416 Academy Plans (Part One)

They were still children, and they were exhausted from all the running. By the time they arrived at the familiar place, Zhao Nian and Luoning were already fast asleep.

Shitou, who was trying his best to stay awake, was affected by their sleepiness. He eventually sat down and fell asleep.

When Yue Jiaojiao entered the room and saw this scene, she finally felt at ease. She walked over and helped Shitou to lie down on the bed. Then, she covered the three children with a thin blanket and quietly left the room.

“How are the three children?” When Sun Jiyan saw her come out, he hurriedly asked, “You won’t have nightmares because of the shock, right?”

“They’re sleeping well.”

It was only then that Yue Jiaojiao realized that Sun Jiyan had changed a lot. In the past, he had a strong scholarly air about him, but after such a long period of practicing medicine outside, he no longer looked so dogmatic and weak. Instead, he looked more free and unrestrained.

Noticing her gaze, Sun Jiyan lowered his head to look at himself. When he raised his head again, he laughed. “Do you think I’ve changed a lot?”

“You did.” Zhao Zhan, who was helping Doctor Sun organize the medicinal herbs, looked up at him when he heard this and naturally continued the conversation. “How long do you plan to stay?”

“It just so happens that we’re planning to move the day after tomorrow. Since you’re here, you can help us out.”

“For what? He’s become more st*pid after staying outside for so long. You better ask him not to ruin my medicinal herbs.” Doctor Sun glared at him unhappily. “Zhao Zhan, don’t worry about him. He can leave whenever he wants.”

“Master.”

Sun Jiyan also moved a stool over and sat beside Zhao Zhan. He helped Doctor Sun process the medicinal herbs. “Master, after I come back this time, I’ll have to stay with you for a while. I originally wanted to open a clinic in Shangjing and settle down, but I’ve been staying in Shangjing for a few days and observed it carefully. After thinking about it, I gave up on this plan.

Shangjing is a complicated city. There’s no need to get involved in this place.”

Doctor Sun put down the medicinal herbs in his hand and dusted off the mud on his hands.

“Those who practice medicine and help the world have many places to be, but you, kid, if you don’t stay here for a while, I don’t know if you’ll be able to see me when you come back next time. We’ve been gone for so long and I never heard from you once. Do you think I have that long to live?”

“Master, let’s not talk about the people in Shangjing first. If I can see all the people outside of Shangjing, it will take many years. So in the future, I will not go far. I will come back to see you every few days.”

“Really?”

“I definitely wouldn’t dare to lie to you. Actually, I’ve come back this time to discuss something with Zhao Zhan.”

As soon as Sun Jiyan finished speaking, Doctor Sun muttered to himself for a moment before he got up and went into the room. Yue Jiaojiao, who was standing at the side, looked at the two of them and also wanted to get up and leave.

Zhao Zhan called out to her, “Jiaojia, you don’t have to leave. You’re in charge of the family matters as well.”

As he spoke, he moved a stool in front of him. “Come and sit.”

After Yue Jiaojiao had settled down, Zhao Zhan finally spoke up. “So what is it that you wish to talk about?”

“You really are becoming more and more meticulous. Since you’ve asked, I won’t hide it from you. To be honest, I know that you are familiar with County Magistrate Zheng and would like your help.

“County Magistrate Zheng was transferred to Shangjing because of your efforts in promoting the planting of soybeans and chili in Huai County. He needs a contribution that can help him stand firm.

“In the two years I’ve traveled, I’ve seen many girls being abandoned by their parents at will, sold like goods, or even raised in a way that’s abusive. When they grow up, they’ll sell them at a high price as betrothal gifts to supplement the men in their family.

“The world is bitter, the people are bitter, and the women in the bad families are used as scapegoats.

“So I’m proposing that you and County Magistrate Zheng take the lead to set up a charity hall to adopt or teach these girls, to teach them how to read and understand, to teach them life skills, and to make their lives better.

“Farm work is tiring and it’s normal for a girl’s physical strength to not be comparable to a man’s. However, if they also have skills that can help them or even earn money, their days will be much better.”