Volume One, Chapter 17: Good Intentions Gone Awry? Genius Teaching Infuriates the Old Traditionalist!

Chen Pingchuan regarded his innocent, naive expression, a trace of amusement flickering in his eyes.

Patiently, he began to explain in words Zhang Jinbao could understand, his voice soft and gentle.

"Young master, this is called 'returning a favor.'"

"When we want to make our way in this world, we cannot only seek our own glory. If you treat others well, they will naturally treat you well in return. By sharing some advantages with others, they become willing to assist us, and our path grows wider."

"Now, think about it: if I let Mr. Fang take the credit, he finds out and feels happy, doesn't he?"

"And when Mr. Fang is happy, he will put more care into teaching you to read, won't he?"

"When he teaches you with greater dedication, you learn faster and better. If the master hears of this, he'll be even more pleased, won't he?"

Chen Pingchuan paused, then continued, "Moreover, when Mr. Fang is in good spirits, he might scold you less. If you get scolded less, then my days as your elder brother also become easier, do they not?"

"So, Mr. Fang is happy, you are happy, the master is happy, and I am happy as well."

"Tell me, isn't this a wonderful thing?"

Zhang Jinbao blinked, half understanding, half confused, and nodded.

He tried hard to digest Chen Pingchuan's words.

Though he still couldn't fully grasp the twists and turns of these ideas, his admiration for Chen Pingchuan deepened.

"Big brother!" he exclaimed sincerely. "You really know so much!"

...

Dawn was breaking.

Dew had soaked the flagstone courtyard.

Mr. Fang stroked the few strands of goatee beneath his chin and walked steadily toward the study.

"Jinbao, recite what you learned yesterday for me," he said with authority, tapping the desk with his ruler.

He was determined to strictly examine the progress of the Zhang family's young master, to ensure this unruly boy endured a bit of hardship and learned that reading was not child's play.

Zhang Jinbao put down his book and, unlike his usual self, straightened his small chest.

"Sir, where would you like to begin testing?"

Mr. Fang snorted inwardly but maintained a calm exterior.

He flipped open the "Three Character Classic," pointing at the opening passage. "Start from 'At birth, people' and continue to 'called benevolence and righteousness.'"

No sooner had he finished speaking than Zhang Jinbao, transformed, began to recite fluently.

"At birth, people are inherently good. Their natures are similar, but habits set them apart. If not taught, their natures change. The way to teach is to value dedication..."

...

Mr. Fang's expression, at first indifferent, slowly morphed into disbelief.

And then, that astonishment froze entirely on his face.

"Long ago, Mencius' mother chose the right neighborhood. If the child would not study, she broke the loom..."

Zhang Jinbao recited without pause, every word clear and accurate.

He even added a touch of rhythm and intonation, as if he had truly internalized the text.

The study was silent.

The air seemed to stand still.

Mr. Fang's expression changed like a dye shop, shifting from shock to suspicion, and finally to a complex, indescribable look.

He stared at Zhang Jinbao, his aged eyes wide, unable to utter a single word for a long while.

Yesterday, this boy was clueless—a thoroughly foolish child!

But today... today, he seemed enlightened!

"Sir, did I recite it correctly?" Zhang Jinbao blinked, his face full of anticipation, waiting for praise.

Mr. Fang seemed to awaken from a dream, his Adam's apple moving as he nodded lightly.

"Yes, yes. You recited... very well," he managed, his voice dry.

Hearing such rare praise, Zhang Jinbao turned proudly to Chen Pingchuan.

Chen Pingchuan quietly gave him a thumbs-up, his eyes smiling.

Mr. Fang stroked his beard, feeling gratified, but more so bewildered.

"Jinbao," he suppressed his curiosity, striving to keep his tone steady, "how... how did you manage to memorize so much in just one day?"

Zhang Jinbao's face lit up instantly.

He pointed at Chen Pingchuan, his voice full of boastful excitement.

"Big brother taught me! Sir, look—big brother has something wonderful!"

With that, he eagerly pulled out the colorful paper scraps from his pocket.

Chen Pingchuan's heart skipped a beat. "Oh no!"

He wanted to stop him, but it was too late.

The table was soon covered with paper figures, lifelike animals, and images of sun, moon, and stars.

Mr. Fang's gaze fixed firmly on the rainbow of paper pieces.

His face visibly darkened.

Yet Zhang Jinbao noticed nothing amiss.

...

He remained innocent and happy, enthusiastically displaying the paper figures Chen Pingchuan had made the day before.

"Sir, look! Isn't this fun?"

"This one is the 'person at birth'—when people are born, their hearts are good, just like this smiling figure..."

"And this one represents 'if not taught'—if no one guides them, they'll turn bad, like this fierce little figure..."

Mr. Fang's face had gone from sullen to livid.

He stared at the colorful paper figures as if he saw monsters and demons.

His chest heaved violently.

"What... what are these heretical tricks?!"

He slapped the table hard, his beard bristling with rage.

He grabbed the paper figures, crushing them in his palm as if to destroy them.

"The classics of the sages must be revered in heart and taught with proper methods! How could you desecrate them with such crude children's toys?!"

His voice trembled with fury.

Zhang Jinbao was stunned by Mr. Fang's sudden outburst.

His mouth quivered, tears welling up and threatening to spill over.

Chen Pingchuan knew things had gone awry and hurried forward, bowing respectfully.

"Please calm yourself, Mr. Fang. I only wanted to help the young master remember the teachings you imparted, using simple methods, with no intent to disrespect the sages."

"Enough!" Mr. Fang snapped, his eyes blazing as he glared at Chen Pingchuan.

"You, who barely spent any days properly reading, what could you possibly know of the sages' great way?!"

"Reading is the proper path passed down for thousands of years, the foundation of self-cultivation and destiny. How dare you mislead and divert the young master with such nonsense?!"

"I once thought you were a clever youth, but today I see I was mistaken!"

Mr. Fang, furious, jabbed his finger nearly to Chen Pingchuan's nose.

"With this kind of careless teaching, seeking only shortcuts, you'll only lead the young master astray!"

"I'll go to the master at once! I will demand he throw out a reckless, misleading child like you immediately!"

Unable to bear it any longer, Zhang Jinbao burst into tears.

"No! Sir, please don't send big brother away!"

He wiped his tears, choking out his defense for Chen Pingchuan.

"Big brother is a good person! He taught me to recite, taught me to write, all to help me! He's not a bad person!"