Chapter 604 - 376: Wanting to Join the Army

Chapter 604: Chapter 376: Wanting to Join the Army

The betrothal between Liu Ze and Xiaoxue went exceptionally smoothly, and both the Jiang and Liu families hosted betrothal banquets separately.

However, Liu Ze’s side held theirs in the county, attended by officials and wealthy merchants. Ordinary citizens, despite hearing about it, only knew a young man from the County Magistrate’s family was betrothed, unaware it was Liu Ze.

The villagers of Xiangmu Village had even less reason to think about it.

Instead, another matter has recently been the talk of the town.

It’s that Jiang’s prospective son-in-law is going to establish a school in Xiangmu Village!

"A child of just thirteen or fourteen years old, not studying diligently, opening a school? Perhaps he lacks real talent and isn’t daring enough to continue his studies?"

"You outsider, what do you know? He passed the Scholar exam, so what if he’s young? Achieving that at such a young age, now that takes real skill."

"Exactly. He’s opening the school because he can’t continue the exams until six years later due to his age. Moreover, were it not for his benevolence and good deeds, could you find a Scholar to teach your son?"

Initially wanting to mock and rally everyone to criticize Jiang’s son-in-law together, the man’s attempts were rebuffed, leaving him embarrassed.

Suddenly someone seemed to recognize him: "Aren’t you Zhang Yuan’s brother-in-law?"

"What? It’s him?"

Everyone turned their gaze towards him, and their expressions instantly turned scornful.

"No way, not seen for over a year, how has he aged so much? Could it be because no one takes care of him, aging rapidly?"

"Truly unfortunate. I heard you sold your daughter just to fund your nephew’s education. Why aren’t you home taking care of your nephew, coming to Xiangmu Village and risking our reputation?"

"Exactly, how can he still have the face to come here? Last time he clung to Sister Zhang but got chased away with a hoe. Today he dares come again."

"Truly shameful for us men. Having a divorce letter written, he still clings to Sister Zhang. If he’s capable, he should find someone else."

As people gossiped, the criticism from the men was no less fierce than from women, and Zhang Yuan’s brother-in-law quickly blushed and hurried away.

Later, this matter reached the ears of Jiang Hu and Second Mother, who merely smiled without paying much attention.

Everyone knew why Liu Ze was establishing the school, but there was no need to explain it to outsiders.

Moreover, setting up a school wasn’t entirely a bad thing for the nearby villagers.

Going to town costs a copper coin, even though the school takes breaks throughout the year, considering annually, students attend school for approximately three hundred days, right?

By this calculation, it costs three hundred cash; even this entry fee alone blocks many families wanting to send their children to school.

Furthermore, near the county, towns are generally sparse, and villages rarely have schools, so few nearby children attend school.

If their village could have a school, nearby children would surely benefit greatly.

The Liu family sent people to refurbish Liu Qingfeng’s previous small courtyard, assigning two Attendant Students, two sweeping ladies, even Uncle Liu and the steward moved in.

However, when it’s mealtime, everyone still heads to Jiang’s side.

Someone asked Jiang Hu and learned that the courtyard’s original owner, Liu Ze’s elder brother, had already passed the Juren exam, possibly now a Gongshi, soon to sit for the palace examination.

This news quickly spread throughout Xiangmu Village and rapidly extended to nearby villages.

In no time, news that Jiang’s eldest daughter married the brother of a Jinshi rapidly reached almost every person familiar with Jiang’s family within a ten li radius.

A Jinshi can become a high official!

When Xiaomi heard this news, it was half a month later, and the school was almost built.

She couldn’t help but pout: "My second sister hasn’t even married yet."

Next to her, Liu Ze laughed joyfully: "It’s all the same, all the same, they’ll eventually marry."

Xiaomi snorted, increasingly finding Liu Ze resembling a peacock displaying its feathers, showing off immensely.

Nearby, Wei Ziang seemed thoughtful, as if making a decision.

As for Xiaoxue, she felt nothing, busy contemplating a newly acquired flower pattern of hers.

Jiang Wei was even more carefree, enjoying a rare break by sprawling on the stone table, fast asleep, drool nearly trickling out.

Jiang Yu, meanwhile, held an eight parrot that’s grown familiar with him in one hand, occasionally observing his younger siblings and casually sipping tea, utterly at ease.

Today was a rare occasion with everyone on holiday, and there was no work needing their help in the fields, the laborers perfectly handling everything.

So, siblings on holiday gathered in the courtyard to drink tea, chat, and discuss family matters, given such opportunities were rare.

Xiaomi nudged Wei Ziang with her elbow: "Brother, what are you thinking, why haven’t you said a word?"

Wei Ziang turned his head in thought: "Recently heard some news about bandit invasion at the border again."

Xiaomi was shocked: "What? Another war?"

Wei Ziang shook his head, smiling reassuringly: "Not necessarily. People have been living in peace and harmony, the court has been building its strength, these past two years, with favorable weather and good harvests, stopping some bandits isn’t difficult."

The border might experience some turmoil, but it won’t affect inland.

Relieved, Xiaomi was just glad there wouldn’t be war. But seeing Wei Ziang’s expression, which seemed to hold more, she couldn’t resist asking further.

"Are you considering something by focusing on this?"

As far as she remembered, Wei Ziang had previously expressed that, compared to studying and taking exams, he wanted to join the military more.

But Wei Ziang was only eleven years old now; enlisting wouldn’t be possible until he was fifteen or sixteen, right?

Wei Ziang, well aware of Xiaomi’s inquisitiveness, quickly deciphered her query but chose not to refute, instead nodding.

"Indeed, I’m considering it. If I wish to join the army, now is an exceptional opportunity."

Not even giving Xiaomi chance to object, Jiang Yu, who had been watching closely from nearby, couldn’t restrain himself, slamming his teacup heavily on the table with a shout.

"Joining the army? Are you mad? You’re way too young for the army!"

The asleep Jiang Wei was jolted awake abruptly, sleep vanishing instantly, his wide eyes bewildered: "What’s wrong, big brother? What’s happened?"

Jiang Yu contained his anger: "None of your business, go on sleeping."

"Oh."

Jiang Wei was about to lean back onto the table when he saw Wei Ziang place a hand on the stone table, smile slightly.

"Brother, I’m not mad, and I’m definitely not making jokes with my life."

In the next instant, under Xiaomi’s surprised eyes, the stone table turned to crumbs, yet Wei Ziang caught the tea tray, swiftly grabbing the remaining cups.

Once everyone returned to their senses, they only saw Wei Ziang holding the tea tray; the cups and snacks were intact, while the stone table had turned to a pile of powder.

Everyone was astounded, eyes nearly popping out.

Xiaomi covered her face; she knew it.

As soon as Wei Ziang mentioned joining the army, she should have guessed!