Poor but talented scholar

Chapter 110 Worshipping at the Ancestral Hall

Lujia Village woke up exceptionally early that day.

Before dawn, two rows of lanterns were already hung at the entrance of the village.

The entire village, young and old, was already waiting on both sides of the village road.

At the main entrance of the ancestral hall, Lu Chuan, dressed in a blue robe and wearing a square scarf, looked like a jade tree.

He stood there, welcoming guests from all directions.

On the left side of the ancestral hall is the seventh uncle, who was in charge of collecting and registering congratulatory gifts.

The first to arrive were small landowners and wealthy farmers from several nearby villages.

These people see each other all the time, and although they have some wealth, they dare not be presumptuous in front of respectable scholars.

They came in and bowed repeatedly to Lu Chuan, saying, "Congratulations, Scholar! Congratulations, Scholar!"

They surged to the front of the accounting office, and Seventh Uncle coughed lightly and announced the votes:

"From Li Family Village next door, Master Li Dafu, I'm giving a congratulatory gift of thirty cash."

"Wang Jiakan, Mr. Wang the Rich, here is a congratulatory gift of fifty cash."

Following them were the town's shopkeepers.

Merchants naturally want to establish good relationships with each other.

The shopkeepers were all smiles, and the monetary gifts they presented were noticeably more substantial.

"Zhang, the manager of Jufengde Roast Meat Shop in Qingyang Town, is giving a congratulatory gift of fifty cash."

"Guanghexuan Tea Shop, Manager Liu, congratulatory gift of eighty cash."

Later, they became some of the most prominent families in the county.

These people all have their own connections in the county town, and some even have educated family members.

As soon as they entered, they pulled Lu Chuan aside and showered him with concern, praising his youthful achievements.

Their gifts were even more generous.

"Zhao the Great Philanthropist from West Street in the county town, a congratulatory gift of one hundred cash."

"Qian Ji Grain Store, Boss Qian, congratulatory gift of 150 cash."

The clansmen's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets as they looked at the numbers on the gift register.

Just as the wealthy family finished presenting their gifts and the atmosphere became increasingly lively, the sound of a wooden sedan chair landing could be heard.

The sedan curtain was lifted, and there came Lu Chuan's mentor, Master Zhao!

"Master."

Lu Chuan's eyes lit up, and he immediately stepped down the steps and bowed.

Seeing his prized student's imposing presence, the Master nodded repeatedly: "Good, Chuan'er, all my efforts in helping you back then have not been in vain. Your achievements today are my pride."

Then he said to his seventh uncle, "You have a fine grand-nephew."

He even gave a full string of cash as a gift.

"Congratulations from Master Shen of Qingyang Academy. A gift of one string of cash is offered."

However, just as everyone was praising the deep bond between master and disciple, a carriage arrived.

Everyone turned to look at the village entrance, where a large sedan chair stopped and the person who stepped out was none other than the county's second-in-command, the county magistrate!

Upon seeing this, Lu Chuan immediately went to greet him: "Student Lu Chuan welcomes County Magistrate. Your presence in our humble village is truly an honor for the Lu family."

The county magistrate laughed heartily, helped Lu Chuan up, and praised him, "Get up quickly, I have come here today on the orders of Lord Shen."

"Lord Shen is preoccupied with official duties today and is unable to come in person. Therefore, he has specially ordered me to bring congratulatory gifts and personally offer my congratulations to the child prodigy of our county."

After saying that, he gestured to the constables behind him.

"The Magistrate and Assistant Magistrate of Qingyang County jointly extend their congratulations, with a gift of two hundred taels of silver."

The sun is high in the sky, at exactly 11:00 AM.

"The auspicious time has arrived."

With a shout, firecrackers exploded outside the ancestral hall.

The ancestral hall had already been completely renovated.

In the very center of the ancestral hall, the ancestral tablets of past generations are enshrined on the altar.

On the offering table under the shrine, three kinds of sacrificial animals had already been laid out: a pig and a fish lying horizontally to one side.

Next to the three sacrificial animals, five kinds of fruits and vegetables symbolizing a bountiful harvest are displayed: dates, chestnuts, scallions, ginkgo nuts, and water chestnuts.

What is most eye-catching is that in the center of the offering table, in addition to the three wine cups, there is also a set of writing brush, ink, paper and inkstone.

