Chapter 132 - 96: Yang Family Village
Yang Wenqing’s laughter broke the solemn atmosphere. He handed his younger sister, Yang Wenning, to a smiling woman nearby, then quickly walked over to the clan elders and his father.
"I offer my greetings to the clan elders!" Yang Wenqing stopped five paces from the three elders and performed a deep, formal bow.
"Excellent!" Yang Dehou hurried forward and helped Yang Wenqing up with his own hands.
"Third Grand-uncle," Yang Wenqing responded with a smile before greeting his father, Yang Jianmu, and the other clan elders one by one.
"Wenqing, will you be going home first, or...?" Yang Dehou’s tone was inquisitive, not commanding.
"I should go pay respects to our ancestors first." ’Of course I know what Third Grand-uncle is thinking.’
"Excellent!"
Accompanied by the elders and his father, Yang Wenqing passed through the dense crowd. His fellow clan members parted to form a path, their fervent gazes following him. Still, they kept a reverent distance. Only a few young children who weren’t in school yet craned their necks to peek curiously, but they were immediately pulled back by their parents.
Stepping through the wide-open gates, he was greeted by the sight of the Yang Family Village’s interior—a scene that was familiar, yet revealed a different atmosphere in its details.
The village’s architecture followed a layout that balanced defensive needs with daily life. The main road was wide and flat, constructed from compacted earth mixed with gravel, and was broad enough for two cargo carts to travel side-by-side.
The road was flanked by neat rows of courtyards, their main structures built from sturdy rammed-earth walls and massive logs. Most of the roofs were covered with thick thatch or grey tiles. Ample firebreaks and passages to the back alleys were left between the compounds.
Furthermore, signs of fortification and defensive structures were everywhere. The walls of compounds in key positions along the main road were noticeably thicker and featured firing slits.
On several raised earthen mounds and rooftop platforms within the village, well-maintained, old-fashioned cannons were mounted. Along the inner side of the village walls, wooden staircases stood at regular intervals, leading up to the watchtowers and rampart walks. On the platforms, one could faintly make out figures holding old-fashioned rifles or crossbows.
This was one of the cornerstones of the village’s ability to defend itself. However, it was strictly forbidden for these weapons to leave the village or be used to attack other settlements. If discovered, it would be considered a grave offense.
The ancestral hall was situated in the center of the village. Taller than the average compound, it was a grand structure with a bluestone foundation and a black-tiled roof. A solemn and dignified air was palpable the moment one pushed open the doors. In the clearing before the hall stood several totem poles carved with intricate patterns, radiating an ancient and tranquil aura.
Yang Jianmu had already stopped before the main entrance to the ancestral hall, holding onto Yang Wenqing’s younger siblings. The rest of the onlooking clan members also halted, and only the few clan elders and Yang Wenqing ascended the steps.
Inside the great hall of the ancestral shrine, ever-burning candles flickered and incense smoke curled through the air. Layers of memorial tablets stacked upon the altar recorded the history of the Yang family’s lineage in this place. At the very top was the divine tablet, which shared its origin with the one in the county’s main ancestral hall and symbolized a connection to the nation’s Divine Artifact.
Yang Wenqing cleansed his hands and stepped forward. He took three sticks of specially prepared incense from the elder guarding the hall, lit them from a candle flame, and respectfully placed them in the incense burner. He then retreated three steps, knelt reverently on a prayer cushion, and performed the grand ritual of three kneelings and nine kowtows toward the ancestral tablets and the divine tablet above them.
"Your unworthy descendant, Yang Wenqing, returns home today. Through the blessings of our ancestors and the support of the nation, I have made some small achievements abroad. I dare not forget my roots, and I have come today to report to you, my ancestors. I, Wenqing, will continue to cultivate diligently, remain true to my duties, and bring honor to our family, so as not to fail your expectations or the trust the nation has placed in me."
His voice echoed clearly in the silent hall, filled with profound reverence and solemnity.
When the ritual was complete, he rose. Yang Wenqing felt as though an unseen weight had been lifted from his heart, and at the same time, as if a deeper, more stable strength had been infused into him.
Next, his Third Grand-uncle gestured for Yang Wenqing to take a seat in one of the old wooden chairs flanking the tablets. Clearly, there were matters to discuss. Just as they sat down, the elder guarding the hall silently served them a few cups of simple tea before retreating and gently closing the door.
The Third Elder, Yang Dehou, was the first to speak, bringing up the matter that concerned Yang Wenqing the most. "Wenqing, there are over sixty young men in the clan who are of the right age and have some schooling. They are eligible to go to the county for the examination, but the number of slots is limited. The few of us have discussed it..."
Another elder, his hair and beard completely white, continued, "We thought, why not hold a public clan-wide test beforehand? The top ten will receive the recommendation slots. That way, it will all depend on the youngsters’ own abilities. It will be fair and silence any potential complaints. And if they pass but can’t afford the tuition, the clan can provide a loan."
Yang Wenqing lifted the rough porcelain teacup, gently blew aside the floating leaves, and took a sip of the slightly bitter tea. He simply nodded after listening, not offering his opinion right away.
Outside the window, the sounds of children’s boisterous play grew louder, punctuated by the calls of women and a few impatient scoldings. It seemed the village’s primary school had just let out, making it the liveliest time of day.
One of the elders frowned and made a motion to stand, intending to go outside and quiet them down to maintain the solemnity around the ancestral hall.
But Yang Wenqing gently raised a hand in a placating gesture and smiled. "Seventh Grand-uncle, let them be. It’s the nature of children. A bit of liveliness is fine. We can continue our discussion; it’s no bother."
Hearing this, the elder settled back into his seat.
The topic then shifted to the matter of the Four Seas Trading Company. Yang Dehou gave Yang Wenqing a more detailed explanation of the specifics he had discussed with Yang Jianmu over the past few days.
Yang Wenqing listened attentively, occasionally interjecting with his own opinions and requirements on key points, such as the bottom line for procurement prices, how to divide the labor and coordinate with Wang Jianchao, and the allocation of the initial capital.