Early the next morning, Yunjing got up as usual to graze the cattle. He was full of energy and did not feel sleepy because he had been thinking about things for half the night.
The morning light is dim, it is the time when thousands of families are quiet.
When he walked to the door, he suddenly noticed that the house was much quieter than usual this morning. At a glance, he saw that there were fewer things in the utility room. Then he turned around and came to the kitchen door and looked at Jiang Susu who was busy around the stove.
Ask: "Mom, where are grandpa and dad?"
Although the life of the Yunjing family is much better than before, there is still no talk of breakfast. At this moment, Jiang Susu is actually cooking pig food.
His family is still feeding pigs this year, but after several years of feeding, they have never been willing to kill one to eat at home. They always rush to the town to sell the pigs before winter comes.
I have been raising pigs for several years but have never eaten home-raised pork. This has to be said to be a kind of sadness.
Jiang Susu, who was adding firewood to the fire, turned to look at Yun Jing at the door and said with a slightly complicated tone: "Your grandfather and your father went to town early in the morning."
"They didn't say they were going to the market soon," Yun Jing said in shock. He felt that Jiang Susu's tone was a little different from usual, but he didn't think about it deeply. After all, his mother didn't have the sad look on her face when she encountered difficulties.
Jiang Susu is just a careless peasant woman who is not good at hiding her feelings, and there is no need to pretend in front of her son. In fact, she is struggling with the decision that her family discussed last night.
Yunjing wanted to study. As the head of the family, Yunlin thought about it for a long time and didn't say anything clearly. He only said that he would go to town today and ask about the situation.
This is what Jiang Susu is struggling with. Can Yunjing really study? How can her family support Yunjing to study? She doesn't know and is at a loss.
"It was a temporary decision. Anyway, I've been a little more leisurely recently," Jiang Susu replied.
Yun Dingding nodded, turned around and went out to herd the cows. He vaguely felt that something was being hidden from him at home, but he didn't get to the bottom of it. He would naturally find out when the time came.
Originally, he wanted to make some insinuations and ask his family when they would go to town, and he would go there too, so he could find a way to contact Li Qiu, Wang Shi, and Zhang Changgui, so as to implement his plan to start studying, and ask if there was any benefit from studying.
Restrictions, now it seems we can only wait until next time.
It’s not easy to go to town once. Who knows when will the next time be?
Yunjing went to herd cattle, but on the other side, Yunlin Yunshan and a group of villagers came to Niujiao Town in the morning sun.
After arriving in the town and separated from the villagers, Yunlin Yunshan brought a pile of bamboo weaving products to the street that specializes in bamboo weaving.
"Uncle Lin, Brother Shan, you are here." Zhang Changgui, who was setting up a stall on the street, had sharp eyes and greeted Yunlin Yunshan when he saw Yunlin Yunshan from a few people away.
They have cooperated many times over the years and both parties are already very familiar with each other.
This time Zhang Changgui did not sell toilet chips, but some gadgets such as bamboo flutes and chicken feather sweeps.
"Good morning, brother Changgui," Yunlin greeted with a smile as he approached. Zhang Changgui's home was in the town, so Yunlin was not surprised to see him.
Zhang Changgui said with a smile: "Uncle Lin, your body is still so strong. You didn't say when you would come to town. There is no room next to me."
"Haha, I'm not old, it's okay. Let's set up a stall over there. We have some regular customers over the years. If there is business, I will suggest them to come to your place to have a look." Yunshan nodded and smiled.
"Haha, okay, Uncle Lin, you are busy."
Yunshan was not good at words. When they were talking, he smiled and nodded, which was regarded as saying hello to Zhang Changgui.
Walking to an open space, Yunlin Yunshan placed the things he brought.
However, Yunshan's mood was obviously not about buying and selling. After making preparations, he asked Yunshan to take a look at the stall, then thought about it and walked towards Zhang Changgui.
"Is there something wrong, Uncle Lin?" Zhang Changgui asked a little surprised when Yun Lin arrived.
Yunlin hesitated for a moment, looked at the people around him, and lowered his voice: "Brother Changgui, I want to ask you something."
"Hey, Uncle Lin, what do you mean, you still don't know me after all these years? By the way, my son liked the bamboo dragonfly you gave me last time, Uncle Lin," Zhang Changgui said, waving his hand.
He had a child, a boy, and all the little thoughts he had at the time disappeared with the birth of his son. However, his wife's stomach didn't move after giving birth to her son. He was a little depressed, and he still wanted a daughter.
