A husband found in the village? I bought a regent for a penny!

When Gu Xixi suddenly asked about Gu Tiezhu, Gu Qingye was taken aback, and her smile became slightly awkward.

She stammered, "Ever since that incident... he hasn't been able to leave the house."

"His temper has also become quite bad."

Gu Xixi feigned concern, "Judging by the time, his legs should be able to support him by now."

Gu Qingye, without any suspicion, nodded and said, "That's fine, that's fine."

"However, he walks with a cane and still has a limp, so my brother doesn't want people to see him. He probably only walks around in the yard by himself when no one is around."

Gu Xixi seemed to understand something. "He doesn't let anyone see him, so how do you know he's walking in the yard?"

Gu Qingye couldn't help but sigh when this was mentioned.

“One day I went home early to get something, and that’s when I saw it. My brother immediately stopped and wouldn’t move, and he even yelled at me!”

After she finished speaking, she suddenly remembered something and hurriedly explained in a flustered manner, "Sister Xixi, I didn't mean to blame you when I said these things. My brother himself said it has nothing to do with you."

Gu Xixi smiled, indicating that she didn't mind. "We should be able to start climbing the mountain by tomorrow. Shall we reschedule for tomorrow morning?"

Gu Qingye nodded excitedly, "Yes, I'll do whatever you say, sister!"

When Gu Xixi entered, the old doctor had just seen off a patient with a cold and runny nose. Aunt Zhang was carrying a ladle of steaming hot medicine around, and the smell of medicine filled the yard.

Gu Xixi pinched her nose with one hand, frowned in disgust, and said, "What is this smell? It's awful."

Aunt Zhang said, "The old doctor prescribed this medicine. He said that many people have come to our house with colds these past two days. He told me to boil the medicine and let the fumes waft around after the patients leave, so that we don't catch it."

It turns out it was for disinfection.

Gu Xixi released her grip on her nose, took a breath, and found that it wasn't so hard to accept after getting used to it.

She handed a plate of steamed buns to Aunt Zhang, saying, "These are vegetarian buns that Aunt Qian gave me; they're still warm from being steamed."

The plump steamed buns look so appetizing.

Aunt Zhang said happily, "Our Xixi is becoming more and more lovable; she can even eat other people's steamed buns now."

Gu Xixi chuckled helplessly.

Anyway, she was always disliked.

Aunt Zhang hurried towards the kitchen, saying, "I'll go get the rice now, so the buns don't get cold."

In the west room, Mu Nanzhao had already gotten out of bed. Paper was laid out on the table, and he was writing.

When Gu Xixi entered, Mu Nanzhao looked up at her and unabashedly flipped the paper face down on the table.

"Is something wrong?"

Gu Xixi had no interest in finding out what he wrote, and simply recounted her experience of going to find Lao Qian.

"You'd better prepare yourself."

Mu Nanzhao frowned, displeased. "Troublesome."

Gu Xixi shrugged. "People respect teachers and value education. Wouldn't it be better if you pretended to blend in and made a big scene?"

She turned and went out, saying, "Dinner's ready. Come out and eat when you're done."

That afternoon, Lao Qian and his group started making arrangements.

The village school was located at the land temple, and there was an empty room to the east, which was originally the place where the village chief held meetings.

However, it hasn't been used for meetings for many years and is now piled with miscellaneous items.

The room is large enough, sunny and well-ventilated, perfect for use as a classroom.

Sister-in-law Qin came to the house and asked Gu Xixi to go to the local temple together.

She said cheerfully, "The village chief said that good things should be done quickly."

"However, we need everyone to come up with ideas on how to proceed, especially you, you must be there."

"This is the first time our village has set up a village school, so we can't miss anything."

Gu Xixi was dragged to the local temple by Qin Dasao, while Lao Qian and the others had already emptied the house of its clutter.

After discussion, it was decided that the roof needed to be repaired and the interior walls needed to be repainted with plaster.

The main items also include tables, chairs, and benches for the children, and a desk for the teacher.

These were not readily available, so they had to be made from different types of wood.

There's no need to hire carpenters from outside; the men in the village all know how to do some woodworking.

These are roughly the external conditions required to run a village school.

Everyone contributed their strength and resources, and they were ready to start work immediately.

Seeing everyone's high spirits, Gu Xixi hesitated for a long time before raising another problem that could not be ignored.

"To read and write, one needs books, pens, ink, paper, and inkstones."

"These all have to be bought at the bookstores in the city, and even the cheapest ones cost quite a bit."

The temple suddenly fell silent.

Productivity was low in those days, and even the cheapest paper cost three to four coins, while bound books were even more expensive.

Not to mention that the Four Treasures of the Study are consumables, and the money invested in them is like a bottomless pit.

Many villagers were illiterate and unfamiliar with the market, but when they heard that sending their children to school would cost money, their expressions began to waver.

"Going into town to buy so many things, how much will that cost?"

"Our family isn't blessed with the talent of the God of Literature. And what good is it if we can recognize a few characters?"

Old Qian looked around anxiously, "Are you trying to back out?"

"Reading and understanding principles is a way to benefit future generations."

The villagers looked at each other, then lowered their heads and remained silent.

Sending children to village schools doesn't make money, and now it actually costs money?

It would be better to let the children play for a few years and then have them work in the fields.

After thinking for a moment, Sister-in-law Qin gritted her teeth and said, "My Gouwa needs to go to school!"

"Just like the village chief said, reading helps one understand principles. As long as the village school can be set up, I will do everything I can to let Gouwa sit in the school."

Gouwa's formal name was given to him by the schoolteacher.

Although Sister-in-law Qin herself was not literate, she greatly admired scholars.

She always wanted her child to become like that.

Old Qian also said, "Mrs. Qin is right!"

"I'd also like to say that my child will also attend the village school."

Old Qian's two sons have reached the age to start their formal education. He originally planned to send them to their uncle's house to study, but now that he's setting up a village school, he won't have to travel such a long distance.

He looked around at everyone and said, "Besides, how do you know our village can't produce a scholar?"

Gu Xixi had been lost in thought with her eyes down since just now.

She looked up and said, "I have a way. A way that doesn't cost money."

All eyes turned to Gu Xixi.

Sister-in-law Qin exclaimed with delight, "What's the solution? Tell me quickly!"

Gu Xixi said, "Even if we don't buy paper, we can always find a piece of old fabric torn from a tattered piece of clothing at home."

Everyone nodded in agreement; every household had this.

If the clothes are no longer wearable, cut off the still-intact parts and keep them to patch other areas.

Gu Xixi continued, "Everyone has eaten black-cut vegetables, right? They're everywhere around here."

Some people wondered, "We eat black-boned vegetables in the spring, and it's almost autumn. By then, those vegetables are so old they can be used as firewood."

“We’re not talking about eating it now,” Gu Xixi said with a smile. “We’re going to use it to boil down to black water.”

"As long as you don't add anything to fix the color, this ink stain is easy to wash off the cloth."

"Children can use ink to write on old cloth, which can then be reused."