Chapter 333

The old village chief’s words resonated with the elders standing shakily nearby.

“If anyone dares to act disgracefully, don’t blame us old bones for being harsh in the afterlife!”

“Unless they stay out of the ancestral graves, anyone who does wrong will face our reckoning even after death.”

“They won’t find peace even in death!”

…

Shuiqing arrived late and caught the elders’ statements. She was astonished! People in these times deeply believed in ghosts and spirits, and the elderly, who feared death the most, would never speak of it lightly. What was going on today? They spoke in unison without any fear!

The younger generation listening to the speech responded loudly, “Rest assured, village chief, we are not ungrateful people! If anyone dares to forget, I’ll be the first not to forgive them!”

“Not just the ancestral graves, but if they’re buried anywhere near the village, I’ll dig them up and throw them out!”

“I agree! Those who repay kindness with ingratitude don’t deserve our village’s incense offerings!”

…

Shuiqing was even more stunned. Being barred from the ancestral graves was a serious matter for the villagers, more severe than facing legal punishment. Even the shameless Zhang Tuzi, who feared no authority, immediately repented when the old village chief threatened to deny him a place in the ancestral graves!

Now these men and women were going even further, declaring that the ungrateful shouldn’t even be buried near the village. Who wouldn’t want to return to their roots? This was uprooting them entirely, a truly harsh measure!

Shuiqing raised her voice to support, “I agree too!”

Everyone turned to look at her, making her feel confused. What was going on? Hadn’t other women also spoken out? Was it because she was too young? Standing nearby, Fan Jin in his long robe, with a gentle smile in his dark eyes, looked at her, causing her face to flush.

Fan Jin hadn’t planned to speak, but seeing Shuiqing’s confusion, he kindly intervened, “We’re not seeking gratitude, but the village chief is right. Those who repay kindness with ingratitude don’t deserve a place in the ancestral graves or our incense offerings.”

The old village chief’s vagueness about who should be thanked was wise. Naming names would seem coercive and self-serving. This half-revealed, half-concealed approach would embed the gratitude deeper in everyone’s minds.

Shuiqing, unaware that the old village chief’s words referred to her family, found this explanation fitting.

The villagers immediately saw Fan Jin and Shuiqing as truly noble. Their hearts swelled with fervor and admiration.

The old village chief was filled with gratification. His eyes gleamed with satisfaction. The heavens had truly blessed him, allowing him to witness his village’s prosperity and see the younger generation thrive.

He addressed Shuiqing and Fan Jin, “Shuiqing and Fan Jin, come up and say a few words.”

There was no precedent for a woman to speak at such an event in the village, but no one objected. It seemed only right that Shuiqing should speak.

Although Fan Jin’s mother and Sun Jinhua had their grievances, they didn’t dare voice them. Now wasn’t the time to provoke public anger.

Fan Jin stepped aside, signaling Shuiqing to come forward. Shuiqing, accustomed to speaking in front of many workers, was not nervous. She knew this was not the time for grandiose or empty statements.

Staying true to her practical style, she said, “Everyone, enjoy the feast. I’ll work to open more workshops, provide more jobs, and help everyone earn more silver. Let’s aim to have rice and white bread at every meal, and eat pork regularly!”

Her words were met with a thunderous round of applause from the crowd!

It started with the workers at the herbal workshop. They were influenced by Shuiqing and began to respond with applause, gradually making it a habit.

After they applauded, the other villagers followed suit, and soon, the air was filled with rounds of enthusiastic applause. Shuiqing gracefully stepped aside, giving the center stage to Fan Jin.

Today was the first day of the new school, and Fan Jin certainly had a lot to say. This was the main event!

The applause continued for a long time, and Fan Jin waited patiently until it gradually subsided before he spoke gently, “I want to talk about the rules for studying and learning to read and write.

There is no tuition fee. Anyone who wants to learn can come, regardless of age. However, once you enter the school, you must study diligently. If anyone is restless, chatting, or causing trouble, it will be tolerated once or twice. The third time, they will be permanently expelled from the school and will never be taught again. Do you understand?

If you understand and still want to continue learning, step forward and come closer, and I will explain further.”

The scene fell silent, so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.

Some people initially planned to send their younger children to the school, thinking it would be good for them to get some exposure even if they were mischievous at home and hard to manage. But after hearing Fan Jin’s words, they immediately abandoned that idea!

Getting expelled after the third offense, never to be taught again, with Fan Damu and Zhang Tuzi’s cases as precedents—they couldn’t afford to ruin their children’s chance to learn literacy.

It would be better to wait until they were more mature, ask for their willingness, and ensure they were committed to learning before sending them. At home, they needed to make sure the children were earnest in their studies.

Older teenagers, however, felt a glimmer of hope rise in their hearts.

Fan Xiaoliu raised his hand and asked, “Can someone my age still join?”

He genuinely wanted to learn to read!

In the past, he didn’t have the money to attend official or private schools. Plus, nobody around him could read, so it didn’t seem like a big deal. But now, things were different. The younger kids in the village would all be literate and numerate. Workshops and other tasks would definitely prioritize those who could read and do arithmetic, and he wouldn’t stand a chance against them.

Hu Wenhua was about the same age as him, but Hu Wenhua could read. Being literate was undeniably better than being illiterate.

Fan Jin looked over and replied steadily, “Yes.”

They were not learning to read for the civil service exams, so age didn’t matter.

Hearing Fan Jin’s response, other teenagers and young adults in the crowd stepped forward, their eyes shining with determination.

Soon, a large group of people of varying ages gathered in front of Fan Jin.

He looked at the diverse group without any surprise and continued, “Those above twelve will form one group and have classes during the hour of Chen (7-9 am). Those below twelve will form another group and have classes during the hour of Si (9-11 am). Each group will have one hour. Any questions?”