Chapter 363: The Glorious Clan Virtue Stele, Stunning��  On the sixth day of the twelfth month. (Par

Chapter 363: The Glorious Clan Virtue Stele, Stunning��  On the sixth day of the twelfth month. (Part 1)



  In front of the new Ye Deng Clan Temple, the spacious concrete groundground now held 500 new tables and 5,000 matching chairs, arranged on both sides of a seven-to-eight-meter-wide passage in the middle.

  Many of the tables were adorned with exquisite bamboo fruit trays, piled high with candies, cookies, sunflower seeds, fried dough twists, and peanut candies, along with a teapot and several teacups, and a packet of local red broken tea, while an insulated bottle of boiling water was placed under each table.

  These items were naturally prepared by the Ye Deng Clan to entertain the clan members from various branches and the already married aunts and elder sisters.

  In the distance, the sounds of butchery were constant, as many clan members were slaughtering pigs.

  Although the temple dedication ceremony was scheduled for the next day, many clan members from various branches and the married aunts and elder sisters would arrive today, and some food would be prepared for them in the afternoon, while the dedication ceremony on the next day was in themor  Since sometime-consuming dishes needed to be prepared in advance, the pigs had to be slaughtered the day before.

  A temporary hearth had been built the day before, where many clan members were tending fires and boiling water, preparing several dozen pots of congee using pig blood, heart, liver, and intestines, so that the clan members from various branches and the married aunts and elder sisters could have something to eateat  The clan members who came to help today would also be served.

  Amid the hustle and bustle, the time quickly approached noon, and the married aunts and elder sisters from various branches began to arrive one after another.

  In the modern era, in Bo Bai, during such grand temple dedication ceremonies, the return of married aunts and elder sisters was a significant and grand occasion.

  After unified arrangements, all the married aunts and elder sisters would gather at a designated place, dressed in identical red cheongs, holding matching red oiled paper umbrellas, and carrying beautifully wrapped gifts, they would proceed to their natal homes together.

  The procession, accompanied by continuous firecrackers, drumbeats, and dragon and lion dances, stretched for one or two kilometers, making a truly impressive sight.

  Upon passing through the village archway, the welcoming party of sisters-in-law and all the villagers would line up in two rows to welcome them, creating a very warm and ceremonial atmosphere.

  The more spectacular this segment, the more successful the temple dedication ceremony would be, and the more people from other clans would talk about it with admiration.

  Originally, Deng Shirong had intended to organize something similar for the temple dedication, but the transportation in this era was not as convenient as in the modern era, and the effort to achieve the same grandeur would be too time-consuming and labor-intensive.

  Moreover, the Ye Deng Clan Temple dedication, besides the married aunts and elder sisters, also invited clan members from various branches, differing from the modern era when only the married aunts and elder sisters were invited.

  Thus, Deng Shirong ultimately abandoned the elaborate plan.

  The earliest to arrive were the Xin Tian branch of the Ye Deng Clan, who came in six large trucks, carrying over two hundred clan members.

  After getting off the trucks, many Xin Tian clan members were seen holding firecrackers.

  For the temple dedication ceremony, no other gifts were necessary, but firecrackers were indispensable.

  Seeing the Xin Tian clan members arrive, Deng Shirong and the temple council members warmly greeted them, exchanging pleasantries.

  Deng Changfa greeted first, saying, "Elder Ninth, it’s good to seesee  Deng Shirong shook his hand and smiled, "Thank you for the journey. Tea is ready, please have a cup, fellow clan members."

  Deng Changfa smiled, "Elder Ninth, let's have tea later. We are all very curious about how the temple looks, let’s go and see it."

  Deng Shirong laughed, "Sure, let’s go and see it. We won’t disappoint our clan members."

  Thus, Deng Shirong and others led the Xin Tian clan members to the new temple.

  From a distance, the grand new temple was already impressive. As they got closer, it became even more awe-inspiring.

