230, Moved (4th update)
Old Zhu was momentarily stunned upon hearing the words, then somewhat confused. By the time he regained his senses, he had already knelt down, “Old Zhu wishes to express the children’s gratitude for the great kindness of the master, the great kindness of the master!”
Xie Zhinuan watched, her heart also moved.
She extended her hand to help Old Zhu up, “Stand up!”
Although hiring a teacher would cost some silver, it could also cultivate a few useful people.
“Actually, it’s not just the children who need enlightenment. As long as they are willing, they, too, can go to school and learn to read. We’ll just set aside a room in this estate for the schoolhouse. I’ll hire two teachers, one for literature and one for martial arts. Being accomplished in both is always commendable, no matter the time. But you will have to take care of the teachers’ food and make sure it’s not too shabby!”
“Rest assured, master, Old Zhu will take care of everything meticulously!”
Xie Zhinuan then looked around and tasted an orange.
Though it wasn’t as sweet as those watered with spiritual spring water, the taste was still quite good.
“Pick some of the best oranges here to send to the county town. Don’t pick too many, let the rest grow a bit more. Also, pick some for the children to eat; don’t be too strict with them!”
Old Zhu smiled, “Don’t worry, master, every family will have some!”
Xie Zhinuan nodded.
As she was leaving, she thought that this small village was quite nice. She contemplated how, over time, the village could expand to accommodate more people. It would be good for these people to propagate and thrive on the manor.
After sending Xie Zhinuan off, Old Zhu immediately gathered the farmers and shared Xie Zhinuan’s grace with them.
One by one, their eyes reddened, “This new master is exceptionally good!”
“The master is a kind person!”
“We have encountered a kind person indeed!”
Deeply moved, Old Zhu found it necessary to admonish them, “Since you’ve found the master to be good, don’t be double-hearted. To meet such a good master in one’s lifetime is our good fortune!”
In five years, they would become free citizens, which was hope itself. Who would be so foolish as to commit any ill-advised deed?
“Then Old Zhu, let’s get to work quickly. The water for the fields needs to be released so that we can go catch loach and eels. You’d better find some big jars to store them in!”
“Exactly, I’ve heard that the master has opened a braised meat shop in the county town. Let’s chop some firewood and send it to the master, so the master can save on buying wood!”
“Good idea, let’s do that!”
Seeing this, Old Zhu couldn’t help but laugh and cry, but he still sent them off to work.
He kept a few others to clean up the room and find wood for making tables.
Enlightening the children was not an easy task.
When Xie Zhinuan returned to the county town, she thought about finding two teachers. The teachers should ideally be learned, capable, and diligent, so finding them was quite challenging.
She also had to buy books for the children, and books were genuinely expensive.
She considered asking someone from the academy to copy the books, which would be cheaper.
But many were now preparing for the rural exams. Hearing that Xu Xuanjin had gone as well, Xie Zhinuan decided to buy pens, ink, paper, and inkstones. A pen and inkstone for each person was necessary, and she bought a large bottle of ink. The Xuan paper she bought was the least expensive, but there was enough for each person to receive a piece.
This was her back-to-school gift to the children.
“Miss, you’ve spent dozens of taels of silver on this, why go through such trouble?” Yin Suwen couldn’t help but ask.
Xie Zhinuan looked at Yin Suwen and smiled after a moment, “How should I put this? It’s like I know you have a story and might bring me trouble, but I still went out of my way to take you in. I know whether or not I have you, I can keep track of the money, since every tael comes from and goes through my hands. To keep or not to keep you and your brother is just a small effort for me, but for you, it’s lifesaving!”
Upon hearing this, Yin Suwen’s face turned pale.
Chapter 231