Chapter 242: A Celebration
Not only Tong Huaqiong was curious about the content of the commendation on the plaque, but the onlookers were also curious.
"Shopkeeper Tong, in view of your contribution to the villagers' corn harvest, Lord Yao specially issued a commendation to you." County Magistrate Liu said with a smile.
County Magistrate Liu was also honored that the villagers in his jurisdiction were commended by the prefect.
Tong Huaqiong thought to herself, no wonder the commendation was sent now, it turned out to be Lord Yao's idea.
Following an order from County Magistrate Liu, the red silk on the plaque was peeled off with a rustling sound.
Facing the autumn morning light, Tong Huaqiong saw the four big words "selfless" written on the plaque.
This is to commend her for selflessly donating pesticides to eliminate ear rot.
The village chief had already ordered people to prepare firecrackers, and when the plaque was hung up, the firecrackers exploded.
Everyone cheered amid the noise, and everyone was in high spirits.
This was the first time that someone in the entire Qinghe Bay received recognition from the government.
And she is a woman, so it is even more meaningful.
Maner and Yaozu, along with a group of children, stood among the red confetti of firecrackers and cheered. Tong Huaqiong spotted County Magistrate Liu's son, Liu Yanhong.
Liu Yanhong followed behind Maner with a bright smile on his face.
"Grandma, I want some cakes." Liu Yanhong met Tong Huaqiong's gaze and ran over to ask for some cakes.
"My dear grandson, I'll get it for you later." Tong Huaqiong rubbed Liu Yanhong's head with a smile, calling him "my dear grandson" so smoothly.
Tong Huaqiong felt that she was now definitely worthy of being called grandmother by the county magistrate's son.
Tong Huaqiong looked up at the plaque, which was her amulet.
When she first wore Tong Da Jiao's body, she still hoped that Gu Jingzhe would help her gain identity and honor.
Now she earns it for herself.
"What's written on it?"
Everyone was very curious about the words on the plaque.
Everyone in the village wanted to know what was said, but most of them were illiterate, so they couldn't understand it.
"Selfless." Gu Taohua pointed at the plaque and read loudly.
"Tsk tsk tsk, Tong Da Jiao is really amazing. Not to mention Qinghe Bay, no one in the entire Yanguan Town has ever received any commendation from the government."
"This is what Aunt Tong deserves. She saved so many acres of corn."
"This plaque can protect the Gu family, right? If someone like Xu Yong wants to bully Tong Da Jiao again, he will have to step over this plaque."
"When can I get the government's commendation? I will definitely not hang it on my door. I will place it on the ancestral tablet and burn incense every day."
......
Everyone was talking about it, some were envious, some were jealous, and the smell of lemons was in the air.
Hanging up the plaque was not the end of the matter. Magistrate Liu then ordered an attendant to read a eulogy.
The eulogy described Tong Huaqiong as being so selfless and caring about her fellow villagers...
All kinds of beautiful words were thrown at Tong Huaqiong, and the corners of Tong Huaqiong's mouth twitched. She herself didn't know that she was so great.
After the eulogy was read, another official came up with both hands holding a box covered with red silk cloth.
Under the curious gazes of the crowd, County Magistrate Liu untied the red silk cloth.
A box of gold almost blinded everyone's eyes.
"In view of Aunt Tong's contribution to the county's corn harvest, this is a hundred taels of gold as a reward to you." County Magistrate Liu said, and casually changed "Shopkeeper Tong" to "Aunt Tong".
Isn't that what Prefect Yao called him? As Prefect Yao's subordinate, there's nothing wrong with him calling him that.
After all, I can't bring myself to call her godmother.
Tong Huaqiong took the gold with both hands, and even her breathing became nervous.
She thought there would only be spiritual encouragement but no material rewards.
Now that County Magistrate Liu has commended her for both spiritual and material things, how can she not be happy?
After all, no one can resist the temptation of gold.
After County Magistrate Liu presented the plaque, read the eulogy, and awarded the gold, Tong Huaqiong invited him into the yard for tea.
Gu Taohua brought her two sisters-in-law into the house and brought out melon seeds, cakes and hot tea, while Gu Dashu wrapped the food in red envelopes and distributed them to the yamen runners who followed them.
