Chapter 812 - 815: Difference

Chapter 812: Chapter 815: Difference

Li Cuicui breathed a sigh of relief. "It’s good that everything is fine. I’m just a peasant woman now; I can’t wrap my head around all those grand philosophies or petty rules.

"But don’t worry, you have me here at home to keep an eye on them for you. If they dare go out and cause trouble for you, I’ll be the first to teach them a lesson.

"You are out there doing great things, and I can’t be of much help. I only pray that you remain safe and sound out there, and that’s all I ask for."

Drawing on the memories in his mind and their years of interaction, Gu Wenheng knew that in the entire Gu family, this old lady’s character was the most reliable. He truly wanted to make her life more comfortable. "Mother, if my cousins’ families are not living well over in Bainiao Valley, I’ll send someone to pick them up and settle them down here."

Li Cuicui’s heart stirred, but she quickly shook her head and said, "Forget it. I mentioned this before, but they said it’s hard to leave one’s homeland. Plus, the disaster has passed now, and they can’t bear to part with that place. Just let them be!"

Gu Wenheng knew how barren the land in their hometown was. Otherwise, the villagers and clansmen who had turned back wouldn’t have chosen to settle halfway instead of returning to that mountain valley.

"After all, the land there is limited and the location is remote," Gu Wenheng persuaded. "If they can move out, it will only benefit their future generations. Mother, putting everything else aside, wouldn’t it be better to let the children enter the clan school to learn some skills rather than staying in their hometown?"

"Well... it sounds good, but if they are unwilling, we can’t force them," Li Cuicui hesitated.

"Mother, I will personally write a letter in a moment and send someone over with it. What do you think?"

Gu Wenheng wasn’t ignorant of the ways of the world. There had to be considerations behind the Li Family’s decision not to move their entire household here. Previously, it was Li Cuicui who extended the invitation, and they had refused because they feared relocating the whole family would put her in a difficult position. Furthermore, from his impressions, his uncles and cousins from the Li Family had truly helped the Gu family a lot. When they were young, if not for the support of his mother’s maiden family, the brothers might not have even reached adulthood, let alone marry and have children.

Since he had taken over this identity, he should shoulder this debt of gratitude. Previously, they hadn’t dared to agree, but now that he was personally sending someone with a letter, it would be different. Not only would they not refuse, but they would gladly accept the invitation. People naturally seek greener pastures; for the sake of their future generations, they would definitely agree.

Tears welled up in Li Cuicui’s eyes. "When your two uncles were alive, they didn’t dote on you in vain..."

How could she not know her nephews’ concerns? Although she wanted to help her maiden family, she also had to consider her sons. Now that Old Seventh had brought it up on his own accord, it was far more effective than her weak and feeble words from before. Old Seventh was indeed the most considerate one. All her kindness to her other sons over the years had truly been wasted.

The other Gu Family Brothers, catching strays out of nowhere, were utterly speechless.

"It’s just that there is no land or houses left in the village now. Even if they come, there’s no way to settle them," she added.

Since Gu Wenheng had brought it up, he already had an idea in mind. "We can look in the nearby villages. It’s just that I might not be staying at home for much longer. Once it’s settled, I’ll have my subordinates help them register their residency."

"That is already more than enough. You have so many things on your plate; there’s no need to delay your affairs for them. What’s more, the two places are so far apart; a round trip will probably take a few months anyway."

Previously, when the clansmen went back to relocate the graves and retrieve the ancestral tablets, following the escort team, it had taken them a very long time.

Since Gu Wenheng wanted to play the role of a filial son, he naturally asked about her basic necessities. The mother and son sat there, chatting back and forth, making anyone else who wanted to visit too afraid to come over and interrupt.

Gu Yuanhuo stood at the door and said sourly, "Ever since Old Seventh came back, the rest of us have been treated like chopped liver."

Gu Yuanshui laughed and gave him a push. "You’re already at an advanced age and a grandfather yourself, yet you’re still bickering over these things. If you’re jealous, go back to your Le Ping and Le An, and play the loving father and dutiful sons with them."

Gu Yuanhuo muttered, "...You’re the only one who knows how to play the good guy. But aren’t you curious about what they’re talking about? Usually, it seems like we have nothing to talk about with our old mother."

"Could Old Seventh be the same as us rough boors?" Gu Yuanmu looked at the main hall with some envy. "Look at how well Old Seventh humors the old lady. We haven’t seen her smile like this in a long time."

Ever since Old Seventh became a Scholar, the Gu family’s life had begun to turn around. The brothers had their own livelihoods in hand and naturally wouldn’t bicker over trivial matters. As long as a family had financial stability, who wouldn’t want a harmonious household with a loving mother and filial children? And they had indeed acted this way over the years; apart from doing business outside, they were all willing to serve their parents dutifully upon returning home. The old lady used to be quite easy to please, but ever since the old man’s legs were paralyzed, confining him to bed, her temper had become exceptionally eccentric. Making her happy was no easy task. Yet, in the few days since Old Seventh had returned, the smile on the old lady’s face hadn’t faded once. How could they not concede defeat?

"They say distance makes the heart grow fonder, and familiarity breeds contempt. Now I finally understand the meaning of that saying," Gu Yuanshui said with a nod, as if struck by a realization. "It seems I appear in front of Mother too frequently on ordinary days. Looks like I need to think about what other cities are nearby that we can try doing business in."

In the past, he always thought of relying on Old Seventh, so that his business would sail smoothly. However, the places Old Seventh went to later on were all quite undesirable, so he gradually gave up on that idea.

Gu Yuanjin said in annoyance, "You can’t sit still again, kid? You’re the one in this family who runs outside the most frequently, and your business is the most extensive. Can’t you see your advanced age now? You should slow down a bit."

Apart from the tofu workshop, Gu Yuanshui was now slightly involved in other businesses as well. Except for Old Seventh, his savings were the thickest among the brothers. "I’m just a natural-born workaholic. If you really make me sit idle, I won’t be able to stand it. This time, if it weren’t for the fact that Old Seventh happened to come back, I was even planning to go to the neighboring province to take a look."

***

Gu Wenheng acted very swiftly. After sending the old lady back, he picked up his brush to write the letter, and the messenger set off with it that very afternoon.

Just as he was about to go to the county government to greet the County Magistrate, people from Shangjing arrived.

Gu Wenheng hadn’t expected Zhou Shixiong to come in person, and hurriedly invited the man into the main hall.

"Brother Gu, we haven’t seen each other for many years. If I bumped into you outside, I wouldn’t dare recognize you," Zhou Shixiong teased as soon as he took his seat, staring at the fat on Gu Wenheng’s waist.

Given this completely unreserved attitude, Gu Wenheng naturally wouldn’t stand on ceremony either. "No can do. I’m getting older, so it’s time for the middle-age spread. Brother Zhou, on the other hand, hasn’t changed much. You’re still as robust as ever."

Zhou Shixiong patted his waist and mocked himself. "This is the difference between us military generals and you civil servants. The habit of drilling, accumulated from marching and fighting, has long penetrated my bones. By training every day, this fat wouldn’t stick to my body even if it wanted to.

"It’s a pity that all my skills have no use now. I can only stay in Shangjing and match wits with those old geezers. It truly is an unspeakable hardship."