Chapter 2904

"The plan is sound," Yan Zhong nodded seriously from the side. "As farmers, our only path is through learning. No matter what the future holds, we must ensure this child studies hard."

Yan Zhong deeply respected those with literary cultivation. This was why he had intervened when Old Zhang suggested protecting such people. He believed that while political movements eventually ended, culture, learning, and personal refinement remained one’s own. The sea of knowledge had no boundaries.

Yan Xiwan looked at the newspaper. Most of it contained slogans, but she focused on news from outside. To others, she could only recognize characters, but she understood the meaning.

She saw reports that schools, especially universities, were being emptied. Her brows furrowed slightly as she looked up. "Father, if there are no more universities, how will we study in the future?"

"No universities?" Yan Tieniu looked at Yan Xiwan in confusion.

Yan Xiwan pointed to a line in the paper. "Look, they are clearing out the universities."

Yan Tieniu took the paper, read it, and passed it to Yan Zhong.

After reading, Yan Zhong said, "It seems the chaos has reached its peak. The eldest brother will likely release a batch of educated people soon. You can arrange things then. We will save as many as we can."

"Understood," Yan Tielong nodded.

"I will keep an eye on this news," Yan Tiehu added.

"The darkness before dawn is always brief," Yan Zhong murmured. "Once we pass this period, we will enjoy more light."

In the following days, tension rose. Although Yan Family Village seemed calm, few people went out. The outside tension had clearly affected them.

However, the village received another batch of so-called "released" individuals. Recently, the number of such people in Yan Family Village had reached seven.

Fortunately, the village was remote and peaceful. No one suspected anything about these newcomers. Inspectors often saw Yan Family’s third son reading various "treasure books" to them, educating them to be good people. Seeing their active labor, inspectors believed Yan Family Village was educating them well.

Most importantly, no one suspected Yan Tiebao of deception. Everyone knew that after a high fever in childhood, although he appeared normal, his reactions were slightly slower than others. He always performed tasks with deep concentration. Therefore, when he read to them, it was seen as sincere education, without any hidden agenda.

No one knew that Yan Tiebao himself had changed. Over the years, his intelligence had grown. Although not as sharp as his brothers, he was now normal. To the outside world, he still appeared simple-minded, but in reality, he was honest on the surface but shrewd inside.

Yan Zhong noticed his third son’s change. It had started when his granddaughter was born, making him believe Old Zhang’s words even more. Because of this, entrusting these "bad" elements to Yan Tiebao was the best choice.

With Yan Tiebao present, the authorities felt very secure about Yan Family Village. They sent many people here, but educated youth did not come. Although educated youth came to support rural production, many had become troublesome over the years.

One day, Yan Tiebao was going to read the "treasure books" again. Yan Xiwan learned of this and asked, "Third Uncle, can I go with you?"

"You want to go too, Guai Guai?" Yan Tiebao asked.

Yan Xiwan nodded vigorously. "It’s boring at home. I’ve finished all of Brother’s textbooks. I want to go out for a walk."

"Alright, but Guai Guai must stay by Third Uncle’s side and not disturb my work," Yan Tiebao said. He loved his niece dearly.

"I am very good," Yan Xiwan said seriously.

"Yes, our Guai Guai is always good," Yan Tiebao admitted. she only reminded her because she worried she might offend those people. Although they were currently down on their luck, they might rise again one day. As plays often said, grievances would eventually be cleared. Injustice would pass, sooner or later.

However, Yan Tiebao only worried briefly. Remembering her niece’s obedience, she said nothing more and took her along.

They arrived at the old house. Several mud-brick rooms had been built around it for the residents.

Villagers saw Yan Tiebao and smiled, knowing he was going to do ideological work. Previously, some were curious, but after following him a few times and seeing him only read from the books, they lost interest.

Yan Tiebao entered and saw all seven elderly men. He smiled. "All uncles are here." He opened a sack beside him, revealing fine grain. "I brought ten jin of fine grain. Please keep it. I will send more every other day."