County Magistrate Liu drank a cup of tea and left with the officials.
He still has to go back to the county government to handle a case.
Liu Yanhong wanted to stay, so County Magistrate Liu took the child's hand and asked Tong Huaqiong to take care of him for a few days.
Tong Huaqiong: “…”
"Aunt Tong, my son hasn't been studying well recently, so let him stay at your house for a few days and do farm work with brother Dahan for a few days to temper his temper." County Magistrate Liu stuffed Liu Yanhong's little hand into Tong Huaqiong's hand, and got into the sedan chair in a hurry as if he was afraid that the child would be returned.
"Excuse me, Aunt Tong."
Tong Huaqiong: “…”
There was a profound meaning behind County Magistrate Liu's actions.
Tong Huaqiong saved his son, and the pesticides he prepared helped Pingchuan County eliminate ear rot, which will usher in a bumper year. As the parent official of Pingchuan County, his career will be shining. Not only that, he also saved his cousin Lu Zhaoyang, who was known as the unicorn talent of Wanliu Academy and was unable to go to the capital due to his physical condition. Now that he has recovered from his illness, he will take the exam in the next two years. Lu Zhaoyang will be his partner in the officialdom in the future.
County Magistrate Liu felt that since the Liu family met Tong Huaqiong, only good things had happened to them.
My son has been spoiled by his mother and has been naughty since he was young. If he is left in Tong Huaqiong's home, maybe he will become more motivated.
After discussing with Madam Liu, she took the opportunity to bring Liu Yanhong to Tong Huaqiong's house without telling her mother.
Tong Huaqiong hurriedly ordered Chen Sufen to take out a few boxes of snacks from the house and stuff them into Magistrate Liu's sedan chair, asking him to take them to his mother, Han.
County Magistrate Liu leaned out of the sedan chair and warned his son: "Liu Yanhong, you must listen to your stepmother. If you don't obey, your stepmother's firewood can beat you at will."
When Liu Yanhong arrived at Qinghe Bay, he was like a bird out of a cage, and he agreed straightforwardly: "Dad, don't worry, I will definitely listen to my dry grandma."
Tong Huaqiong was very confused.
What's the big deal? County Magistrate Liu's son stayed in Qinghe Bay. In everyone's eyes, isn't it like leaving a golden egg?
What she meant was that she could just hit him with a fire poker, so could she really not succeed?
"Grandma, I'm going to play with Man'er."
When Liu Yanhong saw his father's sedan chair going away, he let go of Tong Huaqiong's hand and ran to play with Man'er, Yaozu and a group of other children.
After a while, Tong Huaqiong heard Liu Yanhong arguing with other children.
It is normal for children to quarrel with each other. Tong Huaqiong decided to just leave it alone as long as they were not beaten and cried.
"Tong Da Jiao, you have been commended by the government. This is a big occasion, you shouldn't set up several tables?" After the official left, Aunt Qin came up happily to congratulate her and asked Tong Huaqiong to treat them to a meal.
"Yes, yes, yes, let's set up a few tables." Someone agreed.
"It's a good thing that my mother-in-law has been commended, and we will have to treat everyone to wine and food." Liu Yue'e's mother, Zhao, was proud of it.
Her mother-in-law became more and more capable and was even commended by the government.
There is a mother-in-law who has been commended by the government. Her daughter is sure to have a good life in the future.
Zhao was even happier than Tong Huaqiong herself.
Tong Huaqiong usually doesn't want to be high-profile.
But she has to be low-key now. County Magistrate Liu has made such a big fuss. I'm afraid that everyone not only in Qinghe Bay but also in the entire Yanguan Town knows that she has been commended by the government.
For the villagers, this is a happy event comparable to getting married or having a child, and a banquet must be held to celebrate.
Tong Huaqiong lives in Qinghe Bay, so naturally she is no exception.
In her previous life, she was admitted to a prestigious university, and her father set up more than a dozen tables to treat all the factory workers to a meal. In this life, she was commended by the government and held a banquet for herself to celebrate.
Just consider it as a tribute to your hard-working self in a parallel universe.
So, Tong Huaqiong smiled and said to everyone, "Of course we have to set up a few tables to celebrate."
The crowd cheered.