Universal Foundational Education (1/5)

As dusk falls, the sun sets in the west.

As most villagers returned to the village, crowds gradually gathered at the entrance of the ancestral temple in Li Household Village.

However, everyone tacitly found their seats and sat down.

They chatted and laughed together, showing little sign of disorder.

Even the children who climb trees to hunt birds and go down to the river to catch fish during the day.

At this time, she stayed obediently by her parents' side.

Everyone knows that the village meeting, held only once a month, is a very serious matter.

Especially during the spring planting and summer harvest season, everyone in the Production Brigade would report on their work progress and expectations in front of everyone.

As for regular meetings like these during the off-season for farming?

The main topics of these regular meetings are exchanging farming experiences and discussing the difficulties each family is facing. From major issues like getting married and having children to minor issues like neighborhood disputes, anything that happens in the village can be discussed at the village meeting, and then people can ask the old village chief, Li Yu, or Non-Crying Child for help.

During these three years, it was precisely because of this special village assembly mechanism that things have been going well.

No particularly sharp conflicts arose between the locals and outsiders in Li Household Village.

Moreover, with the birth of more and more newborns, the boundary between locals and outsiders is becoming increasingly blurred.

The old village chief had even considered renaming Li Household Village.

Unfortunately, this proposal ultimately failed to pass at the village meeting.

Even Li Boyang maintained an indifferent attitude.

"Second brother, what issues do you think will be discussed this time?"

Gently nudging his second brother beside him, Li Chengfeng, holding his son who was less than a year old, asked in a low voice.

Beside Li Chengfeng, his wife Ku Gu, who had fled here 113 years ago, simply watched this scene with a gentle smile in her eyes.

For Kugu, whose village was destroyed and who was still quite young, this was Ku Gu.

In such chaotic times, being able to marry a man who doesn't mind one's background is already a very lucky thing.

Needless to say, Li Chengfeng truly loved Ku Gu.

For this reason, he specifically sought out Li Boyang for many medicinal prescriptions for health and wellness.

Otherwise, given Ku Gu's physical condition three years ago, it would have been impossible for her to safely give birth to a child.

What else could it be?

"Let's fix the road that was damaged during the day!"

Li Er reached out and teased his little nephew, then rolled his eyes in annoyance.

"And just when things finally started to get a little better in the last few years, the number of pregnant women and babies in the village kept increasing."

"Non-Crying Child actually couldn't stand watching this for a long time and wanted to create some kind of postpartum safety guidelines."

"He even planned to personally travel to the next town to consult with experienced midwives on how to deliver a baby safely—"

"If it weren't for the old man and his mother stopping him, do you believe that tomorrow everyone would have seen Non-Crying Child for all sorts of livestock?"

When it comes to action, Li Er has never truly admired anyone in his life.

The only one who never followed the usual path, the Non-Crying Child, repeatedly challenged Li Er's worldview.

"I actually think it's a good thing that Non-Crying Child."

Hearing the conversation between her two brothers, Li Er's wife leaned over and whispered something.

"You wicked woman, what nonsense are you spouting!"

"Who is Non-Crying Child? How could she do such a thing!?"

Li Er glared fiercely at his wife, and was about to say something when his wife pinched the fat on his waist.

"Hey! Let's talk things out, why did you have to hit me!"

The nearby villagers burst into laughter at the sight.

At the same time, one can't help but wonder what earth-shattering idea Non-Crying Child will come up with this time?

"What? You're going to teach those kids to read?!"

Staring wide-eyed at Li Boyang, the old village chief almost jumped off his stool.

"It wasn't me, it was mainly the Big Girl."

"And not now, I'm still preparing suitable teaching materials--"

Looking helplessly at the astonished old village chief, Li Boyang realized that every time he offered an idea, the other man would have this look of utter disbelief.

"Don't let Big Girl frequent trips to the mountains fool you; she knows quite a few characters."

"Most importantly, the Big Girl is the leader of the village's children—"

"Let her manage those wild boys and girls; I guarantee she'll keep them completely under her thumb."

Faced with Li Boyang's explanation, Li Jingshu, who was standing next to him, also looked disgusted.

Just a second before, she had no idea that Li Boyang had assigned her such a difficult task.

"Wait—let me teach you first—"

Stopping Li Boyang from continuing his persuasion, the old village chief rubbed his temples and said.

Why did you suddenly decide to teach the kids to read?

Rolling his eyes again, Li Boyang said matter-of-factly.

"Of course it's because they're gradually reaching the age where they can read, but you adults just don't want to learn to read."

"Whether it's the ever-increasing piles of grain in the village or the goods coming in and out, it's something that someone who can't read absolutely cannot calculate."

The old village chief frowned and asked in a deep voice.

"You're still planning to teach them divination?"

In this era, arithmetic and divination were inseparable.

Moreover, Li Boyang did not intend to teach only literacy and arithmetic, so he did not refute the old village chief's statement.

"Knowing some basic facts about the Heavenly Timing and location, calculating the geological formations and watercourses, or even just digging up some yams in the mountains, is still better than completely relying on the weather, right?"

His brows furrowed even more, and the old village chief became unusually serious.

"Non-Crying Child. Have you ever thought that the children in the village are different from you?"

"They are neither born holy nor chosen by the mountain god; knowing too much would only offend the gods."

Nodding in understanding, Li Boyang finally understood the crux of the problem that the old village chief was concerned about.

"Are you afraid they'll lose their sense of awe and bring disaster to the village?"

It's important to understand that even on Earth in my previous life, unrestricted knowledge could bring disaster, let alone in this world where gods truly exist.

However, Li Boyang has a different opinion on this.

"Old man, a person can't just stop moving forward because they're afraid, can they?"

"Shouldn't we be more concerned with how to fill our stomachs than with worrying about offending the gods?"

"Language, writing, rice, fruits, poultry, livestock."

"These things were never part of humankind from the beginning, yet they have long since become an integral part of our daily lives."

"As for those things you're worried about, aren't I and the Mountain God still here?"

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