Chapter 487 A Long Way to Go
Xiao Yanci returned to the Eastern Palace and immediately informed Lu Zhiran of what had happened in the court.
He looked at Lu Zhiran, his tone full of pride.
"It's a pity you didn't see how wonderful the expressions on those old guys' faces were when General Gu told them you had opened the Cirongyuan in southern Fujian. They looked down on you because you were a woman, but they had to admit that they were not as good as you. Zhiran, you are really amazing."
The matter of establishing Cirongyuan was entrusted to Zhang De'an by Lu Zhiran before he left southern Fujian.
She could take those poor women away, but she couldn't take away the children who had lost their families, and they might not be willing to leave with her.
Lu Zhiran saw many half-grown children using their tender bodies to work in order to earn a living.
There is still work to be done in building dams, but the dams will eventually be repaired. Then how will they live?
There are also many young children who are unable to take care of themselves, and their lives have become a big problem.
Before Lu Zhiran made this decision, she discussed it with Xiao Yanci, who was very supportive.
It would be more reasonable for Lu Zhiran to do this than for Xiao Yanci to do it.
The Crown Prince determines the overall situation, and the Crown Princess implements benevolent policies. This is the best complement.
Since Lu Zhiran contributed money and effort to this matter, Xiao Yanci did not want to take away her credit.
The world praised Lu Zhiran, and Prince Xiao Yanci was also proud of it.
The timing of this news coming back was neither too early nor too late, just right, and it severely slapped the faces of those old guys who questioned Lu Zhiran.
Lu Zhiran had also received news from Zhang De'an. She was very happy to learn that the Cirong Hospital was progressing smoothly.
The events at Cirongyuan indirectly promoted the development of women's education, which is even more gratifying.
Xiao Yanci said, "However, today a court official mentioned the issue of enrolling girls in a girls' school. I'm afraid poor families are unwilling to send their daughters to a girls' school. How do you plan to deal with this issue?"
Lu Zhiran had discussed this matter with Jiang Nansheng and Xiao Baozhu long ago. After comprehensive consideration, they drew up the detailed admission rules.
This girls' school plans to recruit female students between the ages of six and ten. Farmers' families will not charge tuition fees, and food and accommodation will be fully provided. Students can receive three dou of rice per month, and if they drop out, they must recover all rewards.
But the girls' school is not a place for entertainment, nor is it a place to help other people raise their children for free. Students are required to take monthly assessments and complete a certain amount of embroidery or weaving every month. The finished products are purchased by Jinxiufang.
If you fail to complete it for three consecutive months, you will be asked to withdraw.
If a student is exceptionally talented and can complete the product quickly and well, the excess money, after being converted into silver, can belong to her.
Students who graduate from the girls' school can be given priority to work in Jinxiufang in the future.
In addition, the girls' association shortened the school term, suspended classes during the summer harvest and autumn planting seasons, and allowed students to go home to help, providing flexible teaching.
In addition, they would invite several respected ladies to serve as "honorary principals" to increase their credibility.
This is their preliminary plan, and they will certainly encounter various difficulties when implementing it.
But no matter how many difficulties there are, there are no more solutions.
All things are difficult at the beginning, and nothing can be achieved overnight. As long as you get through the beginning, the subsequent things will naturally unfold.
Today's Jinxiufang is the best example.
The plaque "Yuxiu Girls' School" inscribed by Emperor Defeng was quickly hung up. Immediately afterwards, the Yuxiu Girls' School posted the admission requirements and all the benefits, and sent officials to various villages to publicize the program, ensuring that every household knew about it.
The people who had originally scoffed at this matter could not help but become shaken after seeing such conditions.
However, the idea of favoring boys over girls is deeply rooted, and some farmers are still unwilling to let their daughters "show their faces in public", believing that it is more stable to stick to farm work.
In recent days, the enrollment of Yuxiu Girls' School has been a hot topic. Everyone has different opinions and choices.
Five days later, enrollment ended.
A total of 58 people were recruited this time, including 41 farmers' daughters and 13 merchants' daughters. What surprised them was that four officials' families sent their concubines' daughters.
Lu Zhiran looked at the list of the four families and quickly understood that these four officials were all from the prince's family, and their actions were a support for the prince and the princess.
And those merchants have more or less had business dealings with their own merchants.
Businessmen are shrewd. They are keenly aware of the extraordinary significance of Yuxiu Girls' School and naturally strive to seize the opportunity.
Xiao Baozhu was very dissatisfied with this number.
"This is a government-run girls' school with such generous conditions. Why isn't there such a huge response?"
Lu Zhiran and Jiang Nansheng felt that everything was as expected.
"People's perspectives can't be changed overnight. Even among families who send their daughters to school, not everyone truly believes in the virtues of learning. Most people probably only value the conditions for girls to go to school."
"That's right. Even the well-educated officials in the court are against women's education, let alone those illiterate common people? This is a long and arduous task."
Xiao Baozhu was immediately discouraged when she heard this.
"Then all our hard work would be in vain, wouldn't it?"
Such a large girls' school only enrolled more than 50 students. If this news got out, it would be a laughing stock.
Lu Zhiran smiled and shook her head.
"How can it be in vain? Our girls' school teaches real skills that can be used to make a living. In three years, the achievements of this group of students will be displayed to the world. Every step we take now will not be wasted."
Jiang Nansheng also said, "No matter how much we talk, nothing can be as practical as actually doing something and presenting it to everyone. Those who are waiting to see us laugh today will be severely slapped in the face by us tomorrow. By then, there will be no worries about the girls' school having no students."
Education itself is a long-term process. Lu Zhiran and Jiang Nansheng are well aware of this. Today's start is already a good one, and they are not discouraged.
Xiao Baozhu was also encouraged and became full of energy.
The Yuxiu Girls' School caused a small stir in the capital, but was soon forgotten by everyone. Most people felt that this matter had nothing to do with them, so naturally they didn't pay too much attention to it.
Most officials were waiting to see what the show was like, wanting to see if the Crown Princess could make a splash this time.
Don't end it hastily, that would be a laughing stock.
The students at Yuxiu Girls' School were completely unaware of the noisy discussions in the outside world.
They entered a completely unfamiliar environment and adapted to the new pace of life with difficulty.
Some people feel that this is a paradise on earth, and that their lives have a new beginning and new hope from now on.
Some people, however, feel confused and uneasy, finding it difficult to adapt, and at the same time feel ashamed and unable to get along with themselves in front of excellent classmates.
But as girls from poor families, they have no way out once they come here. No matter how difficult it is, they can only grit their teeth and persevere.
Three years later, when they finally graduated from the girls' school, they had been completely transformed and were no longer the same as they were three years ago.
At that time, they were all extremely grateful to themselves for gritting their teeth and not giving up three years ago.
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