Rebirth and Reversal of Fortune

Chapter 314 Charitable Acts and the Popularization of Education

Su Jinxiu organized charitable activities to help impoverished people, winning their hearts and minds.

In order to establish a good image for the Marquis's mansion in the hearts of the people, Su Jinxiu carefully planned a series of charitable activities. She first set up a soup kitchen in the mansion, providing free hot porridge and food to the poor people who were starving every day.

"Don't worry, everyone, there will be enough for everyone!" Su Jinxiu was busy at the porridge stall, her voice gentle yet firm.

In addition to providing food, Su Jinxiu also organized a clothing donation drive. The entire Marquis's household responded enthusiastically, sorting out surplus clothing and giving it to those shivering in the cold wind.

"With these clothes, this winter won't be so hard to get through." An elderly man accepted the clothes, his eyes filled with gratitude.

Meanwhile, Su Jinxiu also hired doctors to set up a clinic outside the Marquis's residence to provide free medical care to the people. For those who were seriously ill but had no money for treatment, the Marquis's residence also provided medicine free of charge.

"Madam is truly a living Bodhisattva!" The people praised Su Jinxiu's good deeds.

However, the implementation of charitable activities is not always smooth sailing.

Because so many people came seeking help, the soup kitchens and free clinics often became chaotic.

"This can't go on; accidents could easily happen," the servant in charge reported to Su Jinxiu with great concern.

Su Jinxiu immediately adjusted her strategy, increasing manpower to maintain order and making reasonable arrangements for people to queue for supplies and medical treatment.

But a new problem arose: the Marquis's mansion's supplies began to run out.

"Madam, at this rate, our supplies will soon run out."

Su Jinxiu decided to use part of the Marquis's funds to purchase more grain, clothing and medicine from other places.

"No matter how much money it takes, we must help the people get through this difficult time."

Just as Su Jinxiu was busy with charity work, some discordant voices began to emerge.

Some say the Marquis's mansion is putting on a show, just to win people's hearts.

"They're not genuinely trying to help us; they're definitely up to something."

Hearing these rumors, Su Jinxiu was not angry. Instead, she worked even harder to do everything well and proved the Hou family's sincerity with her actions.

As time went on, more and more people felt the goodwill of the Marquis's mansion, and those rumors were dispelled on their own.

But just then, a rare epidemic broke out in some areas, bringing new challenges to Su Jinxiu's charity work.

"This epidemic is spreading rapidly, how should we deal with it?"

We will vigorously promote the popularization of education and improve the cultural quality of the people in the area under the jurisdiction of the Marquis's residence.

After achieving some success in their charitable activities, Su Jinxiu and Xiao Ling turned their attention to the field of education. They knew that improving the cultural literacy of the people was crucial for the long-term prosperity and stability of the Marquis's territory.

Su Jinxiu first summoned the advisors of the Marquis's mansion and some insightful people in the local area to discuss a plan for popularizing education.

"We need to build more schools so that all children have the opportunity to read and write," Su Jinxiu said.

Xiao Ling agreed: "Not only children, but adults should also have the opportunity to learn."

Therefore, the Marquis's mansion funded the construction of schools in various towns and villages. These schools not only taught Confucian classics, but also imparted practical skills and knowledge, such as arithmetic, farming, and handicrafts.

To attract more children to enroll, the Marquis's residence also provides free books and stationery to children from impoverished families, along with a certain amount of living allowance.

"As long as you are willing to learn, the Marquis's Mansion will fully support you." Su Jinxiu personally went to the school to encourage the children.

However, the process of popularizing education has not been smooth sailing.

Some traditional views hold that studying is useless and that it is better to let children work and earn money as early as possible.

"What's the use of reading so many books? It's more practical to farm."

Some parents are unwilling to send their children to school.

Su Jinxiu and Xiao Ling then organized people to go into people's homes and patiently explain the benefits of reading.

"Reading can give children more opportunities to change their destiny."

At the same time, the shortage of teachers is also a problem.

The Marquis's residence gradually solved the teacher shortage problem by hiring and training local talents with high salaries.

However, new problems have emerged. The teaching quality in some schools is uneven, and some teachers use inappropriate teaching methods, resulting in poor learning outcomes for students.

"If this continues, universal education will remain just empty words," a worried official in charge of education said.

Su Jinxiu decided to conduct regular inspections and evaluations of the school, rewarding teachers who excelled in their teaching and providing training or dismissing those who were not up to standard.

After a period of effort, more and more children have entered school, and the public's emphasis on education has gradually increased.

However, at this moment, a debate about the content of the education broke out within the Marquis's residence.

Some people believe that traditional Confucian classics should be the primary source of knowledge to cultivate students' character and etiquette; others believe that practical skills should be taught to meet the needs of social development.

"Confucian classics are fundamental and cannot be abandoned."

"Practical skills are essential for children to establish themselves in society."

Su Jinxiu and Xiao Ling were caught in a dilemma.