Chapter 19: Women Reading

"But I bet that even if the prince gave Xu Zhaodi's family the five taels of silver, Xu Zhaodi would still be sold by her parents to the home of that forty-year-old man, or to someone else's family."

This is the tragedy of women in this era. If the family is powerful and wealthy, they are mostly well-matched. Even if the couple does not love each other, they can still respect each other. But if they are among ordinary people or the poor, women are nothing more than tools to exchange benefits.

"Maybe. At least these five taels of silver can make her life easier for the time being."

Suddenly being sent back home, one can imagine what awaits Xu Zhaodi, but this is also a punishment for her. If she is treated lightly, many people may follow suit in the future.

Seeing that the matter had been resolved, Xu Zhao quickly opened the lunch box and took out the dishes inside. If she didn't take them out, they would probably get cold.

She came here inexplicably and had no relatives. If it weren't for Chen Yu, she would probably have to sleep on the streets. As for how to return to the modern era, she hasn't figured it out yet. She is not sure if death can allow her to go back. All this is too unknown. She doesn't dare to try it easily. What if her life is really in danger?

Since Chen Yu took her in, she would naturally return the favor.

She only put in a little effort to use the ingredients from the military camp to cook a meal for Chen Yu.

A business that is sure to make money.

Fang Xuren stepped back to arrange what Shen Yu had asked.

Only Xu Zhao and Shen Yu were left in the tent.

"Try this mutton soup quickly. It won't taste good if it gets cold."

Xu Zhao served Shen Yu pure mutton soup. The meat was all in a big pot, and he had to chew the bones to eat the meat, which was somewhat inconsistent with Shen Yu's status as a prince.

Chen Yu had no idea what Xu Zhao was thinking, but he smelled a burst of fragrance, which whetted his appetite.

He picked up the mutton soup in front of him. The temperature was just right at the moment. If it was too hot, it would be difficult to swallow. If it was cooler, the mutton smell would probably become more obvious.

Chen Yu was still concerned about his image. He maintained an elegant posture while drinking the soup in big gulps, still looking like a gentleman.

Chen Yu finished the bowl quickly. He was still not satisfied, so when he saw there was another bowl on the table, he wanted to pick it up and continue drinking.

"Wait, this bowl is mine!" Xu Zhao hurried to stop him. There was mutton in this bowl, and the bowl was bigger than Chen Yu's.

She is not someone who would treat herself badly.

"Mutton is nutritious, but it's not suitable to drink too much."

Chen Yu looks strong and healthy, so he should just drink a moderate amount of mutton soup and avoid overdosing on it.

"Then why can you drink so much?" Chen Yu pointed to a large bowl of mutton soup in front of him. Don't think he didn't see that there was mutton in this bowl, but there was only soup in his bowl.

Xu Zhao placed the rice in the lunch box in front of Shen Yu, indicating that he could eat.

"I am a woman, and my body is weak. This mutton can replenish my qi and warm my blood. Of course I have to drink more."

Xu Zhao spoke so confidently that Shen Yu didn't know how to refute it for a moment.

Shen Yu had no choice but to pick up the bowl and eat the dishes made by Xu Zhao. After tasting the stir-fried seasonal vegetables, Shen Yu's eyes lit up. It was indeed different from what he usually ate.

When he was a child in the palace, his father and mother often taught him not to talk while eating or sleeping, so Shen Yu never talked while eating. But when he arrived at the military camp, sometimes the military situation became tense and he didn't even have time to eat. In order to save time and take care of everyone's health, he and several deputy generals would sit together and discuss military situation while eating.

The emperor is far away and no one cares whether he talks while eating.

"You just said that women study? Do all women in your area study?"

You know, studying has always been a man's thing. After reading, one can understand the truth and be able to discuss literature and philosophy. Most scholars actively study and participate in imperial examinations throughout their lives. A career in officialdom is the driving force of their lifelong efforts, and promotion to a higher position is their lifelong dream.

Only wealthy families would let their girls go to school so that they could learn to read and write, and only then could they become mistresses of the family after they got married.

Merchant families let their daughters read and write simply because they wanted them to be able to read account books and do accounting so that they could help with the family business.

But in a country, most people are like Xu Zhaodi. They come from ordinary families and the money they earn from farming is barely enough for their daily life. Sometimes even eating a piece of meat is a luxury, so how can they have spare money for their children's education?

"Why can't women study? In your opinion, women should take care of their husbands and children at home. Some people say that behind every successful man there must be a well-educated and sensible wife. If you want women to be well-educated and sensible, they should study. In this way, men can focus on their careers outside."

The so-called "some people's words" were just what Xu Zhao said himself.

"Speaking of raising a child, a child is brought up by his mother from birth. If he is a boy, he may stay with his mother for his entire life. If the mother is illiterate, it is difficult for the child to receive a good enlightenment from her. If he is a girl, she may learn the kindness of her mother, but she has no knowledge. Only girls with knowledge can pass on knowledge from generation to generation."

Xu Zhaodu said he was hungry, took a mouthful of rice, swallowed it and said, "In our time, the country has made education compulsory. Both men and women can go to school. Only by studying can we understand the truth, learn more things, and have a foundation for life."

“What you said makes sense, but what is compulsory education?”

This was a new word that Shen Yu had heard. After listening to Xu Zhao's words, Shen Yu felt that his thinking had been broadened.

"The state has established schools across the country. Anyone who meets the age requirement, regardless of gender, can enroll. The tuition fees... also known as the tuition fees, are subsidized by the state, and parents do not need to prepare them. The only thing parents need to prepare is pens and paper for school, plus the cost of food and miscellaneous fees for the school, which can cover a student's tuition fees for nine years."

Xu Zhao tried his best to make Shen Yu understand what he said.

"Your country is really rich!" Shen Yu calculated in his mind. There are schools all over the country, and they are funded for nine years. The country's treasury must be quite sufficient to do such a thing.

Xu Zhao did not object to this point. The China where she lived was indeed economically prosperous and strong.

"As long as the country is well governed and the people are united, the country will surely be strong."

Xu Zhao did not mention the fact that the era she lived in was a time when the people were the masters of the country and it was no longer a feudal dynasty. A native of ancient times would probably never understand the modern governance model in her lifetime, and it would be extremely difficult to get the royal family to give up their power.

"My wish is that the world will be united and the people will live in peace. I hope the country will be prosperous and the people will work and live happily." Shen Yu suddenly said very solemnly.

Finally, he said with a hint of regret: "It's a pity that this wish is difficult to realize now, and I don't know who will fulfill this wish."