Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Someone caught wind of Shao Yunduan’s intentions and saw an opportunity.
They purchased numerous fields from the Zhao Family and approached Shao Yunduan, offering to sell some of them to him. These fields had no connection to the confiscated assets.
To everyone’s surprise, Shao Yunduan accepted the offers and bought the fields, paying a price higher than the market value. In total, he acquired 400 mu of land. He then d these lands to the clan, entrusting the elderly men, clan chief, Land Officer, and appointed individuals from the Shao Family to jointly manage the land ownership documents. All the income generated from these lands would be allocated towards supporting school expenses and enhancing the ancestral hall.
As for the remaining funds, they were to be recorded in a public account, reserved for use during times of disasters or emergencies.
With the resources secured, construction of the school commenced without delay.
Apart from the school building, Shao Yunduan and Qiao Xuan also discussed the need for a separate yard dedicated to a library and study room. This space would cater to diligent students who couldn’t afford to purchase books of their own.
Together, they established principles and rules for the school’s operations. In addition to the daily administration, they implemented regulations specifically for the library and student-related matters.
Firstly, the books in the library were not to be borrowed; they could only be read within the study room. However, students were allowed to make copies of the books and take those copies with them.
To incentivize academic progress, they devised a system where students who achieved the status of Child Student would receive a monthly supplementary of 50 wen. However, if a student failed to pass the Cultivated Talent examination after ten years, the supplementary would be canceled.
On the other hand, if a student successfully attained the rank of Cultivated Talent, they would be awarded an additional 100 wen, which would be valid for a period of ten years.
Furthermore, a fare of ten liang would be provided to any student who needed to travel for the autumn examination. This fare would cover the expenses for each journey made to attend the examination.
The established standards served as a foundation, but they were open to adjustments based on the actual circumstances, with approval from the clan.
Essentially, it meant that any talented children from the clan could wholeheartedly pursue their studies, knowing that their needs would be taken care of. Even orphaned children could lead a frugal lifestyle and continue their education, supported by the bonuses provided and with two mu of plain fields at their disposal.
The news spread throughout Shaoding Village, filling the community with joy and excitement. Families, particularly those with children of the right age and sufficient intelligence to become students, rejoiced at the prospect of their children being the first to attend the school.
Even families with younger children felt a sense of gratitude and anticipation, knowing that their children would have the opportunity to benefit from the school in the future.
Furthermore, the provision of funds for disaster relief added an extra layer of security for the village, ensuring their resilience in times of crisis. It was truly a remarkable development that brought immense relief and gratitude to the villagers.
Shao Yunduan went even further by expressing his intention to acquire additional fields for the clan, recognizing that the initial 400 mu was insufficient. This announcement heightened the village’s joy and reinforced the unshakable foundation established by the first section of the Shao Family.
While Shao Yunduan didn’t personally engage in the physical construction, he provided the necessary funds, allowing the villagers to mobilize their collective efforts to complete the projects.
As the time for cassava harvesting approached, Qiao Xuan hired workers to carry out the task. They took great care in preserving the seedlings, ensuring their viability for future planting.
Cassava cultivation was relatively low-maintenance. Once the stems were cut, they were stacked and stored in a cellar. When needed, they could be easily chopped into pieces and prepared for planting. These resilient crops required minimal attention to thrive.
The cassava plants, nurtured by Qiao Xuan’s exceptional superpower, yielded abundant harvests. Unlike its leafy counterparts, cassava’s main produce lay hidden beneath the soil, similar to potatoes and peanuts. Each plant bore multiple gray-brown fruits, roughly the size of eggs, measuring one to two feet in length.
After carefully harvesting the mature cassava, they peeled away the thin layer of taupe skin, unveiling the firm, white flesh beneath. This pulp was sliced into thin pieces and left to dry under the sun. Once thoroughly dried, the slices were ground into a fine powder and passed through a sieve, resulting in the extraction of tapioca flour..