Chapter 220: Chapter 220: Involution (Part 2)
What County Magistrate Cui did was more than just build granaries.
County Magistrate Cui casually led the way, "coincidentally" passing by a school building. From inside came the clear sound of young children’s reading aloud.
Jiang Shaohua glanced over and exclaimed, stopping in her tracks: "Is this not a private school?"
A black plaque hung at the entrance of the school, with the words "Ye County Academy" written on it. The writing was elegant and clearly the handiwork of County Magistrate Cui.
If it were a private school, it would never dare to hang such a plaque.
As expected, County Magistrate Cui replied calmly, "Back to the Commandery Princess, this is an academy built by the Ye County government. The county government provides the silver, hiring five scholars as teachers. Any child over six from Ye County can come to study, continuing until the age of fifteen."
"The academy does not charge tuition fees and even provides the children with a midday meal."
"Moreover, not only boys can come to study, but girls can also enter the academy."
This last point was the key.
While speaking pretentiously, County Magistrate Cui covertly observed the expression on the Commandery Princess’s face. Seeing her relaxed expression, County Magistrate Cui’s heart finally settled.
"County Magistrate Cui is considerate." Jiang Shaohua’s eyes were full of approval, her voice exceedingly gentle: "Ye County is prosperous, leading Nanyang County. Now, with the county government establishing an academy for children to have access to education, it sets an example for all county governments in Nanyang County."
Praised by the Commandery Princess, County Magistrate Cui felt like drinking a cup of warm, sweet honey water: "What I have done is merely my duty and does not deserve such compliments from the Commandery Princess."
"Why wouldn’t it deserve?" Jiang Shaohua laughed: "With your dedicated effort, I am very pleased."
After a short pause, she added: "Are there any girls attending the academy?"
County Magistrate Cui was somewhat regretful: "There are only a few; many boys of various ages have come, totaling more than forty. The boys are divided into five classes, while the girls can barely form one class."
Such is the way of the world. Women are expected to stay at home, out of public view, and such endeavors as studying are regarded as rights belonging to men.
Ye County is already a rich county, where women raise silkworms and weave silk to earn silver and support their families, enjoying a higher status than in other places. Yet, there are still very few willing to send their daughters to school to learn.
Chen Jinyu, hearing this, felt uncomfortable and couldn’t help but interject: "Is it that the people are worried that the teachers are men and thus reluctant to let their daughters attend school?"
"That’s not the case." County Magistrate Cui sighed: "The one teaching the girls is my wife, Mrs. Li. Additionally, a wall was specifically built in the school to separate the boys’ and girls’ areas. They also use different doors for entry and exit, completely separate from each other."
"To ensure the children’s safety, I have assigned government officials on shifts, with two officials guarding the school every day, to prevent any troublemakers from intruding."
"I even personally wrote an announcement to be read out, letting people know that the school accepts girls. However, the number of girls attending is still very small."
Jiang Shaohua responded indifferently: "Prejudice in people’s minds is like a mountain, difficult to overcome. County Magistrate Cui has already done very well. Regardless of how many girls come to the school, it’s a good start."
Blushing at the praise, County Magistrate Cui said: "Thank you, Commandery Princess, for the generous praise."
Inwardly, however, he was quietly encouraged.
The heartfelt talks at the Prince Mansion and with County Magistrate Cai had completely opened up County Magistrate Cui’s governor and conception vessels. After returning to Ye County, he immediately began working on building granaries and schools. Especially for the Ye County Academy, he put in considerable effort.
Regrettably, the people were short-sighted, unwilling to send their daughters to read even when it’s free. Most believe that education for girls is useless and prefer to keep them at home.
Girls aged six or seven can already do some simple chores, learn to pick mulberry leaves, and feed silkworms. As they grow older, they can learn to reel silk and weave, earning silver themselves.
These facts didn’t need County Magistrate Cui to elaborate, as Jiang Shaohua was well aware.
"Commandery Princess, shall we take a look inside the academy?" Lu Cong, skilled in observing and seizing the right moment, proposed: "I’ve never seen an academy for girls; today could be enlightening."
Jiang Shaohua nodded with a smile.
County Magistrate Cui, eager for the Commandery Princess to have a close look, led the way ahead.
Jiang Shaohua first visited the boys’ academy.
"The boys studying here range from the youngest at six to the oldest at thirteen," County Magistrate Cui, familiar with the academy he built single-handedly, explained confidently, "I’ve divided them into five classes by age; the younger ones learn slowly, but thoroughly. Those over twelve focus mainly on literacy."
Lu Sheren skillfully joined the conversation again: "What County Magistrate Cui has done is very appropriate. Children aged six or seven can be taught gradually, preparing them for the path of Imperial Examinations. Boys aged twelve or thirteen are a bit late for scholarly pursuits, but they can still spend two or three years learning to read, which will help them find good jobs later."
County Magistrate Cui laughed: "That’s precisely my plan. Lu Sheren, with your exceptional knowledge, having been a second list pass scholar in the past, your insights are invaluable. I must ask Lu Sheren for more guidance."
Lu Cong modestly laughed: "These are things of the past and not worth mentioning. County Magistrate Cui is the truly accomplished youth, with methodical plans and measured actions, far exceeding my capabilities."
The Qinghe Cui Family and the Fan Yang Lu Family are both noble families of Da Liang. Lu Cong was famous in his youth and County Magistrate Cui had long heard of him.
Moreover, both were scholarly talents who entered officialdom through the Imperial Examination, having much in common. They quickly warmed up to each other in conversation.
Chen Jinyu and Ma Yaosong exchanged a silent look.
Lu Cong, this old fellow, is a skilled socializer! Perfect, he shall henceforth handle the Commandery Princess’s social engagements.
Jiang Shaohua didn’t listen to Lu Cong and County Magistrate Cui’s mutual compliments. After entering the academy, she carefully looked around. The academy was very spacious, with floors cleaned spotlessly. There was a dedicated dining hall for lunch and an open area for the children to play and frolic.
The teachers currently teaching the children knew of the Commandery Princess’s visit and did their utmost. The children’s reading aloud was in unison and loud.
Jiang Shaohua smiled slightly and moved to the girls’ academy.
On this side, the specifications were the same. Unfortunately, there were too few people—the academy was empty, using only one room. There were five girls sparsely seated, appearing to be only six or seven years old. The oldest didn’t exceed nine.
"Older girls are already able to work and earn silver, so their families are surely reluctant to send them to study," Chen Jinyu sighed softly in Jiang Shaohua’s ear: "These younger ones can still get a lunch by coming here. If it weren’t for this meal, I’m afraid even these five wouldn’t be here."
Jiang Shaohua cast a knowing glance at Chen Jinyu with a smile: "Beginnings are always difficult. Having taken the first step, the second and third steps will follow."
Indeed.
Chen Jinyu quickly raised his spirits again and laughed softly: "Commandery Princess, this female teacher must be County Magistrate Cui’s wife, Mrs. Li."