The Greatest Temptation
It was the idle season for farming, and at noon, all the villagers were free. As soon as they heard the sound of the gong, everyone hurried over to join the excitement.
This village has about three hundred people. More than half came to watch the commotion—men, women, young and old crowded outside the hut, curiously sizing up these few dignified strangers.
Princess Jade Hayes smiled gently at the crowd, while Mia Qian and Quentin Qian, put off by the villagers’ shabby clothes and lingering odor, pinched their noses and retreated a few steps in distaste.
Princess Jade Hayes looked at the villagers, pointed to the hut, and raised her voice: "Folks, do you know what this hut is for?"
The villagers exchanged glances and shook their heads. The village chief, who was a bit more knowledgeable, ventured, "I heard from the officials that this hut is supposed to be a school. But I don’t believe it—I've seen the schools in Chang’an, and they don’t look like this at all!"
"That's right, a school shouldn’t look like this. This is just a hut!" The simple villagers chimed in, echoing the chief.
Mia Qian muttered coolly from behind, "See? I’m not the only one saying it. A hut is a hut, and a school is a school."
Princess Jade Hayes listened to everyone, smiled, and nodded, "You’re all right, it really is just a hut. But the court plans to use this hut as a school, to teach everyone how to read and write."
The village chief asked, surprised, "The court wants to teach us to read? Oh, our village has been here for hundreds of years, and no one’s ever learned to read. Besides, we’re poor—our kids can’t afford tuition, so they can’t go to school. Even if the school doesn’t charge, it’s better for the children to stay home and help out. That way we have more hands to earn a living."
In the countryside, every bit of labor is precious—even half-grown children have to pitch in and work.
Even with a free school, they still can't afford to attend.
Princess Jade Hayes was met with a chilly reception. Mia Qian and Quentin Qian gloated behind her, whispering, "Listen to what these villagers are saying—even with a free school, they won't send their children."
Princess Jade Hayes smiled unconcernedly and said, "What if this school not only doesn't charge fees, but also gives food to everyone who comes to class?"
"What? The school teaches reading for free and even gives out food? Is there really such a good thing?!" The villagers perked up as soon as they heard about the food.
"That's right!" Princess Jade Hayes picked up a small bronze gong and struck it twice. Seeing the villagers' eyes light up at the mention of food, she announced loudly, "There will be food—big white steamed buns, and big meat buns! Pure meat filling, so juicy that one bite fills your mouth with savory oil!"
The villagers' eyes instantly turned green with envy and longing.
Big white steamed buns! They couldn't even get their hands on white buns during New Year!
Big meat buns, pure meat filling—there were so few in the village who'd ever tasted one, you could count them on your fingers.
For villagers who barely had enough to eat or wear, food was simply the greatest temptation!
"If we come to school, will we really get white steamed buns and big meat buns?" Several half-grown boys in the village gulped hard, their eyes fixed eagerly on Princess Jade Hayes.
Princess Jade Hayes nodded confidently and said, "Of course it's true! Our school doesn't teach ancient texts, just teaches you to recognize characters! There are two thousand characters in total. For every hundred characters you learn and pass the teacher's test, you'll get a big white steamed bun; for every five hundred characters, you'll get two extra big meat buns! Let me do the math for you—if you learn all two thousand characters, you'll get twenty big white steamed buns and eight big meat buns!"