  The gilded "Deng Clan Temple" sign shone brightly, and the two green stone lions in front of the temple gates were majestic and powerful. The two stone pillars supporting the entrance bore intricate and exquisite carvings, and the portico and facade were also adorned with stone carvings.

  The two large doors, each about 3 meters high, featured lifelike bas-reliefs of two figures, with every detail, including the mustaches, meticulously carved.

  On either side of the temple doors, the famous couplet was inscribed:

  Upper: The World of Nanyang Endures

  Lower: The Renown of the Donghan Family Resounds

  This couplet was a standard for the Nanyang Hall of the Deng Clan Temple.

  The upper line referred to the Deng clan's origin from Nanyang, Henan Province, while the lower line referred to the illustrious history of the Deng family, beginning with the renowned general Deng Yu of the early Eastern Han Dynasty.

  The widespread Deng clan, recognized the founding minister Deng Yu of the Eastern Han Dynasty as their illustriousancestor  Deng Yu, from Nanyang Henan Province, was followed Liu Xiu as a childhood friend, grew him, he followed Liu Xiu, achieving many military triumphs. After Liu Xiu unified the empire, Deng Yu was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Gaomi. His portrait was hung in the Hall of Meritorious Ministers, and he was the foremost of the famous "Twenty-Eight Heroes of the Cloud Terrace."

  Crossing the half-meter-high threshold, inside the hall, a wooden screen depicted the story of "Lying on Ice for Carp" and "Crying Bamboo for Shoots" among the Twenty-Four Filial Exemplars.

  The interior layout and decoration of the temple were truly exquisite, with various jade, stone, and wooden carvings, the craftsmanship was astounding.

As the Xin Tian branch of the Ye Deng Clan toured the new clan temple, they couldn't help but gasp in amazement. The opulence of the temple far exceeded their wildest imaginations. It was as if they were standing in front of a royal palace.

Deng Changfa, Deng Changli, and other clan members who had donated money and seen the design renderings were also amazed, but they had some mental preparation. Therefore, they weren't as shocked as the other clan members.

As they walked, the group arrived at the temple's virtue stele, and everyone gathered around to read it.

The first thing they saw was the inscription on the stele, as shown in the image:

[This is the genuine inscription for the new Ye Deng Clan Temple.]



After reading the inscription, what caught their attention next was a massive and long family honor stele, which read as follows:

Eighth Generation Descendant Deng Shirong's Family Donates 188,888 RMB for the Honor Stele

Seventeenth Generation Descendant Deng Shirong (Note: The original stele does not contain punctuation, but it has been added for readability), from Naye Village, is the ninth in his generation, a descendant of Ancestor Qian, the great-great-grandson of Ancestor Duan, the great-grandson of Ancestor Gongchao, the grandson of Ancestor Deyun, and the son of Ancestor Wan Zhen.

Born on September 24, 1936, he graduated from junior high school and learned the art of making large vases from his father. After mastering the craft, he dedicated over twenty years to it, becoming a renowned master of large vases, making significant contributions to the production team's kilns.

After the reform and opening-up, he contracted the kilns, pioneered orchards for growing lychees and watermelons, and later opened the largest and most luxurious Shuifeng Restaurant in Bobai County, all of which were tremendous successes, making him the first person in the village to achieve wealth and prosperity.

In the spring of 1983, he was unanimously elected as the new clan leader by the old clan head.

After becoming the clan leader, to encourage the clan's students to study diligently, he initiated the establishment of a scholarship fund, which helped many clan students and injected new vitality into the future development of the Ye Deng Clan. His contributions are beneficial for both the present and future generations.

He also led the establishment of a passenger transport company and a food company, and created a residential area for the Ye Deng Clan in the county, all of which achieved great success. These endeavors not only lifted the entire clan out of poverty but also made the Ye Deng Clan renowned throughout the county, admired by all.

He worked tirelessly and selflessly for the development of the clan, banned gambling, and made indelible contributions to the clan's prosperity.

