The wicked mother-in-law doesn't try to whitewash herself; she only abuses her awful children.

Seeing that he had successfully piqued everyone's interest, Boss Qian smiled with satisfaction.

He went to Pingchuan County early in the morning to check the arrival report, and after reading it, he rushed to Qinghewan.

It's all for reporting firsthand information.

First, he went to the weaving workshop to tell Tong Huaqiong the good news. Tong Huaqiong said expressionlessly that she already knew. Boss Qian felt bad, as he found out about the news too late.

Tong Huaqiong learned the news early, but the villagers didn't know.

Seeing the villagers surrounding the village chief asking about Gu Dashu and Manager He's meritorious service, he squeezed in and stood next to the village chief, intending to act as the village chief's spokesperson.

When Village Chief Liu saw everyone asking about the specifics of his meritorious service, he frowned; he wanted to know too!
However, the officials only told him that Dasheng had won the war between Dasheng and Mobei, and that Gu Dashu, Manager He, and Nie Xiaofeng had made meritorious contributions. They didn't tell him the specifics; they were too excited to ask for details.

Now that the officials have all gone to the next village to report the news, he can't catch up with them even if he wants to ask.

"Fellow villagers, I just returned from Pingchuan County. The report there mentioned Manager He's meritorious service during the Great Heat period. Speaking of the Great Heat..."

With a flick of his clothes, Boss Qian became the village chief's best mouth double.

He started to speak, then glanced around the crowd, mainly to observe everyone's reactions.

The villagers were furious that Boss Qian was still keeping them in suspense.

An old woman picked up an egg from the basket, intending to throw it at Mr. Qian's face, but then remembered she needed the egg to exchange for money and put it down. She didn't say anything nice, though: "Mr. Qian, you're just showing off. Look at how capable you are. Speak your mind, or shut up. Even a storyteller here needs a beginning, development, climax, and conclusion."

Despite being scolded, Boss Qian remained unperturbed, simply flicking his sleeves as if on a theatrical stage, and said, "Speaking of which, Gu Dashu and Manager He have arrived at the border."

Boss Qian was just like a storyteller in a teahouse, vividly recounting the meritorious deeds of Gu Dashu and Manager He, captivating the entire village. Even when he spoke of Gu Dashu being captured by the northern barbarians, many people showed worry on their faces; and when he spoke of Gu Dashu successfully relaying the news to the Dasheng border and making his way back from the northern barbarians, a sigh of relief rippled through the crowd.

Tong Huaqiong stood outside the crowd, feeling both amused and exasperated.

The report was not as detailed as it seemed; the details were all filled in by Boss Qian.

However, the torment and risks that Gu Dashu experienced were real.
After Mr. Qian finished speaking, the villagers couldn't stop reminiscing as if they had personally experienced the adventure on the border.

The village chief was also extremely excited.

Gu Dashu is his nephew-in-law. I heard that even the emperor knows about his achievements and he is about to go to the capital to receive royal commendation. He might even be given an official position or something.

He can also benefit from it.

"I could tell he was a promising person even before the Great Heat arrived, and sure enough, he has rendered meritorious service to the imperial court," the old woman carrying the egg basket exclaimed.

“You’re right. My son-in-law has always been quite successful. Those shallow-minded people are always speculating behind my back about why he hasn’t come home for the past two years. You’ve never left Qinghe Bay your whole lives, yet you’re so full of yourself. You can’t possibly guess that my son-in-law has made a difference.”

The son-in-law's meritorious service brought Zhao great pride.

She knew before the Lunar New Year that Gu Dashu had made a contribution, and she had been wanting to show it off for a long time.

However, Tong Huaqiong, the mother-in-law, said that they would keep it a secret until the official announcement was made.

She was so bored during the entire first month of the lunar calendar.

The fact that the reports have been released means the news is true.

Let's see who dares to gossip behind her back about her son-in-law being captured by the people of the northern desert.

Not only were they not arrested, but they also made a great contribution.

Those who were publicly chosen by Zhao felt either ashamed or jealous.

How come Gu Dashu is so lucky? All the good things happen to him.
If you just blurted out that he had made meritorious contributions, no one would believe you, but the report was issued by the imperial court, and the imperial court would not lie to people.

"Boss Qian just said he's going to Shengjing to receive an award during the Great Heat. Goodness, that means we'll get to see the Emperor! I've heard the banquets at the Imperial Palace are amazing. When will we get to eat there?"

