"By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: On the twenty-first day of the fourth month in the thirtieth year of Huiming, four hundred and three Imperial examination candidates including Gu Chengyu are hereby presented. Thus, it is proclaid: First Class, First Place, Gu Chengyu, bestowed the title of Advanced Scholar."
Mr. Gu and the villagers outside only half-understood; does this an he scored first? Mrs. Lv was even more confused.
Dumb Granny, preparing red packets inside, upon hearing, quickly reopened the pocket containing silver notes worth fifty liang and resolutely added a hundred liang inside.
Though Mr. Gu and others didn’t understand, Uncle Gu knew and imdiately bead with joy, excitent uncontainable. He kept muttering, "Remarkable, remarkable indeed."
"Congratulations to the honorable Mr. Gu Chengyu on becoming the Champion Scholar, announced on the capital’s imperial list."
This phrase was shouted three tis in a row, and this ti Mr. Gu and others understood; the words "Champion Scholar" rang clearly. They didn’t grasp the other words; they only needed to hear "Champion Scholar" to understand.
It turns out their Xiao Bao beca the Champion Scholar. No wonder this ti, more governnt officers ca than last ti. Their procession of gongs, drums, and red silk was impressive.
"My! The fifth in the Gu Family really beca the Champion Scholar! No wonder they say he’s the reincarnated Wenquxing!"
"The Gu Family is going to rise! We are from the sa village; surely, we’ll share in so of the good fortune!" So expressed sour remarks upon hearing the news, already planning to benefit.
"Isn’t it so? From now on, who would dare to bully our village?"
Mr. Gu and Mrs. Lv were so excited they didn’t know what to do, and County Magistrate Li understood. After all, this is the Champion Scholar; who wouldn’t be excited?
"Changqing, quick! Invite the honorable officials inside!" Uncle Gu remained relatively composed. Although he could barely suppress his inner joy, with so many constables, they must invite them for a al before leaving! It’s already noon, and entertaining this many is certainly the Gu Family’s honor!
"Yes, yes, please, honorable officials, rest in the front hall." Mr. Gu led them into the outer courtyard. With past experience, he wasn’t flustered.
Having the servants serve tea, Mr. Gu was pulled aside by Uncle Gu, "Changqing! With so many people, it’s already noon; they must eat and drink, right? We’re not prepared; how can this work?"
Mr. Gu realized, indeed! They didn’t know these people would bring joyful news. Though there were fresh vegetables, there was no at! They’d have to go to town to buy it, cook it—this would take much ti. They had few servants, so it was impossible to manage!
"Brother! Quickly, have Eldest Sister-in-law bring so village won, set up a few stoves, we need a feast. It’s not too late; call more people to help. Ask those in the village who raise chickens, ducks, geese, and pigs, to bring so over; they won’t lose on the money."
Mr. Gu thought it over, deciding Elder Sister-in-law should seek help preparing the al. At this ti, Aunt Wang entered the Gu yard. Being good friends with the Gu Family, often visiting them, she entered the yard with her head held high under the villagers’ envious gaze.
"Second Brother Gu! Need help?" Aunt Wang guessed that given so many people had co at noon, they’d need a al. Last ti, she’d helped Mrs. Lv arrange the food too.
"Sister-in-law, you ca at the right ti, quickly! Go find the children’s mother, you all prepare the food quickly."
On this side, Mrs. Lv entered the main house, and Dumb Granny handed her the pocket. Mrs. Lv opened it to see, "A hundred liang?"
She exclaid, "Isn’t this too much?"
Mrs. Lv felt pained; last ti, only thirty liang were given, but now two hundred liang!
"Madam, this ti is different, Fifth Master beca the Champion Scholar; the Gu Family isn’t the sa as before! Fifth Master surely must have beco an official by now; we can’t embarrass him."
Those ssengers coming from the Capital, even a hundred liang isn’t much. Dumb Granny sighed internally, still a rural family; the madam was being a bit stingy. Once in the Capital, they might embarrass Fifth Master.
Determined, Dumb Granny decided to properly change Mrs. Lv’s attitude.
Despite her reluctance, Mrs. Lv stuffed the silver notes back in. She also accepted the small red packets from Dumb Granny without much fuss. After all, those smaller packets contained just sixty-seven liang in total!
Mr. Gu distributed the red packets from Mrs. Lv to each of the congratulating constables and asked them to stay for lunch.
"Mr. Gu, we don’t need lunch. I must head back to the governnt office." County Magistrate Li knew they ca without prior notice, and it was too late for preparations.
"Esteed officials, please stay for a al; the food’s almost ready." Uncle Gu quickly stepped in to assist with the reception.
After refusing several tis, County Magistrate Li, overwheld by the hospitality, agreed to stay. Of course, he saw it as a chance to build rapport with Gu Chengyu. Now that Gu Chengyu held the Secondary Sixth Rank, he saw fit to strengthen ties with the Gu Family.
anwhile, Gu Chengyu was unaware the official decree had reached his ho. For three days, he’d been reporting to the Hanlin Academy. Zhang Hai had assigned him so mundane tasks, like correcting typos in chronicle compilations or edited histories—old records, of course.
He wasn’t involved in any current official compilations or chronicles. However, Gu Chengyu was not discouraged; serving newly in the Hanlin Academy, he expected no major responsibilities yet. He knew he had to be diligent and uncomplaining.
Otherwise, Zhang Hai would undoubtedly look down on him further.
"Jinyu, your servant’s here with your al." Ren Ge, having gotten acquainted with Gu Chengyu over the past few days, directly addressed him by his personal na.
The court didn’t provide als for officials; those who lived close could return ho for als with a half-hour break allotted. Those who lived far could have als brought by family or servants. Of course, those with money could eat at a restaurant or small eatery.
Most colleagues at the Hanlin Academy lived far away, mainly in the South City, so they had als brought from ho. Eating out every day wasn’t realistic; with ager salaries, they’d soon be impoverished. Not all officials ca from wealthy backgrounds.
Gu Chengyu didn’t seek special treatnt and also had Ming Mo bring als for him. But when it got cold, by the ti the al arrived, the oil in the dishes would coagulate.
Would officials have thought of solutions? Certainly not. Each room had a small clay stove, used to heat water daily while keeping food warm. But heating required charcoal, and they shared the cost.
Gu Chengyu stepped outside to see that today Ming Yan had brought his al.
"Sir, are you hungry?" Ming Yan handed the five-tiered, red lacquered and gilt food box to Gu Chengyu. He couldn’t enter the room and had to wait outside.
User Comments
0 comments from readers