Chapter 565 The People of Gao Family Village
News of the Gao Family Village tour group swept through the settlement like wildfire.
The villagers of Gao Family Village had grown remarkably wealthy. For years, ordinary artisans had earned a comfortable three taels of silver a month, allowing many to amass significant savings.
Yet, the sight of a ten-tael silver travel fee still made their purse strings clench, and few dared to sign up.
Spending over three months' wages on a single trip was a sacrifice they simply couldn't make!
Even with the Saintess herself championing the idea, most remained hesitant to partake.
Still, there were always a few who had more money than sense, eager to experience anything new. The Old Village Chief of Gao Family Village was one such man.
Clad in bamboo slippers and a threadbare vest, the Old Village Chief appeared no different from any other impoverished elder. Yet, upon reaching the registration desk, he slapped ten taels of silver decisively onto Dong Xue’s table. "I’m in," he declared.
Dong Xue gasped, "Oh, venerable elder, perhaps you shouldn't? The journey will be arduous, and if anything were to happen to you on the road..."
The Old Village Chief scoffed, his white beard bristling. "What's this? You think I'm too old? It's precisely *because* I'm old that I must see more of the world! When I was young, I was poor, and the furthest I ever traveled was to the county town. Now that I finally have some wealth, should I not seize the chance to explore before I pass? Am I destined to die a mere mountain rat?"
The Old Village Chief pulled out a bamboo staff, and with a sharp *crack*, snapped it in two with his bare hands. "What about my health now?" he challenged.
Dong Xue quickly bowed. "By all means, venerable elder!"
The Old Village Chief's bold enrollment immediately drew in a flurry of Gao Family Village's wealthier residents.
Then came Gao Laba, who had amassed a small fortune running his rice noodle shop over the years. The moment he heard about a chance to travel and experience the world, he saw no reason to miss it. Not only did he sign up, but he brought his wife and children, thumping down thirty taels of silver for their collective registration.
The next arrival, however, was a surprise to everyone: Liu You, the proprietor of the Shuixian Heluo noodle shop. He, too, brought his entire family and handed over thirty taels of silver without so much as a flicker of his brow, proudly declaring, "You may now call me Filthy Rich!"
Soon after, Master Zhang, leader of the Daoqing Troupe, arrived. To everyone's astonishment, he brought several key members of his company—singers, dancers, and instrumentalists—a veritable troupe-building exercise in itself.
"Mom, let's go too!" Gao Sanwa urged from a distance, tugging Gao Sanniang towards the sign-up booth.
Gao Sanniang shifted uncomfortably. "Son, let's not impose on their festivities. It's ten taels of silver per person, which means twenty for the two of us. Your mother isn't as affluent as your Uncle Laba."
Gao Sanwa grinned broadly. "I have plenty of money, Mom! My comic book, *Tapo Tianqiong*, is currently selling like crazy, so I earn money even just sitting at home. And my second book, *Quan Dong Xuankun*, is about to be published, which will bring in another huge profit! Twenty taels of silver is absolutely nothing to me, haha! I'll take you out to enjoy yourself, eat delicious food, and see the magnificent Yellow River Bridge!"
Gao Sanniang's face lit up with joy. "My son, you truly are capable! Then let's go."
Elsewhere, Madam Bai tugged at Young Master Bai's arm. "Son, do come and enjoy yourself with me!"
Young Master Bai desperately pulled his hand away, resisting. "No, no, I'm far too busy! The refined design for the steam locomotive is at a crucial point. I simply cannot spare the time to wander about. This is a vital invention that concerns the very future of Gao Family Village!"
Hearing this, Madam Bai’s grip slackened, and she released Young Master Bai. "You're right... work... work takes precedence. You are a truly important person, and your time is precious."
Young Master Bai, his hands now free, was about to turn and leave when he suddenly sensed his mother's shift in mood. He glanced back to see Madam Bai discreetly wiping away tears.
Young Master Bai froze instantly. After a beat, he gave himself a mental slap, then linked arms with Madam Bai, gently coaxing her toward the registration desk. "Your son is taking a vacation, Mother, no more research for a while. I shall accompany you to see the Qichuan Ferry and the New City of Puzhou."
Madam Bai beamed. "My son is truly filial!"
Even San Shier, hand-in-hand with his daughter, arrived at the registration booth. The pair made no fuss whatsoever, calmly paying their fees—three portions, clearly including Mrs. San.
They departed as if it were the most ordinary transaction. As they walked away, San Shier was heard murmuring to his daughter, "Tomorrow, fetch your mother, and prepare for our trip. Oh, and dear daughter, does your chemical factory have a way to produce a medicine that could restore a man’s... *cough*... well, you know... Surely chemistry is advanced enough to manage something like that?"
San Xiaojie replied, "There are medicines that can instantly poison someone to death, if you'd like."
San Shier sighed. "Ah, perhaps we'll give that a pass then."
San Xiaojie rolled her eyes. "You're a man of considerable years, Father; you should be more philosophical. Don’t always be so... 'disregarding propriety due to old age.'"
San Shier chided, "Don't emulate your father's speech, my girl; it's unbecoming for a lady."
San Xiaojie chuckled. "It’s called 'Near vermillion, one is stained red.'"
San Shier instantly retorted, "Then it’s called 'Near ink, one is stained black'!"
The father and daughter exchanged a knowing smile before walking away, their argument playfully unresolved.
Three days later, the Gao Family Village tour group officially set off.
Gao Yiye, as expected, did not join, unwilling to inconvenience the guard team. Dong Xue took charge as the tour leader, and the group—a veritable collection of Gao Family Village’s 'new money'—began its journey.
Their first stop was Heyang County, where they indulged in a feast of local delicacies. Afterward, they hurried to Qichuan to behold the 'Gao Family Village navy' anchored in Qichuan Port. The sight of those majestic, formidable gunboats filled every heart with pride for Gao Family Village's growing might.
Next on their itinerary was the Linyi Yellow River Bridge!
They had heard countless tales of this grand bridge, but standing upon it now, feeling the crisp river breeze, they couldn't help but declare that the ten taels of silver had been well worth every coin.
The following day, the group journeyed by carriage toward Puzhou City.
They had barely entered the Puzhou region, still a considerable distance from the prefectural city, when they began to witness numerous small towns, each centered around a factory. Every factory appeared to be a self-sufficient miniature city, with throngs of workers creating a vibrant, bustling atmosphere.
The tour group even purchased meal tickets, experiencing firsthand the factory cafeteria's boxed lunches and marveling at the formidable skill with which the cooks tossed their ladles.
After a journey filled with new sights, they finally reached Puzhou City.
Night had fallen by the time they entered the city. Most were weary from the day's excitement and sought immediate rest at the local inns.
However, the elderly require less sleep!
The Old Village Chief of Gao Family Village, finding sleep elusive and with nothing to occupy his time, quietly slipped out of the inn. As he ambled through the streets, he overheard whispers of a concert being held in the city.
And the Old Village Chief, of course, saw no reason to miss out on such a lively event...
The following morning!
Rumors began to swirl through Puzhou City’s tea houses: during Miss Cailin’s concert, a mysterious benefactor had appeared, seizing the moment of excitement to toss a massive hundred-tael silver ingot onto the stage. Yet, no one claimed responsibility, and the identity of this 'big brother' remained a tantalizing secret.
The 'big brother' was like a fleeting phantom, never to be seen again for a long time. Nevertheless, the legend of this enigmatic figure continued to captivate Puzhou’s entertainment circles.
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