Chapter 140: Serving as a Role Model
Zhu Yuanzhang was not angry when he saw Deng Qianqiu behaved improperly in front of the emperor.

He just smiled and said, "How did you teach Shen Zhiye's studies? How did he achieve such results?"

Deng Qianqiu became excited and said hurriedly: "I teach and educate people, and what I emphasize is to win people over with virtue! Students have always believed that teachers and students are one and the same, and they influence each other. Only when teachers set a good example first can they inspire their students. The most important thing is to provide students with a learning atmosphere and teach them to get along well with each other... Only in this way can they get along with each other..."

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and said, "I don't know much about teaching and educating people. But I am very pleased to see that you have so much experience at such a young age. If all teachers in the world can learn half of what you have learned, how can our Ming Dynasty's culture and education not flourish?"

Zhu Yuanzhang paced a few steps and continued, "I have always respected this scholar, and the Deng family has also made a good start for the education of my Ming Dynasty. Come on, tell me, what reward do you want?"

All the officials just felt upset and uncomfortable.

Normally, I ask you, Old Zhu, to respect scholars, but you are not so active.

Now that Deng Qianqiu, this heretic and eccentric guy, has achieved some results, people have begun to respect scholars.

Deng Qianqiu was happy in his heart, but he still calmed down and said seriously: "Your Majesty, I dare not ask for a reward."

"You don't want it?" Zhu Yuanzhang smiled, but looked at Shen Zhiye and said, "What about Shen Qing's family? What does Shen Qing's family want?"

Shen Zhiye was in tears at this time: "Your Majesty's opening of the imperial examination is a blessing for the people of the world. It also gives me the opportunity to seek fame and honor after being taught by my teacher. I am already deeply terrified and grateful. I feel the weight of your grace, which is as heavy as Mount Tai. At this moment, how dare I ask for a reward? I only have the desire to repay my loyalty, even if it means sacrificing my life, I will not hesitate."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, looking very emotional, and pointed at Shen Zhiye and said, "Look, look, this teacher is a role model, and this disciple is also a person who knows filial piety, brotherhood, loyalty, and trustworthiness. My ministers once told me that before studying, you want to have a righteous heart, and the root of a righteous heart is to cultivate virtue. I think this pair of teacher and student are very virtuous."

After a pause, Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Deng Qianqiu and said, "Mr. Deng, you are too modest. You must not be so modest. Hasn't your university been opened? I'm afraid it will cost a lot of money, right?"

Deng Qianqiu said: "Your Majesty, I still dare not ask for a reward. If Your Majesty really wants to reward me, then... I have an unwelcome request."

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and said, "Go ahead."

Deng Qianqiu said, "Your Majesty, please give me a calligraphy work for this university hall, so that I can gain honor."

After hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang laughed and said, "That's easy to say. Come on, get some writing brushes and ink."

This is much more cost-effective than asking him to reward money!
But at this moment, all the officials became anxious.

Many people already had some prejudices against that weird university, and they didn't take Deng Qianqiu seriously. God knows how this guy could have gotten lucky.

But now you even want to bestow calligraphy, and I don’t know what your Majesty will write.

Wang Guangyang hurriedly said: "Your Majesty..."

Zhu Yuanzhang raised his head and said with a smile, "Oh, I forgot that your grandson also made it to the list, ranking 69th or 67th? Shen Zhiye is very good, and your grandson is not bad either. Why, do you want to join in the fun and let me write an inscription for you?"

After hearing this, Wang Guangyang was so ashamed that he wanted to smash his head against the pillar and die.

Originally, he was filled with joy when his grandson was admitted to high school. He thought it was no exaggeration to say that he had brought honor to the family. But now he just felt it was a great shame and humiliation, and was deeply heartbroken.

Having said that, he had no choice but to keep silent.

If he continued to talk about his grandson all the time, His Majesty would call him "grandson" left and right. He claims to be noble and upright, but he really can't bear it.

Right away, you should present the pen and ink first.

Zhu Yuanzhang pondered for a moment, then wrote an inscription, blew on the ink, and said to Yegaixian: "Pass it to Deng Qianqiu, and let him see how my running script looks."

He should immediately bend down to take the calligraphy and hand it to Deng Qianqiu to read in front of everyone.

Many ministers also looked over subconsciously.

But on it, there were four words written: "Be a role model for others".

When the ministers saw this, their hearts sank.

At the beginning, all the civil officials in the court were very happy about the imperial examination. Everyone was giving advice and making suggestions for the imperial examination. They regarded the imperial examination as a tool to promote Confucianism, promote Neo-Confucianism, and exclude other heresies.

But who knew that the final result would be that the Deng father and son would jump out and reap the fruits of everyone's hard work.

The four words "being a role model" may have become overused in later generations, but in this era that emphasizes education, especially in the eyes of Confucian scholars, it is an extremely sacred word.

You should know that most people would never dare to be a role model for others. On the one hand, it is necessary to be modest. On the other hand, the title of a role model for others is often used to describe people with profound knowledge and noble character.

It is clearly recorded in history that Yang Yu, the prime minister of Northern Qi, was a man of great talent and learning. His poems and essays were widely circulated and highly praised by people of his time. Although he was an important official, it was said that he was upright and honest. In the end, he was killed by the tyrant emperor of Northern Qi. Therefore, Zhu Yuanzhang gave him the four words "a role model for others", which was an evaluation that the officials in the palace would never be able to obtain in their lifetime.

