Everyone was skeptical about this benefit: "Reading can't fill our stomachs."
"Reading costs a lot of money. Where would we get money to study?"
Lao Li tapped his old pipe, signaling the crowd to quiet down.
The crowd gave Lao Li face, quieting down to listen to him continue.
"You people really understand nothing. Why can those officials hold office? Isn't it because they know how to read?" Lao Li said seriously, "This reading and literacy not only help in becoming an official but also in trade and earning money."
"Lao Li, we also know reading can lead to becoming an official and earning money. But where would we get money to study?"
"Exactly, we can't even eat our fill. Where would we get money to study?"
"Even if we sold all we have, we couldn't afford to study." Although they hadn't studied, they knew it was costly, only the wealthy could afford it.
"That's the other benefit I wanted to mention." Lao Li said, keeping them in suspense.
