EBE Chapter 132 Xiao Siyue Wants to Build a Clan School
Chapter 132 Xiao Siyue Wants to Build a Clan School
After walking around for a while, Xiao Siyue went back.
As Xiao Siyue walked back, she encountered many children playing outside. Although the sun had already set, it wasn't cold outside, making it a perfect time for the children to play.
Xiao Siyue noticed that most of the children were around the same age as Xiao Yichen, but she didn't see many who were five or six years old or older, which made her a little curious.
"Grandpa, where did all the other children go? Why are they all so small?"
"Haha, Yue'er, don't you know, every household in our village has money now? Everyone is sending their children to school."
Grandpa Xiao was very happy when he talked about this. "Studying is good. In the past, the family was poor and the children didn't have enough to eat. The villagers were willing but unable to help."
Things are different now. People send their children to school, hoping they can become officials like Xiao Qiren in the future. Even if they can't become officials, they can still learn more characters, which is better than them toiling in the fields for a living.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Siyue thought it was a good thing. Studying could make one wiser and give one more opportunities to choose one's future.
"Then Grandpa Village Chief will definitely be very happy," Xiao Siyue said with a smile. The village chief has always attached great importance to the development of the village, and now that the village is developing so well, he is probably very satisfied.
"Of course! Your village chief grandpa walks with a swagger now, he's so proud of himself." Grandpa Xiao chuckled as he recalled the village chief's current appearance.
"Grandpa, do they all study in town?" Xiao Siyue suddenly thought of something.
“Yes, now the only school we have is in town.” Grandpa Xiao was puzzled. Yue’er knew this, because the boys in the family had all studied in town before.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Siyue suddenly had an idea. She wanted to build a clan school in the village. Xiao Family Village was basically inhabited by members of the Xiao family clan. Now that her father was an official, she should naturally give back to the clan.
Besides, if another official comes from the clan in the future, they can help each other out.
Xiao Siyue thought her idea was very good.
After returning home, Xiao Siyue told Grandpa Xiao about her idea.
Grandpa Xiao pondered for a long time and felt that Xiao Siyue's idea was excellent.
"Yue'er, your idea is excellent. This way, the children in our village won't have to go to school in town anymore." Although they are not far from Peach Blossom Town, it still takes them a long time to travel back and forth every day.
“Grandpa, my father is now an official, so naturally he should do his part for his clan.” The concept of clan is very important now, and the clan is also the support for its members.
Grandpa Xiao gave Xiao Siyue an approving look.
Although their family has done a great deal for the village, they haven't done much for the clan, even if it's just to thank their ancestors for their blessings.
"Then I'll take care of this," Old Master Xiao said, taking the responsibility upon himself.
"Grandpa, tell my dad about this, and then I'll have him find some tutors." Xiao Siyue had her own connections, so this matter would be easier for her.
Since we're going to establish a clan school, we should do it well, and we need to find good teachers so that the children don't suffer.
"Alright, we'll write a letter to your father right away."
“Grandpa, I have another idea. Our family is not short of money now, so let us pay for the construction of the clan school and the cost of hiring teachers.”
This sum of money wasn't much; it was just a drop in the ocean for their family right now. However, it would earn them an excellent reputation, which would be a great help to Xiao Qinian's future career as an official.
Which official doesn't care about their reputation? Besides, by establishing a clan school, the clan members will remember their family's kindness, and they will have someone to help them if anything happens in the future.
“No problem, we’ll cover the cost.” Old Master Xiao immediately agreed.
"Grandpa, there's another problem. Members of our Xiao family can study at the school for free, but outsiders must pay tuition."
When Grandpa Xiao heard this, he was somewhat troubled.
"Yue'er, this isn't a good idea. We're all from the same village, and it won't cost much." There aren't many outsiders in Xiao Family Village, so Old Master Xiao felt it wasn't necessary.
Xiao Siyue knew that Grandpa Xiao was kind-hearted, but this matter couldn't be done that way. Although it wasn't much money, everything should be done in moderation. She built the clan school for the clan members. If outsiders also studied at the clan school for free, they probably wouldn't get any benefits and would only cause trouble instead.
“Grandpa, their tuition fees can be reduced a bit, but they can’t be deprived of them. We’re building a clan school for the sake of the clan,” Xiao Siyue said earnestly.
Seeing Xiao Siyue's expression, Grandpa Xiao instantly understood.
Yes, they built the clan school to give back to the clan and to unite the clan members. If other people were treated the same as the children in the clan, how could the clan be united?
They have done enough for the village.
"Yue'er, Grandpa knows. It was Grandpa's oversight." Grandpa Xiao felt a little guilty; he hadn't thought things through as thoroughly as a child.
"Grandpa, it's nothing. You're just too kind-hearted." Xiao Siyue didn't think it was a big deal.
"Then, Yue'er, where do you think we should build the clan school?" Old Master Xiao asked.
“Hmm, I think the ancestral hall is a good choice. It’s located in the center of Xiaojia Village, and there’s a suitable space there.” Xiao Siyue thought for a moment.
“That place is indeed nice. I’ll talk to the clan chief and the others about it and see if it can be done.” Old Master Xiao agreed with Xiao Siyue’s idea.
"Yue'er, Grandpa also has an idea. Do you think it's feasible?" Grandpa Xiao suddenly said again.
"What's wrong, Grandpa? Please tell me."
"Grandpa thought that since we were going to build a clan school, we should also renovate the ancestral hall, which is now quite old."
In previous years, the ancestral hall was repaired by the Xiao family members together, but it hadn't been touched for several years. This year, he heard from the clan head that he seemed to be thinking about doing so.
In this way, when they build the school, they will build the ancestral hall at the same time.
“Great, Grandpa, this is a good thing. You should talk to the clan chief about it.”
The ancestral hall enshrines the ancestors of the Xiao family. Now that their family has risen to prominence, they naturally cannot forget their ancestors.
"Good, good. Then quickly write a letter to your father and ask him to find a teacher. Once a teacher is found, we will build a clan school so that the children can study there as soon as possible." Grandpa Xiao was very happy and quickly went to the desk to grind ink for Xiao Siyue.
The old man never imagined that he could do such a good deed for his clan in his old age, and he was filled with pride.
Xiao Siyue found it somewhat amusing to see her grandfather's anxious expression; he was truly adorable.
Without delay, she picked up her pen and began writing a letter to Xiao Qinian. Xiao Siyue's letter was very detailed.
She told Xiao Qinian all her thoughts.