Chapter 77

Chapter 77

"Not coming back? Do you plan to stay in Prefecture City?"

Lu Yao said, "Last night, Da Chuan and I discussed this for half the night. Xiaodou has the makings of a scholar; he might be buried if he stays in town. I thought of taking him to Prefecture City to study and settling down there."

Lu's mother opened her mouth but took a while before saying, "You have your own ideas, and Mother can't help you much. If you think it's better there, then go. It's such a long journey, who knows when we'll see each other again." As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes.

Lu Yao felt uneasy too, hugging her shoulder, "We'll come back to visit you whenever we can."

"Go ahead, don't worry about me. Your second brother and sister-in-law will take care of things here. When you're in town, you'll be close to Lu Yun. I'll drop by to help look after the children when I have time."

Lu Yao held her hand, "Once we settle in Prefecture City, we'll invite you to stay with us for a while."

"Really? Mother hasn't left Qiushui Town in all these years."

"Of course! Take good care of yourself. When Xiaodou passes the imperial examination and becomes an official, you can enjoy the benefits with us!"

Lu's mother smiled and playfully slapped him, "Always trying to flatter me with words."

Seeing her more at ease, Lu Yao finally relaxed.

As noon approached, Hu Chunrong and Lu Miao returned, pushing a wooden cart that was now empty except for a half-sack of beans.

Upon entering the courtyard, Lu Miao saw the mule cart and knew Lu Yao had returned, "Third Brother! Xiaonian, Xiaodou!"

"Hey, we're back," Lu Yao greeted them.

Hu Chunrong removed her headscarf, smiling, "I was just talking about you with Fifth Brother yesterday, and here you are today!"

Lu's mother said, "Come inside, I have some good news to tell you!"

Lu Miao glanced at Lu Yao's stomach, "What good news? Could it be that Third Brother is expecting?"

Lu Yao pretended to punch him, and Lu Miao laughed and dodged, "Is it true?"

"It's not that. Xiaodou passed the child examination."

"Oh!" Lu Miao ran to the west room, cupping Xiaodou's face and rubbing it, "How could you be so amazing!"

Xiaodou grinned, "It's nothing, I only came in last place."

Xiaonian, who hadn't seen Lu Miao in a long time, was very affectionate, pulling his arm to play with them.

Lu Yao asked, "Didn't you say you were looking for a bride for Lu Miao? Which village, and is it settled?"

Hu Chunrong replied, "We've seen the family, they're from Wangou Village, the Dings. Their youngest son is the same age as Lu Miao."

"The carpenter Ding's family!"

"You know them?"

Lu Yao nodded, "They're decent people, but their family is large. I heard they have five brothers, and the first four are married but haven't moved out yet, with a lot of wives, husbands, and children making quite a commotion."

Lu's mother said, "I also dislike large families, but since your father arranged it, we can't refuse. We'll hold the wedding after the mourning period next year."

"Alright, we'll come back for the wedding feast."

"Second sister-in-law, go kill a rooster and stew it for lunch."

Hu Chunrong agreed and hurried to the chicken coop to catch a chicken. Lu Yao, not daring to touch it, prepared boiling water in the kitchen to scald the feathers off.

While the chicken was being cleaned and put into the pot, Lu Lin returned, driving the mule cart. He had been helping someone build a house in the village, earning twenty coins a day without lunch provided.

During the meal, Lu Yao and Zhao Beichuan mentioned handing over the shop to them.

Lu Lin and his wife were both surprised, "Why... why suddenly stop?"

Hu Chunrong, having heard from Lu Miao, knew the morning food stall in town was doing exceptionally well, earning a lot of money every day!

"Xiaodou passed the child examination, and he'll be going to Ping Prefecture for the prefectural exam soon. We thought we'd stay there after that."

Lu Lin put down his chopsticks, looking worried, "Ping Prefecture is hundreds of miles away, and it takes four or five days just to travel there. Do you have any friends in Ping Prefecture?"

"No."

"In such a distant place, where you're unfamiliar with everything, what if something happens and we can't help you..." Since their father's passing, Lu Lin had taken on the role of an elder brother, worrying a lot about his younger siblings.

Zhao Beichuan said, "Second Brother, don't worry. I've been there once during my military service, it should be fine."

Lu Lin sighed, "Since you've decided, I won't say more."

Hu Chunrong comforted her husband, "Don't think too much. Lu Yao and Da Chuan managed to settle in town and run a business, which is already much better than most people. If it were us, we might be begging somewhere."

Lu Lin nodded, "That's true, Third Younger Brother is indeed more capable than me!"

Lu Yao said, "After we leave, the shop in town will be yours to run. I'll teach you how to fry dough sticks, make tofu pudding, and simmer meat broth. The lease on the house expires at the end of the year, so you can move in directly, saving you the trouble of finding another place."

Lu Lin and Hu Chunrong tried to decline.

