Chapter 272 School Enrollment
Gu Lan chuckled, "Just by listening to what you said, I think you are a very good mother."
"What's good or bad? My daughter's father doesn't love her, and her grandmother doesn't love her either. If I, her mother, don't take care of her, she'll have no future. In a few years, she'll be married off. Being someone else's daughter-in-law is worse than being a girl. I don't want my daughter to have a bad life."
Gu Lan nodded. He had already thought about agreeing, but because there were so many other people, if he agreed to one, what would others think?
If she accepted all of it, it would be a huge burden for her mother.
This matter needs to be discussed carefully.
After seeing these people off, Gu Lan couldn't wait to tell Zhang Yi during lunch.
Zhang Yi also felt that a mother who could send her daughter to study was extraordinary, not to mention that her daughter was not loved by the whole family and was the only one who protected her.
"Then take them all."
"Mom, but you already have dozens of children to spoil. If there are more, I'm afraid you won't be able to handle it."
"I can handle it, but everyone has different talents. It's unfair to the smart ones if we're all together. I think it's better to find another teacher!"
Everyone looked at Gu Yuru, but she shook her head. "No, no, I can't do it. I don't have the talent like you, sister-in-law, and I need help with things at home."
Zhang Yi also nodded.
"Or, what about Dad?"
Before Gu Mingyu could say anything, Zhang Yi said, "He can't do that either. Wouldn't those kids be scared to tears if he treated them as soldiers? Besides, he has to teach the men in the village martial arts."
"So, if Third Uncle can't do it, we won't have any manpower left at home."
Zhang Yi nodded. "Why don't we talk to the village chief about hiring a teacher? I've noticed that some of these kids are quite smart. They'll have to take the Tongsheng exam in the future, and there's a lot of work involved. We need an experienced teacher."
"I'll pay for it." Gu Lan said, "I've made some money these days."
"There's no rush about the money," Zhang Yi said. "I've thought about it. If we really hire a teacher, we'll have to pay him. It seems like there will be many more children coming to study in the future. We've been indebted to Ningxi Village, so it's only right that we repay them. As for others, even though we're not doing this for money, we should still charge them a fee. This seems more reasonable."
What she said was also what Li Mumu said.
Not everything that comes for free is a good thing.
They can just charge less, but if anyone comes just because they don't have to pay, the school will be in chaos.
People in the countryside don’t have much money, and if they spend money without studying hard, their parents will not agree.
“That’s fine, but what about those who don’t have money but want to study?”
"If cousin really wants to help them, then she can help them as appropriate. She can set up some scholarships and give them to those who study well. This way, they can study well."
Li Mumu said loudly.
Zhang Yi nodded. "That makes sense. Otherwise, over time, many children won't realize the importance of studying. Once the novelty wears off, they'll start to slack off. And since it's free, they won't feel any urgency in studying."
"Okay, I'll listen to you. Tomorrow I'll tell them that since the school was built by the people of Ningxi Village, the children of Ningxi Village won't be charged any fees, but students from other villages will still have to pay some fees."
Zhang Yi nodded. "Then there's no time to lose. I'll go talk to the village chief and discuss hiring another teacher. As long as he's a good teacher, the salary won't be a problem."
"Food is not a problem either." Li Mumu blinked.
If an unmarried man were to live here, he would definitely have to live here, and eating would be a problem.
"Yes, you clever fellow, we can give him our meals for free."
When Mr. Qin Ling heard that the village school would be open to other villages, he thought for a moment.
Zhang Yi was afraid that he would refuse and was very worried.
But as soon as Mr. Qin opened his mouth, she knew that she was a mean person.
"Mingyu's wife."
"Village chief, you say."
"You're a kind person. Logically, given your family's current situation, you could be enjoying a peaceful life at home, but you're willing to use your time to teach the children. This is a noble cause. I don't understand much else, but I know that good people are rewarded. You're doing a great deed, so how can I disagree?"
"Uncle Qin, I'm not as good as you say."
"If I say yes, then yes." Qin Ling said, "What do you mean by our village? Or other villages? I'm not afraid of you laughing at me. Before, when people asked us which village we were from, we were too embarrassed to tell them. But now, when the villagers go out, they all hold their heads high and chests puffed out. We want to tell them even if they don't ask."
"Your action is also a great honor for our Ningxi Village. I agree, I must agree. I will take care of your affairs, sir. However, we cannot tell how profound your knowledge is. You will decide when the time comes, and leave this matter to me."
"Uncle Qin, I would like to thank you on behalf of the children."
Qin Ling waved his hand and said, "We should thank you."
"Oh, Uncle Qin, after you've collected the children's tuition and paid the teacher's wages, if there's any left, share it with the villagers. If it's not enough, don't worry about our family taking care of it."
"How can this be possible?" Qin Ling shook his head. "How can you think of taking advantage without taking any loss? No, no."
"We are the ones who have taken advantage. If it weren't for the help from our fellow villagers, our family wouldn't be where we are today."
Qin Ling knew that they were being polite. In fact, the villagers were not busy at all. Instead, they were being taken care of by the Gu family.
"You have to listen to me on this. If you really have extra money, spend it all on the children. If they are well, then everyone will be well."
Zhang Yi smiled and nodded.
When the news of the school's enrollment spread, many children from the nearby villages soon came to study. Of course, they were a little unhappy about the tuition, but the other party had made it clear.
This school belongs to the people of Ningxi Village, and everyone has contributed.
Who told them not to live in Ningxi Village?
Not only is the school here easy to get into, but it's also much cheaper than the ones in town or even the county. I heard that the Gu family will reward children who study well, so everyone is looking forward to it even more.
However, looking at the children who had registered, Zhang Yi sighed slightly.
There were only three girls, one of whom was the one her daughter had told her about yesterday, and most of them were boys.
As a woman, she knows how difficult life is for women, and she hopes that women can break free from that bondage.
It’s a pity that she is the same. She has read so many books and has such high knowledge, but she can’t do anything.
"Sir, what's wrong with you?" The little girl looked at her with her big eyes blinking.
"Nothing, what's your name? Where's your parents?"
"My name is Ruihua. I came here on my own. I want to study, but I don't have any money. I can do any kind of work. Please... can you please not kick me out?"
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