Chapter 93: As Long as the Years Are Peaceful

With the New Year approaching, the Shen Family in Xianghui Fang is also making preparations for it.

Uncle Shen has been busy with external social engagements lately, leaving the household affairs to the brothers Shen Qing and Shen Liu.

Finally having some free time, he intends to see how the household preparations are coming along.

Upon checking, he discovers a problem.

"Why hasn't Wen Gu been called over for the New Year?" he demands.

The Wen family met with misfortune during these chaotic times, and now only Wen Gu and Tietou remain.

For the New Year's Eve family banquet, it is only right to call these two over to celebrate together; after all, he is Wen Gu's own uncle.

Shen Qing is taken aback: "Ah? Father, you don't know?"

Uncle Shen is even more taken aback: "Know what?"

Shen Qing speaks with a sour tone: "Wen Gu is going to the Zhao Family for the New Year, not coming to our house."

Uncle Shen is shocked: "You didn't say so earlier?!"

"I thought you knew."

Speaking of Wen Gu going to the Zhao Family for the New Year, Shen Qing shows envy on his face.

Uncle Shen thinks to himself: The Zhao Family actually values Wen Gu this much; he had originally assumed Wen Gu would spend the New Year with them and had already wrapped a portion of "warding-off-evil" money in red paper.

But now that he knows Wen Gu is spending the New Year at the Zhao Family, this "warding-off-evil" money will have to be increased just a little bit more.

He has prepared "warding-off-evil" money for all the juniors; although many of the juniors can hardly be considered "children," given the current unusual state of the world, he still prepared red envelopes for everyone, aiming for the good luck of "suppressing evil and driving away bad spirits."

Thinking this, Uncle Shen looks at his own two sons again, feeling a pang of frustration.

If he hadn't asked this one extra question, perhaps he wouldn't have known until New Year's Eve!

Over in Jingxing Fang.

Since Wen Gu is not going to the Shen Family for the New Year, he prepared New Year's gifts for the Shen Family in advance: several exquisite glass items.

The ward is also preparing for the New Year. Those who can participate in the grand canteen's New Year banquet have already received the news one after another.

These people have various statuses: clerks and minor officials, patrol and security personnel, and some outstanding residents, craftsmen, and laborers, among others.

Most are from Jingxing Fang and Qingyun Fang, though there are also people from other wards, such as most of the craftsmen.

Times are difficult now; being able to eat a free meal, join in the excitement, and have an occasion to release emotions and stress makes everyone very enthusiastic.

The New Year banquet is funded by the Jingqing Public Office, and the food prepared is richer than usual; while wealthy families might look down on it, for those at the grassroots level, it is already considered a luxury.

Every table has meat, and they can even share a tiny bit of wine to satisfy their cravings.

The two wards are holding the New Year banquet together.

He Da looks at the new member, Tao San, with a smile on his face; the New Year banquet is a joyous occasion, so he certainly cannot wear a long face. Inside, he has been cursing for who knows how long.

"Brother, he probably isn't on the same path as you. There's no need to be so guarded," He Xiaodi comforts him.

"No, don't be fooled by him! He may not look like he's on the same path, but this is also a person with ambition." The higher one goes in the ward, the fewer important positions there are, and everyone is a competitor!

He Da sees it clearly.

Yu Er swings his hammer to forge iron, yet he doesn't neglect to get to know the laborers in Qingyun Fang, and he is very well-informed as he fraternizes with them.

But regardless of anything else, Yu Er is in Qingyun Fang.

This newcomer, however, is truly going to stay in Jingxing Fang!

How could that not make He Da guarded!

Tao San doesn't care about He Da's cold face; he is currently rehearsing a program with the arts and entertainment squad.

Joining Jingxing Fang, he made quite a splash among their group; although he isn't on the official roster yet and has no year-end benefits for the time being, as long as he stays here, he can get them next year!

For officially registered personnel, year-end benefits mainly consist of grain tickets and coal; although not much, these are all free gains!

In this day and age, who wouldn't envy being able to get such good things for free?

At the year-end canteen meal, before the two-ward New Year banquet officially begins, Wen Gu first announces the rewards for outstanding personnel—

Grain tickets, salt and sugar, meat, cloth, and other miscellaneous goods.

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

After handing out the rewards, he proceeds to paint a big picture for everyone.

—The tasks after the New Year will be heavy; everyone work hard, and by the end of next year, the benefits and rewards will be even better!

Those present, as well as those watching from the outside, are all uncontrollably excited.

Those not on the roster are thinking of giving it their all in the coming year to see if they can squeeze into the roster.

Those on the roster are even more excited. They were already very thrilled when the year-end benefits were issued a while ago, and they didn't expect the ward to have additional rewards!

He asks Qingyi Daozhang to conduct a simple sacrificial ceremony.

Xiao Liu has also rarely returned for a visit; having entered the Patrol Guard Division, he looks much more composed.

Previously, he viewed the world's myriad states from the perspective of a commoner; after joining the Patrol Guard Division, he stands at a higher vantage point, looking at a broader situation and viewing various problems.

