The weak scholar in the end of ancient times

Chapter 93 As Long As Life is Peaceful
As the Lunar New Year approaches, the Shen family in Xianghuifang is also making preparations for it.

Uncle Shen has been busy with social engagements lately, leaving household affairs to his sons, Shen Qing and Shen Liu.

Finally having some free time, he decided to check on the preparations at home.

Upon closer inspection, a problem was discovered.

"Why didn't you invite Wen Gu over for the New Year?" he questioned.

The Wen family met with misfortune during the chaotic times, and now only Wen Gu and Tie Tou remain.

For the New Year's Eve family dinner, it would be proper to invite these two over to celebrate the New Year together, since he is Wen Gu's maternal uncle.

Shen Qing was taken aback: "Huh? Father, you didn't know?"

Uncle Shen was even more stunned: "Know what?"

Shen Qing said sourly, "Wen Gu is going to the Zhao family for the New Year, not to our house."

Uncle Shen was shocked: "Why didn't you say so earlier?!"

"I thought you knew."

When the topic of Wen Gu spending the New Year at the Zhao family's house came up, Shen Qing looked envious.

Uncle Shen thought to himself: The Zhao family values ​​Wen Gu so much. He originally thought that Wen Gu would spend the New Year with them, so he wrapped a money in red paper to ward off evil spirits.

However, now that we know Wen Gu is spending the New Year at the Zhao family's house, we need to increase the amount of money we need to give to ward off evil spirits a little more.

He prepared money to ward off evil spirits for the younger generation. Although many of them could not be considered "children," he still prepared red envelopes for them because the world was different now, hoping for good luck in "suppressing evil spirits."

Thinking this, Uncle Shen looked at his two sons again and felt a pang of sadness.

If he hadn't asked that one more question, he might not have found out until New Year's Eve!

Jingxingfang area.

Instead of spending the New Year at the Shen family's house, Wen Gu prepared a New Year's gift for them in advance, consisting of several exquisite glass objects.

The neighborhood is also making preparations for the Lunar New Year. Those who will be attending the New Year's banquet at the main dining hall have already received notice.

These people came from various backgrounds: clerks, security guards, and some outstanding residents, craftsmen, and laborers.

Most of them are from Jingxingfang and Qingyunfang, but there are also people from other workshops, such as most of the artisans.

These days, life is tough, so people are very enthusiastic about getting a free meal, joining in the fun, and having a place to relax and relieve stress.

The New Year's banquet was funded by the Jingqing Guild Hall. The food prepared was more abundant than usual. It was not considered a luxury by wealthy families, but it was considered extravagant by those at the grassroots level.

There was meat on every table, and everyone could also get a little bit of wine to satisfy their cravings.

The two neighborhoods will hold their annual banquet together.

He Da looked at the new member Tao San with a smile on his face. The New Year's banquet was a festive occasion, and he couldn't possibly have a long face. He had been cursing in his heart for who knows how long.

“Brother, he’s probably not on the same wavelength as you. There’s no need to be so wary,” He Xiaodi comforted him.

"No, don't be fooled by him! They don't seem to be on the same wavelength, but he's an ambitious person." The higher you climb in the ranks, the fewer important positions there are, and they're all filled with competitors!
He Da saw it clearly.

While Yu Er was busy hammering iron, he also made friends with the laborers in Qingyunfang, and his connections with them were very good.

But no matter what, Yu Er is in Qingyunfang.

This newcomer is really going to stay in Jingxingfang!

How could we let He Da be so careless!
Tao San didn't care about He Da's cold face; he was rehearsing a program with the art troupe.

He's become quite the star at Jingxingfang since joining. Although he's not officially employed yet and doesn't get year-end bonuses, he'll get them next year if he stays!

For officially registered staff, the year-end bonus mainly consists of grain coupons and coal. Although it's not much, it's all free!

In this day and age, who wouldn't envy those good things that can be obtained for free?

Before the official start of the year-end dinner in the cafeteria and the annual banquet in the two workshops, Wen Gu first announced the awards for outstanding employees—

Grain coupons, salt, sugar, meat, cloth, and other groceries.

Different rewards are distributed based on the level of performance and contribution.

After giving out the rewards, they'll make empty promises.

—There will be a lot of work to do after the New Year. Let's all work hard so that the benefits and rewards will be even better at the end of next year!
Those present, as well as those watching from outside, were all incredibly excited.

Those who are not officially employed are thinking about giving it their all next year to see if they can squeeze into the permanent staff.

Those already employed were even more excited. They were already thrilled with the year-end bonuses, but they didn't expect there to be additional rewards!
Master Qingyi conducted a simple sacrificial ceremony.

Xiao Liu rarely comes back, and after joining the Patrol Guard Division, he seems more composed.

Previously, he viewed the world from the perspective of ordinary people. After joining the Patrol Guard, he took a higher perspective, viewed a broader situation, and began to consider various issues.

