Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 97 - 22 Talent

"This is the Guange style, created by the Emperor of Qing Dynasty, and later meticulously refined by calligraphy masters, forming the current Guange style. Due to its clarity and standardized writing, it is now used in the imperial examinations. What you need to learn first is the Guange style; other styles can be copied from model books later," Mr. Wen said after writing and let Gu Chengyu sit down.

Gu Chengyu felt he needed to learn more about that Emperor of Yuanqing; he had to find out about Yuanqing’s life events. He was now sure he was a time traveler.

"Open the ’Thousand Character Classic,’ and I’ll teach you to read the first few sentences," Mr. Wen stood up, "Read along with me!"

"Heaven and earth are mysterious and yellow, the universe is vast and ancient. The sun and moon move in balance, the stars and constellations are arrayed..." ’Thousand Character Classic,’ eight characters per sentence. Gu Chengyu followed Mr. Wen and recited the first eight sentences, repeated them a few times, and then stopped.

"You should be familiar with these sentences first, ideally memorize them. Writing while reciting can deepen your impression. For now, copy the characters as they are in the book. I’ll come back later to check." Without waiting for Gu Chengyu to confirm, he was already busy teaching other students.

Gu Chengyu also knew that with so many people in the school, the teacher couldn’t delay everyone’s progress for just one student. He recognized these characters; as long as he read them carefully, and closely observed the strokes of traditional characters, he could memorize them well.

He spread out the paper; Mr. Wen had already ground the ink and dipped the brush in ink but found that the small hands holding the brush were not so coordinated. After adjusting for a while, he felt the posture was barely correct before starting to write. Of course, he couldn’t immediately wield the skills from his past life; he’d have to hold back a bit. Although the past teacher often said he was too technical, his work should still be considered neat.

After writing the first four characters of ’Thousand Character Classic,’ he lifted the brush and hand, looked at the four large characters on the paper, and Gu Chengyu twitched his mouth. Since the apocalyptic end of his past life, he hadn’t practiced calligraphy, and upon traveling to the Dayan Dynasty, he hadn’t even touched a brush. Plus, these small hands were very uncoordinated, even holding the brush was somewhat laborious.

At this level, there’s probably no need to hold back; it’s better to practice well!

Gu Chengyu picked up the brush and resumed practicing on the spread-out paper. After practicing a few large characters, he slowly found the feeling. At the moment, his mind was clear, completely immersed in this flowing sensation.

When Gu Chengyu came back to his senses, he found Mr. Wen had long been standing by his desk, attentively looking at his writing. Seeing this, Gu Chengyu quickly put down the brush, only to find that he had already written fully on five pages—from the initial crooked strokes to progressively more correct, until the latter part where the characters even carried a touch of unique charm. However, due to insufficient wrist strength, the writing seemed somewhat light and lacked vigor.

The characters once critiqued by the teacher for lacking spiritual energy in his previous life, after surviving the apocalypse and traveling through time, perhaps due to mental improvements or the effects of frequently drinking Spiritual Spring, showed such progress. Gu Chengyu was pleasantly surprised. Of course, these characters were not yet considered good, merely superficially graceful but lacking inner vigor. However, calligraphy is prized for its refinement over time, and these would need to be practiced slowly in the future.

But upon seeing Mr. Wen standing nearby, Gu Chengyu felt a bit worried. He had just started class today, and previously, as an unlettered peasant child, how could this be the work of a beginner after just picking up a brush? It was because he got so caught up in the wonderful feeling that he forgot his surroundings.

Ma Junhui had been watching them since Mr. Wen stood by Gu Chengyu. Seeing Gu Chengyu so focused on calligraphy that he didn’t even notice Mr. Wen standing beside him. And Mr. Wen did not interrupt, but stroked his beard and nodded, his expression becoming much gentler, even detecting a slight smile in Mr. Wen’s eyes. Is Gu Chengyu’s writing that good? Why does Mr. Wen seem so pleased? The desk was too far to see the characters... 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Mr. Wen picked up the sheets filled with writing, observing Gu Chengyu’s initially chaotic script, which later developed into a look of potential motion. Even Mr. Wen had to marvel; some things indeed rely on talent. For a beginner to achieve this level of practice is rare.

"The characters lean towards being soft and elegant, at first glance delicate, but lacking in strength. I perceive you have some talent in calligraphy. However, even with such a gift, one must not become arrogant. Know that in ancient times, people with talent did exist, but they were eventually lost among the masses. I hope you can remain modest and diligent, never slackening in the future." Mr. Wen put down the papers and earnestly encouraged Gu Chengyu.

"Thank you, sir, for your guidance! I will practice diligently in the future and dare not slack off. I will inevitably seek your advice often in the future."

The students of Class C had already started whispering on the side, and Ma Junhui had long stopped practicing writing, his right hand holding the brush tense, causing his fingertips to be slightly white. Previously, his calligraphy was frequently praised by the teacher, though the praises were merely along the lines of ’not bad,’ far less profound and detailed than today’s praise of Gu Chengyu’s writing, indicating that this Gu Chengyu should not be underestimated. Then he felt somewhat downhearted; if only he could have studied two years earlier, he might have been promoted to Class B earlier and wouldn’t still be associating with these idle sons of nobility.

"Feel free to come to me in the future; have you memorized the sentences I asked you to memorize earlier?"

"Yes, teacher, I have memorized them." Gu Chengyu knew the teacher’s initial assessment was merely to test a student’s aptitude. He would later adjust based on students’ learning abilities. So he didn’t bother if it seemed too high-profile; he didn’t want to waste too much time in Class C. Reciting was his strong point; he preferred to spend time on the Four Books and Five Classics or other interesting miscellaneous studies.

"Then recite them!" Mr. Wen folded his hands behind his back, his gaze vaguely harboring some expectation.

"Heaven and earth are mysterious and yellow..." The young voice resonated in the somewhat quiet room, clear and articulate, without missing a word.

Just as he finished reciting, some students exclaimed "Wow!" loudly, and the chatter grew louder.

Ma Junhui felt that he was more nervous than Gu Chengyu earlier, not knowing what he was anxious or hopeful about. Seeing Gu Chengyu fluently recite what was taught, he suddenly felt somewhat disappointed. Mr. Wen had taught them only twice, and Gu Chengyu managed to memorize everything in about fifteen minutes and was also praised in writing; such aptitude is truly enviable!

Originally thought that Ye Zhiqiu, who had just been promoted to Class B, relied on starting school early and studying diligently, lacking the aptitude, but how about Gu Chengyu now? Could it be he truly possesses the enviable talent in reading and studying?

Ma Junhui looked at the brush in his hand, originally intended for writing but now dripping with ink, staining the paper with a blotch of ink that blurred the characters previously neatly written.