CHAPTER 593: CHAPTER 593: ZOU JIANG EXPRESSES HIS GRATITUDE

"Ey yo, so this is the restaurant opened by the Gu Family’s daughter, it really is quite impressive," Village Chief He’s family was, apart from Gu Jinli’s, the earliest to come and offer their congratulations.

He woke his family up before dawn, hurried through breakfast, and then sent He Tongsheng to keep a watch on the village to see when the Gu Dashan’s family left the village, then he took his family over.

Because of this, He Tongsheng was quite frustrated, complaining: "Grandpa only knows how to assign tasks to me. Today is Dongzhi, and it’s freezing cold. If I get sick from this, won’t you worry?"

Village Chief He chuckled: "Not at all concerned, with your poor academic performance, you won’t bring glory to our family in this lifetime. It’s all up to your elder brother, he’s the one who can’t get sick; he has to take the county examination next February."

He Tongsheng nearly cried, his grandfather was too biased.

Luckily, He Jinseng was a brother who doted on his younger sibling, comforting He Tongsheng: "Big brother is useless, will only study to death in this lifetime, the family is getting by smoothly thanks to Tongsheng’s help."

He Tongsheng immediately cheered up, feeling particularly useful.

Village Chief He didn’t have the time to listen to the brothers boasting to each other, and instructed He Dacang’s wife: "Take good care of your mother-in-law at home. Remember what Little Xiao Yu said, help your mother-in-law walk for an hour. You can’t be lazy just because the weather is cold; her life depends on it."

Village Chief He had a wife, but she was in poor health, spending ten months of the year bedridden, and it had been this way for many years.

Gu Jinli originally didn’t want to meddle in Village Chief He’s family matters. It was after Village Chief He took their side that he gave him a suggestion to help his grandmother-in-law get up and move more, as she wasn’t completely paralyzed; it was just weak heart and muscles, moving more would prevent bedsores.

After instructing He Dacang’s wife, Village Chief He exchanged a few words with his old wife, then hollered at He Dacang: "Are you ready, Dacang? Are you a man, dawdling like that? Hurry up, we can’t let Lu Gen Sheng, that good-for-nothing, get ahead of our family."

"Coming." He Dacang’s family had rented a mule cart for business, so today they were going to town by mule cart. Thus, not long after Gu Jinli’s family had arrived, they followed suit.

Third Grandpa heard Village Chief He’s voice, took Qi Panzi and Qi Kangping to welcome Village Chief He: "The village chief has arrived, please come up. We reserved three private rooms upstairs just for you, Village Chief Shang, Scholar Shang, and the others."

Village Chief He heard this and felt extremely important; he grinned so wide his old teeth almost fell out: "Well, that’s very kind, let’s go upstairs and take a seat."

He also had He Jinseng present the celebration gift: "Third Grandpa, Uncle Qi, Brother Qi, this is a congratulations gift. We wish your restaurant booming business and prosperity in wealth and happiness."

Village Chief He listened gleefully, looking at his grandson who was so eloquent. The well-chosen words, one after another, were indeed fitting of a scholar.

Qi Kangping received the celebration gift and discovered that Village Chief He was quite generous this time—the gift contained not only fabrics and live chickens but also a red envelope with a tael of silver.

Village Chief He really splurged this time, determined to outdo the Lu Family people, wanting to show Gu Family’s daughter that the He surname in the village was closest to their few families.

Third Grandpa led Village Chief He to the private rooms, and the waiters immediately served a table of breakfast. Unfortunately, it was Lu Family’s youngster who came. Village Chief He harrumphed, raising his stature to lecture: "You have signed a contract; work well and do not disclose any matters of Yanfu Building outside. If you do, be prepared for prison."

Finally, he intentionally added a sentence: "Don’t go learning from Lu Zhudan’s family!"

Lu Gen Sheng’s eldest grandson had already been instructed by his own grandfather, who said that given Village Chief He’s temperament, he would make things difficult for them and throw some sarcastic remarks. He was told to endure it and not let anger cost him his livelihood; this month they could make eight hundred copper coins, and their salary could increase later.

That’s why Lu Gen Sheng’s grandson was all smiles: "Understood, I’ll remember that, village chief, please enjoy your meal."

Village Chief He hit a soft nail, feeling rather dull, so he had to let it be.

As the sun rose and the earth warmed up, all the families arrived. After bustling around for half an hour, the procession of people coming to offer congratulations began to increase.

