Transmigrated into a female county magistrate during a famine, leading her country to prosperity

Shen Zheng knew what Mr. Qiao was worried about. In his opinion, or in the opinion of most people, there was an insurmountable barrier between craftsmen and farmers and scholars.

This barrier even divides ordinary people into different classes. Once this idea is formed, day after day, imperceptibly, even if the scholar has no official title, he is still superior to others.

After all, the most fundamental reason is the lack of basic education. Perhaps in prosperous areas such as Shangjing and Jiangnan, the gap between ordinary people does not seem to be so big.

After all, the standard for judging a superior person there is not just being rich.

But in a poor area like her Tongan County, there is a world of difference. No matter who you ask, they will say that there is a wide and long gap between ordinary people and scholars.

If you ask them, how to cross this gap?

Then they will definitely say, put silver under your feet.

It costs money to study, tuition costs money, pens, ink, paper and inkstone cost money, and even the silk clothes worn by scholars cost a lot of money.

Only by filling this ditch with silver will ordinary people have the courage to step out.

Shen Zheng felt a little uncomfortable when she thought about this. Compulsory education is really a long and arduous task. Although the road ahead is difficult and dangerous, it is our duty to do it.

As long as she wants to do it, she is willing to do it, and she brings other people to do it together, then there is no need to worry about failure.

Not everyone has to earn the title of a "tongsheng", but at least everyone can write their own name and recognize a few more characters.

Shen Zheng breathed a sigh of relief and said to Old Qiao: "I understand your concerns, but you forgot that it is free to study in my county school. Whether you are a scholar or a craftsman, everyone is equal in my county school. Don't be afraid of affecting their studies. Maybe they will like to watch you grind wood!"

After hearing this, Old Qiao felt much better. He smiled and said, "What's so interesting about grinding wood? But you are right, girl. Apprentices should know some words. It doesn't have to be too many. They should know the names of tools, wood, and size numbers. They should all be very useful in the future!"

Seeing that he accepted the idea, Shen Zheng spoke up and made the decision.

"Then let's make it a deal. The technical college and the academy will both be located in the county school. We will recruit fewer apprentices this time. You can try it out first."

Old Qiao thought it was about to begin, and exclaimed, "So soon! The old man is not ready yet!"

"How can that be possible? We can only start recruiting students after the location of the county school is selected and repaired. Otherwise, our county government office will really become a vegetable market!"

Shen Zheng felt a little melancholy when she said this, as she still hadn't decided where to locate the county school.

Seeing that she was thinking about something again, Old Qiao took the initiative to say, "The old man is going to look for Yu. He will be my senior brother in the future, so I have to go and talk to him!"

After Mr. Qiao left, Shen Zheng returned to the study and took out the map that the system had rewarded him.

She was stunned for a moment when looking at the map. Although both rice and textile machines are closely related to the system, the system's presence is now extremely low for her.

She was no longer like she was at the beginning, a player sent by the system to complete a mission.

At that time, she had a very low sense of belonging to this world, so she just wanted to rely on what the system provided to fulfill the system's requirements. As for where to go next, it all depends on the system.

But not anymore.

Now she has ties with the entire Tongan County. She is no longer an outsider and is reluctant to leave the things and people here.

Shen Zheng chuckled at the thought. She was busy with work now and couldn't waste time on being sad.

After thinking about it, she unfolded the map and studied it carefully.

The most important point in choosing the location of the county school is that it should be prosperous yet quiet, and the location should be easily accessible. It would be best if it is located in the center of Tongan County.

Otherwise, the county school would be close to this village but too far away from another village, which would be unfair to the students.

After all, not all those who come to the county school want to pass the imperial examinations. Some people simply want to learn a few more words so that they will have an advantage in their future jobs.

Therefore, these students will not stay in the county school every night like other students, but will choose to go to school as a day student, because someone has to cultivate the land at home and someone has to feed the chickens at home.

Therefore, the geographical location of the county school is particularly important. Since it has the ability to select a site, it should not let the students down.

Shen Zheng circled the entire center of Tongan County with his fingers and looked at every place in it carefully.

When she saw a courtyard, she became interested.

This courtyard is located in the center of Tongan County, and it covers a large area. It is no problem to accommodate several classrooms and a dozen houses. It is simply the chosen place for the county school.

Then Shen Zheng was stunned when he saw the marking of this courtyard on the map.

Abandoned Wei Mansion?

Those who can afford to live in such a large courtyard are certainly not ordinary people in the county. However, there is no one with the surname Wei among the gentry in Tongan County. Even if there is someone with the surname Wei, given the financial level of Tongan County, such a large courtyard would not be abandoned.

Shen Zheng lowered her head and thought, it seemed that Xu Zhubu had told her before that, if she remembered correctly, the previous and current magistrate of Tongan County was surnamed Wei.

So this Wei Mansion is the residence of her predecessor?

Shen Zheng couldn't help but spit at herself. She had been in Tongan County for several months now, but she hadn't even warmed up the local culture yet.

Then she put the map in her arms and stood up.

Whether this is the residence of the Wei County Magistrate, you will know it by asking.

As soon as Shen Zheng walked out of the study, Zhao Xiu and the constable from the government office came towards her.

Zhao Xiu stepped forward and handed the rice wrapped in a wet cloth to Shen Zheng.

"Sir, these are the two rice plants that Wang Guangjin selected for us. Please take a look."

Shen Zheng took the rice and uncovered the wet cloth. She saw that the roots of the rice were also wrapped up by the wet cloth. Judging from the size, there was a lot of soil wrapped in it.

These two rice plants were similar to what Shen Zheng had expected. They were not particularly lush, but were considered average for the entire rice field.

The whole rice plant was still green in color, and the grains hanging on the dozen or so rice ears had already been filled with juice and looked quite plump.

Shen Zheng nodded, packed the two rice stalks back and handed them to the constable from the government office.

"Tell the people who deliver the rice and cotton cloth to sprinkle water frequently along the way. The cloth must not dry out, and the soil underneath must also be kept moist. Otherwise, what His Majesty will see is dry rice."

The constable nodded and took the rice. Shen Zheng continued, "Go back and report quickly. Remember to write my reply to Lord Yu."

The constable of the government office already had orders to carry out his mission, so he bowed to Shen Zheng and left quickly.