Chapter 463 The First Batch of Students at the Women's Academy!
Afterwards, Shen Lanxi handed over the teaching arrangements to Ji Xiuran, who transformed from an unknown historian into the dean of the first women's academy in the capital.
For several days in a row, I felt like I was in a dream, and I felt unsteady when I walked.
"Mr. Shen, surely no one will come to register today?" Ji Xiuran asked anxiously.
Shen Yuanxu smiled and reassured her, "Don't worry, the girls' academy is not only going to enroll students today, but also to make a name for itself!"
Ji Xiuran asked nervously, "Aren't our admission requirements a bit too strict?"
Shen Yuanxu wasn't sure either, only saying, "We'll know in a bit."
On the day of the admissions, Shen Lanxi personally arrived at the girls' academy before it opened.
"Why are there so many people?" Ji Xiuran was stunned when he opened the door.
Shen Yuanxu hadn't expected that there would be such a large crowd outside the door, including old women carrying babies, newlyweds, and young women.
Shen Lanxi, dressed in official robes, calmly walked out of the academy.
Let's begin!
The outside area became quiet after Shen Lanxi appeared.
Shen Yuanxu announced loudly, "Today we are only accepting twenty students. The requirements are: girls, seven years old, and in good health. Those who wish to register, please register here!"
After these words were spoken, there was a great deal of discussion among the people below.
"Isn't it said that any girl can go to school? Why do we have to consider age?"
"Such a big place, how come they only recruited twenty girls? Isn't that a waste of space?"
“What can a seven-year-old girl understand? Girls’ schools are absurd.” A man’s voice suddenly rang out.
Immediately afterward, all the women around him turned to look at him.
"What are you looking at? What did I say wrong? Studying and understanding principles are men's business. Women are ignorant, and after marriage, their husbands will teach them. What's the point of academies? It's a waste of money and resources. Wouldn't it be better to use that money on the candidates going to the capital for the imperial examinations and cultivate a group of pillars of society? Isn't that better than wasting money on a bunch of ignorant girls?"
Suddenly, someone shouted.
"Beat him up!"
"He clearly has no sisters, is unmarried, and has no daughters, which is why he can say such disrespectful things about women. Wasn't he born of a woman?"
"His disdain for women is clearly a result of his mother's teachings. His whole family is definitely not good people. Women, you must keep your eyes open and never marry such a cold, heartless, and selfish man..."
A group of women were incited to chase after the man and beat him.
After the discordant voices subsided, Shen Yuanxu continued, "Today we're recruiting seven-year-old girls, and tomorrow we'll recruit eight-year-old girls. If you have a girl of suitable age, you can prepare at home."
"The women's college has just started operating and is currently in the trial operation phase. Once it is running smoothly, we will naturally expand enrollment, so there is no need to rush."
Someone shouted, "What do they teach at the college?"
Shen Yuanxu responded with ease: "Naturally, it's about teaching women how to protect themselves, to read books and understand things, so that when they help manage the family's finances and property in the future, they won't be deceived."
"By learning the laws of my Great Zhou Dynasty, I will not only be able to deal with things calmly in the future, but also guide my sons at home to avoid risks."
"Learning martial arts will strengthen your body. If you encounter difficulties in the future, or if your in-laws deliberately make things difficult for you, you will be able to protect yourself."
"The teachings of the girls' academy are all about enabling women to secure their future!"
The crowd immediately began to discuss the matter.
"I'm signing up! I'm signing up for my daughter!" A woman, holding her daughter up, squeezed through the crowd to the front.
"Excuse me, excuse me, I'm here to register my daughter!"
"I'm also registering for my daughter..."
"I'll sign up too..."
Seeing so many people sign up, those who were hesitant and observing were afraid of missing out on a spot, so they rushed to grab one.
Shen Yuanxu quickly ordered people to maintain the queue, and soon the twenty spots were up.
"How come the spots are full so quickly? Let's add my daughter. One more daughter won't make a difference. Whether it's one sheep or a flock, it's all the same..."
"Yes, yes, let's add a few more spots. The academy is so big, a few more won't make a difference!"
Shen Yuanxu glanced at Shen Lanxi, who then spoke.
"Quiet!"
The Imperial Guards behind her drew their swords in unison, and the scene instantly fell silent.
"Do you think ten people can get into the academy? There's also a qualification exam. If you don't pass the qualification exam, don't even think about getting into the academy!"
Shen Yuanxu smiled and said, "The Women's Academy has been personally recognized by Liu Mingxin, the current regent minister. From now on, the talents produced by the academy will all be talented women who are proficient in music, chess, calligraphy and painting. They will be the mistresses of the house that high-ranking officials and nobles would kick down the threshold to marry."
Wouldn't that mean they'd only accept daughters from wealthy and powerful families? Some ordinary people began to have doubts.
Shen Yuanxu: "I know you're probably thinking that the academy only accepts daughters from wealthy and powerful families. Wrong. Our academy teaches everyone, regardless of background. We only accept those who genuinely want to learn skills. Those who come to our academy just to get a prestigious degree and marry into a good family, we don't want them!"
For some people, this sentence is like a reminder.
If ordinary girls could use the academy to get close to powerful and wealthy families, wouldn't they be able to change their fate?
Many people's minds started to wander.
Shen Lanxi immediately posed a aptitude test to the twenty girls.
If an old woman falls down in front of you, will you help her up or not?
Twenty girls, some innocent and naive, others with bright, lively eyes.
Shen Yuanxu pointed to the first girl and said with a smile, "Let's start with you."
The girl who was nodded was dressed in fine silks, satins, gold, silver, and jade, clearly from a wealthy family.
The girl glanced back, and at her mother's prompting, said neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Although I am young, if I go to the market, my family will definitely send a maid to accompany me. I will ask the maid to go and help the old lady up."
Shen Lanxi nodded.
Shen Yuanxu: "Pass!"
The second girl was clearly not as bold as the first girl, and her clothes were those of an ordinary family.
“My mother told me not to talk to outsiders, saying they might all be liars.”
Shen Lanxi nodded.
Shen Yuanxu: "Pass."
The third girl pouted and said, "Why should I help? I'm too small to lift it!"
Shen Lanxi nodded.
Shen Yuanxu hesitated. This young woman, at such a young age, was clearly not very kind. How could they possibly get along like this?
"Pass!"
The fourth one: "I don't know."
Shen Lanxi: "Then go home and think it over before you sign up!"
The little girl burst into tears, and her mother quickly covered her mouth and took her away.
The fifth one...
Of the twenty girls, fifteen were kept.
Some people were dissatisfied, but dared not speak out.
Shen Yuanxu: "There are still five spots available. Who wants to sign up?"
Those who were just moments before were now pushing and shoving forward, holding their babies up.
Having successfully recruited twenty people, Shen Lanxi explained why the girl stayed.
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