The immortal of the Tang Dynasty, but the game starts at Xuanwu Gate?

Although the ancestral hall in Chenjiazhuang appears dilapidated, it occupies a considerable area, with a large area outside in addition to the main hall inside.

We usually discuss important matters here.

Today, for the villagers of Chenjiazhuang, nothing is more important than welcoming Chen Huai'an back home.

One by one, villagers came in carrying various things, just like they had back in Xiaoxi Village.

It's similar to attending a banquet.

Chen Huai'an looked around and frowned: "Uncle Youde, where are Da Niu and Er Niu?"

"It seems like all the young people in the village have disappeared, and Uncle Boshan is nowhere to be found either."

Chen Youde laughed and said, "Isn't this all thanks to you?"

"Thanks to you, almost every family in Chenjiazhuang has a spot to reclaim wasteland and build water conservancy projects, and they are all assigned nearby."

"Most young people have gone out to earn money, and Boshan has gone too, so naturally you won't see him."

"Isn't that right?" Chen Mugen's wife, Li Chunhua, came in carrying firewood. She couldn't stop smiling when she heard this. "Not only have Da Niu and Er Niu gone and started earning money, but even the county magistrate often comes to our village to ask us what we need."

"Huai'an, everyone has benefited from your success."

"What benefit am I to you?" Chen Huai'an said with some guilt, "If it weren't for me, we wouldn't have had such a difficult time before, and even the Chen clan's ancestral hall would still be in this state."

"Besides, I haven't come back to visit my uncles and elders in all these years, which is really wrong of me."

"What nonsense are you spouting?" Chen Youde's face darkened. "You're now a third-rank official, busy with national affairs every day. What reason do we have to visit you?"

"Just focus on your work and come back occasionally!"

"That's right," Li Chunhua said while tending the fire. "Chang'an is so far away from here, you don't need to worry about us, we're doing very well."

"We often see what you do in the morning newspaper."

Chen Huai'an smiled and said, "Uncle Youde, I'm back this time to renovate my old home and the ancestral hall."

"Let's make it more extravagant, we can't let others outdo us."

Upon hearing this, Chen Youde was stunned for a moment, then nodded emphatically: "Okay, I'll listen to you. Let's make our house and ancestral hall look more impressive, so we can't be outdone by others."

Li Chunhua joked, "Uncle Youde, Da Niu and the others made some money before and said they wanted to raise money to renovate the ancestral hall, but you wouldn't agree. Now Huai'an has asked for a more grand one, and you've already agreed?"

"What are you saying?" Chen Youde said irritably, "How can Huai'an's repairs be the same?"

"Huai'an can build a more impressive ancestral hall, but we can't, otherwise people will cause trouble."

"Now that Huai'an is back, after we pay respects to our ancestors, even if we rebuild the ancestral hall into a magnificent structure, who dares to say anything?"

Li Chunhua suddenly realized: "No wonder you kept disagreeing with building the ancestral hall. You were waiting for Huai'an to come back."

"That's right!" Chen Youde said with a smug look, "Huai'an is the unicorn of our Chen clan, of course we have to wait for him to come back."

At this moment, Chen Mugen carried in a large pot, cheerfully saying, "Huai'an, wait here, Uncle Mugen will make you something delicious."

Many people also came in with a lot of things, ready to make a big splash.

Seeing that everyone was there, Chen Huai'an said to Chen Youde, "Uncle Youde, isn't there a large open space in the middle of the village? I plan to build a school there. I'll find a teacher and prepare the books."

"I want all the children in Chenjiazhuang to be able to afford to go to school."

"I have reformed the imperial examination system, and everyone can now take the path of the imperial examination."

Whether you pass the exam or not depends on your own ability. Even if you don't pass, as long as you have knowledge, you won't starve wherever you go.

After these words were spoken, the ancestral hall fell silent for a moment, then immediately became lively again.

"Huai'an, you...you're telling the truth?" Chen Mugen's voice trembled.

Chen Huai'an is going to build a school in the village and prepare books for everyone. What does that represent?

This means he wants to give all future generations a chance—a chance to escape farming and soar to great heights!

Despite Chen Huai'an's care, every household in the village has an income and can live a comfortable life, but when it comes to education, they are still far behind.

Studying is not something that can be accomplished overnight. Back then, Chen Huai'an studied diligently for many years, and many benefactors helped him along the way. The whole village staked their fortunes on it, and Chen Huai'an himself was extremely hardworking, which is why he had that opportunity.

The money they earn is simply not enough to send their children to school.

Now, Chen Huai'an casually says he wants to build a school, even including the books.

How could it not be a pleasant surprise?

"It should be true, right? Huai'an was a bit mischievous when he was young, but he never boasted. He always kept his word and wouldn't lie."

"Yes, if children can afford to go to school in the future, even if they don't pass the imperial examinations, they can still get a good job in the county and won't have to work in the fields like we did."

Everyone was talking at once, their eyes filled with hope.

Chen Huai'an said earnestly, "What I said is true. As long as everyone agrees today and clears out a piece of land, I will immediately find someone to build a school."

The people of Chenjiazhuang were immediately in an uproar, and the ancestral hall was bustling with activity.

Chen Youde said with a stern face, "Alright, everyone be quiet. Since everyone agrees on this, then those with money should contribute money, and those with strength should contribute strength. We can't let Huai'an do everything by himself."

"As for the open space... everyone can tidy it up later."

"No need." Chen Huai'an waved his hand. "Everyone has taken good care of me in the past. This school is my way of giving back to everyone. I can run it myself."

"Everyone just needs to help clear the space."

"That won't do!" Chen Mugen refused flatly. "We're not bloodsuckers clinging to you; there's no reason for us to make you pay for everything, both money and effort."

"You just need to help find a good husband and prepare the books!"

Just as Chen Huai'an was about to speak, Chen Mugen firmly said, "You don't need to say anything; this matter is settled!"

After saying that, he turned his head and said, "Uncle Youde, I'm planning to bring Big Dog back. Damn it, that kid's got good timing. The little brat is lucky."

Chen Youde nodded: "Then let's do it this way. Let everyone who's gone out come back, and call Boshan too."

Chen Huai'an said helplessly, "Uncle De, there's no need for that. They earn a lot of money in a day..."

"When can't we make money?" Chen Youde said firmly. "Let them come back, and we can all work together then."

"Mugen is right. We're not bloodsuckers clinging to you. Your plan to build a school and provide books is already a great blessing for everyone."

"I can't let you do everything."

"Besides..." Chen Youde laughed again in an instant, "Anyway, with your connection, Boshan and the others can go back to work anytime, it's no problem."

"..."

PS: Holy crap, how can gold still reach 800?! I'm totally losing it!!!

They're selling their butts?! Holy crap!!!