Village Chief Shang, Scholar Shang, Master Xia, the clerks and Government Officials from Si Li Square, and everyone from Xuanhu Fang had arrived.

Qin San Lang and Luo Wu arrived before the auspicious hour with Jiang Jiao, accompanied by Zou Jiang, Xu Dexian, Master Tian, and Steward Zheng.

Steward Zheng was sent on behalf of County Magistrate Zheng to deliver congratulatory gifts.

County Magistrate Zheng is from the Zheng Family, and it was thanks to the Gu Family that they knew about the river bandits’ encirclement; because of this, the Zheng Family gained considerable prestige in the Capital, and their status rose a great deal.

County Magistrate Xu also treated the Gu Family well, so upon learning that County Magistrate Xu had sent gifts to Yanfu Building, County Magistrate Zheng thought it would be good to do the same and had the steward deliver congratulatory gifts as well.

Qi Panzi had not expected two high-ranking officials from the county government to send presents and was overjoyed. He quickly went out with his two sons to welcome the guests.

Gu Dashan and Gu Jin’an also came out.

When Steward Zheng saw Gu Jin’an, he was indeed startled, noticing that the latter did not look like a peasant’s son; instead, he carried a bit of the air of a noble young master. It seemed the Gu Family had raised their children well, otherwise, it would be impossible to bring up such a son.

"Brother Xu, Elder Jiang, Master Tian, welcome, please come in." Gu Jin’an then greeted Steward Zheng, "Good Brother An pays his respects to Steward Zheng."

Seeing that Gu Jin’an had good manners, Steward Zheng was even more pleased. After having his servant deliver the congratulatory gifts, he followed them to a private room upstairs.

During the meal, as he conversed with Gu Jin’an, Steward Zheng discovered that this young man was indeed commendable, and he was also capable of working hard—not like some peasant scholars who, after reading a few books, put on airs and would no longer work. In contrast, Gu Jin’an and Gu Dexing were both engaged in various kinds of labor.

Not bad, not bad at all.

Zou Jiang attended specifically to express his gratitude to Gu Jinli.

Avoiding the crowd, led by Qin San Lang, he met with Gu Jinli, "Little girl, I owe you my thanks. Without you and San Lang, I might have been toyed with by Zou Youlian for a lifetime, and would never have been able to avenge my family. I will remember this kindness, and should you ever need anything in the future, just say the word, and I will repay this debt."

With that, he bowed to Gu Jinli.

Gu Jinli responded, "Elder Jiang, there’s no need for such formalities. The fall of the Zou family also benefits several of our families. Otherwise, given the nature of the Zou father and son, they would have certainly found ways to destroy us. So this matter is a win-win, and no one needs to thank anyone."

Having heard her words, Zou Jiang laughed, "San Lang was absolutely right; you are a very interesting young lady. But in my eyes, you’re not only interesting but clear-sighted and living a practical life."

If he had lived like Gu Jinli, he wouldn’t have wasted decades, nor would he have allowed a simple act of kindness to be exploited by Zou Youlian his whole life.

Realistic people live for themselves and can avoid many unnecessary worldly troubles.

After thanking Gu Jinli, Zou Jiang returned to the private room upstairs and joined Steward Zheng and others for the meal. During the event, he met Master Xia, whose literary grace deeply impressed him, declaring that his visit was not in vain.

In the back courtyard, inside the storeroom where the water chestnut flour was kept, Gu Jinli asked Qin San Lang, "I heard that Elder Jiang is going to accompany County Magistrate Xu to his new posting?"

Qin San Lang nodded, "Yes, that’s what Junior Minister Ming intends. Zou Jiang is also willing. With County Magistrate Xu and his family, his later years will be free from worries."

Gu Jinli thought of Xu Dexian, "The son of County Magistrate Xu is a kind-hearted person; he will surely treat Elder Jiang well. The old master doesn’t have to worry anymore."

Qin San Lang smiled. In truth, there were still concerns. County Magistrate Xu was adept at seizing opportunities in chaos, and upon arriving in the Capital, he would have to rely on Zou Jiang. Zou Jiang accompanying County Magistrate Xu was not going to have an easy task.

However, Zou Jiang would feel relieved in his heart, as after all, the Xu family was righteous and warm, whereas the Zou family was like a pit of bloody dog drama, engaging in inhumane acts.