Chapter 103 Ankang and his two friends enter the academy
When the group arrived at the academy, Li An and Li Kang looked at the plaque above the academy and felt even more excited, as they would study here in the future.
The gatekeeper saw them and stepped forward to ask, "Do you have anything to do? If not, please don't block the entrance to the academy."
Li Dachuan stuffed five coins into the boy's pocket and said, "We want to send our children to study in the academy. Please take us to see the teacher of the academy."
The servant's attitude was obviously milder: "Please wait a moment, I will report to the person in charge of recruitment."
A quarter of an hour later, the servant led the group into a house in the front yard.
A middle-aged man wearing a gray and white gown and with an elegant temperament sat in the first seat.
The servant introduced: "This is Master Wei from Qingshi Academy."
Li Dachuan patted the two children, and Li Kang and Li An immediately bowed and saluted according to the etiquette taught by Li Wanyue: "Li Kang (Li An) greets the Master."
Master Wei raised his eyebrows slightly. These people looked like farm kids, yet they knew etiquette.
I have a better impression of them.
"No need to be polite."
"Thank you, Master."
Master Wei asked, "Have you two ever been enlightened?"
Li Kang answered honestly: "I have never been to a private school, but my aunt taught us the Three Character Classic and the Thousand Character Classic."
"Oh? Recite it for me to hear."
The two men immediately carried it on their backs, and Master Wei listened and nodded.
After some testing and questioning, they agreed to allow them to enter the academy.
"You are studying in the academy, and the books are provided by the academy. You must take good care of them. If you damage the books, you will have to pay for it. I hope you will study hard in the academy, respect the rules and etiquette, and do not cause trouble, otherwise you will be expelled from the academy."
The two of them answered obediently: "Yes."
Master Wei looked at Li Dachuan and said, "The academy is divided into four classes: A, B, C, and D. Students who have just entered the academy are separated from students who have achieved academic success. They will study in Class D in the future.
The tuition fee of the academy is ten taels of silver per year, which is collected every six months. It includes lunch and two sets of academy uniforms. If you live in the academy, you will have three meals and accommodation a day, and you will have to pay an additional two taels of silver per year. If you want to buy additional academy uniforms, it will cost two hundred coins per set.
You should prepare two brushes and an inkstone for them to practice calligraphy, and rough-edged paper for them to use as many as they want. Also prepare an extra set of quilts for them to rest on during lunch break."
Li Erhu said: "Master, the two children are still young, so we won't let them live in the academy for the time being."
"Okay, classes at the academy start at 7:15 a.m. every day. You must send them there at 7:15 a.m., and then take a break at 12:00 p.m., and then have afternoon classes at 2:00 p.m., and finish at 6:00 p.m., and then take a day off every ten days of study, is that clear?"
“We’ve made note of that.”
Master Wei: "I will give you two days to prepare your things. Come to the academy for class in two days."
"Thank you, Master."
The two children paid ten taels of silver, got the entrance and exit credentials to the academy, received the academy uniforms, and the whole family walked out happily.
It happened to be the lunch break at the academy, so some students went home for lunch while others went to the cafeteria.
When Guo Xiangyu, the son of the second branch of the Li family, saw the group of people at the gate of the academy, disgust flashed in his eyes.
Why did these peasants come here instead of staying in the village? Did they want to see him? He couldn't think of any other reason for them to come here except to see him.
Although he looked unhappy, he had to go forward, lest these peasant relatives ask his classmates about him and look down on him if they knew he was from the same hometown.
Li Xiangyu walked up to Li Dachuan with a sullen face, without even calling them brother and sister-in-law.
He pointed to the alley next to him and said, "If you have anything to say, go over there and talk. Don't embarrass me here."
Li Dachuan looked at him like a fool: "What's your business?"
Li Xiangyu said contemptuously: "You come to see me with such an attitude, it's really rude."
"You've become stupid from reading too much. This academy is not yours. We can come whenever we want. You can go wherever you want." Li Erhu said rudely.
Li Xiangyu was stunned. Aren’t you here to see him?
"So what are you doing here?"
The academy uniform had been put on the ox cart by Wang Guixiang, and Li Xiangyu did not see it.
"Of course, I am here to send Xiaokang and Xiaoan to study. They will also study at Qingshi Academy in the future."
"What did you say?" Li Xiangyu was shocked. Sending two children to study at once?
One person needs ten taels of silver a year, and two children need twenty taels, not including pens, ink, paper and inkstone. Is my uncle's family so rich?
He hasn't been home for several months. What exactly happened at home?
Li Xiangyu's wife lives in the town, so after getting married he has been living in his wife's house and rarely returns to the village.
While Li Xiangyu was stunned, Li Wenxuan, the grandson of Village Chief Li, also saw them.
He ran forward with a smile on his face: "Uncle Dachuan, Uncle Erhu, why are you here?"
Li Dachuan smiled and replied: "I am here to see Xiaokang and Xiaoan off. They will also study in this academy in the future, and we need your help to take care of them, Wenxuan."
"That's great. I will have two more companions from now on." Li Wenxuan was very happy.
After a few pleasantries, Li Dachuan and his group ignored Li Xiangyu and left.
Li Xiangyu finally came to his senses and looked at Li Wenxuan and asked, "Wenxuan, has my eldest cousin's family made money recently? Why did they send two children to the academy at once?"
"I don't know about that. If you want to know, you should go back and ask. I'm going to the cafeteria." Li Wenxuan turned and left.
Li Xiangyu gnashed his teeth in anger.
On the other side, Li Wanyue and the other person went directly to the dental clinic.
Her requirement was that the shop didn't need to be too big, after all, she only sold shampoo, soap and facial cream in the shop.
The two of them followed the broker to look at three shops. The first one was a bit small, with an area of about 40 square meters, without a backyard, and the price was 35 taels of silver.
The second storefront was larger, covering an area of 160 square meters, located in the city center, with three rooms in the backyard, and was priced at 230 taels of silver.
The last place is far away from the main street and close to the big market where stalls are set up, but she feels that there may not be many people at this location who can buy shampoo and soap.
Li Wanyue was not very satisfied: "Are there any other shops?"
The dealer hesitated for a moment before saying, "Girl, there is another shop at the end of the main street, right... It's a bit evil, so it has never been sold."
"Evil spirit? What does that mean?"
"It's just a little... haunted."
"Haunted?" Li Sandong was shocked.
The broker said awkwardly, "I can't just lie to you just to sell the shop. Everyone in this town knows about it, and you will definitely come looking for me when the time comes. So I might as well tell you the truth.
The shop was sold four times. Not only did the business fail, but I could always hear crying in the middle of the night. I went out to check, but there was no one there. The noise was so noisy that I couldn't sleep.
In the yard, a bird dies today or a dog dies tomorrow, but don’t worry, no one has died. Usually, the animals are returned within ten days of being sold. Over time, the news spread and the shop has been unable to sell anything.”
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