"Why are you giving fine grain now?" Old Zhang asked.

Yan Tiebao smiled. "Most coarse grain was handed over. The remaining coarse grain is for show. Only this fine rice and flour is left."

Old Zhang understood instantly and chuckled. "You are making a fortune in silence."

Yan Xiwan remained quiet, observing them curiously.

Old Zhang noticed Yan Xiwan beside Yan Tiebao. "You brought Aniu’s Guai Guai out? Be careful, or your Fifth Uncle will beat you when you return."

"My father doesn’t beat people randomly," Yan Xiwan said seriously.

Yan Tiebao laughed. "Guai Guai, these are grandpas. This is Grandpa Zhang, this is Grandpa Li…" He introduced them one by one.

Yan Xiwan greeted each of them as her Third Uncle did. Then she said, "Third Uncle, I will play at the door."

"Go ahead." The door was open, allowing clear visibility. Yan Tiebao was not worried.

Yan Xiwan squatted at the door, watching ants move.

"Your Guai Guai seems very smart," Old Zhang said with a smile.

"Uncle Zhang, thanks to you. Guai Guai is indeed smart. She is only three, but already studying seedling textbooks. We worry about what to teach her in the future," Yan Tiebao said. Although she expressed worry, her eyes were full of pride.

"I think you are proud, not worried," Old Zhang said. "We old ghosts have no great skills, but we have read more books than you. Bring her here often. We can teach her other knowledge."

"Really? Will that trouble you, Uncle Zhang?" Yan Tiebao knew some of these seven were university professors.

"What trouble? We are hiding here for peace. We need something to contribute," said Old Pan, one of the released professors.

"Then I will tell my father and Fifth Uncle. We will make arrangements," Yan Tiebao said.

"If your family agrees, bring her when you come to read the books. On the surface, you read the books; in reality, we teach her," Old Pan suggested.

They owed Yan Family a debt of gratitude. Naturally, they wanted to repay it. Although it was their first formal meeting with Yan Xiwan, she left a very good impression. Such a well-behaved and cute child was rare even in their original circles.

Yan Tiebao returned and told Yan Zhong and Yan Tieniu.

Yan Tieniu said, "I have no objection. The more a child learns, the better. Let’s listen to Father’s opinion."

"Let’s do it," Yan Zhong said. "The outside situation is tense, but we are relatively peaceful. Tomorrow, Fifth Uncle, you should find Tiezhu. Let him persuade the villagers to let these seven serve as启蒙 (enlightenment) teachers for the children. Of course, we must be vigilant externally. If anything happens, we must be ready to move."

Yan Tieniu and Yan Tiebao thought only of Yan Xiwan, but Yan Zhong considered the entire Yan Family Village.

The villagers were all Yan clan members. Although some were distant relatives, they lived in harmony. In this era, finding a qualified teacher was difficult, but children’s education could not be delayed. If Yan Zhong’s proposal succeeded, it would be excellent for the village, cultivating outstanding descendants in advance.

Hearing his father’s words, Yan Tieniu said, "Alright. I will find Brother Tiezhu right away."

Yan Tiezhu, though sharing the character "Tie," was not of their immediate family but a third-generation cousin. He was currently the village head.

Yan Tiezhu possessed Yan Zhong’s demeanor. He admired this distant cousin the most, which was why Yan Family Village developed so smoothly.

Therefore, when Yan Tieniu proposed it, Yan Tiezhu agreed immediately.

She knew the caliber of these seven talents. If they secretly taught the village children, the children would surely have a bright future.

However, this had to be done privately. Secrecy was crucial. Fortunately, most villagers were Yan clan members, and no educated youth were present. The chance of leakage was ninety-nine percent unlikely.

They set the classroom in the mud-brick room. During lessons, several village aunties would take turns cutting shoe soles, knitting, or chatting nearby. If they noticed anything suspicious, they would warn them in advance.