Chapter 428 - 429: Making Inquiries

Chapter 428: Chapter 429: Making Inquiries

Village Chief Huang lowered his gaze. "When we entered the village, there wasn’t a single living person left."

His casual understatement plunged the Gu family into deep sorrow. They had suspected this outcome for the dozen or so households that, for various reasons, had failed to join the exodus, but hearing it confirmed was still hard to accept.

The villagers of Kao Mountain Village watched them defensively, afraid these original owners would take their anger out on them.

Mayor Shan, who also knew of the tragedy from a few years ago, stood silently to the side. He waited until they had composed themselves before asking, "What are your plans now?"

If the ancestral hall hadn’t been destroyed, it would have been fine for the Gu family to stay. But now, a feud had started before they even entered the village, so he didn’t dare let them remain here.

Gu Yi also knew that staying in Kao Mountain Village tonight was impossible. "Let’s go to town and rest for the night. We’ll come back early tomorrow morning."

He then turned to Village Chief Huang and said, "We’ll likely be causing a bit of a disturbance in the village over the next little while. We hope you will all bear with us."

As he said this, the Gu family felt a bitter taste in their mouths. This was their ancestral home, yet now they needed permission from others just to be here.

Although he didn’t know what kind of background these people had, the mere fact that the mayor had personally accompanied them was enough for Village Chief Huang not to dare offend them. "It’s the least we can do. If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to ask. We’ll help in any way we can."

Once the convoy of carriages was a good distance away, the villagers finally erupted into discussion.

"I wonder who those original Kao Mountain Village people were. When we arrived, all the houses were in ruins. They couldn’t have gotten so wealthy this quickly, could they?"

When they first arrived, aside from one house that was reasonably presentable, the rest were basically thatched huts. If not for that, they wouldn’t have cleared the ancestral tablets out of the hall.

"Do you think they’ll demand compensation from us?"

"What are you talking about? What do we have to compensate them for? It was the Lord County Magistrate who arranged for us to move in here. If they have a problem, they can go to the county and take it up with the parents official."

"I’m just voicing a concern. Besides, I wasn’t the one who threw out the ancestral tablets."

"I threw them out, so what? You want to go report me?"

"..."

Village Chief Huang shouted, "All of you, stop arguing! For the time being, everyone in the village needs to watch their step. They only said they want to move the ancestral tablets and graves; they almost certainly won’t return to the village after that."

As long as they don’t hurt anyone while they’re here, just let them do whatever they need to. Those are not people we can afford to offend."

"Village Chief, you should have tried to find out where they’re from just now. That way we could be prepared."

Village Chief Huang replied, "Where they’re from? They’re either a wealthy family or an official family. How else could common people afford carriages and servants?"

But a villager found that hard to believe. "Their clothes look no different from a common person’s."

"Can common people afford to buy horses? Besides, I saw an old man in one of the carriages in the back who didn’t even get out, and he had two people respectfully attending to him."

Setting all that aside, the mere fact that the mayor accompanied them is reason enough for us to be cautious."

At this, some of the women grew anxious. "Then are they going to hold us accountable?"

Village Chief Huang glanced at her. ’Her husband was one of the ones who suggested clearing out the ancestral hall,’ he thought. ’And now she’s worried?’

"Who can say for sure? In any case, while they’re here these next few days, everyone needs to be vigilant. Don’t offend them again. If they decide to take their anger out on us, they might very well drive us out of here."

Everyone quickly gave their assurances. They were just farmers who scraped a living from the soil; if they couldn’t even protect this home, an even crueler fate would await them.

After leaving Kao Mountain Village, a member of the Gu family couldn’t hold back his question any longer. "Why aren’t we staying in the village? I wanted to go see my home. I wonder if they’ve moved into our house."

Gu Yi glanced back at him. "And then what? Take the house back by force?"

"..." said Gu Tumu. "So what do we do now?"

Gu Yi replied, "Tonight, everyone get some rest and mentally prepare. First thing tomorrow morning, we’ll find a feng shui master to select an auspicious date, then hire a carpenter to re-carve our ancestors’ tablets."

Thinking of the hand-copied genealogy book they had brought along, Gu Yi couldn’t help but sigh in admiration. ’The elders really are the wisest; they thought of every possibility.’

Gu Dashishi paid no mind to their discussion. The moment they reached the inn, he requested a room and shut himself inside to rest. The other Gu family members silently shook their heads but didn’t take his behavior to heart.

While the others were deliberating, Luo Gang went to the grain shop by himself and walked straight up to Manager Shi. "Hello, Manager. I’d like to ask for some information."

Manager Shi looked at the unfamiliar man before him. "Are you with the Gu Family?"

Luo Gang replied, "I am a servant of Mr. Gu. I’ve come on my Old Madam’s orders to inquire about the current situation in Li Family Village."

The titles "Mr. Gu" and "Old Madam" were enough to shock Manager Shi. "Mr. Gu? Someone from the Gu family became an official? I wonder which branch of the family it is?"

Luo Gang simply smiled without answering. "Manager, do you happen to know the current state of Li Family Village?"

Manager Shi replied, "The people of Li Family Village didn’t flee. But when we returned, they were in a sorry state. Though the village had a water source to keep them alive, they couldn’t fend off raids from other villages coming to plunder. It seems not many people survived. If you tell me which family you’re asking about, I might just know them."

"Li Bingqian, do you know him?" Luo Gang asked, giving the name of Li Cuicui’s older brother.

"The name sounds familiar, I think I’ve heard it before. Is there anyone else?" Manager Shi asked, a bit uncertain.

"Li Bingkun."

Manager Shi slapped his hand. "Ah, I know which family you’re talking about! Li Bingkun’s son was just here two days ago selling grain. I heard, though, that their family is preparing for a funeral."

Luo Gang was alarmed. "Do you know who passed away?"

Manager Shi said, "I heard it was Li Bingkun. He couldn’t hold on. It’s likely to happen any day now."

His son brought the grain here to sell just to afford a coffin for his old man."

If you hurry over now, you might be able to see him one last time."

Not daring to delay, Luo Gang thanked Manager Shi and rushed back to the inn.

"Old Master, I just got some news. The Li Family’s situation is not good. Should we go over today?"

"What’s good or not good? I’m the one who’s not feeling good right now, from head to toe. No matter how urgent it is, it will have to wait until we’ve finished our business in Gu Family Village. Then we can go find our relatives in Li Family Village."

Now stop disturbing my rest. I’m an old man, not like you youngsters who can handle all this commotion."

With that, Gu Dashishi impatiently waved his hand, rolled over, and drifted back to sleep.