After he finished speaking, he saw that Yun Lin was muttering, so he lowered his voice and asked, "Isn't it convenient to say what Uncle Lin wants to inquire about in public?"
"Ah, um," Yunlin replied with an awkward smile.
Zhang Changgui understood and said hello to the person setting up a stall next to him, asking him to help him take a look. Then he looked at Yun Lin and said, "Uncle Lin, follow me. Let's go to a place with few people."
The two came to a place with few people. Zhang Changgui asked curiously: "Uncle Lin, what's going on? Are you encountering any difficulties? Well, if I can help, tell me, I'll try my best to help."
Anyone with a discerning eye would know that the so-called "help" is just a polite thing to say. Is their relationship that good?
Yun Lin didn't pay attention to this. Seeing that there were few people around, he rubbed his hands in embarrassment and whispered: "Um, um, if I tell you, brother Changgui, don't laugh at me."
"Hey, whatever Uncle Lin is saying, please continue and I'll listen." Zhang Changgui shook his head and smiled.
After thinking for a while, Yun Lin said in a worried and embarrassed tone: "That's right, my grandson Xiaojing is the chubby little guy who came to town with us. Now he is not fat anymore. Do you still remember it?"
"Of course I remember." Zhang Changgui nodded. Could he not remember? He was so familiar with Yun Lin and his son because Yun Jing was the bond back then.
Even after so many years, the memory of Yunjing in him was still very profound. At this time, Zhang Changgui guessed that what Yunlin was going to say next might have something to do with Yunjing.
Sure enough, Yun Lin continued to say awkwardly: "What, my grandson said he wanted to study. Brother Changgui, you live in the town and know more than me. I just want to ask you how much it costs to study. How much does it cost?
No requirements?"
"Ah?" Zhang Changgui was stunned for a moment when he heard Yun Lin's words, and he was also a little surprised.
Recalling the scene of the exchange with Yunjing, Zhang Changgui felt that it was only reasonable for Yunjing to study, even if he was just a farm boy. There was no reason, Zhang Changgui subconsciously took it for granted.
Seeing that he didn't speak, Yunlin's face turned red with embarrassment, and he said sheepishly: "Brother, do you think it's too whimsical?"
Isn't that right? What's the difference between a mud-legged man who wants to study and a beggar who wants to be an official?
"No, Uncle Lin, don't get me wrong, I don't mean that," Zhang Changgui said quickly, then frowned slightly and said, "Let me think about this matter."
Yun Lin nodded and did not disturb him.
After thinking for a moment, Zhang Changgui looked at Yun Lin seriously and said: "Uncle Lin, I know a little bit about studying. In other words, don't worry about it. I'm not optimistic about it. It's really... well, this matter
too difficult"
"What should I say?" Yun Lin's heart was raised.
Frowning again, Zhang Changgui said: "My home is in the town. As far as I know, everyone in the town who has some wealth wants their children to go to school, but there are very few who can actually enter the school!"
"Why?" Yunlin didn't understand. To study, doesn't it only matter if you have money? Although his family doesn't have much money now, but they can make valuable maltose, Yunlin is still a little confident. Although it is risky to make huge profits, but for the sake of his grandson
Reading, he can go on adventures!
Zhang Changgui put away his smile and said with a slightly serious expression: "Uncle Lin, please don't be impatient. Let me tell you slowly."
After a pause, he continued: "First of all, I want to tell you that studying is not an easy task. The cost alone is a frightening figure that ordinary people dare not even think about!"
"Can you tell me more specifically?" Yun Lin swallowed and asked. He really didn't know how much it would cost to study, but looking at Zhang Changgui's expression, it might be beyond his imagination.
Zhang Changgui continued: "There is only one government-run school in the town. I had plans for my son to go to school in the future, so I inquired about it and gave up the idea after understanding some information. The tuition alone is only five taels of silver per month.
, after one year, that will be fifty taels, oh, there is no charge for the two-month vacation."
Hearing this, Yun Lin thought, this is not too expensive. One pot of maltose can allow Yun Jing to study for a year.
Seeing that his expression softened, Zhang Changgui sighed and said, "Uncle Lin, don't you think it's unacceptable? People with some wealth can barely make ends meet by tightening their belts, but what I want to tell you is that the tuition fee is simply not enough."
