SFS Chapter 219: Founding of a Women's College
Chapter 219: Founding of a Women's College
But now, it's different.
Zhang Qiongsi's eyes suddenly became eager.
Gu Yichuang was from Cang County, so he must have known what the academy was doing. Besides, he was a student of former Hanlin scholar Hu Lao, and it was heard that Hu Lao's granddaughter was a teacher in the academy.
Since his teachers had no objection to this matter, Zhang Qiongsi inferred that Gu Yichuan was likely in favor of it.
That's why she couldn't wait to explain this matter to him. She wanted to show herself in front of Gu Yichuan and leave a deep impression on him, and she also wanted to take this opportunity to realize her own ambitions.
Who says women can only get married and raise children?
It is obvious that women have no fewer arms or legs than men, so why can't they make a career?
She just felt that Mr. Shen, whom she had never met before, was her soulmate.
Let’s not talk about what Zhang Qiongsi was thinking for now.
After she said this, she observed Gu Yichuan's reaction expectantly. Sure enough, he looked slightly stunned, as if there was a hint of surprise in his surprise.
It seems she made the right bet!
Gu Yichuan did agree with this matter.
Moreover, if I were to give him such bold advice, he would surely remember me.
She smiled shyly and asked, "I wonder what Lord Gu thinks of my suggestion?"
Gu Yichuan smiled gently and nodded, "It's a good idea, but there is no precedent in Yongzhou after all. If you want to be innovative, I wonder how you should follow suit?"
Zhang Qiongsi expected him to ask, and had already thought of a response plan. She said confidently: "It is said to be imitation, but I think that if we completely copy the practice of Cang County, I am afraid that the effect will not be obvious. After all, Yongzhou today does not have the right time, place, and people that the first female teacher of Cang County had. Instead of forcing the academy to reform and provoke confrontation between conservatives and newcomers, it is better to choose a third way."
"What third way?" Gu Yichuan asked.
Zhang Qiongsi's eyes sparkled, "Establish a women's college!"
She said in a loud voice: "This women's academy is not comparable to the previous women's schools. It is the same as all the academies in the city. It is an academy that recruits students from outside, but only accepts female teachers and female students. Although compared with Cang County, the name of women's academy does not sound fair, but the methods are different, the results are the same. In the end, it allows women to study and receive education, and educate the people."
"Moreover, this women's academy only accepts women, so naturally those old pedants have nothing to do with it. They can scold us or hate us, but our affairs have nothing to do with them. Since it doesn't bother them, naturally the voices of opposition will be smaller. Then, the women's academy will be more likely to survive in the world, and will not have to go through many twists and turns like Cang County did."
After he finished speaking, everyone was stunned.
Most of the guests in Yanxia Pavilion were female, and many of them were hearing this kind of statement for the first time. They felt both curious and excited.
Opening a girls' college and allowing girls to study there is such a novel and amazing thing!
This is to save face for these women.
Although they are no longer old enough to go to school, as women they will become mothers in the future, so of course they hope that their daughters can enjoy such treatment.
Everyone immediately applauded loudly.
"Well said! We agree!"
"That's right, Your Excellency, I dare not speak nonsense. If Yongzhou really builds a girls' academy, I will be the first to send my daughter there to study!"
"That's right!"
Only wealthy families could afford to hire teachers for girls' schools and private schools, and the cost of hiring a teacher was several times the tuition of a teacher in an academy. Even if the parents of ordinary people wanted to send their daughters to school, they did not have the spare money, so most girls could only recognize their own names and do some calculations, which was enough.
Zhang Qiongsi was immersed in the crowd's praise, with a look of pride on his face.
This idea of hers was not new. Ever since it was rejected by the previous state governor, she had nothing to do and had been thinking about this matter. Finally, she came up with this way. In her opinion, it was the best solution.
Moreover, I said it in public today, and the response from the crowd seemed to be quite good. Maybe this is really a feasible way.
Gu Yichuan and Shen Nankui looked at each other from a distance, and there was a hint of admiration in both of their eyes.
Shen Nankui did not expect that the little girl who was so arrogant and came to provoke her without any reason just now could speak so eloquently in the blink of an eye. It really made her look at her in a new light.
More importantly, these words also woke her up.
Ever since she talked with Gu Yichuan that day, the two of them had discussed reforming the academy in Yongzhou. However, Yongzhou's business was prosperous, and there were many aristocratic families. The interests of each family were mostly intertwined, so they were extremely conservative and unwilling to change. Therefore, if they wanted to reform the academy, even if they only started with one academy like Cang County, they could not act too hastily.
Otherwise, if he aroused public anger, it would be counterproductive and he would no longer be able to gain a foothold in Yongzhou.
After hearing these words today, Shen Nankui suddenly had an epiphany. If he directly founded a women's academy, he wouldn't have to worry about how to make those literati accept it. Not only would there be no confrontation, but there would also be fewer concerns. The strict separation between men and women would no longer exist, and female teachers could earn a living to support their families, and female students could study and learn skills, and neither of them would be considered as not doing their job properly.
Although the path is different, the process is more harmonious and the final result is the same.
It’s really a good thing!
Shen Nankui looked at Zhang Qiongsi with enthusiastic eyes and thought: This girl is really a wonderful person!
Zhang Qiongsi had no idea what she was thinking at the moment, and was responding to everyone's questions with great satisfaction.
Someone asked: "This girl, even if you set up a women's academy, women are not like men who can pass the imperial examinations, so what is the point of studying?"
Zhang Qiongsi replied: "That's wrong. Although women can't pass the imperial examinations, reading can help them understand reason and wisdom, and cultivate their character. How can it not be a good thing?"
"We understand the benefits of this, but you should also know that before you cultivate yourself, you must first survive. If the family's livelihood is a problem, what's the point of reading more books? A girl is also a member of the family. You can't watch your parents work hard while you hide away in the academy and enjoy yourself, right?"
Another person echoed, "Yes, after all, men study because they have a future and many options, but what can women gain from studying? Not everyone is a rich lady, hoping to marry into a good family with their talent."
Zhang Qiongsi frowned after hearing this.
These words not only belittled the daughter of a wealthy family, but also insulted the word "talent", which was quite unpleasant to the ears.