Poor but talented scholar

Chapter 108 Careful Arrangements

The younger sister giggled, "What about the scholars? Are all the people who take the exams particularly fierce?"

"Scholars aren't fierce, they're just very eccentric."

Lu Chuan was amused by her and said with a smile, "On the day of the exam, thousands of people crowded at the gate. Some of the scholars were older than our father, and some were rich young masters who had hidden braised duck and ginseng in their exam baskets. As a result, the yamen runners found them and cut the duck into eight pieces on the spot."

The younger sister was startled by what she heard, and when she heard something funny, she couldn't stop laughing.

"So there are fun things to do in the prefectural city. I thought it was all just old scholars." The little sister laughed as she secretly noted down what her brother had told her.

In the past two years, as she has been practicing calligraphy with her brother, a seed of curiosity about the outside world has long been planted in her heart.

The mother, who was tidying up the house in another corner of the main room, unconsciously slowed down her movements.

She was busy with a rag in her hand, but she overheard every word of the brother and sister's conversation.

She never left her hometown in her entire life; the farthest she ever went was to the county town.

She didn't interrupt, but simply moved more quietly.

She suffered a lifetime of hardship and torment, but as long as she listened to her son, she felt that all the toil was worthwhile.

"Brother, if you go to the academy, will you meet even more amazing people?"

Lu Chuan patted his sister's head and answered firmly, word by word, "Yes. When I finish my studies at the academy and achieve higher academic honors, I'll take you to the prefectural city to play."

The next day, it was dawn.

"Knock knock knock".

"Men and women, get up and get to work. Everyone be alert today, do your job, and don't let anyone fall behind."

Under the clan chief's direction, the village's able-bodied men were divided into three groups, each with their own tasks, and worked enthusiastically.

The first group, led by several steady men from the village, carried brooms, rags, and water straight to the ancestral hall.

"Be quick and efficient, clean up the spider webs on the roof beams and the mud in the cracks in the floor."

The second group was led by the second uncle himself.

My second uncle waved his hand and headed towards the county town.

Erzhuzi went to a familiar farmer's house and caught twenty chickens.

The third group consisted of a group of shirtless young men.

One person carried a fishing net on his back and a bucket in his hand, heading straight for the pond behind the mountain.

"Splash, splash."

With several splashes, the young men jumped into the pond one after another.

Soon, ripples spread across the water, followed by shouts: "The net's in! Pull up the line! This big bluefish must weigh over ten pounds! Quick, get a bucket to catch it!"

The men were working hard outside, sweating profusely, and the women in the village weren't idle either.

Dozens of women crowded around several wooden tables, making it impossible to move.

Some of them went to the well to fetch water, while others brought wooden basins from home and began washing the ingredients.

"Hey, you stay here and rest today, we'll do the heavy work."

Several aunties who were on good terms with Lu's mother smiled and tried to pull her aside, but Lu's mother was so happy that she couldn't sit still and insisted on helping out.

After having breakfast in the main room, Lu Chuan picked up the invitation he had written from his desk.

The invitations were split into two batches.

One batch was for prominent figures in the surrounding villages; those had already been delivered door-to-door by my father.

The remaining batch was to be delivered by Lu Chuan personally.

"Chuan'er, shall I deliver it for you?"

Lu Shouye didn't want his son to be so tired.

"Father, I must personally deliver these copies."

"It is proper etiquette to send invitations to local officials and teachers. My son's success in the imperial examinations this time is entirely due to the magistrate's appreciation for talent and the teacher's meticulous instruction."

"Whether others come or not after we send it over is their business; but as students, if we don't even send an invitation, that's disrespectful and impolite."

Upon hearing that it was impolite, Lu Shouye quickly nodded: "Yes, yes, scholars have strict rules. You should hurry up and go, lest you be late."

After Lu Chuan delivered all the invitations, he hurried back to the village under the rising sun.

Before Lu Chuan could even go back inside for a drink of water, he saw the clan chief walking towards him.

"Kawako, you're finally back."

The clan chief quickly pulled him into a side room.

My roommates were several of my cousins ​​who were usually quite capable.

"Uncle, what is this...?" Lu Chuan was taken aback by the scene.

Lu Deshou began, "Chuanzi, you are very learned. Although we are farmers, now that we have a scholar like you, we must not neglect the proper etiquette for entertaining guests, or we will be laughed at."

After saying that, he began to give on-site training on reception etiquette.

"The most important thing about this banquet is the order of seniority."

Lu Deshou held up one finger and explained, "First, it's about attracting guests and arranging seating. When the local landlords and village chiefs from other villages arrive, they bring their men to greet them at the village entrance, singing grand songs and receiving congratulatory gifts."

"Chuanzi, our distinguished guest has arrived. You must personally go out and greet him three steps, bow with both hands, and lead him to the seat of honor."

"Remember, the seat facing the main entrance is the head seat and must be given to the oldest person. The village chiefs from other villages are seated in order of age. As for our own family, apart from your father and me, no one else is allowed to sit at that table. Do you understand?"

"I understand!"

"Then there's the etiquette of toasting," the elder continued. "When the banquet begins, you will first join me in toasting the ancestors three times."

"Then, you should take the wine and go to each table to offer a toast, starting from the left."

"Wine should not be poured to the brim. A full glass of wine shows respect, while a full glass of tea is disrespectful. This is the rule."

"Speak in a steady voice. If someone praises you, reply that it is all thanks to the blessings of your elders. You should show the refinement of a scholar."

"Finally, if you encounter an emergency, you must not panic."

Having lived most of his life and seen all sorts of storms, the clan chief immediately offered a heads-up: "With so many people around, there's no guarantee that someone won't get drunk and cause trouble, or start a fight."

"No need for words, just fork him out and pour him the hangover soup. We absolutely cannot disturb the distinguished guests at the main table."

Lu Chuan sat to the side, listening to the clan leader's series of arrangements, and couldn't help but admire him.

The saying "Having an elder in the family is like having a treasure" effectively prevents any potential problems from arising.

"There's still a big problem."

Someone said, "We've invited the local landlords and gentry to pay taxes; when they come to our door, they'll definitely be carrying gifts."

"According to custom, we have to prepare a return gift after they leave. What should we do?"

The elders in the room were all struggling with the matter of returning the gift.

Lu Chuan, who had been sitting to the side, smiled and stood up.

"Uncle, I have an idea regarding this return gift."

"It doesn't cost anything, but it shows we've put our heart into it."

Everyone turned to look at Lu Chuan.

Lu Chuan said gently, "Everyone forgot, we still have herbs. I think we can use herbs for the return gifts."