Chapter 2422 Extra: The Prosperous Zhenglu Academy
Shu Yu greeted Yuan Gui and Kang Shuxian and inquired about the convoy.
Yuan Gui approached the carriage, first shaking hands with Xiao Mianmian who peeked out, before saying, "Everything is ready. This time we're delivering goods to the capital and Changjin Prefecture. There are more people in the caravan, so we're traveling slowly. We'll speed up after we pass Changjin Prefecture."
Shu Yu nodded. "It's okay, we're not in a hurry."
As the two were talking, Meng Yunzheng got off the carriage, picked up Mianmian, and walked towards the middle of the caravan.
He walked up behind one of the old men and put Mianmian down. "Mr. Hejiang."
Mr. Hejiang, who had his back to Meng Yunzheng, turned around when he heard the voice. He smiled at Mianmian and handed her a grasshopper he was holding before nodding to Meng Yunzheng. “This trip involves a large number of people, so we will have to trouble the brothers in the caravan.”
Meng Yunzheng smiled and said, "Their extra wages are all allocated by the academy's accounting department."
Mr. Hejiang glanced at him sideways and said, "Judging from what the headmaster said, our academy is quite well-off."
Meng Yunzheng: "My wife is a businesswoman, and I'm also a semi-businesswoman."
Mr. Hejiang, “…” Aren’t you a businessman?
At the foot of the mountain, a large vegetable garden belonged to the academy, and the students grew their own vegetables. Behind the academy, there was also a large area fenced off for raising livestock, with experienced farmers hired to teach them. As a result, the livestock in the backyard grew fat and strong, even better than those bought from outside.
Didn't you see that all the workers in Luxian's workshop went out of their way to buy from them?
There are also students and their families renting houses at the foot of the mountain. Those are all wealthy people. In order not to let their children and themselves suffer, they try every means to buy meat and vegetables.
Of course, many parents protested against this, but no one could out-argue Meng Yunzheng. He said that the imperial court had set up a holiday for farming, which showed that even the imperial court supported the development of agriculture, so why couldn't they go to the fields to work?
Besides, the imperial examinations often included questions about agriculture. How could one gain a deep understanding without personally participating? Moreover, Meng Yunzheng personally worked in the fields to prove that this was how he became the top scholar in the imperial examinations.
Good heavens, even Mr. Hejiang and Mr. Huai'an were deeply convinced by him.
Thus, Zhenglu Academy received its first income.
Later, Meng Yunzheng also developed handicrafts. For example, the grasshopper that Mr. Hejiang made just now was something he learned to make in a handicraft class... These things can't be sold for a high price, but even if they cost one or two copper coins, Master Meng doesn't mind.
He then encouraged the students to write more articles, and to submit the best ones to bookstores for printing and sale.
In this way, students can hone their writing skills, gain recognition, and even boost their confidence. Especially for students from disadvantaged families, it can provide a substantial income.
Now that the student has an income, he won't have to owe the academy tuition fees anymore.
Meng Yunzheng always seizes every opportunity to increase the academy's income, especially last year when the academy produced several Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations), causing a sensation throughout Dasu.
Therefore, Meng Yunzheng heeded Shu Yu's advice and went to... solicit investment.
The merchants were naturally very happy to accept, as they had nothing else but money.
Excellent, the academy is now rolling in money.
In the entire Dasu area, unless there are government subsidies or grants, there is probably no academy richer than Zhenglu Academy.
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
