Chapter 214: The School and the Yan Family

After two days of not taking care of outside affairs, Wei Chengyi became busy again. Also busy were Qingying and Yan Lang, father and son. They had to gather and control the newly acquired army, take over the power of Datong County as soon as possible, and plan the entire Chenzhou. They were so busy that they had almost no time to take care of other things, and left all the affairs at home to Shen Xiangwan and Mu Yunran.

"Uncle Zhao, are you home?"

Outside the Zhao family's house, Shen Xiangwan raised her voice to ask while tentatively pushing open the half-closed courtyard door. She came to Zhao Dashan today specifically because she needed to tell him about the school and the Yan family.

"It's Wanwan, come in quickly."

Seeing her, Aunt Li, who was sitting under the eaves cutting pig grass, stood up quickly. They didn't cut grass when feeding pigs before, but Shen Xiangwan told them that before the piglets grow up, feeding them some cooked pig grass would help their growth and reduce diseases. So now after they get the pig grass back, they will cut it into small pieces before cooking it. They serve the piglets as if they were their ancestors, hoping to make a fortune from them at the end of the year.

"Aunt Li, is Uncle Zhao home?"

Shen Xiangwan didn't bother to be polite with her. After entering the yard, she asked with a smile on her face. Logically speaking, exiled commoners like them, who became the only rich family in the village, would generally be hated. However, the Wei family was just the opposite. In addition to the fact that they hired villagers at high prices and created income for them, there was also the factor of Shen Xiangwan. She never put on airs like a lady and could get along with anyone. Many women in the village liked her very much.

"He went to the fields to watch you grow those crops."

Inviting them to sit down in the main room, Aunt Li poured them a bowl of cold boiled water while speaking.

"Things on the farm are really thanks to Uncle Zhao."

Hearing this, Shen Xiangwan's smile brightened a little more. After finishing her business, she pointed at Mu Yunran next to her and said, "Aunt Li, her name is Mu Yunran. She is the new daughter-in-law of the Yan family and also my friend. Aunt Li, please take care of her in the future."

"Look at what you said. What's the point of taking care of us? Once you come to our village, you are one of us. Why do you need to be so polite?"

Looking at Mu Yunran, Aunt Li smiled brightly.

"Aunt Li, my name is Mu Yunran, you can just call me Yunran."

Mu Yunran said readily, anyone with eyes could see that Aunt Li was so enthusiastic because of Wanwan, she couldn't help but admire her from the bottom of her heart, it was only a short time and Wanwan had such a good relationship with the village chief's wife.

"Hey, then I will call you Yunran from now on."

Aunt Li didn't bother to be polite with her and agreed with a smile, and the two of them officially got to know each other.

"Wanwan, why are you here?"

The women were talking excitedly when Zhao Dashan's voice suddenly rang out, and in a moment he strode into the main room.

"Uncle Zhao, you must be tired. Drink some water and take a rest."

Shen Xiangwan took the initiative and handed the cold boiled water in front of him that he had not yet drunk to him.

"Don't mention it, I'm really thirsty."

Taking the cold boiled water, Zhao Dashan tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp. The weather was hot now, and even though it was still early in the morning, after walking around in the fields, he was soaked all over.

"Thank you for your hard work, Uncle Zhao." Shen Xiangwan said sincerely after he sat down opposite her. You know, she didn't pay him for taking care of the fields, but he was always thinking about her, which made people admire him.

Waving his hands, Zhao Dashan said nonchalantly: "What's the hard work? I have to thank you for hiring people from the village to do the work. By the way, Wanwan, I see that the school has been completed. When can we let the children go in to study?"

Speaking of this, Zhao Dashan became more serious. This was a big event in the village. Many villagers were asking about it. For people like them, learning to read and write was undoubtedly harder than climbing to heaven. It was a rare opportunity. Who wouldn't want to have a scholar in the family? Even if the child was not good at studying, if he learned to read and write, he could go to the county town to find a stable and respectable job in the future, right?
"That's what I wanted to tell you."

Shen Xiangwan paused for a moment before continuing, "I plan to officially open the school next month. At that time, all children in the village, regardless of gender, will be able to attend the school for free. As for the others, I plan to hand them over to Wei Jingyi and Wei Jinghan. They were both Jinshi and served as officials for many years. They are both good people and have good academic knowledge. They are more than capable of teaching the children."

Everything in the school was ready. They were just waiting for Yuan Xiu to make glass tiles and glass windows, and for Zhou Changqing to tinker with movable type printing to help them print the first batch of books. Of course, pens and ink also needed to be purchased in large quantities. She had already given Wei Jingyi and the others two hundred taels of silver and asked them to be responsible for the purchase.

"That's fine, that's fine."

Seeing that she had already made arrangements, Zhao Dashan quietly breathed a sigh of relief, and then said, "Wanwan, what about the children from the neighboring villages? To be honest, the head of several villages near us came to me a few days ago. He was also asking about the school, asking if we would accept children from other villages and how to calculate the tuition. Although you once said that we could accept children from the villages that lent us oxen, you didn't go into too much detail, so I dare not say anything about the specifics. Even if you didn't come today, I was going to ask you."

Their village has become famous because of pig farming, and now the news of setting up a school has spread, and many people are paying attention to it.

"I will definitely keep my word."

Shen Xiangwan smiled slightly, "Go and tell the head of the village that children from the nearby villages can come to study here, but they must be over five and under ten years old. I only charge them twenty coins a month for writing materials, and they have to pay for the textbooks they need for study. However, you can tell them not to worry, our textbooks are not handwritten like those outside, and the price is very cheap, no more than fifty coins at most."

No one would cherish completely free things or opportunities. She only collected a symbolic amount of money, which would not put too much burden on them and could also serve as a warning to others to prevent them from taking advantage of her. As for the age requirement for schoolchildren, it was to prevent some people from cramming completely young and ignorant children in to act as free babysitters.

"Okay, I'll go talk to the headman later."

Zhao Dashan did not interfere with her decision too much. It was good enough that she could take care of their village.

"I'll have to trouble Uncle Zhao with this matter."

Nodding, Shen Xiangwan introduced Mu Yunran to him: "Uncle Zhao, the Yan family just settled in our village two days ago. Their patriarch Yan Lang was once the military advisor of the Eastern Border Army. Later, he was transferred to Pengzhou as the prefect. If he hadn't been framed by corrupt officials, he wouldn't have been exiled to Chenzhou. They have a long history with us and their character is absolutely trustworthy. I'll have to trouble Uncle Zhao to take care of them in the future."

This was also one of the reasons why she came to see him today. Since the Yan family’s household registration had been moved to the village, it was only right to say hello to the village chief.

"These damn corrupt officials should have their heads chopped off one by one."

Zhao Dashan couldn't help cursing, sweeping away his previous casual attitude. People like them hated corrupt officials the most.

"Uncle Zhao, calm down. Corrupt officials will not have a good ending."

Seeing this, Shen Xiangwan and Mu Yunran smiled at each other and quickly spoke to comfort them.

"Ugh···"

Looking at them separately, Zhao Dashan sighed helplessly. They did hate corrupt officials, but so what? Aren't they living well? On the contrary, the real good officials and the people like them were either framed or living in dire straits. This world is so unfair!
【End of this chapter】

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