Is the beginning of a catastrophe? The little farm cook is raising a family with a full warehouse.

"We've already agreed that whoever makes the dumplings will be responsible for finishing them later, especially these crooked and weirdly shaped dumplings!"

Cheng Yuntao suppressed her laughter and pointed at the horrible-looking "dumplings", indicating that the culprits should be held responsible for the dumplings.

Cheng Jingzhu estimated his appetite, stretched out his fingers to count the dumplings on the table, and wondered how many more he could fail.

Shen Shulan's movements were slower, and he stared intently at Cheng Yuntao's movements, wanting to learn from her so that he wouldn't have to eat these shapeless dumplings later.

Compared with them, Cheng Yueli's craftsmanship is obviously much more refined. Although her speed is not as fast as her sister and grandmother, at least there is no big problem in the shape.

"Xiao Li, you make dumplings very well. Please take some time to teach your brother Xiao Zhu. Otherwise, I'm afraid there won't be a single good dumpling on his plate."

After hearing Cheng Yuntao's arrangement, Cheng Jingzhu smiled and moved closer to his sister Xiaoli, saying in a flattering manner.

"Little Li, please teach me quickly. How come you can wrap it so well? Why can't I do it?"

In the past, at home, because Cheng Yueli was the youngest in both age and seniority, everyone took the best care of her. Whenever something happened, she would always be asked to stay at the back.

Cheng Yueli naturally didn't want to miss the chance to show herself. She puffed out her chest proudly and picked up a new dumpling wrapper.

"Well, let me teach you how to make a beautiful dumpling."

"Just watch out! I'm a very strict teacher too. If you slack off, I'll definitely criticize you."

Cheng Jingzhu was also very cooperative, pretending to be a good student, and even bowed seriously: "I will definitely study hard with Teacher Xiaoli!"

The brother and sister had smiles on their faces and started playing house. However, after hearing this, Cheng Yuntao concentrated her attention for a moment and began to ponder in her heart.

Now the two children are no longer young, but neither of them has ever attended school properly for a single day.

Although we don't expect them to study hard for more than ten years to pass the imperial examinations, it is still necessary for them to have basic literacy and a good understanding of the world.

This is also why there is nine years of compulsory education in modern society, so that children in remote areas and poor families can be taught to read and write, avoid being illiterate and ignorant, and be able to distinguish right from wrong, good from evil, and understand the changes between ancient and modern times.

It seems that when we arrive in Junhua City and the family settles down, we will have to find an opportunity to arrange for the children to go to school.

Xiaozhu was easier to deal with. He was a man, and throughout the dynasties, men had never been restricted from going to school. They just had to pay enough tuition.

But Xiaoli is a girl. If she wants to receive formal and systematic education here, it may not be an easy thing.

Cheng Yuntao believed that education was not a privilege reserved for any particular group or sex. Rather, it should be like the sweet rain that nourishes all living things, benefiting all, regardless of gender or social status.

……

"Yun Tao... Yun Tao? What are you thinking about? Why are you in a daze?"

Because his hands were stained with flour, Shen Shulan couldn't touch Cheng Yuntao directly to remind her, so he had to bend his arm and gently bump her with his elbow.

Cheng Yuntao was instantly brought back to her senses by this movement. She sighed with some emotion and spoke softly.

"It's not a matter of utmost urgency. I just think my younger brothers and sisters are not young anymore. If it were another family with a little more money, they would have sent their children to primary school long ago."

"But they were wasted a lot of good time, and they feel sad and guilty. They plan to make up for it when they come down the mountain in the future."

Shen Shulan looked at the brother and sister who were playing not far away and spoke to comfort them.

"Although my progress is much slower than other children of the same age, it is never too late to learn knowledge."

"If you plan to send Xiaozhu to school in the future, I can help you find a better one. As for Xiaoli, I'm afraid you'll have to teach her at home... The school doesn't accept female students."

"Also, although Junhua City values ​​commerce, most women stay at home, with only a few taking the initiative to go out and earn a living. Compared to ordinary men, women merchants face more rumors and gossip, making it more difficult."

"But even in this situation, there are still many powerful businesswomen in the city. I believe that in the near future, women may really be able to go to school."

Her words made Cheng Yuntao react quickly. In Junhua City of the Daqi Dynasty, the status of women was not significantly different from that in other feudal periods.

Cheng Yuntao was a little puzzled. Generally speaking, according to common sense, the more prosperous the economy, the higher the degree of freedom and openness should be.

Junhua City is located at a trade hub. Not only do local merchants gather here, but there are also many visitors from foreign countries. In the face of cultural integration and impact, how can it still be so stubborn and conservative?

But when she thought about it, she understood. Junhua City has been managed by Shen Aoqiong for many years, and his personal preferences can indeed affect the state of a city to a certain extent.

Women only have relative freedom and are still restricted in many aspects.

Cheng Yuntao understood that this was due to the overall environment. Even Shen Shulan could not help, let alone provide any assistance. She herself was deeply involved in it, so Cheng Yuntao changed the subject in time.

"It's okay. We haven't come down the mountain yet. Let's think about it after we get into the city."

"Look at you, the dumplings in your hand have become deformed while you were talking. Come and save them for me."

Cheng Yuntao took the unevenly thin dumpling wrapper from Shen Shulan's hand, separated the parts that were originally stuck together, pinched it again, and in a few strokes, the deformed dumpling was "revived".

"Yun Tao, you really are very clever and skillful. I have wrapped it like that, but you still have a way to save it."

"I really admire you!" Shen Shulan held the restored dumplings in one hand and couldn't help but give a thumbs up with the other hand.

"Okay, okay, everyone, stop playing and put all the dumplings on the tray. I'll steam them."

Cheng Yuntao shouted, holding a large tray, and signaled everyone to move the wrapped dumplings up.

The big, plump, white dumplings are neatly arranged, waiting to be transformed into a delicious delicacy after being steamed.