CHAPTER 623: CHAPTER 623: STAY CALM, DON’T GET CARRIED AWAY

Brother Cheng couldn’t resist Gu Jinli and ended up wearing the red cotton hat. But once he got used to it, he grew fond of the hat.

Gu Jin’an has been busy lately, going to the Shang Family for lessons in the morning and working at Songzi Manor after school. However, today is Brother Cheng’s birthday, so he came back early.

"Big Brother, I like Big Brother the best, where’s my gift?" Brother Cheng saw Gu Jin’an come home and pounced on him.

Gu Jin’an picked him up, pushing him away slightly, and said, "Don’t pounce on me, Big Brother’s dirty. I’ll hug you after I change my clothes."

He added, "This is the last time I’ll hold you. After you turn five, you’ll be a big kid and can’t have Big Brother holding you anymore."

Brother Cheng was unhappy: "Why? Big Brother always used to hold Brother Cheng."

Ever since Brother Cheng could remember, especially when they were fleeing the famine, it was his dad and Big Brother who held and carried him the most. But Dad was afraid of Grandpa and Grandma and didn’t dare to be too protective of him, it was only Big Brother who dared to look after him. So he liked Big Brother the most, with Big Brother around, he wasn’t afraid of being beaten.

"Back then Brother Cheng was little, but now Brother Cheng is big, so naturally Big Brother won’t hold you anymore." After Gu Jin’an changed his clothes, he picked up Brother Cheng and laughed, "You’ve become heavier and taller, from now on, Brother Cheng will have to carry Big Brother."

Brother Cheng’s eyes sparkled, nodding vigorously: "Yeah, Brother Cheng will carry Big Brother in the future, so Big Brother doesn’t have to walk."

Gu Jinli imagined Brother Cheng carrying Gu Jin’an, who was several times his size, and couldn’t bear to watch such a scene. He said to Brother Cheng, "You won’t be able to carry him, but you could carry Big Brother’s child. Once Big Brother gets married and has children, you’ll be an uncle and can carry Big Brother’s kids to play."

"Big Brother’s child?" Brother Cheng looked at Gu Jin’an’s belly and asked, "Is it born from here?"

He then touched Gu Jin’an’s stomach, innocently asking, "Does Big Brother have a nephew yet?"

Gu Jin’an’s face darkened, and he told Brother Cheng, "Big Brother is a man; men don’t give birth to babies, women do... You don’t understand this; I’ll tell you when you’re older."

Brother Cheng smirked slyly, "Brother Cheng knows, Big Brother doesn’t need to teach me."

Village women can be quite gossipy, and he initially didn’t understand, but later he picked up a thing or two.

Having said that, afraid that Gu Jin’an might settle the score with him, he quickly hid behind Gu Jinli and pulled a face at his own big brother.

Gu Jin’an shook his head helplessly, this little guy now dared to play tricks on him, his guts really had grown.

After Gu Jinli finished laughing, he took the opportunity to give Gu Jin’an the letter from Master Hu and the indenture of Master Xia’s great-grandfather.

After reading them, Gu Jin’an pondered for a moment and said, "I’ll mention it to Dad and Mom tonight, and tomorrow we’ll send Brother Cheng to study with the Xia family."

Xia Gu indeed had great knowledge, was a good teacher, and what they wanted was just Xia Gu’s knowledge, to have Xia Gu tutor Brother Cheng to become someone accomplished.

As for Xia Gu’s ulterior motives... heh, his little brother belonged to their family. Even if Xia Gu tried to win him over during the day, wouldn’t he bring his brother’s heart back after school?

Gu Jinli nodded: "Okay."

In the evening, Gu Dashan and Mrs. Cui managed to bring back two tables worth of food.

That night, their family, Elder Qin, and Gu Daya’s family celebrated Brother Cheng’s birthday.

Gu Jinli also made different colored small wax candles from wax, stuck them in the cake, and lit them, letting Brother Cheng make a wish. It made Brother Cheng so happy; he had the most wonderful birthday ever.

But the next day before dawn, he was woken up to get dressed, brush his teeth, wash his face, and follow his big brother to school.

Master Xia and his wife were thrilled to see Brother Cheng come to study, personally coming out to welcome Brother Cheng into the Xia family’s home.

