CHAPTER 272: CHAPTER 205: TEMPTED TO LEARN

Mrs. Zhou kept nodding. After he finished speaking, she said to Zhao Yuanyuan, "What your uncle said is true. Back in the day when he had no books to read, he had to go to other people’s houses to copy them. The books would be worn out by the end.

Jiao Jiao recognized the Three Character Classic and the Thousand Character Classic at the age of three. She was very smart. I secretly taught her and didn’t dare let anyone know. When she was nearly four, she could recite many prescriptions casually—the ones I remembered from medical books. She would secretly run off to the ancestral hall and recite them before burning them. How old was she then? A single brush would be worn to tatters by the end.

At that time, she was afraid her grandfather would find out she used his ink. She would mix just a little bit of ink with a lot of water. Whatever she wrote would be unreadable. A little four-year-old would smile and tell me that this way, even if the ink accidentally mixed, it wouldn’t show. When she had the chance as she grew up, she would borrow and read ancient texts every day, sometimes even skipping meals.

Reading many books is really beneficial. I never taught her how to behave; she figured it out herself. I am so old now, and I’m still confused.

So, little girl, you need to calm down and read some books. During the Republic, why did those girls from reputable families not only go to school but also hire private tutors? It’s because you don’t study ancient books anymore, and even the characters are simplified."

Hearing this, Zhao Dashan comforted the dazed Zhao Yuanyuan, "Didn’t you always say Jiao Jiao looks like a noble lady, and you can tell she’s scholarly just by looking at her? She exudes a literary aura that you envy.

Your Grandma Zhou and Uncle Zhou treat you like family, that’s why they’re advising you. Girl, I’ll help you find some books. Just look at them when you’re free. We don’t expect you to be like Jiao Jiao—just learn some principles from them.

Your dad, at that time, wished to go to school but never had the chance. Later on, I learned from people in the army. Look at me now, knowing a few big words allowed me to retire and return as a small leader. What about those uncles who visit us, returning from retirement without knowing how to read? It shows reading books is beneficial.

Why does everyone respect your Uncle Zhou? It’s not just because he’s capable, but also because he can answer anything casually. People love consulting him whenever they have a problem; there’s nothing he doesn’t know." After finishing, he looked eagerly at his daughter, and only after seeing her nod did he breathe a sigh of relief and smile.

He was about to thank Mrs. Zhou when he saw his son grinning and looking mischievously at his daughter. He became instantly annoyed.

"Hongbing, you need to read books too. Both of you should read, and when your brother returns, all three of you should. Your Uncle Zhou doesn’t usually offer advice casually; you better not be ignorant of your blessings."

Chen Hongbing promptly straightened his face and said, "Dad, I will definitely read. I’m already thinking of asking Xiao Wu for help. You actually can’t find places to borrow ancient books. Only Xiao Wu has them because he and Zhou Jiao often go to the old book stalls in the alley, and he probably knows where to find them."

Zhang Guoqing suppressed a laugh using his fist and immediately said after he finished speaking, "Uncle, don’t bother looking. When you go back, I’ll find them for you. Mr. Liu left five books here, and after you finish them, you can come over and browse other books."

"That’s great, no need to find anyone. Why did the old man abandon his books? He was such a bookworm."

Zhou Xiaozheng poured wine for the two of them, "Let’s drink and eat first. The kids can read at their own pace; there’s plenty of time. Yesterday, I went to Mr. Liu’s house, and there were even more books in his study. He probably has duplicates at home, or perhaps he’s worried that after he’s gone, his books will be ruined by his children and grandchildren, so he’s following the literati’s tradition of gifting books.

Last time, he told Xiao Wu several times to carefully read the books, advising him to dry them under the sun regularly, and even explained in detail about pest control. I think in the future he might send more of his old books to Xiao Wu."

"Sigh, this shows Mr. Liu failed in teaching his children. This many books could be heirlooms to pass down generations. If his descendants don’t appreciate them, they might even set them on fire.

I remember when I was young, the scholar in our town would personally dry his books every year, and the servants wouldn’t dare touch them. He would scowl at anyone wanting to borrow a book and wouldn’t lend a single one. When he passed away, the entire room of books and paintings was unwanted by his children and grandchildren, who dared not deal with it and just left it there.

Later, some scholars secretly cursed his family’s lack of virtue. Preferring them to mold over lending them. It’s not easy to pass things down."

Cheng Hongli laughed joyfully and said, "Family heirlooms depend on what they are. Wouldn’t every grandchild fight for any gold or jade pieces? The Jade Pendant in Zhao Chunlei’s family inherited is an example, causing brothers to fight to the point of bleeding.

Those people lack knowledge. I heard colleagues secretly saying Zhao Chunlei’s wife is clever and secretly collected many porcelain pieces that are worth more than that shabby Jade Pendant."

Zhao Dashan laughed heartily and said to Zhou Xiaozheng, "Brother Zheng, if you were there, you’d surely be furious. The Zuo Lin Bureau was involved, and according to Zuo Lin, when they started fighting, the chair that smashed apart was worth more than the Jade Pendant itself. But in that family of five siblings, not a single one is knowledgeable. Perhaps the elders didn’t explain or something. Then, when they tried to negotiate in the bureau, deciding that sharing the money was the fairest. And they sold everything afterwards, leaving not a speck behind. The brothers took the money they received and laughed as they moved away. How do you describe such people?"

"Dad, where did those chairs go later? Did Uncle Zuo buy them?" Zhao Yuanyuan’s eyes lit up as she listened.

"At that time, your Uncle Zuo couldn’t speak up; otherwise, there’d be more chaos. The yard was purchased by the retired old factory director from the meat joint factory. That old man’s big spend of 1,500 yuan probably targeted those pieces of furniture and porcelain. Ordinary people wouldn’t dare buy, fearing those brothers would later discover those old things were valuable and then turn against the ledger."

"Haha... You mentioned porcelain, and it reminded me. Mom, did you throw away those old vases, bowls, and plates left by Mr. Liu at home? Jiao Jiao had my dad take a look before, saying maybe they might be Restored Blue and White." Zhang Guoqing chuckled as he looked at his father-in-law after finishing.

"Look, that’s a keen eye. Your mom hasn’t moved them to the warehouse yet; I’ve already seen them. They’re all porcelain from the Republic period, mostly from small northern workshops—not valuable.

In the study, there are two vases actually from the Qing Dynasty, but they’re folk kiln products. Displaying them to fool outsiders works. That old man probably moved them directly from the old house when he returned from Beijing, and later when he moved here he brought the old lady’s dowry. The valuable porcelains should all be in the old house, or maybe there was no porcelain collection, just all books." Zhou Xiaozheng laughed heartily, his daughter was indeed smart; before he mentioned them, she already thought of it, like father, like daughter.

"Restored Blue and White? I’ve been to Mr. Liu’s old home, didn’t see any antique racks. The most valuable in the living room was that furniture set. The tea set was modern too. Does Jiao Jiao like porcelain? When Mom goes back, I’ll look around. They’re easier to find in Jingdezhen or Jiangnan. Northern bowls and plates are large, rarely seen."

Zhang Guoqing quickly shook his head, "Mom, don’t collect porcelain, it’s hard to preserve and too easily broken. It’s not practical and costs money. Jiao Jiao doesn’t love porcelain, she just mentioned there’re many old bowls here to give away, she’s cautious, afraid that if casually given away, people won’t appreciate them. Better take a look if there’s any treasure before giving them out."