Chapter 1391 – Southern Prosperity, Autumn of Chaos (Seventeen)
Feng Ren was quite indifferent; if the Golden Scales Academy really underwent reform, it would actually benefit the gentry’s children.
Yuan Jing and the others had to consider the ordinary students currently enrolled in the academy.
Jiang Pengji immediately noticed the thoughts of the gentlemen, and couldn’t help but chuckle, easing their worries.
“Last year’s enrollment, in addition to our regular admissions, we opened fifty extra spots to recruit students from outside. Do you gentlemen remember this?”
At the mention, expressions on Feng Ren and the others turned a bit strange.
Why, you ask?
Because those students were not only judged by their talent but also by their family’s wealth!
In a nutshell, you could describe those students with one phrase—
“Rich in cash, but poor in everything else!”
Scholarly types tend to be quite aloof, especially those engaged in education. When they received such an instruction from Jiang Pengji, each felt a bit reluctant inside. Education is noble and great; how could it be tainted with dirty money? Money should be treated like dirt!
Cheng Cheng said, “I remember; those kids have quite some talent and work hard, so they haven’t disgraced the Golden Scales Academy.”
If those students were just spoiled brats, not only would they have to be rich, but even the power and influence wouldn’t convince them to let Jiang Pengji run amok.
Jiang Pengji replied, “It’s good that you remember, then you should also remember that these students come from decent families?”
Mr. Yuan Jing smiled wryly, “If there’s something to say, Lan Ting can speak directly, no need for riddles!”
If she weren’t the Lord, it would be easy for her to get smacked.
Jiang Pengji smiled, “What I mean is we should hold an investment conference; only the highest bidder qualifies to fund the construction of a branch of the Golden Scales Academy.”
The group thought they must have misheard.
Not to mention what kind of “investment conference” that was, which sucker would voluntarily compete to have such a chance?
From Jiang Pengji’s tone, it sounded like this was something no one could even wish for?
Feng Ren tentatively asked, “…only the highest bidders… qualify for funding the academy?”
Jiang Pengji raised an eyebrow in suspicion, “Yes, what’s wrong with that?”
There were plenty of problems—it was so ridiculous it was hard to even comment!
Jiang Pengji continued, “Don’t doubt, if we release this news, there will definitely be people with bags of silver begging to build us an academy.”
Everyone fell silent, not wanting to shatter Jiang Pengji’s daydream.
She went on, “Investing in the construction of a branch will allow the investor to carry the title of Honorary Principal once the branch is completed. The government will publicly commend and award them a plaque, and will even support their businesses. For example, in cases of competitor pricing, one party operates a regular store, while the other is a certified merchant by the government; who do you think the Common People will choose?”
Feng Ren and the others were dumbfounded.
Is there really such a trick?
“The scholar-farmer-merchant hierarchy places merchants last. This group often gets criticized. If given this chance, wouldn’t the students from the branch appreciate their Honorary Principal? Wouldn’t their descendants benefit from it?” Jiang Pengji smiled, “If the government deems the merchants as good, the Common People will naturally trust their business. How could these benefits escape the eyes of those astute merchants?”
For the wealthy, often precious things cannot be purchased with money but are things money cannot buy.
True, merchants have wealth, but no matter how rich they are, can they buy respect from the public? Newborns of wealthy families are already seen as inferior; respect is beyond their reach.
Being Honorary Principal would mean befriending a potential powerhouse from the academy—what an impressive network and invisible wealth that would bring!
After Jiang Pengji’s pointers, Feng Ren and the others realized this layer and couldn’t help but mock their stupidity.
They said no fool would willingly engage in such a ridiculous endeavor, not realizing this was indeed a golden opportunity worth fighting for!
Feng Ren’s political instincts hadn’t dulled; he swiftly caught on to the main point.
“Lan Ting plans to support the merchants?”
“I know what you’re worried about, but supporting merchants is essential. Living is all about living better. Scholar, farmer, and merchant, who isn’t driven by that?” Jiang Pengji said, “Supporting merchants doesn’t mean indulging them; I see it as regulating and correcting! For this occasion, the merchant who acquires the qualification must ensure their store operates legally, the goods sold are clean, and the prices are fair, with no malicious price-hiking, cutthroat competition, or harm to the Common People—”
The external perception of merchants is poor, largely due to the political correctness against them, but merchants also carry plenty of their own faults.
Indeed, Jiang Pengji planned to support merchants, but she wouldn’t allow them to slap her in the face while doing so.
Feng Ren said, “If that’s the case, it wouldn’t be bad.”
It’s beneficial for both parties, he had no reason to oppose.
However—
Feng Ren continued, “If we hand the branch over to them… this…”
Jiang Pengji said, “You’ve misunderstood my intentions; the branch will still operate according to the main academy’s rules, with equal treatment, and the position of head and teaching staff will be chosen by you gentlemen. The student source will be a bit more flexible, with half being orphans of heroes and half being recruited from outside.”
Even if Jiang Pengji supported the poor, she wouldn’t close the door on other classes.
Rather than having a single type blossom, she preferred a hundred flowers to bloom.
Feng Ren felt he had passed the test, but Mr. Yuan Jing had something to say, “Where does Lan Ting plan to select the branch? The Golden Scales Academy’s foundation is still shallow. If it’s too far away, we can’t ensure no one engages in two-faced behavior. Even if it’s just a branch, we still can’t ruin our reputation; governance of the academy should be stricter.”
Jiang Pengji replied, “Both branches will be built in Wanzhou, one in Shangyang County and the other in the Shangjing Prefecture.”
These two locations were under Jiang Pengji’s watchful eyes—who would dare mess around?
Feng Ren laughed, “That’s excellent.”
Shangyang County had a plethora of noble families, but not every family was rich. Many of them barely scraped by except for the primary line.
Building a branch there would compel the impoverished offshoots to compete for places, inadvertently alleviating the contradictions between the nobility and Jiang Pengji.
Shangjing Prefecture had once been the capital of Dongqing but was destroyed in an earthquake.
Jiang Pengji was rebuilding the Wanzhou Prefecture here, attracting Common People and refugees to settle down, and after a year or two of business support, it was invigorating itself once again. Overall, Shangjing Prefecture was a territory for the Common People and one of Jiang Pengji’s strongholds.
Building branches there would naturally attract children from ordinary backgrounds for enrollment.
With two branches, three classes would be balanced, and no one would be offended.
“Aside from that, does Lan Ting have any additional requests?”
Jiang Pengji added, “For the outside recruitment, the ratio of boys to girls should be fifty-fifty; you have no objections to that, right?”
Feng Ren and the others smiled wryly.
Facing a female lord, who would dare utter a single word of “objection”?
Seeing the way Jiang Pengji was positioning herself, it was certain that she would promote a large number of women into official positions; whoever opposed would be directly opposing her.
Having won over the thoughts of these bigwigs, Jiang Pengji felt good about revealing the investment plans.
A stone thrown into calm waters!
