Chapter 98: The Clan School

Chapter 98: The Clan School

Hu Qiuyan scolded, "Is that my friendship with Brother Hua, or yours?"

Baoshan's face tightened, "What's yours or mine, aren't we a family?"

"When Yun Se hadn't returned yet, Brother Hua went out every day to sell candy, and you took care of Jiu Jiu and Chun Sheng. Later, when they went to the prefectural city for exams, Jiu Jiu and Chun Sheng stayed at our house for a long time. How come, now that they've made it, you don't acknowledge the past bonds?"

Hu Qiuyan spat, "Why don't you mention the benefits our family got? Yun Kang studied with Yun Se for so long, and we didn't pay a single penny for tuition. The scholar Sun from the town's private school always praised his intelligence, all thanks to Yun Se laying a good foundation."

Seeing that Baoshan was still resentful, Hu Qiuyan was furious.

"If it were our own shop, I could swallow my pride and ask for help, but taking money to do things for others, that door cannot be opened. Even if you ask Yun Se and Brother Hua, they won't agree."

Seeing Hu Qiuyan truly angry, Baoshan quickly softened his tone, "If I go and ask, Yun Se and Brother Hua naturally won't agree. Our family's face rests on you. Good wife, please ask for me. If you speak, Brother Hua will surely agree."

Hu Qiuyan remained unmoved, "Why should I ask? They worked hard to pass the imperial exams and were granted the title of Township Lord. Should we use their influence to make money? You're an elder, can't you act like one?"

"What's the name of your friend? Return everything immediately!"

Baoshan stiffened his neck and insisted, "I've already spent a lot, I can't return it!"

"You!" Hu Qiuyan didn't want to argue further with Baoshan and turned to leave.

...

When Hu Qiuyan came to visit, Qiu Huanian had just finished reading the day's new invitations.

People of some standing in Zhang County and nearby counties, hearing of their return, had sent invitations, not only to congratulate but also to invite him to banquets.

For the county's families, having a Township Lord attend a banquet was a matter of great face.

The ancestral worship arrangements were not yet complete, and Qiu Huanian didn't want to overexert himself, so he politely declined all invitations but sent gifts through others.

According to the county's customs, for birthdays, they sent longevity peaches and noodles; for weddings, they sent dates and longans, all wrapped in red paper, along with two bolts of cloth, two pairs of satin shoe uppers, and Qiu's Six Staples' cooling oil.

The recipients were overjoyed, praising Township Lord Qi Shu for his kindness. The gifts were secondary; displaying the Township Lord's gifts at the banquet was enough to gain face.

Seeing Hu Qiuyan enter, Qiu Huanian smiled and asked old lady Jin to serve tea.

"Auntie, are you here for Yun Kang? Yun Kang and Chun Sheng went to play in the back mountain, they probably won't be back for another hour or two."

Hu Qiuyan said, "I know, the two brothers have always been close. Yun Kang told me yesterday that Chun Sheng has made great progress in his studies."

Qiu Huanian loved hearing praise for his children.

"Yun Kang is doing well too. Yun Se took the time to test him the other day and said he hasn't fallen behind in his studies this past half year and has a talent for reading."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Qiu Huanian remembered something.

"By the way, Auntie, there's something I'd like to ask for your help with."

"Brother Hua, just say it."

"Your distant relative who digs for ginseng in the northern mountains, if you can contact him, could you ask if he has any high-quality wild ginseng?"

Last year, Qiu Huanian couldn't afford a whole ginseng plant. Through Hu Qiuyan's introduction, he bought some ginseng seeds from that distant relative to improve his health, and the quality was excellent. Now that he had money, he wanted to buy some ginseng.

The efficacy of ginseng in this world was significant, and Qiu Huanian had already deeply experienced it. Many wealthy families would collect ginseng for emergencies.

After Du Yunse passed the Jieyuan examination, Old Physician Gu presented several of his treasured emergency prescriptions, many of which required the use of ginseng.

