I am collecting entries in reincarnation

Chapter 597 Opening an Ancestral Hall
After this incident, Fang Yun also grew a bit. Although he didn't say it to those fence-sitters, the fact that they were close and distant was separated. It had to be said that this was a good thing. As for whether Xia Duan would continue to take the imperial examinations, Fang Yun did not delve into it. In any case, Xia Duan's literary reputation was damaged.

After that, the relationship between Fang Yun and Li Ming did not improve by leaps and bounds, but they did have a better understanding of each other.

A ceremony was held at noon to grant seals and positions to the scholars. The next day, the two of them rode back to the village together.

In a blink of an eye, it has been three months since I left home. I feel homesick now. Fortunately, there were no setbacks on the way back. I even had smooth sailing all the way and finally arrived before dusk.

It seemed like an ordinary scenery in the past, but now it has a bit more flavor. Compared with the bleakness when I left, it is now summer, and there is green shade everywhere, and the crops are connected together.

He was just looking at Zhuangzi from a distance when he heard a villager shout, "Wenquxing has returned to the village!"

The man's surname was also Dong, and they were two natural persons. Moreover, there were few people coming and going in Dongjia Village on weekdays. The two people coming in a car naturally attracted attention. He looked closely and found that the two people who lifted the curtain of the car naturally shouted towards the village.

Soon, people from all over the village, young and old, came to watch.

"You're back?" The village chief, standing before the others, shouted with great joy, "County Magistrate Du sent word that our village has produced two talented scholars. Great! Great!"

Fang Yun and Li Ming got out of the car, looked at everyone and said with a smile, "Sorry to have kept you waiting."

Dong Jie stepped forward and pulled Li Mingdao: "Good boy, good boy."

At this time, the village chief said again: "This is a great thing. We will open the ancestral hall to worship our ancestors tomorrow. You can have a good rest tonight."

At this time, the village chief said, "Mr. Fang, although we have different surnames, we are from the same village after all. Why don't you come tomorrow?"

Fang Yun naturally smiled and said, "Thank you very much for your kindness, Village Chief."

Although Dongjia Village was very grand, Fang Yun knew that he was not from Dong Village after all, and the huge fanfare here was not for him. After expressing his gratitude, he left with his sister.

Next, the people of Dongjia Village completely let go and celebrated for Li Ming.

Although Li Ming's ranking was not high, he still passed the imperial examination and became a scholar. In recent years, only Dong Qing had achieved this. It was also a rare major event in Dongjia Village.

The last time three students came out, they only had a buffet but no ancestral hall was opened. It was not until Li Ming passed the examination to become a scholar that the ancestral hall could be opened.

Li Ming looked at these simple fellow villagers and responded with a smile without putting on airs.

About an incense stick of time passed, and the sky gradually darkened before everyone dispersed.

This time, Li Ming obtained the title of scholar, and the reward from the court was naturally more generous. He had to go to the local county government to handle the exchange documents for the deed of a hundred acres of fertile land and exchange them for real land deeds. In addition, he also received twenty taels of silver as a guarantee.

Li Mingdu handed it over to Dong Jie, repeatedly admonishing him, "Dad, I'm quite capable outside, so I don't need these little things. You and Aunt Yue should keep them. Don't be stingy with food, clothing, and other expenses. Spend what you should spend, otherwise it would be a shame for you as a son."

Dong Jie pulled Li Ming and said, "Okay, okay, Daddy will do whatever you say."

Aunt Yue also came forward at this moment, gently touched Li Ming's head and said: "You are growing up so fast, kid, you are taller than me now!"

This is true. Li Nian is only fourteen years old, which is the best age for his health. Now he is blessed with talent, nourished by literature, and trained in martial arts. He grows taller by leaps and bounds every day.

Then Aunt Yue said with some worry, "I'm afraid the thick clothes I made for you before won't be wearable. How many days will you stay at home? I'll make you two more sets to take with you."

Li Ming murmured and said, "Seven days."

"What, only seven days?" Dong Jie exclaimed, then said awkwardly, "It's okay, it's okay, studies are more important."

Aunt Yue whispered, "It's still in time, it's still in time."

Li Ming smiled and said, "Auntie Yue, make it bigger. I'm afraid I'll still be taller."

Aunt Yue naturally laughed and said, "I know, I know, I'm just afraid it won't fit if it's any bigger. Oh, and shoes, I'll make you some in all sizes.

Li Ming quickly said, "Auntie Yue, you made so much, I'm afraid I won't be able to use it?"

