The flowers and fruit trees, fertile fields and streams, small paths and farmhouse guesthouses here all make people sigh: It is really a beautiful rural scenery, as if you are in a paradise and chatting about family matters.
He Jinshu raised his lip corners slightly when he heard this, and then said, "Wait until all the terraces are planted with rice seedlings in August. The scenery will be even more beautiful then."
After hearing this, Wei Juewen praised: "You still have ideas."
After the two chatted for a few more minutes, He Jinshu said goodbye to him and went home.
In mid-to-early July, the villagers were busy harvesting rice. After the servants finished harvesting the rice, Chen Chen and He Jinshu took their two sons to the fields to catch loaches. The two children were covered in mud, but they were laughing happily.
In late July, every household began to plant rice in the fields. The terraced fields were evenly divided among the households by Village Chief Wu. Each household took care of the planting and then paid the grain tax.
After finishing farm work, the village school officially began recruiting students in early August. The admission age was six years old and above, and those who had not yet passed the scholar examination.
Because the school was built by the two villages themselves, the annual tuition for primary students from the two villages was two taels of silver, and the annual tuition for students was three taels of silver.
For students from other villages, the annual tuition for junior students was 3 taels of silver, and they could pay for food and lodging separately or go home to eat. For students, the annual tuition was the same as for students in the town's private schools, 5 taels of silver, and they could pay for food and lodging separately or go home to eat.
Due to the limited number of student dormitories, the number of external admissions is also limited. The specific number of admissions will be determined based on the accommodation situation.
On the first day of enrollment, several teachers examined the candidates according to the pre-arranged test questions, and then assigned them to different classes.
Chen Zhen also came that day, bringing two children to maintain order.
Surprisingly, Chen Zhen also saw the servant of the county magistrate coming over with a little boy of 5 or 6 years old.
The man came over and greeted Chen Zhen when he saw him, then said to him, "The master said he wanted the young master to come here to study with He Xiucai. He didn't want to make it too public, so he didn't come in person. He asked me to tell He Fulang that he hopes He Fulang and He Xiucai can help take care of his daily life. As for his studies, he can be treated like an ordinary student."
After hearing this, Chen Zhen glanced at the little boy. He looked a little arrogant, but he seemed to know the rules and etiquette.
So he nodded and said, "I see. He's staying here too?"
"Yes, but he doesn't live in the school. The county magistrate asked us to rent a yard here, and there will be someone to take care of his food and daily life." said the servant.
"Okay, I understand. Just take him in for the test." Chen Chen responded.
The servant responded and prepared to take everyone away, but the young master spoke at this moment: "Are you Mr. He's husband?"
"Yes." Chen Chen nodded.
"I heard that Mr. He is very powerful, but he will take me with him personally?" Feng Chengcong said in a somewhat arrogant tone.
Chen Chen simply said, "Whether or not my Ah Shu can personally take care of you depends on your own ability. Even if you are capable, my Ah Shu won't just take care of you alone. After all, there are so many students in the school. How can he only take care of you?"
Feng Chengcong curled his lips upon hearing this, and then said, "I will study hard and make him look at me with new eyes."
"Then you better do your best." Chen Chen said indifferently.
"What does 'come on' mean?" Feng Chengcong asked in confusion.
"Come on, it means to work hard," He Sixuan said from the side, and then added: "Dad, this brother is so stupid."
After hearing this, Chen Chen patted He Sixuan on the head and scolded him lightly: "Don't talk about brother like that." After all, this word has never appeared in this time and space, so it is normal for others not to know what it means.
He Sixuan knew this because Chen Chen often told him when he was doing something, so he knew it.
When Feng Chengcong heard a handsome boy say that he was stupid, he couldn't help blushing and felt a little ashamed and angry in his heart. I'm not stupid at all. My grandfather at home praises me for being smart.
Seeing this, Chen Chen comforted him, "Xuan'er is still young, so don't bother with him. Uncle is here to say sorry to you. How about I give you a meal as an apology someday?"
"Did you make it yourself?" Feng Chengcong asked.
"Of course." Chen Chen replied.
"Okay, then I forgive him for what he said about me." Feng Chengcong said generously. He knew that Chen Chen was good at cooking. After all, his grandfather often brought food home and sometimes he would talk about the food made by Chen Chen from time to time.
Now that Chen Zhen is willing to do it for him, he is naturally very happy.
"You should go in for the assessment." Chen Chen reminded him.
After hearing this, Feng Chengcong said goodbye to Chen Zhen and entered the school.
After everyone left, Chen Chen asked the two children, "Shall we go home?"
Now that most people have gone in, they don't have anything to do. He Jinshu still has to take an exam inside, so they won't wait for him.
"Where is father?" He Siyi asked.
"He has to assess the students and may be back later. Let's not wait for him." Chen Chen said.
"Then let's go home." He Siyi said.
Upon hearing this, Chen Zhen picked up one of them at a time, said hello to the servants who were guarding here, and went home first.
The school exam lasted a whole day before the final class assignments for the students were completed. Then everyone was given three days to go back and prepare, and classes officially started three days later.
At night, after a deep conversation between the two, Chen Chen held He Jinshu in his arms and said to him, "Everything has been going well recently, and no one has come to pick a fight. Did your words in Luozhou work?"
"Maybe," He Jinshu said nonchalantly, "It's mainly because we're too far away for them to reach us. Plus, the prefect is a relatively clear-headed person, so it's hard for them to find fault with us."
Chen Zhen nodded upon hearing this, and then said, "Prefect Pan arrived here in September, right?"
"Yes," He Jinshu replied, "I'll talk to him about it when the time comes. If he's interested in developing Cangzhou, I'll mention cement to him. That way, he'll be able to make it easier for us when making cement, and we'll have less trouble."
Limestone and coal are needed to make cement. He Jinshu has already found limestone mines and coal mines, but they are not within Linshe County. So in order to reduce the trouble of transportation, He Jinshu decided to take measures to build caves for burning limestone nearby, which requires the cooperation of other counties and towns.
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