417 Academy Plans (Part Two)

Sun Jiyan had always lived in Huai County. Although he knew that most families wanted to have a boy, he had never been so deeply affected until he saw it with his own eyes.

Now that he had seen so much, he wanted to do something about it.

Zhao Zhan turned to look at Yue Jiaojiao and reached out to hold the back of her hand. Then, he looked at Sun Jiyan with a serious expression. “To be honest, we’ve already started working on what you’ve mentioned. This was my wife’s idea, but we’re not running a charity, but instead an academy for women.”

Every time Zhao Zhan mentioned this, he would think that his wife was the best and kindest girl in the world.

“Originally, the pilot test for the women’s academy was set to be in Wangshan Town, but since we’re in Shangjing now, the test has not been decided yet.” Zhao Zhan told him the details of the discussion he had with his lover in the past.

“The women’s academy we’re going to set up originally was planned to accept only unmarried girls. The academy will teach them simple literacy, needlework, weaving skills, and even dyeing cloth and rouge.

“Unfortunately, many people will think that if they send their girls to the academy, no one will work at home. So in order to attract them to send their children to the academy, the academy set up rewards.

“Every month, those who do well in the assessment will receive a certain number of copper coins as a reward, and the academy will provide a meal at noon every day.

“In addition, my wife said that not every pair of parents are excellent, so the academy will invite some prestigious people from time to time to gather the parents of these girls to the academy for lessons. Whoever comes can get two eggs or something else as compensation.”

There were many rules and regulations for the women’s academy, and every one of them was set by Yue Jiaojiao and Zhao Zhan after careful consideration.

Zhao Zhan was now telling Sun Jiyan some of the more important points to make it easier for him to understand the matter.

Sun Jiyan’s brows were tightly knitted together after hearing this. “If we really do as you say, the cost will be huge!”

“If there is no money as motivation, those families who don’t care about their daughters will not be willing to send their children to the academy. This is something that will take a long time to change their minds.

“Besides, who said that doing so would definitely result in a loss of money? In the future, these girls will be trained by this academy. When Zhao Zhan and I have established ourselves in Shangjing, we will slowly start to open a shop for needlework. By then, these girls that I have trained can also enter my workshop and shop.

“The finished products they learn in the academy can also be sold, but it takes time to operate. Zhao Zhan and I obviously won’t let it continue to lose money.

“By making profits can our academy operate for a long time. Not only in the vicinity of Shangjing, but I hope that the academy can take root in many other places.”

Yue Jiaojiao had been preparing for more than a year for the establishment of the women’s academy.

She didn’t want Zhao Zhan to participate in the court, and she didn’t want those high-ranking officials who didn’t like to do work to meddle in this business.

Speaking up for a woman and fighting for a woman’s future was a matter that was full of obstacles.

Since she was here, she always wanted to do something for these girls. At least for now, the women’s academy was something she could do within her power.

“Color me impressed.”

Sun Jiyan cupped his hands in respect.

“You both are kind people with a broad mind, you’re much stronger than me. I know that your restaurant and shop will be opening soon. If you need my help, I’ll be at your beck and call.”

“You’re much too polite. By the way, regarding the matter of the children being brought here, I’ll have to trouble you to make a trip here.” Zhao Zhan immediately called for his men. “I’ve just told you the address of the shop, you’d better be quick. We shouldn’t let them worry for too long.”

“Okay, okay, okay. I’ll go right away. I’m the one who brought these children back, after all.”

Sun Jiyan smiled and shook his head. He cupped his hands and quickly walked out of the door.

Zhao Zhan waited for him to leave before pulling Yue Jiaojiao into his embrace. He walked out of Doctor Sun’s courtyard and returned to his own home. “You’ve shed too many tears today, and you’ve had too many emotional fluctuations. It’s best that you don’t go out.”