Courtyard House: Rebirth of a Shopkeeper in 1937

A moment later, the eldest brother returned to the main room with his backpack, took out the gifts he had brought back along the way, and distributed them to everyone in the family. He brought his mother several feet of smooth, bright black floral fabric. The fabric had a delicate texture and was thick. His mother held it in her hands and gently stroked it repeatedly, her eyes full of joy and smiles. However, she still habitually complained a few words, saying that her second brother worked hard to make a living outside and shouldn't spend money so recklessly on things.

What I gave Dad was a neat little black hat, simple and elegant in style, warm and pleasing to the eye. Dad took the hat and immediately put it on with a happy smile. He raised his hand to touch the brim, his brows and eyes revealing his satisfaction, and his solemn expression, which had been heavy for days, softened considerably.

What was handed to Xingbao was a brand new flute. The one that Brother Dashan had brought him from Nanyue had been accidentally broken by the mischievous Weibao and had never been repaired. Now, holding the slightly cool flute, his heart was filled with warmth.

Gui Xiang received a wooden hair clip, exquisitely crafted. It was clear that her second brother had personally crafted and carved it, modeled after the new styles in the city. Although the craftsmanship wasn't the most exquisite, it was clearly done with great care. Gui Xiang carefully stroked it for a long time, her fingertips gently brushing the smooth wooden surface, reluctant to put it down. Finally, she obediently approached her mother and asked her to help her put it on securely.

Finally, it was Wei Bao's turn. His second brother brought him a small bag of candy. The wrapping paper was exquisite and beautiful, a rare sight in the countryside, making Wei Bao's eyes light up and his heart leap with joy. He hurriedly unwrapped a candy and immediately stuffed it into his mouth. The sweet taste instantly melted on his tongue, leaving a slight sugar stain on the corner of his mouth, making him look utterly adorable. Despite being filled with the joy of gluttony, he was exceptionally sensible, not keeping it all to himself, but giving one to each of his parents, brothers, and sisters, showing thoughtfulness and consideration.

The small main room was instantly filled with a warm, cozy atmosphere thanks to the bag of candy and a few small gifts, dispelling the somber mood brought on by the earlier conscription issue. The family chatted and laughed, enjoying a lively and warm time together. When Xingbao finished two candies and reached for the third, his mother quickly raised her hand to gently stop him.

She looked at the group of children and gently instructed them, "Weibao, I'll keep the rest for you. I'll give you one a day, but don't eat them all at once. Your second brother lives in the county town, and it's not easy for him to buy such exquisite candies. In these chaotic times, such snacks are even rarer."

Children can't always resist adults, and even though Wei Bao was reluctant, he could only obediently give in and watch helplessly as his mother put away the candy. Seeing his mother get up and head towards the kitchen, intending to find a place to hide it, he immediately and nimbly slid off his father's lap, tiptoed, and quietly followed behind, his little head looking left and right, eager to peek where his mother hid the candy so he could secretly find it and satisfy his craving later.

Currently, in the entire Qingshan Bao village, only the neighboring village where the village head resides has a local school. The school still teaches traditional old books and old-fashioned articles, with outdated teaching methods and rigid content that have remained unchanged for many years. The eldest brother saw this opportunity and planned to reopen a modern school in his village.

Upon hearing this, the eldest brother nodded solemnly, having already thoroughly considered the matter in his mind. He calmly replied, "Father, I understand. Since the Baoxue Academy charges one shi of grain per term, I will just be on par with them. Although it is a bit higher than ordinary private schools, it is much lower than the primary school in Yaodu. I teach modern subjects, which will give students the confidence and practical value to continue their studies. This is fundamentally different from the old-fashioned private schools with outdated content and rigid teaching methods. Secondly, by not undercutting prices to attract students or breaking industry rules, I can avoid competition among peers and suspicion from the headmaster, allowing the academy to take root and establish itself steadily. Thirdly, this will also allow me to select students who are genuinely eager to learn and respect their teachers, preventing unruly and idle children from causing trouble and disrupting the academy's atmosphere."

He gazed out the window at the vast sky, his eyes revealing a calm ambition and the forbearance of a chaotic world. He continued softly, "In a few years, if the situation is stable and I am still in the village with some savings, I plan to buy a plot of land in the back mountain and build a proper school building. I will no longer make do with temporary schools, but build a proper school and gradually realize my goal of educating people."

As the conversation turned to school regulations and the chaotic times, the atmosphere in the main room grew even heavier. Seeing this, Xingbao quickly spoke up, intentionally changing the subject, and suggested, "Brother, the Baoxueguan (a school for protecting the education system) was established under the government's initiative, with government subsidies backing it up. Your school is a modern one, with innovative teaching methods and practical content. Why don't you take the initiative to reach out to the village head and the local people, and try to smooth things over? Perhaps our new school can also secure government subsidies, easing the burden on our operations."

The elder brother chuckled softly upon hearing this, his understanding both insightful and realistic. He slowly shook his head and explained, "Your idea is quite idealistic, but the rules and regulations of the time are never that simple. The school in the neighboring village is a private academy for beginners that the government mandates to be established; it's a mandatory task from above, and naturally, it receives special subsidies. Even Shuangfeng Academy, which I attended before, a proper place for learning and scholarship, never received any government subsidies. At most, the government provided some minor conveniences in terms of facilities and access."

His gaze was steady as he revealed a deeper concern: "Furthermore, if I were to go to the village to request the establishment of a new school and seek subsidies, I would only invite trouble. The village officials have always valued talent, and knowing that I have studied modern education for many years and have the ability to conduct research, they will surely take the opportunity to recruit me and force me to stay and teach in the village's public school. In these chaotic times, one cannot refuse a government summons. If I insist on not staying, it would be an open act of defiance against the government, needlessly offending all the village officials. In the future, our village's schooling, breeding, and contract farming will all be subject to discrimination and restrictions, which would be a net loss."

After listening to his elder brother's thorough analysis, Xingbao instantly understood the pros and cons. He secretly sighed, realizing that his past life's experiences had made things too simplistic. He couldn't help but chime in, "Brother, according to you, we can't easily approach the village head, lest we needlessly strain our relationship. Fortunately, we and the village school aren't in the same village. We each run our own schools, so it's actually less troublesome that we don't interfere with each other."