"It's useful, it's useful. By the way, you came back late and haven't eaten yet. I'll go cook." Aunt Yue muttered, and then went to the kitchen to prepare.

Dong Jie looked at Li Ming carefully again. Although it was only three months, Li Ming had changed a lot. His body was stronger, his eyes were more refined, and his temperament was different.

As a father, he was naturally full of joy and pulled Li Ming aside to ask him about his life.

Li Ming answered all of them one by one, told some interesting stories about Fang Yun, and made him realize that Fang Yun was really amazing, and that he was just mediocre in comparison.

Dong Jie shook his head and said, "Son, Fang Yun is a rare genius that only appears once in a thousand years, but you are also a rare talent that only appears once in a hundred years. How can you belittle yourself? Son, let's go to the yard and talk."

After hearing this, Li Ming nodded and went out to the eaves. It was night time, the sky was clear and the air was fresh. Dongjia Village was not a large courtyard house. The two of them stood by the house, breathing the night air comfortably, looking very energetic.

Neither of them spoke as they walked out of the door. Dong Jie walked slowly in front, while Li Ming followed slowly behind.

The two of them soon arrived at the stream at the edge of the village. The grass along the bank was green and tender.

After a long while, Dong Jie finally spoke, "Our Dong family doesn't have deep roots. We migrated here from Huangzhou a hundred years ago. We only have one ancestor, Zeng Dong Qiurang, who passed the imperial examination, but that was the end. For the next three generations, we didn't even have a scholar. It wasn't until the fourth generation, that is, your generation and that of your cousin Dong Qing, that we finally had you two."

Li Ming exhaled silently without saying anything.

"It's not easy!" Dong Jie muttered to himself, "Dong family. Ha, calling us a humble family is an honor. If we could build a farm, we'd have some prestige. But what are we doing now? Dongjia Village is just a mixed village with a few other families. Without the elders, it's really a mess. But if one of you can pass the imperial examination, you'll have the opportunity to become an official. Then, you can renovate the ancestral hall and rally people's hearts. It will also have some prestige. Step by step, we can rise from a humble family to a famous family, a prestigious family, or even an aristocratic family. There are opportunities."

Li Ming said, "Dad, I know that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. How can a noble family dare to expect that? But it is also my wish to let my relatives and friends in Dongjia Village live a good life."

Dong Jie laughed again, then lowered his head and said, "I only regret that I am incompetent and can no longer help you."

"Father, you've helped enough." Li Ming looked up and said, his eyes seemed to have a subtle tenderness.

The two looked at each other and laughed at the same time.
Accompanied by the sound of firecrackers, the entire Dongjia Village was filled with joy, even more lively than during the Chinese New Year or other festivals.

The news that Li Ming and Fang Yun had passed the imperial examinations naturally came earlier than their people returned, but the village chief held back and wanted to wait until they came back to celebrate. However, all other necessary supplies had naturally been prepared long ago.

Since both of them had returned last night, things were bound to get busy that day. The villagers in every household got up early in the morning to start preparing.

Starting from today, there will be a three-day buffet at the entrance of the ancestral hall to celebrate the emergence of a new scholar in Dongjia Village!
"Fire the cannons! Fire the cannons!"

The children were even more excited than the adults. Not only did they not have to do farm work or go to school, but they could also check firecrackers on the roadside, which was enough to keep them entertained for a whole day.

"Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee"

The opera troupe that we invited last night also started to perform on the stage. Although it was a makeshift troupe, it was still an entertainment program after all, and it was nice to watch.

Today's piece is about Zhuge Liang coming out of the mountains and setting up the Bagua formation, and all the witches and demons from all directions are convinced.
The young and old in the village gathered in groups of three or four, occasionally pointing and commenting on the characters on the stage. The content of the opera was nothing more than the same, but they watched it with gusto.

As I was watching, a fragrance came again. Needless to say, it was the aroma of pork and aniseed stewed in the pot. It’s not that pork is very expensive these days, but how can you get fragrance for free if you pay for it?
Just smelling it made me hungry. The funniest thing was Dong Laosan. He looked at the stage with his left eye and the kitchen with his right eye. He hummed along with the opera singers, but his saliva kept flowing down.

It would be a lie to say that he didn't feel sad when looking at this scene. This was all public money, but he had arranged it in the same way when his son passed the exam before. He couldn't be accused of favoritism. He even wanted to hold a bigger event.

He worked hard all the time, but when he saw the smiling faces of other people in the village, he felt that the money and effort were worth it.

"Grandpa Village Chief, are we going to eat meat today?" A group of children were surrounding him.

