Li Jun's troubles with studying were something no one could solve.
He simply wasn't cut out for it. Xu Hua even specially asked someone to fetch talisman water from a temple in Xiping City for Li Jun to drink. Li Jun looked at the dirty talisman water and, under Li San's glare, could only pinch his nose and drink it.
But studying still didn't suit him, and he was frequently scolded by Master Ji.
Li Jun was naturally lively, quick-witted, and intelligent, but these Scriptures teaching people truly disgusted him.
After some time, the tranquility of the Lotus Pond was broken once again.
A young man rode quickly from the outer city toward the Lotus Pond. The sound of his horse's hooves made the old farmers by the roadside turn to look.
The young man dismounted at the entrance of the Shuhe School and rushed inside, shouting, "Master Ji, Master Ji!"
Then, in about the time it takes to brew half a cup of tea, Master Ji packed his belongings and left in a hurry.
The next day, Village Chief Zhao Biao came to inform the neighbors that Master Ji’s family had suffered a bereavement yesterday, and he had returned to the city with someone, leaving the school suddenly without a teacher.
Fortunately, when Master Ji left, he left a letter for Zhao Biao, saying that he could entrust the Ten Thousand Scrolls Private School in Xiping City to help find a substitute teacher temporarily.
Master Ji said that mourning would last for three years, and it was uncertain when he would return, perhaps never.
When the villagers heard this, they could only send someone to inquire at the Ten Thousand Scrolls Private School in Xiping City.
Half a month later, the Lotus Pond welcomed a new teacher's face—Ding Queqian.
This young teacher arrived with his entire family, making a grand entrance into this quiet little village, looking less like someone coming for a job interview and more like someone moving in permanently.
Ding Queqian's arrival sparked curiosity among the villagers, as he was the one taking over from the renowned Master Ji as the new teacher.
Ding Queqian claimed to be a "reserve teacher" from the Ten Thousand Scrolls Private School, which sounded quite grand.
The only issue was—besides having read a few books and possessing a basic scholarly title to maintain appearances—he had absolutely no teaching experience.
Facing those innocent and energetic rural children, Ding Queqian appeared exceptionally flustered and uneasy, like a wolf that had wandered into a flock of sheep, unsure where to start.
"Silence! Be quiet for me!" This was the phrase Ding Queqian most frequently repeated.
However, the school was in utter chaos; the little boys chattered incessantly, seemingly unaffected by his authority.
Sometimes, Ding Queqian even felt like an adjudicator who had fallen into a "children's hell," having to rack his brains daily dealing with these "little demons."
"Mountain folk are truly noisy. By coming here to teach, I am saving them!" Ding Queqian often muttered to himself. However, as a teacher determined to produce excellent students through strictness, he absolutely could not let these "little devils" get the better of him.
Thus, after only a few days, he decided to adopt a strategy of "strict discipline"—scolding, hitting, and punishment were all included.
In his view, this combination was an essential Magic Treasure for education.
Ding Queqian's "teaching philosophy" was simple—exchange strictness for respect. In his mind, managing this group of naughty children meant controlling the entire village. What about morality, rules, or scholarship? Those were just superficialities; the final say rested in his hands.
Ding Queqian clearly enjoyed this role of the "strict teacher."
"Strict teachers produce excellent students since ancient times!" Ding Queqian asserted confidently, standing behind the lectern with his hands clasped behind his back.
He firmly believed that making these children afraid would instill reverence; if they revered him, the children and their parents would obey his every word.
This way, he could not only maintain an unassailable position in the classroom but also enjoy considerable prestige throughout Song Village.
The ideal was grand, but reality was harsh. The children of the Lotus Pond were not buying it.
Even when Ding Queqian put on a fierce expression, he could not stop the children from making small movements in class, passing notes to each other, or even tripping him up behind his back.
The stricter Ding Queqian became, the more the children "acted up," as if they shared an unspoken agreement—the fiercer you are, the naughtier I become.
"These children are infuriating!" One day, Ding Queqian was driven to exasperation by a few children and, unable to bear it any longer, struck the palms of a few children with his ruler.
When he returned home, Ding Queqian felt sorry for the ruler in his hand—this wooden ruler was much more brittle than the children's bottoms. The ruler cracked after just a few strikes and wouldn't be useful for much longer.
The next day, a child who was eager to please Ding Queqian actually brought him a brand-new ruler. The moment that child handed over the ruler, he signaled his allegiance; he was on Ding Queqian's side.
Ding Queqian praised the child a few times. Those simple words managed to sow discord among the other children, and each child began to think for themselves.
The villagers had mixed opinions about the new "Tutor Ding."
Some secretly shook their heads and sighed, lamenting Master Ji's tolerance and kindness, while others felt that perhaps Ding Queqian's "iron fist" approach wasn't entirely wrong, as children were playful and needed discipline.
Furthermore, Ding Queqian was not a fool in private; he knew how to showcase his "good educational results" to the villagers by sending the children of those villagers who were on good terms with him to study at the Ten Thousand Scrolls Academy in Xiping City.