As a son, he was filial; as a husband, he was affectionate; as a father, he was responsible; and as a person, he was highly respected, loved by all clan members, and is considered the most outstanding clan leader in the history of the Ye Deng Clan.

His wife, Chen Dalan, from Zhouwang Village, was born on October 13, 1938. She was hardworking, frugal, virtuous, kind-hearted, and filial. She was diligent and patient, showing great respect to her elders and deep love for her children. She supported her husband and devoted herself to raising their children, combining strictness with kindness. She was honest, upright, and pure.

To ensure her children were well-educated and could stand tall in society, she endured great hardships and sent them to school, no matter how difficult it was. She passed away on May 25, 1975, due to illness.

They had five sons and two daughters.

Eldest son Deng Yuntao, graduated from Songshan High School and learned the art of making large vases from his father. After mastering the craft, he became a master of large vases at the kiln and later managed the Shuifeng Restaurant in the county. He is now the owner of Yongjia Supermarket in Nanning and Bobai, with a net worth of millions.

Eldest daughter-in-law Zhang Xiuping, from Longtan Poxin Village, is filial, understanding, virtuous, and graceful. She now assists her husband in running the supermarket, and their business is thriving.

Second son Deng Yunheng, graduated from Peking University, where he served as the vice president of the student council. He joined the Communist Party in 1984 and began working at the National Development and Reform Commission in 1985, holding a position at the division level.

In May 1987, he was promoted to the deputy department level and later transferred to serve as the deputy county magistrate of Fuqing County, Fujian. He has dedicated himself to the socialist cause, maintaining integrity and upholding the Party's principles. He works hard, is selfless, and serves the people with dedication. He is highly respected in the political arena.

Third son Deng Yunsong, who scored the highest in the science category in Guangxi and was admitted to Tsinghua University, currently serves as the publicity minister of the Tsinghua University student council and the president of the Guangxi alumni association. He is intelligent, hardworking, and well-liked by his mentors and peers.

Fourth son Deng Yunhua, graduated from Songshan High School and is now the owner of Ahua Home Appliance City in Nanning.

Fifth son Deng Yunheng, a student at Bobai High School, excels academically and has a bright future ahead.

Eldest daughter Deng Yunzhen, who graduated from junior high school, is gentle, hardworking, and kind. After her mother's passing, she took on household chores at a young age, washing clothes, cooking, feeding pigs, and taking care of her younger siblings. She continued to support her siblings even after her brothers started their own families, embodying the role of an elder sister as a mother. She is a model of virtue and kindness.

Eldest son-in-law Zhu Junjie, graduated from Songshan High School and later joined the military, where he fought in battles and was awarded a second-class merit. He was highly regarded by his superiors and was promoted to deputy regimental rank at a young age. Considering his aging parents, he transferred to a civilian position and served as the deputy director of the Bobai County Public Security Bureau, later becoming the director, and was soon promoted to deputy county magistrate.

Second daughter Deng Yunzhu, who graduated from Songshan High School, is now the owner of Nanning Spicy Girl Hotpot, which is well-managed and highly profitable.

To honor their ancestors and repay their kindness, the family sincerely donated 188,888 RMB for the reconstruction of the clan temple. This stele stands as a testament to their virtues, to be remembered for generations to come.

The names of the family members, including Xiao Dong'er (Deng Changli), Dongzi (Deng Changdong), and Zhu Shiba (Zhu Lichun), were prominently listed.

As the Xin Tian branch of the Ye Deng Clan read this family virtue stele, gasps of amazement echoed around them. The achievements recorded on the stele were truly beyond their expectations, making it an extraordinary and impressive read.

Deng Shirong, as the clan head, had already created a miracle, leading the entire clan to prosperity and wealth.

His children were also very accomplished. His eldest son had a net worth of millions, his second son had risen to the position of deputy county magistrate, his third son was studying at Tsinghua University, and his fourth son and youngest daughter were both successful business owners. His eldest son-in-law had also reached the position of deputy county magistrate. This was truly impressive.

Next, the group continued to read the other family virtue steles. These were more normal, with the achievements recorded being better than those of the average clan member, but not to the same extraordinary level as Deng Shirong's family.

Some members of the Xin Tian branch of the Ye Deng Clan were reading the family virtue steles, while others went to read the individual donation virtue steles. The individual donations were simpler, only noting the donor's origin, name, and donation amount.

While the Xin Tian branch members were reading the virtue steles, Deng Shirong and the other guides left the temple. They had seen it every day, and while they were not tired of it, the novelty had worn off. Reading the virtue steles took time, so they didn't need to stay and accompany them continuously.

After the Xin Tian branch arrived, other branches of the clan also started arriving one after another.

As soon as these clan members arrived, they didn't even have time to drink a cup of tea before rushing into the temple to visit. Without a doubt, they were all deeply impressed by the grand and picturesque temple. When they saw the family virtue steles, they were even more stunned by the achievements of the clan head, Deng Shirong. The branches of the clan only knew that the Ye Deng Clan head was quite wealthy.

During the fundraising for the temple two years ago, clan members from various branches had been sent to participate, and they were all impressed by the clan head's generous donation of over 370,000 RMB. This made Deng Shirong well-known among the branches of the clan.

However, these clan members never imagined that the Ye Deng Clan head would be so accomplished.

In short, after reading the family virtue steles, these clan members looked at Deng Shirong, the respected clan head, with different eyes, showing much more respect than before.

Soon, after visiting the temple, these clan members were invited to sit down and chat while enjoying tea. If anyone was hungry, there were large pots of pig blood congee on other tables, with bowls and chopsticks ready, so they could eat at any time.

Deng Changfa and other prominent clan members from various branches came to sit with Deng Shirong.

After exchanging pleasantries, Deng Changfa asked, "Elder Ninth, will Uncle Yunheng return for the temple dedication ceremony?"

Deng Shirong shook his head and said, "He won't be coming back. Although he could take a few days off as a leader, I didn't want to affect his work, so I didn't tell him about the temple dedication."

Deng Changfa nodded and said, "That's right, work is important. It's just a bit of a pity that we won't see Uncle Yunheng."

Deng Shirong said, "We'll have other opportunities to see him. Besides, he's just a deputy county magistrate, not some high-ranking official."

Deng Changli smiled and said, "Elder Ninth, you're being too modest. That's a big deal for us, and given how young Uncle Yunheng is, we can't even imagine how high he might rise in the future."

Deng Shirong said, "If he had come from a high-ranking family, he might have had a chance to become a high official. But he was born in a rural family with no background, so it's very difficult for him to become a high official. It all depends on fate.

Anyway, I have simple requirements for him: as long as he works diligently and lives a peaceful life, that's enough."

Deng Changsheng from Shahe added, "Uncle Yunheng is so outstanding. Even if he had to struggle on his own, I believe he will still make a name for himself."

The group chatted about Deng Yunheng for a while, then the conversation shifted to Deng Yunsong.

Deng Yun Guo from Hepu Gongguan asked, "Uncle Ninth, how many years has your third son been at Tsinghua University?"

Deng Shirong said, "He's in his third year now."

Deng Yun Guo said, "So he will graduate in two years. By then, he will also be a significant official!"

Deng Changxing from Beiliu Licao nodded and said, "Tsinghua and Peking University are of the same caliber. Uncle Yunheng, who graduated from Peking University, became a deputy county magistrate at a young age, so Uncle Yunsong, who is studying at Tsinghua, will likely be just as successful."

Deng Changqiang from Hepu Shan Kou exclaimed, "Elder Ninth, you already have a son and a son-in-law who are deputy county magistrates. If you have another one, that would be truly remarkable. Looking back at the hundreds of years of our Ye Deng Clan's history, no one can compare to you, Elder Ninth!"

Deng Shirong laughed heartily and said, "That's not the case. Our Ye Deng Clan has produced many talented people, and I'm sure our clan members will also achieve great things in the future.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end