The Lucky Farmgirl

Mr. Zhuang set down the textbook and said to Bai Shanbao and Manbao, "Organize the content we just covered into a booklet, ponder over it carefully, and if there are questions you cannot resolve, discuss them amongst yourselves first. If you still can’t find the answers, then come to ask me."

The two of them complied.

Mr. Zhuang then walked to Bai Erlang’s side and watched him do his homework. After a while, he nodded slightly before walking with his hands behind his back to the back rows of the classroom.

A few young boys were sitting there; they had all studied with him before and had just left school before the New Year.

Mr. Zhuang approached them with a smile and asked, "Any questions?"

The boys stood up to greet him and said with blushing faces, "Teacher, could you teach us some more about keeping accounts? We... we’re about to go to the county to find work."

Even though they had been attentive in class before, now they deeply regretted not having been more focused.

Mr. Zhuang smiled, "You few have learned your arithmetic quite well. It’s not so difficult, but being good at accounting requires more than just book knowledge. When you get to the county, you should observe and listen more and talk less, and see how the old accountants do their work."

Mr. Zhuang said, "Be diligent, learn their strengths, and you will eventually master their skills."

Mr. Zhuang took their abacus beads and positioned them one by one, saying, "First show me how you calculate with the beads. As long as you’re able to do this well, there should be no problems."

After all, a beginner accountant could only calculate with the beads or copy account books.