The height of summer was always unbearably hot, broken only by occasional torrential downpours.
Though the curtain of rain was troublesome, it was still far better than last year’s drought. That had truly frightened people. This year, rainfall was plentiful, so naturally there was no longer any need to worry about the crops.
Thinking that they had not returned to the village for quite some time, Yuanzhao proposed waiting until Shi Wuxiang and Shi Qingyue had a break so everyone could return together for a visit. To prepare, Yuanzhao even specifically went back ahead of time to clean the house. When the villagers learned they would be staying for two days, everyone became very happy.
Shi Wuxiang was already the most accomplished person in Mingqu County. In Qingluan Village, there was not another like him within ten li in any direction. The villagers all wished desperately to improve relations with their family. Even speaking of it aloud gave people face.
Thus, on the day they returned, the villagers all gathered waiting outside their house.
“Zhao-ge’er, your family hasn’t come back in so long. Are you planning to stay home for a while this time?”
Yuanzhao smiled and shook his head.
“We’re only staying for two days. Otherwise the house will lose all signs of life. Don’t stand outside—come inside and talk.”
There were many people crowded before the gates. Hearing his words, they all filed inside while their mouths continued chattering nonstop.
“Ah Xiang is now the most accomplished person in our village! Truly incredible. Our whole village has gained glory because of you. Lots of people even come sit outside your house hoping to borrow some good fortune for themselves!”
“You’re so successful that the village chief even wanted to build a shrine for you! He said maybe everyone could share in your blessings. But this has to be discussed with you first—you’d have to agree.”
Shi Wuxiang initially only listened in silence, but the moment he heard “build a shrine,” he became somewhat incredulous.
“Build a shrine for me?”
“That’s right!”
“You’re so capable. If we burn incense there regularly, maybe our own families will produce a xiucai too!”
“If my child could pass the examinations, I’d truly be burning high incense!”
“How can you build a shrine for a living person?” Shi Wuxiang was deeply surprised. In his fixed understanding, shrines were built for the dead or spirit mediums. He did not believe he had reached that level.
The aunties also looked somewhat stunned. If things were really done that way, it truly would be improper. Village Chief Niu could not possibly fail to know that, so how had the message gotten twisted like this?
Village Chief Niu hurried over as well. After hearing the full story, he immediately scolded the aunties.
“You all have chicken feathers stuffed in your ears! I said we should build a small village schoolhouse and have Ah Xiang help us plan things out. He’s the village’s most accomplished scholar after all. Just listen to what nonsense you people turned it into!”
So that was the case.
Shi Wuxiang understood that scholars held high status, especially in villages. It was normal for them to want to build a small schoolhouse so children could become familiar with studying early on. Education should begin young. Thus, he did not refuse the request.
The family’s main hall was already spacious and bright, but in an instant it became packed with villagers. Those quick-eyed hurried to find seats, while those unable to sit simply stood nearby chatting. Yet no matter what they discussed, the conversation always circled back to Shi Wuxiang’s family.
One moment they praised Shi Wuxiang, the next they asked Yuanzhao about the sights outside. Then they asked Madam Shi whether she had begun arranging a marriage for Ranran, or reminded Yuanzhao to start keeping an eye out for suitable matches for Yuange’er, and so on.
These repetitive conversations may have been kindly meant, but once marriage arrangements were mentioned, Shi Wuxiang appropriately interrupted with a few reminders. After that, no one dared continue the topic.
By noon, most people in the hall had left. Only Village Chief Niu remained seated, drinking water while anxiously waiting for Shi Wuxiang’s ideas.
“Since you want to build a small schoolhouse, then those with money should contribute money, and those with strength should contribute labor. This kind of thing can only be accomplished if many households work together. Uncle Niu can first ask which families are willing to help. Building the schoolhouse itself is simple, but desks, chairs, books, and teachers all require silver,” Shi Wuxiang explained clearly.
Some families in the village were relatively well-off and naturally willing to contribute money or labor. But they could not endlessly squeeze only a few families for silver, or resentment would easily grow. That was something Village Chief Niu would need to solve himself.
Although a village schoolhouse like this seemed insignificant, it still needed to be reported to the county office. Shi Wuxiang could help with the matter, but if things were mishandled while using his name, then instead of help it would become a burden.
Naturally, he had to make these important points clear.
Village Chief Niu immediately followed his reasoning.
“I’ve thought about this a lot lately too. It’s a good thing that benefits everyone. They wouldn’t refuse. Even if some people truly refuse to contribute anything at all, then their children won’t be allowed to study at the schoolhouse either. As for finding a teacher, I’m afraid I’ll need your help…”
“This small matter is naturally something this junior can assist with. But right now nothing has been completed yet, so discussing these things is still premature. Since Uncle Niu has already made up his mind, it would be better to first rally everyone to build the schoolhouse. Once word spreads, anyone willing to send their children to study can do so. After all, they’ll just be from nearby villages. At that point, tuition can be collected according to the teacher’s requirements.”
