The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

As soon as Steward Ping left, Nanny changed Song Ci’s tea and said, ”You’re serious about doing this, it’s not just talk, huh.”

Song Ci took the tea, sipped it, and said, ”For a serious matter, when have I ever joked about it? At some point, I could just stretch my legs and say goodbye to the world. When a person is gone, they’re slowly forgotten. If I leave behind a Charitable School, do you think people will remember me?”

”You’re doing it to be remembered?”

Song Ci nodded, ”Yes, and to leave something behind.”

Nanny opened her mouth, and after a long while said, ”I don’t know about others, but I will always remember you.”

”You’re getting old too, how long can you remember?” Song Ci smiled softly.

Nanny didn’t respond to that, instead returning to the previous topic, ”Although you say the higher-ups just talk and those below run themselves ragged, those who run errands must have a plan, right? So how will you handle the specifics of this Charitable School? Are you planning to run it like a typical one?”

Song Ci said, ”Of course not.”

In her mind, she already had the blueprint for the Charitable School. The schools here were mostly for scholars aiming for the imperial examinations. But what she wanted to establish was not that, but a ”vocational school.”

Indeed, what she wanted to run was a skill-teaching Charitable School.

It was meant for orphans, to be sure, to teach them skills for making a living, rather than preparing for exams. Once they’ve mastered a skill, they won’t struggle to find suitable jobs when they leave the school. As long as they’re skilled, they can find a way to live.

Literate skills are the most important. In these times, being even the lowest person but literate grants you more opportunities than being illiterate.

Apart from basic literacy, bookkeeping, Mo Family woodworking, embroidery, and weaving, these are the most common survival skills among the people. Once taught well and spread, doesn’t that benefit people’s lives and enlighten their intellects?

Hearing what she said, Nanny couldn’t help but nod, ”If it’s that kind of Charitable School, I fear many will come because of its reputation. You plan to provide food and accommodation, so some ordinary folks might do everything to get their people in.”

Not for anything else, just for the food, drink, and the chance to learn skills.

”This requires strict verification,” Song Ci said. ”Once the Charitable School is established, it will need school rules. Among them, it will only accept orphans aged five to twelve. Upon completing their studies and leaving, they must repay the Charitable School’s education. Part of the repayment is to serve as a teaching assistant for a year and, after finding work, donate to the school for two years.”

Nanny raised an eyebrow, ”Is this about learning gratitude for both giving and taking?”

Song Ci nodded, ”Indeed, only through this will they remember the benevolence of the Charitable School and learn gratitude. Most importantly, it ensures the Charitable School can continue for a long time. Nanny, I am founding this Charitable School with the hope that it exists for a long time, originally to provide support for orphaned children and truly give them something to rely on.”

Nanny was somewhat moved, ”You are kind-hearted, but I fear some may not be grateful and turn into thankless wretches.”

Song Ci smiled, ”It takes all sorts to make a world. If such people do emerge, the Charitable School will erase their names, not acknowledging them as students of the school. In truth, people aren’t fools. Once someone’s origins and ungrateful nature are discovered, don’t others harbor doubts in their hearts?”

”It seems you already have a plan.”

Song Ci said, ”Yes, I have the outline of the Charitable School in mind, but it needs careful refinement. Nan Shan, come here, grind ink for me, and I’ll dictate while you write. Let’s draft a preliminary plan.”