Chapter 306: Starting from the Child
Early the next morning, Young Master Sang dressed up seriously and hurried to the inner courtyard of the National Teacher’s residence.
A eunuch was already waiting there, respectfully leading him to a remote courtyard that seemed almost isolated from the world.
Though it was as secluded as a mountain village, the environment was surprisingly exquisite, with elegant pavilions and waterside layouts, clearly meticulously designed.
Upon arriving at this paradise-like place, Young Master Sang finally met the legendary Little Prince.
Contrary to his imagination of a dark and withdrawn little boy, Little Prince Huo Ming had bright eyes and pearly white teeth. With his large eyes, fair skin, and dressed in a slightly smaller fitted robe, he looked refined yet somewhat adorable.
He was the kind of super cute kid that would make women swoon and priests lose their composure.
Furthermore, to his surprise, there was someone else next to Huo Ming—Empress Huo Ningxue.
At this moment, the Empress was wearing a loose-fitting dragon-patterned skirt, happily standing by the pond, accompanied by her younger brother.
“Greetings, Your Majesty.” Young Master Sang instinctively bowed.
“No need for excessive courtesy.” Huo Ningxue waved her hand casually. “I’m simply curious about how Mr. Sang teaches, so I came to audit a lesson.”
“Mr. Sang doesn’t need to mind me, just teach as if I don’t exist.”
Easier said than done. Young Master Sang couldn’t help but feel that Huo Ningxue was quite protective of her brother.
“Bright Ming, go greet the teacher.”
Upon seeing him, Little Prince Huo Ming showed no airs. He respectfully bowed and said in a sweet voice, “Disciple Huo Ming greets Teacher Sang.”
Such a good attitude? Young Master Sang was somewhat taken aback.
Based on the information from Nian Nian, he had thought that Little Prince’s life was already a lost cause. The loneliness of his childhood probably required a lifetime to heal.
So, in Young Master Sang’s imagination, this little prince could either be a twisted and dark character or an arrogant and spoiled brat.
But instead, the boy was not only handsome but also courteous and adorable.
One had to admit, anyone who saw this little prince would instantly feel a surge of affection.
“The little prince doesn’t need to be so polite. I’m just a substitute teacher; you are a prince, I can’t accept such grand gestures,” Young Master Sang said.
Little Prince Huo Ming shook his head. “No, my sister—Empress Sister—said that once a teacher, always a father. In front of the teacher, I only have the identity of a student, not a prince.”
Such good family values!
Honestly, facing such a cute and well-behaved boy, Young Master Sang felt a moment of reluctance to be stern with him.
But…
Different sides of the coin here.
You can blame your sister for being too much! Young Master Sang sighed in his heart.
“Well then, since that’s the case, I will start teaching now.”
“Eh?” Little Prince seemed surprised, stammering, “We’re starting class right away?”
“My teaching style is decisive.” Young Master Sang was unceremonious, turning his back as he asked, “I’m teaching a class on Daoism. So, what do you think Dao is, Little Prince?”
Little Prince’s big, sparkling eyes were filled with confusion.
He had only just turned five and had begun the process of cultivating qi with the help of countless treasures.
Strictly speaking, he hadn’t even crossed the threshold of cultivation. He thought Teacher Sang would teach him some fundamental questions about cultivation, but he never expected to be hit with such a profound question right off the bat.
Of course, he couldn’t answer, just pouting.
Huo Ningxue frowned slightly beside him, but out of politeness, she didn’t speak, allowing Young Master Sang to continue.
“Dao is the summation of everything in the world; it is the rule by which the universe operates.”
Young Master Sang said earnestly, “To understand Dao, the ultimate goal is to grasp everything in the world, to understand the fundamental laws of their operations.”
“If you want to become a powerful cultivator like me or the National Teacher, you need to learn everything without discrimination, without excluding any area, and study all knowledge of the world.”
“So, what you need to learn is far more than you can imagine.”
Seizing the moment while Little Prince was still dazed, Young Master Sang quickly asked, “May I ask, Little Prince, what do you usually study?”
“Just…基础 (basic cultivation), and also historical texts, music, chess, calligraphy, painting, etiquette, music, benevolence, righteousness…” Huo Ming counted on his little fingers, listing them out.
“Exactly!”
Young Master Sang slapped his thigh with excitement. “All of those can be considered Dao at a higher level.”
“Besides that, there’s astronomy, geography, physics, chemistry, finance, law, Marxism-Leninism, advanced mathematics, foreign languages…”
Though Little Prince Huo Ming didn’t understand these foreign terms, he couldn’t shake off the feeling that this teacher seemed to know even more than his other teachers.
“Anyway,”
Young Master Sang cleared his throat. “If you want to merge the three thousand avenues of greatness in the future, you must start from childhood!”
“Think about it: the topics you’re studying now, your classmates can also learn. What the teacher teaches you will also be taught to other students.”
“So in the end, won’t everyone be the same? You’re the Little Prince of the Holy Kingdom, the亲弟弟 (beloved younger brother) of the Empress! How can you mix with those mediocre children?”
“So! To surpass other kids, you have to have a solid foundation from a young age, attend after-school classes and hobby classes, prepare for college entrance exams three thousand days in advance, and never let the child lag at the starting line!”
Though he directed this speech at Huo Ming, his gaze lingered on Huo Ningxue.
As expected, upon hearing the latter part, Huo Ningxue’s expression slightly changed.
It seems that no parent wants their child to fall behind, regardless of the family.
That’s precisely the effect he wanted.
“Thus, for the comprehensive development of the Little Prince in morality, intelligence, physical fitness, aesthetics, and labor, I’ve crafted a detailed and complete course schedule and learning plan.”
With a flourish, Young Master Sang pulled out a densely packed schedule, leaving Little Prince Huo Ming stunned.
“I’ve outlined a curriculum that includes language, math, English, politics, history, geography, physics, chemistry, biology, music, and physical education—twelve subjects in total, each with a comprehensive teaching system to help the Little Prince get started quickly.”
Seeing that exaggerated schedule, even Huo Ningxue was somewhat taken aback, her mouth twitching as she said, “…Uh, Mr. Sang.”
“He’s still so young; such a heavy workload is… a bit too much.”
“Your Majesty is right.”
Young Master Sang immediately rolled up the schedule with a smile. “Teaching should be done step by step. It would indeed be tough to finish twelve subjects at once.”
“So I plan to let the Little Prince start with the simplest subject.”
“… Language?” Little Prince tentatively asked.
“… It’s math.”
Young Master Sang beamed with unrestrained joy.
