Chapter 94 He is almost dead from poverty
Zhang Liang was almost losing his temper due to all the tedious things he had to deal with these days, but what could he do when facing a group of little brats who were not even as old as him? He had to do what he should do honestly.
However, when he heard that some people wanted to get something for free, Zhang Liang immediately shattered their fantasy.
He needs to work, how could these people just eat and drink for free here!
"I have records of all your expenses here. You don't have to pay it back before you reach adulthood, but you will have to pay it back in the next twenty years after you reach adulthood."
Twenty years seemed too long to Zhang Liang.
In the Qin State, people became adults at the age of seventeen and were required to serve in the army and pay taxes. The average life expectancy was actually only around forty years old.
When everyone heard this, some were worried, some were happy, but no one left.
"What if we can't pay it back later?" someone in the crowd asked in a low voice.
Zhang Liang said, "You have to pay your debts. Whatever happens, it's fine. If you don't want to be unable to support yourself, then study hard here. There are teachers here to teach you. No matter what, you must at least make a living in this world."
"Do we have to learn too?" a little girl in the corner asked timidly.
She was abandoned here by her mother. There was not much food left at home, and her father was planning to sell her, but her mother couldn't bear it, so she sent her here.
She thought they came here to work for others, but she didn't expect that they would be required to study.
Isn't studying something only for the rich and powerful? Even the sons of the village's headmasters can't go to school, so how can she, a girl, really do it?
There are actually more girls than boys in the orphanage. As long as there is a way out, parents will not be willing to send their children here. If they really have to make a choice, girls are often the ones who are abandoned.
"That's natural. You all have to attend class together."
Zhang Liang did not think that girls could not read and write. His father passed away early and he was raised by his mother. Although his uncle took good care of him, most of the time it was his mother who took him to study.
His mother's intelligence was no less than his uncle's. If women were not prohibited from becoming officials, Zhang Liang felt that with his mother's wisdom, she would not be unable to get an official position in the State of Han.
Although women cannot seek official positions through studying, it is always good for them to learn etiquette and gain more knowledge.
Taoyao was a little excited.
Reading and writing, something she never dreamed of, is now actually happening to her.
She wanted to ask the benefactor that day if she read a lot of books, she would be able to stay by her side like those sisters.
But she was too young and seemed unable to do anything.
Tao Yao looked at her thin little hands and couldn't help but lower her head in frustration. She clenched her fists, and her eyes suddenly became firm again.
"Excuse me, is this the school run by Madam Zhao?"
A male voice with a strong rural accent came from the door.
Zhang Liang looked in the direction of the voice and saw a middle-aged man in plain clothes standing uncomfortably at the door, with a dozen children standing behind him.
Although those children were dressed simply, they were all very clean, with bright eyes, a little like a group of crying chicks in a bird's nest.
They hid behind the middle-aged man, staring at everything in the yard.
Zhang Liang thought he was going to send his child in, so he began to question him about his family situation.
After asking, Zhang Liang frowned, a hint of dissatisfaction in his eyes, "If you can raise these children at home, why did you send them here?"
When the admission rules were first formulated, Queen Mother Zhao explicitly stipulated that only children from families in real financial difficulty could be sent here.
This man is the head of a village. His family owns hundreds of acres of fertile land and runs a small business. His family can be considered wealthy. Why would he need the college to raise his children for him?
Realizing the young man in front of him had misunderstood, Chu quickly waved his hand and explained, "I didn't send these children here to eat and drink. These are children from my village. I heard that Madam Zhao had opened a school, so I thought of sending the children here to learn some calligraphy. Here is the tuition I prepared for them!"
This is the first money Zhang Liang received since he came here!
Chu gave the salary according to the requirements of the gentlemen outside. It was a box full of copper coins, which even shocked Zhang Liang.
It’s not that he had never seen so much money, but he really didn’t expect that such an ordinary banker could come up with so much money.
When Zhang Liang heard him mention Madam Zhao, he thought of how Queen Dowager Zhao was often addressed as Madam Zhao when she went out. Could it be that this person knew Queen Dowager Zhao?
"Is the Madam Zhao you're referring to Queen Mother Zhao?"
Chu patted his head and nodded repeatedly, "Yes, yes! We are all tenants under the Queen Mother, and we usually farm for her."
Zhang Liang was full of questions. Could he earn so much money by farming for her?
Then why didn’t he earn a single penny from farming for Queen Dowager Zhao?
Seeing Zhang Liang remained silent, Chu asked awkwardly, "Young Master, is this academy full?"
Zhang Liang calmed down, his eyes fell on Chu, his eyelids drooped, and he said lightly, "I still have to explain this to the Queen Mother. You go back first and come back tomorrow!"
Chu nodded immediately, "Then I'll trouble you, young master!"
Without anyone noticing, Chu suddenly stuffed a purse into Zhang Liang's hand and winked at him, his intentions needing no words.
Zhang Liang stared in astonishment at the extra bag of copper coins in his hand!
Was he bribed?
The purse was so hot that Zhang Liang quickly returned it, saying sternly, "I'm not trying to embarrass you. You don't have to do this."
Chu Lue felt a little embarrassed because he had flattered the wrong person.
Ever since he started the tofu business, he had to study all these tricks in order to reduce trouble. If he encountered something that he couldn't accomplish, as long as he gave some benefits, he could always get it done in the end.
This is the truth he gradually figured out.
I didn't expect to run into a wall here today.
That’s right, Mrs. Zhao is such a good person, and the people under her must be good people too. Why would they care about such trivial matters?
"I'm sorry, young master, I don't have any other intentions! Thank you for your help!" Chu bowed to him very seriously.
Zhang Liang took a deep breath, bowed and returned the greeting, "This is what I should do."
Zhang Liang didn't care about the money.
In fact, he was practically dead broke!
Everyone in Canglang Pavilion receives a monthly allowance, including Han Fei and Zhang Liang.
But ever since the annual sacrifice, Queen Mother Zhao stopped his monthly allowance, and he really has very little money in his pocket now.
There is no shortage of food and clothing in Canglang Pavilion, and there is no need for money. However, not needing money and having no money in your pocket are two different concepts.
Who could have imagined that one day Zhang Liang would not even be able to take out a few copper coins?
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