Chapter 269: with translation of chapter title

Someone had already gone to call the Clan Elder.

The crowd escorted the three guests inside, warmly exchanging greetings.

Is that Village Chief Qian and Madam Qian? Earlier, it was our families' foolishness that caused such a big mess.

Thanks to Village Chief Qian's efforts to stop it, we avoided a major disaster.

Lao Qian and Madam Qian quickly waved their hands, laughing, 'It's nothing, it's just a misunderstanding; clearing it up is enough.'

The crowd then turned to Gu Xixi, 'Of course, we also owe it to Boss Gu for not holding past grudges.'

Boss Gu is one of our own, so we don't need to stand on ceremony with you; treat this place as your own home, do and say whatever you like.

Gu Xixi said, 'You're being overly kind.'

Since we're family, you can just call me by my name from now on; no need to be so formal.

Everyone again agreed.

There's still two hours until the meal starts.

Two persons in charge took Lao Qian and his wife to rest first, serving them some cool noodle fish.

Gu Xixi had other arrangements.

The Clan Elder and several persons in charge were all known to her.

The Clan Elder personally led her to meet several respected elders of the Gu Clan.

Some of them appeared even older than Gu Daye, while others were middle-aged, about the same age as Lao Qian.

Gu Xixi greeted each of them in turn.

Several elders responded with smiles, and the atmosphere was very harmonious.

It was clear they had no objections to Gu Xixi, the newly appointed person in charge.

The Clan Elder pointed to the offering table set up at the front of the venue and said, 'This year, Heavenly Lord and Earth Lord have blessed us with an abundant harvest; later we need to offer incense and pour wine in thanks.'

Just stand behind me.

Gu Xixi nodded and replied, 'Yes.'

A young daughter-in-law from someone's family brought a bowl of cool noodle fish to Gu Xixi.

Have a bowl, little sister; it'll cool you down and quench your thirst.

In advance, pour the wheat slurry into a large iron pot and stir continuously clockwise until it becomes a paste.

The cooked wheat paste is scooped into a strainer, dropping bit by bit into cold water to set, forming shapes like small fish or tadpoles.

Additionally, a sour and salty cool broth had been prepared in advance.

Place the noodle fish in a bowl, pour the broth over it, and it's ready to eat.

You must eat it quickly, otherwise it will lose its texture.

The noodle fish is tender and melts in the mouth; eaten with the refreshing broth, it hardly needs chewing, so its consumption is called 'drinking' rather than 'eating'.

By now it was approaching noon, with the blazing sun high in the sky.

Gu Xixi took a sip from the edge of the bowl, and indeed felt it stimulate saliva and relieve the heat.

At that moment, someone pulled a scholar over.

The Clan Elder smiled and introduced, 'Little Xixi, this is Mingyuan; his surname is Jiang, his mother is a daughter who married out of the Gu Clan, his father is a clerk serving the Prefect, and they come from a scholarly family.'

Gu Xixi had to rise with her bowl to greet him, 'Master Jiang, pleased to meet you.'

Jiang Mingyuan bowed and said, 'I have long heard of Boss Gu's reputation, a remarkable woman; pleased to meet you.'

The Clan Elder laughed heartily, 'You two are about the same age, both young people; why be so formal?'

He said to Jiang Mingyuan, 'Although your two families are not related by marriage, your mother still bears the Gu surname.'

Today you ought to look after your little sister Xixi more.

'Little sister?' Gu Xixi started, feeling amused; since she had eliminated the perverted cousin Gu Tiezhu, she hadn't heard that term in a long time.

Jiang Mingyuan lifted his gaze to Gu Xixi, seeming a bit shy, and slightly lowered his head.

Yes.

The Clan Elder also told Gu Xixi, 'This child Mingyuan was raised for several years at his maternal grandparents' home; I watched him grow up, and he's an obedient, good child.'

I heard this year he placed first in the county examination; I'm truly delighted.

Even though our Gu Clan currently lacks such fortune, Mingyuan still carries Gu blood in his veins; at eighteen he became a Recommended Person, and even the Prefect says his future is limitless.

Gu Xixi looked at Jiang Mingyuan, also somewhat surprised.

In ancient times, passing the county examination allowed one to become a Recommended Person.

Achieving the status of Recommended Person already represents the first step upward in class for commoners.

After becoming a Recommended Person, one could go to the capital to participate in the higher-level metropolitan examination.

Jiang Mingyuan, at just eighteen, placed first in the county examination, equivalent to today's provincial top scorer in the college entrance exam.

So the Clan Elder's remark that his future is limitless is not mere boasting.

Gu Xixi smiled at Jiang Mingyuan and said, 'Although it's a bit late, congratulations, Brother Jiang, on becoming a Recommended Person.'

Her bright smile and poised demeanor were completely unlike the secluded young women Jiang Mingyuan had seen before.

The young Recommended Person was momentarily dazed by her gaze, then after a moment said, 'Kind words are never too late; thank you, Little Xixi.'

The Clan Elder's gaze flicked between them, and he nodded satisfied.

We old-timers know you two youngsters won't want to hear what we have to say.

Mingyuan, Little Xixi is attending her first clan gathering; take her around to meet everyone.

Gu Xixi followed Jiang Mingyuan away, first handing her empty bowl to the person in charge of collecting dishes.

Jiang Mingyuan started the conversation, 'My maternal grandparents' home also grows millet.'

This time I just returned, and I've heard quite a bit about you.

Gu Xixi smiled faintly, "You must have heard — I previously clung to the secret formula and refused to let go, but recently I finally agreed to speak, yet I also sell things to everyone, sly and crafty, never suffering a loss — that's me."

Jiang Mingyuan's handsome face stiffened, then he widened his eyes in surprise.

Realizing Gu Xixi was joking, he then chuckled, "You, indeed, are extraordinary."

"However, what I've heard is not what you said; on the contrary, it's all flattering words."

Jiang Mingyuan smiled and spoke leisurely.

From his words one could tell he was a learned person.

It was not lacking in humor and wit.

Perhaps having grown familiar, Jiang Mingyuan no longer had the tension from when they first met, and became talkative.

From time to time he introduced passersby to Gu Xixi.

He also spoke of the traditions and past amusements of the local Gu Clan gathering, and so on.

His bearing was refined, yet he showed no sign of flaunting his learning or indulging in empty talk.

Even on the farming topics that Gu Xixi found most interesting, Jiang Mingyuan had his own insights and views.

Gu Xixi had thought this trip would be somewhat dull, but she never expected to meet someone as interesting as Jiang Mingyuan.

"Do you feel that the grain planting in the Northwest is still insufficient?"

Jiang Mingyuan hummed, "Far from enough."

Over the past three years, the grain circulating in the market, plus the stored official grain from all regions, together are only enough to keep market prices stable for now.

After the Northwest Army finishes this battle, regardless of the outcome, the Northwest's grain supplies cannot withstand any turmoil.

He wore a worried expression and sighed, "If only someone could develop more land and plant more grain."

Gu Xixi lowered her head, the corners of her mouth turning up slightly.

This person, a mere scholar, actually shared the same thought as her.

Unfortunately, he currently has no way of knowing that large tracts of land have already been opened up in the Northwest border.

Jiang Mingyuan looked at Gu Xixi and said solemnly, "That's why I greatly admire what you've done."

"As the saying goes, 'Food is heaven to the people'; if we can make the same land yield more grain, the Northwest will have no further worries!"