"I said Jingzhe would make the clan proud and think of the clan’s people. Isn’t it true that everything is handled impeccably?"
"That’s right, I see Jingzhe as cold on the outside, but warm on the inside. No wonder the Lu Family is willing to give so much dowry. I must say, Jingzhe made the right match. Everyone says a virtuous wife brings blessings for three generations. Jingzhe’s wife is willing to use her dowry to support the clan; no other new bride would do that."
"It’s not just Jingzhe and his wife’s idea. This matter must have gone through Aunt Dajiao’s approval. I believe it’s definitely Aunt Dajiao’s idea, intentionally pinned on Jingzhe and his wife."
...
People in the clan were discussing fervently.
No matter whose idea it was, it was beneficial to the clan.
"Don’t just think about your sons. Zhao Zhao is providing free education for your children, not only for boys, but also for girls," said Tong Huaqiong.
Providing education for girls was her personal wish.
Of course, Lu Zhaozhao supported her personal wish.
"What does a girl need with education? A girl’s destiny is to marry. Isn’t it a waste of our Gu Family’s money?" said Gu Dahu, the clan leader’s grandson.
Many in the clan agreed.
Girls can’t take imperial examinations or become officials.
The biggest hope for them is to work at Tong Huaqiong’s Weaving Workshop, like Gu Xiaoxue, to earn a few years’ silver for the family. When the time comes to marry, they can find a good husband through Tong Huaqiong’s connections, living up to their parents’ upbringing.
Tong Huaqiong’s face hardened when she heard this, and she said, "Our Gu Family’s money? You should see who actually paid for it before claiming it’s our Gu Family’s money. This money came from my family, so naturally, I decide. If any family’s daughter wants to learn to read and write, and you don’t allow them, then your sons won’t study either."
Tong Huaqiong looked around; standing at the front were all the men of the clan.
The women were all behind, obscured by the men in front of them.
She, with Man Er and Chen Sufen in the middle, stood out starkly.
This was only because she had Su Qing inform all households that both men and women must attend this clan meeting; otherwise, women would not appear in such discussions at all.
After speaking, Tong Huaqiong turned to Su Qing beside her and said, "Later, note down which family’s daughters are like Man Er and want to study."
Su Qing agreed respectfully.
The clan members looked at each other in dismay at her words.
Educating girls is something the wealthy do. Which farm girl has time to study?
Does she not work in the fields?
Does she not do household chores?
Tong Huaqiong understood this too, but she still insisted on educating girls.
Girls may not be able to take official exams or hold office, but knowing how to read is better than being illiterate.
With this in mind, Tong Huaqiong said earnestly, "I understand your reasoning. You think it’s enough for a girl to know how to wash clothes, cook, sew, work the fields, and support her husband and teach her children. But consider this, why do wealthy families educate their daughters? Their daughters, like ours, cannot take exams or hold office, yet they still learn. It’s not just because they can afford it, but because the value of literacy far exceeds illiteracy."
"For example, if your daughter wants to marry into a wealthy family and can’t read to understand the accounts, wouldn’t she miss the opportunity? Don’t think this is fanciful. Our founding Empress was a farm girl, yet because she could read and understand military strategy, she could become an advisor to the late emperor during chaotic times and eventually become Empress, governing the realm alongside the late emperor."
Tong Huaqiong knew that words alone wouldn’t be persuasive; in this era where girls were seen as tools, she had to use self-interest to motivate their parents.
What is the greatest motivation?
Of course, it’s marrying a good husband, leading the whole family to prosperity.
In this era, which parent doesn’t wish for their son to become successful or their daughter to excel?
Just as Tong Huaqiong finished speaking, Hu’s hardcore fan from the Gu Family, Second Aunt Gu, chimed in.
"Dashi’s wife is right. Jingzhe received an education, married a good wife, and the couple is willing to support the clan’s youth. Our Gu Family will surely grow into a large clan, with more clan members becoming officials or major businessmen in the future. Their sisters’ status will rise, too. Don’t you want your daughters to marry well and bring benefits through marriage alliances for their brothers?"
"Look at Honglian. Didn’t she become engaged to Fan Xiucai thanks to Jingzhe? Wealthy families have different criteria for daughters-in-law than Fan Xiucai. They not only need them to be capable but also literate. If you don’t let your daughters learn to read, you won’t have a chance when it’s time to marry into a better family in the future."
Second Aunt Gu’s words were brutally honest.
Those who initially opposed girls’ education suddenly changed their minds.
Madam Gu’s face darkened. What did the sister-in-law mean, insulting her daughter?
Madam Gu couldn’t help but retort to her sister-in-law, "Sister, you’re portraying my daughter Honglian as worthless. Why can’t my Honglian be a scholar’s wife? Honglian may not be good at housework or sewing, nor knowledgeable about farm work, but she is literate, which is valued by scholars."
After speaking, she remembered that Gu Honglian learned to read from Tong Dajiao.
She may not know much but is better than the illiterate girls in the clan.
Second Aunt Gu clapped her hands and said, "See, this is the benefit of literacy. Honglian is literate and can become a scholar’s wife. If she could understand military or historical texts, she could enter the palace as an empress."
Madam Gu huffed.
The crowd’s eyes began to shift.
Gu Honglian, considered the least attractive girl in the clan, had people thinking it was heaven-sent luck for her to become a scholar’s wife.
If Gu Honglian can, why can’t their daughters or granddaughters?
Their daughters or granddaughters are much prettier than Gu Honglian.
Seizing the moment, Tong Huaqiong continued, "I’m not asking them to study day and night like for the champion exam, but just to be literate."
Tong Huaqiong knew it wasn’t realistic for girls to sit in private school every day like Man Er studying like Xiao Long and Yaozu, but at least they could learn to read.
Sure enough, upon hearing this, everyone began expressing agreement.
"Literacy, literacy is beneficial."
"Exactly, it’s not like preparing for the champion exam; it’s just literacy, which doesn’t interfere with anything."
Gu Daqiao’s wife, Song Qiaoniang, and Gu Fengnian’s wife, Mrs. Wei, both supported Tong Huaqiong.
Song Qiaoniang’s daughter was eight years old this year. Who wouldn’t want literacy for their child?
Even if it wasn’t to marry well, it would be good to work as a steward under Gu Taohua in the future.
"Indeed, literacy is better than being illiterate. Besides Honglian, Pandie is an example. Pandie learned to read by watching Tong Fusheng study and write at home. Both times she married well, first into the village chief’s family, and then to Mr. Su," another wife said.
People thought further and found it true.
Literacy, they must learn it.