Xu Er hurriedly said, "Father, I’ll go out and join the third brother in entertaining the congratulatory guests, you take your ti..."
Before he finished speaking, he was scolded by Elder Xu again.
Elder Xu pointed at him with a rattan stick and shouted, "It’s just a few guests, do you and your brother both need to entertain them? Go find a way to deal with the Liu Family and make them leave as soon as possible!"
Xu Er understood that his father had told him to make the Liu Family Cloth Store close within half a month, but in truth, the sooner the Liu Family was done for, the better.
"Yes, father, I’ll handle it right away." Xu Er was also afraid of his father and quickly left, gathering the shopkeepers and housekeepers from all of the Xu Family’s shops to discuss how to deal with the Liu Family.
After Xu Er left, Elder Xu used the rattan stick to strike Xu Zhao Ming’s body thirty tis before stopping.
However, these thirty strikes were symbolic; the first ten were fierce, causing the skin to break and the others were more showy—Elder Xu was also afraid of harming his precious grandson.
With a slap, Elder Xu placed the rattan stick heavily on the table, looking at Xu Zhao Ming, who was lying on the ground, and asked, "Do you understand your mistake?"
Xu Zhao Ming, beaten almost to fainting, was strong-willed, gritting his teeth and replied, "Grandson, understands the mistake."
Elder Xu asked again, "What was the mistake? I can’t believe you’re so foolish as to be used by an idiot without realizing it."
Xu Zhao Ming naturally knew that Liu Sheng instigated him to go against the Gu Family, but the truth was he looked down on Gu Jin’an and wanted to compete with him, to tear down his face, ultimately losing completely.
Elder Xu understood this very well, which was why he was so angry, "There are always more capable people out there. You’re smart, but there are many in the world smarter and more capable than you. When you et soone more skilled, even if they hail from a farming family, you should not look down on them."
"You despised Gu Jin’an’s family background, but did you know that his family befriends nobles? Also, while our Xu Family may seem prosperous, in others’ eyes, we’re just wealthy upstarts with money but no power."
Brother Ming looked down on the Gu Family, but in reality, noble families and officials’ families didn’t necessarily respect the Xu Family either.
"Considering our background, the Xu Family is only a few decades wealthier than the Gu Family; your great-grandfather even fard. What’s there to look down on about the Gu Family?"
"Don’t bla Grandpa for beating you today. If Grandpa didn’t discipline you, next ti you repeat such a mistake, it won’t just be a loss of face, but it could cost you your life!"
Elder Xu patiently explained a lot to Xu Zhao Ming, concluding with, "Don’t underestimate the young who are poor, and don’t rely on wealth. The poor can rise, and the rich can lose their fortunes."
Xu Zhao Ming listened throughout, not daring to retort. After hearing it all, he bowed deeply to Elder Xu, "Grandfather’s teachings, I rember... Today it is indeed my fault; I shouldn’t have pursued vanity and done wrong. I want to choose a day and personally go to the Gu Family to apologize."
Elder Xu was very pleased, "That’s right. It’s not that Grandpa won’t help you, but that Gu Jin’an is indeed capable and a good person. Such a person, you should befriend. If you beco enemies with him, you’ll suffer later; he is close friends with the legitimate heirs of the Jinling Zheng Family and the Shangguan Family, they don’t fear us at all."
Elder Xu knew his grandson’s temperant, fearing that he might misunderstand again and think Gu Jin’an flattered others to make connections, so he explained the Lu Family’s situation too.
"The Gu Family discovered that Old Master Lu was an escaped slave and reported it to the authorities, revealing that Old Master Lu caused the death of a Shangguan family legitimate son, bringing the legitimate heirs of the Zheng and Shangguan families to our county, which is how Gu Jin’an t them."
So it wasn’t Gu Jin’an fawning over the legitimate heirs—rather, the Gu Family did a favor for those two families, hence their association.
Xu Zhao Ming, who only returned during New Year, had not heard of this matter. He always thought that Gu Jin’an, a simpleton, relied on flattery to befriend noble young masters, never expecting this was the reason.
Xu Zhao Ming, feeling more ashad, began to cry and said, "Grandfather, I’m sorry, it was greed that clouded my judgnt, only seeing the bad in people and unwilling to acknowledge others’ abilities."
Seeing him cry, Elder Xu softened his tone out of heartache, "It’s good that you’ve realized your mistake, don’t repeat it in the future."
Xu Zhao Ming nodded, acknowledged his understanding, and then fainted.
Elder Xu was startled and quickly shouted for Housekeeper Xu, "Lao Shou, quickly bring in the doctor!"
"Coming," Housekeeper Xu hurriedly brought in the already invited doctor to examine Xu Zhao Ming’s injuries.
...
At Futai Building, Gu Dashan and his family were elated upon learning that Gu Jin’an had beco the county top scorer, with the other four also making the list.
Gu Dalin, always composed, was shocked when he heard that both his son and nephew had passed, pointing at them in disbelief: "You two also passed?"
Showing an expression of disbelief.
Gu Qingtian, feeling embarrassed, smiled, "Yes, Father, Brother Qingliang and I both passed."
Gu Dalin finally believed, extrely delighted, laughing heartily, "This ti, let’s see what your grandmother and your uncle will have to say. When the ssengers bringing the news arrive at our ho, they will surely be startled."
Upon hearing that Gu Jin’an and his group had all passed, Boss Hu imdiately ordered the staff to scatter a basket of Copper Coins, announcing, "Futai Building congratulates esteed guest Gu Jin’an on becoming the county top scorer."
Passersby, snatching money while asking, "Is the county top scorer waiting at your tavern for the announcent?"
Usually, taverns or inns make such celebrations when the successful candidate is present at their place on the day the results are posted.
The shopkeeper of Futai Building said, "That’s right, today the top five are all here at Futai Building awaiting the announcent."
"Oh my, what a rare fortune, your Futai Building will surely beco famous." Passersby congratulated, taking pride in snatching the joy money.
In the private room on the third floor, Gu Dashan, his eyes reddening with emotion, looked at Gu Jin’an, choking up, "Good Brother An..."
Gu Jin’an looked at Gu Dashan, smiled, and held his hand, "Father, there’s nothing more to say, let’s hurry ho. Surely many co to congratulate, and it’s not good to return late."
Gu Dashan, "Yes, let’s hurry."
Led by Boss Hu, the group left through the back door of Futai Building, but instead of heading directly ho, they detoured to the Jiang Family to deliver the happy news personally.
The Jiang family was very pleased. Gu Jin’an personally delivering the news showed his regard for the Shang Family and Jiang Family.
Jiang Dahu, knowing that the Gu family would be very busy today, didn’t keep them long, sending them back ho quickly.
However, he gave Gu Jin’an a tip, "The County Magistrate Zheng values your essay on farming. To verify whether what you wrote is true, he will definitely summon you to the county governnt these days. You must prepare everything properly, to avoid any mistakes."
Gu Jin’an’s essay on farming discusses the processing of crops into food, stating that food is the root of the court, which would certainly cause a stir upon release.
County Magistrate Zheng will surely submit a report to the governnt office, but before that, he must personally verify the two types of processed foods written by Gu Jin’an.
Gu Jin’an said, "Grandpa Jiang, don’t worry, everything is prepared at ho, there won’t be any mistakes."
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