Yangming Academy's enrollment was exceptionally hot. Not only the students from Yizhou City, but students from all counties were actively applying. For this matter, Du Xiao Hui and several teachers were also busy organizing written tests and interviews to select excellent students.
But Yizhou was too big, and the 300 quota was simply not enough, especially those students who failed to be admitted and whose family conditions were not good, all stood at the door and refused to leave.
"Don't worry," Du Xiao Hui said to the students who were not admitted at the academy gate, "In the future, our academy will open more branches, and there will also be branches in various counties. At that time, there will be more quotas."
"When will they open?"
"It is estimated to be next spring," Du Xiao Hui said, "So please go back and study hard, and strive to enter our academy next year."
"I will be 16 years old next spring!"
"Those who are older don't have to worry," Du Xiao Hui said, "We will not only open academies, but also open libraries. The books in the library will be very complete, and we will also provide the simplest accommodation and meals, only 10 coins per day. Although there are no teachers to teach, we can also provide a relatively comfortable place for everyone to study."
"Really?"
"When will the library open?”
"It will open next month. We are currently negotiating with the families next to the academy to buy the nearby houses first."
After hearing this promise, everyone left.
Many people came to Yangming Academy to try their luck because their families had no money. If there was a library, it would be different.
Only 10 coins a day, you can live there, and you can borrow books to read for free! Even the simplest coarse tea and light meals, this little money outside, you can't buy anything.
A bowl of wonton on the side of the street costs 12 coins!
It has to be said that the headmaster of this Yangming Academy is really a fairy descending to earth, otherwise how could she have such a kind and benevolent heart?
"Okay, we'll come back next month."
After three full days of busy work, the 300 new students of Yangming Academy had all arrived.
Li Yao looked at the roster. Among them, 100 were students from Yizhou City, and the remaining 200 quotas were evenly divided among the counties, about 5 people per county.
Among these 300 people, there were only seven little girls.
She asked several teachers, it was not because the girls did poorly on the exams and interviews, but because very few girls wanted to study. Some counties didn't even have one.
The seven girls here were all from Yizhou City.
"It's okay, it will gradually improve," Li Yao said to Du Xiao Hui, "In a few years, the number of girls will increase."
"Well, I understand, auntie."
Du Xiao Hui nodded heavily.
After this enrollment, she was more keenly aware that this world was so unfriendly to girls.
But she would not slack off and would definitely work with Second Brother Wang in the future to allow all children who wanted to study, whether boys or girls, to sit in the academy and study.
This was Du Xiao Hui's goal in this life, and she would definitely accomplish it!
"Tomorrow is the first day of school," Li Yao asked, "Are the things I asked you to prepare ready?"
"Don't worry, auntie, everything is ready."
A student only paid three or two silvers a year for academy fees, which averaged less than 8 coins per day. Accommodation, living expenses and study materials were also covered. For some students from poor families, the fees would even be reduced or exempted, and the teachers had to be paid as well. It was a loss no matter how you calculated it.
So Li Yao came up with an idea to increase the academy's income.
That was - charity fundraising.
There were plenty of rich people in Yizhou City. People of her level would be no less than twenty.
If they leaked a little money from their fingers, it would be enough for the expenses of these 300 children for a whole year.
"But auntie," Du Xiao Hui said, "I heard people say that other academies don't seem to like us very much. They have also contacted those merchants and may come to make trouble tomorrow."
"I know," Li Yao said, "That's why I want them to come. If they don't come, it will be difficult for me to do things."
Du Xiao Hui knew she had already planned it out, so she put her worried heart back into her stomach.
And prayed that the opening day would go smoothly tomorrow, so Second Brother Wang could take the exam with peace of mind.
...
Today was Yangming Academy's official opening day, and the news had spread throughout Yizhou City.
Therefore, early in the morning, people who came to celebrate or watch the excitement surrounded the four main gates tightly.
As the headmaster of Yangming Academy, Du Xiao Hui wore a white cheongsam today, looking ethereal.
The 300 students also changed into green academy uniforms and lined up neatly in the spacious front yard according to height.
After some gentle preaching, Du Xiao Hui introduced the academy’s teachers to everyone and was about to announce the official start of school when there was a commotion coming from outside the gate.
"Make way, make way!"
Led by Mountain Chief Jiang, a group of people squeezed through the onlookers and walked in angrily.
Behind them were more than 50 large carriages parked on the roadside. Many wealthy-looking people in luxurious clothing came down, obviously the famous and powerful merchants in Yizhou City.
Seeing this battle array, everyone knew that there must be a good show to watch today.
"What are these people here for?"
"Seeing this situation, they must not be here to congratulate."
"Congratulate?" Someone laughed and said, "They are here to make trouble."
"Why are they here to make trouble when it’s the academy’s opening day?"
"You don't even understand this?" Someone said, "First of all, for these academy chiefs, each student in their academy pays them several silvers a month in fees, right? Now that Yangming Academy charges so little, isn't it smashing their rice bowl?"
"That makes sense, but what about those wealthy people?"
"They are even more unhappy. Think about it, they must have children studying too. Naturally, they would like fewer students studying in the world, so that their children will have a greater chance of success in the imperial examinations. Now Yangming Academy recruits all these outstanding students regardless of family background. In the future, they will be competing with their children."
"I see."
"Also, the headmaster of Yangming Academy is a woman, and they must not be able to stand that."
...
In the crowd’s discussion, Mountain Chief Jiang led a group of people straight into Yangming Academy.
Du Xiao Hui took a deep breath and greeted them with a smile.
"May I ask why everyone has come to our Yangming Academy today?"
"Why?" Mountain Chief Jiang sneered coldly, "We are here today to teach you the rules!"
"What rules?"
"The rules are that you cannot charge so little in fees!" Mountain Chief Jiang said, "Also, women cannot be the headmasters of academies!"
Du Xiao Hui thought it was funny, but still asked, "Dare I ask which senior set these rules? Are they written into law? If so, what do the laws say?"
Mountain Chief Jiang was stunned immediately. He did not expect that this little girl would be so sharp-tongued, bringing up the law right away.
Indeed, there was no such law in Daling Country.
But it was fine. He had come prepared today.
"There may not be laws, but these are customary practices," Mountain Chief Jiang said, "If you don't believe me, all the famous families and influential people in Yizhou City have come today. You can go and ask them."
Du Xiao Hui thought only a fool would go asking.