Chapter 258: The Road to High Office 58 (Catching Errors)

Chapter 258: The Road to High Office 58 (Catching Errors)

Since the city walls were due for repairs next year, Xu Zeping spent the entire morning reviewing the plans for Lingbei County's city walls.

The entire Lingbei County is a perfect square, with a wall circumference of about 2500 meters, each side 500 meters long, 5 meters high, and a base thickness of 5 meters.

There are three walls that need repair: the east side of the main gate, the west side of the back gate, and the north side on the left.

As for why the south wall on the right does not need repair, according to Yuan the Clerk, it is because the south side is adjacent to their Dongcha River, and the rushing river acts as a natural barrier.

Xu Zeping, however, did not agree with his words, though he did not refute them either. Instead, he had a different idea: transforming the south wall into a dock would greatly benefit the people of Lingbei traveling south.

Therefore, the south wall must be repaired, and it must be made the most sturdy!

After reviewing the plans all morning, Xu Zeping decided to inspect the site in the afternoon.

Just as he was about to leave the office to have lunch after a busy morning, Little Tiger hurriedly ran into the yamen: "Young... young master."

Little Tiger, panting and rubbing his hands, leaned in close to Xu Zeping's ear after a moment and whispered, "Young master, the young master went with Lady Cao to select a site in the county today. He asked me to inform you to have lunch at the yamen."

"Alright, I understand," Xu Zeping said, looking at the heavy snow outside and then at Little Tiger's red, frozen cheeks. He carefully instructed, "Tell your young master to take care of his health and not catch a cold."

"Ah, Autumn has prepared three hand warmers."

"Hurry along then."

"Yes!"

Little Tiger tightened his cloak, hurried back to the carriage, and drove off the way he came.

"Sir, the steamed sweet potatoes today are very sweet. Please try them."

Chen Ling, having shadowed Xu Zeping and watched County Deputy Yang's dealings with the town heads, had clearly sharpened his wits. He eagerly picked two sweet potatoes and placed them on Xu Zeping's plate.

Meanwhile, Old Li served a bowl of pork and vermicelli soup in front of Xu Zeping, cautiously testing, "Sir, the soup today is perfectly seasoned. Please try it."

Xu Zeping sipped the hot soup and found it milder. Although it still had a slight salty taste, it was now palatable.

"Old Li, you don't need to worry about me. I'm not picky," Xu Zeping said with a smile as he peeled the sweet potato.

Old Li chuckled vaguely, "Ah, I know, I know."

After eating two sweet potatoes and finishing a bowl of pork and vermicelli soup, Xu Zeping felt quite satisfied.

The snowstorm was heavy today, and the patrolling constables had returned early to warm themselves by the fire.

Old Wang brought the remaining sweet potatoes and soup from the pot to the two constables, inviting them to have lunch.

Yuan the Clerk followed Xu Zeping back to the office. "Sir, the snowstorm is too heavy today. Are we still going out for the inspection?"

"No, we'll go tomorrow."

"Yes."

As the snowstorm raged outside, Xu Zeping postponed the inspection and summoned Yuan the Clerk and the others for a brief meeting.

"Today's plans have changed due to the weather. I called you here for a small meeting with no other intention than to ask who among you is interested in my rice-fish farming plan."

Most of the officials here are educated individuals, and naturally, they own plenty of farmland.

Xu Zeping pondered for a moment, deciding it would be better to let Clerk Chen and others test the waters instead of trying to revitalize others' paddy fields...

Xu Zeping had only written one copy of the proposal, so this booklet was passed around from County Deputy Yang to Clerk Chen, and then to the three clerks including Yuan.

After County Deputy Yang and the other two finished reading, they were visibly excited and unanimously said, "Sir, I am willing to take the lead."

County Deputy Yang and the other two are not from the same place; County Deputy Yang is from Dali Town, Clerk Chen is from Daxi Town, and Clerk Yuan is from Dashun Town. The geographical features of the three towns also have subtle differences.

Since all three were willing to be the pioneers, Xu Zeping agreed. Those who have done small biological experiments know that diverse experimental groups can yield precise answers.

When Xu Zeping returned home after work and saw the empty east courtyard, he felt a sense of loneliness for the first time in his life.

The maids, seeing the magistrate's solemn expression, remained silent, only bowing their heads and bringing the brazier to Xu Zeping.

"What does the young master usually do when he is at home?"

Xu Zeping placed his hand on the chessboard by the couch, his slightly calloused fingertips rubbing the cool corner of the board, his voice tinged with a hint of melancholy.

"Reading storybooks, embroidering patterns, and tidying up the yard," the maid reported truthfully without hiding anything.

The east courtyard had already undergone significant changes; a pavilion was built in the center of the yard, and a row of flower beds was constructed at the entrance. Cheng Ge Er had also planted cold-resistant daffodils on them.

The old items that needed to be organized had all been cleared out.

He also refinished the east and west courtyards with tung oil, making the buildings look as good as new.

Xu Zeping suddenly remembered Cheng Ge Er's words about wanting to install heated brick beds in the east and west courtyards next year... Thinking of Cheng Ge Er's sparkling eyes when he spoke, he waved his hand, "You may leave."

"Yes."

