Chapter 258 The beginning is always the hardest.
Actually, this morning, Li's mother and Li's second brother went to the Jingzhao Prefecture with a note to exchange the "Women's Assistance Association" sign.
Li Erxiong even personally demonstrated how to hang the sign on the side of the door of the former Zhou family shop next to the Li family's medical clinic.
The sign itself is quite ordinary, made of just common wood. What makes it stand out is the emblem in the lower right corner.
It was a square frame with the words "Seal of the Capital Prefecture" written in regular script inside.
Those bearing this mark are legitimate and conscientious associations protected and supervised by the government.
After all, would an alliance that is willing to pay a few taels of silver every month be so likely to cheat people?
When the sign was hung up, Li's mother, Li's eldest sister-in-law, and Li's second sister-in-law finally felt a real sense of responsibility; they would be taking on some challenges from now on!
Right now, in the main hall, Li's mother sat at the head of the table, with Li's eldest sister-in-law and second sister-in-law on either side. The other seats were occupied by the midwives they had found; since there weren't enough chairs, they sat on stools.
After everyone was seated and a cup of tea was served to each person, Li's mother cleared her throat, and everyone turned to look at her, waiting for her to speak.
Li's mother was no fool. Just the fact that she dared to bring her eldest brother Li to Chang'an when she was young, and was willing to marry Li's father who had nothing at the time, showed that she was braver than many people.
When Li's mother saw that everyone was looking in her direction, she didn't show any fear; instead, she looked back at them.
Besides Yulian, whom I already knew from within the ward, there was another young woman whose face I recognized immediately; she must also be a midwife from the Longevity Ward.
Midwife Ding and Midwife Cen, two people Li's mother had known for over ten years, also came.
Apart from Midwife Sun, the remaining people were all unfamiliar faces to Li's mother. They were probably midwives from various neighborhoods that Midwife Sun and the others knew well.
“I know you have come here to find out why my family’s alliance was established.”
Why should my third aunt teach her skills to others for no reason?
"The fact that you've come shows you're interested in learning this midwifery technique, so it's understandable that you've come to inquire about it."
At this point, Li's mother nodded to Li's sister-in-law, who then stepped forward and bowed to everyone.
Then Sister-in-law Li said loudly, "This association is called the Women's Assistance Association, and its purpose is to help women in need."
So what kind of situations require help?
In matters like childbirth, which fall under the jurisdiction of midwives, help is needed.
My third aunt's abilities are something you can all ask around; she's more than capable of teaching you.
My third aunt is still working in the medical alliance. She won't directly manage this matter; she'll only teach you delivery techniques, and that's all she cares about.
The person in charge of this alliance is first and foremost my mother, followed by my sister-in-law and me.
Li Da Sao gestured to Li Er Sao, who, suppressing her embarrassment, stepped forward and bowed to everyone.
Before Sister-in-law Li could continue speaking, she saw a person sitting on her right raise their hand to signal.
"Is there something wrong with this lady?"
A woman with a wooden hairpin in her hair, dressed in a simple top and skirt, nodded, stood up, bowed, and asked, "I am from Yong'an Ward. My name is Yao Qingqing. Greetings, everyone."
Yao Qingqing bowed again before continuing, "I am acquainted with Midwife Sun, and I came here on her advice."
My main question is whether Dr. Li's midwifery techniques are truly taught without any set fees.
"Are we really not going to observe the proper teacher-student etiquette?"
Sister-in-law Li nodded, glanced back at her mother, and then replied, "It's true!"
My third aunt gave lectures to members of the women's support group, without charging them any fees or showing them any teacher-student relationship.
If you can get in, you can learn my third aunt's midwifery secrets without spending any money.
However, if you want to graduate and then go out to deliver babies under the name of our alliance, you will have to pass an exam first.
Midwife Ding asked, "May I ask how this exam is conducted? Is there a reference?"
Upon hearing this question, Sister-in-law Li withdrew. Mother Li smiled at Midwife Ding before nodding to Sister-in-law Li.
Li Ersao then pulled out a form from a small table beside her, which Li Sanniang had written earlier and which the four children had copied dozens of times. This form was called the "registration form" by Li Sanniang.
In fact, the above is just a matter of names, ages, home locations, when they started delivering babies, and how many babies they have delivered to date.
After Li Ersao distributed the items to the eight people present, she returned to the center and bowed to everyone. Although her cheeks were flushed, she still managed to speak despite her timidity and shyness: "My third sister only teaches this technique to those who truly want to learn it and are determined to improve their skills."
To ensure a dedicated teaching approach, my third aunt only taught ten students in this first batch.
What I just sent to you is something my third aunt wants to know about you all. Don't worry, it's just something you can find out by asking around.
I know not all of you are literate. Later, if any of you cannot read, just come and tell me, and I will write it down for you.
Midwife Ding glanced at the paper, and after listening to Li Ersao's words, she looked at Li's mother and asked, "So, will Dr. Li be selected based on this paper, or do we need to come and participate on the actual day?"
"It was my third sister who personally conducted the examination that day. This document is just for you all to register."
Just like those young men who recently went to take the exams, all they did was give their names so they would know how many people would be taking the exams, which was also to prepare the venue.
Those who didn't register this time will have to wait until next time.
However, it's hard to say when the next time will be.
These words made everyone take the registration form seriously.
In the end, they got two more calligraphy brushes from the four little ones, and with the help of Li's mother and sister-in-law, the registration form was finally completed.
As darkness fell, Li's mother and her two companions saw the eight people off at the door.
Before leaving, Yao Qingqing asked, "Is it alright if I tell my acquaintance about this?"
"That's certainly possible. As long as you register before the official date in half a month, you can come and take the exam then."
After dinner, as the family sat chatting in the main hall, Li Ersao sighed, "Today we were busy writing those registration forms. Apart from Yao Qingqing, none of them can read, let alone write them."
No wonder Third Sister said before that it would be best to find a young woman to do it; they are young and can better accept new things, even learning to read from scratch is possible.”
Sister-in-law Li chimed in: "That's right. I originally thought the difficulty lay in getting people to provide references, but I didn't expect the difficulty would lie in choosing who to teach."
There are far too few people like Sun the Midwife who are willing to come to her door and take the initiative to learn from her.
"Today, among the young women who came, besides Yulian from our neighborhood, only Yao Qingqing was present."
"In any case, you've taken this first step, which is a good thing."
When Third Sister returns, tell her and ask her how she plans to select candidates for the exam in half a month.
Mr. Li stroked his beard and concluded.
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