Chapter 335 Give the Widow Proud
Suifeng Township Lord.
This title!
Does it represent the meaning of a good harvest every year?
Quite suitable for the occasion.
Tong Huaqiong stood up and took the bright yellow imperial edict.
When my fingers touched the smooth silk, my sanity returned.
Tong Huaqiong instantly transformed from a country peasant woman in the eyes of Eunuch Ming into the versatile and well-mannered boss Tong.
She smiled and said to Eunuch Ming: "I'm sorry to trouble you to come here. I was so happy that I didn't know which direction to go. Please forgive me."
"Father-in-law, please come to my humble abode and have a cup of tea."
Widow Tong was quick-witted and generous in her actions. Eunuch Ming could not resist Tong Huaqiong's enthusiasm and came to Tong Huaqiong's yard.
A large crowd of villagers followed to watch the fun.
The explosion of a thousand firecrackers added a festive atmosphere to the entire Qinghe Bay.
During the opening ceremony just now, Village Chief Liu forgot to have the firecrackers lit. He didn't regret it now, as it was a good opportunity to celebrate Tong Huaqiong being named the Township Lady.
The group came to Tong Huaqiong's yard.
Tong Huaqiong placed the imperial edict, brewed tea and brought it up personally. Gu Taohua went to the town to take charge of Taohua Dessert. Chen Sufen was pregnant, and Liu Yue'e followed suit and served cakes to make her presence felt.
"Eunuch Ming, this is a pastry from our own pastry shop, please try it."
Eunuch Ming had eaten everything in the palace, but he was still amazed by the pastries and ate half a box in one go.
After sitting for a while, Eunuch Ming said goodbye. Tong Huaqiong stuffed thirty taels of silver into Eunuch Ming's pocket and gave five boxes of snacks to his entourage.
Eunuch Ming accepted it with a smile.
After Eunuch Ming left, Tong Huaqiong expressed his gratitude to Prefect Yao with a smile.
She now understood why Magistrate Yao had come to Qinghe Bay. He had brought people to convey the imperial decree to her.
How could the old emperor, who was far away in Shengjing, know that she had promoted the corn harvest? It must be the credit of Prefect Yao.
It's no wonder that this foolish old emperor who killed his son was quite righteous and knew to confer the title of a county lady on her.
Tong Huaqiong believed that what Magistrate Liu said last time about the old emperor's emphasis on agriculture and sericulture was not false.
In response to Tong Huaqiong's thanks, Governor Yao said, "Aunt Tong, this is what you deserve."
What Governor Yao said was definitely not just talk.
In ancient times when science and technology had not advanced by leaps and bounds, every dynasty attached great importance to agriculture and sericulture, and whoever could ensure that the people had enough food would be considered meritorious.
Even the senile emperor who killed the crown prince was no exception.
Tong Huaqiong made a great contribution by ensuring a good corn harvest and thus feeding more people.
It is not excessive to confer the title of a local lord.
Village Chief Liu suddenly thought of something and asked, "What is the rank of a township lord?"
This is a good question and it also reminded Tong Huaqiong.
She only knew the titles of princess and county lady, and had no idea how important the title of Lady of the Country was.
Lu Zhaoyang explained: "The township lord is of the fifth rank."
The folks had no idea about the fifth rank, mainly because Yanguan Town had never produced any local lord.
"How high is the fifth rank? Is it higher than our Lord Liu's?" Zhao asked boldly.
When it comes to the status of her mother-in-law, she must ask clearly.
When necessary, you can use a tiger skin flag to intimidate others when walking outside.
County Magistrate Liu said calmly, "I am also a fifth-rank official."
The folks took a breath.
Wow, he’s as old as the county magistrate.
Then from now on, Widow Tong would be on equal footing with the county magistrate.
Should people from Qinghe Bay salute Tong Huaqiong when they see her?
Widow Tong earned the fifth-rank imperial title for herself without relying on her son.
Who else is there in the entire Ningcheng?
