"Is there anything else I can help you with?" Chunxiao asked.
"That's all, that's all. Thank you, boss. We'll go back now."
"Everyone, please wait a moment." Chun Xiao saw someone about to leave and hurriedly stopped them. "I heard that there are two scholars among you. I don't know if the information is accurate. I need your help with something."
"Master, you don't have to be polite. I'm just a poor scholar, living in a foreign land. My career in the government is hopeless. I can't bear the title of master. If you need any help, just tell me."
It turned out that the person who was leading the conversation was one of the scholars. Another person also stood up, both of them looked to be in their 30s.
"Then I'll be frank. I'm in the cotton business, and I need some help managing things. Unfortunately, the people in this farm are all illiterate. I'd like to ask you two to be teachers at my farm and teach them how to read, which will make it easier for me to hire people in the future. They're not aiming for official careers, so they don't need to be taught to be brilliant, but they do need to learn the basics. Not everyone will learn, but there will definitely be quite a few of them. Each teacher will be paid two taels of silver a month. Could you please act as their teachers and help me teach them?"
All scholars need integrity, but you can't ask them to teach you just because you want them to. It depends on whether they are willing to earn the two taels of silver.
The two men looked at their own families and said, "Since the boss thinks highly of us, we are naturally willing." Although the two families were happy, they were not overjoyed. It seemed that there was still some arrogance in the families of scholars, which was not a bad thing.
"That's great. I'd like to thank you two teachers in advance. How about we start teaching at the beginning of next month?"
"Just follow the boss's arrangements."
Chunxiao was delighted. "I'm a woman, and I don't understand these things. Please, teachers, give me a list of what I need to prepare. I'll have someone prepare it right away. Here's my plan: Zhuangzi's work is fundamental. So, we'll have a class in the morning and afternoon. Those who don't have time in the morning can study in the afternoon, and those who have time can also review it. What do you think?"
"The boss has thought it through carefully and will listen to your arrangements."
The deal was settled and both parties were quite satisfied. Chunxiao was in a very good mood today, feeling as if she had accomplished something big, so she urged Xingfu and the others to go and weigh cotton for someone.
This matter must also be told to Yan Dashan. When the time comes, Shuwen must come along to learn more. It would be best if two people could come, so that it would be convenient to manage the farm in the future.
She had hired two scholars, who were definitely better at teaching people than she was, and it would be best if they could learn happiness and perfection from her. Thinking of this, she felt that the future was bright.
In the afternoon, she gathered everyone in the village and held a meeting in the cleared space. Everyone looked at each other, not knowing what had happened. They only knew that the boss must have gathered everyone together for something important. Therefore, the scene was very quiet.
"I've gathered everyone here today to discuss something. I've found two teachers for Zhuangzi. Starting next month, you'll all be learning to read from them."
The people below were immediately excited. "Boss, do we women have to learn this too?"
"Boss, does your little girl at home also want to learn?"
"I didn't expect that after living for half of my life, I could still learn to read from the teacher." The men were naturally happy.
"Everyone, please be quiet and listen to what the boss has to say." Although Zhao Shitou was surprised, he still did not forget to help restore discipline.
"I have a few requirements. The team leaders of our several courtyards must learn, and the children of our village must also learn. In addition, anyone who wants to learn can follow along. I won't force anyone who feels they are not cut out for it. This is a rare opportunity. If you want to learn, remember to register with the manager Meiman so she can arrange your shifts. I also need to prepare paper and pen. These are precious, and I won't prepare them unless you sign up."
"Boss, it's good that you let us learn to read, but what's the point of women learning it? They don't go out. It's just a waste of money."
Chun Xiao smiled and said, "Chun Sanshi, what you said really shows disrespect for women."
The people around burst into laughter.
Chun Sanshi waved her hands repeatedly, "No, no, the boss and the two managers are not ordinary women. I dare not look down on them. I'm talking about the people who work in our fields."
"That's a good question. I'll answer it today. Your boss, I have this farm, and I'll have a second and a third in the future. I can't look after them all. Where will the people who look after the farm come from? Naturally, I have to have people I trust. I have two stewards, Happiness and Perfection, so I can have more stewards. Where will these stewards come from? Do you understand what I'm saying?"
The surroundings became even more lively when they heard this. "Our boss is trying to train us all to be managers."
"This is really lucky. You have to learn this."
"So, you all have to study hard whenever you have the chance, whether you're a man or a woman, and children are no exception. I'll have the teacher test you every once in a while, and the one teaching you is a serious scholar with a good reputation, so it won't be an insult to you."
"What are you talking about, boss? We understand your good intentions. I want to sign up."
"I want to sign up." "I want to sign up too."
"Don't worry, everyone. Team leaders from each courtyard, remember to count the number of people tonight and report to me or Meiman tomorrow morning." Xingfu looked at the people gathering around her and hurriedly stood further away, otherwise she would definitely be surrounded. She looked at Chunxiao again and saw that she shook her head and had nothing to say. "Okay, the meeting is over, let's go back to our work."
The people in the field dispersed, discussing as they walked. Zhao Shitou came over and said, "Dong, Dongjia, can Xiaoan and I learn together?"
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