Prepared for any eventuality, Qiu Huanian planned to acquire some in advance, so that in case of any emergency, they could be readily available.

Hu Qiuyan agreed, "I will send him a message as soon as I return."

Qiu Huanian added, "As long as the quality is good, money is not an issue."

Hu Qiuyan lingered in the main room of Qiu Huanian's house for more than half an hour, until there was really no more small talk to be made, and finally brought up the family's troubles.

"Brother Hua, Auntie has something to tell you, please don't be too angry."

A glimmer of understanding flashed in Qiu Huanian's eyes.

"Auntie, please speak freely."

Hu Qiuyan then told him about Baoshan accepting money from an unknown friend and promising to ask Du Yunse to help write a plaque.

"Brother Hua, I know Baoshan was wrong in this matter, and I won't ask for your help. If Baoshan comes to you, don't give him any face, let him suffer a bit and learn a lesson."

Qiu Huanian nodded, "It's not that we don't want to help, it's just that this matter really can't be done."

"Now it's just writing a plaque, but once this starts, later there will be false accusations, forced sales, and bullying of men and women, all done under Yun Se's name after sending money to the clan. Yun Se will eventually take a big fall because of this."

"Many high officials have been brought down by their clans using their names to bully the market and oppress the countryside, and were eventually impeached by the censors."

"At that time, not only will they not be able to continue as officials, but the entire clan will be exiled and conscripted."

Hu Qiuyan's face turned pale.

She simply thought that her family shouldn't accept money to involve Du Yunse and Qiu Huanian in matters, never realizing the deeper implications.

"Brother Hua, what should we do? I can't even persuade Baoshan, and there are others in the clan with similar thoughts."

Qiu Huanian comforted her, "Yun Se has already considered this, and we will discuss it together during the ancestral worship tomorrow."

Hu Qiuyan felt slightly reassured.

She got up to leave, hesitating before saying, "Brother Hua, most people in our village have good hearts, but there are always some who are blinded by money and power. Even if you are in the right, there will always be those who are discontented and gossip..."

Hu Qiuyan sighed after a long pause, "Just thinking about it makes me feel wronged for you. Being in your position, there are many difficulties."

Qiu Huanian smiled, "How can life be without difficulties? This is nothing, we are prepared."

...

The next day was the day of ancestral worship. According to the laws of the Yu Dynasty, newly ranked scholars returning home for ancestral worship could use oxen for the sacrifice, and local officials would prepare an additional sacrificial ceremony on behalf of the court to show the emperor's grace.

In an era where all professions were considered inferior except for scholars, the privileges of scholars were reflected in every aspect, encouraging students to strive for excellence.

At the break of dawn, Du Yunse got up. After carefully washing and dressing in his neatly pressed scholar's robe, he went to wake Qiu Huanian.

As soon as Qiu Huanian opened his eyes from his sleep, he saw Du Yunse, with his outstanding posture, jade-like face, and the bird patch on his clothes seemingly ready to take flight.

He propped his chin and yawned lightly, "So handsome."

Du Yunse paused for a moment.

"Brother Hua, get up. I'll call old lady Jin in to help you change."

Today, Qiu Huanian also had to wear the full ceremonial attire of the Township Lord, which was so complex that it was difficult to put on without assistance.

With the help of old lady Jin, Qiu Huanian struggled to maneuver his numb limbs from waking up early and managed to change into the attire. After securing the tortoiseshell and pearl headdress on his bun, he felt a sense of relief.

Qiu Huanian stood up, the silver-vermilion palace silk shimmering in the morning light, with the embroidered auspicious clouds and cranes swaying with his movements, as if coming to life.

Old lady Jin was seeing Qiu Huanian in full ceremonial attire for the first time and couldn't help but hold her breath. After a while, she smiled and said, "Such attire is only befitting of a Township Lord."

Her former master's family was indeed wealthy, but even with all their wealth, they couldn't wear such ceremonial attire without a noble title.

