Chapter 411: Free Education
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Wang Fu’s eyes lit up. He asked carefully, “Then how much does it cost to buy this apartment?”
It was every non-local’s dream to have a real place to stay in a foreign land.
The building manager smiled and said, “The apartment isn’t too expensive. In terms of its space area, the one you’re living in now is only about 50 taels.”
“50 taels!”
Wang Fu was tongue-tied. “This is too expensive!”
The building manager smiled and said, “This is nothing. A villa is the most expensive! 50 taels of silver seems to be a lot, but it will only take you two to three years if you earn five taels of silver a month. Moreover, our Carefree City has other benefits. You can borrow money from the Imperial Court to buy a house. As long as you have a fixed job, you can buy a house in advance.”
Wang Fu confused. “What is a loan?”
Why were there always such strange new words when they arrived at the southern frontier?
The building manager could not explain the loan clearly, so she said, “Aiya, you’ll understand when you get there. Don’t be anxious. Anyway, as long as the loan is approved, the house will belong to you after you pay the interest every month.”
Wang Fu could tell that the building manager was getting impatient, so he noted down the loan to buy a house and would ask about it when he had started work.
He carried the clothes distributed to them by the building manager back to the apartment. Su Susu and Ming’er had already decorated their small house and it was heartwarming.
Seeing him return with the clothes, Su Susu immediately took them happily and unfolded the clothes with Ming’er.
When the clothes were unfolded, their eyes froze again.
This shirt was too strange. There was only half of the sleeve left.
Su Susu sighed and said, “We can only wear it inside.”
However, Ming’er said, “Mother, I think many southern frontier people wear such clothes outside.”
They were too nervous after arriving here, so they did not notice. Su Susu was stunned as memories surged. It was true. Many citizens of the southern frontier were wearing short-sleeved shirts and long pants.
Su Susu looked at Wang Fu. “Are we going to do as the Romans do?”
Apart from exposing his arms, the clothes were not too revealing.
Wang Fu said hesitantly, “Let’s see the situation first.”
“Yes, but the material is really good. The color is beautiful and wear-resistant. One look and you can wear it for a long time.”
Ming’er smiled and said, “Mother, I want to try.”
It had been a long time since he had worn new clothes.
Su Susu thought for a moment. It should be fine for the child to wear it. Anyway, Ming’er was a boy. She smiled and said, “Yes, Mother will boil water later. Let’s take a shower and change into clean clothes, okay?”
Ming’er said eagerly, “There’s no need to boil water. It costs money to boil water. The weather here is hot. I’ll just wash with cold water!”
Su Susu knew that he wanted to save money for the family. She smiled and said, “It won’t cost much. It will cost more if you’re sick. Moreover, cold water can’t eliminate the smell of sweat. Listen to me, let’s use hot water. Our entire family can bathe happily!”
Ming’er’s eyes lit up as she said happily, “Alright, I’ll help Mother carry water!”
At the mention of water, Su Susu remembered that they didn’t even have a wooden bucket at home. They still had to buy some daily necessities.
Their family came out of the apartment and quickly found the market in Carefree City according to the directions given.
The market was divided into various sections for daily necessities, food, clothes, nursery, livestock, and so on.
They entered from the daily necessities area.
Soon, Su Susu saw all kinds of bamboo tools, wooden containers, pots, and pans. They were also very cheap.
It was really as the building manager had said. He could earn at least one tael of silver a month in the southern frontier. Compared to the price of goods, the standard of living was really low.
They only bought necessities. They could make their own cutlery at home, but they had to buy a wooden bucket, an iron pot, or a clay pot. They also had to buy a few feet of fabric and cut it into period ribbons. It was too uncomfortable to use wood ash on the way.
After buying the wooden bucket, Wang Fu carried the items while Su Susu held her son’s hand and walked forward.
Some tribal woman, who was only wearing a few pieces of cloth, walked past them.
Su Susu hurriedly covered her son’s eyes, but Wang Fu’s eyes followed.
Su Susu coughed lightly before he came back to his senses and smiled awkwardly.
Su Susu couldn’t help but complain, “It’s really uncultured to be able to go on the streets dressed like this!”
As soon as she finished speaking, Cui Lingyi entered everyone’s line of sight in a red dress that outlined her curves.
Cui Lingyi’s snow-white skin was dazzling under the red dress. Su Susu was dumbfounded. She did not understand why this woman was still so elegant and charming in such revealing clothes.
The girls behind Cui Lingyi were also wearing all kinds of dresses. They were holding a book in their hands. They were beautiful and intellectual.
They smiled happily. Apart from the new citizens who were shocked and drooling, the local citizens seemed to be used to it and were not surprised.
Su Susu couldn’t help but ask the owner selling wooden buckets, “Why are they holding books?”
The boss smiled and said, “They’re all university students from Qingfeng Women’s Academy. It’s normal for them to be holding books. We often hold books too!”
The boss raised his neck slightly as he spoke, clearly a little proud.
“A women’s academy?” Su Susu was surprised.
The boss snorted. “The girls here can go to school like boys. If they pass the assessment, they can even become officials. The one in the red dress just now is the dean of our Qinghe Women’s Academy and the director of the Women’s Rescue Center!”
Su Susu was shocked again. Not only was there a Great Empress in the southern border, but even women could go to school and become officials.
Was there a place more enlightened than the southern frontier?
Su Susu’s limited knowledge told her that there wasn’t.
She did not expect herself to be like them, but she felt a little envious.
However, Wang Fu was very concerned. “Is there any requirement for a child to attend school?”
Ming’er’s eyes widened in surprise. He couldn’t believe his father was sending him to school.
One had to know that not a single child in their village had gone to school.
The boss was a very talkative person. He smiled and said, “The children under the age of 10 in our southern frontier go to school for free. Moreover, if they don’t go to school, they will chase after you. You just arrived, so I’m not too sure. You can go to the elementary school in front and ask.”
Free education!!!
Oh god!
Wang Fu’s entire family felt like they were in a dream. They hurriedly bade farewell to their boss and arrived at the entrance of Qinghe Elementary School.
Through the fence, he saw many children about the same age as Ming’er playing football happily in the field.
Ming’er’s eyes were filled with envy, while Su Susu was very puzzled. Weren’t they supposed to be studying? Why did she see the children playing all the time?
Wang Fu had the same doubts, so they walked forward and asked the old man on duty at the door, “Sir, is this an academy?”
The old man looked up at them with his glasses and pointed at the stone tablet. “Isn’t that Qinghe Elementary School written there! What are you here for?”
Ming’er stood on his tiptoes and stuck his head out. “Grandpa, I want to go to school too. I heard that it’s free here.”
The old man looked down and chuckled. “Aiyo, the little guy is here. Then go in and ask the teachers..”
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