Yang Ruxin flashed a smile at Gu Qingheng, feeling incredibly great to be understood and supported unconditionally by someone.
However, swirling in those bewitching eyes of Gu Qingheng was something called indulgence.
"Besides, being illiterate also makes it impossible to get things done, so starting tomorrow, Bai Rongguang, you will be in charge of teaching everyone to recognize characters. At a minimum, they should be able to write their own names and recognize all of our names. They should be able to write and recognize simple letters. If anyone displays a talent for learning, I will also send them to private schools for further education..."
Everyone was slightly stunned. Reading? Such a luxurious affair, and yet, now that they had sold themselves into servitude, they had a chance?
"We really can study?" Shuimu, just fourteen years old, lit up upon hearing Yang Ruxin’s words.
"Of course, if you truly enjoy studying, once we’ve established a foundation here, I will send you to school. If you have the ability for the imperial examinations, I will let you take the test... but the prerequisite is that you must be loyal to me..."
Shuimu looked excitedly at everyone before nodding vigorously.
"Alright, everything that needed to be arranged has been arranged. Now with the New Year almost upon us, you won’t have any other duties but to eat, sleep, study, and practice martial arts. Understood?" Yang Ruxin instructed the group. "Tomorrow, Qian Er will escort you to town. There’s a courtyard there where you can temporarily reside..." In truth, these people were quite talented compared to those around Gu Qingheng, and she intended to make good use of these resources.
The crowd nodded. Having already sold themselves, whatever their master said was law.
After everything was arranged and evening fell, Yang Ruxin and Gu Qingheng decided to stay overnight in the county seat, for they had heard that Hao Fatty had made arrangements, and she was keen to hear what they were.
That very evening, Yang Ruxin took Gu Qingheng to visit the Fang Family to formally recognize kinship. It would seem rude not to visit, and moreover, she needed to discuss the matter of the seven wolves with the Fangs.
Fang Dehua had been to Dapu East Village a few days ago but hadn’t seen Yang Ruxin, so he knew something must have been up. Today, seeing her return eased his concerns.
Especially after seeing Gu Qingheng, who had fully recovered, made everyone even happier.
As for Fang Tianze, after meeting his cousin and traveling to several places, he had gained a broader perspective and even drafted a plan concerning his understanding of the medicinal tea—a sort of simple market research.
"That’s really good," Yang Ruxin praised Fang Tianze’s efforts highly. "After the New Year, we can start working on this project. However, if the medicinal tea is to be sold in the south, have you considered transportation?"
"This..." Fang Tianze was at a loss for words, as he hadn’t considered this aspect.
"No worries, considering preparations now is not too late," Yang Ruxin smiled. "We need to find reliable people skilled in martial arts. If you can’t find anyone suitable here, I could provide some manpower."
Fang Tianze nodded vigorously, realizing he still had much to learn about doing business. But that was okay; he could learn gradually.
After staying one night at the Fang Family’s residence, they stepped out of the door the next day only to see an ostentatiously ornate carriage parked not far away.
Yang Ruxin walked over and knocked on the carriage shaft: "Hao Young Master, up early I see."
"Aiyo, Sister Xin, I’ve finally seen you," Hao Jian, hearing Yang Ruxin’s voice, hurriedly emerged from the carriage with a smile plastered across his face.