Chapter 32: The Academy's Prestige (VIP)
Chen Wanrong didn't care who this woman in red was. It would be enough to know that she was the daughter of a wealthy family. As for Xiao Hei's crime of Niu Crazy hitting her, it could be used as a joke after dinner.
Chen Wanrong did not rush to buy oil, but went shopping. Because Ning County is not small in scale, its architectural style is majestic and grand, which makes people feel heart-wrenching. There are people coming and going on the streets, and it is a lively bustling city. Chen Wanrong came to the city of the Tang Dynasty for the first time. If he didn't experience it well, it would be a shame for him.
After walking around for a while, Chen Wanrong was surprised to find that the county town divided the crisscrossing streets into several squares, a bit like tofu blocks, called "fang". Although thesefangs are of different sizes, they are very regular and arranged neatly, and are obviously planned.
Although Chen Wanrong knew that the Tang Dynasty was a very powerful dynasty, especially in martial arts, we are also interested in talking about the Tang Dynasty's prestige and troop countries. But we didn't expect that the Tang Dynasty was so far-sighted in urban construction. If we had not seen it personally, it would be difficult to believe it.
Chen Wanrong was walking around the city like a tourist for a while. After he was overjoyed, he looked up and it was almost noon. He thought it was just right to go and see Chen Zairong. Wouldn't it be better for the two brothers to find a restaurant to have a meal? I like Chen Zairong, the smart younger brother Chen Wanrong from the bottom of his heart. It was really inappropriate not to visit him when he was in the city.
At this time, Chen Zairong should be still in school. Before lunch break, Chen Wanrong asked about the road and drove the ox cart to the school directly.
The school museum is located in the west of the city and it occupies a place and is easy to find. Chen Wanrong arrived at the school museum in just a short while. It was amazing to see it. The school museum is very big, and there are many houses in the walls built, with as many as dozens of rooms. When Chen Wanrong saw it, he thought he had returned to the middle school in modern society.
After the founding of the Tang Dynasty, Emperor Taizong of Tang vigorously promoted education, not only built Chinese studies, but also built county halls in the county to recruit good families to study. By the time of Wu Zetian, he further increased his investment in education, and Wu Zetian pioneered the "Director Examination" system. She attached importance to education and contributed to the vigorous promotion of education in the Tang Dynasty.
The reading trend of the Tang Dynasty was extremely prosperous, resulting in the grand occasion of "a five-foot boy who was ashamed of not speaking about writing and writing", which laid a good foundation for the selection of talents in the Tang Dynasty. Scholars who had achieved success in their studies entered the court to become officials, which was one way out for scholars. Another way out is that children of educated families entered the army and became backbone of the army. This is an important reason why the Tang Dynasty's army was invincible.
The door is open, and there is a plaque above the door, with the four words "Ningxian Xueguan" written on it. Each stroke is vigorous and powerful, and it is about to fly. The good hand characters are not inferior to Wu Jing's words. Chen Wanrong secretly praised the good characters. The plaque is a bit old and should be a bit old.
Chen Wanrong received higher education and had a special affection for the school. He was particularly kind, as if he was going home. He respected the school from the bottom of his heart. He wanted to drive a ox cart to the school to find Chen Zairong. He was about to find a place to tie Xiao Hei up, but he saw a man coming out of the school. It was neither someone else nor Huang Boming. He shouted at Chen Wanrong from afar: "Brother Wanrong, is it you? Oh, it's you! What wind blows you?"
He saw Chen Wanrong's ability in chemical engineering. He admired Chen Wanrong so much that he was full of smiles. He rushed over with a big strode, grabbed Chen Wanrong's hand, and smiled before he could say: "I look a bit like Brother Wanrong from afar, but I didn't expect it to be true! Brother Wanrong, are you here to find Zairong? I'll call you for a break."
Chen Wanrong smiled and said, "Mr. Xie Huang. I will come to the city today to buy something, and I will take a look at Zairong."
"Brother Wanrong, you are really the right time to come. If you come later, you will have lunch break and I will not see you." Huang Boming let go of Chen Wanrong and said, "Brother Wanrong, let's drive the cow in, we have to have a good chat."
It was too disrespectful to drive the cattle into the school. Chen Wanrong hurriedly said, "Mr. Huang, this is not something I can do. I just find a place outside to tie it. Xiao Hei is very arrogant and cannot get close to strangers, so there is no need to be afraid of losing them."
Huang Boming smiled and said, "Brother Wanrong doesn't know anything. There are also cowshed stables in the school hall. Just lock them in the cowshed."
There is a cowshed and stable in the school, which is too unbelievable. Huang Boming smiled and explained: "There are many students in the school, so eating is a big problem. How can you transport things without ordering animals?"
