Chapter 611 A Dream of Youth 143
"It's a reward for your reading."
Xie Ning opened his palm, where a copper coin lay. "If you do well in your studies here and rank in the top ten in the exams, you'll receive a reward. Whether you want silver, grain, or cloth, just take the reward plaque to the steward to exchange it."
The female workers were dumbfounded. "This... we can go to school and learn to read and write? And it doesn't even cost us any money?"
"They're even giving out cash!"
They all thought Xie Ning had gone mad, but they couldn't suppress the longing in their eyes. This school had always only admitted men; they had come out to work, and they never expected to be able to go to school.
Someone couldn't help but ask, "Young lady, can boys from your family also attend school here?"
Where else can you find such a good thing as not having to pay tuition fees and still being able to go to school?
Even the village school required payment.
“No, this school only teaches women, and if you want to enter the school, you need to sign a three-year labor contract.” This restriction might make people feel more at ease, whether for the female workers or for Chen Wanniang and Huo Shi, the two main operators.
After all, from the very beginning, this weaving workshop was a business.
Popularizing education is something the imperial court needs to do, and besides, it's not suitable for her given her current position.
But how can her efforts to improve the level of education for women not be considered as promoting education?
Besides the weaving workshop, there was also a pharmacy. She also had Deng Yin teach them private lessons, saying that if they learned well, she would let them enter the official women's pharmaceutical factory.
The little girl stood in front of the notice and cautiously looked up. She couldn't understand it, but she liked the black ink writing.
"Young lady, I'd like to sign up."
She was the first to sign up. Xie Ning was surprised for a moment, then placed the coin in her hand in her palm. "Okay, I look forward to seeing your name on the bulletin board in the future."
The winners will be announced on the bulletin board, which is considered a form of fame. Even though it's just a small village, Xie Ning doesn't hesitate to give them literal honors in addition to material rewards.
The little girl clutched the copper coin tightly. Her dry, yellow hair was blown down by the wind, obscuring her eyebrows and eyes, making it impossible to see her expression. When it came time to hand over her wages the following month, she did not hand in the copper coin.
Instead, it was strung together with a red thread and hung around its neck.
After finishing his business at the estate, Xie Ning finally had time to go to the palace.
After examining the palace maids and eunuchs, he slipped away with Yan Xi to the library.
“My cousin is here today too. She’s in the library right now and brought a few books from home. Let’s go take a look together.”
The cousin Yanxi mentioned was actually Xiang Youyi.
"Miss Xie, we meet again."
"Huh, you two have met before?" Yan Xi's gaze swept over the two of them.
"A few days ago, the Qiu family held a flower viewing banquet, where I met Miss Xiang once."
Xiang Youyi nodded and then handed over the book in her hand, "Didn't Your Highness say you wanted to read a book on arithmetic? So I borrowed a few from my brother."
Yan Xi was overjoyed, "It really is my cousin's book, and there's even his handwriting inside!"
Just as Yan Xi was about to hand the book to Xie Ning, she suddenly remembered that she hadn't asked the host yet. "Cousin, can I lend the book to Aning? Actually, she's the one who's really interested in abacus calculations."
Yan Xi, on the other hand, is more interested in Confucian classics and law, and has been reading legal texts recently.
Xiang Youyi nodded with a smile, "Of course, as long as the books are not damaged."
At the same time, he took the opportunity to talk to Xie Ning. "I only remembered that Miss Xie was good at poetry and her flute playing was also excellent. I didn't expect that she was also interested in mathematics."
Xie Ning followed the two of them inside, where several low tables were placed for those who came to read and for the librarians.
She was naturally interested, after all, she believed that mathematics was the foundation of all things, and everything in the world could be calculated. If she couldn't calculate it, then it must be because she wasn't that good.
Upon hearing Xie Ning's remarks, Xiang Youyi seemed to have found a kindred spirit, and couldn't help but sit a little closer, taking Xie Ning's hand and starting to talk about calendrical calculations.
Xie Ning was good at arithmetic, but she didn't know much about calendars because her previous studies were focused on mechanical engineering. However, once she grasped the basics, she was able to apply them to other situations after just a few words.
After reading a few articles on the law, Yan Xi joined in, and the three of them talked more and more deeply until it got dark.
"I also have a copy of 'Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art.' I wonder when Miss Xie will have time to discuss it further!"
This feeling only came when discussing things with his elder brother. Xiang Youyi couldn't help but feel a deep connection with him, and his breathing became a little heavier.
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