The next day, Qin Sang went to the clearing used for teaching ahead of schedule. The old Village Chief was leaning on his cane while wiping the blackboard, which was covered in words and drawings from the children's practice after class.
Seeing Qin Sang arrive, the old Village Chief smiled and said:
"I'm old and don't need much sleep, but why are you up so early as well?"
Qin Sang smiled and replied:
"I'm used to it. I just came over to take a look."
Before long, people began arriving to drop off their children. Some held small wooden stumps to use as stools, while others carried stone slabs still bearing traces of their practice writing.
Seeing that the women were about to leave after dropping off the kids, Qin Sang quickly called out to them:
"Everyone, please wait a moment. I have something I'd like to ask you all."
Everyone admired Qin Sang greatly, so they all stopped and asked:
"Da Zhuangs Mother, what is it?"
Qin Sang noticed that they had only brought the boys from their families. Even those from the Village Chiefs House were boys. Qin Sang remembered that Tian Yougen himself had a seven-year-old daughter, and Tian Youdi had a ten-year-old eldest daughter.
Furthermore, not a single one of Eldest Brothers Wife's four younger sisters had come.
Qin Sang spoke up:
"I see that everyone has only brought the boys. Do you not plan on letting the girls learn to read and write?"
Everyone was stunned. Qin Sang turned to the old Village Chief and said:
"Village Chief, I believe learning shouldn't just be for boys. It is just as necessary for girls to read and write."
The old Village Chief was stumped. Clearly, no one had expected Qin Sang to propose such an idea.
Someone spoke up:
"Oh, Da Zhuangs Mother, girls will eventually marry out anyway. Isn't all that effort spent on reading and writing just benefiting another family?"
"Besides, if they come to study, who will do the chores at home? Who will dig for Medicinal Herbs?"
"Girls have never studied before. Isn't there a saying that A woman's virtue lies in her lack of talent? They only need to know how to do laundry and cook."
Qin Sang's expression turned somewhat grim. These ancient women had limited perspectives, but they certainly weren't malicious; it was simply that such was the way of the world.
Qin Sang explained:
"The so-called 'woman's virtue lies in her lack of talent' doesn't mean it's better for girls not to study. It means that if a girl lacks an education, having good character still makes her a good girl.
Reading and writing isn't just for the imperial examinations and an official career; it's also for understanding reason.
There was once a woman who, because she was illiterate, was tricked into pressing her thumbprint on a document, and her child was taken away because what she had signed was a deed of sale.
There are also women who, because they can read, add poetry to their embroidery and sell it for a high price.
Furthermore, there was a woman who could read and raised her child from a young age to become a famous child prodigy. He eventually became a government official and earned a noble title for his mother.
These are all the benefits of a woman being literate."
Qin Sang continued persuasively:
"Moreover, my Er Fu is currently learning medicine from me. You all know how much this world lacks female doctors. I also intend to let more girls enter this profession. To study medicine, one must be able to read medical texts and write prescriptions.
Literacy is the first step to becoming a female doctor."
"Additionally, my family will surely open a workshop in the future. I have many girls in my family, and when the time comes to hire managers and workers, priority will definitely be given to women. Sigh, it's a pity there are so few girls in the village who can speak and write well..."
As soon as Qin Sang finished speaking, the eyes of those women lit up:
"Da Zhuangs Mother, are you serious? Girls can learn medicine just like your Er Fu?"
"Putting it that way, there really are many benefits to girls reading and writing. I'll have her come to class right away."
"But there are boys and men in this classroom. How can we let girls mingle with a crowd of men from such a young age?"
The corners of Qin Sang's lips curled up slightly:
"No need to worry, everyone. My Eldest Girl plans to be a Female Tutor. I tested her knowledge last night, and she has learned well from her young uncle, Wen Mo. I believe she is fully capable of teaching the girls to read and write.
Additionally, my Er Fu will be responsible for selecting girls to study medicine, and Si Jin will teach them bookkeeping."
