Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 141 - 66: Where Did the Silver Come From?

Gu Chengyu just realized why Mr. Wen suggested Gu Wanhua to take the exam, yet Gu Wanhua didn’t even pass the first round.

It turns out, it was Gu Wanhua who proposed to take the exam. His knowledge was somewhat lacking, so the teacher advised him to stay home and build a strong foundation, for he’d be more confident next time. If he failed the county exam, he wouldn’t need to retake the first two rounds the next time.

Who would have thought, Gu Wanhua didn’t heed the advice, and the teacher could only agree to let him try. Even if he failed, it would be a chance to learn exam skills, so he’d be less nervous in the future. Unexpectedly, Gu Wanhua had quite a bit of confidence in himself. Days before the exam, Mr. Wen allowed Gu Wanhua to stay in Class A, as those about to take the exam shouldn’t remain in Class B, which would be unreasonable.

Now, coming back with a failed attempt, Gu Wanhua wasn’t welcomed into Class A. On one hand, his classmates couldn’t accept his supposed extensive knowledge; on the other, they feared he’d distract the teacher. Ultimately, Gu Wanhua entered Class A because the teacher called the gatekeeper to convey that since he had entered Class A, there was no reason to return to Class B. But from now on, he must diligently strive for success.

Gu Chengyu sighed inwardly, pondering how even at this stage, where not even a Scholar’s degree is attained, cunning plotting occurs. If they reached the court, they might be tripping each other up as routine.

However, the gatekeeper was truly the teacher’s informant! Without stepping into the front yard, the teacher could know any situation.

When Mr. Wen entered, everyone had already consciously begun reviewing and practicing calligraphy. After all, studies took precedence for the students. Other people’s affairs were merely conversation pieces during breaks.

In these two days, Wang Qikai’s handwriting seemed to have improved, leading to a much relieved expression on the teacher’s face. From Wang Qikai’s evasive inquiries, it was learned that he had secretly stopped using incense. Although he still couldn’t avoid dozing off, the timing of his drowsiness had been delayed. Gu Chengyu assumed there might be more causes to Wang Qikai’s sleepiness. To encourage him to continue this way, he even praised Wang Qikai, saying without the incense scent on his clothes, he seemed more manly.

With less time spent dozing, there was more time for practice. Poor writing could be redone, naturally leading to improvement.

Gu Chengyu’s calligraphy was also gradually progressing, which could be credited to his night-time sword practice in space. He also realized he couldn’t continue writing in the style of his past life since he was now a man.

That day passed quickly, and before the end of school, Mr. Gu was already waiting at the gate.

"Xiao Bao!" Mr. Gu called out immediately upon seeing his son step out.

"Dad!" Gu Chengyu waved goodbye to Wang Qikai and walked towards Mr. Gu.

At that moment, Gu Wanhua came out of the door, and upon seeing the two standing outside, he instinctively moved to the side.

"Hua! School is over! Are you coming home with us?" Mr. Gu, lifting his head, saw Gu Wanhua exiting from the private school and thought to take him home if he was heading back.

"Third Grandpa! There’s no need! I’m staying with my dad, and won’t return to the village unless there’s a break." Gu Wanhua reluctantly greeted when noticed by Mr. Gu.

"Alright! Whenever you’re heading back, just let your Little Uncle know, and we’ll wait for you to return together." Mr. Gu knew that Gu Wanhua had been staying at his father’s place. Previously, with no ox-cart in their family, Gu Wanhua had to hitch a ride with Old Wang whenever returning to the village, but daily rides were burdensome. Fortunately, Gu Chengzhong, working as an accountant at the grain shop in town, had a small room where they could both squeeze in.

"Okay! Third Grandpa! I’m off now!" Carrying his school bag, Gu Wanhua quickened his pace. The Third Grandpa’s family, once quite poor, now, having sold ginseng, not only bought an ox-cart but also plenty of farmland, leading to better living conditions.

If his family encountered such fortune, they might have bought past exam papers with some silver. Wouldn’t he then pass the exam? Ultimately, it all came down to the lack of silver!

"Dad! Did you buy the pork fat?" Gu Chengyu had instructed Mr. Gu to buy some pork fat to render lard! The wood ash had been soaking for days, and the buoyancy test with eggs indicated readiness for use.

"Yes! Your mom has already rendered it. It’s still chilling in the well! And I bought the ribs you wanted too!" The Gu Family had a well by the woodshed, so there was no need to fetch water from the river.

"Then let’s stew the ribs, they are fragrant!" Gu Chengyu, having not eaten meat for days, felt it had been so long.

"Those ribs are mostly bones, is there any meat at all? Just enough to taste a bit." Mr. Gu couldn’t quite understand why ribs were considered delicious.

"Oh! Dad! Did you make that wooden board I asked for the other day?" This wooden board was intended for the soap. Once the soap was made, it needed to dry for over a month and couldn’t stay in the mold.

"I did! I even added side panels to make it into a box since you said it’s for soap; a box seemed better." Mr. Gu might not be a carpenter, but could still easily make a wooden frame. In farming households, any broken stools or benches were repaired themselves.

"Dad! Was today’s silver delivered? How did they handle Yu Tuanzi’s matter? And what about my eldest sister’s family?" Gu Chengyu remembered the morning’s discussion about handing Yu Tuanzi over to the village chief. He wondered what kind of punishment would be meted out and where his eldest sister would be involved, knowing the silver would definitely come from the Gu Family, but his dad surely wouldn’t hand over the money without some resistance.

"The village chief was unwilling to send Yu Tuanzi to the authorities and couldn’t think of a decent method. So he suggested giving Yu Tuanzi a few lashes. Who would have thought, his mom found out and brought his sister over, crying and begging, and I too couldn’t bear it. Curiously enough, not sure where he got the silver, but he paid himself. Your mom worried he got it by stealth, counting the family silver many times. With so much silver, no one in the village reported any loss—what a mystery. But his mother insists it’s leftover by Yu Tuanzi’s father; who believes that? If they had silver, would they live so poorly?"

"The village chief said the silver must have been stolen, but the victim is unknown. They intended to keep the silver in the village, but Yu Tuanzi’s mother firmly claimed it was left by her husband. Since no theft was proven, they had to give it back. But, he refused conscription, so we came up with a solution. Didn’t our family buy so much land? It just so happens to punish Yu Tuanzi by working for us. Once our fields were planted, his duty would end." Mr. Gu considered the old blind mother of Yu Tuanzi, believing breaking him might be sinful, leaving behind the old and the young—what would their lives become?

Gu Chengyu realized his father’s wisdom! This arrangement made it easier to approach Yu Tuanzi for favors. His in-and-out of the house wouldn’t arouse suspicion. As for the money, there was no viable way without having Mr. Gu pay Yu Tuanzi, the latter had to resolve it himself. If he couldn’t manage it on his own, he’d be of no use, although Gu Chengyu intended to save him eventually, but wouldn’t utilize him.

But could it be that Lin Lize intended to pocket the silver? After all, it’s twenty taels!