Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 350 - 186: Beating Drums and Striking Gongs

Chapter 350: Chapter 186: Beating Drums and Striking Gongs

Looking into the distance, the distant mountains were clear and serene.

Gu Chengyu and his companions were getting closer to the village, even Ming Mo and the others were driving the carriage faster.

As the old saying goes, "A golden nest or a silver nest is not as good as your own humble nest." Though crude, the logic holds true!

There were no people on the road; it was already late afternoon, and Gu Chengyu and his companions were eager to return home. Watching the carriage approaching the village, Gu Chengyu was peering towards the Gu Family courtyard.

"Oh my! Is it the scholar returning!" Aunt Wang happened to come out from Gu Family’s courtyard, holding a handful of flat beans. The Gu Family’s courtyard had flat beans growing in it, and sometimes when they had too much, they’d invite familiar families to come and pick some.

Aunt Wang saw the carriage nearing the village entrance, with Ming Mo and Ming Yan driving, and she slapped her thigh, scampering into the village. Mr. Scholar was returning to the village; she had to inform the Gu family’s Clan Leader.

Ming Mo was confused by Aunt Wang’s actions; the young master was back, why was Aunt Wang running? Aunt Wang was fond of their young master and would usually stop to chat for a few words upon meeting.

Gu Chengyu, sitting in the carriage, had already heard Aunt Wang’s loud voice. He thought Aunt Wang was still as charming as ever.

The carriage had entered the village entrance, nearing the big tree, when Gu Chengyu heard the sound of drums and gongs in the village. He hadn’t heard a sound earlier! Could it be someone’s holding a celebration? He hadn’t heard of any nearby families planning a marriage.

Ming Mo, pulling the carriage, looked ahead and spotted the village chief, who was actually Gu Chengyu’s Uncle, leading a crowd, beating gongs and drums, heading towards the village entrance.

"Young Master! Look, isn’t that your Clan Leader Uncle?" Ming Yan shouted, asking Gu Chengyu to look, as a crowd was blocking the path into the village, with many people heading this way.

Hearing this, Gu Chengyu hurriedly lifted the curtain to look, and indeed, it was the Clan Leader Uncle. Behind him was a group of Gu clan members, alongside some villagers, with Aunt Wang among them.

Some people were blowing suonas, some were beating drums, and the expression on the Clan Leader Uncle’s face was clearly one of excitement. The clan members behind him were all smiling as if they were celebrating some great event, and the nearby villagers watched with envy.

Gu Chengyu understood; this was likely a reception for him, as he had passed the scholar exams, becoming the village’s only scholar and the clan’s only titled member.

"The scholar has returned!" The clansmen stopped playing their instruments and loudly shouted towards the carriage.

Gu Chengyu naturally couldn’t stay in the carriage at this moment; he got down from it, planning to greet the clansmen.

"Uncle, Third Uncle, Seventh Uncle, Cheng Ming Brother..." There were many members of the Gu Family, and Gu Chengyu couldn’t possibly recognize them all, so he nodded to those he didn’t know, anyway, most were of his junior status.

Indeed, many clansmen behind him called him Uncle, some even called him Uncle-Grand.

"Good, good, good! You indeed lived up to expectations, passing the scholar exams, honoring the Gu ancestors. Our Gu family has finally risen to a scholarly family, and it’s all thanks to you!"

Uncle Gu had tears in his eyes, patting Gu Chengyu’s shoulder, exclaiming three consecutive goods!

The Gu family had produced a few scholars in the past generations, but none had achieved a title. Whether or not Gu Chengyu made the Golden List, being a scholar was enough for a government appointment.

"Xiao Bao! Our Gu family has finally made a name for itself; you truly have a bright future."

This was said by the Third Uncle, and Gu Chengyu hurried over to support him. Third Uncle was no longer young, yet he came to greet him.

In ten miles around, it’s rare to have a scholar, so one can imagine how glorious it is for Shangling Village to have one. Moreover, it was from the Gu family, allowing the clansmen to bask in the glory, standing firm wherever they went.

The benefits include receiving special allowances; if a problem arose in someone’s house, a titled person could mediate and resolve it. Many commit misdeeds relying on having a high-office relative; such clans are not few. However, this depends on the clan leader’s restraint. As long as someone in the clan holds a high position and the clansmen manage well, life wouldn’t be too hard.

Most importantly, it benefits future generations. As long as there are clan children sent to study, anyone with some success has a paved path for promotion, giving them an advantage over others.

Therefore, they couldn’t help but feel agitated by such good news.

"Is my Xiao Bao back?"

Gu Chengyu turned; it was Mr. Gu’s voice.

Mr. Gu, hearing the commotion outside, guessed it was his elder son returning. He quickly left the Gu Family courtyard, seeing a crowd ahead. He hastily pushed through them, spotting Gu Chengyu standing amidst them.

"Father!" Gu Chengyu hurried over, grabbing Mr. Gu’s hand.

"Good! You’re back. Let’s go have a meal; your mother had ribs cooked for you." Mr. Gu’s eyes only saw his son, paying no attention to the clansmen.

"Ahem! Third Brother! Xiao Bao just got back, we wanted to discuss the arch and plaque, and opening the ancestral hall!" Uncle Gu spoke fervently, with the clansmen nodding in agreement.

"Elder Brother! Xiao Bao has returned after a long journey, taking over half a month on the road. He must be tired; let’s discuss these matters tomorrow." Mr. Gu, excited by his son passing the exams, thought of his wife waiting at home.

Uncle Gu, understanding, patted his head, "Yes, yes! I was too caught up in the joy to think of these. Xiao Bao, go rest now, after your tiring journey, you must’ve had a tough time."

Afterwards, Gu Chengyu thanked Uncle Gu and the clansmen, following Mr. Gu back to the Gu Family courtyard.

Upon entering, Gu Chengyu found his mother had left the heated brick bed and was waiting in the courtyard with Gu Wan!

"Mother! Second Sister!"

"Xiao Bao!" Mrs. Lv stood looking at her son before her, feeling that these past two to three months seemed as long as two to three years.

"Xiao Bao’s back?" Gu Chengli was also in the courtyard, seeing his returning younger brother, he exclaimed joyfully.

Gu Chengyu turned and called, "Elder Brother, Second Brother!"

He was surprised to see Gu Chengyi there too. Although Gu Chengyi wasn’t smiling much, considering Mr. Gu was present, he just gave a nod before heading back to his room. Gu Chengyu was used to this manner, as long as Gu Chengyi wasn’t causing trouble, he ignored him.

Publicly acknowledging each other was sufficient; otherwise, they never spoke.

"Have you eaten, Brother? Come to the main house to eat." It was supper time, and Gu Chengyu wanted to gather with his elder brother, not considering his second brother. It’s known their relations weren’t good.

The Third and Fourth brothers weren’t home, both at the shop in town. They didn’t know he’d returned today, but they would send word tomorrow.

"Your sister-in-law has already cooked." Gu Chengli declined.

Mr. Gu, looking at his honest eldest son, spoke up, "Let’s eat in the main house today!"

Mr. Gu thought of calling his second son too but hesitated. If called, given his son’s temperament, it might dampen the mood. If not called, having invited the eldest, it didn’t feel right to exclude the second.