In ancient society, Chao Qinglan could not enter the academy as a real woman.
The Zhao family tree is complex, with many branches and offshoots. Zhao Zhangyuan, as the head of the family, decided to use his power to find a suitable identity in the family tree for a child who had just turned ten years old.
In a strict social system, the children of prestigious families find it difficult to escape the constraints of their birth status, even if they grow up in a materially abundant environment. Many illegitimate offspring, despite bearing the family name, cannot inherit the family's glory.
After a difficult search, Zhao Zhangyuan found a middle-aged man named Zhao Shaojian within the intricate web of family relationships. Zhao Shaojian, the son of a low-ranking official, is of humble status due to his mother's illegitimate birth, leading to a difficult life.
Zhao Shaojian's eldest son, Zhao Ruiying, who is ten years old, has fallen seriously ill and is hanging by a thread. Zhao Zhangyuan reached an agreement with Zhao Shaojian to purchase Zhao Ruiying's household registration with a fertile piece of land, promising to take care of the aftermath.
For Zhao Shaojian in dire straits, this is undoubtedly a timely help. He is full of gratitude and accepts this lifeline without hesitation.
Zhao Zhangyuan announced to the public that he and his beloved wife Wang Cuiyun have only one daughter, Chao Qinglan. However, at a family gathering, Wang Cuiyun accidentally caught sight of a distant relative's young son and was astonished to discover that the child bore a striking resemblance to her daughter Chao Qinglan.
After careful consideration, Zhao Zhangyuan and Wang Cuiyun have decided to adopt this child as their own and personally take on the responsibility of his education and upbringing. Surprisingly, the child, who was originally seriously ill, miraculously recovered in just a few days. They have renamed the child Zhao Qinglan.
In the midst of these arrangements, the couple did not overlook the important educational institution - the academy. They generously gifted the teachers at the academy to ensure that Chao Qinglan will face no obstacles in his future studies.
In this way, all matters were carefully arranged and prepared.
Chao Qinglan They arrived at a school called "Xueyuan Academy." This is a school that has only accepted princes of the clans or children of prestigious families since ancient times.
Inside the academy, there are elegant courtyards, ancient bookshelves, and the strong scent of ink and inkwells, all permeated with a rich historical and cultural atmosphere.
In a low and wide threshold academy, Chao Qinglan appeared in women's clothing, followed by Beyue. The two men dressed in a low-key and elegant manner, quickly attracting many glances.
Under the dim camphor trees, several young scholars were flipping through classics and reciting poetry.
The tall bamboo shadows swayed in the cool breeze, bringing a refreshing feeling. This scene made Chao Qinglan think of the strategies described in "Zuo Zhuan" and "The Art of War."
Chao Qinglan adjusted his male attire and walked through the gate of the academy. As Zhang Yi, he had always been curious and eager about ancient academies, and now, as Chao Qinglan, he finally had the opportunity to fulfill his long-cherished wish.
As she was immersed in this novelty and excitement, a voice interrupted the tranquility: "Newcomer, who are you?"
Chao Qinglan looked up and saw a young man standing before her, dressed in simple yet noble attire, with a glint of intelligence and wit in his eyes. This was Xiao Yan, the future Emperor Liang.
Chao Qinglan In a sudden move, he hurriedly replied in a slightly hoarse voice, striving to show his manly demeanor: "My real name is Zhao Qinglan, with the courtesy name Jingyun. I have long admired the reputation of Xueyuan Academy and have come here specifically to study."
Xiao Yan flashed a hint of a smile in his eyes, his gaze sweeping across Zhao Qinglan's face, as if sensing something, but he did not say much.
"Jingyun?" Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow slightly, feeling a little curious. But he simply introduced himself in a calm manner: "My name is Xiao Yan, with the courtesy name Shu Da, from the Nanlanling Zhongdu area."
"Pleasure to meet you," Zhao Qinglan replied with a bow.
At this moment, Teacher Li Meng approached with a gentle smile. He appeared to be over fifty years old, dressed in a simple blue robe and wearing a scholar's hat.
"Surely you must be Zhao Qinglan from the Zhao family," Li Meng spoke in a friendly tone. "Your parents have already told me about you. I heard that you are very passionate about learning, so I came to welcome you."
Zhao Qinglan respectfully returned the greeting: "Disciple Zhao Qinglan pays respects to Teacher Li. I have come specifically to seek knowledge and hope that Teacher will grant me instruction."
"Haha, everyone is equal here, as long as you are willing to learn, you will gain something." Li Meng warmly led Zhao Qinglan and Beyue into the academy.
The academy's interior is spacious and bright, with students sitting or standing, studying attentively. Li Meng led Zhao Qinglan to a vacant spot and smiled, saying, " Zhao Qinglan, this is where you and your book servant will sit."
"Thank you, Master," Zhao Qinglan said gratefully.
Li Meng Cleared his throat and began the formal lecture: "Today, let's start with the 'Spring and Autumn Annals'..."
Zhao Qinglan Felt an unprecedented sense of excitement. In this male-dominated ancient society, being able to enter such a academy was already a great fortune. And as Zhang Yi from the future, he possessed knowledge and experience from the 20th century.
In such an environment, Chao Qinglan couldn't help but feel deeply moved. Growing up in modern society, he had dreamed of experiencing the essence of ancient culture firsthand. Now, as Zhao Qinglan, he had the privilege of sitting in this historically significant academy, listening to Teacher Li Meng's in-depth explanation of the "Spring and Autumn Annals."
On a sunny afternoon at Xueyuan Academy, Chao Qinglan ( Zhao Qinglan ) and a group of students sat under a camphor tree, discussing a passage from the "Spring and Autumn Annals." Zhao Qinglan's voice was slightly hoarse, but his words were sharp, penetrating deeply into the hearts of his listeners.
"The phrase 'gentlemen harmonize but do not conform' mentioned in the 'Spring and Autumn Annals' is, in my opinion, not only about tolerance for differences, but also a manifestation of wisdom," Zhao Qinglan said, his eyes shining with a passion for knowledge.
A student named Li Yi couldn't help but ask, "Brother Zhao's insight is quite reasonable, but how should we understand the practical application of 'harmony in diversity' in real life?"
After pondering for a while, Zhao Qinglan replied, "For example, in the governance of a country, the customs and sentiments of different regions vary. A person of virtue should not only respect these differences but also seek ways to coexist harmoniously, rather than imposing their own ideas. This is precisely the embodiment of multicultural integration in modern society."
This speech has aroused the interest of other students, and they gathered around Zhao Qinglan, eager to hear more insights. Every word from Zhao Qinglan made the students feel both curious and profound, as if opening a door to wisdom.
At this moment, Xiao Yan walked over and joined the discussion: "Brother Zhao has a deep understanding of classical texts. I wonder what your interpretation is of the phrase 'The art of war is deception' in 'The Art of War'?"
Zhao Qinglan took a glance at Xiao Yan and replied, "In my opinion, this statement implies that war strategies need to be versatile and not confined to a single pattern. Just like modern warfare, it's not just about territorial disputes, but also about multi-dimensional competitions involving information, psychology, and more."
Xiao Yan nodded in agreement after hearing Zhao Qinglan's insight.
In this way, Zhao Qinglan stands out at Xueyuan Academy with his unique insights and profound understanding, earning him great respect among his peers. However, Zhao Qinglan always remains cautious, carefully concealing his true identity and not letting others discover that he is actually a woman, Beyue.
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