Chapter 505 The Wind Rises
Girls' schools spread rapidly throughout Hefeng Town, like a spider web.
Some of the village women who passed by knew about it and couldn't help but gossip about it.
Have you heard that a girls' school has opened in town?
"I heard that. Apparently, there's no tuition fee. This employer is really generous."
“I heard that the owner is also a woman, which is why I gave this opportunity to a woman.”
"Really? I have a daughter at home. If I send her over, do you think they'll accept her?"
"I think we should wait and see. There has never been a case of women receiving an education before. Who knows how the government will handle this matter?"
"That's true. If the government intervenes, I don't know if the owner can withstand it."
A rather richly dressed man walked past the women, crossed two main streets, and entered the hall where guests from all directions gathered.
"Master, what brings you here?" Manager He greeted him with a smile.
Pei Shi'an glanced at him and said coldly, "I told you to keep an eye on the other side these past few days. Have you seen any movement?"
Without pausing, he started walking upstairs.
"Everything at Xinglong Restaurant is normal. It's just that the house we went to last time has a middle-aged woman living there, and little girls keep appearing there every day, as if she's giving lessons," Manager He reported as he followed behind.
These sentiments, coupled with what Pei Shi'an had overheard on the way, made him smile sarcastically. "Haven't you heard any rumors while you're here?"
"I heard that a girls' school has opened in town, and that's the location we've been keeping an eye on." Manager He quickly stepped forward and opened the study door for Pei Shi'an.
After the owner went inside, he immediately waved and had someone bring in the freshly brewed tea.
After the person left, he went inside and continued, "The owner of the girls' school is none other than Manager Wan of Xinglong Restaurant. She neglects her perfectly good restaurant to set up a girls' school; she's just asking for trouble!"
Pei Shi'an didn't respond to his words. He picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and said, "She's a thoughtful person, but she shouldn't focus her attention on these things. Some things can't be broken by her alone, or by just a few people!"
"Yes, Master, you're right!" Manager He echoed, then asked, "Master, should we add fuel to the fire and catch her off guard?"
Pei Shi'an glanced at him sideways, his eyes turning colder. "Are you trying to get yourself into trouble?" His tone instantly turned much colder.
"No, no... I just feel that this is the best time to strike them down," said Manager He.
“Now is not the time.” Pei Shi’an leaned back, looking like he was in control, and said, “Besides, we don’t need to take action. Some people will get restless. We can just wait for the right moment and follow the government’s call!”
As Pei Shian said, this matter does not need anyone to push it.
After the news of the girls' school spread throughout Hefeng Town, it somehow reached Yunhe County as well, and even in the county government, many people were discussing it.
"How dare you women in Hefeng Town open a girls' school? Are you out of your mind?"
“I heard that the woman who looks after the school has someone backing her.”
"Who is it? Isn't it the wife of that Chen from our yamen's military office?"
"It's her again! It seems like she's always involved in whatever happens in Hefeng Town. Always showing her face in public, so unchaste, what a disgrace!"
"That's someone praised by the Emperor himself, so watch your words and don't get yourself into trouble."
“I don’t know if I’ll get into trouble, but even if someone protects her, it won’t help. The court has never allowed the opening of a girls’ school.”
"But there doesn't seem to be any explicit prohibition against opening the road..."
As they were talking, they saw two people approaching and immediately shut up, saying respectfully, "Greetings, Master Cao and Steward Chen."
Master Cao nodded slightly and said, "Disaster comes from the mouth. When working in the county government, talk less, observe more, and do more."
"Yes, sir!" The constables accepted the order and immediately resumed their patrols.
Chen Yongnian watched the group walk away with a cold expression, without saying anything more.
Master Cao patted Chen Yongnian on the shoulder, signaling him to continue walking forward.
After walking a few steps, he said, "These things have been spreading like wildfire in the county government recently, and the two officials must know about them. If this continues, I'm afraid it won't be appropriate."
Chen Yongnian paused, turned to look at Master Cao, and said, “Sir, the lady’s actions have not violated the law. I believe that you two will handle this matter impartially.”
Master Cao sighed and shook his head, saying, "You're still thinking too short-sightedly. The government won't arrest people arbitrarily, after all, your wife has Wan Xian, who is about to take the imperial examination, behind her. But the capital is a dangerous place, and no one can say for sure whether he can stand out and gain favor."
"You mean, Second Brother is in danger?" Chen Yongnian frowned slightly.
"No, but whether he can gain the Emperor's favor is not something that can be explained in a few words." Master Cao raised his hand, inviting Chen Yongnian to sit in the pavilion.
“The sky is high and the water is far, and even if he is in great distress, he cannot save the offender.” Master Cao sat down and said, “The biggest problem facing this girls’ school now is not the government, but the people.”
"The common people?" Chen Yongnian was trying to understand the meaning behind Cao Shiye's words.
“Yes. Think about it, what kind of existence does this school represent compared to boys’ academies? Would they allow girls’ academies to exist?” Master Cao asked.
"No," Chen Yongnian answered honestly.
"This matter was actually brought up by Headmaster Tao a long time ago, but we opposed it. Not to mention the government, the families of the boys who are charged tuition fees will certainly not agree. If tuition fees are charged, who would be willing to pay money to support girls' education?"
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