Chapter 953: Village Drink

The Xiangyin mentioned by Gao Xianning earlier was a regularly held gathering with strict hierarchy and order. In addition to being held by government Confucian schools at all levels, village elders in the village would also invite guests and gather villagers for Xiangyin. This was an important means for the Ming Dynasty to maintain order among the common people.

The people who grasp public opinion here are, of course, the literate gentry and village elders.

The Ming Dynasty was established less than 50 years ago, and the grassroots of the countryside was far from being corrupt. The gentry, especially the scholars with achievements, did not have a bad reputation and became a derogatory term for exploiting the people. On the contrary, for the sake of fame, reputation, or face, they often abided by some moral rules and were more sensible than ordinary people. They would do some good things such as building roads and bridges and helping the orphans and widows. Theref