Free Web NovelChapter 663: Chapter 663: Even Archrivals Can Work Together Someday
Boss Qian found satisfaction in successfully piquing everyone’s curiosity and smiled contentedly.
He had gone to Pingchuan County early in the morning to read the bulletin and hurried back to Qinghe Bay after reading it.
It was all to report the first-hand news.
He first went to the Weaving Workshop to tell Tong Huaqiong this good news. Tong Huaqiong expressed indifferently that she already knew, which left Boss Qian feeling somewhat unsatisfied, thinking he was still too late in knowing the news.
Although Tong Huaqiong had heard the news early, the villagers were still unaware.
So, when he saw the villagers gathered around the village chief, asking about the accomplishments of Gu Dashu and Manager He, he squeezed in to stand beside the village chief, intending to be his spokesperson.
Village Chief Liu frowned as everyone asked about specific achievements—he wanted to know too!
However, the government officer only told him that Dasheng had won the war against Mo Bei and that Gu Dashu, Manager He, and Nie Xiaofeng had made meritorious achievements. The specifics were not mentioned, and in his excitement, he forgot to ask for details.
Now, the officers had gone to the next village to report the news, and he couldn’t catch up even if he wanted to ask.
"Fellow villagers, I just returned from Pingchuan County. The bulletin detailed the achievements of Dashu and Manager He, speaking of Gu Dashu..."
Boss Qian flicked his clothing and took on the role of the village chief’s strong spokesperson.
He started to speak, glancing around the crowd to observe everyone’s reactions.
Villagers were getting frustrated with Boss Qian’s tendency to keep them in suspense.
An old lady picked up an egg from her basket, thinking of throwing it at Boss Qian’s face, but then put it down, considering its value. However, she didn’t hold back her words: "Boss Qian, if you have something to say, just say it. Are you telling a story or giving a lecture?"
Despite being cursed, Boss Qian was not angry; he waved his sleeve like an actor on stage and said, "Speaking of when Gu Dashu and Manager He arrived at the border..."
Boss Qian, like a storyteller in a teahouse, vividly narrated the heroic deeds of Gu Dashu and Manager He, captivating the entire village. Many looked worried when he talked about Gu Dashu getting captured by the Mo Bei people, and they all sighed with relief when hearing he made it back to Dasheng’s borders successfully.
Tong Huaqiong stood at the edge of the crowd, finding it both amusing and exasperating.
The bulletin didn’t detail it nearly as much; the added specifics were all Boss Qian’s embellishments.
Nonetheless, the hardships Gu Dashu experienced were real, the risks faced were real...
When Boss Qian finished speaking, the villagers felt as if they had personally ventured to the border.
Even the village chief was overwhelmed with excitement.
Gu Dashu was his niece’s husband, and hearing that even the emperor knew of his achievements, he was about to go to Shengjing to receive royal commendation—perhaps even receive an official title.
The thought of sharing the honor was thrilling.
"I always knew, since Dashu was young, that he’d amount to something significant—proven now by his merits for the court," sighed the old lady carrying the egg basket.
"You’re right. My son-in-law has always been promising. Those shallow people have been wondering why he didn’t return home for the past two years. You’ve never left Qinghe Bay in your lives, and yet you act like you can judge the world! You’ve been guessing why he didn’t come home when he was actually making significant achievements," Mrs. Zhao proudly said.
With her son-in-law’s accomplishments, Mrs. Zhao felt esteemed.
She had known about Gu Dashu’s achievements before the New Year and had been eager to boast but was advised by her in-laws to hold off until official announcements were made.
The whole first month had been a torturous wait for her.
Since the bulletin was out now, it confirmed everything.
Now, who would dare whisper behind her back that her son-in-law had been captured by Mo Bei people?
Instead of being captured, he had achieved great feats.
Those being openly criticized by Mrs. Zhao felt either ashamed or envious.
Why was Gu Dashu so fortunate, with all the good things happening to him?
If it were just hearsay from Boss Qian about his achievements, it would have been harder to believe. But since it was the court’s bulletin, they must be telling the truth.
