Allure of a Country Maiden-Chapter 238 - 236

"My father has always had a vision to provide free basic education to all children in the Minze Country, regardless of their social status or income levels. He hopes that through education, they would understand and practice moral norms: to care for the old, to utilize the strong, to educate the young, to support the widowed, lone, and disabled; to be honest and cultivate harmony. He often dreams of an ideal society where people wouldn’t need to lock their doors at night or leave things unattended on roads. However, for various reasons, this vision remains an unfulfilled dream." Shangguan Xuanhao spoke of this with a hint of regret.

Upon hearing this, Xiao’er silently pondered. Ideals were indeed grand, yet reality was often brutal!

She hadn’t expected the emperor to hold such foresight, to use compulsory education as a means to realize his utopian ideals.

But how was it to be said?

It’s true that education fosters morality, but not every educated person behaves ethically!

But from the emperor’s perspective, this was comprehensible. As an ambitious emperor, who wouldn’t dream of fostering a prosperous and golden age, an ideal dynasty? They would then be remembered and praised through the ages for their achievements.

However, this wasn’t an easy task to accomplish. This couldn’t be measured in days, months, or years. Perhaps centuries were a more fitting unit of time. But how many centuries would it take? This was hard to predict.

No one had managed to do it in over five thousand years of history in her previous life!

"Universal education is a symbol of a society’s transition into civilization. This is a great idea, but to make it a reality, you first need to boost the economy. While money may not be everything, the lack thereof is indeed a huge problem." Let’s first focus on enriching the country and strengthening the military! Xiao’er reeled her thoughts back from the lofty ideals. To move the conversation forward, a more grounded perspective was needed.

"That’s true. But now, children as young as five or six can be considered half the labor force in the villages." Di Shaowei added.

In other words, even if the Imperial Court provided free schooling, many farming families may not send their children there.

Usually, children can help feed livestock, cook, and weed crops at home, right?

After all, it’s just elementary education, not free preparation for the Imperial Examination. Who would make such a pointless effort?

"The majority of our citizenry are farmers." Guan Xuanyi continued.

Hence, implementing universal education wasn’t just an issue of insufficient funds; people’s reluctance to send their children to school was also a problem.

Xiao’er nodded in agreement. Blame the backwards production techniques and technology for this plight. During this era, everyone lived at the mercy of the weather. During the busy farming season, even the smallest labor force was tremendously valuable!

In this age, every single moment counted during the harvest season. The people wished they could spend the entire 24 hours in the fields. Their sole aim was to seize the good weather to finish harvesting and drying the grains and storing them in the granary.

In the absence of weather forecasts and machinery, everyone relied only on human labor. Children were treated as adults, women as men, and men were expected to do the work of two people.

"We can’t rush things. We have to take it one step at a time. Agriculture forms the foundation of a country’s economic development, and the economic base determines the superstructure. Let’s first find a way to develop our agriculture and economy. Before implementing universal education, perhaps it would be more practical to open several technical schools."

"Technical schools?" The three of them looked at Xiao’er, signaling her to continue.

"Isn’t fish farming a technical job? So is mushroom cultivation, tofu making, medical practice, casting iron, building houses, repairing roads, and constructing bridges. The development of a country cannot proceed without technicians. Even being a soldier requires training. You can’t simply hold a spear and rush forward. As for..." Xiao’er softly explained some knowledge about technical academies to them.

Shangguan Xuanyi rested his fingers lightly on the white jade railing, his gaze focused on the distance, as if deep in thought.

Shangguan Xuanhao and Di Shaowei would ask whenever they didn’t understand something.

The more they discussed, the more excited they became.

"We also need to set up a military academy for the guards and a medical school." Shangguan Xuanyi interjected. free𝑤ebnovel.com

"Yes, this would have significant implications for our national defense."

The four of them engaged in an enthusiastic discussion.

Not far away, Li Yunning watched as Xiao’er conversed animatedly among the three men. Their eyes were filled with respect and admiration for her, and Shangguan Xuanyi’s eyes were filled with affection and tenderness. Jealousy raged within her heart.

This picturesque scene, this setting where she was the centre of attention, should have been hers. She had worked hard for this for over a decade! This lowly farmer girl hadn’t done anything. How did she deserve this? How could she?!

"Hmph, she’s just pandering to the crowd!" The Prime Minister’s wife spat under her breath.

"I’ve lost a hairpin, could you help me look for it, please? I’ll wait for you here." Li Yunning made up an excuse to get rid of the maid.

Once the maid had left, Li Yunning said: "Mother, support me to go over there."

Upon hearing this, the Prime Minister’s wife came up with a plan.

There were rumours that the Sixth Prince abstained from carnal pleasure, and all his day-to-day needs were tended to by Xiao Fuzi.

But as the saying goes, ’wine and women could lead a hero to his downfall,’ how many men were truly as disciplined as Liu Xiahui?

She leaned into Li Yunning’s ear and whispered something.

"Mother, this isn’t right." Although she had intentions of disrupting the harmonious scene that did not involve her, she was somewhat disdainful of attracting attention in such a manner, specifically as a woman renowned for her talents in the Imperial Capital.

"You silly girl, isn’t it normal for you to faint if your health is poor? Don’t overthink things! Go on! All is fair in war."

Her own husband had clearly analyzed the situation. Chances were high that the Sixth Prince would inherit the throne.

After weighing all alternatives, she still believed Li Yunning must marry Guan Xuanyi.

Even though he’s engaged, Li Yunning would be his concubine if she were to marry him at this point. That girl is still young. By the time she grows up and marries him, with Li Yunning’s abilities, the affairs and people in the Sixth Prince’s palace would no longer be within that girl’s control. Also by that time, her own grandchildren would be calling her grandmother.

Moreover, in these next few years, with Li Yunning’s beauty, figure and talents, she didn’t believe that she wouldn’t be able to make the Sixth Prince fall in love with her.

Then, what could possibly challenge Li Yunning’s standing?

Her daughter, living a golden spoon life, was destined to become queen.

After struggling internally for a moment, Li Yunning eventually agreed. She had always strived to stand out, yet he had never glanced her way. Perhaps it was her fault for not taking the initiative to approach him.

A person as high and mighty as him, if she didn’t take the initiative, he probably wouldn’t take the initiative to approach her.

The Prime Minister’s wife carefully supported Li Yunning as they approached the four men.

As the two of them neared, they stopped and paid their respects.

Shangguan Xuanyi barely acknowledged them with a nod, casting a cursory glance at them before shifting his gaze away.

As a doctor, Shangguan Xuanhao noticed Li Yunning’s pale complexion and said, "Miss Li seems unwell, madam. You should take her home to rest. It wouldn’t do well for her to walk around too much and catch a cold."

"Your Highness is right. The Empress saw that Ning’er was unwell and asked us to rest in the side house. She even called the imperial doctor for her." The Prime Minister’s wife respectfully agreed. She stole a glance at Guan Xuanyi’s face.

Yet, she found no expression on it.

Shangguan Xuanhao nodded after hearing this and didn’t say anything more.

The two of them bid goodbye and prepared to depart.

As they were passing Shangguan Xuanyi, Li Yunning suddenly went weak in the knees and toppled towards him.