Peng Mansion —

Master Peng, swaying his plump buttocks, had barely settled into his seat when the steward informed him that the young master had gotten into trouble!

"Hmm? What did you do this time?"

As is commonplace, Master Peng was still in the mood to savor his fragrant tea.

"Reporting to your master, the young master has beaten up the son of Magistrate Liu!"

The butler wiped the sweat from his brow; he had only found out about this later!

However, the master has been staying in the other courtyard, and he didn't want to send anyone to disturb him, which is why it's been delayed until now.

"Bang!"

Mr. Peng was furious and threw the teacup on the ground with a sharp sound.

Although Magistrate Liu is just a magistrate, even a powerful dragon can't suppress a local snake. He gave his sister to the prefect as a concubine. Although she is currently favored, Prefect Lin might not necessarily stand up for a concubine's family to suppress a local magistrate!

"Someone, prepare a generous gift and send it to the county government to apologize."

"Yes, ma'am!"

........

County government office —

Magistrate Liu rubbed his head, still feeling the effects of his hangover, and after a while, he pulled back the covers and got out of bed.

"Whoosh~"

I poured myself a glass of cold tea, drank it all in one gulp, and felt much more awake.

"Knock knock knock~"

A knock sounded at the door, and someone spoke outside:

"My lord, you're awake?"

"Hmm? What is it?"

"The Peng family has sent a gift of apology. I wonder if you will accept it?"

"Retreat! If anyone from the Peng family comes again, drive them away!"

"Yes, ma'am!"

......

The butterfly's wings are fluttering; who knows whether the future holds fortune or misfortune?

The school in Wujia Village is located in an abandoned old house at the entrance of the village. These days, taking advantage of the good weather, the village chief arranged for the villagers to repair the walls inside and outside the courtyard.

As for the old house, the walls and roof were dilapidated and would collapse with the slightest push. This kind of shoddy construction should not be allowed for the children to stay for long.

Jiang Yue took out fifty taels of silver and handed it over to the clan. Not to mention building a grand house, it could at least be a five-room house made of blue bricks.

A slightly smaller building was reserved for the future teachers, two others served as classrooms of different levels, one as a canteen, and the last one had a rather unique design; its purpose would only be revealed upon completion...

Inside, villagers spontaneously cut down trees and peeled bark to make tables, chairs, and benches.

Grandpa Wu no longer needs to work in the fields, and he voluntarily brings his tools to help.

With everyone working together with one heart and one mind, at this pace, the school should be completed in less than a month!

The village chief and the clan elders came up with a plan: the children of Wujia Village would study and learn to read in the school without tuition fees, but they would have to voluntarily hand over a load of firewood every month.

While the clan does pay the teachers' wages in the school, matters such as boiling water and providing drinking water for the public must be governed by regulations.

Children from other villages who want to attend school pay three hundred copper coins each semester and two loads of firewood each month!

Jiang Yue also offered suggestions, such as how to perform daily duties to maintain the school's hygiene and discipline.

Furthermore, a reward and punishment system was established, such as holding regular character memorization activities, where whoever learns the fastest and recognizes the most characters can be rewarded with a brand-new set of writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones.

For example, the person who does the most cleaning duties each month and is the cleanest can be rewarded with a calligraphy brush.

For example, the first-place winner in the quarterly exam receives a reward of one hundred copper coins, the second-place winner receives ten catties of pork, and the third-place winner...

In short, this approach aims to motivate children, allow parents to see the changes in their children, and bring tangible benefits to the family.

The school can accept children aged five to fifteen, regardless of gender!

The village chief and the clan elders carefully considered the suggestions put forward by the Jiang family, and concluded that the advantages outweighed the disadvantages!

In particular, girls were also able to go to school, which was unprecedented. Wu Family Village was the first to do so!

After the announcement was made, the villagers guessed and pieced out what was written on the big red paper. In the end, it was Mr. Liu, who happened to be passing by, who kindly read it aloud to everyone.

Not to mention the villagers, even Liu Yunfei was somewhat taken aback!

