He walked towards the podium and placed the microphone into the microphone holder. Then he observed the packed audience and smiled a little. He did not suffer from stage fright and spoke with composure, “Sorry for the delay. Because of a tiny situation, today’s lesson has been changed into a public lecture. As the first time speaking as a lecturer on stage, I am actually feeling very nervous.”
The students went, “Hahaha!”
Zhang Ye said in confusion, “But this is not the joke?”
The students went again, “HAHAHAHA!” They laughed even louder this time.
Zhang Ye was speechless. He was truly very speechless. “Alright then, you guys really have a low laughing point.”
This was a habitual reaction. Many in the audience had watched “Zhang Ye’s Talk Show” before and were accustomed to funny thoughts whenever they saw Zhang Ye speaking.
A proper class had become a Talk Show. Zhang Ye hurriedly withheld himself. Today, he was not standing there as a host, but as a lecturer. “I previously told my students that my classes aren’t too particular. Anyone can ask me questions or talk about their own opinions and theories. The more debate there is, the better. Of course, that is limited to my students. As for others, regardless of reason, please do not interrupt my class. Thank you for your cooperation. These are the ground rules I am setting for my lecture.” These words were clearly meant for the reporters.
“Then….” Zhang Ye looked over to the dozen odd Peking University students, who were still standing, “Can our reporter comrades over there please let our students have their seats?”
The reporters were stunned.
“Ah?”
“Give up our seats?”
Holy sh*t! He’s chasing us off immediately after getting on stage!
Zhang Ye said in a matter-of-fact manner, “There are not enough seats, but we can’t possibly ask our students, who are here to listen to the lecture, to remain standing, right? This is a school, so we have to put the students at the forefront. Thank you.” You could offend anyone, but a reporter. These words were very popular within the entertainment industry, but Zhang Ye did not possess any such concept. He was now a teacher and the students were an utmost priority.
Chang Kaige nodded slightly. The other Peking University professors thought the same.
But some of the reporters did not move. They felt that Zhang Ye was being too hard on them.
An old reporter looked over to the students at the side and stood up saying, “Child, come and seat here.”
“Teacher Zhang is correct, come on.” A female reporter also stood up and gave her seat to the students.
More than ten Peking University students felt warmth rush up into their hearts. After exchanging some pleasantries, they also sat down, while more than ten reporters stood by the aisles.
Zhang Ye nodded and said, “Thanks. May I get the staff to move a few chairs for the reporters? Hur Hur. It’s best if everyone has a seat.” After saying this, he noticed the atmosphere a little tense, hence Zhang Ye chuckled and said, “Actually, I was hinting that someone should bring me a chair. Alright, treat it as if I didn’t say anything. I guess that wouldn’t be allowed either.”
“Hur Hur Hur Hur…” Everyone laughed.
How would it be allowed!? How many teachers have you seen sitting while lecturing!?
Zhang Ye had a perfect grasp of humor. This was not a Talk Show, and neither was it a television program, so he naturally could not use humorous joke segments. However, being too serious was also not Zhang Ye’s style. To combine education with entertainment, he had to lessen his humor, without emphasizing too deeply on it. It was all within a reasonable range.
After all these arrangements were done, the auditorium turned quiet. Everyone was waiting to listen to the class properly. The first question on their minds was of course the topic Zhang Ye was teaching.
Was he going to rest on his laurels and teach the ‘Romance of the Three Kingdoms’?
Or was he going to attempt at ‘Water Margin’ or ‘Journey to the West’?
Even President Wu Zeqing, who was sitting below, was very curious.
Following that, Zhang Ye held the podium and looked at everywhere. “Alright then, today’s class for ‘Appreciation of the Classics’ shall officially begin. When we talk about the classics, it is actually a very broad spectrum. However, I want to know what everyone’s first impression of this course is? Can someone tell me?”
A few people raised their hands.
Zhang Ye chose a person he knew.
Senior Zhou stood up and said loudly. “In my impression, this course is all about ‘Romance of the Three Kingdoms’,’Water Margin’ and ‘Journey to the West’. It will allow us to have a deeper understanding of these classic texts, allowing us to examine the wisdom of the ancients, so as to be able to apply what we learn.”
“Alright, please take a seat.” Zhang Ye lowered his hand before carrying on. “Many people probably have similar thoughts. ‘Romance of the Thre