Chapter 137 Discussion

This reward is meant to encourage students to study hard. It also helps prevent those with bright potential from being unable to continue their studies due to poverty. Since the school is free, it can at least allow those from poor but intelligent and eager families to continue their studies.

When Zhao Liya was looking for a location for the school, she also carefully considered the surrounding conditions and bought 30 to 40 mu of land to see if she could find a way to reclaim it into paddy fields. Two crops of rice a year would yield just enough to cover the school's daily expenses.

We can also subsidize the children in the school. For example, we can give each of them an egg as a snack, buy some paper and pens for everyone, and repair or replace the worn-out tables, chairs, doors and windows.

It is best to have a stable income in school.

Moreover, with land, people who want to go to school but cannot afford it can earn qualifications through labor.

Zhao Liya's idea was very thoughtful, even more thoughtful than Zhao Xiang's, which made Zhao Xiang so happy that he nodded repeatedly in agreement.

"Ya'er has really grown up. She's so thoughtful and considerate. With this arrangement, everything has been taken care of. Great, let's do it!"

Zhao Xiang suddenly felt very proud. His daughter and adopted son were so successful, and he, as a father, couldn't hold them back.

He then said, "Leave this matter to Dad! I'll discuss it with your Uncle Lin and the others, as well as with Zaihu Village and Bajiao Village. You can just go about your business without worry."

Zhao Liya and Hu Ling looked at each other, smiled and said yes.

After all, their father was a high-ranking official in the imperial court. Isn't it a piece of cake for him to handle such a small matter?

That’s perfect, they don’t have to worry about this anymore.

Zhao Xiang was very excited about this matter. When he visited Zaihu Village in the first month of the year, he told it to the village head and clan leader, who were very happy.

They had always had this idea and had discussed it privately several times, but they just didn't know how to say it. Unexpectedly, Zhao Xiang actually brought it up on his own initiative. This was definitely a great thing!

As expected of a high-ranking official who was born as the top scholar, he is broad-minded, well-educated, and has a heart for the people. Even when he came to Lingnan, he did not forget to benefit the local people.

The Zhao family are truly good people!

After obtaining Zhao Xiang's consent, the head of Zaihu Village immediately sent people to Bajiao Village to invite the head of the village, the clan leader, the elders who were in charge of the village, etc. to discuss this important matter together.

Everyone agreed and said they would all follow Mr. Zhao's orders. With one order from Mr. Zhao, the construction of the school was done by everyone. No need to talk about wages or anything like that, everyone should do their part.

How many people could become the top scholar and a student of a high-ranking official? And be personally taught by the top scholar? Even the children of wealthy officials in many big cities couldn't even hope for such a chance. It was truly a bargain for the families and the young men.

The Zhao family paid for the materials to build the school, and Mr. Zhao didn't ask for money as a salary, just a little food and two chickens and a piece of meat a year. If everyone helped to build the school and still had to pay the Zhao family, it would be really shameful!

After the two village heads discussed it, they said to Zhao Xiang, "I don't think the money for buying the land and building the school needs to be paid for by the master. We have an appointment to go to the county government office tomorrow to discuss it with Lord Yin. This is a good thing that will benefit the people for generations to come. The land should be granted free of charge. Twenty acres should be enough, right?"

Zhao Liya had been listening with a smile on her face, and upon hearing this, she quickly said with a laugh, "My two uncles mean well, but this isn't quite right. Lord Yin naturally hopes that the local cultural and educational level will be greatly improved. This is a good thing. If my two uncles go and ask for it, I believe Lord Yin will agree. But this is just a start. If other villages bring it up, Lord Yin will be in trouble. To be frank, if everyone who brings it up is sincere about establishing a school, then it's fine. It's a good thing. But I'm worried that some people might have ulterior motives and use this as a pretext to seize the land, but end up doing something else. Wouldn't that cause endless trouble?"

Zhao Xiang nodded and said, "Ya'er is right. Let's not embarrass you, sir. Buying the land won't cost much. Let's buy it."

Zhao Liya: “That’s right!”

Zhao Liya knew the two village chiefs meant well, but it was unnecessary. They could afford to buy the land themselves, and with Hu Ling's name on the deed, it would clearly be theirs. Although she hadn't intended to own the school from the beginning, it was a proof of ownership.

In other words, no matter when in the future, our family will have absolute say in this school.

This is the most important thing.

If the two uncles who were village heads had obtained this land from the county magistrate, then if any disagreement arises in the future, it is likely that it will be difficult to talk things over.

Spending a little money now can nip countless troubles in the bud in the future, which is very cost-effective.

The two village heads, clan leaders, elders and others were deeply moved and exclaimed in admiration.

"Mr. and Miss Zhao are indeed very thoughtful. Well, that's true. But in this way, Mr.'s family will always suffer a great loss."

Zhao Xiang waved his hand and laughed heartily, "It's no loss, no loss. If I can cultivate a few talents for the local area and let the next generation of children know a few words, then it's not a loss. As for me, I'm happy to do it, hahahaha!"

No one quite understood what "甘之如饴" meant, but since Mr. Zhao smiled, it must be a good meaning, so they all laughed too.

On that day, the village head of Zaihu Village warmly invited everyone to have dinner. After the lively dinner, the village head asked his sons and nephews to harness the ox cart and send Zhao Xiang, Zhao Liya and others back.

Zhao Xiang was so enthused about this matter that he wanted to settle it immediately. The next day, he went out with the heads of two villages to look for land.

After two days of hard work, they decided together where to buy the land. Twenty acres was enough.

Zhao Liya bought a piece of land of more than 30 mu that was relatively flat nearby. She planned to reclaim it into paddy fields, dig a canal to bring water in, and grow rice to provide for the school.

All done.

Everyone is happy.

Just wait until the fifteenth day of the first lunar month to start work.

For Zhao Liya, a big thing was accomplished.

On the tenth day of the first lunar month, Zhou Hansheng came with several followers including Zhaonan and Zhaobei.

Zhong Jing was a garrison general, so he'd come in disguise the previous time, hiding his identity. But with Lin Mo getting married and so many people coming and going, it was inconvenient for him to come again. Otherwise, if someone recognized him, it would be a bit troublesome.

But he asked Zhou Hansheng to bring a gift for him, which obviously showed that he regarded Lin Mo as a friend.

This time, Zhou Hansheng brought a large basket of tightly tied swimming crabs and several large lobsters.

(End of this chapter)