Livestock were very important means of transportation in the Tang Dynasty. Raising livestock in the school is like buying school buses in our modern schools, buying vegetables and rice, and using them when moving around the world. This is easy to understand.
Huang Boming smiled and said, "Not to mention that the court has regulations, students must learn to ride horses. Poor horsemanship will hinder the future."
Horses were one of the most important equipment of the Tang Dynasty army, and the academic hall was the main source of the backbone of the Tang Dynasty army. It was like the modern society promoting military training in schools, laying the foundation for the army to recruit officers in the future.
It was such a visionary measure, Chen Wanrong secretly praised it: "Then it's better to obey your orders than respect."
"Brother Wanrong, please go here." Huang Boming led the way, and Chen Wanrong drove the ox cart to the cowshed. After three rows of houses, he arrived at the cowshed. There were three fat and strong buffaloes in the cowshed, but they were not as good as Xiao Hei. The three cows were chewing the forage slowly, and they didn't know whether they were afraid of Xiao Hei or what. When they saw Xiao Hei, they ran to the corner immediately. The three cows squeezed together and didn't dare to move, and they didn't even dare to chew the forage.
Xiao Hei's front hooves kept scattering on the forage, pulled the fodder aside, then fell asleep, chewing the fodder happily, chewing the fodder until he was happy, and he opened his eyes from time to time.
After chewing the forage for a while, Xiao Hei roared at the three cows, and the three cows shook their heads and tails, as respectfully as if a servant met their master. He came to Xiao Hei and stood there and didn't dare to move. Xiao Hei sniffed a few times, and then the three cows lowered their heads to chew the forage. Of course, they could only eat the forage they had eaten. Xiao Hei didn't even think about the good forage.
Seeing all this, Huang Boming smiled and said, "Brother Wanrong, you are so capable. You actually raised a cow king! These three cows were carefully selected by our school. They are very good. They are very proud on weekdays. I didn't expect that when I met Xiao Hei, I didn't even dare to take a breath."
Chen Wanrong had seen Xiao Hei's majesty for a long time, and he didn't think it was surprising. He smiled and said, "Mr. Huang has won the award. There are many horses in the stable." The stable is next to the cowshed, and there are more than a dozen good horses in it.
Huang Boming smiled slightly and said, "This is the official horse of the court. It is allocated to our school hall for students to learn horse skills." There were many horses in the Tang Dynasty, and at its peak, the court controlled more than 500,000 official horses. The school hall had a great connection with the army, so the court naturally wanted to allocate some horses for the school hall.
The reason why the Tang Dynasty army was good at fighting was closely related to the court's actions. Chen Wanrong praised it from the bottom of his heart and asked, "Is this a horse farm?"
There is an open space next to the stable, which accounts for half of the entire school, with many horseshoe prints. There are also a few wooden boards with holes in the middle of the horse farm, which makes Chen Wanrong unclear.
"It can be used as a horse farm for students to learn horse racing, and can also be used to hit the horses." Huang Boming answered Chen Wanrong's question and explained in detail: "Every morning, students pull horses out of the stable and scattered horses, and smoke and dust rose everywhere, as if on the battlefield. It was very spectacular. At dusk, students put on the battlefield, attacked the horses, rushed left and right, as if galloping among the troops. No matter how much your family is, no one is the opponent in this field, whether it is equestrian or hitting the horses, they are in the school."
Beating is to play polo. In the Tang Dynasty, even wise rulers like Emperor Taizong of Tang were very popular. Some people think it was fun, such as the great writer Liu Zongyuan, regarded it as a useless fun. The reason why beating was very popular in the Tang Dynasty was because it was of great help to the army to improve riding skills, which was like modern soldiers playing war games.
Chen Zairong is very skilled in martial arts, and he likes this kind of riding and shooting skills the most. This is a normal result, but Chen Wanrong still said modestly: "This is all Mr. Huang's teachings are well-instructed."
Huang Boming smiled and shook his hand and said, "Brother Wanrong, don't put gold on my face. I have never taught him this. He is born that kind of person and should gallop among the hosts." As if he remembered something, he hit his hands and said, "Brother Wanrong, you are here just in time, you have to do me a favor."
"Mr. Huang is so serious, please give me instructions." Chen Wanrong thought to himself that Huang Boming was good to him and would never have any problems.
Huang Boming rubbed his hands excitedly and said, "Brother Wanrong must come forward for this matter. Brother Wanrong, I will teach the students that you can make soap from lard, but they will not believe it. Brother Wanrong, you have to find a way to make them believe it."
I really didn't expect that what he said was this. It was not difficult to make them believe it at all. I just believe it once. However, this is his current talent, and I have to rely on him to make money and must not be exposed. Chen Wanrong couldn't help but be stunned.
