Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 784 - 400 Imperial Gift_1
By the second watch, a request for something pink.
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Upon hearing this, everyone was startled. Lian Shouxin even thought something had happened where the house was being built, and without even taking the time to wipe his hands, he rushed outside.
Lian Manman and a few others hurriedly followed behind him.
"Xiao Tanzhi, what on earth happened?" While hurrying towards the shop, Lian Manman asked Xiao Tanzhi.
"A lot of people have come, Fourth Aunt told me that there was a big issue and asked me to quickly find Fourth Uncle Lian," Xiao Tanzhi replied, "Fourth Aunt didn’t say what the issue was, just that I had to be quick. So I ran over."
What could it be, with so many people coming?
The old house wasn’t far from the shop, and Lian Manman and the others sprinted all the way, soon reaching the village entrance. From a distance, they could see several horses stopped in front of the shop, and a few men dressed in official attire standing out front. Many villagers had come out of their homes and stood watching from a distance, not daring to approach.
Lady Zhang also stood outside the shop, speaking with a man dressed in maroon official clothing. Upon seeing Lian Shouxin and the others, the man hurriedly waved to summon them.
It was Steward Zhong.
The group hurriedly walked over.
"Steward Zhong brought quite a few of the County Yamen’s runners," Lady Zhang approached and told Lian Shouxin, "They just arrived and brought quite a few items."
Lian Shouxin hurried forward to greet Steward Zhong and all the runners.
"...We must hurry, the officials who will deliver the imperial decree will be here soon. Receiving the decree in this shop wouldn’t be proper," said Steward Zhong, returning Lian Shouxin’s greeting.
Upon hearing the word "imperial decree," Lian Manman’s eyes lit up; she could roughly guess what it was about. It must be that Shen Liu had reported the matter of the corn to the Imperial Court, and the Emperor had sent a decree. It was surely a reward for them.
"Behind here is the new house my family built," Lian Manman quickly stepped forward and said, "It’s not completely finished yet, but the front hall can be used."
Steward Zhong walked to the side and looked in the direction Lian Manman indicated. Lian Manman’s newly built compound had a very spacious outer courtyard, intended for when the adjacent threshing ground was not sufficient; it could also serve to lay out and dry grain, thresh, and winnow, among other things.
"Let’s tidy up the place a bit, and then the decree doesn’t need to be announced inside the house. Out in the open space would be quite good. Sixth Master’s intention is to let everyone hear of His Majesty’s grace," said Steward Zhong. From his words, it seemed that the surrounding villagers could all come and listen to the proclamation of the imperial decree.
In the meantime, Lian Manman had returned to the house and with Lady Zhang and Lian Zhizhi, made up several bulky red envelopes. Taking out the red envelopes, she handed them over to Lian Shouxin to distribute to Steward Zhong and all the runners.
The runners had their hands full, some carrying large red carpets, and others carrying incense tables, censers, and other items.
"...Sixth Master and the imperial envoy who will deliver the decree are following close behind. They will arrive soon. Sixth Master thought things through thoroughly, knowing that you might not have these items here. Hence, he sent me ahead to prepare everything needed," Steward Zhong said.
Shen Liu had ordered him to come ahead with all the necessary items, all requisitioned from the County Yamen, with these runners brought along to help with the arrangements.
Lian Shouxin distributed the red envelopes to all the runners, thanked them repeatedly, and then asked Steward Zhong if he could reveal the content of the imperial decree.
"...I came ahead of the others and don’t know. Fourth Master Lian, no need to ask further, isn’t it obvious? I assure you it’s good news, very good news," replied Steward Zhong with a smile.
According to Steward Zhong, the person carrying the imperial decree had come from the Capital City. The imperial envoy first arrived at the Prefecture City, where he announced one decree at the Shen Family’s home, and then came to Thirty Mile Camp to proclaim the decree to Lian Manman’s family.
After a brief exchange, the members of the Lian Family, Steward Zhong, and several runners got busy. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞
First, they opened the gates of the compound and gave the entire courtyard another sweep, then they started laying out the large red carpets, incense tables, and censers.
During this time, Scholar Wang, Lizheng, the abbot and monks from the local temple, many of the village elders, as well as all the villagers young and old who were home, nearly all arrived.
Wang Youheng, Wu Yugui, Wu Jiaxing father and son, Old Jin with his sons, Old Huang, and others, all hurried over upon hearing the news. Scholar Wang brought family retainers and servants; Wang Youheng, Wu Family father and son, and other closely related families assisted in the cleanup; and Lizheng and the village elders were in charge of organizing the villagers who came to see the excitement. They were told to go back home, change into clean, new clothes, and come back. They were not to stand around carelessly but to line up and greet the imperial envoy, and listen to the imperial decree.
