr. Wen looked at Gu Chengyu with meaningful eyes, intending to directly state the answer to let Gu Chengyu know that even basic Three Character Classic is not easy to learn. He feared Gu Chengyu would grow arrogant after winning two arguments. But seeing this student wasn’t accepting defeat, he let him try.

"The student believes that ’a son does not study, it is not appropriate,’ and ’if one does not study in youth, what will he do when old’ means that refusing to study seriously while young is very wrong. If a person doesn’t study well in youth, he neither understands the principles of conduct nor has knowledge when old, so what use is he? ’Jade not polished cannot be made into a tool. One who doesn’t study does not know how to behave.’ As the saying implies, an unshaped piece of jade can’t be used to make tools. A person who hasn’t studied doesn’t understand moral principles. As for the subsequent lines, the student is not very clear. Not sure if what the student previously said is correct? I hope the teacher can enlighten me." Guiding others is not appropriate for him to say; he can’t be so presumptuous to assert the teacher’s explanations.

Mr. Wen paused in stroking his beard, looking at Gu Chengyu with a smile and calmness, and then scrutinized him again with his gaze. Perhaps this student wasn’t what he imagined; his words were humble yet appropriate, making it hard to dislike him, and certainly couldn’t be underestimated. Could he truly be a five-year-old child?

Starting his scholarly education at four, his teacher once praised his gift in reading, but compared to this student, could his abilities even be considered gifted? Is it possible in this world for someone to understand things on their own? Thoughts shifted rapidly but on the surface, it was just a moment of distraction.

"What Gu Chengyu said is not bad! Coming to such understanding just from hearing these lines is indeed rare! Largely, it means that people cannot become talented without nurturing and training. The latter two lines suggest getting close to good teachers and friends, learning etiquette, which I’ll explain after teaching all three books. Reading extensively leads to understanding, and after much reading, even without teaching, you will eventually comprehend."

Ma Junhui looked at Gu Chengyu, who was once again praised by Mr. Wen, filled with a sense of powerlessness. After Ye Zhiqiu left, now came Gu Chengyu, would his own time ever come?

Gu Chengyu, of course, didn’t care about Ma Junhui’s thoughts; he was a bit unsure of Mr. Wen’s intentions. Behind him, Wang Qikai released a sigh of relief, surprised that Gu Chengyu actually answered correctly. Was there anything he couldn’t do?

At this moment, Gu Chengyu was still unaware that Wang Qikai had become his loyal fan, holding a kind of blind trust towards him.