Tong Huaqiong said with a smile: "Lord Liu has worked very hard as an official and brought a good harvest and peace to our Pingchuan County. How can I be compared with County Magistrate Liu?"
Although she and County Magistrate Liu were both fifth-rank officials.
But the same grade is different.
It was an honor to be a county lady and she would enjoy a certain salary from the court.
To put it simply, it is a mascot that represents a good harvest.
County Magistrate Liu is a real official.
However, it is better to have honor than to have no honor. At least, using the identity of a local lord to travel around the world will clear away many obstacles.
Prefect Yao praised Tong Huaqiong for his contribution to the corn harvest and gave her some encouragement. Then he said goodbye to Lu Zhaoyang and the others.
County Magistrate Liu accompanied them in their retreat.
However, County Magistrate Liu's mother, Han, and son Liu Yanhong stayed.
The villagers were unable to get too excited because of the presence of Governor Yao and County Magistrate Liu. After they left, the entire Shenshu Village was in an uproar, with admiration, envy and jealousy in their eyes.
"My goodness, Mr. Suifeng, look at what a festive name this is."
"Big Foot can't be called Big Foot anymore. You have to call him Country Lord."
"Tsk tsk tsk, Dashu Niang, you are now the village queen, you must not forget your fellow villagers. You must protect us when we fight with neighboring villages for water or land in the future."
......
The villagers either congratulated or made sarcastic remarks.
However, most people were happy for Tong Huaqiong. After all, it was a great honor for everyone to know that Qinghe Bay had produced a local lady.
Moreover, Tong Huaqiong also helped the villagers when he became rich. For example, Taohua Dessert hired workers from the village, hired villagers to work in the fields at a fair price, and opened a private school for the village...
Everyone thought of Tong Huaqiong's good deeds and was sincerely happy for her.
"Okay, stop talking about whether to protect or not. Dashu Niang is the township lady of Qinghewan and is the glory of our village. Not to mention Yanguan Town, there has never been a township lady in the entire Ningcheng. Dashu Niang is the first township lady. If we know about it, we in Qinghewan will be proud. I warn you all, you can't use the title of township lady to pressure others and bring shame to Dashu Niang and Qinghewan."
Village chief Liu Tielian was very happy.
He felt that the village chief was also proud of Tong Huaqiong becoming the village lady.
The village heads of other villages looked at him with envy, wondering why their village had not produced a village leader.
From now on, the villagers of Qinghewan will be able to trample on the heads of villagers from other villages.
"Tsk tsk tsk, Madam Dashu, smoke is coming out of the ancestral tomb of your Gu family. Take out your imperial edict and let us open its eyes." Madam Qin said.
The villagers cheered in response.
My goodness, having an imperial edict at home is like inviting a big Buddha. Who would dare to intrude after the imperial edict is brought out?
Tong Huaqiong smiled and said, "That is the emperor's decree. If it is scratched or damaged, it would be disrespectful to the emperor. I put it in front of the incense table at home. Anyone who wants to see it can go and see it, but you are not allowed to touch it."
Everyone laughed, knowing that Tong Huaqiong was politely declining, and waved their hands, saying it was just a joke.
Everyone understood this, after all, if one damaged the imperial edict, one could lose his head accidentally.
In the minds of the people of Qinghewan, the old emperor of Shengjing was a tyrant.
There was no way around it, because the villagers of Qinghewan didn't know the emperor. Their first impression of the emperor was that Old Deng didn't even let his own sons and grandsons go.
Then chopping down other people would be as easy as chopping grass for pigs.
The old emperor sitting on the dragon throne in Shengjing sneezed.
"Mrs. Dashu, this is a big event, how many tables should we set up?" County Magistrate Liu's mother, Mrs. Han, made a suggestion happily.
Her respect for Tong Huaqiong increased even more.
She also had an imperial decree, but hers was based on her son, while Tong Huaqiong's was based on herself.
How come she is so capable when she is also a widow?
Han was very happy that her new best friend had achieved such great success. It really brought honor to all widows in the world.