"Among the exiled criminals, not all of them are evil people. If we could assign different tasks to them based on their case files, it would better implement punishments proportional to their crimes - serious crimes receive severe punishments, while minor crimes receive lighter punishments. This way, no evildoer would be spared, but no innocent person would be unduly punished."
Especially under the current incompetent Emperor, many upright individuals who offended the Imperial Consort were also exiled here.
After careful consideration, Chen the county magistrate acquiesced to her request.
In the remote Mo County, with the Emperor far away, he had full authority in arranging the exiles' labor. Since he had this power, sheltering a few righteous individuals could be considered a virtuous deed.
But what tasks should he assign them?
He decided to hear Qi Huan's plan first.
When asked, Qi Huan shared her thoughts: "It seems difficult to receive an education in Mo County. Wealthy families can hire private tutors, but the poor cannot even afford a private school tuition. Why don't we establish an academy?"
"There are readily available scholars - I heard that even the current Imperial Tutor Old Master Weng was exiled here. Add the other exiled scholar-officials, and they can surely educate Mo County's students to become outstanding talents. And you, Chen the county magistrate who facilitates this, will be acclaimed for generations to come."
Faced with the "grand opportunity" she presented, Chen the county magistrate unhesitatingly refused: "Although the idea is good, the county office has no spare funds."
More and more taxes were levied, but most were taken to satisfy the Emperor's private desires, leaving very little for the local regions.
Chen the county magistrate looked eagerly at Qi Huan: "Unless someone donates."
Just as Qi Huan fell silent, the system spoke up: "It takes ten years to grow trees, but a hundred years to educate people. Donating to establish an academy is a virtuous deed that will benefit for a thousand years. Host, hurry and take action! For every one thousand taels of silver donated, you'll gain ten thousand points!"
The last half of its statement successfully piqued Qi Huan's interest.
Interest leads to action.
She generously stated: "Very well! I'll donate five thousand taels."
After considering, she added: "Have craftsmen oversee the exiled criminals in construction to save some labor costs.
But don't scrimp on bricks and tiles - the students are Mo County's future, and the future of Li Country. The academy built for them should use the most durable materials."
There were also expenses for desks, chairs, and teaching materials. Books were expensive in this dynasty, and although five thousand taels sounded like a lot, it would barely be enough after careful calculations.
Next, they discussed some details.
The academy would be divided into two main sections.
One section would be open to all children without discrimination, providing basic education and literacy.
The other section would require passing an entrance exam, selecting those truly devoted to learning and showing promise, cultivating them for the imperial examinations and broader horizons to benefit society.
After explaining the general plan, Chen the county magistrate would handle the remaining matters.
As Qi Huan stood to leave, she turned back and said: "Uncle Chen, I can help arrange for displaced children as well."
Chen the county magistrate looked up abruptly from his paperwork: "Do you mean it?"
"I do."
The orphanage still had vacancies, so taking in some orphans wouldn't be a problem.
Mentioning the children, Chen the county magistrate's expression turned solemn: "Only one child survived."
During the mudslide, even adults couldn't run fast enough, let alone children.
Qi Huan pursed her lips, realizing that only the young boy she rescued had survived.
The other children were forever frozen in the fifteenth year of the Longshun era.
Chen the county magistrate summoned an official and instructed him to take Qi Huan to fetch Zhao Man.
Outside, the sunshine was brilliant.
Inside, Zhao Man huddled in a corner, curled up into a ball.
His vacant gaze began to focus when he saw Qi Huan, the one who pulled him from the verge of despair in the muddy pit.
Now, she came backlit, extending her soft, fair hand and gently asked: "Would you like to come with me?"
Without hesitation, Zhao Man reached out his hand.
Leaving the dim room and stepping into the warm sunlight, Zhao Man felt a sense of unreality.
The children on the street were still playing, and the steam was still billowing from the bun shop, as if everything remained the same as before.
The only difference was that he no longer had a home.
After walking for a while, Qi Huan noticed Zhao Man's unusual silence. Although around the same age as the children like Little Stone, he seemed like a gloomy old man.
She first took him to buy a couple sets of plain clothes, then brought him to a restaurant for a simple meal. Qi Huan then sent him to the orphanage.
Zhao Man held onto her sleeve, unwilling to let go.
Qi Huan stroked his head and smiled gently: "Don't be nervous. I'll come back to see you. For now, stay here and settle in."
She then instructed the children who gathered around: "Zhao Man just arrived at the orphanage. Help Sister take good care of him, okay?"
"Okay!" The children nodded vigorously.
After settling Zhao Man in, Qi Huan returned home and began pondering the other matter Chen the county magistrate had passed to her.
Seeing her brows furrowed as she paced in the courtyard, Li Shuchen took the initiative to ask: "What's wrong?"
"I sponsored Chen the county magistrate in establishing an academy, and he's letting me name it."
At this, Yan Qinghe chimed in: "That's easy, just call it Qi's Academy!"
"Or Miracle Academy works too!"
"In my opinion, those abstruse and incomprehensible books that people actually love to study are truly a miracle."
Qi Huan thought she was bad at naming, but Yan Qinghe was no better.
She turned her head, pondering further.
As she pondered, she suddenly remembered her teacher mentioning Zhang Zai's Hengqu's Discourses from the Northern Song Dynasty.
Her eyes lit up, and she turned to Li Shuchen: "How about Hengqu Academy?"
"To establish the mind for Heaven and Earth, to establish the destiny for the living people, to carry on the interrupted learning of the ancient sages, and to open the path to great peace for all generations!"
"This is the ideal and belief that every scholar should keep in their heart!"
"Excellent." A slight curve formed at the corner of Li Shuchen's lips.
Gazing at the young lady before him, he saw her radiant brilliance, like the morning sun, the bright moon, a clear stream flowing through his heart.
Meeting his admiring gaze, Qi Huan did not bask in self-satisfaction. She had merely borrowed the light from her previous life.
What was not hers, she could borrow but never steal. Thus, she looked straight at Li Shuchen and candidly said: "Ashu, those words weren't mine. They were said by a man named Zhang Zai."
Li Shuchen remained full of admiration: "He was remarkable, and so are you."
Qi Huan squinted her eyes, smiling contentedly.
Gazing at Li Shuchen's well-defined thin lips, she thought: With such sweet-sounding words, his little mouth must taste sweet too. I'd love to have a taste.
"Host, it's not like you haven't kissed before..."
"Just like how I gave you points, you still want more. After kissing Ashu, I'll still want to kiss more. What's wrong with that?"
"Not really, I just hope the host will keep their word and not become a master of empty talk."
Qi Huan conceded defeat.
*
That night.
After taking a shower, Qi Huan lay in the soft bedding and began a more important conversation with the system.
"How many points do I have now?"
"Host, you currently have seventy-two thousand five hundred."
"How much?"
"Seventy-two thousand five hundred."
Qi Huan was stunned: "I think you need to explain how I did good deeds without my knowledge to accumulate that many points?"
Even if she had warned Magistrate Chen during the mudslide and saved some civilians, her points had only increased to two thousand five hundred afterward.
Sponsoring the academy cost five thousand taels, which earned fifty thousand points. Where did the other twenty thousand points come from?
"Host, I notified you when I added points, but you were busy chatting with Chen the county magistrate and didn't pay attention, so you didn't know."
"I'm listening carefully now, so tell me again."
Saying this, Qi Huan crawled out from under the covers, changing from a lying position to a sitting one, and said sincerely: "I'm all ears, so speak!"
