Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
Before the festivities began, the ancestral hall was opened for two important matters. The first was to record Third Fatty and other children who hadnât yet been added to the family tree within the past week, and the second matter was to deal with the inheritance of the patriarchal position.
Once these tasks were completed, the celebratory banquet commenced.
During the meal, Mr. Gu turned to Gu Chengrui and inquired, âYouâve been away for half a year. Where have all your travels taken you?â
âIâve basically made the rounds of all the state capitals,â Gu Chengrui replied. âJust enjoying myself and inspecting my various business ventures at the same time.â
âThe capital has been stable these past six months, hasnât it?â Gu Chengrui inquired.
âThere havenât been any major disturbances, but you did miss Zixuanâs wedding day. Youâll need to bring her a gift when you return.â
âAbsolutely,â Gu Chengrui agreed. âBy the way, do you have any leads on a large ship capable of long-distance voyages?â
âA big ship, huh? Thinking of starting a shipping business?â Mr. Gu chuckled.
Gu Chengrui shook his head. âNo, Iâm actually interested in taking a long voyage myself. Iâve heard rumors of a country on the other side of the sea, and Iâm curious to explore it.â
âThereâs certainly truth to that,â Mr. Gu conceded. âBut going there wouldnât be a walk in the park. Besides the distance, thereâs also the potential for danger. Pirates are a real threat out there. Honestly, being a Marquis is a pretty comfortable life as it is. If you need anything procured, just send someone. There is no need to take unnecessary risks.â
âIndeed,â echoed Second Uncle Gu. âListen to your father on this. Even seasoned veterans like us wouldnât dare venture into unfamiliar territory for business dealings, let alone someone with no experience in the industry. Itâs a harsh world out there, and danger lurks around every corner.â
âI understand your concerns,â Gu Chengrui replied. âBut the urge to explore is strong. Perhaps I might stumble upon something new and exciting.â
âButâ¦â Mr. Gu attempted to continue his persuasion, but Gu Chengrui cut him off. âIf youâre unwilling to share this information, Iâll simply have to find it elsewhere.â
âWhy canât you just listen to reason?â Second Uncle Gu pleaded.
âIn this life, which only spans a few short decades, I already have all the power and wealth I could ever need,â Gu Chengrui insisted. âWhat I crave now is the thrill of exploration, the possibility of discovering a new world, maybe even witnessing a miracle or two.â
Seeing his sonâs unwavering resolve, Mr. Gu sighed. âWe donât have ships here in the village. The only place to acquire one would be the sea port. If youâre truly set on this venture, Iâll accompany you after the New Year.â
âBrotherâ¦â Second Uncle Gu started disapprovingly.
âIf he insists on going, we canât stop him. Itâs better to help him choose a good ship and teach him some survival skills at sea.â Mr. Gu replied helplessly.
If there was another way, he would be the first to object, but he knew his third son was a stubborn person, and they couldnât persuade him.
It was better to let Zhou Ying and the Emperor persuade him.
On this side, Mrs. Yao asked curiously, âZhou Ying, where have you been all this year? Tell us what interesting things you have experienced, so we can open our eyes.â
âThatâs right. I have never been out of our county since I was born.â Sixth Aunt Gu nodded in agreement.
âThatâs what Iâm saying. None of us here have ever been out of Yunhe County.â Mrs. Wang replied.
âThatâs right. Zhou Ying, tell us about it.â Mrs. Fang agreed.
Zhou Ying didnât hesitate. She took care of the three children while slowly explaining.
During this time, the three children occasionally added a sentence, making everyone laugh.
It also aroused the curiosity of the menâs table.
After hearing what they were discussing, everyone also asked Gu Chengrui about his experience.
Seeing this, Gu Chengrui simply introduced them to what he had seen and heard outside, especially the clan concept in the south, which was much stronger than here. Of course, the rules were also much more strict.