Chapter 279 Everyone present is responsible for a class
After leaving the academy, Xiao Ying invited Li Qingfeng to her home, as she had something very important to tell him.
Li Qingfeng and the others were flattered. As educated people, they knew the importance of the title of Lady of Imperial Consort, so they were very respectful in every move they made.
There were six people coming on this trip: Bai Zhi, Guan Qi, Zheng Zeliang, Li Qingfeng, Li Ruyue and Zhao Jinhuai.
The last three were all victims who fled the famine. Among them, Li Qingfeng was a scholar, Zhao Jinhuai was a student, and although Li Ruyue could not pass the imperial examination, her knowledge was at least comparable to that of a student, or even a scholar.
Li Qingfeng was not yet forty years old and had a happy family. However, his wife died of illness on the way to escape famine. Fortunately, he and his daughter survived.
Li Ruyue had just turned sixteen. She was pretty and gentle, but there was a hint of stubbornness in her eyes.
Zhao Jinhuai is eighteen years old and has been a student for three years. He failed the examination for scholar this year, but his result is still not bad.
Although the knowledge of these six people varies, they can definitely provide enlightenment for the children.
"Meet Lady Xiao."
Li Qingfeng and others bowed and greeted Xiao Ying.
"Everyone, please take a seat."
"Thank you, Miss."
Several people sat down one after another, including the two servants Baizhi and Guanqi, who were lucky enough to get seats. However, they all looked a little confused, curious about the purpose of Xiao Ying calling them over.
Yulan and the others served tea and snacks, all of which were exquisitely prepared. This made Li Qingfeng, Zheng Zeliang, and the others quite nervous, as it was probably the first time for them to have seen such exquisite things.
But after all, they were all educated people, so they didn't show it too obviously.
Xiao Ying then spoke: "Everyone, please don't be shy and have some tea and snacks. I invited everyone to come over and talk about the academy."
Seeing her amiable expression, everyone felt a little less tense, but still no one touched the tea and snacks.
Seeing this, Xiao Ying didn't insist and said directly, "The academy will start in three days. The village head will send the registration form this afternoon, and then we will divide the classes."
"According to previous statistics, there are approximately 140 children aged six to fifteen. Considering that there are an equal number of boys and girls, they need to be divided into six classes."
"In this way, everyone here will be responsible for a class."
The six of them looked at each other and suddenly felt a great sense of responsibility.
Especially those who had never taught students before, such as Bai Zhi, Zhao Jinhuai, etc., were both excited and under great pressure, fearing that they might not do well.
"Here's what I think: boys should be taught by male teachers, and girls by female teachers."
"But we only have two female teachers, so we must have a male teacher to teach the female class."
Xiao Ying looked around and asked, "Which teacher is willing to take on this important task?"
Guanqi, Li Qingfeng, Zheng Zeliang, and Zhao Jinhuai looked at each other, seemingly unwilling.
First, there is a difference between men and women. Male teachers teaching female students are likely to cause gossip.
Secondly, long-standing concepts are difficult to change. Although they are forced to do so and cannot change the fact that the academy recruits female students, they still feel a little reluctant to let them teach.
Xiao Ying saw the silence of several people. His eyes turned cold and he saw through what they were thinking at a glance.
Just as he was about to force the distribution, he suddenly heard a cold voice.
"Madam, I am willing."
It’s watching chess.
Guan Qi stood up and bowed, with an indifferent expression and lowered eyebrows.
The next moment, another person stood up. It was Qingfeng Li.
Qingfeng Li bowed and said, "Let me go. I've taught Ruyue before, so I know how to teach female students. Besides, I'm older, so I won't be gossiped about."
Zheng Zeliang and Zhao Jinhuai secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Since they didn't want to do it anyway, it would be good if someone stepped forward.
Xiao Ying's expression eased slightly, and he nodded, saying, "Master Li is right. Then you can go."
"But Master Li, don't worry too much. The classes will be divided according to age, and Master Li can teach the youngest class."
The youngest class is about six to nine years old, so children this young won't cause misunderstandings.
"Yes, my lady."
Qingfeng Li bowed again before sitting down again.
Seeing this, Guanqi also sat back down, his expression still indifferent.
The problem of class division has been solved, and Xiao Ying talked about the next item.
"Six teachers will each be responsible for a class, which will be very hard work. I wonder what salary requirements they have?"
Bai Zhi and Guan Qi said in unison, "It's up to Madam to tell you what to do."
They were originally Xiao Ying's servants, and were very grateful to be able to display their talents, so naturally they did not dare to ask for much wages.
"At my command, Madam."
Zheng Zeliang was a step slower, but he also followed suit.
He was also bought by my wife, so I didn't dare to ask for too much.
Li Ruyue and Zhao Jinhuai, one was a girl and the other was just a student, so they didn't dare to say much.
So only Li Qingfeng was left. Li Qingfeng used to run an academy in the village. Although there were not many students, he lived a good life because the tuition was not cheap.
A student has to pay seven or eight taels of silver for tuition every year. Even if the amount is lower in the village, it still costs five or six taels.
So he could earn at least twenty or thirty taels every year.
Coming here, he saw that the academy was so well built and there were so many children to teach, and he thought that he couldn't do worse than before.
"Master Li, if you have any ideas, just tell me."
Seeing that he seemed to be hesitant to speak, Xiao Ying had no choice but to ask.
Li Qingfeng said somewhat embarrassedly, "My lady, I'll be frank. When I was at home, I could receive around thirty taels of silver per year, so I hope to receive no less than that now."
"Thirty taels per year? It's certainly not much." Xiao Ying seemed to think for a few breaths. "Since you are too embarrassed to say it, then I will make the decision."
"Each person gets five taels of silver per month, with pay during winter and summer vacations, so a total of sixty taels per year."
"Also, I hope that Master Li can become the headmaster, and receive an extra ounce of silver per month. What do you think?"
The six of them all showed their delight. How about this? Of course, it couldn't be better!
Qingfeng Li was both surprised and delighted. He had never expected that he could become the headmaster. This was something he had never dared to dream of. He immediately stood up to express his gratitude.
Baizhi, Guanqi and Zheng Zeliang were also very satisfied. With so much money every year, they were willing to be servants to Mrs. Xiao for the rest of their lives.
Li Ruyue and Zhao Jinhuai were even more excited, their eyes full of disbelief.
As a woman, Li Ruyue never thought that one day she would be able to earn so much money on her own.
Because Zhao Jinhuai came from a poor family, he had almost spent all his family savings on studying over the years.
With this money, he can not only give back to his family, but also continue his studies if he has the opportunity in the future.
Xiao Ying added, "I know everyone has different levels of knowledge, and those with greater knowledge may find this unfair."
The six people felt nervous, especially the two old scholars, who felt as if they were being called out and wanted to explain.
"But right now we're just starting out, so I'm treating everyone equally." Xiao Ying continued, "Once the initiation is complete, we'll regroup the classes and make adjustments."
"So I hope that while you're teaching students, you won't forget to improve yourself. Especially Guan Qi and Zhao Jinhuai, I hope you can all make further progress."
If these two could pass the imperial examination and become scholars or even juren, she would definitely support them wholeheartedly.
The two female teachers were at a disadvantage in this regard. Even though the administration was clean and honest in that era, women were not allowed to take the imperial examinations.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