He will face more complex and cruel factors, and those with ordinary temperaments would not be able to handle it.

Clearly, Xiao Liu has handled it.

At the table where Ward Chief Wen is sitting, several teammates from the "Northward Escape Squad" are seated.

Wen Gu's sincere gaze carries a touch of emotion as he scans everyone present one by one, saying with a slight sigh:

"By this time next year, we might not be able to gather everyone for the ward's New Year banquet."

Upon hearing this, everyone feels heavy-hearted.

Stable days are only temporary; a chaotic world is a chaotic world, and one must face reality. No one can guarantee they will still be able to sit here securely next year.

However, compared to days of living hand-to-mouth, they are already doing very well now, and there is nothing to be dissatisfied with.

He Da is just about to speak up to liven up the atmosphere when he hears Wen Gu say:

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

Huh?

Several old acquaintances at the table looked stunned.

Wen Gu: "By this time next year, perhaps several people at this table will be spending the New Year back in their hometowns."

Everyone: Huh???

Isn't that exactly how it is!

He Da, Yu Er, and the others had people they knew well back in their hometowns who had helped them before; if possible, they were willing to go back and bring some people over.

Old fellow villagers you trust are much more useful than the people here!

Zhou Shan was also moved.

He also wanted to go back and see if there were any surviving relatives or friends, or people who had helped him in the past, and by the way, see if he could run into his enemies and just knife them.

The steadiness on Xiao Liu's face vanished instantly, and he immediately beamed, saying: "I am going back next year. When the time comes, I'll gather a few more people, get our equipment ready, and ride back—it'll be faster!"

For Xiao Liu, all the hardships were nothing; he wanted to make a name for himself, and next autumn, he would go back to his hometown to bring the people from the Village over!

The New Year's banquet at Jingxing Fang was very simple in every way, but the atmosphere was very lively.

Wen Gu also used this occasion to let everyone release their emotions and psychological pressure, and incidentally, to encourage and motivate them.

Wen Gu did not stay in the Fang for too long; after arranging the affairs, he brought the gift box he had prepared in advance the next day and called for Tietou.

"Let's go, time to sponge off the rich!"

He left an Identity Plate at Jingxing Fang; if there were any emergencies, Cheng Zhi and the others could take this Identity Plate to find him.

Wen Gu brought Tietou and Chang Shun to Zhao Zhai.

The few days around New Year's Eve were when the wealthy families and nobles in the city exchanged gifts and socialized.

When Wen Gu arrived at the Zhao Family, there were still several Zhao clansmen who had come to deliver gifts and had not gone far.

Just as he entered the door, he happened to run into Zhao Shaozhu seeing guests out.

One was a middle-aged woman who looked rather plump, and the other was about the same age as Wen Gu, with a tall and straight figure, looking quite scholarly.

Zhao Shaozhu introduced the two parties.

These two were the Zhao Family's aunt and her son, He Wenyu.

Aunt Zhao's gaze immediately became guarded.

He Wenyu, however, cautiously offered a salute first.

Wen Gu returned the gesture in a friendly manner.

Aunt Zhao looked Wen Gu up and down and twitched the corner of her mouth: "You are Wen Gu? I heard you've accomplished several big things?"

As she spoke, she turned her head and smiled at Zhao Shaozhu: "Wenyu is about the same age as him, his scholarship is excellent, and he can also accomplish big things!"

He Wenyu, who was to the side, shook his head vigorously at Zhao Shaozhu: I'm not! I didn't! I don't want to do it!

Aunt Zhao could not see this and continued to grab Zhao Shaozhu's arm to recommend him: "You are his cousin, you know, Wenyu is a child who loves to read, he is kind-hearted and honest..."

Zhao Shaozhu thought to himself: In this world, being kind-hearted and honest won't get big things done!

He Wenyu's heart was currently being flooded with mental barrages: Save me, save me, save me!

Finally reaching the door, Aunt Zhao still had more to say, and it was quite a while before she and He Wenyu stepped onto the carriage and left.

Once they were further away from Zhao Zhai, He Wenyu said with a headache and helplessness: "Mother, you know how much ability I have, don't you? There were so many people watching outside the door just now, why make Cousin dissatisfied?"

Aunt Zhao shed the persistence she had just shown and said calmly: "Your cousin won't get angry over such a small matter."

He Wenyu worried: "But saying those things to Cousin at the door wasn't very good."

Aunt Zhao said unhurriedly: "After all, our family lives in Zhaohui Fang, so we need to appear to fit in. Everyone is looking for your uncle and cousin for official positions like this, so we should put on a show too."

He Wenyu realized it, paused, and still said: "Wen Gu is extremely talented and is highly valued by Uncle and Cousin. I am far inferior and cannot shoulder heavy responsibilities."

Aunt Zhao glanced at him and said: "You're overthinking it; your cousin knows what your temperament is like and won't put pressure on you."