What's the matter? The main thing is the book fee, which needs to be paid separately. One book costs at least ten taels of silver. I don't know how many books I will buy after enrolling in school. Think about how much it will cost? In addition, there are pens and ink.
Paper and inkstones, what doesn’t cost a lot of money? You also need to spend money on food and accommodation. You have to give your husband a gift every now and then, right? You’ve already studied, so the clothes can’t be too bad, right? Especially in winter, you have to give money for charcoal fire.
?These are all what I found out. Although I don’t know how much it costs except for tuition fees, you can think of how much it will cost if you think about it yourself. So studying is not something people like us dare to think about."
Yun Lin was immediately fooled by how much he spent on this and that. How could he spend so much money on a book?
But he gritted his teeth and thought that it was not unaffordable to make more maltose, so he cautiously said: "What else?"
"Uncle Lin, what I want to say is that this is only the early stage. Well, it is the cost of the Mengtong class. If you just want to be literate, a year or two of Mengtong class is enough. But if you want to
If you take a step closer to studying, the cost will increase at least ten times. Can you imagine what a huge amount that is?"
Yun Lin naturally couldn't imagine it, and his lips trembled as he said, "This... this..."
When his mood calmed down a little, Zhang Changgui said again: "Uncle Lin, I'm not trying to hit you. The cost of studying is not something ordinary people can afford. You can't even think about it. And don't grit your teeth and spend money to study."
The idea of dropping out of school after two years of literacy in the Mentoring Class, I just said that studying is difficult, and the difficulty is not about money!"
"Ah?" Yun Lin was really confused. He couldn't study even though he spent a lot of money?
With a wry smile, Zhang Changgui said: "The reason why it is difficult is because there are restrictions on the number of students admitted to the school. This restriction is the key to preventing more than 90% of the people in the world from studying!"
"How do you say that?" Yunlin asked blankly.
Holding out three fingers, Zhang Changgui said: "Generally speaking, if you want to study, there are three conditions. If you meet any of them, you can enroll. First, there are scholars in your family, not just those who know a few words, but those who have learned a lot.
Scholars with great reputations need to be within the fifth generation. Only if they meet this condition and have money can their descendants enroll in school."
Yun Lin was speechless. His family had been farmers for generations, and there had never been any scholars. Don't even think about this condition. Unwilling to give up, he asked again: "What else?"
"Secondly, those whose family members have served as officials must be high-ranking officials. With this condition, children within the fifth generation can enter school. Of course, they still have to spend money," Zhang Changgui said solemnly.
Yunlin was silent, let alone thinking about this, and looked at Zhang Changgui, waiting for him to say the third condition.
Finally, Zhang Changgui gave a wry smile, and was not afraid of hitting Yun Lin, and said solemnly: "The third condition is to be rich, very rich, use the money to do good things, accumulate reputation, and be awarded the title of a good family by the government. At this time,
You can set up a private school and invite scholars to teach your children. You can also enroll in school. Without the reputation of a good family, no matter how rich the scholars are, they will not teach your children. This is why those wealthy merchants and wealthy families build bridges and pave roads from time to time.
, the reason why they actively donate money and food in times of disaster, do they really think they have so much money that they have no place to put it? They just want to pave a way for future generations to study."
Hearing the last condition mentioned by Zhang Changgui, Yunlin's heart froze.
How much does it cost to build a reputation as a good home?
He couldn't imagine it.
None of the three conditions can be met by his family. In other words, it is almost impossible for a peasant with mud-legged background to study!
Why is it so difficult to study?
In fact, whether Zhang Changgui or Yun Lin, they only saw the surface of these three conditions, but the hidden secrets were far deeper.
To put it bluntly, the first two conditions are that there have been scholars and officials in the family who have achieved fame, and they themselves are within the system. The ability of younger generations to study can be regarded as the legacy of these elders. To be more straightforward, this is what is called
He comes from a poor family and still belongs to the circle of scholars.
As for the third condition, spending money on a good reputation is a contribution to the country, and the country cannot chill the hearts of these people. Otherwise, who will be willing to do good things and contribute in the future? Therefore, if you contribute so much, the government will
After being embarrassed, he naturally allowed his descendants to study, which can be regarded as a way to rise. Otherwise, the so-called wealthy merchants are just fat pigs waiting to be slaughtered in the eyes of the powerful. If a pig wants to be on an equal footing with itself, how can you do it without bleeding a lot?
?
…
This chapter has been completed!