After being jilted, the entire neighboring village was filled with deep regret.

Chapter 478 Continuing to Study in the Village
Shen Ying took it more seriously than anyone else. Before the seven people could speak, he nodded repeatedly, "In that case, we'll definitely have to go to the prefectural city. Which family in the village can't afford this much money? I'll talk to their families about it later!"

Shen Ying looked at her grandson with satisfaction, then finally turned her gaze to Shen Ergou, "Ergou is quite surprising. You should work hard and make your sister proud!"

Shen Ergou smiled憨厚ly, but his eyes shone with determination. "Don't worry, Village Chief, I will work hard."

Shen Ying nodded in satisfaction, then asked, "How much travel money would they need to go to the prefectural city to study?"

Who in the village doesn't want their child to bring honor to the family? To put it bluntly, it's all about money.

Over the years, everyone has made a lot of money, but with the addition of new family members, there are many more places to spend money. Moreover, as everyone has become wealthier, all the poor relatives who haven't been in touch for ages have come knocking on our door. One family asks for a loan for something, another family asks for a free meal, and there are many more places to exchange favors.

Shen Yi looked at Su Tai, "Xiao Tai, you're good at accounting, why don't you give everyone an estimate?"

Su Tai immediately took out the account book and began listing items, "Leaving aside the travel expenses for the journey, we must solve the problem of everyone's accommodation when we arrive in the prefectural city."

Shen Ying interjected, "What are the prices of houses in the prefectural city? Would it be cheaper to buy a house for everyone to live in together than to rent?"

Su Tai gave Shen Ying a thumbs up, "Uncle, you are so farsighted. This is a good idea. My suggestion is to use the village's public funds, as if it were a property the village had acquired in the prefectural city. All the children from the village who go to study in the prefectural city can stay there for free. What do you think?"

Shen Ying slapped her thigh hard and gave a thumbs-up with her other hand, "Great! That's a good idea! Why didn't I think of that before!"

His mind was completely preoccupied with how to collect the rent; he was clearly too attached to appearances.

Shen Yi also thought this method would work, and immediately said excitedly, "Lord Lu often goes to the prefectural city and has some connections there. I'll talk to Lord Lu and ask him to help me take a look so that I won't be fooled."

Shen Ying looked at Shen Ergou and the others, "You guys come with me to handle this matter. You're all educated people, so you know what kind of place is more suitable."

The seven men puffed out their chests and loudly agreed.

Su Tai smiled and continued, "Once the accommodation problem is solved, the rest is much simpler. If all else fails, we can buy a manor in the prefectural city. With a house and land, we can even save on the problem of food. Villagers only need to bring some tuition fees, money for writing materials, and travel expenses, and that should be enough."

Shen Ying's eyes lit up as she listened. "Great! Let's do it that way! The clan has saved up quite a bit of money over the years; it's more than enough to buy a manor!"

Seeing that Shen Ying was happy, Shen Yi couldn't help but remind her again, "Also, the village school can't be neglected. Those children who have achieved elementary grades need to be supervised more strictly. I will find a suitable teacher as soon as possible."

After discussing their plan, everyone left.

The village school is here.

Zhou Ran was overjoyed when he returned home. He pulled his mother and Ye Shi aside and carefully instructed them: "After I go to the capital, I will leave the family to you. You must keep an eye on Yi'er's studies. In two years, you must make sure he gets an average grade. This is the best way out for him!"

Zhou's mother and Ye nodded hurriedly, "Don't worry, we will definitely keep an eye on him. You must take good care of yourself while you are away from home. Be tolerant of everything and don't cause any trouble with others."

After finishing her sentence, Zhou's mother glanced at the neighboring yard and said, "No! I have to send something to Mr. Chu and make arrangements in advance."

Madam Ye said in a low voice, "Mr. Chu came from the capital. My husband should indeed be closer to Mr. Chu so that he can have someone to discuss things with when problems arise."

Zhou's mother immediately went to get busy. Zhou Ran was both amused and exasperated, knowing it was useless to stop her, so she went along with her mother and said to Madam Ye, "I'll take some travel money with me, and you can keep the rest."

Ye immediately shook her head, "No need, your matter is more important. Even if you take all the money in the house, it doesn't matter. My mother and I work in the workshop and earn more than a hundred coins a day. Food in the village is not expensive and is enough to support two children. It's just that the housing problem is a bit troublesome."

"Before, you were the village teacher, and no one said anything about us living in the village school. Now that you're going to the capital, it's not appropriate for us to continue living here. We'll have to ask the village head for the best arrangements."

Zhou Ran nodded thoughtfully. After hesitating for a moment, he turned and walked out. "I'm going to the village chief's house. We need to settle things tonight, or it will be too late."

They are leaving for the county town early tomorrow morning.

When Zhou Ran arrived at the village chief's house, he found that a number of village elders had gathered there, seemingly discussing important matters. He stopped in his tracks.

As Mrs. He came out of the kitchen carrying tea, she saw him and quickly greeted him, "Mr. Zhou, you've come in!"

Zhou Ran bowed and stepped into the main room.

Everyone talking inside looked at Zhou Ran.

Zhou Ran greeted everyone formally and asked, "Village Chief, I've come here mainly about my mother, wife, and children. After I leave the village, it won't be appropriate for them to continue living in the village school. I'd like to ask if my son, Zhou Yi, can continue studying at the village school?"

“Of course!” Shen Ying replied without hesitation. “You are the teacher of the village children no matter what. They were able to pass the imperial examinations thanks in no small part to you, Mr. Zhou. We are not unreasonable. Zhou Yi can naturally continue to study in the village school, just like before, without any changes.”

"Thank you, Village Chief!" Zhou Ran bowed to Shen Ying and hurriedly said, "I am very grateful that the Village Chief can allow my son to continue studying at the village school, but it is really inconvenient for them to continue living in the village school. I would like to rent a place for them to stay in the village. Is that feasible?"

Shen Ying initially wanted to suggest that the Ye family continue living in the village school, but then she thought that it would be inappropriate if the new teacher moved in with his family. So she nodded and said, "That's fine too. Mr. Zhou is familiar with the situation in the village. He can rent a courtyard from whichever family he wants. You can make the arrangements as you see fit."

Zhou Ran breathed a sigh of relief. "In that case, I won't disturb you any longer. I'll take my leave now."

After Zhou Ran left, an old man pondered, "Why did the village chief make an exception and allow an outsider to stay at the village school?"

Shen Ying explained, "Once Mr. Zhou leaves, he will be an official we can no longer reach. We can't afford to make enemies with him. Besides, Mr. Zhou deserves half the credit for the more than twenty children in the village who passed the exam. What's wrong with letting Mr. Zhou's son continue to study at the village school?"

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement.

After leaving the village chief's house, Zhou Ran went to find Shen Mu immediately and told him about renting a house.

Right now, the houses with the most empty houses in the entire Shenjiazhuang village are Shen Yi's and Shen Mu's.

The reason for this is naturally that Shen Mu has many children. In order to find a wife for his son, he built the house early and was waiting for his children to grow up, get married, and move out to live separately.

It will be another ten years or so before his youngest son gets married, and the house will easily fall into disrepair if no one lives there.

If Zhou Ran comes to rent it, Shen Mu will definitely be happy to do so.