The daily life of a peasant girl taking the imperial examination

Zhuge Fengshou paused, glanced at his excited clansmen, and continued:

"I hope that after the New Year, all my grandchildren who haven't gone to school can enroll in the clan school for three years. After three years, whether they do well or not, it will depend on their own fate."

As soon as he finished speaking, the villagers of Zhuge Village breathed a sigh of relief. They had thought that Uncle Fengshou's family would make some unrealistic demands.

So this is it?

Compared to fifty taels of gold and fifty taels of silver, this requirement is truly insignificant.

Most of the clansmen present spoke up, hoping that the clan chief and village chief would grant Zhuge Fengshou's request.

The village chief also felt that this was no big deal, but there was one thing he wanted to clarify: "Brother Fengshou, do you mean that all the grandchildren in your family, regardless of age, will have to go to school for three years after the New Year?"

It's no wonder he asked that question, since, as far as he knew, his cousin Fengshou's eldest grandson and granddaughter had just gotten engaged this year.

In Zhuge Village, even if the bride's family is reluctant to let go of the engagement, the engagement will only be delayed for a maximum of two years.

Of course, there are a few exceptions, such as Zhuge Laigui.

“Toyota (the village chief) is absolutely right, that’s exactly what my cousin meant,” Zhuge Fengshou said calmly.

Then, looking at everyone, he added, "My sons Dazhu (Zhuge Yunren) and Daya (Zhuge Yunchun) are past the age of attending the clan school, but our family does not expect them to become officials like Dahua through the imperial examinations. We only hope that they will be able to read and understand reason in the future."

"Especially girls like Daya should go to school to learn to read and write..."

Before Zhuge Fengshou could finish speaking, he stirred up a hornet's nest for some people, who looked furious:

"Uncle Harvest, it's one thing for your family to waste money on your daughter's education, but why do you also want us to be as stupid as your family?"

"That's right. What's the use of a girl being so capable? In the end, she'll just end up benefiting someone else."

"Brother Fengshou, it's not that I'm criticizing you, but because of your family's decision to send the girls to school, my daughter-in-law and granddaughters have started to become arrogant, constantly accusing my husband and me of favoritism..."

"Hey, mine too. My second daughter-in-law's health deteriorated after giving birth to four girls, and she can't have any more children... Yesterday, she even caused a scene at home, saying that all future spots in the clan school should be given to her second branch of the family, or she would hang herself and her four daughters from the roof beam. What kind of nonsense is this!"

"...It's all Brother Fengshou's fault for setting such a bad precedent. Why can't the girl just obediently wait to get married? Why does she have to fight with her brothers..."

"..."

Zhuge Yunshu listened to the increasing complaints, but instead of being angry, he was actually quite amused.

Look, most of these complainers are men. Doesn't this just show that women in Zhuge Village are slowly awakening to new ideas?

This was all for the sake of her frequent attempts to brainwash her grandmother and two aunts, telling them about the benefits of education for women.

In addition to taking action, she and her four cousins ​​would also buy them things from time to time to show their filial piety.

Given the boastful nature of Grandma Chen, Aunt Su, and Aunt Zhang, they probably showed off to the other grandmothers, aunts, and other women in the village quite a bit.

After a long period of time without being provoked, these people, comparing themselves to their sons/grandsons who forget their mothers/grandmothers after getting wives, and then looking at their gentle and obedient daughters/granddaughters, will naturally begin to gradually return to a level.

In this way, the most basic filter is removed, allowing us to see people and things more clearly.

Zhuge Laifu was displeased to hear these clansmen complaining about his family. "Those who say our family makes girls stupid by giving them education, are you blinded by eye boogers?"

"Er Gouzi, I think you're the loudest one. You say our family is stupid? Is it because our daughter became rich and stupid after she went to school, or is it because our family received rewards from the Emperor and the County Magistrate?"

"And Brother Da Niu, didn't you say that no matter how capable a girl is, she'll only benefit outsiders? Well, because Da Hua is good at studying, the money she's earned in just six months has been enough to put our whole family in a new house. We, as her family, have benefited from all these advantages. How could it be that other families have benefited?"

"And then there's Daya. Because she can read, she was chosen as a daughter-in-law by a wealthy family in town. Every now and then, they send us some new gadgets. Is this what you mean by 'profiting at someone else's expense'?"

Zhuge Laifu grew angrier as he spoke, feeling that there were far too many pedantic people in the village.

It's truly a pity for those clever and quick-witted girls.

Lin Si Niang looked at her husband and her eyes suddenly reddened. "What's wrong with girls studying? Our girl is just smarter and more talented than boys. I think you people are just too narrow-minded and insist on being so fixated on gender."

"What kind of man can support a family and carry on the family line? No wonder you people who make such sour remarks have so many sons but can't even afford a piece of meat or a decent piece of clothing... Sons are a debt to their parents!"

Lin Si Niang glanced meaningfully at the skinny Da Niu and Er Gouzi, then at their patched clothes.

Da Niu and Er Gouzi: "..."

Damn, that really hits home, bro!

Ignoring their awkwardness, Lin continued:

“I’ve never seen anyone more foolish than you. If you ask me, regardless of gender, as long as the child has the talent for studying, then let them study. Our village is not lacking in resources, so why put all your hopes on one basket and end up with nothing?”

"...These boys are all spoiled and pampered. No matter how much work they do, the best food is always saved for them. As a result, they have no motivation to improve themselves... But girls are different. They have the opportunity to change their fate, and they will definitely seize it... So they will naturally be very attentive to their studies..."

"Moreover, as long as someone in the family has a talent for studying, regardless of gender, isn't that a blessing from our ancestors? Look at our Da Hua, isn't she the best example?"

"At the very least, look at my brother-in-law, who isn't good at studying. He can still go to town to work and earn money, which is much more worthwhile than toiling in the fields."

Zhuge Laigui: "..."

You are a person with inner depth.

"If girls are not good at studying, then why do the lords of wealthy families send their daughters/granddaughters to school? According to your thinking, are they really stupid?"

"Putting everything else aside, just look at our second uncle. It's said that his granddaughter, Chu'er, is already a student of the Imperial Academy. What an honor that is! Can you say that our second uncle is stupid?"

"Women can study, that's what His Majesty said, do you think His Majesty also..." Lin Si Niang stopped herself from saying anything more, she knew what was good and bad.

The clansmen: "..."

Please don't wrong them. They didn't say those wealthy gentlemen were stupid, nor did they say Second Uncle was stupid, nor did they say the Emperor was stupid... it's just... it's just...

...They're the ones who are stupid!

Meanwhile, the aunties and grandmothers in the village looked at Lin Si Niang with admiration. Was this the benefit of having a daughter who was educated?

It turns out that women can also silence those self-righteous scoundrels in front of so many people, especially when elders from the clan are present.

Lin Si Niang became famous overnight in Zhuge Village because of the words she said in anger.