"Following the Township Lord, I, an old woman, have truly seen the world."

Qiu Huanian smiled, "This attire is rarely worn, maybe once a year, and it feels quite uncomfortable."

Though the ceremonial attire was beautiful, it was uncomfortable to wear, and Qiu Huanian generally avoided it unless necessary.

The ancestral worship ceremony was one of those necessary occasions.

As Qiu Huanian put it, ancestral worship was about showing the ancestors in the afterlife and the living that one was doing exceptionally well, so naturally, one had to display the best of everything.

While changing clothes, Qiu Huanian hastily ate a few pastries and then headed out.

He had already purchased the three sacrificial animals: a pig, a sheep, and an ox. By this time, the villagers had already helped slaughter the animals in the backyard garden.

While pigs and sheep were easy to buy, oxen were controlled commodities in the Yu Dynasty and not to be slaughtered lightly. As a newly listed scholar, Du Yunse had the privilege of using an ox for ancestral worship, which allowed Qiu Huanian to purchase one from a specialized institution.

A fat pig cost four taels of silver, a strong wether sheep five taels, and the ox was the most expensive, with an old ox costing a full fifteen taels.

After the three animals were slaughtered, their heads were separately tied with red cloth and placed on plates, arranged on the altar outside the Du clan's ancestral hall.

Besides the main offerings of the three animals, the altar also held four types of fruits and five types of grains. The specific types of fruits and grains varied, but they had to include four types of fruit that bore seeds and five types of staple grains.

It was autumn, so these items were easy to find.

The main door of the ancestral hall was wide open, with candles flickering. Du Yunse recited the sacrificial text and lit it in front of the altar, his clear and righteous voice echoing between heaven and earth.

Under the watchful eyes of many, Du Yunse first burned incense to honor the ancestors of the Du clan, then paid respects to the spirits of his parents in the afterlife. Following this, Qiu Huanian, Jiu Jiu, and Chun Sheng each stepped forward to pay their respects.

Jiu Jiu and Chun Sheng officially used the names Du Quehan and Du Yunsheng, taking the opportunity of the ancestral hall opening to be recorded in the clan registry.

Seeing their names meticulously written into the clan registry, Jiu Jiu and Chun Sheng looked solemn, as if they had grown up in an instant.

After the ancestral worship, Du Yunse looked at the clan leader, who nodded slightly.

The clan leader stepped forward and stood in the center to speak.

"The Du clan has been blessed with a prodigy like Yunse in this generation, a boon for all of us. As long as Yunse thrives, our clan's fortunes will also improve."

"But fortune and misfortune are intertwined. The better the clan's fortunes, the more likely problems will arise. After discussing with Yunse, we have decided to take preventive measures. Taking advantage of this gathering, in the presence of our ancestors, we will formally establish clan rules."

"A country cannot stand without laws, and a clan cannot be peaceful without rules."

"Once the clan rules are established, everyone will know what is permissible and what is not. In the future, if anyone violates the clan rules, regardless of who they are, they will be severely punished according to the regulations!"

A few days ago, the clan leader had already hinted at the establishment of clan rules, and the reaction was not particularly strong. Even those not belonging to the Du clan who came to observe nodded in agreement, thinking this was the right path for the clan's long-term development.

The clan leader had his eldest son, Bao Ren, bring out the clan rules and read them from beginning to end.

After listening, the crowd had mixed feelings.

Many of the contents in the clan regulations were actually already customary practices among the people, but they were now formalized in more precise language, and a reward and punishment mechanism was established.

The newly added items also aligned with the traditional public order and good customs of the villagers.

However, some of the contents were worth pondering.

For example, "Members of the Du clan are strictly prohibited from privately accepting benefits, using official titles to monopolize purchases or arrangements. Violators will have all ill-gotten gains confiscated and be expelled from the clan, never allowed to return."

Most people in the village were aware of what Baoshan had been doing recently.

