Chapter 273: Far-reaching Plans
Wen Wan asked casually, "Five taels?"
Five taels of silver is enough for an ordinary family's food and clothing expenses for a year.
Ban Yue scoffed, "No, it's fifty taels!"
Wen Wan took a breath and couldn't help but exclaimed, "Fifty taels? This wealthy person is too exaggerated."
Ban Yue felt the same way. "That's right. As soon as the notice came out, everyone in the town was jealous. No one cared about men or women. Anyone who could light a fire or cook was eager to seek a future in that big house."
Wen Wan could imagine the lively scene and couldn't help but shudder.
"Our shop only makes forty or fifty taels a year, and this wealthy family is paying that much for a cook."
Wen Wan raised her hand and patted Ban Yue on the shoulder, saying seriously, "Ban Yue."
Ban Yue: “Hmm?”
Wen Wan: "Why don't you give it a try? Your cooking skills are based on my true teachings. I think you can get this job."
After a pause, she smiled again and said, "From now on, Yan Sui and I will take care of all the delicious food and drinks on your shoulders!"
Ban Yue curled her lips and said, "Madam, this is not good. I'm going to work. What about Yan Sui? He doesn't eat the food you cook."
Wen Wan: “…”
There is no need to say it so directly.
Wen Wan is a king in the field of cooking in theory, but a bronze in practice, so the food she makes is hated by everyone.
So, it’s really impossible to earn this money in half a month.
Although Wen Wan is greedy for money, compared with Yan Sui, money seems less important.
*
Because of a notice, the town was bustling for three days. It was said that people who wanted to go in to work were waiting at the gate of the mansion all day long.
Later, the eldest young master, who was rumored to have a bad temper, got angry and released two big black dogs, which scared the gathered crowd away.
In the kitchen, Banyue was making pastries while chatting with Wenwan.
In the past two years, the two of them have depended on each other with their child. As time goes by, they become closer than real sisters.
After talking about the interesting stories in the mansion, Banyue mentioned another thing.
"Oh, right? Didn't the town warden agree to let us open a school in town? I found a courtyard on the next street, but... it's hard to find a teacher for the school."
This town is so remote that there is not even a school.
Logically speaking, Wen Wan is a person who doesn't like to meddle in other people's business, so it's not her turn to worry about whether there is a school in the town or not.
After all, with her knowledge, Yan Sui will teach her personally, so basic education will not be a problem.
But human society is a social society, and the environment is crucial to a person's growth.
Yan Sui lives in this small town. It is impossible for him to have no friends at all. It is also impossible for him to be the only one learning knowledge among a group of children while the others are illiterate.
Wen Wan was fed up with the feeling of being the only one sober while everyone else was drunk.
Why should she let her child go through the same hardships she had gone through?
Therefore, for the healthy growth of her son, she decided to take a drastic measure and raised the overall teaching quality of the town to a higher level!
What we want is dominance!
"I remember there was a scholar named Zhang who failed the imperial examination in our town. He lived in Wutong Alley on the front street."
"Mr. Zhang..." Banyue pulled the corners of his mouth awkwardly, looking like he wanted to say something but hesitated.
Seeing Banyue hesitating, Wenwan said, "Just say it."
Ban Yue then said, "When I went to invite Mr. Zhang, he flatly refused me. He also said... forget it, it doesn't matter what he says."
Wen Wan was stunned for a moment, then sneered, "Is he saying that for a widow like me, a businesswoman, to want to run a school is a pipe dream?"
Among the four classes of people, scholars, farmers, merchants and artisans, in this era, merchants had the lowest status.
Those who usually gossip behind people's backs have chewed up all these unpleasant words, so it is not difficult for Wen Wan to guess.
"You didn't even pass the exam to become a scholar, you only read a few crappy books, and you're looking down on us!"
Ban Yue pulled the corner of his mouth in displeasure and soothed her, "Madam, don't be angry. Just treat it as him farting."
"Oh," Wen Wan's face darkened. "The more he looks down on us, the more I have to open this school! When the time comes, I'll teach a few successful candidates and blind their eyes!"
The more she thought about it, the more annoyed she became. "If it weren't for the fact that female teachers were not allowed in the school, and I was just teaching a few children, I would definitely be a better teacher than these half-baked scholars."
"I believe this!"
Ban Yue nodded repeatedly, "I didn't know a single word before, but Madam has been teaching me these past two years. Now, let alone learning to read, I can even write a few articles and a few doggerel poems without any problem."
"Don't you see who taught you?" Wen Wan's expression subsided, and she asked coldly, "Except for that teacher, is there no one else in our town who understands knowledge?"
Ban Yue frowned and asked, "How about I go and ask the town guard tomorrow?"
"Okay." Wen Wan agreed.
Not long after the pastries were ready, there was a knock on the door.
Wen Wan was puzzled, so she wiped her hands and went to open the door.
Speak of the devil, and here he comes. Unexpectedly, the man who comes is the garrison commander.
"Captain Liu, what brings you here? Come in and sit down. I bought some new tea from a traveling merchant a few days ago, and I'd like to make it for you."
The town's governor was named Liu, in his early thirties. When he smiled, his eyes narrowed into a line, making him look quite festive.
"Don't be polite, Madam Wen. I'm here to ask you a favor."
Liu Zhenshou went straight to the point, showing that he was very anxious.
Wen Wan smiled and said, "Our family has always been guarding and taking care of you. If there is anything we can help with, just tell us. Don't ask for help, it's too polite."
Liu Zhenshou nodded with satisfaction, "With Madam Wen's words, I feel relieved."
As he spoke, he raised his hand and pointed in the direction of the kitchen, "Then I'll be frank. I'm here to borrow Miss Ban Yue from you."
Wen Wan looked back at Banyue, her heart skipped a beat, and she immediately had three guesses.
She didn't show it on her face, and asked calmly, "What do you want to do with the half-month?"
The town guard looked helpless. "As you know, there are some distinguished people in our town. They are the ones who live in the mansion. They were looking for a cook in the town a few days ago."
"What a pity! There are so many cooks, but not one of them caught the young master's eye. I heard from the housekeeper that the young master hasn't eaten for two days. If this continues, I'm afraid something bad will happen."
Wen Wan: “…”
Are there really such pampered people in this world?
Going on a hunger strike because the food is not to your liking?
People like this are destined to starve to death and are not worthy of sympathy.
The town guard said worriedly, "If something happens to this ancestor in our town, I, a small town guard, will not be able to bear the consequences. So, I have no choice but to come to Miss Banyue for help."
Everyone in this town knows that Banyue is a good cook, which is one of the reasons why Banyue was able to get along well with those gossips in such a short time.
"It's just cooking a meal, it's not difficult. But..."
Wen Wan did not agree immediately, but said cautiously:
"From what you said, I'm afraid that the young master is not someone who is easy to get along with. Banyue is only a young girl after all. If she bumps into him, it will definitely cause trouble."
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