Huang Boming pulled Chen Wanrong away without saying a word. Chen Wanrong, who was dragging him to the student, was very quick to move his mind. He would not have any problems teaching you some lessons on studying things and learning knowledge, but he was not prepared at all. What should I do if I rushed to work?
Just as he walked, a tall and thin gentleman came towards him, with a beard under his chin and a book under his armpit. Seeing him, Huang Boming shouted as if he saw a treasure: "Mr. Qi, you don't believe that lard can be used as soap. I'll invite Brother Wanrong to show you."
"Mr. Huang, do you believe in the false things?" Mr. Qi didn't believe that lard can be used as soap at all, and kept shaking his head, as if he heard the most ridiculous things in the world.
Huang Boming got two pieces of soap from Chen Wanrong and was very excited. When he returned to the school, he would talk to others and say it to everyone that he was so happy that he seemed to be eager to share it with others. However, the Tang people had no knowledge of chemistry and did not know that one thing could be transformed into another. In their eyes, lard and soap were two different things, and they could not fight each other, and no one believed it.
Not only did Mr. Qi not believe it or say it, but he also ridiculed Huang Boming, which made Huang Boming very embarrassed. Now that Chen Wanrong is here, it is time to get back his face. Huang Boming would not miss this opportunity. He smiled and said, "Mr. Qi, don't you believe it. Otherwise, let's make a bet. If this is true, you can treat you to lunch today."
"If you lose, please ask!" Mr. Qi did not admit defeat and pointed at Huang Boming.
Huang Boming didn't take it seriously at all and shrugged: "Will I lose? You'll make a reservation for this guest. Mr. Qi, let's go, let's open your eyes." He pulled Chen Wanrong and strode away. Mr. Qi shook his head, looked quite contemptuous, and followed.
"Isn't it pleasant to learn and practice it from time to time? Is it happy to have friends coming from afar?" Chen Wanrong was so familiar with the sound of reading aloud, as if he had returned to a modern school, and felt very intimate.
Huang Boming pulled Chen Wanrong in, coughed twice, and then said, "Calm a little, calm!" The sound of reading stopped abruptly, quietly, even if the needle fell to the ground, you could hear it.
Chen Wanrong looked at the "classroom" briefly and found that it was somewhat similar to the classrooms in our modern society. There were tables and chairs, but the textbooks were line-based books. All the students studying were ancient people, and the scarves on their heads were the best proof of their ancient identity.
Chen Zairong was stunned when he saw Chen Wanrong, and then he was happy. His left eye flashed at Chen Wanrong and he was about to stand up and meet him. Chen Wanrong shook his head slightly and signaled that he didn't have to. Chen Zairong sat down again and smiled slightly at Chen Wanrong.
Both Huang Boming and Mr. Qi knew each other, and Chen Wanrong, a stranger, became the focus of their attention, and their eyes wandered around Chen Wanrong, as if Chen Wanrong was a big treasure.
Huang Boming glanced at the students and introduced Chen Wanrong to them: "I know you must be very strange. Why did I bring a stranger in? Brother Wanrong is not a stranger, he is the soap master I told you about!"
"Master?" Chen Wanrong touched his hot face, thinking that chemical engineering is known to everyone in modern society, and a little chemical reaction is very common, and what kind of expert is not?
Huang Boming continued, "I know you don't believe it, so I'll ask Brother Wanrong to prove it to you now. Brother Wanrong, please." After the instructions, he stood aside.
Although Mr. Qi did not speak, the expression on his face had already revealed his thoughts. He looked like a smile and disagreed. He stood beside Huang Boming, just waiting to see Chen Wanrong make a fool of himself.
The students had similar expressions to Mr. Qi, and they looked at Chen Wanrong half-believingly.
Chen Zairong gave Chen Wanrong a thumbs up, meaning, "Brother, I support you, you will definitely do it!"
This is a hard drive to put the duck on the shelves, and it won’t work if it doesn’t. Chen Wanrong walked to the “lectern”, tapped the table with his right finger, and said with a smile: “Everyone: I know you don’t believe it, but I want to tell you that using lard to make soap is absolutely true! It’s not difficult to prove it to you, but I didn’t prepare it, and I didn’t even have lard. From buying the ingredients to making it out, it’s impossible to complete it without a day. Do you have so much time?”
This is the truth, but Mr. Qi regarded Chen Wanrong as timid, thinking that he was looking for a documentary, and pulled Huang Boming's sleeve and his eyes flashed at him, meaning that you are going to treat him.
Huang Boming only thought about proving this, but he did not expect that it would take a lot of effort to make soap. He remembered the work of making soap at the Chen family, so he regretted it. If he had known it, he would not have to make trouble.
Chen Wanrong saw Mr. Qi's expression in his eyes and said quietly: "What you can't imagine is not non-existent. To prove that there are many things you can't imagine, I will do two for you to see. I need a basin of water, a teacup, some paper, an embroidery needle, a piece of silk thread, and a knife."