Shi Wuxiang was naturally willing to help wherever he could. Though the people of Qingluan Village had initially misunderstood their family somewhat, afterward everyone had gotten along peacefully enough. There was nothing truly worth criticizing.
“Can children of any age come study?” Yuanzhao suddenly asked.
Almost instantly, Shi Wuxiang understood what he meant.
Yuanzhao wanted Yuange’er to study literacy at the schoolhouse as well.
Yuange’er already possessed some basic foundation. Studying under a proper teacher at the schoolhouse would allow learning to become more solid. Even if he never became an official in the future, at least he could grow into someone reasonable and educated.
The question stumped Village Chief Niu.
Originally, he had only been thinking about ordinary village children—kids too young to help much with farm work anyway. Better for them to study than run around getting into accidents. If they could eventually take the examinations, that would be a blessing for both their families and the village.
But whether there should be age restrictions, he had never considered such detailed matters. Thus, he could only look toward Shi Wuxiang.
Shi Wuxiang immediately answered:
“Of course! The village schoolhouse will place no restrictions on age or gender. Even adults who wish to study and learn literacy may attend, so long as they can pay tuition. Teachers will be willing to teach them.”
“What would grown adults study for? Hahaha! Studying together with children—that’d make people laugh themselves to death!” Village Chief Niu laughed with a flushed face, though he himself clearly longed for the opportunity too.
“To help make this happen, our family is willing to contribute some silver. We’ll also provide the beginner texts for literacy instruction,” Shi Wuxiang said. “Only, my family’s two children will have to rely on Uncle Niu’s care while attending the schoolhouse.”
Yuanzhao immediately became so excited his face flushed red. His hand secretly clenched Shi Wuxiang’s sleeve tightly, wrinkling the smooth fabric.
Village Chief Niu instantly nodded.
“If your family’s willing to help, then that’s even better! I’ll gather the villagers to discuss it shortly. As for finding a teacher, I’ll have to trouble you to keep an eye out.”
“As I should.” Shi Wuxiang nodded slightly.
“Good, good! Then I’ll head off right now!”
Village Chief Niu left cheerfully. With the Shi family supporting the matter, it truly became twice as effective with half the effort.
Shi Wuxiang pulled the hand clutching his sleeve into his own palm and held it there gently.
“If Yuange’er studies in the village schoolhouse, then he’ll have to live apart from you. Can you bear it?”
It really was somewhat hard to bear.
“Whose fault is it that the academies in town refuse to accept girls and ge’er?” Yuanzhao looked disappointed. He had secretly inquired already. The moment those academies heard they wanted to admit a ge’er, they waved their hands and refused, claiming it would damage the academy’s reputation!
If an academy truly possessed a good reputation, then how could admitting a girl or ge’er destroy it?
Yuanzhao did not even want to attend such academies anyway, lest they go there only to be bullied.
He knew his thoughts were unreasonable, but when it came to protecting younger siblings, naturally all faults belonged to other people. Other people were the bad ones!
Still, even if they studied at the village schoolhouse, the villagers now feared the Shi family greatly and always acted according to their moods. They definitely would not bully Yuange’er or Ranran. Besides, Village Chief Niu and many of the aunties and uncles would look after them, so naturally nothing would happen.
“Then I’ll stay in the village to take care of them,” Madam Shi said.
Back then, the family had secretly taught Ranran literacy as well. It was only because she did not need to take the examinations that later the family focused their educational efforts on the two sons instead. But that did not mean Madam Shi was unwilling for girls to study.
Now that there was a chance to learn more, naturally it was a wonderful thing.
She continued, “There’s no need to worry about the restaurant in town anymore. You and Ah Yue only come home once a month anyway, and Zhao-ge’er spends his days at the restaurant. Nobody really needs much taking care of. Besides, Xiaomei is still in town looking after Zhao-ge’er.”
This time, Jia Xiaomei had not returned to the village with them. She was thriving at the restaurant now and working very diligently.
Compared to Yuanzhao, Madam Shi naturally worried more about the two younger children. Yuanzhao completely understood that, but…
He was not sure whether Madam Shi truly wanted to stay in the village to care for them, or whether the current circumstances had forced her into remaining behind.
“The villagers can all help look after them. If Mother wants to stay in town, then just continue helping at the restaurant. I can always hire someone else to care for them,” Yuanzhao said.
“If our own family can handle it ourselves, why hire outsiders to help?” Madam Shi said. “Just listen to me. Besides, I quite enjoy taking care of them. Cooking and washing clothes aren’t difficult matters anyway.”
Yuanzhao therefore said nothing more, only quietly glancing toward Shi Wuxiang.
Shi Wuxiang squeezed his fingertips gently and said softly, “Mother knows what she’s doing. Just listen to her. If you have free time, come back often. I’ll return once every month too.”
