Infinite Professions

Chapter 330 - 174: Development (Part 3)

Looking at the plump ears of rice, he seemed to return to many years ago, before his father passed the Scholar exam.

At that time, he was also a farmer’s son. During the autumn harvest, everyone in the family, except his father who was studying for the exam, had to work in the fields to help reap the rice.

He was no exception, following his mother and grandparents to toil in the fields. Although very tiring, it had a special kind of beauty.

However, after his father became a Scholar, such beauty gradually faded. Although life became easier, the successive deaths of his grandparents and mother allowed him to grow gradually, but also increasingly lonely.

This is why he later developed a personality typical of a landowner, valuing wealth greatly, and was even willing to turn against siblings for inheritance because wealth became the greatest significance in his life.

But after a series of upheavals, under his father’s strong "protection," he developed higher goals and pursuits.

What is life but mere decades.

Becoming divine is the true path!

He also wanted to become divine, to become like his father.

But how to achieve that, by taking imperial exams?

His literary skills were clearly insufficient.

He could only rely on clinging to strong patronage and ancestor protection.

Thus, in middle age, he revived his drive and found the motivation to strive hard.

The current time is when the initial results come to fruition.

He came to the field head, where everyone was busy, bundling the harvested rice for weighing, with a table next to the scales, where his younger brother Song Cai was writing records.

Song Wen stepped forward and inquired from several tenant farmers, "How’s this year’s harvest?"

"A bumper crop, Master!"

"The fields in this village are prime fertile land. We planted a few days late, but still harvested so much!"

"I checked; each acre yielded at least several tens of pounds more than usual. Over three hundred acres, that’s two or three thousand pounds more. This is incredible."

"Looks like this year will be a good one!"

Several tenant farmers spoke one after another, their sweaty faces radiating the joy of harvest and hopes for the future.

"Good!"

Song Wen nodded, equally satisfied, and directly announced to everyone, "Our Little Huang Village’s abundant harvest is all thanks to the Land God’s blessings. This is just the beginning of the year; next year will bring an even larger harvest and better days ahead. So, I announce, everyone’s wages will increase by ten percent this year. After the autumn harvest, the village will host a temple festival, with a banquet, and everyone will worship the Land God together!"

"Good!"

"Master, you’re generous!"

"Earth God is mighty!"

Upon hearing about the wage increase and banquet, all tenant farmers’ eyes lighted up, and they showered praises upon Song Wen.

Song Wen waved his hand to quieten them, "Matters of the field are important, but matters of the books are even more important. The village private school is ready for commencement. As soon as we conduct the Land God festival, classes will start. Let all your children attend and pursue academic titles, to illuminate our Little Huang Village."

"Well..."

The crowd was hesitant upon hearing this, exchanging perplexed glances, until one voiced, "Master, the girls need not attend, right?"

"Hm!?"

Song Wen’s gaze hardened, directly looking at this person, "Why shouldn’t they attend? You don’t have to spend money; the village provides meals."

That tenant farmer replied hesitantly, "That’s true, but as the saying goes, women’s lack of talent is virtue..."

Before he could finish, Song Wen understood his meaning.

Although the private school conditions in the village are excellent, with no tuition fees and meals provided, as farmer folk, some of their beliefs are hard to change. They believe it’s not good for girls to study, as they cannot pursue titles like boys, might become hard to manage, possibly hard to marry off, and the meals provided might not match their labor at home.

So, they are unwilling to let their daughters go.

Truth be told, Song Wen didn’t quite understand this either.

Even in the county town, girls attending school was rare.

But this isn’t the county town; it’s Little Huang Village.

The Land God has spoken, regardless of gender, even a dog must attend the private school.

So...

"Hmph, what do you mean women’s lack of talent is virtue!"

Song Wen snorted coldly, "The private school is established under the Land God’s guidance, aimed at enlightening the people of Little Huang Village to knowledge and reason. Not letting your daughters attend is to not consider them as people of Little Huang Village, or ignoring the Land God, turning a blind eye?"

"This..."

"Fear not, fear not!"

Several tenant farmers immediately knelt upon hearing this.

"Hmph!"

Song Wen snorted coldly, feigning anger, "Let me put it bluntly. After the private school opens, all must attend regardless of gender. During the temple festival, women must also participate in worshiping the Land God, offering incense. If anyone obstructs, disrespecting divine beings, breaking village rules, don’t blame me for expelling them from the village, never to set foot in Little Huang Village again!"