Deng Qianqiu was very satisfied and bowed to Zhu Yuanzhang sincerely, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace."

Zhu Yuanzhang was in a good mood today, and said with a smile: "Don't rush to take it away. I have ordered someone to frame it and send it to the Qianhu Office in a few days."

After that, Zhu Yuanzhang said: "Okay, you are tired, go back and rest."

Deng Qianqiu and Shen Zhiye left amid the envious and jealous gazes of the crowd.

After leaving the hall, Deng Qianqiu, who originally had a smile on his face, glanced at Shen Zhiye, and his smile suddenly disappeared. He frowned and angrily scolded Shen Zhiye: "You said you don't know how to flatter, you bastard, how dare you deceive your master! This is really unreasonable. Your master has worked hard to cultivate you until now, and you treat your mentor like this?"

Shen Zhiye was scolded so much that he couldn't even raise his head. After Deng Qianqiu had scolded him for a long time and vented his anger, he said with a bitter face: "Master, I am already bad at speaking. You have never seen my grandfather and father. They are the ones who speak sweet words. My grandfather and father always scold me for being bad at speaking and not knowing how to talk. In the future, I will definitely be the one to ruin our Shen family's business..."

Deng Qianqiu was stunned: "Really?"

Is it true that there is always someone better than the best? Is his grandfather and his biological father the real masters?
But if you think about it carefully, people who do business have to deal with countless people every day, and because merchants look down on people, they have to keep their heads down and be submissive. If the Shen family did not have this kind of family tradition, how could they have become the rich family in Jiangnan?
Deng Qianqiu's temper came and went quickly, and his anger subsided, so he said: "Maybe I have wronged you, but you should take this as a warning, and speak more clearly in the future, so as not to cause me to misunderstand. We are teacher and student, and since you entered my school, Deng Qianqiu, I have treated you as a family member, and as a disciple, you must be honest."

Shen Zhiye was relieved to see that his teacher was no longer angry, and hurriedly said, "The student will follow your instructions."

Shen Zhiye was in high spirits along the way.

Not only did he make the list, but the emperor even summoned him and said many encouraging words. This... was something I never dared to imagine before.

So when he looked at his mentor, there was unconsciously a lot of difference in his eyes.

For him, this person changed his destiny!

When he was at home, his family hired many teachers to teach him how to read and write, but he didn't care. He just thought that these teachers were hired by his family and there was nothing special about them.

But now, he deeply felt what a mentor was! Not only did he teach and answer questions, but he actually gave him a second life.

What would his life have been like if he had not become a disciple of his mentor?
"Master, are you tired? You should stop riding the horse. I'll go get a sedan chair..."

He was as excited as a child, and there was unconcealable trust in his eyes as he looked at Deng Qianqiu.

When I returned to Qianhu Suo, the crowd had dispersed. Many people received the reward money and were very satisfied. In addition, there were guards every three steps and sentries every five steps, so the crowd gradually disappeared.

Just as I arrived at the gate of the Qianhu Office, someone suddenly shouted, "Qianhu Deng..."

But a figure came running over. This man was already very old, but he knelt down straight at Deng Qianqiu's feet.

Deng Qianqiu had no time to react. He only felt a flash before his eyes. When he reacted, he couldn't help but shudder. He was so scared that if this was a bad guy...

Shen Zhiye, who was standing by, widened his eyes and suddenly shouted, "Grandpa."

Deng Qianqiu suddenly realized that this was Shen Zhiye's grandfather Shen Sen. No wonder he looked familiar.

But Shen Sen didn't pay any attention to Shen Zhiye at all. At this moment, he was in tears. He kowtowed to Deng Qianqiu respectfully, crying and laughing, and said: "I...thank you, Captain Deng. Captain Deng rebuilt the Shen family. Your merits are immeasurable."

Seeing his age, Deng Qianqiu hurriedly helped him up, smiling and saying, "You're welcome, you're welcome. It's my duty, it's my duty. The main thing is that our family Zhiye is doing well, haha... Please get up quickly, please get up quickly, you're making me suffer."

Shen Sen wiped his tears and was helped up by Deng Qianqiu. He said gratefully, "Captain Deng, I am a broken man with one foot about to step into the coffin. I have no wishes in this life. Today, under the guidance of Captain Deng, my grandson has achieved what he has today. I never dared to think about it before. Oh, by the way, I didn't bring anything here, only a painting. I hope Captain Deng will accept it. It is also a small token of my appreciation."

Immediately, he took out the long box tucked under his armpit and tried to put it into Deng Qianqiu's hand.

Deng Qianqiu hesitated for a moment and asked, "Is this painting valuable?"

Shen Sen said hurriedly: "It's not worth much, it's not worth much. The name of this painting is: Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains. Of course, it's just a fake, not worth much, not worth mentioning."

Deng Qianqiu lost interest when he heard this: "Oh, take it back. I teach Zhiye not for your money, but out of a teacher's conscience."

Shen Sen couldn't help but look disappointed.

Shen Zhiye said, "Teacher, teacher, this painting was bought by my grandfather at a great price. It is a painting by Huang Gongwang. I don't know how many people dream of it but cannot buy it. This is not a fake."

Deng Qianqiu looked at Shen Sen and was speechless. No way, are you playing tricks on me like this?

(End of this chapter)