Chapter 680: 680: Enthusiastic Neighbors

Braised pork, sweet and sour lotus root, stir-fried sweet potato, dry fried small fish, white gourd soup, along with pumpkin pancake and chive pie; every dish was generously portioned, stimulating people’s appetite.

As noon approached, despite the Di family’s efforts to retain them, more than half of the villagers who came to join the fun had left.

Those who remained were seated at several tables, chatting about various topics while enjoying the authentic rural dishes.

After a few rounds of wine, everyone started to loosen up and talk more.

“Although this year’s early rice crop was ruined by drought, the late rice crop was pretty good, better than previous years, which was beyond our expectations.”

“Isn’t that right? After the early rice in my family’s field was destroyed, we were prepared for a famine this year. But then Lord Di told us to plant sweet potatoes in the early rice fields. Just yesterday, I went to the field and saw that the sweet potatoes had grown to the size of a slightly smaller fist. Though it may not be very tasty, at least we won’t have to worry about going hungry.”

“We’ve also planted quite a few sweet potatoes in my family’s field. We originally couldn’t afford to raise pigs and were planning to sell them at a low price, but once the potato seedlings grew, there was more than enough food for two pigs. Now we don’t have to worry about their food.”

“Hey! We have many children in our family, and everyone always grumbles about how much they eat. But ever since they started catching locusts in the city, the children have been going up the mountain every day to catch them, earning dozens of copper coins each day. That’s more than we earn doing odd jobs…”

The more they talked, the happier and louder they became, clearly feeling that their current life was quite good.

The compliments made Elderly Mr. Di grin from ear to ear, unable to stop himself.

Di Yelei hurriedly waved his hand: “I’m just making suggestions on paper. You are the ones who put them into practice, so the credit for living a good life should be given to you all. Yelei is unworthy of everyone’s praise…”

Old Man Di beside him grew anxious. Why waste good fortune by turning it down? He hurriedly gave Di Yelei a signal with his eyes.

But Di Yelei still smiled sincerely, looking like a completely honest and kind person.

An old man nearby sighed with emotion, shaking his head: “Not arrogant, not impulsive, not forgetting one’s roots, not flaunting one’s success. Old brother Di, I envy you for raising such an outstanding child.”

Old Di immediately beamed: “Oh, thank you, thank you, haha…”

On the other hand, the atmosphere among the female guests was different from that of the male ones.

Everyone whispered to one another, sharing the gossip they had heard recently.

“Sisi, I heard that the new County Magistrate is coming soon, is that true?”

“Of course, it’s true.”

Liu Sisi smiled gently.

“Ah, what a pity, it would have been great if Yelei could continue being the County Magistrate.”

“Indeed, this year, many people in our village have made a lot of money just by catching locusts.”

“Right! Dongzi’s family used to earn less than one tael of silver a year, but they’ve already made more than two taels in less than a month. How can we not envy them…”

Everyone was in animated conversation, while Liu Sisi maintained a polite smile on her face.

Not long after, they brought up another topic: “Madam, I heard that the academy is soon to be completed, and that the students are already being recruited by several teachers from Liu Family. And that students in the academy have to support themselves. Is that true?”

As soon as these words were spoken, countless pairs of eyes turned and stared at Liu Sisi.

Liu Sisi just smiled faintly: “Yes, that is indeed true. Although the teachers from Liu family are responsible for recruiting students, after they are recruited, they will be divided into different classes according to their aptitude and taught by different teachers. As for the poor students, they can pay for their education by working while studying. These details will be announced gradually.”

“Sisi, our little Stone is already eight years old this year. Can he enroll?”

“Yes, yes, my Fifth Child is eleven this year. Can he also exchange labor for learning?”

“Also, my family’s… ”

Several married women nearby hurriedly spoke.

“Hold on, don’t be anxious.”

Liu Sisi quickly stopped everyone’s discussion: “Didn’t the enrollment requirements clearly state that children over fifteen from impoverished families can work while studying as long as their elders guarantee their support? Those with children of the right age, please take a closer look at the requirements and confirm if they’ve met them before enrolling.”

Funny! Could an eight or eleven-year-old child work on the slope or go hunting in the mountains? It would already be great if they didn’t need looking after.

Everyone couldn’t help but feel disappointed.

“Does that mean the academy you’re setting up has even higher requirements than the village school?”

“Not necessarily so.”

Liu Sisi shook her head: “I mentioned earlier that the academy is divided into several classes, ranging from elementary to advanced levels. Children who haven’t received any education before eight or eleven can enter the beginner’s class. According to the academy’s rules, they can also bring an Attendant Student to the academy… ”

Liu Sisi spared no effort in explaining things in detail.

After she had clarified the requirements and regulations one by one, the enthusiasm in everyone’s hearts had noticeably diminished.

It’s not surprising after all. Everyone initially thought that they could directly attend the academy with no requirements, only to realize that there were so many conditions.

Liu Sisi smiled: “In addition to what I’ve mentioned, there’s also a special class called out-class. This class is especially for students living nearby… ”

Actually, these classes, or the out-class system, were copied from the next life. Liu Sisi directly adopted them.

Everyone listened with great interest and expressed their intention to send their children to enroll.

As for how many people finally went to sign up for schooling, Liu Sisi didn’t know.

After the meal was over, she couldn’t wait to hide in her room. If she had to continue smiling, her facial muscles would become stiff.

Before long, Guihua and Ms. Xin joined her in the room, and soon after, the Land Officer’s wife also came in.

When the Land Officer’s wife came in, she directly went to the point: “Sisi, I heard that your family’s Di Ruoning has returned home. Have you heard about it?”

“Yes, I’ve heard.”

Not only had she heard, but she also knew the whole story.

The Land Officer’s wife sighed: “That’s good. Yesterday they even went back to the Di Family’s old house, but after standing there for a while, they left in a hurry. I only found out from your Uncle Land Officer.”

What was Di Ruoning doing at the old house? Liu Sisi looked at Ms. Xin with a puzzled face.

“I also heard about that. That shameless girl was there to borrow silver from Di Gaoyuan. She didn’t know that Di Gaoyuan had shut the main entrance tightly and didn’t even let them into the house. That’s why they left in a hurry.”