"Boss Qian mentioned just now that Dashu is going to Shengjing to receive commendations. Wow, that means he might see the emperor himself. I hear the Imperial Palace banquets are delicious. When can we ever have a taste?"
"Well, you must first go and gain merits at the border like Dashu! Achieving those feats is no easy task. Just look at you, frightened off by bees in the cotton field, running two miles. You’d probably spill everything before even getting tortured at the border," someone retorted.
"Dashu might be bestowed a title, starting from working in the field, yet how did he end up in Shengjing, while we remain farmers in Qinghe Bay?" another commented.
"Don’t be envious; this is what he deserves. Dashu’s achievements might seem glamorous, but his head was on the line. The Mo Bei people aren’t easy to fool. Who knows how much he suffered? Let’s appreciate our stable lives here in Qinghe Bay," another chimed in.
Everyone discussed eagerly.
Some were filled with admiration, some with envy.
Of course, some were jealous too.
"Ah, accomplishments might seem glorious, but only those who can truly bear the weight of such accomplishments can shine. The Emperor might be joyful today and grant rewards, but upset tomorrow and decide to eliminate nine generations. I’d say, let’s not celebrate too early," sneered Xiao Cao’s grandmother, Madam Huang.
"Shut your blabbering! You’re simply envious," countered someone.
"Your mouth is full of nonsense; go relieve yourself elsewhere instead of spouting here," another retorted.
Before Tong Huaqiong could handle Madam Huang, Mrs. Zhao and the Gu matriarch joined forces to scold her.
Mrs. Zhao was vicious with her words, while the Gu matriarch was crude. Madam Huang, under their combined reprimands, had to back down.
The surrounding onlookers were surprised to see Mrs. Zhao and the Gu matriarch, usually at odds, join forces for once.
"Hmph, have your moment," Madam Huang sniffed dismissively when defeated.
"You throw around proclamations about nine generations. Do you even know who they include? If the emperor really wanted to eliminate Dashu’s nine generations, none of us in the village would escape. You better take back your curse, or the first head eliminated will be yours. Fool!" Tong Huaqiong lectured ominously to Madam Huang.
The people around realized after Tong Huaqiong’s reminder that they were all included in the nine generations.
"Nine generations, that means the entire village would be eliminated."
"Madam Huang, are you cursing the whole village? Tsk, tsk!"
"Madam Huang, stop spewing nonsense, or sew up that mouth of yours if it’s not for eating."
The villagers ganged up to scold Madam Huang.
The Gu Family especially cursed the fiercest, since they’d be the first affected by the elimination of nine generations.
Originally, those envious of Gu Dashu’s achievements and waiting to see his downfall had a change of heart, scolding Madam Huang even more fiercely.
Madam Huang, seeing she had angered the crowd, looked quite dejected.
With a stern face, Village Chief Liu concluded, "Dashu’s achievements benefit all of us. For one thing, when people hear about Qinghe Bay, they’ll know it’s Dashu’s village. Doesn’t that mean we’d be regarded more highly when we go out to handle things? So, put your petty thoughts away."
"Right, right, the village chief is absolutely correct. Dashu’s accomplishments bring pride to our entire village. Long ago, the Black Dragon Pond produced a Mighty General and even though he never returned to pay respects to his ancestors, those from Black Dragon Pond were held in high regard simply by being associated with him. More so with Dashu’s family still here in Qinghe Bay," someone added.
"We have a general from Yan Guan Town too, didn’t you hear Boss Qian? Bai Shuang’s son was promoted to Deputy General after bravely fighting on the battlefield," someone chimed in.
Everyone looked with admiration towards Tong Huaqiong, wondering what kind of luck she had. Her son achieved merit, her grandson achieved merit, and even her subordinate achieved merits.
This collective success in earning honors was something the villagers could only envy.
"Congratulations on Dashu’s achievements, Bigfoot," someone congratulated Tong Huaqiong.
"You already have a scholar in the family, and now another son earning honors. For someone with sons, how come your sons are all striving to earn you titles, while my son only knows how to annoy me?"
Since jealousy doesn’t help, genuine congratulations seemed more worthwhile.
Tong Huaqiong smiled slightly, graciously accepting everyone’s congratulations.
