Moma Liangshan

Chapter 183 Instant Faith, Boundless Honor

Wang Hao continued, "To better spread knowledge, literacy is the first step!" Li Tong, puzzled, asked, "What is literacy?" Wang Hao explained, "Those who are blind are called blind people, and those who cannot read are called illiterate!" Li Tong couldn't help but laugh, saying, "Young master, your words are indeed sharp, yet very apt!" He then asked, "Young master, how do you think we should promote literacy?" Wang Hao replied, "Whether it's 'blind' or 'literacy,' it's still too profound for ordinary people. I believe we should compile a new 'dictionary' that everyone, young and old, can understand!" Li Tong admired Wang Hao, yet also felt a sense of unease. Li Tong, puzzled, said, "Young master, you should know that simplifying complexity is a task only those with great wisdom can accomplish, and the ancient written language is profound and extensive!" Wang Hao didn't answer immediately, but instead asked, "Have you ever seen the writing system of the Roman Empire in the far west?" Li Tong, unsure why Wang Hao asked this, shook his head and said, "I have never seen it!" Then he inquired, "Perhaps you have, young master?" Wang Hao nodded and said, "I have not only seen it, but I have also learned some of it!" Li Tong said, "Would you be so kind as to allow me to broaden my horizons, young master?" Wang Hao replied, "I have been wishing to share this with you, sir!"

Li Tong immediately realized that Wang Hao was targeting a specific audience, and said, "Please, sir!" Wang Hao turned around, took four sheets of paper from the bookshelf, and handed them to Li Tong, saying, "Please take a look, sir!" Li Tong dared not be negligent, and laid the four sheets of paper flat on the large desk, carefully examining them. However, he was completely bewildered by the dozens of symbols. Wang Hao had no intention of making things difficult for Li Tong, and then said, "These twenty-six letters are the most basic components of Roman letters!" After this explanation, Li Tong seemed to understand, and said, "Forgive my ignorance, sir, please explain!" Wang Hao pointed to the letters on the first sheet of paper and read them one by one: "a, b, c..." Li Tong listened very carefully, and after three repetitions, he could recite them all. However, after a moment, he began to confuse them again, saying, "Sir, you can recite dozens of symbols fluently, I truly admire you!" While praising Wang Hao, he rubbed his forehead! Wang Hao smiled slyly and said, "I also spent a lot of effort to barely memorize it back then, and I even used some tricks!"

Li Tong instantly realized the crux of the problem and said, "Please enlighten me again, young master!" Wang Hao picked up his pen and wrote "ah" under "a," "bo" under "b," and "tsk" under "c." Upon seeing this, Li Tong exclaimed, "Wonderful! Wonderful! Wonderful!" Li Tong always studied new things diligently, but it wasn't until after the fourth sheet of paper that he realized the ingenious use of these letters. Although Li Tong was incredibly excited, he didn't dare interrupt Wang Hao's explanation at all. To prevent Wang Hao from stopping halfway through writing, he even rolled up his sleeves and personally ground ink beside him. Feng Gu watched silently, increasingly feeling that the two men were like long-time confidants.

If a future elementary school Chinese teacher were present at this moment, it wouldn't be hard to see that what Wang Hao wrote on the blank paper was remarkably similar to the Chinese phonetic alphabet. An hour later, Wang Hao finally finished annotating all the letters. Li Tong, overjoyed, carefully dried his brush and ink, and requested, "Young master, could I borrow these four sheets of paper for three days to study?" Wang Hao smiled and said, "If you like them, sir, I'll give them to you!" Li Tong solemnly said, "I've just arrived in Jiaozhou and have yet to achieve anything; how can I accept such a generous gift?" Wang Hao's ambition lay elsewhere. He said, "With these Roman letters and seven hundred simplified characters, would you be willing to compile a new dictionary for the people of the world?" Li Tong then... Wang Hao carefully accepted the pinyin alphabet and seven hundred simplified Chinese characters he had presented, and slowly said, "Young master, you care deeply for the people of the world. We scholars should do our utmost to help you. However, there is a couple whose knowledge of writing surpasses even mine!" Wang Hao instantly understood and said, "You mean Mr. and Mrs. Zhao Mingcheng?" Li Tong nodded and replied, "Exactly!" The book co-authored by Zhao Mingcheng and Li Qingzhao included inscriptions on bronze vessels and stone tablets from the ancient Three Dynasties to the Sui, Tang, and Five Dynasties periods. It is one of the earliest catalogs and research monographs on epigraphy in China. Li Tong's recommendation of Zhao Mingcheng and Li Qingzhao to Wang Hao for their participation in the compilation of the "dictionary" was quite appropriate.

Although Wang Hao and Zhao Mingcheng had attended Cui Zhigong's banquet together in Qingzhou, they weren't particularly close. Wang Hao said, "Inviting Mr. and Mrs. Zhao Mingcheng to participate in compiling the new dictionary will probably require your personal assistance, sir!" Li Tong smiled and said, "Young master, please don't worry. Brother Mingcheng's interest in this matter far surpasses mine!" Wang Hao was in high spirits and summoned the officer on duty, instructing, "Provide Mr. Yanping with a four-wheeled carriage, ready to be used at any time!" Li Tong quickly declined, saying, "Absolutely not! I've seen the four-wheeled carriages in Jiaozhou once; they are spacious and large, far beyond my capabilities!" Wang Hao shook his head, saying firmly, "If even you, sir, are not qualified to ride in one, how can I possibly have the face to ride in one?" Having said this, Li Tong had no choice but to say, "I will respectfully accept your offer!"

Things unfolded far beyond Feng Gu's expectations. Wang Hao not only treated Li Tong with great courtesy, but the two also finalized two important matters upon their first meeting. If the construction of Yanping Road would only benefit millions of people in Jiaodong, then the compilation of the new dictionary would influence future generations for centuries to come. If someone else had had such an opportunity, Feng Gu might not have grasped it so deeply, but this person happened to be his old classmate and friend, which made Feng Gu somewhat regretful!

Two days later, Li Tong went to Laizhou to visit Zhao Mingcheng and his wife, while Li Tong went to Qingzhou Anfu Division. Since they had traveled the same route for the first half of the journey, they traveled together. As Feng Gu sat in the four-wheeled carriage assigned to Li Tong, he said sourly, "The magistrate is truly treating Brother Yanping with the utmost kindness!" Li Tong replied, "Young Master Wang's sincerity overwhelms me, and his wisdom leaves me utterly impressed! Before arriving in Jiaozhou, I had many doubts about him, even suspecting him to be a scheming opportunist! But our first meeting made me realize that he possesses great wisdom and lofty ideals, and his rise will undoubtedly bring greater benefits to the people!" Feng Gu was surprised and said, "Brother Yanping, do you perhaps wish to become the magistrate's advisor?" Li Tong did not shy away from the question, saying, "What's wrong with working tirelessly for Young Master Wang as long as it benefits the people?" Feng Gu was puzzled and even felt a deep pity for Li Tong, saying, "Brother Yanping, are you just going to give up the reputation you've built up over ten years?" Li Tong retorted, "Do you perhaps think I'm just a selfish scoundrel who cherishes his reputation?"