After being forced to travel through time by accident, I became famous in the entertainment industry

"But I bet that even if the prince gave Xu Zhaodi's family the five taels of silver, Xu Zhaodi would still be sold by her parents to the home of that forty-year-old man, or to someone else's family."

This is the tragedy of women in this era. If their family is powerful and wealthy, they are mostly well-matched. Even if the couple does not love each other, they can still respect each other. But if they are ordinary people or poor people, women are just tools to exchange benefits.

"Maybe. At least these five taels of silver can make her life a little easier for a while."

Xu Zhaodi was suddenly sent back home, and one can imagine what would happen to her. However, this was also a punishment for her. If she was treated lightly, many people might follow her example in the future.

Seeing that the matter had been resolved, Xu Zhao quickly opened the lunch box and took out the dishes inside. If she didn't take them out, they would probably get cold.

She came here inexplicably and had no relatives. If it weren't for Shen Yu, she would probably have to sleep on the streets. As for how to return to the modern era, she has not figured it out yet. She is not sure whether death can allow her to go back. All this is too unknown. She dare not try it rashly. What if her life is really in danger?

Since Shen Yu took her in, she naturally had to return the favor.

She only had to put in a little effort to use the ingredients from the military camp to cook a meal for Shen Yu.

It’s not safe to eat.

Fang Xuren stepped back to arrange what Shen Yu had instructed.

Only Xu Zhao and Shen Yu were left in the tent.

"Try this mutton soup now. It won't taste good if it gets cold."

Xu Zhao served Shen Yu pure mutton soup. The meat was all in a big pot, and he had to chew the bones to eat the meat, which was somewhat inconsistent with Shen Yu's status as a prince.

Shen Yu had no idea what Xu Zhao was thinking, but the fragrance he smelled whetted his appetite.

He picked up the mutton soup in front of him. The temperature was just right. If it was too hot, it would be difficult to swallow. If it was cooler, the strong smell of mutton might become more obvious.

Shen Yu was still concerned about his image. He maintained an elegant posture while drinking the soup in big gulps, still looking like a gentleman.

Shen Yu quickly finished the bowl. He was still not satisfied, so when he saw there was another bowl on the table, he wanted to pick it up and continue drinking.

"Wait, this bowl is mine!" Xu Zhao hurried to stop him. There was mutton in this bowl, and the bowl was also bigger than Shen Yu's.

She is not someone who would treat herself badly.

"Mutton is nutritious, but it's not suitable to drink too much."

Shen Yu looks strong and healthy, so he should just drink a moderate amount of mutton soup and avoid overdosing on it.

"Then why can you drink so much?" Shen Yu pointed to a big bowl of mutton soup in front of him. Don't think he didn't see that there was mutton in this bowl, but there was only soup in his bowl.

Xu Zhao placed the rice in the lunch box in front of Shen Yu, indicating that he could eat.

"I'm a woman, and my body is weak. This mutton replenishes my qi and warms my blood. Of course I have to drink more."

Xu Zhao spoke so confidently that Shen Yu didn't know how to refute him for a moment.

Shen Yu had no choice but to pick up the bowl and eat the dishes made by Xu Zhao. After tasting the stir-fried seasonal vegetables, Shen Yu's eyes lit up. It was indeed different from what he usually ate.

When he was a child in the palace, his father, the emperor, and his mother, the empress, often taught him not to talk while eating or sleeping, so Shen Yu never talked while eating. But when he arrived at the military camp, sometimes the military situation became tense and he didn't even have time to eat. In order to save time and take care of everyone's health, he would sit together with several deputy generals and discuss military affairs while eating.

The emperor is far away and no one cares whether he talks while eating.

"You just said that women should study? Do all women in your area study?"

You know, studying has always been a man's thing. After reading books, one can understand the truth and be able to discuss literature and philosophy. Most scholars actively study and participate in the imperial examinations throughout their lives. A career in officialdom is the driving force of their lifelong efforts, and promotion to a higher position is their lifelong dream.

Only wealthy families would let their daughters go to school and learn to read and write so that they could become the mistress of the house after they got married.

Merchant families let their daughters read and write simply because they wanted them to be able to read account books and do accounting so that they could help run the family business.

But in a country, most people are like Xu Zhaodi. They come from ordinary families and the money they earn from farming is only enough for their daily life. Sometimes even eating a piece of meat is a luxury. How can they have spare money for their children's education?

"Why can't women study? According to your thinking, women should take care of their husbands and children at home. Some people say that behind every successful man there is always a well-educated and well-mannered wife. If you want women to be well-educated and well-mannered, then they should study. That way, men can focus on their careers outside."

The so-called "some people's words" were just what Xu Zhao said himself.

"Speaking of raising a child, a child is brought up by their mother from birth. If they are boys, they will likely stay with their mother for their entire lives. If the mother is illiterate, it will be difficult for the child to receive a good education. If they are girls, they may learn from their mother's kindness, but they will not have knowledge. Only girls with knowledge can pass on knowledge from generation to generation."

Xu Zhaodu said he was hungry, took a mouthful of rice, swallowed it, and then said, "In our time, the country has made education compulsory. Both men and women can go to school. Only by studying can we understand the truth, learn more, and have a foundation for our lives."

“What you said makes sense, but what is compulsory education?”

This was a new word that Shen Yu had heard. After listening to Xu Zhao's words, Shen Yu felt that his thinking had been broadened.

"The state has established schools across the country. Anyone of any age, male or female, can enroll. Tuition fees... also known as sushu (school tuition) are subsidized by the state, so parents don't need to provide any. All parents need to provide is pens and paper for school, plus a fee for food and miscellaneous fees. This covers a student's nine years of sushu."

Xu Zhao tried to make Shen Yu understand as clearly as possible what he said.

"Your country is really rich!" Shen Yu calculated in his mind. There are schools all over the country, and they are funded for nine years. The country's treasury must be quite sufficient to do such a thing.

Xu Zhao did not object to this point. The China where she lived was indeed economically prosperous and strong.

"As long as the country is governed properly and the people are united, the country will surely be strong."

Xu Zhao did not mention the fact that the era she lived in was one in which the people were the masters of their own country and it was no longer a feudal dynasty. A native of ancient times would probably never understand the modern governance model in her lifetime, and it would be extremely difficult to get the royal family to give up their power.

"What I wish for is that the world will be united and the people will live in peace. I wish for the country to be prosperous and the people to work and live happily." Shen Yu suddenly said very solemnly.

Finally, he said with a hint of regret: "It's a pity that this wish is difficult to realize now, and I don't know who will fulfill it."