After Brother Cheng’s birthday, Village Chief He’s second son, He Dalin, passed the clerk examination and became one of the clerks in the county government.

Given that he was from Da Feng Village and familiar with the Gu Family, and He Dalin was an honest person, County Magistrate Xu and County Magistrate Zheng discussed and assigned him to manage the Civil Affairs Office in charge of housing and land deeds.

Being allowed into the Civil Affairs Office meant being a confidant. When Village Chief He learned that He Dalin was assigned there, he was so excited he almost jumped up and quickly instructed He Dacang: "Go buy a pig right away, we’ll slaughter it at home as a celebration for your brother, like a pre-celebration with ’pig-killing dish.’"

"Eh." He Dacang was also very happy. The next day, while setting up his stall, he incidentally bought a large fat pig at Hukou Town and dragged it back home.

That day, He Dalin also returned home with his family and specially visited Gu Jinli’s house to express thanks.

He Dalin and He Dacang looked very similar, both with simple and honest faces. But because He Dalin was of a softer temperament, he looked somewhat foolish. However, having lived in the county for many years, he was quite articulate. He said to Gu Dashan: "If it wasn’t for your Good Brother An, I would still be stuck in the dead-end of trading and would not have this good fortune today, becoming a clerk."

Gu Dashan smiled and said: "That’s because Brother He has the ability. Without sufficient learning, one cannot pass the examinations at the county government."

Village Chief He listened with immense pride, nearly unable to resist chiming in: That’s right, my second son is so scholarly he could have easily passed the examination for Scholar.

Fortunately, He Jinseng was by his side and, seeing that he could hardly contain himself, quickly tugged at his sleeve, signaling, Stay calm, Grandpa, don’t get carried away.

Village Chief He was pleased for a while and then said to Third Grandpa and the others: "Old Brother Gu, Dashan, come to my house tomorrow for the ’pig-killing dish,’ I have reserved a table especially for you men, ready and waiting."

As for the women, it was not appropriate for them to join, and Mrs. He Liu would deliver the dishes to their homes separately.

Third Grandpa said: "Dashan and the others have been busy recently with their orders, I’m afraid they can’t make it, and Brother Qin is still mourning the loss of Er Lang... This old man alone will do, there’s no need for a separate seat, I can just eat with everyone else."

Village Chief He couldn’t be happier: "Alright, us two brothers can have a good drink tomorrow."

The family of Village Chief He stayed at Gu Jinli’s house for half an hour, giving thanks to the Gu Family before heading back home.

The next day, despite the cold weather that froze one’s breath, the village was very lively as everyone went to Village Chief He’s house for the feast. Even the Lu Family People went to offer their congratulations, giving Village Chief He a great sense of pride.

After the pig feast, He Dalin’s family returned to the county and lived in a newly rented courtyard, ready to start work at the government office the next day.

Not long after He Dalin began working as a clerk at the government office, Squad Leader Yang returned with the peasants who had been conscripted for labor.

This year was exceptionally cold, and many people fell ill. In Xianggui Town and Daxing Town, three peasants died of disease, and two were swept away and drowned while cleaning the silt from the Huai River.

Fortunately, the bodies were recovered and brought back, otherwise the peasants of Tianfu County might have caused an uproar.

Fourth Son He and He Daqian, these two good-for-nothings, surprisingly didn’t die and returned with the other men of the village, just looking much thinner.

Gu Dewang went with Gu Defa and Gu Qingxi to take a look and came back to tell Gu Jinli: "Sister Xiao Yu, it seems that Fourth Son He’s leg is injured, he’s limping and seems to be lame."

Gu Defa said like an adult: "It’s good if he’s lame, he won’t be able to run fast after stealing chickens and ducks from other people’s homes in the future."

Gu Jinli laughed after hearing this and shared some pastries with them. She asked Brother Fa: "When are you going to study at the private school? Your mother is still waiting to become a Madam Imperial Decree, isn’t she? Brother Xi will also go to school next year."

Gu Qingxi is Gu Dalin’s younger son.

Gu Dalin was a clever man with far-sighted plans. He had already decided to send Gu Qingxi and Gu Qingtian to the private school for studies next spring. Whether they would pass the examination was uncertain, but they must at least try. If they failed, they could then give up the pursuit.