Chapter 238: Chapter 238: Establishing a Schoolhouse

Qi Quanjin was persuaded by his wife and dutifully called a village meeting the next day.

When everyone learned that the village funds would be used to build a school, their expressions were quite uniform.

They all looked at Qi Quanjin with confusion and curiosity.

Qi Quanjin, bewildered by their looks, asked, “Why are you all looking at me? Just speak your mind. It’s okay if you disagree, we can discuss it together.”

Only then did everyone retract their gaze and looked at the others around them.

Finally, it was Mr. Zhou Sr. who spoke first, “Village chief, isn’t building a school using village funds quite normal? Why do you need to specifically ask us about it?”

Others immediately chimed in agreement.

They really couldn’t understand it.

Qi Quanjin’s face turned red instantly.

It turns out that out of so many people in the village, he was the only one who didn’t think that way!

Qi Zheng, upon seeing Qi Quanjin’s expression, immediately understood what was going on. Clearing his throat, he explained, “What the fourth brother means is, while the school is indeed a village matter, the village’s funds have many other things they need to do. Using it all to build a school obviously won’t work, so we called everyone to discuss how to handle the shortfall.”

Qi Quanjin glanced at his old man, wanting to say he didn’t really mean that.

But that was just his thought; he dared not actually say it.

“Yes, that’s exactly what I meant. It’s my fault for not making it clear.”

Qi Quanjin gave a couple of coughs to ease the heat on his face.

Old men from the Zhou, Wang, and Sun families exchanged glances.

Knowing Qi Family’s fourth son, it’s possible he didn’t think that deeply, and Mr. Qi Sr.’s words were just to cover for his son.

However, they wouldn’t make it obvious.

After all, the dignity of the village chief must be maintained properly.

“If the village’s funds are insufficient, then let’s all contribute together!”

Mr. Sun Sr. said, “Those who have money contribute money, and those who don’t can contribute labor. After all, we’re building a school for our village’s children. Once the kids are educated, if nothing else, it’ll be easier for them to find work in the city.”

Mr. Wang Sr. also said, “Exactly. Our Wang family will contribute ten taels of silver, no more than that, as we also have our own expenses to manage.”

Mr. Zhou Sr. said, “Our family will contribute ten taels as well.”

Mr. Sun Sr.: “Our family will contribute ten taels as well.”

Between the three families, they pooled thirty taels.

Is it a lot?

Yes.

However, if it’s to build the kind of academy that Yi Meng designed, it’s like a drop in the bucket.

The old junior scholar group looked at each other, and eventually reported how much each family could contribute.

Not much, just two taels per family.

But even those two taels were not insignificant for them.

Ji Hu and others, seeing that the old scholars each contributed two taels, followed suit, each contributing two taels as well.

Some thought it was too much and didn’t want to give, but were too embarrassed to oppose it, so they just held their noses and accepted it.

The newcomers to the village were reluctant to even offer two hundred wen, let alone two taels.

They don’t even have proper houses yet, so how could they have spare money for building a school!

But they were too embarrassed to say they weren’t participating, so they said they could contribute labor instead.

Seeing that everyone supported the initiative, Qi Quanjin felt a weight lift from his heart.

“I understand everyone’s position. So, let’s not stress over tens or twos. I’ll calculate exactly how much we’ll need, and our Qi Family will cover the major part. We’ll then reconvene to decide how each family can contribute the remainder.”

After pausing, Qi Quanjin added, “For those who can contribute labor, we won’t let you work for nothing. The wages will be counted, though not as much as other types of work.”

Just then, Qi Erlang ran over.

Originally, Qi Erlang had gone with his brothers to visit Xiao Shiyi, but was given the task of delivering a message by their fourth aunt, so he hurried over.

“Fourth uncle, fourth uncle, my fourth aunt has something to say.”

Qi Ercai whispered a few things into Qi Quanjin’s ear before turning back to run off.

Qi Quanjin, hearing this, smiled and said, “I almost forgot something my wife told me yesterday. Good thing Erlang came over to remind me, otherwise, we’d have to gather everyone again later.”

Regarding the village chief’s wife, everyone in Yongping Village had to admit she was a capable woman.

So hearing it was something from the village chief’s wife, everyone perked up to hear Qi Quanjin continue.

“The school, being a place of learning, can’t not charge tuition. After all, hiring doctors and purchasing desks, benches, pens, inks, papers, and other materials all need money.”

“But my wife said that for the village children attending school, we won’t charge much tuition. But if we can recruit children from outside the village, the income from the school will contribute to the village funds.”

“Although it’s just a plan for now, if one day, our village school becomes profitable, dividends will be distributed according to initial contributions.”

Qi Quanjin conveyed his wife’s idea to the villagers. When someone showed a puzzled expression, clearly not understanding, he would further explain what he had just said.

Once everyone understood, they were all amazed and astonished.

They really hadn’t thought that one day, they, who lived from hand to mouth, might hope to earn money from the school.

“This is the situation and the specifics. Everyone can go back and think it over. If anyone has thoughts, come and speak to me. If it’s all good, I’ll contact the craftsmen in town tomorrow.”

Qi Quanjin looked at Zhou Tao, “Taozi, tomorrow take some young men with me to town.”

“Alright, noted, village chief.”

Zhou Tao promptly agreed.

Being a village matter, naturally, Qi Quanjin can’t just take the Qi Family to town to organize things.

Bringing along a few villagers, so everyone knows what’s being arranged in town, was something Yi Meng taught Qi Quanjin.

Villagers have concerns?

What concerns could they have?

Imagining a day in the future where they can earn money from the school, they were all so excited they didn’t know what to do.

Especially the old men from Zhou, Wang, and Sun families, who went home and immediately had their wives tally up the family’s remaining funds.

Quanjin mentioned that the more you invest now, the more you can earn later.

Even if profits aren’t shared, the names of all villagers who contributed will be carved on the school’s exterior wall.

It’s an honor that will be passed down for who knows how many generations!

Imagining their descendants seeing their ancestors’ names carved on the wall, positioned at the front, filled the three old men with pride and passion.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep