The news that Xianyuan Inn was going to hold the "First Ice Sculpture Competition" spread like wildfire throughout Huaixi City in less than two days. The people looked at the flyers and government notices and discussed the competition among themselves.
To most people, these were nothing more than frivolous pursuits, so it's surprising that the immortals valued them so highly and even set up generous rewards. For those who love their crafts, this is undoubtedly fantastic news.
"Father, Father, there's an ice sculpture competition held by the immortals. Father, please go and participate."
Song Dahe had just returned from the fields. He looked up at his son and said with a smile, "Kang'er, slow down, the ground is slippery."
Song Ankang pulled Song Dahe's hand and walked outside. "Dad, I heard from Xiaopang that the immortals are going to hold an ice sculpture competition. Dad, your skills are so good, you will definitely get a good ranking."
"You can't talk about immortals like that. How could immortals possibly care about these kinds of crafts?" He had loved carving these things since he was a child, but his parents always thought it was a pointless pursuit and wouldn't allow him to do it anymore. Even though they had separated from the family now, Song Dahe still didn't dare to bring these things out into the open. At most, he would sometimes carve small items for his son.
Song Ankang shook his head disapprovingly. "Daddy is the best. Kang'er has never thought that Daddy's hobbies are shameful. Little Fatty envies me every day. If Daddy doesn't believe me, just wait. The village chief is going to announce these things today." Little Fatty is the village chief's grandson, so what he says must be true.
Song Dahe patted his son's head, feeling a warm glow in his heart. He had lived for nearly thirty years, never being loved by his parents since childhood, and lacking any real skills himself. His son was intelligent and talented in his studies, but unfortunately, he was unable to send him to school.
Not wanting to disappoint his son, Song Dahe verbally agreed, "Alright, if the immortals hold such a competition, I will definitely participate."
Song Dahe had only been giving his son a perfunctory answer, but unexpectedly, the village chief gathered the entire village that afternoon and told them about the ice sculpture competition that Xianyuan Inn was going to hold.
As soon as the village chief finished speaking, the villagers erupted in uproar.
"Village chief, are you sure this news is true? Why would an immortal hold such a competition?"
"Yes, yes, isn't that something little kids play with?"
The village chief raised his hand to lower his voice, and continued after everyone quieted down: "The news from the Prince Duan's Mansion, do you think it could be false? As for why the immortals are like this, how would we mortals know? In short, the news is true. Participation is entirely voluntary. If you think you have good skills, feel free to participate. Maybe you can even bring honor to the village."
Once the news was confirmed to be true, the villagers' discussion became even more heated.
"Oh dear, my son plays with these things every day. I thought he was destined to end up like Song Dahe. I never imagined he'd have a chance to be chosen by an immortal!"
"Won't Song Dahe be going to make a fortune? Old Man Song just separated him from his family. If that's the case, then there's going to be quite a show!"
"Serves him right. Song Dahe is an honest and kind man, and he's also good at tending crops. But Old Man Song and Old Woman Song are so biased. Their eldest grandson passed the imperial examination, and their fourth son just got married. They kicked the second son's family out. I heard they didn't give him any land. Isn't that leaving the second son's family no way to survive?"
“I think they just took advantage of Dahe’s honesty and then kicked him aside. Now Dahe’s family relies entirely on the two of them doing odd jobs to make ends meet. I even saw Hui Niang washing clothes for someone today. It’s freezing cold, it’s awful.”
"By the way, Dahe, if you are chosen by the gods, don't forget your auntie. I've always thought Dahe would amount to something, much better than your brothers."
Song Dahe was stunned when the village chief announced the news. He hadn't expected there to be such a competition, and his heart was pounding. After calming down, he was a little worried. "Aunt Wu, don't joke around. I don't have that kind of ability. Hui Niang should be back soon. I'm going home first."
Song Dahe grabbed Song Ankang's hand and jogged along, his forehead beaded with sweat from excitement.
"Dahe, what happened that the village chief summoned us for?"
"I...I want to participate in the Immortal Competition!"
Hui Niang was completely confused, but after hearing Song Dahe's explanation, she widened her eyes in surprise, "Really?"
"The village chief said there are many prizes this time, and I want to try my luck. Even if I don't win a prize, as long as I pass the preliminary review, I can get a sum of money. That way, Hui Niang, you won't have to wash clothes in this cold weather anymore," Song Dahe said with heartache, looking at his wife's chapped hands.
Hui Niang shook her head. "I'm fine. Our Kang'er will be ten years old soon. All the old scholars in the village say he has a talent for studying. If you can get good grades, we'll send Kang'er to school."
"Kang'er doesn't want to go to school; he doesn't want his parents to work so hard."
Looking at his wife and children, Song Dahe felt a warm glow in his heart and secretly resolved to practice hard before the competition.
The competition organized by An Ge gave a shot in the arm to those who loved their craft, and these people became the objects of everyone's flattery. They never expected that after being looked down upon for half their lives, they would one day be respected.
In a short time, the status of artisans and other craftspeople in Huaixi City improved considerably.
Some people knelt down in the direction of the inn in excitement, and many more people erected longevity tablets for An Ge.
Not everyone was happy to hear this news.
Especially some pedantic scholars, who firmly believed that all other professions were inferior except for studying, and who always looked down on artisans, did not believe the news of the competition at first. When the news was confirmed, they did not understand why the immortal would do this. However, they did not dare to criticize the immortal and could only sulk in secret.
The atmosphere inside the Song family home was heavy; no one wanted to speak.
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