Everyone was stunned:
"Eldest Girl? Eldest Girl is only five years old, right?"
Tian Wenmo, who was holding a book, also heard Qin Sang's words. His mouth hung open in surprise:
"Mother, are you serious? Can Eldest Girl really teach? And Si Jin—I think she barely knows enough words herself."
Qin Sang shot him a look:
"When you were five, did you know as many words as she does?"
"Can you calculate as fast as Si Jin?"
"Wen Mo, don't say I didn't warn you. You'll be teaching separately, and when it's time for the unified assessment, don't let your boys' class lose to the girls' class."
Tian Wenmo gritted his teeth:
"That's absolutely impossible."
Qin Sang gave a mischievous smile:
"Fine, then I'll wait to see your teaching results."
Competition brings progress; this was a good thing.
Qin Sang turned back to the crowd of women:
"Then the girls' class will be held here in the evening. That way, there will be people to work in the morning and afternoon, and it won't interfere with digging for Medicinal Herbs."
This arrangement received everyone's approval.
Qin Sang didn't delay Wen Mo's class any further and went home to tell Eldest Girl the good news.
Er Fu gripped her book tightly: "Mother, do you really intend to let Eldest Girl teach?"
Qin Sang nodded:
"Not just her, but you too. I plan to teach more girls, starting with nursing and first aid."
Before Er Fu could agree, Si Jin said urgently:
"What about me? Mother, have you forgotten your daughter?"
Qin Sang laughed:
"I haven't forgotten. You will teach them Arithmetic."
Si Jin's eyes sparkled with joy, then she looked up at Qin Sang again:
"Then wouldn't I also be a Female Tutor?"
Worried they might become arrogant, Qin Sang explained:
"You're only teaching the most basic literacy and Arithmetic. The path of knowledge is endless; one should learn for as long as one lives. Your current knowledge is just the first step on that path; you are far from reaching the level of a true tutor."
"And although they are starting later than you, many of them are older and might have a better capacity to learn. If you don't keep up with your studies, it's very likely they will surpass you before long."
Eldest Girl's eyes widened, and a deep sense of crisis rose in her young heart:
"Grandma, I will study even more seriously with my young uncle."
Er Fu and Si Jin also nodded one after another, indicating they would work just as hard.
Qin Sang saw Eldest Brothers Wife standing nearby, looking as if she wanted to say something, so she asked:
"I wonder if your sisters would like to come and learn?"
Eldest Brothers Wife's eyes lit up:
"With such a good opportunity, they would definitely be willing."
Qin Sang nodded:
"Being able to read and write might help them find better marriages in the future. Go back and ask your parents."
Qin Sang had always kept this in mind, but given the current state of the world, it truly wasn't a good time for matchmaking.
Furthermore, she felt that life for Eldest Brothers Wife's family would surely get better and better. Rather than rushing to find matches now and marrying them into families where the next meal was uncertain, it was better to wait. In any case, people in ancient times married early; in Qin Sang's eyes, they were all still young.
Eldest Brothers Wife nodded:
"Then I'll go right now."
Qin Sang then looked toward Third Brothers Wife:
"Your mother already found out when she dropped off your nephew this morning. She should be sending them over this afternoon."
Third Brothers Wife smiled and said:
"Then I want to follow along and learn a bit too, so the child in my belly can soak up some scholarly air."
Qin Sang nodded approvingly, her gaze falling on Third Brothers Wife's belly. It was now nearly the end of the seventh month; counting the days, she would give birth by the tenth month.
Third Brothers Wife's appetite had always been good. She hadn't suffered from morning sickness in the early months, and once the family's conditions improved, she ate three bowls of white rice every meal.
Her belly had puffed up like an inflated balloon. Qin Sang couldn't help but caution her:
"Now that your belly is getting bigger, you must also pay attention to staying active. You can't just sit or lie down all the time.
Additionally, you need to exercise restraint with your food. Don't eat too much, otherwise, if the fetus gets too large, it will be difficult to give birth."