219 County School

When Zhou Jia returned to the detention room, Wang Cheng reported, “Sir, I told Madam Wang He the results of the trial alone. Madam Wang He has already brought people to carry Wang Daqiang’s corpse back. Before she left, she even suggested taking a look at Madam Su. Scribe Tu didn’t agree and reprimanded her. Only then did Madam Wang He leave. She was cursing as she left.”

Zhou Jia nodded and said, “Alright, I understand. You can leave first!” With that, he went to the deposit room next door and told Mr. Qian to go out of the city to pick Li Yu up.

After planting more than ten catties of corn on two acres of sloping land, Li Yu told the long-term workers and Yang Wei what they needed to pay attention to. She then went to the farm to take a look at the pigs, chickens, and ducks raised by Madam Li and her daughter.

Madam Li had become much more talkative. When Li Xia saw her, she no longer cowered and greeted her with a flushed face.

Madam Li pointed at the earthworm powder in the dustpan and said to Li Yu, “Madam, I made this according to what you said. I dug a pit in the vegetable field at the back. Ah Wei and Xia’er went to dig some earthworm and raised them in the pit. After they were cooked, they were ground with rice bran and wild vegetables to feed the chickens and ducks. Seeing that the chickens and ducks grew quickly, I mixed some more into the pig food. After the piglets ate it, they grew much faster than when there was no earthworm powder added. Their fur also became shiny.”

Li Yu smiled and praised Madam Li, “Auntie Li, you’re good. If you like applying what you’ve learned, you can specialize in managing livestock in the future!”

Auntie Li said shyly, “Madam, don’t praise me. This is what I should do. As long as you don’t mind me and Xia’er, I’ll always help you raise the livestock.”

Yang Wei carried eggs, wild vegetables, and vegetables from the farm. He shouted from outside, “Madam, Master is here to pick you up.”

“Coming.” Li Yu walked towards the main road at the door and said to Auntie Li, who was sending her out, “Remember not to be too frugal. The chickens have started to lay eggs. You have to leave some for yourself.”

“Yes, Madam!” Auntie Li’s heart warmed. Seeing Li Yu get into the carriage, she felt that there was no need to worry about the days of fear.

After Li Yu got into the cart, she leaned against Zhou Jia. “Xiao Xi, how’s the new Lieutenant Wei? Does he seem easy to get along with?”

Zhou Jia looked at Li Yu, who was sitting beside him and said with a smile, “He looks quite cheerful. I heard from Shen Wu that Lieutenant Wei was recommended by the Qingzhou magistrate and even took the martial arts examination. He seems to have a good ranking. As for the rest, I’ll have to see for myself. However, since he’s here, I can free up my hands to build the county school. Yu’er, do you want to choose a new place to build it, or do you want to build it in the old position?”

Li Yu spread her hands. “I don’t even know where the old position is. Isn’t it a waste of time asking me?”

Zhou Jia chuckled and said, “You little fool, it’s the chaotic forest opposite our manor. There are still some ruins in the forest!”

Li Yu clapped her hands in surprise. “I see! The forest opposite is quite big. I’m afraid it’s 100 to 200 acres of land. In that case, we’ll build it at the original site! Think about it. Our manor is just across. We can build a place by the official road to set up an inn and a few shops. Aiya! It’s worth buying this wasteland!”

Zhou Jia looked at Li Yu’s greedy expression and smiled. “Yes! Then I’ll listen to Madam’s instructions. From tomorrow onwards, I’ll hire people to buy materials and start work. I’ll strive to recruit students in the second half of the year.”

“Good. When the winter wheat is collected, I’ll clear the area by the official road and build inns and shops.”

The couple chatted and laughed as they arrived at the county office. Zhou Jia gave the reins to Uncle Liu, the gatekeeper, and got out of the car. He carried the eggs and vegetables and walked towards the courtyard door beside the county office. Uncle Liu, the gatekeeper, led the horse into the livestock shed and unloaded it.

The two of them entered the courtyard and saw that Mr. Wen and Li Qing had already gone home. Li Yu said to Mr. Wen, “Sir, Ah Wei picked fresh chives from the farm. We’ll have chives and dumplings for lunch.”

Mr. Wen looked at the chives in the bamboo basket and smiled. “Sure! Chives are sweet-flavored and have the effect of moderating the spleen and clearing the eyes. They can be dried and eaten in winter.”

Zhou Jia shook his head and sighed. “Sir, look, everything you eat has become medicinal herbs in your eyes.”

Mr. Wen knocked Zhou Jia on the head and pretended to be angry. “Rascal, don’t make me dislike you.”

Zhou Jia looked at Li Qing, who was gloating at the side. He put his arms around Li Qing’s shoulders and said, “Ah Qing, Brother-in-law flipped through an article from yesterday and felt that it would be helpful for you when you’re taking the countryside examination. Come! Let me test you in the study.”

Li Qing pointed at Zhou Jia and lamented, “Brother-in-law, you’re using your position to take revenge.”

While Li Yu was in the kitchen with Old Madam Liu, Li Qing was writing furiously in the study. Zhou Jia brought Ruyi to the front office to sign the contract. He called Mr. Qian and the clerk and said with a smile, “Since County Lieutenant Yu is here, the county’s security is in his hands. It’s almost the end of spring and the beginning of summer. I plan to rebuild the county school from scratch. The address would be the original location outside the East City. I’ve already asked Qingzhou Prefecture to send a knowledgeable overseer to our county. When the government finds the person, our county school will be almost completed and we’ll start recruiting students! Mr. Tu, what do you think?”

When Scribe Tu heard this, he stood up excitedly. “Sir, it’s been more than ten years since our county has produced a county official. It’s really embarrassing! Ever since the two mountain bandit strongholds were wiped out, many villagers and rich families have returned to their hometowns this year! I think your suggestion to rebuild the county school is right. Let’s build the school in the first half of the year. In the second half, we can recruit students!”

As Scribe Tu spoke, he suddenly felt a sense of pride. “Sir, even if the state government doesn’t send us an instructor, the few of us can take turns teaching! Old Qian’s knowledge is very good. Although I’m not talented, I can still contribute to the county school. Also, Sir, as a scholar, you can run a county school well. In a few years, our Qingchuan County will teach a few county scholars!”

Mr. Qian also clapped in agreement. “Alright, Mr. Tu, you’re right. When the time comes, I’ll also learn a thing or two for the county!”

Zhou Jia looked at them and said with a smile, “That’s not a long-term solution. I plan to send someone to the state capital to invite a few county scholars over. Since everyone has agreed, we’ll start preparing. Ruyi, go hire the craftsmen who built the county office in the afternoon and calculate the salary and cost of materials. We’ll start construction tomorrow.”

“Alright, we’ll do as you say. I’m so hungry. I think I can smell dumplings.” Scribe Tu stood up with a chuckle. “Sigh! Madam’s dumplings are ready. I’ll go eat them.”

Mr. Qian watched as the scribe ran away and smiled. “It seems that Mr. Tu doesn’t intend to stay at his place. He wants to stay at Lord’s house and eat together.”

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