Rebirth: Not Being a Waste - Chapter 126

Zhang Shu was going to build a private school.

The news spread quickly, and the villagers began talking about it in their spare time.

“Oh, the Zhang family is really rich. I heard this private school is being built for his and the Li family’s kids to study, but those two or three kids don’t need such a big space, do they?”

“They’re young and healthy, so they can have more children.” The speaker winked at everyone and made a gesture as if lifting a waist, which earned knowing smiles from the group of men.

“Even with more children, they won’t need such a large place. I think it could probably fit forty or fifty desks.” He stood in front of the fenced-off space and measured it with his feet.

Forty or fifty desks? The villagers entertained their thoughts, wondering if all the children in their village could go to the school. But no one voiced it, and they all asked in whispers.

Someone went to speak with He Yue. “Your family is well off. You’re so close to the Zhang family. Maybe Dabao and Xiaobao can go to school too.”

“We can’t expect that kind of luxury. Do you know how much it costs to hire a teacher? Two taels of silver a month! Plus seasonal gifts and all, and every once in a while, they have to give the teacher two taels of meat,” He Yue spoke loudly, and everyone heard him clearly.

Originally, some villagers thought that if He Yue’s two children could go, their own children could go too. After all, they were all from the same village. But now, even the Zhou family, who were close with the Zhang family, couldn’t send their kids to school. How could anyone else dare to bring it up?

The land the Zhang family marked out for the school deviated from their usual fast pace. It had been almost half a month since it was marked, and no construction started.

Someone commented, “What’s the rush for the Zhangs? Their oldest, Zhang Yao is only three years old, barely two by actual age. They won’t be sending him to school for several more years.”

No one doubted that Qianjin would study. Given how much Zhang Shu doted on his children, how could he not let his child attend school? Besides, Zhang Shu already hired a teacher, and his family had the final say.

The villagers of Shuitou Village were relocated due to a past disaster, and most families didn’t share the same surname, so there was no clan power to gossip or interfere. If the children were sent to study elsewhere, the elders in their clans might speak up.

But for now, it was still too early to discuss; after all, the school wasn’t even built yet.

One day, someone went to the village chief’s house. After chatting about various matters, they finally brought up the topic of the Zhang family’s school. “Village chief, when do you think the Zhang family’s school will open?”

“I can’t say for sure. They’ll start whenever they want to. What’s up? Do you want to earn some work wages?” The village chief took out his tobacco pipe, knocked it against the leg of his stool, and gave the man a sideways glance. This man’s two grandsons were both about seven or eight years old. They thought it was too early for them to work, and they’d be trouble if left at home.

“Not at all,” the old man smiled. In the past two months, his family made more than ten taels of silver from spring potatoes. How could he focus on that small task now?

“Then why are you so concerned about the school? Zhang Shu’s children are still young; there’s no rush.” The village chief tried to brush off the topic, but the villagers weren’t so easily dismissed.

“Village chief, isn’t your little Dongzi almost six this year, right? He looks gentle and refined. If he could learn some books, maybe he could become a juren in the future.”

If another of the village chief’s sons became a juren, it would be a blessing for the entire village, though that blessing would only go so far. If a juren were born in the family, all their descendants would enjoy the honor.

“Alas, he’s still too young and unstable, but your two boys are clever and well-known in the village. You can count on them in the future.”

The village chief’s words made the old man happy, but soon he became worried again. “Clever they may be, but if they don’t study, they’ll end up as farmers like everyone else. I’d rather they stayed honest and simple.”

“Oh, didn’t you make a lot of money in the first half of the year? Why not send them to study in the town?” the village chief suggested.

“We can’t afford to send them to town. The tuition there is too high!” The old man waved his hand dismissively. Could their family really afford that?

The academy in the town was opened by a wealthy man who invited four or five teachers and offered several classes. The class with the lowest tuition cost five hundred coins a month, not including the cost of books, paper, and ink.

In total, a child needed at least one or two silver coins a month to attend school, and it was a long journey. The children were young, and the adults had to accompany them, which would delay a lot of other work.

So, studying in the town wasn’t an option. It would be much better if there were a place to study right outside their doorstep, like in Luotian Village.

“Village chief, can you ask if Zhang Shu’s academy accepts outsiders?” the old man couldn’t help but ask. As soon as he said it, everyone agreed.

“Yes, village chief, please ask.”

“We can discuss any rules.”

“We want our children to learn some words too.”

Everyone spoke at once, their desire for their children to be educated stronger than anything else.

The village chief half-closed his eyes and listened to them but didn’t agree right away. “You’re clever, asking me to sacrifice my face and make the request. Why don’t you ask yourselves?”

“What good would it do for us to talk to a family like the Zhangs?” At first, the villagers didn’t think much of it—it was just a little starch noodles they were talking about, nothing major. But now, as they realized the Zhang family was already setting up their own school while they were still worrying about their children’s education, the gap between their families and the Zhangs seemed clearer. People from ordinary families couldn’t easily visit the Zhangs unless they were on particularly good terms, and those who were close didn’t want to be the ones to bring it up.