These things are very common, and it is difficult to do unexpected things. They suddenly attracted everyone's attention. Qi Wusheng finally couldn't help it and asked, "Mr. Chen, what do you want to do?"
"Do what you can't imagine!" Chen Wanrong answered very simply.
These words meant to steal the truth. In front of so many students, Mr. Qi looked angry: "Wait, I'll find it for you." He thought it was difficult and he couldn't do it when he found something. The embarrassing thing was Chen Wanrong, and he had a bright face and strode away.
Chen Zairong was making a verbal gesture, asking Chen Wanrong what he wanted to do? Chen Wanrong saw it and smiled at him. Chen Zairong had to temporarily calm down and wait.
This matter was really difficult, and the students whispered and talked a lot. Huang Boming also thought it was very lingering, so he walked over and asked softly: "Brother Wanrong..." Chen Wanrong knew what he was going to say, and whispered: "Mr. Huang, please rest assured, Baozhu will open your eyes." Huang Boming did not believe it deeply, and it was difficult to say anything else, so he had to retreat aside.
After a while, Mr. Qi came back, put the water, teacup, and knife on the table, took out the paper, embroidery needles, and silk thread from his arms. He thought he had won, but said proudly: "Please!" He retreated to Huang Boming and touched Huang Boming lightly with his elbow, looking like he was winning steadily.
Chen Wanrong saw it in his eyes, calmly filled the teacup with water, put the knife flat on it and pushed it over it. He pointed to the teacup and said, "You all saw it. The teacup is filled with water. I turned the tea over without a lid or no drop of water overflowing. Do you believe it?"
"Pour water, pour water, the water is poured out." Mr. Qi shook his head, as if he was chanting scriptures. He spoke implicitly and had already understood the meaning, which was impossible to achieve.
The students heard what he meant, and nodded in agreement, and some even sneered. Chen Zairong stood up and shouted: "I believe it! He said yes, sure!"
Elementary school students have a way to do this, so there is no need for Chen Zairong to come out and support him. This is the brother. Although Chen Zairong was upset in his heart, he still gave himself unconditional support. Chen Wanrong was very moved!
Except for Huang Boming, no one knew that Chen Zairong and Chen Wanrong were brothers. They looked at Chen Zairong in surprise. Everyone was moved by this kind of brotherhood. Huang Boming nodded with appreciation: "Chen Zairong, sit down." Chen Zairong sat down as he said.
"You see!" Chen Wanrong covered the paper on the teacup, and gently stroked the edge of the cup with his index finger to tighten the paper and the edge of the cup to prevent air from entering. He held the teacup with his left hand, held the paper with his right hand, and gently turned it back. After the teacup was upside down, he let go of his right hand.
It is strange that the originally expected water flowing out did not happen. This physical phenomenon is nothing to us modern people, but it is too unimaginable for the Tang people. The students were surprised and opened their mouths wide open.
Mr. Qi raised his eyebrows, took a breath, stared at the boss, and was stunned. Huang Boming was also surprised, swallowed his saliva, and carefully said: "Brother Wanrong, where is the water?"
"It's still in the cup!" Chen Wanrong told him the answer.
In daily life, if you don’t mention a glass of water, even ten glasses of water will be poured out. Why is it still in the cup? This is too unimaginable. No one believes it. Even Chen Zairong, who supports it unconditionally, showed a look of surprise on his face.
Chen Wanrong knew their thoughts clearly and smiled and said, "Mr. Qi, please touch the paper." Move the teacup to the top of the basin.
Curiosity arose, and Mr. Qi didn't have the idea of irresponsibility of his slander. He walked over as he spoke, touched his right index finger tentatively on the paper, without any change. Chen Wanrong smiled and said, "Please use a little force."
Taking a breath, Mr. Qi bounced his index finger on the paper. The paper fell off, and the water in the cup fell down, smashed into the basin, and splashed everywhere. Mr. Qi exclaimed "Ah", and jumped away involuntarily, looking at Chen Wanrong in surprise: "Mr. Chen, why is this?"
His problem was exactly what everyone thought, some agreed, some nodded, hoping that Chen Wanrong would explain it to them.
Chen Wanrong did not show this beauty of adulthood this time, but picked up the embroidery needle: "Everyone: Let me tell you the reason later. Let's do another thing first. I have an embroidery needle in my hand. I put the needle on the water surface. Do you think the needle will sink?"
"Yes!" This is common sense, and everyone answered in unison without thinking. Only Chen Zairong looked at Chen Wanrong in surprise, really wondering what mysterious Chen Wanrong was doing.
"No!" Chen Wanrong rejected their answer.
Chapter completed!