The female anchor turned into the dean of an ancient academy

For several days in a row, Yu Lan and many publicity personnel worked tirelessly to repeatedly tell every household the importance of women's education and the educational philosophy of Zhaoyin Academy that promotes both wisdom and knowledge and moral integrity.

Yu Lan and others walked to the streets of Linkang Prefecture, entered the markets of villages and towns, and even openly set foot in those simple homes that bound women to the daily necessities of life, just to let more young women know that there is still a place full of hope in this world.

Teachers and students from the academy's publicity team used real-life examples and traditional stories to explain in simple terms the importance of reading for girls. They demonstrated to the anxious girls that reading is more than just about learning to read; it is the key to a better future, enabling them to understand the outside world and accept new experiences, while also giving them the power to protect themselves with knowledge.

They described how women, after reading, were able to understand life from another perspective, and more importantly, were able to improve their own lives and those of their families with their own wisdom.

Yu Lan's steps were firm and powerful as she walked along the muddy path of Linkang Prefecture. She clutched a stack of freshly printed leaflets in her hand—they contained the new regulations for Zhaoyin Academy regarding the admission of women to study.

She planned to visit every town and village under the jurisdiction of Linkang Prefecture and convey this exciting news to the girls in every family - they also have the same right to education as men.

The sun had just risen in the east, its rays bathing Yu Lan's face, highlighting her resilience and courage. Yu Lan arrived at Xijia Village, a quiet hamlet nestled beside a stream. Most villagers made their livings farming, and women, many of whom had been helping with household chores since childhood, rarely had the opportunity to learn to read and write.

Yu Lan stood beneath the locust tree at the village entrance, greeting the villagers as they passed by. As she explained the new policies regarding the academy and the importance of women's education, many stopped and gathered around, gazing curiously at the flyer in her hand.

"Is this true? Daughters can also go to academy to study?" An old woman wearing a bamboo hat cast a skeptical look.

Yu Lan smiled slightly and nodded in confirmation, "That's absolutely true, Grandma. The new policy specially formulated by the new dean of Zhaoyin Academy is to enable women to learn to read and write, and even learn some skills to make a living."

At that moment, a young, pregnant mother approached, holding her eldest daughter. She took a flyer with great interest. "If Xiaoyun could really get into school, she might be able to live a different life than I did," she said, her voice tinged with hope.

However, not everyone was receptive to this new concept. Some men frowned, glanced at the women gathered for discussion, and shook their sacks with displeasure.

"Abandon your absurd theories and childish fantasies. Women should be responsible for managing household chores, assisting their husbands, and educating their children. Why bother learning men's business?"

Indeed, not everyone was willing to embrace such novelties. There were always those who deliberately sought to stir up trouble. These people spread rumors and provoked disturbances in every village, blaming the "seven dangers" and "eight disadvantages" of women's education. Even more absurd was their concern that these women, after receiving an education, would lose their feminine virtues, become indifferent to their families and their communities. Some even went so far as to shout loudly in the very places where Yu Lan was carrying out her propaganda, attempting to distract the crowd with whispers.

Yu Lan and her colleagues never panicked when they encountered such situations. Whenever they encountered obstacles, they would debate in person. Their well-reasoned and well-founded arguments would make those clowns shut up automatically, and those loud and noisy opponents would become a topic of conversation after dinner.

Many people even composed ballads satirizing these diehards' "Seven Dangers" to emphasize the necessity of girls' education. For example, a song ran: "Studying is harmful, and even the sage Queen Mother is no more harmful than this? Perhaps it's because her eyesight has dimmed in her old age that she can't see through your seven nonsense..."

Despite numerous objections, Yu Lan remained undeterred and undeterred. She knew that changing long-held traditional values was not something that could be accomplished overnight. Therefore, until any results were achieved, facing doubts and opposition was normal.

Inspired by her persistence and enthusiasm, many women found Yu Lan under various excuses and quietly left their names, hoping to join the academy to study.

At dusk, Yu Lan arrived at the last house in the village. Several girls who looked about fourteen or fifteen years old were standing in front of the door. Their clothes were quite shabby and their shoes had many holes. These girls were all pale and thin, but when they looked at the flyer in Yu Lan's hand, their eyes were full of curiosity.

Yu Lan asked with concern, "Girls, have you eaten yet? I have some wheat cakes here for you to take. This is our academy's enrollment flyer. If you girls can't read, it has illustrations and diagrams. You can take a look. Our academy is recruiting women."

Several girls took the food and flyers handed to them by Yu Lan, and then started chewing them in big mouthfuls while reading the contents on the flyers.

Yu Lan looked at the girls gently and said with loving care, "If possible, it is better to choose to study. Perhaps this is the ticket to your new life. Be brave, you can do it." After that, Yu Lan turned around and left.

At this moment, one of the girls stood up and said to Yu Lan, "I'm the only one left at home. Can I... come?"

Yu Lan turned back to look at the girl, gave her a reassuring smile, and nodded slightly. At that moment, the setting sun on the horizon was reflected in the stream near them, like a brand new world, gently waving its arms towards them.

During this time, Yu Lan visited every village day after day. Every footprint she left, and even the smiles she received from every woman after chatting with her, made Yu Lan more resolute. Regardless of the final outcome, at least in the eyes of those women, she gradually became less confused.

While Yu Lan was struggling to promote her cause in Linkang Prefecture and surrounding towns, Cen Jiexiao, who was at the academy, did not rest for a moment. She led the teachers and students at the gate of Zhaoyin Academy, distributing leaflets to passers-by, vigorously proclaiming that women have the right to receive education and the ability to change their own destinies.

Cen Jiexiao was among them. Despite her frail figure, this did not in the least weaken her dedication to the cause. Her gaze was resolute, her words were passionate, and every slogan she uttered was so powerful that it touched people's hearts.

“The power of women is endless. The world created by women and men together is a better world…”

The voices of the teachers and students at the academy attracted the attention of many people. There were undoubtedly curious onlookers, as well as some who were cynical. However, there was always a woman who had doubts but also held hope and longed to change her fate.

Thanks to the unremitting efforts of the teachers and students of the publicity team, the lively scene at the registration office in front of the academy spread from one person to ten, and from ten to a hundred, to every corner of Linkang City.

The men, who had previously held their disdain in their hearts, gradually began to notice the changes on the street. The academy's publicity efforts had become almost city-wide, and even the naughty children were chanting, "Women's education is a century-long project; women's struggles are the heroes of the nation."

After a long time, the enrollment work was finally completed successfully.

Yu Lan stared at the number of students enrolled in the record book, feeling extremely excited. Her slender, snow-white fingers involuntarily stroked the record book, as if she was afraid that the names and numbers on it would slip away.

At this moment, Yu Lan knew in her heart that what she was doing was like a huge ship sailing in a storm. Once it set sail, there was no possibility of stopping.