“I can ask, but I don’t know what the result will be. Everyone knows that education is a serious matter, one that requires respect for Confucian values. Zhang Shu is doing this for his own family. If this doesn’t work out, don’t blame him. And if someone tries to take advantage of him, pushing through their seniority or connections, don’t blame me for being rude.”

The village chief’s eyes swept over the group, and those who were eager to speak shrank back. The village chief was a capable man, and with his son being a juren, who would dare offend him? Everyone reluctantly agreed.

But right now, Zhang Shu wasn’t at home. He was out in his cart, taking Li Mujin and the two children, Qianjin and Erbao, with him. Zhang Shu’s grandparents wanted to stop them—Qianjin could go, but Erbao was just over three months old. Why bring such a young child along?

Zhang Shu didn’t care. The family never went out together before. They would stay in the county for a few days and not do anything else. In the end, Grandpa and Grandma Zhang couldn’t persuade him, so they let them go.

They were heading to the county to find a teacher. Once the matter in the village was settled, they would start construction. Everyone had their hands free for now, so once things were in motion, it would likely be completed quickly. But without a teacher, all their preparations would be for nothing.

Zhang Shu didn’t have a specific lead, but he firmly believed that if you had a mouth, you could travel the world. If you didn’t know something, you just had to ask. It must be said that Zhang Shu worked hard to change from being a reserved person to one who was slightly more outgoing. Overcoming the fear in his heart was the first step.

They parked the carriage in front of Lin Family Inn. Lin Dongdong came out immediately to greet them. “Brother Shu, Brother Mujin, oh, little Qianjin and Erbao are here too! Are you here to visit the county?”

Lin Dongdong changed a lot over the past few years. He now looked much more mature. His family was even looking for a matchmaker for him, but he didn’t agree yet.

“Yes, we’re spending a few days in the county, so why not bring the whole family along?” Zhang Shu felt that he owed Mujin for the past two years. After marrying him, they had two children in quick succession. He wanted to take him out, but work always seemed to get in the way.

Qianjin never went to the county before, and now she looked a little timid. She would be running a business in the future—she couldn’t afford to be shy!

Only the oblivious Erbao waved his arms happily. This kid was a crowd-pleaser—the more people around, the happier he became.

Business at Lin Family Inn was still thriving. The vermicelli dishes were in high demand, and everyone came to take advantage of it. Although other shops were selling it now, Lin Family Inn still had the reputation of being the first.

Their family made a lot of money from selling vermicelli. Last year, they bought the teahouse next door and expanded the inn considerably. The original storyteller still worked there, and Zhang Shu and his family made a point of listening to a segment during lunch.

Afterward, he gave a tip. Though it wasn’t much, he felt good about it. The storyteller spent a lot of time, and they did well.

When the inn was quieter, Zhang Shu asked Lin Shuanghe, “Uncle Lin, do you ever notice scholars coming to eat here?”

“Yes, not only do they eat, but a scholar even wrote a poem for me once.”

“Uh, but are there any scholars who are more practical, who aren’t as well-off?”

“Well…” Lin Shuanghe thought for a long time before shaking his head. It seemed that most of the scholars who visited were from wealthy families. The poorer ones had to pretend to be prosperous. He honestly couldn’t tell.

Zhang Shu was a bit disappointed, but only for a moment. It wasn’t like he expected to find someone immediately.

But just then, Lin Dongdong came over and said, “Brother Shu, I know the scholar you mentioned.”

“Really? Tell me quickly, where is he from?”

“The scholar’s last name is Wang. He lives in the city’s East Gourd Alley. His family is very poor, but he seems honest and kind.”

Zhang Shu’s eyes lit up at this. This was exactly the type of person they were looking for.

When Zhang Shu heard this, his eyes lit up. This was exactly the kind of person they were looking for! After finding out all the details, he returned to his room. “Mujin, we’re going to East Gourd Alley this afternoon.”

“Did you find someone?”

“Yes, he sounds promising, but I’m not sure what he’s really like yet,” Zhang Shu said, taking Erbao from Li Mujin’s arms and lifting him up. “Erbao, we’re going to meet the teacher this afternoon, so you need to behave well.”

Li Mujin laughed. What could he understand at such a young age? Qianjin tugged at Zhang Shu’s trousers. “Father, don’t forget me!”

Zhang Shu put Erbao back and lifted Qianjin instead. “Yes, and our ger too. You have to behave well so the teacher will like you. One day, he’ll teach you to read and write.”

“Yes, Father, I’ll try hard!” Qianjin said seriously, even though he was still young. He knew that reading was an important thing.

In the afternoon, they walked around and eventually made their way to East Gourd Alley in the east of the city. The alleyways here were narrow, some of them in worse condition than their village. But the scenery was decent, with green trees lining the way, and it wasn’t hot during their walk.

As they neared a house, they saw two women coming out, each holding a bowl filled with white rice.

“I thought I could get it. Master Wang is such a nice man.”

“Yes, who would have thought? Such good rice. I’ll save it for the whole family when the kid’s father comes home.”

The women laughed as they passed. Zhang Shu and Li Mujin exchanged glances. Something about the situation didn’t seem quite right.