Since the news of Du Yunse's success in the Jieyuan exam spread, Du Village had become lively. Countless people came bearing gifts to seek favors, causing unrest among the villagers.

Only because the clan leader kept things in check and out of respect for Du Yunse and Qiu Huanian's displeasure did people refrain from openly accepting money.

Baoshan's family was one of the closest to Du Yunse's family in the village, and they were also related by blood. Baoshan, being an elder, couldn't help but take the lead in this matter.

Others who had similar intentions were waiting to see how Du Yunse's family would react. If Baoshan succeeded, they could follow suit.

No one expected that Du Yunse's family not only didn't give Baoshan face but also directly addressed the issue in the clan regulations.

The looks directed at Baoshan immediately became subtle.

Baoshan stood in the crowd, his face burning with shame, wishing he could dig a hole and bury himself. He had never been so humiliated. Couldn't this have been discussed privately? How could Yunse—

At that moment, Qiu Huanian spoke up, drawing everyone's attention back.

He repeated what he had said to Hu Qiuyan the day before, explaining the drawbacks of clan members accepting money to do favors in a reasonable and justified manner, leaving no room for criticism.

This was done to convince the crowd and to publicly clarify their stance. They had explicitly refused to accept money for favors, so if anyone approached others with money in the future, it would have nothing to do with them.

After hearing this, Baoshan also realized the long-term consequences of his actions, but he still felt somewhat dissatisfied, thinking that as an elder, he had lost face and suffered a loss.

Hu Qiuyan glared at him, and their son Yun Kang frowned and tugged at his father's sleeve.

Baoshan took a deep breath, lowered his head, and listened as Qiu Huanian continued.

"While everyone is here, I’d like to share some good news."

"The Du clan will prosper alongside Yunse. With the clan regulations in place, we must also have a clan school. The younger generation will have the opportunity to study and achieve success, ensuring the clan's future."

"I plan to purchase twenty acres of land in Zhang County, lease it to tenant farmers, and use the annual income to maintain the clan school."

"All members of the Du clan, whether male, female, or children, can send their own children under the age of twelve to the clan school for free education. All necessary supplies like paper and writing tools will be provided by the clan school."

"The clan school will hold two exams each year. Those who pass can continue their studies, and those who excel will receive additional rewards."

"In the future, if any clan members achieve academic success and wish to take the prefectural or academy exams in Xiangping Prefecture, they can stay in the villa our family purchased in Xiangping Prefecture to prepare for the exams in peace."

After Qiu Huanian finished speaking, many people were still processing the information.

A clan school? A clan school where all the children of the clan could study for free?

Du Yunse was impressive, but after all, he was just a fellow clansman. Who in Du Village hadn’t dreamed of their own children achieving academic success? With the clan school, they could send their children to study without any pressure.

Baoshan felt a surge of excitement.

His son Yun Kang had been praised by many for his intelligence. With the capabilities of Yunse and Brother Hua, the teachers they hired would surely be excellent. If Yun Kang was taught well, perhaps he could become the father of a Jieyuan in the future!

Baoshan’s spirits lifted, and his earlier displeasure vanished. Now that he was clear-headed, he began to feel some regret, realizing he shouldn’t have risked offending Yunse and Brother Hua over such a small matter.

Both Yun Se and Brother Hua have not had it easy, and they have already done their utmost for Du Village.

Qiu Huanian successfully used the clan school and education to bind the villagers together.

Since it is necessary to spend money to manage the clan, the most cost-effective way is, of course, to invest in education.

Education can give every family hope for self-improvement and unite their hearts. When more people in a village are educated and understand propriety, troublesome matters naturally decrease.

If the clan school is run for several more years, it will surely cultivate some talents, who can become future assets for Du Yunse, as well as Jiu Jiu and Chun Sheng.

Seeing the fervent expressions on many faces and noticing that Baoshan seemed to have come to his senses, Qiu Huanian nodded slightly.

He turned and walked to Du Yunse's side, joining him in distributing the meat, completing the final step of the ancestral worship.