Wujia Village is getting more and more interesting!

The villagers asked whatever they wanted. The school was built by their village, and the teacher was hired by their clan. So why were people from other villages allowed to study there?

Isn't this taking jobs away from our own children?

The village chief tapped the ground with his cane, chuckled, and laughed at the shallowness of the person who spoke.

Then he explained to everyone:

"Don't be so short-sighted. Don't you think that if we set up a school in Wujia Village, it won't just benefit our own descendants, but also give hope to children in other villages?"

"If our village's descendants achieve great success, it's because of our ancestors' blessings. But what if few of Wu Family Village's descendants are successful? On the contrary, what if descendants from other villages achieve great success after receiving their education in Wu Family Village's school?"

"Let's not just focus on short-term gains; let's take a long-term view."

"The spirit of incense offerings, the grace of enlightenment, benefits future generations; may the flame never be extinguished!"

The village chief became more and more excited as he spoke, as if he could see the future prosperity of Wujia Village.

The villagers were clearly persuaded by the village chief, nodding their heads and beaming with joy!

Liu Yunfei couldn't help but stroke his now-gone beard, thinking to himself, "This old man is truly wise!"

If his father's advisor had been so wise, his father would have been promoted and made a fortune long ago, wouldn't he?

Seriously, it's been so long, why hasn't Father sent anyone to pick him up and take him home yet?!

The Wu family's old house has been busy preparing for the wedding of their eldest grandson, Da Shi. They have also renovated the house inside and out, including raising the courtyard wall and adding broken tiles.

We recently got a puppy at home, a yellow one, and it's incredibly affectionate.

When Jiang Yue arrived, before she could even sit down, her legs were grabbed by the little yellow dog...

Thank goodness she didn't bring Xiaobai out, otherwise...

"Waaaaah~"

The puppy is still quite young and doesn't bark much yet, so it instinctively clings to your leg.

Old Mrs. Zhou was trying on clothes inside when she heard the noise. She peeked out, then came out of the house, somewhat hesitantly touching her hair bun adorned with a large red flower, and asked:

"My third brother's wife is here. Perfect timing! Can you take a look at this outfit and see if it's appropriate for me to wear it to Da Shi's wedding?"

Jiang Yue pulled aside the puppy, stepped forward upon hearing this, looked it over, and praised it:

"Oh my, I thought it was some wealthy lady coming to visit, but it's just you, Mother!"

"You're so sweet-talking~"

Old Mrs. Zhou was overjoyed and said happily:

"I asked your second sister-in-law to make me these new clothes. The fabric is the same one you bought for me last year. Aren't they beautiful?"

"It's beautiful, it's incredibly beautiful."

Jiang Yue flattered the old woman, saying that after almost a year of getting to know her, she already knew how to please her.

"By the way, Mother, where are my eldest sister-in-law and second sister-in-law?"

"Da Shi is getting married in a few days, and your two sisters-in-law have taken Da Niu to the village to borrow tables, chairs, and benches."

Old Zhou pulled her third son's wife down to sit, and casually picked up the kettle to pour her some water.

"If there is anything I can do to help, please let me know."

Jiang Yue accepted the teacup with both hands and expressed her agreement with a smile.

"Hey, you'll definitely need to do some work. On Da Shi's wedding day, I'll need your help to make a good impression on him."

Old Zhou seemed a little embarrassed as he said this.

"Mother, what are you saying? We are family. I watched Da Shi grow up. What trouble could there be?"

Jiang Yue spoke eloquently, calming the old man's emotions in just a few words.

Old Mrs. Zhou had mixed feelings. Who would have thought that her third daughter-in-law, who was originally the most unruly, would now transform into the most outstanding woman!

The old man was so happy when he got home that he laughed himself awake, startling her!

Only after asking did I learn that the third son's wife now holds a position in the village second only to the village chief.

Oh no, you could say that after the school was established, the reputation of the third son's wife would probably rise to a level that even the village chief couldn't reach!

The third son's wife has really made something of herself!