Chapter 335 - This Semester’s Last Class! (2/2)

“It’s over?”

“I haven’t heard enough!”

“That’s right, it’s so exciting!”

“Teacher Zhang, you sure are well-learned!”

“Are you going to hold cla.s.ses as usual next semester? Teacher, you won’t be leaving, right? I’m waiting to register for ‘Appreciation of the Cla.s.sics’ next semester!”

Most elective cla.s.ses were only held for one semester a year.

Zhang Ye was very pleased upon hearing that. He said, “Thanks to the trust of the school’s leaders, I will carry on serving as lecturer of this elective cla.s.s next semester. This cla.s.s will be held as usual.”

Senior Zhou exclaimed, “You should continue writing ‘Dream of the Red Chamber’!”

Senior Song also immediately said, “Teacher Zhang, have you considered continuing ‘Dream of the Red Chamber’? The plot you described is really much better than the last 40 chapters of the circulated 120 chapters!”

Yao Mi giggled and said, “That’s right Teacher Zhang. Write it, we all support you!”

Zhang Ye knew what he was worth. He quickly shook his hands and said, “I won’t be able to write it. I don’t dare to blaspheme the cla.s.sics, and indeed lack the ability. This is the truth. Hur Hur. I can only a.n.a.lyze and theorize. If you really wanted me to write, that would be a joke. I won’t be able to do a better job than the continuer who did the last 40 chapters. The text in it isn’t something anyone can emulate. This is also why I’m very amazed at Gao E or the anonymous person. Maybe he did not write in accordance with Cao Xueqin’s original intentions, and there were problems with the plot and character. No one can deny his amazing accomplishments in the field of literature and his writing. He also made great contributions by spreading ‘Dream of the Red Chamber’.”

Everyone was still engaging in discussions.

Zhang Ye lowered his hand, gesturing for them to quieten down. “With the course over, then I will need to talk about the elective cla.s.s’ exam. There are many characters in ‘Dream of the Red Chamber’. Some characters are more familiar to others, and there are others who no one pays attention to. However, each character is important. So for the a.s.sessment, other than everyone’s attendance, everyone is to write an a.n.a.lysis of a ‘Dream of the Red Chamber’ character. Just one will do. Note, do not just copy from the internet, but one which you a.n.a.lyze and understand yourself. It is a.s.signed today, but as the cla.s.s’ schedule is tight, and it’s almost the holidays, the deadline is tomorrow at noon by the latest.”

“Ah?”

“We are given half a day?”

“The time is too tight for us to finish it.”

The students from Zhang Ye’s elective cla.s.s complained.

Zhang Ye smiled and said, “Actually, the time isn’t tight. Students who diligently listened to all my cla.s.ses will not find this difficult. I have basically expounded all the characters in the story. If everyone doesn’t like that, we can have an oral exam tomorrow?”

“No, no, no!”

“Not an oral exam!”

“Man, I’ll do the a.s.signment!”

The students could only helplessly accept it. There was no other way. Oral exams were not easy. There was no way to copy or prepare either. They had to express themselves on the spot. The uncertainty was too great and the most crucially, who would dare have an oral exchange with Teacher Zhang Ye?! Who had not witnessed the eloquence of their new teacher? Even if Zhang Ye showed them mercy by not asking things that were too difficult, they would not be able to do well. Didn’t you see the leading experts and teachers from the literary world dumbfounded by Teacher Zhang Ye!? Having an oral exam with Teacher Zhang Ye was plainly seeking death!

Chang Kaige, who was sitting below, chuckled.

Professor Zeng and Su Na were also smiling.

Zhang Ye gave a terse acknowledgment. He was now the teacher, so he was free to set the exam content by the Chinese department. This was quite a nice feeling. “Then it’s decided. Everyone, go back and do the examination a.s.signment. Tomorrow, hand it to cla.s.s monitor, Little Song. I will grade each and everyone of them. The credit grades will be released together with the other cla.s.ses. Alright, cla.s.s dismissed. It’s been hard work for all of you this semester. I’m very honored to have been your lecturer, teaching you new knowledge. I’m limited in my knowledge and have quite a bad reputation. I would like to thank President Wu and the Chinese department’s leaders for their trust…”

Zhang Ye was very happy in these days in Peking University. He enjoyed spending his days with the students in some inexplicable way and liked them a lot. Hence, Zhang Ye was also very touched during this last cla.s.s of the semester. He could not help but say a few more words. He looked towards the students and said, “Thank you for supporting and affirming a new teacher like me. I have nothing to return to you, but if you do not mind, I will teach everything I know to everyone in the future!”

A round of applause echoed!

The students all stood up!

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