The headmaster explained that assisting in managing the students was akin to a modern teaching assistant's role, mainly observing how regular teachers conduct classes.
Xu Zhen, having no experience in this schooling system, thought it would be beneficial to listen and learn.
Today, with Mr. Zhao out posting advertisements, there was no one to supervise the students, so the headmaster took Xu Zhen to familiarize herself with them.
Although Qinglong Mountain Academy was a private institution and not comparable to the imperial or provincial academies, it still followed strict guidelines, holding three minor exams monthly and sorting students into classes from A to E based on their results.
Xu Zhen was assigned to manage Class E, the lowest-ranked class.
The headmaster said, "We don't have many students here. You'll only be managing about a dozen."
Xu Zhen asked, "What exactly do I need to do?"
The headmaster, puzzled, countered, "Weren't you a teacher before?"
Xu Zhen confidently replied, "I was, but I've never been a teacher who doesn't teach!"
The headmaster, at a loss for words, explained, "You'll oversee them as they study, ensuring they stay focused."
Xu Zhen nodded, "And what else?"
"Also, if they have questions, you're to help clarify them. But can you? Do you know enough to do so? You don't understand classics or astronomy. What can you do?"
What indeed?
The headmaster felt a headache coming on just thinking about it, vowing to scold Mr. Zhao thoroughly upon his return.
They stepped onto the stone tiles and entered the main hall.
The classroom, about half the size of a football field, was flat and unobstructed. At the back were two wooden cabinets and a bookshelf, with a screen on the side depicting colorful maidens.
In front of it, the boys gathered to watch a cricket fight, while the girls chatted amongst themselves.
These students, looking around ten or eleven years old, were about the same height as Little Beggar. They hadn't yet reached their rebellious phase but already seemed difficult to manage.
Seeing this disorderly scene, the headmaster's face darkened, and he cleared his throat loudly.
The group in front of the screen turned to see the headmaster, casually greeted him, then went back to their activities.
Embarrassed, the headmaster told Xu Zhen, "This area is under your care now. You can finish at the Shen hour and find me then."
With those words, he quickly left the classroom, leaving Xu Zhen standing alone.
The room was silent for a moment until someone’s cricket won, and cheers erupted.
Xu Zhen called for class to start, but no one responded. Enjoying the freedom, she fetched a cup of tea and sat at the front to read.
