Chapter 57 Knowledge and Truth
Deng Ziqiu's face immediately darkened, and he glanced at Xiang Tiange coldly, but he didn't get angry. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down, then turned to face the whole class and said seriously, "We are all students of the Imperial College. The purpose of coming here is to study and to seek fame, not to gossip about others and sow discord."
All the students in the class were shocked by Deng Ziqiu's serious attitude and they all shut their mouths. For a moment, you could hear a pin drop in the room.
Xiang Tiange didn't take it seriously. He chuckled, walked up to Deng Ziqiu, looked down at him, and said slowly, "Master Deng, you're making a fuss about nothing, aren't you? We're just chatting casually, why do you take it so seriously?"
Deng Ziqiu frowned. Of course, he also knew about Jiang Zhiyu. He also understood Jiang Zhiyu's strength.
But Deng Ziqiu didn't want to argue with Xiang Tiange on this issue. He just said calmly: "Everyone has his own way to go. We just need to take care of ourselves and not judge others." But Deng Ziqiu didn't want to argue with Xiang Tiange on this issue. He just said calmly: "Everyone has his own way to go. We just need to take care of ourselves and not judge others."
After hearing this, Xiang Tiange laughed disdainfully: "Master Deng, you are so naive. In this chaotic world, the strong prey on the weak. If you don't bully others, others will bully you. With a personality like yours, it's no wonder that others look down on you."
Deng Ziqiu's face turned ugly again, and he clenched his fists tightly, but he finally held back. He took a deep breath and said calmly: "Xiang Tiange, I don't want to argue with you. I just hope that we can study peacefully and seek fame instead of attacking each other here."
Seeing that Deng Ziqiu no longer paid attention to him, Xiang Tiange smiled a bit boredly, then turned around and returned to his seat. He looked at Deng Ziqiu's back and sneered in his heart: "Deng Ziqiu, just wait, one day you will understand that your kindness and patience cannot be exchanged for the respect of others."
In the next few days, the atmosphere in Xuanzi Class 4 became more tense. Everyone was secretly observing the movements of Deng Ziqiu and Xiang Tiange, wondering when the conflict between them would break out.
On this day, the Zisi class was holding a discussion on the Book of Songs. The professor sat on the podium, and below him sat a group of serious students. Deng Ziqiu and Xiang Tiange sat at the two ends of the classroom, without any communication between them.
Halfway through the discussion, the professor suddenly raised a question about "Guofeng·Zhou Nan·Guanju" in the Book of Songs: "Please tell us about your understanding of this poem."
Students raised their hands to express their opinions. When it was Deng Ziqiu's turn, he stood up and said calmly: "The poem "Guanju" describes a woman's yearning and pursuit for love. I think this poem expresses people's desire for beautiful love, and also shows women's independence and courage."
As soon as Deng Ziqiu finished speaking, Xiang Tiange sneered and stood up: "Deng Ziqiu, your understanding is too superficial, isn't it? This poem actually tells the story of a man's pursuit of a woman, not what you said."
Deng Ziqiu frowned, knowing that Xiang Tiange was deliberately picking a fight. But he did not get angry, but responded calmly: "Xiang Tiange, everyone's understanding is different. I think this poem can be interpreted in many ways. Why can't it be understood from a female perspective?"
Xiang Tiange was somewhat speechless after Deng Ziqiu's rebuttal. He widened his eyes and said angrily: "Deng Ziqiu, you are just a scholar, what do you know? This poem is clearly about a man's pursuit of a woman, but you insist on saying it is about female independence. It's ridiculous!"
Deng Ziqiu shook his head and ignored Xiang Tiange. He turned to the professor and said with a smile, "Professor, I think I have made my point. Please judge."
The professor nodded, expressing his satisfaction with Deng Ziqiu's answer. He smiled and said, "Deng Ziqiu's understanding is very creative. He interprets this poem from a female perspective, showing a different way of thinking. Xiang Tiange, you should also learn to respect other people's opinions."
After hearing this, Xiang Tiange's face turned ugly. He glared at Deng Ziqiu and returned to his seat. Although this argument did not lead to a bigger conflict, the atmosphere in the class became more tense.
After class, Deng Ziqiu was about to leave the classroom when Xiang Tiange suddenly called him: "Deng Ziqiu, just wait for me. One day I will let you know how powerful I am!"
Deng Ziqiu stopped and looked back at Xiang Tiange, his eyes revealing a hint of determination: "Xiang Tiange, I know you are dissatisfied with me, but please understand that I will not be afraid of your threats. What I pursue is knowledge and truth, not fighting with you."
Xiang Tiange's eyes widened. He didn't expect Deng Ziqiu to respond like this, which made him very angry. He sneered and said, "Deng Ziqiu, you are such a nerd. Do you think your kindness and patience can help you survive in this chaotic world? You are wrong. This world is cruel. Only the strong can survive."
Deng Ziqiu smiled gently. He did not refute Xiang Tiange's words. He just said lightly: "Maybe, but I believe that even in this chaotic world, there are many beautiful things worth pursuing. And I am willing to work hard for these beautiful things."
Seeing Deng Ziqiu so calm, Xiang Tiange couldn't help but feel a little puzzled, but he was soon replaced by anger. He decided not to argue with Deng Ziqiu anymore and turned to leave the classroom.
In the following days, Xiang Tiange did as he said and began to look for opportunities to provoke Deng Ziqiu. However, Deng Ziqiu remained calm and rational. He was not affected by Xiang Tiange's behavior and continued to study attentively.
Shangguan Zhengming glanced at the students present and said calmly: "Since you understand this principle, there is no need for me to explain the following matters in detail."
Jiang Zhiyu pondered for a moment, and suddenly looked up at Shangguan Zhengming: "Mr. Shangguan, can the students in our Xuan class discuss together and formulate some study rules to promote our common progress?"
Shangguan Zhengming's eyes flashed with approval, and he nodded and said, "This is a good idea. You can give it a try, but remember, once the rules are established, you must strictly abide by them."
Therefore, Jiang Zhiyu, Liu Mengmeng, Xiao Wen, Qi Zimo, Zhang Anjie, Zou Ting, Liao Zhen, Xu Guokun, Hu Jiahong and Kang Yining got together after class and began to discuss and learn the rules.
"I think the first thing we should do is supervise each other. We should check each other's homework every night to make sure everyone has completed the day's learning tasks." Jiang Zhiyu suggested.