Mr. Zhuang turned around to return to the study, and Bai Shan immediately picked up the book basket and followed, with Manbao and Bai Erlang also standing up to straighten their clothes before following.
Mr. Zhuang took up a pen and wrote a full book list for Bai Erlang, then turned his head and looked at Manbao and Bai Shanbao, saying, "I might as well make a book list for you two as well."
Lest they be like two little mice fallen into a rice barrel, not knowing good from bad, eating whatever rice they come upon.
Having said that, Mr. Zhuang proceeded to write out a book list for each of them, with most of the books being the same on both lists except for a few differences.
He said, "There are some books for the imperial examination, which Manbao you do not need to read; and on Manbao's list, there are some books that you, Shanbao, also do not need to read. It's no use biting off more than one can chew. Books should be read in detail. Don't just skim through them hastily."
