In years of famine and drought, their village even rejected fatty meat.

Chapter 686 Observations (24)

Since Chenjia Village became famous, not only have a large number of ordinary people flocked to it, but many scholars have also come to Chenjia Village hoping to find a livelihood.

Some of these scholars would become accountants for merchants, some would become shopkeepers, and some would become teachers at the Chenjia Village School.

These scholars, without exception, were all without official titles or honors; they were the down-on-their-luck scholars that Li Zheng was referring to.

"Prime Minister Li should know that the imperial examination is extremely difficult, and not everyone can pass it."

Li Zheng continued, "If you can't pass the imperial examinations and your family is poor, you naturally need to find a job to make a living."

Li Mingyuan nodded slightly. This was the reality for the vast majority of poor scholars in this era. Taking the imperial examination was like a thousand troops crossing a single-plank bridge. Only a small number of people were lucky enough to cross the bridge, while the majority of the rest could only stay behind the bridge, enviously watching those who had crossed.

"The school in Chenjia Village offered excellent benefits, so many scholars who came to Chenjia Village to make a living chose to enter the school and become teachers. This is the source of the school's teachers."

"I see."

Li Mingyuan continued walking with Li Zheng, and along the way they encountered many teachers from the school. Most of these teachers were relatively young and very polite, greeting Li Zheng, Li Mingyuan and his group with great enthusiasm.

Li Zheng and Li Mingyuan nodded in response.

Before long, Li Mingyuan, who had just arrived at the door of a classroom, suddenly stopped and asked Li Zhengdao, "What kind of knowledge does this Chencun School mainly teach?"

"It mainly teaches children to recognize characters and to do arithmetic."

Li Zheng replied, "In addition, the school will also hire some craftsmen as teachers to teach students some craft skills."

"Craftsmanship?"

Li Mingyuan frowned. Teaching literacy and arithmetic was understandable, since literacy and arithmetic were the most basic requirements for scholars. However, teaching craftsmen was something Li Mingyuan could not understand.

What does reading have to do with craftsmen?

Of course, this is not to say that Li Mingyuan has any prejudice against craftsmen, but rather that he has never heard of studying and learning craftsmanship.

Why learn a craftsman's skill?

Li Mingyuan frowned and asked.

"I do not know either!"

Li Zheng shook his head and said, "This is what Dao Ge'er requested. Dao Ge'er once said that the existence of Chenjia Village School has never been to cultivate scholars who only know how to recite poems and compose couplets and are all talk and no action, but to cultivate people who are useful to Chenjia Village."

He also said that only by equipping children with a skill can they have the means to make a living.

"That's an interesting statement."

Li Mingyuan fell into deep thought; these words gave him some insights.

Indeed, those scholars who only know how to talk big and are all talk and no action are of no use to society. On the contrary, many craftsmen make great contributions to the country.

During times of war, artisans can create armor and weapons to help the country defend against powerful enemies, while in times of peace, the various agricultural tools and cooking utensils they make can help people produce and live better.

In Li Mingyuan's view, the contributions of craftsmen to the country and to this land far surpass those of scholars who only know how to engage in lofty discussions. However, the reality is...

The artisans who made greater contributions had a social status far lower than that of scholars.

"Dao Ge'er has always attached great importance to craftsmen."

Li Zheng continued, "Not only will craftsmen be hired to teach children skills at the school, but the craftsmen in the village are also generally paid more than ordinary workers. As a result, many people in Chenjia Village aspire to become craftsmen, and even..."

At this point, Li Zheng couldn't help but laugh: "Many children in the school dream of becoming craftsmen."

If these words were spoken to those pedantic scholars, they would probably be heartbroken and vehemently condemn Chenjia Village for its rebellious and corrupting literary style. However, the few people present did not find anything wrong with them.

Zheng Qiuyan was already used to Chen Dao's astonishing remarks, while Li Qiao was completely unconcerned.

Only Li Mingyuan frowned after hearing these words, but his brows quickly relaxed. He didn't understand why Chen Dao valued craftsmen so much, but based on his current understanding of Chenjia Village, craftsmen were undoubtedly extremely important.

Whether it's building bridges and roads, or constructing houses and cultivating fields, the help of craftsmen is indispensable.

"I know why my brother values ​​craftsmen so much."

Just then, Chen Fei's clear voice rang out: "My brother said that workers and farmers are the greatest people in the world. Only by vigorously developing all kinds of crafts and skills can the people of Chenjia Village live a stable and prosperous life."

The greatest person?

Upon hearing this, everyone present frowned. In a feudal country like Xia, Chen Dao's words were truly treasonous. Workers and peasants were the greatest people. Where did he place the emperor? And where did he place the scholars, who were ranked first among the social classes of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants?

"Xiaofei, did your brother really say that?"

Li Mingyuan looked at Chen Fei and asked in a deep voice.

"Yes."

Chen Fei nodded seriously. She had always admired Chen Dao, and she would never forget what Chen Dao had said.

“My brother said that grain is grown by farmers, and houses and farm tools are made by workers. Without workers and farmers, we wouldn’t even be able to afford to eat!”

"!"

A huge exclamation mark appeared in Li Mingyuan's mind, and he felt a sense of sudden enlightenment.

Yes!

Food is grown by farmers, and houses, bridges, and farm tools are made by workers. Without workers and farmers, where would the food come from to fill our stomachs? Where would the houses come from to keep us warm?

From this perspective, workers and peasants are indeed the greatest group.

Compared to them, those scholars who do not engage in production and only know how to talk big are nothing!

“Your brother is right.”

Li Mingyuan patted Chen Fei's head and said with a smile, "Workers and farmers are indeed the greatest people."

"Yes, yes, what brother says can't be wrong."

Chen Fei nodded frantically, overjoyed to see that Grandpa Li agreed with her brother.

Li Qiao, Zheng Qiuyan, and Li Zheng stared blankly at Li Mingyuan, completely unexpected that Li Mingyuan would agree with Chen Dao's "treasonous" words.

You must understand that Li Mingyuan was once an official, a scholar among the scholars, farmers, artisans and merchants. How could he possibly agree with the statement that workers and farmers are the greatest?

"Li Xiang..."

Li Zheng wanted to say something, but Li Mingyuan waved his hand.

He knew that Li Zheng would not agree with these words, and he did not intend to force Li Zheng to agree with them. Time would naturally provide the answer as to whether workers or peasants were more important than scholars or intellectuals, and forced debate would not yield any results.