Chapter 158: Renting Land? Building a School
The next day, Shen Xiangwan did not sleep in, which was a rare occurrence. He appeared in the main hall at noon. Wei Chengyi and others who were having dinner were a little surprised. Without their instructions, Wu Shuiyu cleverly went to the kitchen to get her bowls and chopsticks. After the family finished breakfast, Wei Chengyi took Yuan Xiu out, while Zhao Yuping and others gathered in the main hall to make clothes for everyone.

"It's hot outside, where are you going?"

Seeing Shen Xiangwan was about to go out, Zhao Yuping asked in confusion.

"I'm going to talk to the village chief about something."

After giving a brief explanation, Shen Xiangwan went out with Yuan Shu, who was specially left for her by Wei Chengyi. The medical children she bought still needed to be placed, but before teaching them medical skills, they had to be taught to read first. After discussing with Wei Chengyi last night, they decided to build a school in the village. She didn't ask to teach many great students, but hoped that all the children in the village would be able to read and write in the future.

After several days of harvesting, the millet in the field was almost harvested. Zhao Dashan did not go to the field today. When Shen Xiangwan found him, he was drying the millet at home.

"How can it still be like this?"

Looking at the booklet that Shen Xiangwan handed to him, Zhao Dashan couldn't help but marvel at it. He didn't expect that there were so many ways to make money.

"I suggest you focus on composting, after all, feces is the easiest to obtain. In addition, if you plan to grow a second crop of grain or vegetables, you can first choose to collect humus soil and mix it into the ground."

Sitting with him under the eaves in front of the main hall without any ceremony, Shen Xiangwan offered suggestions sincerely. She was also a resident of Yong'an Village, so naturally she hoped that their lives would get better and better.

"Ugh."

Unexpectedly, Zhao Dashan sighed deeply, and said helplessly to Shen Xiangwan's puzzled eyes: "I know that you can come up with so many fertile lands, and there must be a certain basis. I also believe that your method will definitely work, but the villagers have long been afraid of poverty, and I guess they don't dare to try it at all."

Unless they see with their own eyes the feasibility of growing a second crop of grain, no one would dare to try it. What if the land fails to produce grain next year? How will they bear the heavy taxes and levies?

"It depends on whether you dare to take the gamble. If you win, you will harvest an extra crop and you don't have to pay any taxes. If you lose, you may have to bear the risk of reduced grain production next year."

Although Shen Xiangwan knew very well that her method was indeed feasible, she had no way to prove it at present. It was up to the villagers whether they were willing to try it or not.

"I will try my best to persuade everyone to give it a try. If it doesn't work, I will try it myself this year. When everyone sees the results, they will probably plant a second crop of food with me next year."

Gritting his teeth, Zhao Dashan said helplessly that he didn't know why he trusted the girl in front of him so much, but his intuition told him that maybe she could really change their poverty and make them gradually rich.

"That's it!"

Hearing this, Shen Xiangwan hesitated for a moment before saying, "Uncle Zhao, how about this? You go ask the villagers if anyone is willing to rent the land to me for a few months, until the New Year. I will give them two taels of silver for one mu of land, and I will also pay them 30 wen per day for each able-bodied laborer, and ask them to help me cultivate the land."

"Two taels of silver?"

And helping her get thirty cents per person per day?
Zhao Dashan couldn't help but exclaim. Don't blame him for being surprised. For sandy land like the one in their village, the price is at most ten taels of silver per mu, and there are people who sell it for seven or eight taels. She only rented it for half a year and got two taels of silver per mu, which was almost the same as giving away silver. Moreover, the strong laborers in the village went out to do odd jobs for others, working very hard, and could only earn twenty cents a day at most. Most of them could only earn fifteen or sixteen cents. Thirty cents was a high price that they could not even imagine.

"You're at a disadvantage."

After being shocked, Zhao Dashan hurriedly asked, how could they take advantage of her so much? That was too heartless.

"I'm not someone who will suffer a loss, Uncle Zhao, don't worry, since I dare to give so much money, I must be sure that I can make it back from those fields."

Hearing this, Shen Xiangwan couldn't help but laugh. She wasn't kidding him. The value that the land could create in her hands was completely different from that in the hands of the villagers. As long as she wanted, she could earn ten times, or even a hundred times the money. "Really?"

Zhao Dashan still couldn't quite believe it. How much could the harvest from the land be worth?

"Of course it's true. I wouldn't joke with my own money."

Shen Xiangwan nodded with a smile, and spoke with such certainty that it was hard not to be convinced.

"Okay, then I'll gather the villagers to discuss it later and get back to you tomorrow."

After looking at her deeply for a while, Zhao Dashan finally made a decision. He really hoped that everyone could get rid of poverty and live a better life.

"it is good."

This matter was almost settled. Shen Xiangwan was silent for a moment and then continued, "Uncle Zhao, I actually came here today for another matter. I want to build a school in the village. On the one hand, I have a group of people who need to learn to read and write. On the other hand, I also want to do something for the village. After the school is built, let the children in the village go to school for free."

"really?!"

Zhao Dashan jumped up excitedly. Was she really going to build a school in the village and let the children in the village learn to read and write for free? You know, for poor people like them, reading and writing is undoubtedly a luxury. Normally, they dare not even think about it. She is actually willing to spend money and effort to help them. Is she the reincarnation of a bodhisattva?

"Of course it's true."

Nodding in response to his excited gaze, Shen Xiangwan further said, "However, the school I run does not follow the path of the imperial examination. If there are children in the village who are particularly outstanding in academics in the future, you may need to send them to the county town to study. I can't teach them here. I hope Uncle Zhao can understand this and make it clear to the villagers in advance."

Her original intention was to make as many children in the village as possible literate, not to train them to be scholars or high-ranking officials. These things must be made clear in advance to avoid any conflicts in the future. If possible, she did not want to use her own methods on the villagers.

"Of course. You have done your best by helping everyone learn to read. How can we rely on you for everything?"

After calming down a bit, Zhao Dashan sat down and said in agreement that for them, being able to read and write was a great luxury, so how could they dare to hope for fame and fortune?

"Okay, then the school matter is settled. I'll go back and make the arrangements first."

Shen Xiangwan stood up, and Zhao Dashan quickly followed suit: "Can I tell the villagers about the school?"

"Sure, it's not something that can be seen in public."

"That's good."

The two of them walked out of the yard while talking, Yuan Shu followed closely behind them. To be honest, he did not expect that his wife would be so righteous. How should I put it? He was a little impressed by his wife's courage. If he was ordered to protect her before today, now he was willing to be at her command.

【End of this chapter】

There will be more later, please vote!!!