I turned the cold palace into a paradise

Chapter 195 Compulsory Education

As time went by, spring ploughing time came. Because Qingzhou is close to the northwest, spring ploughing starts a month later than in the south.

Outside the Jinli County government office, a crowd of people had already gathered. Magistrate Song came out with his men, carrying two baskets of copper coins and many baskets covered with cloth and filled with unknown things.

"Don't push, don't push! Line up properly! I won't give the money to anyone who doesn't obey!" County Magistrate Song said sternly.

"Don't worry, County Magistrate Song. We are all very careful. This is not the first time we have received money, so how can we not follow the rules?"

Seeing them line up obediently, County Magistrate Song nodded with satisfaction: "Everyone has been busy these days. The road has been repaired and spring ploughing will start soon. So today, not only will you get the remaining wages for building the road and houses, but also a new crop of seeds. Not much, one family will get one mu of seeds. This is a good thing! Plant it well for me. This is a political task, you know?"

"Okay, okay, okay!"

"Mr. County Magistrate, what crops are these?"

Magistrate Song continued, "These are good things that the prefect found! I heard that the yield per mu is amazing. There are two kinds, sweet potatoes and potatoes. Our county is allocated sweet potatoes." As Magistrate Song spoke, he had someone lift the cloth-covered basket, revealing the sweet potatoes.

Everyone came forward and looked over: "Sweet potato? Potato? I've never heard of it! Why does this sweet potato look so strange?"

"Sir, is this really edible? This is such a weird thing. I have never seen anything like this in my entire life of farming. How do I grow this??!"

"Don't worry about how to plant it. The prefect has arranged someone to teach you." County Magistrate Song replied impatiently.

"How can such a great man as the prefect farm? I wonder if he was deceived!"

"Yes! We can't compete with the prefect in other aspects, but for this kind of land, the prefect can't catch up with us even if he tries his best. Besides, spring ploughing is the most important thing of the year. If we plant this and then don't have a harvest and can't eat it, wouldn't that be a loss?"

County Magistrate Song's face turned cold and his voice was stern: "Why are you talking so much nonsense? Just plant what you are told to plant! So what if you can't eat it? I'll let you plant one acre first. Even if there is no harvest, can I still starve you to death?

Moreover, we exempted you from agricultural taxes for three years and asked you to give up one acre of land, but you are still complaining! And the prefect built the road to increase your income, otherwise, you would be standing here to receive money today? I think it’s because the prefect is too good to you! "

"Don't be angry, sir, that's not what we meant!"

"Grow and grow! I'm willing to grow these sweet potatoes on several acres of land!"

"Bah, you wishful thinking. You are lucky to be given one acre of such a precious thing. Do you want to plant more? Go away. I am annoyed just looking at you. Go and line up to get your money. Don't leave after you get the money. Someone will tell you how to plant it later."

"Hehehe, okay, sir!" They knew that County Magistrate Song had no ill will towards them. They used to think that County Magistrate Song was a bad official, but since Young Master Yue came, County Magistrate Song had changed. Although they still respected him, they were no longer so afraid of him, and they would no longer curse him behind his back.

Cherry, who was standing behind County Magistrate Song, frowned and said softly: "Why do you talk to the people like that? I think you are just itching for trouble." Cherry had come to Jinli County to help several times, and had become familiar with County Magistrate Song, and spoke more casually.

"Miss Cherry, they are a bunch of bastards. If you talk to them nicely, they will think you want to harm them. The more powerful you are, the more obedient they will be. They are a bunch of ignorant people. Many policies are for their own good, but they don't understand. Instead, they foolishly think there are problems. No matter how you explain, it doesn't make sense. This is the only way. Look! Now they are not obedient anymore?

Cherry nodded, thinking it made sense.

The lawyer sitting nearby began to check the wages of these people.

"Peng Jiubao, I worked for 53 days and got 60 wen for one liang. I was paid 560 wen before. I still have half a liang left, is that right?"

"Yes, sir."

"Come on, give me a fingerprint."