As a result, some neighbors began secretly giving "gifts" to Ding Queqian.
After all, a child's future was more important than anything else.
Tutor Ding, whether good or bad, had to be respected, as the children had to endure a few years under his tutelage. Through this back and forth, Ding Queqian managed to "gain quite a bit" in the Lotus Pond and was living quite well.
Although his teaching standard and reputation were far inferior to the former Master Ji, the "actual benefits" made him very satisfied.
"Controlling the children means controlling these country villagers," Ding Queqian said to himself proudly.
In the eyes of the children, Tutor Ding was a "teacher who loved corporal punishment."
Whenever he walked into the classroom, the children would let out a collective gasp of fear.
No one knew which mischievous brat would anger him into a rage and provoke physical punishment next.
For most parents, Ding Queqian was an "unavoidable" figure—dissatisfied, yet tolerable, because one could not easily offend this "strict teacher" regarding their child's future.
Thus, Ding Queqian's "teaching career" in the Lotus Pond continued.
Every day, he silently prayed that his strict teacher strategy would truly work, but reality was always full of unpredictable "surprises."
"Li Jun, look, here's a ladybug..." Su Shuai held his book, showing off the ladybug he had just caught between his fingertips.
Children are always playful; as long as there is something nearby to distract them, their minds will not be on their books.
"That's nothing, hmph," Li Jun replied quietly, feeling a bit unconvinced. He glanced sideways at Tutor Ding,
watching Tutor Ding pace back and forth on the other side holding a Scripture.
Li Jun, quick of hand and eye, flicked out two fingers and whispered, "Watch this!" With that, his two fingers accurately pinched a fly that was buzzing in the air.
The surrounding children cheered upon seeing this, exclaiming in awe.
Li Jun whispered to Su Shuai, "Heh heh, catching flies isn't my real skill. My parents are Hunters; catching flies is a piece of cake for me."
However, that burst of "Wow" sound brought disaster upon Li Jun.
Ding Queqian walked over and questioned the children. The surrounding children, fearing no trouble, embellished the story of Su Shuai and Li Jun.
After listening, Ding Queqian frowned and slapped Li Jun directly across the face.
With the heavy force, Li Jun was stunned on the spot, while quite a few of the surrounding children secretly snickered in their seats.
Ding Queqian commanded, "Take your hands out!"
Su Shuai and Li Jun timidly brought out their hands. Ding Queqian immediately took out his ruler and severely struck both of their small palms.
"How can the students taught by Master Ji be so unruly? I think you two don't need to study anymore; you are not cut out for it. You are the Flies of this classroom!"
"Tutor, stop hitting! Stop, I know I was wrong," Su Shuai jumped up in pain.
Li Jun, however, gritted his teeth, tears welling up.
"Hmph!" Ding Queqian flicked his sleeve, threw down the ruler, and walked to the lectern.
First, he lectured on the great principles of life, feigning sadness and indignation, then he questioned the children below.
"Do you know why I work so hard teaching you, coming to this countryside of the Lotus Pond!" Ding Queqian glared, as if he were the one being struck and had suffered the greatest injustice.
"For money," Deng Meng replied innocently from below.
"Hahahaha..." The guilt that had permeated the entire school instantly exploded into chaos because of that one sentence.
Ding Queqian's face flushed red, and he directly picked up the ruler and struck the platform, "Quiet!"
Immediately, the school fell silent, and many students tried hard to bite their lips to keep from laughing.
"Deng Meng, you come up here."
Deng Meng shrank in his seat, not daring to step forward.
Ding Queqian strode forward, grabbed Deng Meng's hand, and dragged him to the lectern. During the dragging, books scattered all over the floor.
"Deng Meng, do you know your mistake!" Ding Queqian looked coldly at Deng Meng, hoping the boy would be terrified, scared, shrink back, and admit he was wrong, thereby saving his own lost face.
But Deng Meng smiled and raised his head, looking at Ding Queqian.
This scene completely enraged Ding Queqian, and the ruler in his hand struck toward Deng Meng.
Deng Meng gritted his teeth and smiled, enduring a few strikes.
But eventually, he couldn't bear the force and quickly ran away. They chased and hit each other, with Deng Meng making faces in front to provoke Ding Queqian.
The entire school erupted in laughter again.
That evening, Ding Queqian went directly to complain to Zhao Biao, threatening to resign if he wasn't given an explanation, telling Zhao Biao to find someone more capable.
Village Chief Zhao Biao was helpless; after all, he had spent a considerable amount of money to invite Ding Queqian, who was a scholar with status.
He had no choice but to go back and discuss the matter with the parents of Li Jun, Su Shuai, Deng Meng, and the others.
When he reached Su Shuai's home, his parents were enlightened enough to have already taken gifts and Su Shuai to apologize to Ding Queqian, which greatly relieved Zhao Biao.
At Deng Meng's house, Deng Meng's parents were often away working, and Deng Meng himself was nowhere to be found; the house was empty.
Finally, Zhao Biao arrived at Li San's home.