Beside the inkstone lay a copy of the "Report of Success in the Imperial Examination".

"Please invite elders and distinguished guests to the ancestral hall to witness the ceremony."

Lu Deshou stood on the high platform.

Under his direction, the entire ancestral hall proceeded smoothly and in an orderly manner.

According to clan rules, the positions inside the ancestral hall are clearly defined and very particular: the person standing on the left is a highly respected member of the clan.

Standing on the right are the distinguished guests who have come to Lujia Village to witness the ceremony today.

The county magistrate sat at the head of the table, with Master Shen sitting beside him, and below him were the various shopkeepers.

Inside the ancestral hall, two rows of people stood solemnly.

Lu Chuan knelt on the prayer mat, his eyes lowered, waiting for the official commencement of the ceremony.

Lu Deshou looked around and finally fixed his gaze on Master Zhao.

"Today is the most glorious day in the history of our Lu Family Village. Since it's to honor our ancestors and cultural heritage, who will be in charge of the ancestral worship ceremony?"

"Master Zhao is a highly respected figure and is also Chuanzi's mentor. Today, on behalf of the entire Lu clan, I humbly request that Master Zhao condescend to preside over the ceremony for our Chuanzi."

Upon hearing this, the local gentry on the right side of the ancestral hall all nodded in approval: "Having our esteemed teacher preside over the ceremony is not only a fulfillment of ancient rituals, but also a beautiful story of the passing down of the master-disciple relationship."

"The old patriarch of the Lu family sets the rules so well that no one can find fault with them."

Master Zhao stroked his beard and laughed heartily, his eyes filled with satisfaction.

He stood up, strode over to the side of the offering table, and said loudly, "Since you are my prized student, I will not refuse."

Immediately afterwards, the two elders of the clan, who were second only to the clan leader, also stepped forward.

He stood beside the Master as his deputy.

One person was responsible for receiving and passing incense and candles, while the other was responsible for watching over the libation wine.

Lu Deshou walked to the offering table.

The clan elders nearby quickly lit three incense sticks and presented them to him.

He held the incense sticks with both hands, raised them above his head, bowed three times, and then inserted the incense sticks into the incense burner.

"Offering incense is finished."

Master Zhao clasped his hands together in front of his chest and sang loudly in a melodious voice:

"Lu Chuan, bow."

"Kneel down."

"One kowtow."

"Kowtowing again."

"Three kowtows."

"rise."

As the Master chanted praises, Lu Chuan bowed down.

"Kneel twice, and pray to our ancestors for their enduring blessings and protection of their descendants. Bow your head, then rise."

"Three kneelings, paying homage to the beginning of the Lu family's literary lineage in Qingyang. Returning home, bowing in reverence."

He knelt and kowtowed three times and nine times in total.

The men on the left held their breath, not daring to even breathe loudly.

Until Lu Chuan stood up.

"The ceremony is complete. We now invite the master to officiate at the ceremony and to give instructions on behalf of the sages."

The old man cleared his throat and began to speak.

"Our ancestors and patriarchs of the Lu clan of Qingyang are above us, our virtuous and distinguished guests are on the right, and our elders and fellow villagers are on the left."

"I have been in charge of Qingyang Academy for decades and have educated countless students. However, being invited to this hall today to perform the rites for my beloved student Lu Chuan is truly the greatest joy of my life."

"Lu Chuan, on the offering table today, the three sacrificial animals are set out, the wine cups are full, and the good news of the Imperial Education Commissioner's seal is prominently displayed. This glory is all thanks to your hard work and dedication in the past, studying late into the night."

"However, as the sage said: Wealth and honor cannot corrupt, nor can poverty and hardship sway you. Now that you have been granted official rank and are exempt from taxes and duties, this is the imperial court's great favor to scholars, not a basis for you to be arrogant, extravagant, and complacent."

"You will soon be going to Suyang Academy. The mountains are high and the rivers are long, and the sea of ​​learning is boundless. You should strive even harder to learn and keep a clear mind."

"Know that behind you stand your clansmen who have worked together to support your studies; above your head hang the ancestors of the Lu clan of Qingyang. I hope you will always reflect on yourself, never forget the kindness of your hometown, and never lose your lofty ambitions. Only by disciplining yourself and returning to propriety can you achieve your goals."