Abstract: The evolution of folk education in ancient China was inextricably linked with advancing pedagogical methods and educational resources. The introduction of folk enlightenment reading materials, serving as pivotal tools for literacy and vocational training, significantly influenced the landscape of popular education. This transformation was characterized by three main developments: an expansion of the educational demographic, a shift from traditional Confucian curricula to practical, life-oriented content, and the integration of common vocational knowledge, laying the groundwork for professional expertise. The textbook “Four Words in Miscellaneous Characters” ( 四言杂字), a
prominent example from the Ming and Qing Dynasties in Huizhou, epitomizes this shift. It reflects the local values of prioritizing agriculture and commerce and the reverence for literacy and culture while documenting essential local practices in marriage, dowry, and medicinal herbs. This text serves as a valuable lens through which to examine the linguistic and cultural norms of the Huizhou region.