"Then you should learn from Da Shu and go to the border to make merit. It's not that easy to make merit. Look at your cowardly appearance. You can run two miles away from a wasp in the cotton field. I bet if you get caught by the northern desert people at the border, you'll confess everything before you even get tortured." "Da Shu will be given an official position, right? We all started by digging for food in the fields. How come Da Shu made it to Shengjing while we're still farmers in Qinghewan?"

"Don't be envious. He deserves it. It looks glorious to make a contribution during the Great Heat, but he risked his life. The people of the Northern Desert are not easily fooled. He suffered a lot during the Great Heat. Don't think about such things. There's nothing wrong with us living a peaceful life in Qinghe Bay."

Everyone was talking about it.

Some sighed, some envied.

Of course, there was also jealousy.

"Hmm, making meritorious contributions seems glamorous, but one must truly be able to bear the weight of such immense merit. That old emperor might reward you today if he's in a good mood, but tomorrow he might exterminate your entire family. I think it's best not to be too happy too soon." The speaker was Gu Xiaocao's grandmother, Granny Huang.

"You're talking nonsense, you're just jealous."

"If you're so full of shit you can't hold it in, go home and use the outhouse instead of spitting it out."

Before Tong Huaqiong could deal with Granny Huang, Zhao Shi and Old Madam Gu started cursing Granny Huang together.

Zhao's curses were vicious, and Old Lady Gu's curses were vulgar. Huang Pozi was defeated by the combined efforts of the two.

Those around them were astonished to see that Zhao Shi and Old Madam Gu, who had always been at odds, could one day work together.

"Hmph, you've got nothing to brag about." Old Mrs. Huang couldn't hold back her stubbornness and threw down a cold snort.

"You talk about exterminating nine generations of one's family, do you even know who that includes? If the Emperor really wants to exterminate the entire Da Shu family, not a single person from our village will escape. You'd better stop your curse, or your entire family will be the first to wipe out your head. You fool!"

Tong Huaqiong, in a sinister tone, explained the concept of the nine generations of relatives to Granny Huang.

After being reminded by Tong Huaqiong, the people around realized that they were also among the nine clans.

“Nine generations means the entire village must be executed.”

"Old woman Huang, you're cursing the whole village! Bah! Bah! Bah!"

"Old woman Huang, what nonsense are you spouting? If you don't eat, you'll just have your mouth stuffed up."

The villagers pointed at Granny Huang and cursed her.

The Gu family, in particular, were the most vehemently criticized, since the Gu family was the first to be executed in the "Nine Clans Extermination" campaign.

Those who were originally jealous of Gu Dashu's merits and hoped for his downfall, but were cursed by Granny Huang, changed their minds and cursed Granny Huang more fiercely than anyone else.

Seeing that she had incurred the wrath of the crowd, Granny Huang's face turned ashen.

The village chief concluded with a stern face: "Making a contribution during the Great Heat is a good thing for the whole village. Putting aside everything else, when people mention Qinghewan, they will know it is the village of the Great Heat. In the future, when we go out to do something, won't we be looked up to? So put away your little thoughts."

“Yes, yes, the village chief is right. Da Shu’s meritorious service has brought honor to our whole village. More than 20 years ago, Heilongtan produced a mighty general, but the general never came back to pay respects to his ancestors. People from Heilongtan are respected when they go out and use the general’s name. Moreover, Da Shu’s family is still in Qinghewan.” someone said.

“Our Yanguan Town also produced a general. Didn’t you hear what Boss Qian said? Bai Shuang’s son fought bravely in battle and was appointed as a deputy general.” Someone chimed in.

Everyone looked at Tong Huaqiong with envy. What kind of luck was this? Her son had made meritorious contributions, her grandson had made meritorious contributions, and her subordinates had made meritorious contributions.

Such a group of people achieving merit in such a rush is something the villagers can't even be jealous of.

"Big Foot, congratulations on your family's great achievement in the Great Heat season."

“You already have a top scholar in the imperial examinations, and now you have a son who has made meritorious contributions. We all have sons, so why is your son vying to earn you an imperial title, while my son only makes me angry?”

Since jealousy won't work, let's offer our sincere congratulations.

Tong Huaqiong smiled and accepted everyone's congratulations with ease. (End of Chapter)