It also included history, geography, general knowledge, literature…

Fortunately, for Jian Xiu, these subjects were still quite easy.

“Mother, I’ve memorized almost everything you arranged for us. Wait a moment, I’ll recite it for you now.” Zhang Feixuan spoke first.

Then, Zhang Feixuan really began to recite seriously.

“Wait…” Jian Xiu quickly stopped him.

“Mother, what’s wrong?”

“This part—I don’t remember asking you to memorize it. Did you memorize it as well?” Jian Xiu asked in surprise, her eyes widening.

“Yes, when we were at the academy today, I heard a classmate reciting it, so I remembered it. That classmate was very kind; he even carefully taught me once.” Zhang Feixuan answered honestly.

“He only taught you once, and you remembered it?”

“Not exactly. I also read it twice at the academy.”

As Zhang Feixuan said this, he glanced at Zhang Feiyi beside him.

Zhang Feiyi, not understanding, asked, “Mother, what’s wrong?”

At this moment, Zhang Feixuan had not yet realized that he had an extraordinary memory.

Even Jian Xiu had not noticed it.

She had always thought her two sons were smart, but she had never tested just how smart they were.

Seeing Zhang Feixuan’s innocent face, Jian Xiu quickly changed the topic, saying, “Alright, continue!”

“Okay!”

Zhang Feixuan then recited fluently.

After he finished, it was Zhang Feiyi’s turn.

Zhang Feiyi had also memorized a lot, far more than Jian Xiu had expected.

Perhaps because he was younger, he didn’t have the same level of memory as Zhang Feixuan.

However, what he had memorized already exceeded Jian Xiu’s expectations.

She had to admit, these two sons were true prodigies.

Next was Zhang Feimo.

Since he hadn’t officially started school yet, Jian Xiu had only given him some simple arithmetic problems.

She had already taught him how to solve them in the carriage earlier.

Looking at his answers now, he had indeed solved them all correctly.

It had to be said—these three children were incredibly intelligent.

If nurtured properly, they would surely achieve great things in the future.

Thinking of Zhang Tianyi from the eldest branch of the family in the old residence…

The elders were always praising his brilliance at the academy.

But now, in comparison with her own children, he was simply not on the same level.

“Fourth Aunt, did I get this wrong?” Zhang Feimo asked cautiously when Jian Xiu hadn’t spoken for a while.

Hearing this, Jian Xiu snapped out of her thoughts and quickly replied,

“No, no, you did very well. You’re all amazing!”

Indeed, children needed encouragement—this was absolutely true.

As soon as she said this, the three children visibly brightened up with excitement.

They were clearly thrilled.

Seeing that there was still time, Jian Xiu gave them a few more challenging problems to solve.

She wanted to test their limits and see what other surprises they might have in store.

Sure enough, after receiving the problems, it didn’t take long for them to solve them all.

Most importantly, they got every single one right.

Even the time they took was much shorter than she had estimated.

She had to admit, she was very pleased with tonight’s results.

“Mother, did we get them all right?” Zhang Feiyi asked first.

“Yes, you all did perfectly!” Jian Xiu said seriously, looking at her three children with pride.

Upon realizing their talents, she immediately imagined their future.

She saw them standing in the imperial court.

The Dashun Dynasty was currently facing internal and external crises.

Year after year, taxes increased, making life unbearable for the common people.

And yet, even with such burdens, they still couldn’t completely fend off the invasion of the Turkic Tatars.

After decades of war, the imperial court could barely hold the line…

And in war, it was always the common people who suffered the most.

They not only bore heavier taxes, but their lives also fell into deeper hardship.

In recent years, there had been countless cases of families selling their children due to poverty.

And that was just a fraction of the suffering—people living on the borderlands had it even worse.

They not only endured severe physical injuries from the battles…

Some were left disabled, some lost their lives…

Families were torn apart, and many became war victims themselves…

Recalling the news she had heard today from Mo Shanrui, Jian Xiu tightened her grip on the charcoal pen in her hand.

Then, she turned to her three children and said, “Starting tomorrow, you will wake up at dawn, and I will teach you martial arts.”

“Martial arts?” Zhang Feiyi asked with wide eyes.

“Yes. Martial arts can not only strengthen your body but can also help you protect your own lives when necessary.”

“Alright!” the three children answered in unison.

The conversation outside was overheard by Zhang Zixuan and Zhang Zifu inside the house.

Zhang Zifu didn’t think much of it.

But Zhang Zixuan was different—he had always wanted to learn Jian Xiu’s martial arts.

Before, when his legs were injured, he hadn’t brought it up.

Because even if he had, he wouldn’t have been able to practice.

But now, things were different.

He also wanted to learn. With war raging everywhere…

Without martial skills, how could he protect his family?

He wanted to be their shield, so he had to make himself stronger.

While Jian Xiu was teaching the three children, Da Ya and Er Ya were helping Zhang Zifu and Wang Xiuying with washing and peeling bamboo shoots.

There were too many bamboo shoots from before, and they had been busy building the base during the day.

Now was the only time to process them.

Jian Xiu also remembered Shopkeeper Wu’s request to make a wheelchair.

She really didn’t have time to do it herself.

If she remembered correctly, Zhang Zifu had learned woodworking in the county before.

Thinking about it now, having him make the wheelchair seemed like a great idea.

Most importantly, making wheelchairs would earn silver much faster than working as a clerk at Caifangzhai.

As for that job, she planned to let her eldest brother, Jian Ming, take it.

The scarred man from before had paid some silver as compensation, but after clearing their debts, they probably didn’t have much left.

So this job would suit her brother well.

When her brother came to help build the house, she would have to talk to him about it.

With that thought, Jian Xiu turned to Zhang Zifu, who was still busy, and asked:

“Third Brother, you learned woodworking in the county before, right?”

“Yes, why?”

“I need your help with something. Come here, I’ll show you.”