12dz Chapter 734 Library
Chapter 734 Library
Before she could finish her words, Lord Qi beside her slowly took over the conversation: "Qingfeng Academy? I remember that I had several students serving as teachers there."
Master Shao also nodded, his tone somewhat helpless: "That's right! There was one who studied policy under me for two years. I will go and meet them when I have time."
As soon as these words were spoken, the ladies' faces completely lost all color, and the confidence they had in showing off Qingfeng Academy just now disappeared in an instant.
Several ladies came over and said, "Master Bai, I'd like to send my child over here. When do you think it would be a good time to send him over?"
"My child is 12 years old this year. Can you send him here?"
"I...I'm signing up too. I'll bring him back to you when I get back. You can beat him up and scold him as much as you want."
"Yes, yes, me too..."
Bai Wanwan smiled and said:
“Family members, let’s not worry, this is just the tip of the iceberg.
I'll continue to show you around, there are still many places we haven't seen yet."
Bai Wanwan didn't say anything more and led a group of confused ladies to the library.
As soon as the door of the pavilion was opened, everyone was stunned by the scene before them.
This library is five stories high, with elegant eaves and pointed corners. Looking inside, books are neatly arranged on the shelves.
Bai Wanwan first took them to the first floor, which was a reading area exclusively for children.
The bookshelf is designed to be low to make it easier for children to put books in and take them out. Many picture books and enlightenment reading materials are placed openly, and the desks next to it are filled with young children.
What’s strange is that with so many children gathered together, there is no noise at all. Each of them holds the book and reads it seriously, even turning the pages carefully.
"The books on the first floor are for children. They are all arranged in an open manner. They can pick up any book they want to read and read it while sitting or squatting."
Bai Wanwan pointed to the tea bucket in the corner and said, "The warm water over there is free all day long. You can pour it yourself when you are thirsty."
Going up the stairs to the second floor, the atmosphere became noticeably gloomier.
The bookshelves here are taller and the books are much thicker. Most of them are classics, history, arithmetic and policy essays, etc., suitable for students aged 10 to 20.
There is a spacious aisle between the bookshelves, with long tables and armchairs. Many teenagers are reading at their desks, while some are discussing quietly with pen and paper, their voices very low.
"The second floor is like a large study room. The variety of books is more complete than on the first floor. Students can look up information and do homework here, whatever makes them feel comfortable."
On the third floor, the categories of books are more specialized and in-depth, including those on astronomy and calendar, and those on farmland and water conservancy.
There are also many ancient books marked as rare copies or handwritten copies, and you can even see a few hand-drawn maps.
"The books on the third floor are suitable for people over 30 years old with a certain level of knowledge, or those who are studying professional knowledge.
Or if you want to expand your knowledge, such as the laws and regulations of previous dynasties and local customs, you can find them all here."
The books on the fourth floor are much more diverse, including books on craftsmanship such as winemaking and porcelain making.
There are vernacular books that record rumors and strange stories, and even pamphlets that talk about medical principles, health preservation, and gardening.
"The fourth floor is for miscellaneous studies, and it has all kinds of books, not just those related to the imperial examinations.
If students are interested in farming, crafts, or storytelling, they can come here to browse. It's a place for everyone to relax and broaden their horizons."
Finally, we reached the fifth floor. There was a wooden sign hanging at the entrance of the stairs that read "Teachers only, no entry for students."
Bai Wanwan explained:
“The books on the fifth floor are the most valuable, as they are used by teachers for lesson preparation and research.
For example, students are generally not allowed to enter the court notes of Lord Qi and his colleagues, and the teaching experience of the imperial teacher, for fear of damaging the precious classics.
We won’t go in for a visit today.”
The ladies' voices were filled with excitement:
"My goodness! Every year, we have to spend hundreds of taels of silver to hire an ordinary teacher, and he may not even be able to teach anything worthwhile.
Here, with just ten taels of tuition, you can learn from the top scholar and the prime minister. This is a huge bargain!"
Someone reached out and gently touched the books on the shelf, his eyes shining:
"How can a college openly open up so many books for people to read?
Not only can you browse around during the day, you can even come here to look up something at night. The environment is more comfortable than the study at home!
In a place like this, how could children not love to read? "
Bai Wanwan turned to look at the jealous ladies standing beside her and suggested with a smile:
“By the way, our college not only has a men’s school, but also a women’s school.
Now that you've looked at the library, would you like me to take you to the women's quarters?"
As soon as these words fell, the young ladies' eyes lit up instantly and they nodded in unison. Even the lady standing behind was moved.
A lady pulled her daughter over and said with hope and admonition:
"You naughty boy, you're always so slow in learning to read! If you really can get into the girls' academy here, you'll have to calm down and study hard.
Look at this collection of books and this teacher. This is an opportunity many people would beg for, so don't miss it!"
The lady next to her also agreed, looking at Bai Wanwan with eager eyes:
"Yes, yes, take us to the women's courtyard!
If the women's academy is this good, our trip today won't be in vain!"
The ladies were so enthusiastic that Bai Wanwan naturally would not refuse, and immediately led everyone to the women's quarters.
The women's and men's quarters were separated by a wall that was two people tall. Bai Wanwan pointed and smiled, "The wall looks high, but it's actually there to allow both sides to study peacefully. It's not about preventing anyone from climbing over."
Once you enter the women's quarters, you'll find the atmosphere is more elegant than the men's, but the management is obviously stricter. There's a maid guarding the door, and you have to register to enter and leave.
"There are more rules in the women's academy, but the treatment is no worse than that in the men's academy."
Bai Wanwan said as they walked, "There are still few female students at the moment, only a little over a hundred, unlike the male colleges which have thousands of students."
One lady raised her voice in shock, "Thousands? They've accepted so many students in just over half a year?"
Bai Wanwan smiled without further explanation. Among these thousands of people, many were children transferred from the mountain village. They could not use their real identities and could only be quietly settled here.
Most of them are good seedlings selected from the county, and they all have solid foundations.
When I walked to the small field of the women's college, I saw several female students squatting in the field busy working. They were not planting large-scale crops like those in the men's college, but a field of medicinal herbs and a few beds of vegetables.
"The women's college also requires farming, but they don't have to do the heavy work like the boys. They just grow some medicinal herbs and vegetables. It's a way for them to learn crops and it's not too tiring."
Bai Wanwan pointed to the school not far away, where the sound of reading could be heard softly:
“Most of the students in our women’s college are well-read, and the female teachers who teach them are all truly capable.
They teach everything from music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and even the etiquette lessons are not left out."
She specifically mentioned:
"The maids who teach etiquette all come from the palace. They used to teach the princesses and ladies etiquette in the palace.
The girls who are educated here are well-mannered in their words and deeds.”
The ladies listened, their eyes widening, and some of them couldn't help but pull their daughters aside and whisper:
"Look at this place, you can study and learn skills, and even the rules are taught by the maids in the palace.
If I could come here, it would be much better than hiring a teacher at home!"