He naturally nodded with a smile, and then saw Li Ming walking towards him. He quickly waved his hand to signal the children to step back.

Seeing Li Ming approaching, the villagers hurried to greet him.

One was called Wenquxing, the other was called Xiucaigong, they were so enthusiastic that Li Ming responded to each of them. Others also saw that Li Ming was coming for the village chief, so they didn't say anything and just said hello, so Li Ming soon arrived in front of the village chief.

Li Ming bowed to the village chief and said, "Village chief, is this a bit..."

The village chief knew what he was going to say and quickly shook his head and said, "Our village only has such a big event every three to five years. I'm not afraid of spending money, I'm just afraid that such events are too rare. As long as someone named Dong can pass the exam, I will make it happen for him even if I have to sell everything I have!"

Li Ming smiled and said, "Village Chief, I have a hundred acres of good farmland to my name, and another five hundred acres are tax-free. I plan to sell the land. Could you please select other families willing to bring their land to me and cultivate my land as well? Of course, I won't let you work for nothing. I will donate twenty acres of land to the government as a token of my gratitude for your cultivation over the years."

The village chief laughed and said, "Okay, okay, I know you are from the Gu Nian clan. You have learned a lot and you know the truth!"

On the surface, only twenty acres of land were donated, but in fact, the land awarded to the scholar was all good land and could not be treated carelessly. Besides, who didn't know that Li Ming and Fang Yun had taken extra lessons from County Magistrate Du a few days ago?

With this relationship, he can only get better land, and it is tax-free land, which makes it even more interesting. There is also the remaining 400 acres of tax-free quota under his name. Li Ming did not ask for cash, but only asked these farmers to help plant their own fields, which makes it even more interesting.

As long as the village chief is willing to pay rent slightly lower than the taxes, many people will come with their land. Moreover, this is done privately without the village chief's permission, rather than through public accounts. The benefits can be imagined.

So of course the village chief was happy. He held Li Ming's hand and chattered a lot, saying many compliments.

At the same time, many older elders in Dongjia Village were looking at Li Ming and talking about it.

"Our Dongjia Village has produced an extraordinary figure."

"Of course. Where have you seen a fourteen-year-old scholar?"

"It's a pity Fang Yun's last name isn't Dong."

After saying this, the man realized that he had said something out of turn and quickly fell silent. He then laughed it off and let it go.

In this atmosphere, the village chief calculated the time and led everyone to stand in front of the Dong Family Ancestral Hall.

Dongjia Village is not big, with only a few hundred households, which means there are about a thousand people. The ancestral hall is full of people today, three layers inside and three layers outside, with no way to get through. Everyone is wearing their most formal clothes!
"Burn incense!"

“Burn the paper!”

"Recite the funeral oration!!"

"Now there is Dong Yong'er, the unicorn son of the Dong family. He was extremely gifted when he was young. At the age of fourteen, he passed the provincial examination."

The sacrificial text had been written by the village chief long ago. It was standard and not too long.

As the village chief's desolate voice sounded, a sense of solemnity and sacredness spread. Everyone's hearts were united, and a unique aura emerged.

Even though Li Ming did not have his spiritual eyes at this moment, he could still sense that good fortune was gathering here. With the protection of his ancestors in the afterlife and the unity of the people in the world, good fortune could naturally be gathered.

The village chief then called Li Ming out and asked him to burn incense and kowtow in person, and only then was the ceremony considered complete.

When the ceremony was over, the village chief looked at everyone's expectant gazes, smiled softly, and said, "Let's feast!"

It is said that food is the first necessity of the people.

As soon as the village chief ordered the feast to begin, the food and wine were sent out like water. Although there were only thirty tables, it was more than enough!
Pots of rice and dishes mixed with oil were brought up. The aroma alone made people's stomachs rumble with appetite, and everyone hurriedly began to eat voraciously.

And this only applies to the famous people in the village. There are still many people who don’t have the chance to sit at the table. They just watch eagerly from the side and have to wait until the first batch has finished eating before it is their turn.

There were so many people. In addition to the residents of Dongjia Village, there were also people from surrounding villages. When they heard that a scholar was born in Dongjia Village and a banquet was being held, they rushed here with their families overnight.

The open space around the ancestral hall simply cannot accommodate so many tables.

Some people know that they have no chance to sit at the table, but they can't bear to wait, so they just grab a bowl and fill it with some food from the back, then find a corner to squat and eat. You know what, it still tastes delicious.

PS: There will be another chapter later, I think
(End of this chapter)