Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 1539 - 782: A Meeting of Minds (Part 2)

The whole family nodded in agreement; it made sense.

"Next year, the Pickled Vegetable Workshop will be handed over to my eldest sister, so the courtyard from our workshop will be empty." Xiao Qi suddenly said. Xiao Qi was a responsible child, and today he had been following Lian Shouxin and Wu Lang to inventory the farmsteads and fish ponds’ profits, keeping many issues in mind. One of these issues was the courtyard of the Pickled Vegetable Workshop.

"I have an idea." Wu Lang and Lian Manman almost said in unison.

The two of them exchanged a glance and then laughed.

"Manman, you go first," Wu Lang laughed.

"Brother, you go first," Lian Manman also laughed.

"You two don’t need to be so polite; it doesn’t matter who speaks first," Lady Zhang said.

"I think, with our current annual earnings, we have a surplus and can fully afford it. We should use the available courtyard to set up a private school." After some back and forth, Wu Lang ended up speaking first.

"Brother, we thought of the same thing," Lian Manman nodded.

Wu Lang was delighted to hear that Lian Manman shared his opinion.

"... In our area, there is only one private school in town. The cost of attending is quite high annually. For ordinary tenant farmer families, it’s not easy to afford to send a child to school," Wu Lang said, his tone slightly somber, probably recalling his own past. He wanted to attend a private school but couldn’t. "I think many children are in the same situation I was in, wanting to study but unable to afford it... I want more children from our village and neighboring ones to be able to attend private school."

"Good." The family nodded in agreement, without needing further discussion.

To allow more children to afford schooling, those associated costs should be as minimal as possible, making it affordable for children to attend.

"We have the location, that is the courtyard from the Pickled Vegetable Workshop, which just needs some minor repairs and modifications. We will also hire our own teacher and take care of the remuneration," Lian Manman said, "As long as the age is appropriate, anyone who wants to study should be allowed to come. The tuition fee can be waived completely."

"No, we can’t waive the tuition completely either," Lian Manman reconsidered, shaking her head, acknowledging human nature that things obtained too easily are often not valued. "The tuition should still be charged, but it can depend on the specific circumstances of each household. How much, or what to charge, can be flexible. For those truly in poverty, labor can replace the tuition, and that’s fine."

"That’s good," Wu Lang nodded with a smile.

Even a struggling tenant farmer family should be able to provide some labor. Such tuition isn’t meant for profit but to help those studying appreciate the opportunity and cherish it more.

It’s also an effective measure against lazy people and scoundrels.

"Even if there’s no male labor at home, a wife can do some needlework, help with cleaning, and that can count as her labor contribution," Lady Zhang said, considering the situation of some widowed or otherwise labor-lacking households.

"If there is no male labor and no one to do needlework, children helping with herding or gathering wild vegetables, that can also count as labor," Xiao Qi added.

Everyone agreed. Carrying this plan forward, any child truly wanting to study wouldn’t be barred from attending the private school. Like Wu Lang, Xiao Qi had longed to study but couldn’t, so he felt particular empathy for children who shared this experience and thought through the plan thoroughly.

"This is a great opportunity to do good deeds and accumulate virtue. We should get started on it as soon as possible," Lian Shouxin laughed, saying.

"Yes," Wu Lang nodded, "We’ll draft some rules and regulations first, and then proceed immediately." 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

"I have another idea," Lian Manman said, "While many study, not many can join the official examination system. For those who show potential and can pursue the examination, we’ll certainly provide support. However, succeeding in the examinations isn’t just about having money; the individual needs to have the aptitude and talent."

What about those without aptitude and talent? Would studying at a private school be for nothing?

The private school wouldn’t be a waste; literacy not only improves cultivation but also enhances livelihood skills. For instance, if Erlang were literate, Lian Manman’s family’s plans for him would have been different.

"We now have several shops, farms, and ranches, with potentially more in the future. We’ll need people to work in these places, and those educated at our private school, knowing their background, are more reliable and loyal, aren’t they?" Lian Manman continued with a smile.

"Exactly. When our private school opens, we can openly inform everyone. We’ll fund those who can take examinations but come from families that lack the finances. Even if they don’t pass, as long as they study well and have good character, they can come work for us with excellent conditions," Wu Lang said.

"Then, more people will surely want to study," Xiao Qi said.

Taking the scholar or graduate examination isn’t an ambition everyone holds, as it’s rare and distant. In this era, passing the exams was likened to a carp leaping over the dragon gate, but how many carps in lakes and rivers could become dragons? However, a well-paying job is within reach. For many tenant farmers, the latter is more practical.

The family completely supported Wu Lang and Lian Manman’s suggestions, discussing and refining the detailed plans together.

"I thought of this on my way back from the Capital City. My resolve was strengthened when my brother-in-law talked about my nephew’s future education," Wu Lang said.

"I’ve been thinking about it for a while. When our sister was getting married, and our mother said that Xiao Long and Xiao Hu should study, I wanted to say something," Lian Manman also said.

At the time, she didn’t mention it, wanting to discuss it with the family first and outline the details before speaking up.

"With our family’s private school, we’ll have Xiao Long and Xiao Hu study with us," Xiao Qi said.

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