Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 373: Academy

After leaving Li County, Jiang Shaohua went to Ye County.

Li County rapidly developed from extreme poverty to the level of a Middle County. Ye County, on the other hand, as one of the ten wealthiest counties in Da Liang, has always been the most prosperous place in Nanyang County.

Every household in Ye County owns a loom, and every family raises silkworms by planting mulberries. The women earn silver to support their families, granting them exceptionally high status. Over three years ago, three public cases at the county government also had a profound impact on Ye County.

In summary, the status of women in Ye County is high. Upon entering Ye County, women can be seen everywhere. They are full of spirit, speaking much louder than in other places.

Tang Youyin was taken aback by Ye County’s atmosphere during his first visit and couldn’t help but whisper to Ma Yaosong, "I really didn’t expect Ye County to be like this."

Ma Yaosong quickly glanced at the figure of the Commandery Princess ahead and chuckled softly, "Ye County has many unique aspects. You’ll truly be amazed in a moment."

Tang Youyin’s heart stirred, and he lowered his voice, "Are you talking about the Ye County Academy?"

Ye County’s County Magistrate Cui is also a capable official. Two years ago, he established the Ye County Academy, which is divided into a school for boys and a school for girls.

This is something other counties truly cannot emulate. The common people still struggle for basic sustenance; wanting to enlighten the masses by setting up schools must wait until the people are well-off.

In Bowan County, they are busy mining; in Biyang County, they need to raise horses; only in Ye County, the families are affluent, needing no child labor. Moreover, Ye County’s county government is wealthy, so there are no tuition fees for the school. All expenses are covered by the county government, and lunch is provided every day at noon.

In two years, the Ye County Academy has expanded several times. From ten spacious and bright classrooms, comes the sound of reading.

Such a scene is truly overwhelming!

Not only Tang Youyin, but even Chen Jinyu and Ma Yaosong were astonished: "The academy now has so many students!"

Jiang Shaohua turned with a smile to look at County Magistrate Cui, "How many students are in the school now?"

County Magistrate Cui had grown a short beard over the past two years, looking much steadier. However, once he spoke, a trace of the aristocratic manner from his noble family background was revealed: "To the Commandery Princess, there are currently two hundred and sixty-eight students. Among them, two hundred and twenty-two are boys, and forty-six are girls."

Two years ago, there were only a few girl students, and it was the County Magistrate’s Wife Li Ying who personally taught them, stabilizing these few girl students.

Now, the number of boys attending school has multiplied, and more and more girls are enrolling.

Jiang Shaohua’s eyes glistened with a smile and praised, "This is all due to the efforts of you and your wife."

County Magistrate Cui has also learned modesty, "I dare not accept the Commandery Princess’s praise. This is what I ought to do. The school employs six scholars as teachers, and on the girls’ side, besides my wife, we have hired another female teacher."

Jiang Shaohua immediately showed interest, "Another female teacher? I’ll go take a look."

It is known that learning to read and write in Da Liang is not an easy matter. Among common folks, finding one or two literate people out of a hundred is considered good. It is not easy for men to study, let alone women who have had an education. Therefore, when County Magistrate Cui initially set up the girls’ school, he couldn’t find a suitable teacher candidate and had to let Li Ying become the teacher.

County Magistrate Cui responded with a smile, "To be honest with the Commandery Princess, this female teacher is my distant cousin, Cui Wenxiu. After her marriage, her husband passed away, leaving behind two children, and she originally lived in widowhood at home. When the school needed a female teacher, I wrote to invite her here."

Indeed, she is still a noble family’s daughter. The road to educational inclusiveness is long and challenging.

Jiang Shaohua stepped into the girls’ school. Compared to the boys’ school, there were far fewer students here, with three classrooms in total. Each classroom had more than a dozen students.

The oldest are now eleven or twelve years old. The youngest, who came to school this year, appear to be only six or seven. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

The girl students stood neatly and greeted in unison, "Greetings to the Commandery Princess."

This scene fills one’s heart with the warmth of early spring.

Jiang Shaohua smiled, "Please rise."

Then, Li Ying led a young woman forward to pay her respects.

Jiang Shaohua visits Ye County every year for inspections, and at the end of the year, Li Ying attends banquets at the Prince Mansion with her husband. They are well acquainted.

Jiang Shaohua’s gaze fell on Cui Wenxiu.

Cui Wenxiu, sharing a familial bond with County Magistrate Cui, bore a slight resemblance in appearance, characterized by elegance and serenity in her features. She exudes a naturally pleasing demeanor.

"How much is the monthly salary for being a female teacher here?" Jiang Shaohua inquired with a smile.

Cui Wenxiu didn’t expect the Commandery Princess to start with this question and was momentarily startled but quickly responded, "To the Commandery Princess, the monthly salary for being a teacher is the same as for the male teachers. It’s three taels of silver per month, plus two liters of grain, and two sets of new clothes each season."

This remuneration is indeed generous and could only be afforded by the wealthy Ye County government.

Jiang Shaohua nodded slightly with a smile and inquired about the usual teaching circumstances.

Cui Wenxiu understood that the Commandery Princess was evaluating her and answered confidently without a hint of panic, discussing the students’ learning situations as if reciting a cherished collection.

Just from this exchange alone, it was evident that Cui Wenxiu is dedicated to her role.

Jiang Shaohua nodded approvingly in her heart and warmly smiled, "Teaching children to read and write requires persistence and endless patience. As you’ve taken on the role of a teacher, carry out your duties diligently. If ever you encounter any difficulties, County Magistrate Cui will stand up for you."

"If County Magistrate Cui is unable, I, the Commandery Princess, shall stand up for you!"

Cui Wenxiu’s body trembled lightly, and her voice quivered, "Thank you, Commandery Princess."

Li Ying, standing beside, was also a bit surprised, quickly glancing at her husband. Did you say something to the Commandery Princess?

County Magistrate Cui looked innocent and subtly gestured back. Am I the type to gossip and spread family matters everywhere?

In truth, County Magistrate Cui had said nothing. However, Jiang Shaohua, being who she was, could immediately sense there was a reason behind this. Otherwise, why would a widowed woman leave her children to become a female teacher in Ye County?

That evening, Jiang Shaohua settled in to rest at the rear courtyard of the Ye County government office.

The well-informed messenger Chen Sheren came, and with a tone of regret, recounted Cui Wenxiu’s story to the Commandery Princess: "...Cui Wenxiu’s husband’s family is also of notable lineage, a noble family. The couple shared deep affection and had a son and a daughter. Unfortunately, her husband, Young Master Meng, suffered from tuberculosis and died early."

"Cui Wenxiu, left with her children, led a life of widowhood. Her marital home owns a thousand acres of fertile farmland, allowing them to barely manage. It’s unfortunate, though, that her in-laws favored their younger son, seizing that fertile land and forcing Cui Wenxiu to remarry."

"Cui Wenxiu wished to take her children away, but the Meng family refused, insisting on keeping the children. Unwilling to return to her birth family, she sought refuge with County Magistrate Cui."