“Alright then.”
Meanwhile—
Village Chief Niu gathered all the villagers together. Every household sent at least one representative to listen. Only after hearing his explanation did they finally realize the matter of the schoolhouse was truly beginning.
There was nothing better than building a school. Nowadays every household at least had grain stored away. They were no longer so impoverished they had to chew tree bark, so naturally everyone hoped the sons in their families could study and learn literacy. If one of them could eventually pass the examinations and earn an official title, the whole family would finally rise above hardship.
“But how exactly are we building this school? Sure, we can make the desks and chairs ourselves, but there’ll still be times money needs to be spent. If we’re contributing both money and labor, how’s that going to be calculated?”
That question struck directly at everyone’s hearts.
None of them were wealthy families, so naturally they wanted every copper coin accounted for clearly. They could not very well have every household contributing both money and labor, only for the school not to truly belong to them afterward. What kind of arrangement was that?
Others felt the same and immediately began voicing agreement.
Village Chief Niu usually would have exploded at all the noisy arguing by now, but this time his face carried a smile, looking rather confident and composed.
He laughed.
“That’s where the Shi family deserves thanks. The Shi family is willing to help us build the schoolhouse and also help buy some beginner books for the children. As for the villagers, those with money contribute money, and those with strength contribute labor. Every household must genuinely help out. Otherwise, your family’s children won’t be allowed to study at the schoolhouse.”
Almost every household in the village had sons or grandsons. Families with only daughters or ge’er could be counted on one hand. But in their eyes, girls and ge’er were not supposed to study anyway.
So did those households still have to contribute money and labor?
Surely they could not exhaust themselves helping only to gain nothing in return?
Someone thought exactly that and directly asked aloud.
Village Chief Niu considered it briefly before answering, “This is a schoolhouse run by our village. Whether girls or ge’er, if you’re willing to let them study, then once the time comes you can simply pay tuition to the teacher. Anyone wanting to send their children must contribute either money or labor. If you contribute nothing, then don’t let me catch you sending your children there!”
“Let them study then, let them study! They’re a nuisance sitting idle at home anyway. Looking at them all day just makes me want to smack them. Better toss them into the schoolhouse and let the teacher deal with them!” one auntie shouted. “But where are we even getting a teacher from?”
That truly did seem like the most important issue.
After all, they were only villagers. Even if the village chief occasionally visited town for errands, there was no way he would know any actual scholars.
“The Shi family will help us find one,” Village Chief Niu said proudly.
If this schoolhouse could truly be established properly, then the Shi family’s contribution would be immeasurable. They had already solved the hardest parts. If the villagers still dragged their feet afterward, then they would only be causing trouble for themselves.
“That good? Then what’re we still waiting for? Let’s get started! Maybe I don’t have sons this year, but that doesn’t mean I’ll never have sons! Everyone should just do what they’re supposed to do!” another auntie shouted. “I can cook, and my son can build houses!”
“It’s too hot, Village Chief. Let’s go discuss things at your house. We can settle who contributes money and who contributes labor there. Standing around at the village entrance under the sun is killing us, and there’s still work waiting in the fields!”
“So now you know it’s hot, unlike when you were all crowding around trying to visit the Shi family!” Village Chief Niu barked. “Come with me! And let me repeat this one more time: anyone who contributes nothing—don’t even think about letting your children or grandchildren study at our schoolhouse for three generations! Not even relatives are exceptions! Not even if you pay tuition!”
Village Chief Niu laid down harsh words.
There were stubborn and selfish people in the village, but he had always managed the villagers fairly. He neither favored nor acted foolishly, and he knew how to protect everyone’s interests. On this matter especially, he absolutely would not allow anyone to cause trouble.
If the schoolhouse succeeded, even neighboring villages would come study there. Just imagining it sounded glorious, not to mention their village already had a lord-level scholar among them!
Shi Wuxiang did not intend to personally handle every tiny detail for the village. He only needed to help whenever they sought him out. Being overly enthusiastic would instead make people feel no sense of distance from him, causing them to overlook his status.
That was not good.
It would make every difficult step he had taken to reach this point seem like a joke.
Fortunately, Village Chief Niu clearly did not dare casually disturb him either. He could only first arrange all these matters properly before having enough confidence to seek out Shi Wuxiang again. Thus, Shi Wuxiang spent those two rest days rather peacefully.
Mainly because Yuanzhao took such good care of him.
From large matters to tiny details—he was practically one step away from spoon-feeding meals directly into Shi Wuxiang’s mouth.
“Tomorrow morning, go to town early. I’ll take you to the slave broker to buy some servants. Remember to carry yourself with the bearing of a master. Don’t let them think you’re still just some village brat,” Shi Wuxiang reminded softly.
Some people only judged others based on appearance. If the master of the house was too soft-tempered, servants would instead try to control the household.
Yuanzhao nodded repeatedly.