36: Spiritual Enlightenment Quota

The villagers watching from the sidelines and the guests already seated at the banquet were all discussing and guessing what it was that was being carried.

Among them, some who were knowledgeable cleared up the confusion for those around them.

"That is naturally a plaque. Every newly promoted Noble Family will have a door plaque personally crafted by the town officials to proclaim their officially recognized status as a Noble Family."

"Oh my, this Chu Family is incredible. They were quiet in the village before, and now, all of a sudden, they've become a Noble Family. I suppose we'll have to butter them up and curry favor with them from now on."

"Regardless, our Fuhe Village did them a kindness. It was our village that took the Chu Family in back then. Now that they are doing well, I just hope they don't forget their roots."

"We don't ask for great wealth or status; we'd be satisfied if they could just help out the villagers a bit more."

Where there are those with petty thoughts, there are also those who are sensible.

"Auntie Xu, that's not right. The Chu Family has already helped our Fuhe Village enough."

"Before the Chu Family came, we were just one of the lower villages. It was the Old Gentleman of the Chu Family who helped us discover the mine and found us work raising cranes."

"Even during the last snow disaster, most of our village survived because of the warning from the Old Gentleman of the Chu Family. We are the ones who should be grateful."

"That's not right either. Isn't the land the Chu Family lives on ours in Fuhe Village? If it weren't for our Fuhe Village, could they have found a place to settle down back then?"

Upon hearing this, a light chuckle came from the side. "Contract Master families are extremely welcome wherever they go. Why would they need you to take them in? Could it be that because they are easy to talk to, you've failed to recognize your own standing?"

This chuckle and the words that followed made the auntie with the headscarf look quite ugly.

"Hmph, just wait and see. Once the Chu Family has ascended to the heavens, they'll look down on us mud-legged folks. They aren't even afraid of people pointing fingers at their spines."

This sounded as if the Chu Family had already done something ungrateful.

The people around them frowned secretly upon hearing this. Even if one felt jealous, this wasn't the time to say it.

If the Main Family were to hear this, today might be fine, but would they not hold a grudge against her in the future?

The surrounding villagers were no fools. Hearing this, they silently moved away from that auntie, leaving a large empty space around her.

Realizing how the people around her were isolating her, the auntie's Face turned from blue to white. She stiffened her neck, wiped her hands on her headscarf, and walked away down the path, swaying her hips.

This small disturbance in a corner of the square did not affect the joyful atmosphere of the entire banquet.

Bai Liangshu directed those carrying the plaque to settle in front of the gate.

"Old Gentleman Chu, congratulations on the auspicious establishment of your Family. May your Family's prosperity rise step by step from here on out."

"Thank you, Director Bai. We must drink until we are drunk later."

"Certainly, certainly. Come, come, let's hang this plaque up first. The Town Chief will be arriving soon."

"If you don't mind, let my Stone Spirit do it. It's most suitable for them to do this work." The speaker was Shi Jinghan.

Chu Jingyu did not refuse. "Then I will trouble you."

A three-meter-tall [Stone Spirit] beside Shi Jinghan held up the red-cloth-covered plaque with both hands and then gently placed it in the position reserved in advance on the Chu Family gate.

After adjusting it left and right and ensuring the plaque was placed correctly, Shi Jinghan let the [Stone Spirit] leave the gate.

"You may unveil the plaque."

This voice was faint, yet it entered the ears of everyone in the square with a domineering power.

The entire environment instantly quieted down. Unknowingly, two figures had appeared several meters high in the air in front of the Chu Family gate.

One was the Town Chief, who rarely appeared in town, and the other was Sun Chunchen, the mysterious boss behind the very famous Medicine Heart Hall in town.

The others could not identify the two for a moment, but seeing that they could stand in mid-air without relying on any external objects, they realized that the identities of these two were certainly extraordinary.

Therefore, they did not dare to say much, fearing that they might offend these important figures and Face some punishment.

Although Chu Jingyu was somewhat puzzled as to why the Town Chief and Sun Chunchen had appeared together as if they had discussed it, he quickly said:

"I invite the Town Chief and Brother Sun to unveil the plaque for my Chu Family."

Tang Cheng and Sun Chunchen were already standing on either side of the plaque. They likely had this in mind from the start, so neither of them refused.

Instead, each of them grasped one side of the red silk covering the plaque. After nodding to each other, they pulled the red silk off the plaque.

[Chu Family]

The two hot-stamped golden characters emitted a bright light under the direct sunlight.

"Jingyuan Dynasty, Qianling Prefecture, Zhiyao County, Heyu Town, Fuhe Village, the Chu Family, bestowed by the Heavenly God, hereby shines. On the 3rd day of the 10th month of the Yuanhe Calendar, they are promoted to a Ninth-Rank Humble Family. May they strictly observe the Noble Family code and protect the region."

Chu Jingyu's expression at this moment revealed irrepressible excitement. He led all the Chu Family Members to bow before the door plaque before respectfully saying:

"The Chu Family will certainly keep the Family code in mind and protect the region."

Tang Cheng nodded slightly, then he spoke loudly again:

"The Chu Family has become a Humble Family. From now on, the four villages of Chenliu, Fuhe, Qingsha, and Tuwo will fall under the jurisdiction of the Chu Family. All major and minor matters within them will be managed by personnel from the Chu Family. If the Chu Family handles matters unfairly, the villagers under their jurisdiction may go to the Town Chiefs Mansion to report it."

After these words were spoken, except for those who knew the inside story, the others were a bit stunned. After a moment, exclamations came:

"Jurisdiction over four villages? This Chu Family has quite a lot of Face."

"Another local emperor has appeared in Heyu Town."

"How much tax revenue should there be from the public fields of four villages? If this were all given to me, wouldn't I be rich?"

"They are a Contract Master Noble Family. Do you think they would care about that little bit of produce from the fields?"

Amidst the discussions, the figures of Tang Cheng and Sun Chunchen slowly descended from mid-air.

Chu Jingyu stepped aside from the gate and made a gesture of invitation. "Please, everyone, take your seats."

Tang Cheng and Sun Chunchen exchanged gestures of invitation, then walked side by side into the Chu Family courtyard.

The tables prepared in the Chu Family courtyard were large enough, so the six from the Chu Family, the six from the Shi and Zhang Families, and Tang Cheng and Sun Chunchen had plenty of space.

After arranging for everyone to be seated, Chu Jingyu returned to the courtyard gate, ensuring that the people in the courtyard and those in the square outside could hear him.

"Today is a big day for the establishment of our Chu Family. To share the joy with everyone, our Chu Family has decided to provide three spirit opening quotas to share with our guests for free."

"After the banquet begins, everyone will be distributed a numbered ticket. Those with the character 'Chu' on them can enjoy one spirit opening quota. Those who possess a quota may use it themselves or gift it to others as they please."

As he spoke, the three people Chu Jingyu had arranged in advance began to walk among the various seats, carrying boxes, ensuring that everyone could draw a number plate.

Sitting at the table closest to the Chu Family gate, Bai Liangshu held up the number plate in his hand and asked Chen Gengcai, who was beside him, "Did I win the prize?"