They will face more complex and cruel factors, and people with average mental fortitude cannot withstand them.

Clearly, Xiao Liu held on.

At the same table where Wen Fangzhang was sitting, several teammates from the "Northward Escape Team" were also present.

With a sincere and somewhat wistful gaze, Wen Gu swept over everyone present, and said with a slight sigh:

"By this time next year, the entire neighborhood may not be able to gather for the annual banquet."

Everyone felt heavy-hearted upon hearing this.

Peaceful days are always short-lived. Chaotic times are chaotic times, and we must face reality. No one can guarantee that they will still be sitting here peacefully next year.

However, compared to their precarious existence, they are already quite well off and have nothing to complain about.

He Da was about to say something to liven things up when he heard Wen Gu say:

"By this time next year, everyone should be doing better than they are now. When the autumn hunt begins next year, everyone should be preparing to return to their hometowns to welcome their relatives and friends, right?"

Huh?
Several familiar faces at the table stared blankly.

Reflecting on this: "At this time next year, perhaps several people at this table will be spending the Spring Festival in their hometowns."

Everyone: Huh? ??

That's exactly how it is!
He Da and Yu Er's hometown has people they knew who had helped them before. If possible, they would like to go back and bring some people over.

My fellow villagers are much more reliable than the people here!
Zhou Shan also had his eye on it.

He also wanted to go back and see if there were any surviving relatives or friends, or people he had helped in the past, and also see if he could encounter any enemies and kill them directly.

The composure on Xiao Liu's face vanished instantly, replaced by a broad smile. He said, "I'm going back next year. I'll gather a few more people, get the gear ready, and ride back on horseback—that'll be faster!"

For Xiao Liu, all the hardships are nothing. He wants to make a name for himself and bring the villagers back to his hometown next autumn!
The New Year's banquet at Jingxingfang was simple, but the atmosphere was very lively.

Reviewing the past is also a way to let everyone release their emotions and psychological pressure, and to give each other encouragement.

Wen Gu did not stay in the neighborhood for long. After arranging his affairs, he took the gift box he had prepared in advance and called Tie Tou the next day.

"Let's go eat at the big restaurant!"

They left an identification tag in Jingxingfang so that if there was any emergency, Cheng Zhi and the others could take the tag to him.

Wen Gu, along with Tie Tou and Chang Shun, arrived at the Zhao residence.

The days around New Year's Eve are a time for wealthy families and nobles in the city to exchange gifts and socialize. When Wen Gu arrived at the Zhao family's house, there were still a few Zhao family relatives who had come to give gifts and hadn't gone far.

Just as I entered, I ran into my cousin Zhao seeing someone off.

One was a middle-aged woman who looked rather plump, and the other was about the same age as Wen Gu, tall and slender, and looked rather refined.

Cousin Zhao introduced the two parties.

These two are Aunt Zhao and her son He Wenyu.

Aunt Zhao's gaze immediately turned wary.

He Wenyu, however, bowed first with a reserved air.

Reciprocate with kindness and courtesy.

Aunt Zhao sized up Wen Gu, a slight smirk playing on her lips: "You're Wen Gu? I heard you've accomplished quite a few important things?"

He then turned to Young Master Zhao and smiled, "Wen Yu is about the same age as him, very knowledgeable, and capable of handling great things!"

He Wenyu, standing to the side, shook his head vigorously at Young Master Zhao: "I didn't! I didn't! I don't want to do it!"

Unable to see, Aunt Zhao continued to hold onto Young Master Zhao's arm, recommending, "You're his cousin, you know, Wen Yu loves to read, and he's kind and honest..."

Young Master Zhao thought to himself: In this world, being kind and honest doesn't get you anywhere!
At this moment, He Wenyu's mind was filled with a barrage of thoughts: Help me, help me, help me!
Finally reaching the door, Aunt Zhao still had much to say, and it took her a while before she and He Wenyu boarded the carriage and left.

Once they were a distance from the Zhao residence, He Wenyu said with a headache and helplessness, "Mother, you know how capable I am. There were so many people watching outside the door just now, why make my cousin unhappy?"

Aunt Zhao, having shed her earlier insistence, calmly said, "Your cousin wouldn't get angry over something so trivial."

He Wenyu worried, "But it's not good to say those things to my cousin at the door."

Aunt Zhao said calmly, "After all, our family lives in Chaohui Lane, so we should act more like family. Everyone else is asking your uncle and cousin for authority, so let's do the same."

He Wenyu realized what was going on, paused for a moment, and then said, "Wen Gu is extremely talented and highly regarded by my uncle and cousin. I am far inferior to him and cannot shoulder such a heavy responsibility."

Aunt Zhao glanced at him and said, "You're overthinking it. Your cousin knows what kind of person you are and won't put pressure on you."

He Wenyu breathed a sigh of relief: "That's good. But your attitude towards Wen Gu just now... your uncle and cousin value him very much."

