Song Mancang nodded continuously, "That is natural. Jinzhao, if you have any requirements, just say them. I will definitely do as you say."
After everyone sat down, Song Jinzhao began to speak.
"First, the school will waive tuition and miscellaneous fees."
"Second, children studying at the school must be at least six years old, and the maximum age cannot exceed sixteen."
"Third, both boys and girls will be accepted. If a family has both boys and girls, but does not send the girls to school, the boys will not be accepted either."
"Finally, everyone can only study at the school for three years. After three years, they will automatically graduate."
Song Mancang hesitated, "Isn't three years too short?"
Song Jinzhao shook her head, "If things that don't cost money are not restricted by time, there will always be people who won't cherish them."
"My goal is to let them learn to read and write."
"As long as they study seriously, basic books like the Three Character Classic, Hundred Family Surnames, and Thousand Character Classic can be finished in three years. If they don't study seriously, staying a few more years would just be a waste."
Sitting to the side, Song Qiming said, "We will hire a Tongsheng scholar to be the teacher, and the teaching will be more practical. If anyone wants to take the imperial examinations, they can go to another private school after their elementary education."
After hearing this, Song Mancang already understood Song Jinzhao and Song Qiming's thoughts.
What was being given was an opportunity; which path they wanted to take in the future would depend on themselves.
But this opportunity was already hard to come by for the children of Songjia Village.
There wasn't much time left for Song Jinzhao and the others. Since they decided to do it, they had to move fast.
After all matters were discussed and settled, the village head immediately picked up a gong, ran to the entrance of the village ancestral hall, and started beating it.
Hearing the sound, the villagers walked out one by one.
"It's not time to pay the grain tax, so why is the village head beating the gong?"
Song Ada, who lived next to the old house, walked out and said with a look of horror, "Could it be that the imperial court is conscripting soldiers again?"
The villagers who heard this shrank their necks in fear.
"How is that possible? The imperial court isn't fighting a war, why would they suddenly conscript soldiers!"
Whether curious, doubtful, or afraid, the villagers still hurried toward the ancestral hall.
Old Man Song guessed that it was about opening the school. With the mindset of watching the excitement, he still pulled Old Lady Song along to the ancestral hall.
Seeing that almost everyone had arrived, the village head began to shout at the top of his lungs, announcing the matter of Song Jinzhao funding the opening of a school.
The crowd of over a hundred people instantly exploded into an uproar.
Everyone discussed animatedly, shouting in disbelief, "Village Head, is tuition really waived?"
Song Mancang nodded vigorously, "Not only is tuition waived, but you don't even have to spend money on the brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones needed at the school."
The villagers cast fervent gazes at Song Jinzhao and Song Qiming, who sat unmoving on the chairs behind the village head.
Ever since Song Jinzhao was titled a County Princess, and Song Qiming and Song Gaoli became officials, Songjia Village had gained a good reputation, and they were all looked up to by others when they went out.
But now, free education—this was a tangible benefit.
"Village Head, how do we sign up? Is there a limit on the number of people? My Yuchan will sign up first."
"Village Head, why six years old? Can my five-year-old son go to the school to study?"
"..."
Over a hundred people chattered non-stop, making people's eardrums ache from the noise.
Second Song grabbed Old Man Song's arm.
"Dad, since it doesn't cost money, can I have Yaozu come back to the village to study?"
Old Man Song looked at him. "The teacher Jinzhao and the others are hiring is a Tongsheng, while Teacher Zheng is a Xiucai. Think about it carefully yourself."
Second Song closed his mouth in conflict, his mind swaying back and forth between academic excellence and free education.
Upon seeing Oldest Song, he couldn't help but complain to him, "Why do you think Jinzhao didn't hire a Xiucai to be the teacher? It's not like she lacks the money."
Oldest Song couldn't help but roll his eyes at him.
"There aren't many Xiucai in Xining City. Those willing to teach have opened their own private schools at home. Who would be willing to come to a village!"
Second Song thought about it and felt it made sense, but he still felt uncomfortable in his heart.
A woman ran up to Song Jinzhao, trying to curry favor. "Jinzhao girl, the village head said that if the girls don't go to school, the boys can't go either. But my Chunnu is fourteen this year and is about to discuss marriage. Does she not count?"
Song Jinzhao raised her eyes and stared at her. "Then wait until she has gone to school for two years before discussing marriage."
The woman's smile froze, her face looking as if it had cracked in several places.
"Jinzhao girl, girls will marry sooner or later. It doesn't matter whether they study or not. You see, the private schools in the city only accept boys."
Song Jinzhao's face darkened. She stood up and raised her voice, "I am a woman. Since I am paying the silver, girls must be accepted."
"They have to marry anyway, so what does it matter if it's two years later? If you find it difficult, Auntie, you can send your son to study in the city."
The villagers who were gathered around the village head talking suddenly fell silent. Seeing that Song Jinzhao was unhappy, no one dared to speak for a moment.
Old Man Song squeezed in and said to the woman, "Who says it's useless for girls to study? Wasn't my Jinzhao titled a County Princess by the Emperor?"
The village head stepped forward, "Mazi's wife, many girls in the village marry at sixteen. Isn't fourteen too early for your family?"
"If you've really picked a good person, you can get engaged now and marry in two years; it won't be too late. Only our Songjia Village has this opportunity for free education. Don't think about it the wrong way."
After the village head spoke, many people began to echo his sentiments.
Seeing that no one was on her side, the woman smiled awkwardly and backed down.
"I was just asking. Since it's not allowed, I will definitely send her."
Song Jinzhao knew that the thinking of ancient people was hard to change, but since she was the one paying, things had to be done according to her words.
She said to Song Mancang, "The villagers probably have many more questions to ask. I'll leave this place to you."
"I only have one point: the school's enrollment must strictly follow the requirements I stated, otherwise I won't pay the silver."
Song Mancang quickly patted his chest and guaranteed, "Don't worry, with me guarding the gate, it will definitely be done according to your requirements. If any family has objections, their children won't be accepted."
That very night, the village head compiled the enrollment list for the school and handed it to Song Jinzhao overnight.
There were a total of one hundred and thirty-six households in Songjia Village, and there were one hundred and three people on the list.
Almost all the eligible children had signed up: forty-three boys and sixty girls. The three girls from the first and second branches were all included.
Holding the list, Song Qiming said, "With so many people, one teacher won't be able to teach them all."
Song Jinzhao: "The ancestral hall also can't fit so many desks."
Song Mancang had thought of this problem before coming.
"We can open up the outer hall and have the boys and girls study separately."
"The empty room is large; it can be used for the girls, and the boys can be in the outer hall."
Tapping her fingertips on the table, Song Jinzhao felt there was no problem.
"Then we will hire two teachers. Tomorrow, Qiming and I will go to Xiucai Zheng's house to finalize the candidates."
