The three of them indeed visited the villagers one by one.
The villagers were surprised that their children's education would attract Young Master Gu's attention. They sheepishly touched their heads and said,
"The child doesn't want to go, and I can't force him. Besides, he's quite capable of work now and can support himself. It doesn't matter if he's illiterate."
Another villager said, "This child has always been particular. Although we are a poor family, she won't dare to meet anyone if she isn't dressed neatly. I didn't expect she refused to go to school because she didn't have new clothes. I'll make her a new one right away."
Although some parents were supportive and others were indifferent, every parent became very willing upon hearing that students would receive an extra 5 catties of rice.
Not having to work and receiving rice was quite good.
Huang Wenming, seeing the parents' attitude, grumbled, displeased.
From ancient times to the present, no teacher had ever bowed to their students like this!
Honestly, if it weren't for Gui Xiang being there, Huang Wenming would have stormed off long ago upon seeing those parents with their airs.
And so, the persuasion work took five days, finally convincing all the parents of school-aged children in the village.
Naturally, some children who were not wanted at home received permission to go to school.
As for those who didn't want to go themselves, their parents rushed them to attend because of the extra 5 catties of rice, leaving them no choice but to go.
Sometimes, people need to be pushed.
Especially children who are half-grown like these, when they can't see their future clearly, they need someone to show them the way.
Gu Qingcheng did not force those who did not want to study. At the very least, she wouldn't let them remain illiterate. Being able to read and write was already considered superior in these times.
In the future, they could become bookkeepers or manage accounts, which were also avenues for employment and desperately needed talent in the village. In short, the priority was to get them into the classroom.
As for their academic achievements and life paths later on, that would depend on their own abilities, talents, wisdom, and fate.
Half a month later, the schoolhouse was finally prepared, and it opened with great fanfare.
On the first day of school, an opening ceremony was held, which was also designated as Village Day. Every villager received a jin of preserved wild boar meat, bringing joy to all.
Both the opening ceremony and Village Day were Gu Qingcheng's ideas.
Life needed a touch of ritual, and the villagers of Phoenix Village also needed some shared collective memories to foster their sense of belonging to Phoenix Village.
Phoenix Village had a history of only a little over four months. Its villagers came from all over the country, from diverse backgrounds, living together regardless of surname. There was no blood or clan cohesion, so it was even more necessary to create some events that would make them feel at home in the village.
Village Day was just one aspect. On the day of the opening ceremony, Gu Qingcheng's first major task was to hold a flag-raising ceremony.
The village flag was jointly embroidered by Zheng Wu Niang, Wang Da Ya, and Luo Juan. On a red brocade background, a golden phoenix soared, symbolizing the rebirth of Phoenix Village.
A village flag was equivalent to a village's totem culture and a spiritual anchor for everyone's beliefs.
When the village flag was raised, it was as if the spirit of Phoenix Village was awakened.
On the opening day, Huang Wenming and Gui Xiang dared not be negligent. Both were dressed neatly. Huang Wenming wore his scholar's robes, while Gui Xiang wore a simple and elegant light blue cotton robe. Together, they looked refined and matched each other perfectly, a beautiful couple.
They had gotten engaged three days prior. After all, they were openly together now and no longer as awkward as before.
Gu Qingcheng stood on the platform, looking at the more than 100 students below dressed in new cotton robes. Their young faces showed a mix of yearning, slight confusion, and indifference, as if they were saying, "Why did you summon me here?"
Gu Qingcheng felt a pang of realization. So, seeing everyone's expressions and actions so clearly from the stage was possible?
It was a good thing she hadn't cheated in class before, otherwise, she would have thought she was being discreet, but the teacher on the platform would have seen everything. That would have been embarrassing.
Gu Qingcheng gave a motivational speech. It was brief and full of practicalities. Her speech was highly "nutritious," invigorating everyone present.
Gu Qingcheng first explained the academic matters of attending school.
It was a three-year program, with one academic year divided into two semesters, and winter and summer vacations. At the end of each semester, there would be an examination. Those who passed would be rewarded with ten catties of grain, while those who failed would receive nothing.
Upon graduation after three years, there would be a final graduation exam. Those who passed would receive a diploma from the academy. Graduates who found work in the village with their diplomas would receive an extra three catties of rice per month for the same work as those without diplomas.
Graduates would also receive 100 catties of rice and ten taels of silver at once.
In essence, studying at the academy meant more money and grain, as long as one was diligent and excelled.
The crowd immediately erupted in an uproar. Those who wanted to study and those who didn't suddenly had a spark in their eyes, whispering and chattering.
Gu Qingcheng then announced the minimum graduation requirements after three years: the ability to recite ten essays of over 500 characters and to write one acceptable essay of over 500 characters.
As soon as these two conditions were stated, it was like pouring cold water on a hot pan, and the atmosphere quieted down slightly.
Gu Qingcheng did not pay attention to these changes. She couldn't possibly give all the benefits without any demands, could she?
Besides, all these expenditures were coming from her own private savings. They were the ones gaining knowledge; she was merely making a selfless contribution. This requirement was not at all excessive.
However, she thought, after three years, the village's production should be sufficient to cover the rewards for these graduates.
Gu Qingcheng then introduced the two teachers, Huang Wenming and Yu Gui Xiang. She stated that the academy was divided into a boys' school and a girls' school. Huang Wenming would be the teacher for the boys' school, and Yu Gui Xiang would be the teacher for the girls' school.
Except for a very small number of students from well-off families who had attended private tutoring before, most people had never attended school. Thus, they were all placed in the beginner class to start learning from the basics.
After introducing the teachers, Gu Qingcheng announced the flag-raising ceremony.
Uncle Kang took out the erhu he used when traveling the world and played a lively tune, "A Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix."
Mi Guo acted as the flag bearer and raised the Phoenix Village flag, embroidered with red and silver threads, to the top of the flagpole.
As the village flag was raised, the wind on the mountain was strong. Once it reached the top of the pole, it fluttered majestically in the breeze.
Villagers working in the mountains in the distance, upon looking up, suddenly saw a flag raised on the formerly bare flagpole. For some reason, their chests felt a surge of warmth, and they instinctively offered a salute of several seconds towards the flag.
This was their village flag. From now on, when they went out, they would be people from a village with the phoenix totem.
Gu Qingcheng declared the assembly over and then instructed the children to enter their respective classes for their first lesson.