Aunt Zhao said, "Of course I know that Wen Gu is highly valued, otherwise he would have gone to the Shen family for the New Year instead of the Zhao family! I made my stance clear just now not only to deal with those people from Chaohui Lane, but also to show them that there were people at the door who hadn't left. It's also for future planning, so you won't have to make excuses to avoid Wen Gu in the future."

He Wenyu said embarrassedly, "I see! Mother, you've gone to so much trouble! Your acting was so good, I didn't even realize it."

Aunt Zhao said smugly, "If you can see through me, how am I supposed to get along with people?!"

Of course she knew that the more she acted like this, relying on her status to demand power, the less likely she was to be given important positions. She would only get some nominal or idle posts, and that would be enough for her!
It's prestigious, hassle-free, and stable.

Their family doesn't actually have any materialistic ambitions.

With this blood relation, as long as the Zhao family doesn't fall, their family will have no worries about life.

Why bother working hard if you can win without effort?

Aunt Zhao smiled calmly.

She said, "I've heard that Wen Gu is quite cunning. If he's a heartless person, it's easy to suffer if you go against him! Neither you nor your father are good at this, so we should just keep our distance."

He Wenyu strongly agreed.

In this chaotic world, having experienced the pain of losing loved ones and witnessed too many human tragedies, they only wish for their own little families to be harmonious and full.
Living a secluded life behind closed doors.

I'm content as long as my family can eat and talk together every day, enjoying these rare moments of peace and tranquility.

They see themselves as wealthy idlers.

The pursuit of so many people throughout their lives!

They were truly content to live such a life in these chaotic times!
On the other side, the Zhao family.

Young Master Zhao saw his aunt and cousin off at the door, then walked inside with Wen Gu.

Aunt Zhao's attitude towards Wen Gu wasn't very good just now, so Young Master Zhao, please explain a few more points:

"My uncle was born into a scholarly family in the north. He was skilled in literature but not in warfare."

The literary culture in the north is not thriving. Now, Xinzhou City is full of talented people. With more and more people coming from the south, my uncle's original talent has become even less noticeable.

Zhao Shaozhu said, "My uncle is a humble, upright, and composed man, and my cousin is very similar to him."

Wen Gu understood; it meant that the father and son lacked ambition and were not capable of shouldering great responsibilities.

He immediately started thinking about it.

A family with a scholarly tradition, skilled in writing?
dignified and composed, with a calm and collected temperament?

Ok……

Most of Mr. Hong's old friends were quite old and not as robust as Mr. Hong.

When the academy was first established, there were certainly many things that the older generation might not have been able to handle. There were certainly young people who could do the work, but their status might not have been high enough.

If what my cousin said is true, then the father and son in the He family are indeed like that in terms of temperament and talent...

With decent talent, a sense of the times, and the added advantage of being related to someone, he was much more well-behaved than those who were always plotting fights.

Unlike scholars from the south, they didn't need much more time to adapt to their new environment.

He won't suffer from water and soil incompatibility, nor will he be afraid of weather changes. Just look at He Wenyu's physique; he looks tough.

If the father and son are similar, they will probably be able to handle more affairs and withstand greater pressure... right?

Thinking back on Aunt Zhao's series of actions just now, Wen Gu smiled tolerantly at Cousin Zhao:
"Aunt Zhao just strongly recommended Wenyu. Cousin, you could consider it too. Speaking of which, you should know about the academy. Perhaps you could let Brother Wenyu assist in running the school."

The academy can gradually fill its ranks with purely academic talents, but Old Master Hong and his colleagues are more adept at it.

Given the current circumstances, the Zhao family's quick support for establishing the academy suggests they must be expanding its administrative structure to facilitate control.

The Zhao family head must have other candidates in mind, but two more people could be added.

— Lacking ambition makes one unsuitable for important tasks. It doesn't matter, as long as one can get things done!
Zhao took Wen Gu's advice to heart.

That makes sense!

However, his perspective differs from that of a reviewer.

Besides expanding the academy's administrative system to strengthen control, he also wanted to deepen exchanges between the North and South. His uncle and cousin were both learned, of high status, and of amiable character—truly excellent candidates.

Young Master Zhao seemed to be deep in thought.

I will not elaborate further on this.

The He family father and son will most likely have new positions in a few years.

Aunt Zhao's wish has been fulfilled, she must be very happy... right?

I don't know if the other person will be happy, but Wen Gu was quite happy. When she arrived at her aunt's place, she had a smile in her eyes.

Young Master Zhao has other matters to attend to and will be leaving for the time being.

Madam Shen had just had a moment to herself. Looking at Wen Gu, she asked, "You seem to be in a good mood today. Is something good happening?"

Wen Gu said, "That's true. I was lucky today; as soon as I entered the courtyard, I saw someone recommending themselves."

Come on, let's all carry this burden together!
(End of this chapter)