The man obediently pressed his fingerprint, and the officer who had already counted the money handed it to him.

"Get sweet potatoes next to you."

The man said nice things happily, put the silver carefully into his arms, and then went over to get the sweet potatoes. Another person followed closely behind him.

"Peng Shu, you came late. You worked for a total of 23 days, a total of 460 coins. You have never received any before, so is it correct to receive 460 coins this time?"

"Yes, yes, yes. Oh! If I hadn't been sick, I would have come a long time ago. I am so mad at myself! I am so disappointing! I missed it in vain..." Otherwise, I could have gotten half an ounce more now! The man was extremely envious.

"Okay, stop talking nonsense. Your health is more important. Just give your fingerprints and take the money."

……

Because there were many officials helping out, it didn't take long for all the wages and sweet potatoes to be distributed.

Then the person who came to teach them how to grow sweet potatoes stood on the stairs and explained to them.

The person who came to teach was Liang Xian, Aunt Wang's assistant. The other assistants were sent to three other counties for training.

They were all taught by Aunt Wang and Liu Lu. After all, when they were in the cold palace, they all followed Yun Yue to grow sweet potatoes and potatoes. It can be said that in this world, or in Tianchen, they are the only ones besides the Yun family who know how to grow these two crops.

When Liu Lu and her colleagues were teaching their assistants how to grow sweet potatoes and potatoes, they called Anle and Xiaohua over and taught them personally. While teaching, they were so happy to hear Anle and Xiaohua's admiring praise that they couldn't stop smiling.

Liu Lu had never felt so proud before, not even when she was favored as a concubine. But at this moment, she really felt that she was great! After all, she was the only concubine in the entire palace (except for the sisters in the cold palace) who could farm! If the Liu family's ungrateful people were raided one day, they would definitely starve to death. Unlike her, who was so capable and could farm, she could survive anywhere. Liu Lu thought secretly, and became even more proud!

These people were all good at farming. As soon as Liang Xian finished speaking, they already understood how to plant.

The assistant also left a booklet on planting methods, which also included some precautions, and handed it to County Magistrate Song.

After explaining the planting method, the people were about to leave when they were stopped by County Magistrate Song.

"Don't leave yet, there is one more thing I need to inform you of."

"My Lord. Good or bad?"

"Great thing!"

Everyone looked at County Magistrate Song expectantly.

"In addition to repairing roads, you also built those big houses these days. Do you remember?"

"I remember, I remember! Of course I remember! That yard and house are so huge!"

"Sir, is that for Master Yue?"

County Magistrate Song rolled his eyes at him and said, "How can Master Yue live here? That house is built for you! Or rather, for your children."

"Ah?" Everyone was puzzled.

"I don't know how you got lucky! You met such a good person like Master Yue! Master Yue had this house built to be used as a school. Now listen carefully! Master Yue has announced that all children aged 5-14 must study at Hope Academy! This is compulsory education!"

"Ah!!! County Magistrate, this is impossible! Education is so expensive, how can we afford it? And I have several children. Even if you sell your whole family, you still can't afford it!"

"Yeah, yeah! I can't afford it!"

"Shut up! I haven't finished what I'm saying. I hope the academy is free."

"Huh??? What! Free?"

"Sir, I didn't hear you clearly, could you please say it again?"

"I say, your children can all go to school for free!" County Magistrate Song said word by word.

Everyone was silent at first, then looked at Yingtao in disbelief. They knew that Yingtao was someone close to Master Yue, and they wanted to confirm it again.

"That's right. It's all true!" Cherry said with a smile.

The crowd exploded instantly! Cheers, laughter, and crying merged together, as if it was the happiest thing in the world.

"Little girl! Did you hear that? Your brothers can go to school now! Our family is getting up!" A woman took the boy from a girl's arms and kissed him on the face happily.

The woman's husband also jumped for joy while holding his son.

The girl called Xiao Ya looked at the surprised expressions of the three members of the family and lowered her eyes expressionlessly, as if this matter had nothing to do with her.