Your Students Will Spread Across the World

Although Zhang Mu felt it was somewhat improper to announce without written documents, considering it was a plan everyone agreed on and that the village chief position was practically guaranteed to himself, he reluctantly agreed to avoid spoiling the mood.

The village chief was very busy and went off to attend to his own affairs. Su Li and the others roamed freely, visiting the school. When they reached the room with the hanging portrait of Confucius, they saw several parents leading their children to bow before it, hoping Confucius would bless their kids to top the imperial exams and achieve great success.

Next to Confucius's portrait hung two other portraits.

One was a portrait of Su Li painted by Li Yanhao, and the other was of Yuan Jie. Both were the founders and honorary deans of the school.

Wu Caiwei stared at Su Li's portrait and smiled, "Ah Li, this portrait really captures your likeness perfectly."

"I think it’s well done too," Chen agreed.

Behind them, Xiao Zetian snorted as he stared at the portrait. Su Li looked handsome, but since it was painted by Li Yanhao, it annoyed him greatly!

While Su Li and the others were chatting, some parents who had just finished bowing to the portraits came out. Seeing Su Li and Yuan Jie, they exclaimed and compared them to the portraits, happily saying, "These must be Dean Su and Dean Yuan!"

It was the first time Su Li had been called "Dean Su," and he felt a bit awkward.

"Oh, you two are such great benefactors, sponsoring the school and even paying scholarships for poor students. Truly a great deed!" The parents, dressed plainly and clearly poor, said. Without Su Li’s school, their children would never have had the chance to study.

Wutong Academy was a noble school, only accessible to the very wealthy and powerful; Qingmiao Academy in Qingmiao City charged very high tuition, unaffordable for most.

But Haizi School charged very low fees, with cheap meals and lodging. Good students could even receive scholarships, giving many poor children the chance to study.

Several parents hurriedly pulled their children over to kneel and bow to Su Li and Yuan Jie.

Su Li and Yuan Jie hurried to stop them, but the parents insisted, "Remember, you can attend school only because of benefactors Dean Su and Dean Yuan! Bow to them!"

The children kowtowed several times, their faces full of sincerity as they looked at Su Li and Yuan Jie.

Seeing the children's innocent, eager faces and the parents' heartfelt gratitude, Su Li and Yuan Jie exchanged a glance, both feeling their investment in the school was truly worthwhile!

"Children, get up quickly!" Su Li and Yuan Jie helped the children up. Looking at their innocent faces, Su Li said, "You must study hard from now on, not disappointing your family and teachers. When you succeed, give your family a good life, understood?"

"Understood, Dean Su! We will study hard and succeed in the future!" the children answered with their tender voices.

"Alright, hurry up and register!" Su Li patted the children's heads and told the parents to take their kids to register and organize their dormitories.

Thanks to the scholarship program, Haizi School enrolled over two hundred students this time. The children's innocent smiles and laughter echoed throughout the bustling school. Xiao Zetian, with his arm around Su Li's shoulder, smiled as they watched the eager students.

Xiao Zetian looked at Su Li with eyes full of adoration and admiration: "Wife, within ten years, these children will pass the imperial exams and embark on official careers, spreading across the land. And you will have students all over the world. By then, everyone will know that Haizi Village has a successful businesswoman and dean."