Quick Transmigration: Underdog Turns out to be Untouchable

Chapter 1187: Chapter 1097: Female Prime Minister 35

Regarding Mrs. Wang’s literacy, Shuangshuang always felt that her mother must have come from an extraordinary background, at the very least she should have been a child of a scholar’s family, only then would she have had the opportunity to learn to read. However, she did not understand why her mother ended up being sold as a slave.

But Mrs. Wang never mentioned her past, only saying that she had forgotten due to memory loss. Shuangshuang felt her mother wasn’t telling the truth, but her past must have been very painful, so Shuangshuang thoughtfully never asked, and her father, Yin Zheng, understood this as well.

That aside, now that the conditions are right, this love for reading should certainly be fulfilled, and reading can also enhance one’s knowledge, broaden horizons, cultivate character, and serve as a good pastime.

On the opening day of the bookshop, the County Magistrate and his Wife personally came to support, and all the scholars in the county came as well, with many bringing their wives.

In this dynasty, women are not viewed so harshly; bringing one’s wife to important occasions does not trigger aversion. On the contrary, they earn the reputation of respecting their wives, a mark of a good man.

If a family’s patriarch is known for respecting his wife, the sons in the family find it easier to marry compared to others.

After all, wealthy families do not lack money, and with financial abundance, they might have deeper feelings towards their daughters. Naturally, they would hope for their daughters to marry honorable men who understand and respect them.

Since a significant portion of attendees brought their wives, the number of people was quite large. Luckily, the bookshop was big enough to accommodate everyone.

First was the grand opening ceremony orchestrated by Shuangshuang, held at the entrance of the bookshop.

It started with a continuous sound of firecrackers, followed by a lion dance that excited countless children with joy.

Before the ribbon-cutting, the County Magistrate gave a speech; this was entirely a flattering gesture, providing him an opportunity to gain favor with the scholars.

After all, today’s event was a charitable act for scholars, meant to greatly increase their goodwill towards the cause.

The County Magistrate spoke formally, encouraging students to study, praising Shuangshuang’s generosity, and highlighting the benefits of the bookshop.

The attending scholars expressed their gratitude toward Shuangshuang wholeheartedly since her actions truly benefited them.

Of course, they were equally grateful to the County Magistrate for generously donating ten thousand books.

Especially for the scholars from impoverished families, those who excelled academically but couldn’t afford to study—such pain is unfathomable to those who haven’t experienced it.

Through this event, the County Magistrate’s reputation was greatly enhanced, and Shuangshuang became famous, earning respect and gratitude from all the scholars in the county. For the first time, Shuangshuang appeared before the public as an independent figure, admired by many.

The County Magistrate’s speech was not lengthy, without any rambling, and soon ended.

After his speech, Shuangshuang and the County Magistrate jointly unveiled the plaque covered with red silk.

Shuangshuang and the County Magistrate held the ends of the red silk and together pulled it down in front of everyone, revealing the majestic characters ”Learning Society Bookshop,” personally written by the County Magistrate.

Beside it was a couplet with two classic lines: ”A path to the mountain of books, diligence is the way; the sea of learning has no shores, hard work is the boat.”

Entering the hall where books were displayed, this hall was formed by Shuangshuang connecting all the rooms of the yard, making it very spacious.

In the center of the hall were also two couplets, phrases that Shuangshuang greatly admired: ”All matters understood are knowledge; interpersonal skills are the essence of writing.”

Shuangshuang adopted the modern bookstore method for displaying books, with shelves as tall as a person, preventing anyone from being unable to reach the books. She also placed seats between the shelves, allowing people to sit and read.

The entrance area was designated for poor scholars to receive writing materials to copy books. This area was specifically overseen by Li Dalong.

Shuangshuang also assigned someone specifically to provide hot water here, so that readers wouldn’t go thirsty while reading. Naturally, she prepared two types of tea, for tea refreshes the mind; should anyone feel tired from reading, they could drink a cup to awaken.

At the entrance to the hall were written rules; reading within the bookshop was free, but borrowing books outside required two taels of silver as deposit and a daily borrowing fee of one copper coin per book—this fee was so low it was practically waived.

The two tael deposit was to prevent anyone from damaging the books. If damage occurred, the offender would be fined a book’s worth of copying once; for the second offense, they would be banned from returning to borrow or read books.

Not all books in the bookshop were worth only two taels of silver; some thicker books couldn’t be bought for less than ten taels, yet the deposit remained only two taels.

However, every fifteen days all books must be returned for re-recording; failure to do so would be considered intentional theft, and the offender’s name would be posted outside the bookshop, prohibiting future entry.

As a scholar, stealing books showed no integrity, and such a person, if they became an official, would not be a good one.

Better to expose their name so they could never pursue a career in public office, for the most crucial aspect of officialdom is a spotless reputation.

Visitors to the bookshop found these rules justified; everyone eagerly browsed books, while some impoverished students hurried to receive writing materials, having already eyed several books they couldn’t afford to buy themselves.

While queuing for writing materials, several poor students discussed the bookshop owner Shuangshuang.

”Miss Yin is truly noble, I reckon this bookshop costs no less than two or three hundred thousand taels of silver, and there’s virtually no profit-making element here.

Charging a copper coin per day to borrow a book doesn’t count as profit; it doesn’t compare to the maintenance and tea costs. Miss Yin is doing this purely to care for us impoverished students.”

”Indeed, if we have success in the future, we must not forget Miss Yin’s generosity today.”

”That’s for sure, my family is poor, and I’ve already planned to stop studying, though our teacher kindly waived my tuition.

Unfortunately, book and writing material costs are too high, and my family simply can’t afford them. If not for Miss Yin, I would have returned home to farm by now.

The ability to continue studying is all thanks to Miss Yin; she has given me a new start, and if anyone dares to slander her, I will fight them.”

A group of impoverished scholars discussed fervently, etching Shuangshuang’s name into their hearts, deeply grateful. Any among these scholars who may one day rise to official ranks will be a supportive force for Shuangshuang’s future endeavors.

Through the establishment of a bookshop, Shuangshuang boldly stood before the world, breaking the confines imposed upon her as a woman.