Of course, this short expedition was not smooth sailing. There was at least one problem that had not been solved. Regarding this matter, Wang Liang said that since Qinghetun was actually under the control of Lin Hai, then he would leave it to Lin Hai.

After saying this, Wang Liang leaped out of the county government office with agility that was not typical for his age. It was said that he was going to the blacksmith shop to guide the copper smelting. Only the furious Master Shi was left behind.

"Um, Master Shi, how are you doing lately? Centennial Tree Man, have you encountered any difficulties?"

Lin Hai chose to ignore the angry look on Master Shi’s face. Anyway, you wouldn’t dare to come and beat me to death, right?

Seeing Lin Hai's official and concerned face, Master Shi suppressed his anger and said, "Don't worry, Captain Lin, all the children are attending school normally. To be honest, there are two promising ones. If it were peaceful times, they would have no problem passing the examination to become a scholar. As for the difficulties, there is a lot of work to be done now. I am very satisfied with the money and food allocated by the county government and the help of young men to renovate the school."

Well, Lin Hai nodded, it seems that the basic education has started very well.

"It's a peaceful time now. Look, even if there are a few bandits causing trouble, they've been wiped out." Lin Hai put his hands behind his back and said with a deliberately condescending tone, "Don't worry, Master Shi. When we have more people, we will definitely strengthen education in the county. Although the imperial examinations in the southwest have never been prosperous, we will find you a position as a county teacher and organize a proper county school. We will ensure that all children of school age can read and that all adults can become illiterate. These are things we must do."

All children of school age read and all adults learn to read.

Hey...

Master Shi thought Lin Hai was just trying to motivate people. He had lived for decades and hadn't seen many officials, but he had actually eaten the cake and biscuits that officials promised for many years. He knew what these officials were like, so he simply said, "Captain Lin has a promising future and is expected to develop in the future. His attention to education is truly a blessing for the local people. As for the teaching post, I am already old and I am afraid I can't take on this important task. If there are young talents in the future, it should be handed over to them."

Lin Hai hadn't expected Master Shi to refuse even a bite of bread. He thought he was making excuses. Just as he was about to speak, he heard Master Shi say, "Since there are only a few bandits around the county, and the county's strong squadrons are strong and powerful, it's naturally easy to capture them. So, Captain Lin, next time you go on an expedition, can you please not conscript my daughter with you?"

"This... Master Shi, you don't know. We didn't conscript Miss Zhen'er. It was simply that after we left the city, we discovered she was already waiting ten miles outside. It wasn't safe for her to return alone, so we figured the journey wasn't too far, so it wouldn't be a problem to bring her back after the battle." Lin Hai knew the moment he saw Shi Zhen'er, he knew the old scholar would be furious. But any sixteen-year-old girl going off to fight with a group of grown men would surely have her parents furious. Lin Hai internally agreed, but couldn't admit defeat. "Of course, after all our bloody battles, we not only wiped out the bandits, but also brought Miss Zhen'er back safe and sound. Don't worry, she wasn't frightened or hurt."

Master Shi was relieved to hear that his daughter had returned safely, but he still refused to let Lin Hai go. "I only have this one daughter. Her mother passed away several years ago, and I worked so hard to raise her. It's fine for you to let her teach children to read in public, after all, they are just children who haven't grown up yet. But how will you let her get married in the future after she enters the military camp?"

Lin Hai became anxious upon hearing this, his anger rising. "Master Shi, we are government troops, yamen runners, not bandits. What's the big deal about your daughter coming here? Do you think I'm a bad guy? Are the yamen runners from the third shift bad guys, or are the militia formed by the villagers bad guys?"

Master Shi certainly didn't dare to say who was the bad guy: "Even if they were all good people, the girl's reputation..."

"Reputation, reputation, reputation. Why are all these things on your mind? First, Miss Zhen'er is innocent here. There is no such thing as her reputation being damaged. If anyone disagrees, let him come to me, oh no, talk to the county lieutenant. Second, we will gradually rescue many women. You have been surviving in the forest for several years. You should know what will happen to a woman who wants to survive in that environment. Not everyone is like you, surrounded by honest villagers who are willing to protect your family for being so lucky. Therefore, don't mention the word reputation anymore in the future. Those who can survive are human beings, and they should live a human life. Go back and tell everyone that if anyone uses reputation to force trouble or kill people, I want him to pay with his life." Lin Hai was furious and finished a long paragraph in one breath.

"I don't care about customs and folkways, nor do I care about the words of saints. In Qinghe Village, I have the final say, and this is non-negotiable. If anyone disagrees, let them come to me and talk. I'm saying this right here, and I'll say it again tomorrow when new refugees arrive, and I'll say it often in the future. The government back then failed to protect the people, and the government now can't let the people be harmed again under the pretext of damaging their reputation."

After Lin Hai finished speaking, he realized why he was so angry at Master Shi. However, it was better to tell Master Shi what he said. Ordinary people were used to listening to scholars, and if Master Shi told it, it would be more credible.

Master Shi also felt a little puzzled and said, "Tomorrow's refugees are tomorrow's business. I am telling you about Zhen'er now."

Lin Hai waved his hand and said, "Although Miss Zhen'er is young, she is half a year older than me. Look, I'm already the leader of the strong class. What's the big deal about her going out on her own? Just think of her as going out for a walk yesterday. If anyone has something to chew on, tell me and I'll make him chew his tongue off."

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