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

Aunt Zhao said: "Of course I know Wen Gu is highly valued, otherwise he would be going to the Shen Family for the New Year instead of the Zhao Family! I put on that attitude just now, besides dealing with those people in Zhaohui Fang—there were people at the door who hadn't left just then—it was for them to see. It's also for the sake of the future; later on, you won't need to find excuses to avoid Wen Gu."

He Wenyu said embarrassedly: "So that's it! Mother, you've gone to such trouble! Your acting was really good just now, I didn't even notice."

Aunt Zhao said proudly: "If I let you notice, how could I get by?!"

Of course she knew that when facing a nephew like Zhao Shaozhu, the more one relies on their status to demand official positions, the harder it is to be given important responsibilities, and what one ends up with will only be some empty or idle posts—and that is enough!

It saves face, requires little work, and is stable.

Their family actually has no desire for fame or profit.

With this blood relationship, as long as the Zhao Family does not fall, their family will live without worries.

Why work hard when you can just lie back and win?

Aunt Zhao smiled indifferently.

She said: "I heard that this Wen Gu is quite resourceful; if he is black-hearted, it's easy to suffer losses if you cross him! Neither you nor your father is good at this, so we should just keep a respectful distance."

He Wenyu agreed very much.

In this chaotic world, having experienced the pain of losing loved ones and having seen too many human tragedies, they only hoped their own small family would be harmonious and full,

living their lives behind closed doors.

Every day, being able to eat together, talk together, and enjoy the rare peace and quiet of the years was enough to be satisfied.

Their self-positioning was that of wealthy idlers.

The lifelong pursuit of so many people!

To be able to live such a life in this chaotic world, they were truly content!

On the other side, the Zhao Family.

Zhao Shaozhu sent his aunt and cousin out the door and walked inside with Wen Gu again.

Aunt Zhao's attitude toward Wen Gu just now was not very good, so Zhao Shaozhu explained a few more words:

"My uncle by marriage was born into a scholarly family in the north, grew up with literature and rhetoric, and is not skilled in weapons or warfare."

The literary atmosphere in Beidi is not flourishing; nowadays, Xinzhou City is teeming with talent, and as more people come from the south, my uncle's original talents have become even less conspicuous.

Zhao Shaozhu said: "My uncle is modest, upright, and steady, with a calm temperament; my cousin is very similar to him."

Wen Gu understood; he meant that the father and son lacked ambition and were ill-suited for heavy responsibilities.

He immediately began to ponder this in his heart.

A scholarly family, grown up with literature and rhetoric?

Upright and steady, with a calm temperament?

Hmm...

Most of Old Master Hong's old friends are advanced in age and far less robust than Old Master Hong.

There must be many matters to attend to at the start of the academy's establishment; those elderly people might not be able to handle them. There are certainly young people to do the work, but their status might not be sufficient.

If it is truly as my cousin says, and the father and son of the He Daye have such temperament and talent...

Their talent is acceptable, they know how to read the situation, and they have the added status of being relatives; they are much more well-behaved than those who spend all day thinking about fighting.

They are also unlike the scholars coming from the south, who need more time to adapt to the new environment.

They won't suffer from acclimatization issues, they aren't afraid of weather changes, and looking at He Wenyu's physique, he looks like he can take a beating.

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

Thinking of the series of displays by Aunt Zhao just now, Wen Gu smiled tolerantly at Cousin Zhao:

"Aunt Zhao recommended Wenyu very strongly just now; you could also consider it, Cousin. Come to think of it, you should already know about the academy's affairs; perhaps you could let Brother Wenyu go and assist in running the school."

The purely academic talent for the academy can be supplemented slowly; Old Master Hong and the others are more adept at that.

For the Zhao Family to support the establishment of the academy so quickly, under the current survival situation, they must expand the administrative system within the academy to facilitate control.

The Head of the Family Zhao certainly has other candidates in mind, but two more people can be added.

—Lacking ambition and ill-suited for heavy responsibilities? It doesn't matter, as long as they can get things done!

Cousin Zhao took Wen Gu's suggestion to heart.

It makes sense!

However, his perspective was different from Wen Gu's.

Besides expanding the academy's administrative system to strengthen control, he also wanted to deepen the exchange between the north and the south. His uncle and cousin, these two people, have the learning, the status, and a mild temperament; they are indeed good candidates.

Zhao Shaozhu was lost in thought.

Wen Gu said no more.

The father and son of the He Daye will likely have new positions after the New Year.

Aunt Zhao's wish will be satisfied, and she will surely be very happy... right?

I don't know if the other party will be happy, but Wen Gu was quite happy; when he arrived at his aunt's place, there was still a smile in his eyes.

Zhao Shaozhu had other matters to attend to and left for the time being.

Lady Shen had also just become free; she looked at Wen Gu and asked: "You're in a good mood today; is there good news?"

Wen Gu said: "Indeed. I was lucky today; just as I entered the courtyard gate, I saw someone recommending themselves."

Come on, everyone, let's carry the burden forward together!

(End of chapter)