"Pingping, I'm back~"

Around 5:45 PM, Cheng Ge Er, lifting the hem of his skirt, happily entered the east courtyard.

Seeing Xu Zeping standing at the door of the main house, he ran over cheerfully.

Xu Zeping, looking at the wet stone path, fearing he might slip, quickly opened his arms to welcome him.

Cheng Ge Er threw himself into Xu Zeping's arms, looking at him happily, "Pingping, today we found a great location, right in the center of Jixi Street. The building has three floors and a backyard.

The first floor can be used as a lobby to sell some ordinary and affordable items.

The second floor can be used for high-end screens and ornaments.

The third floor can be a small workshop for the embroidery artisans, and the backyard can be used for their accommodation..."

Xu Zeping listened to Cheng Ge Er's chatter without any impatience, gently holding him and walking towards the inner room.

Xu Zeping took off the half-wet fox fur from Cheng Ge Er and handed it to Xia Tian, who was serving behind.

Autumn and Xia Tian followed behind, watching the intimate daily life of the couple, feeling a hint of envy in their hearts.

They hoped that in the future, they could also find a considerate and gentle gentleman like the young master.

Envy aside, they naturally did not forget their own duties.

Compared to masters who beat and scold their servants or slaves, their situation is quite favorable.

Xia Tian took the fox fur and hung it in a ventilated place, while Autumn turned and walked towards the small kitchen to prepare tonight's dinner.

"I also told Lady Cao about the tale 'White Fox Fairy Journey'. We plan to set aside a dedicated room on the second floor to display items related to the White Fox Lord, just like you said, Pingping, to create a themed room."

Cheng Ge Er spoke enthusiastically, and Xu Zeping listened with rapt attention. When Cheng Ge Er was about to start drawing the floor plan of the embroidery workshop, Xu Zeping even ground ink for him.

Xu Zeping's gentle and serious demeanor made Cheng Ge Er's heart flutter. He dipped the clean brush tip in water and dabbed it on Xu Zeping's forehead, then gave a sweet smile: "Pingping, you're so good. You are my White Fox Lord."

Cheng Ge Er's starry eyes reflected Xu Zeping's gentle and serious expression.

"You're also wonderful, my little fox."

By the time Cheng Ge Er finished the floor plan, Autumn had also prepared the dinner.

"Young master, dinner is ready," Autumn stood in the outer room and softly reminded.

"Coming," Cheng Ge Er raised his voice in response.

Xu Zeping put down the floor plan and sincerely admired, "Xiang'er, your drawing skills have improved so much, far better than mine."

Xu Zeping's calligraphy was learned with devotion, so he had beautiful handwriting. However, his poetry, painting, and chess skills were all learned under the nagging of his elders. A typical science student, Xu Zeping had little genuine interest in poetry and painting, so his drawings were merely adequate.

Cheng Ge Er smiled, "My brother-in-law taught me. We often correspond. You don't know, but my brother-in-law, coming from a scholarly family, is proficient in poetry, calligraphy, and painting. He taught me many painting techniques."

"Does Xiang'er like brother-in-law very much?"

"Yes, I do," Cheng Ge Er answered earnestly. "Brother-in-law feels a lot like my sister to me, both are close elders."

Having lived in Yanjing for half a year, Xu Zeping had naturally witnessed Su Yuheng's graceful dancing and versatile charm. Getting along, he indeed found him a person worth befriending deeply.

He took Cheng Ge Er's hand and walked towards the outer room, "Then learn more from brother-in-law."

"Okay!"

After dinner, it was time for the couple's evening activities.

After the intimate session, Cheng Ge Er's fair fingers pinched Xu Zeping's hot ear and suggested, "Pingping, once the shop on Jixi Street is secured, I want to go to the countryside with Mrs. Cao Zhou."

Xu Zeping pulled Cheng Ge Er's hand under the blanket, fearing he might catch a cold.

"To recruit embroidery workers?"

"Pingping, you're so smart."

"Wouldn't it be more convenient to have those who want to apply as embroidery workers come directly to Lingbei County?" Xu Zeping naturally knew how difficult it was for the common folk to come to Lingbei in such freezing weather.

But the heart is biased; compared to the common folk, Cheng Ge Er held more weight in his heart.

He himself could endure the cold and run to the countryside in the snow, but Cheng Ge Er could not.

"Pingping, you clearly know how cold it is now."

Xu Zeping didn’t respond to his words and instead deliberately said, "Don’t move, or the baby might slip out."

Hearing this, Cheng Ge Er quickly adjusted his posture and clenched his buttocks.

"Pingping, you’re just being difficult."

Xu Zeping ignored him and willfully covered his ears, saying, "I can’t hear you."

Cheng Ge Er gritted his teeth, suppressing his temper, and affectionately leaned close to Xu Zeping’s ear, blowing a gentle breath: "Pinglang, I kinda miss you~ Do you miss me too?"

Xu Zeping opened his eyes and met Cheng Ge Er’s sparkling big eyes. He then rolled over, pulling the other into his arms: "I do."

The next day at 5:30 AM, Xu Zeping woke from his sleep and looked at the little troublemaker in his arms, finally understanding the power of pillow talk.

In the heat of the moment, everything else seems trivial.

And so, half-asleep, he agreed to Cheng Ge Er’s request...