Lu's mother said, "If you don't take over the business, will you let outsiders have it? What if the Thirds can't stay in Prefecture City and need to come back?"

Lu Lin finally agreed, "Alright, I'll manage it with my wife. If you come back, you can take it over anytime."

"Alright, it's settled then."

In the afternoon, Lu Yao taught Hu Chunrong how to make tofu pudding, explaining how to achieve a tender and smooth texture. For the soy milk, it was simple—just add plenty of sugar. Simmering the meat broth was even easier; just remember the recipe and cook it with large bones, and the taste would be perfect.

Finally, he taught Lu Lin how to fry dough sticks and egg pancakes, tasks Zhao Beichuan excelled at. After several attempts, they finally got the hang of it.

Lu Yao pulled Hu Chunrong to impart business wisdom: "Sister-in-law, don't underestimate this breakfast shop; it may seem simple, but the profits are substantial. The only downside is that it's tiring."

"I'm not afraid of being tired. If you and Da Chuan can endure, I'm sure your second brother and I can too!"

Lu Yao believed this. Hu Chunrong was a typical strong-willed woman, gentle on the outside but tough on the inside. Most importantly, her character was impeccable; she had been nothing but good to their parents and brothers over the years.

Except for the original body, who had truly gone too far.

"Secondly, in business, quality is key. Don't underestimate these customers; they're used to our youtiao and tofu pudding. If you change the ingredients, they'll taste the difference immediately. It might be fine once or twice, but over time, it will definitely affect your business."

"Back when others saw our business thriving, they opened a breakfast shop nearby. Their soy milk was thin and watery, and their youtiao were small and thin. Most customers tried it once and never came back. The shop closed down within a few months."

Hu Chunrong patted his hand and said, "I understand. Your sister-in-law isn't someone who looks at things superficially."

"Another thing is to maintain good relations with neighbors and landlords. Our shop has a prime location, and during market days, we can't keep up with the demand. I hired the second wife from the Liu family next door to help, and I pay her five hundred coins a month."

"So much..." Hu Chunrong was a bit reluctant.

"It's not too much. Labor costs in town are high, and Second Auntie Liu works efficiently, saving us a lot of trouble. Paying five hundred coins is worth it."

Hu Chunrong nodded, "Alright, I'll follow your advice. Since you've made the shop so successful, listening to you won't go wrong."

Talking about business is one thing, but experience comes from doing it yourself. Lu Yao had taught them everything he could, and the rest was up to them.

In the afternoon, Zhao Beichuan and the cart driver brought the family back to town to prepare for the journey.

For this long trip, Lu Yao fried two dou of oil tea powder, packed in fine cloth bags for the road. He also baked more than ten large pancakes, each as big as a washbasin, enough to feed them all.

He also prepared a jar of boiled eggs, chicken feet, and chicken necks for the road. With the cool weather, any leftovers wouldn't spoil.

Then came the luggage. This was essentially a move, so they took everything they could carry. Although they had money, they needed to spend it wisely, knowing that settling in a new place would be challenging.

The journey to Prefecture City was long, and they might have to camp outside. Zhao Beichuan had the carpenter nail a shelter onto the mule cart, covered with mats and straw curtains to protect against the cold wind.

On March 5th, Zhao Beichuan returned to Wan'gou Village to obtain a household registration certificate for the four of them and process the relocation procedures.

Since Zhao Beidou was a student, moving to Ping Prefecture for education was a reasonable reason, and the Village Headman quickly issued the document.

The document still needed to be stamped at the town hall and then submitted to the local prefecture office for review and registration upon arrival in Ping Prefecture. The process was cumbersome, which is why people in ancient times rarely left their homes.

During these days, Lu Lin and Hu Chunrong also came to town to help in the shop, and they were now capable of handling it independently.

Fortunately, the shop name didn't need to change; it would remain Lu Family Breakfast Shop, maintaining the same taste.

On March 10th, the town hall returned the stamped documents, and the Zhao family was finally ready to depart!

Early in the morning, before dawn, Zhao Beichuan woke up Lu Yao and the two children to start packing the luggage. Soon, Lu Lin and Hu Chunrong also woke up to help load the items.

The bedding and clothing for all seasons, along with various daily necessities, didn't look like much but filled the cart to the brim, leaving barely enough space for people to sit.

Hu Chunrong wanted to catch some chickens from the coop to take with them.

"Don't bother. Leave them for you to raise. Such a long journey, they might not survive the trip to Ping Prefecture."

Lu Yao said, "After we leave, the house will be in your hands and your second brother's."

Hu Chunrong held his hand, "Don't worry, I'll take good care of Mother and watch over the shop for you."

"Once we settle in Ping Prefecture, we'll write to you. If you can't read the letters, ask the landlord's nephew to help."

"Ah, take care of yourselves. This long journey, who knows when we'll meet again..." Hu Chunrong's eyes welled up with tears.

Lu Yao felt a pang of sorrow, patted her hand, and turned to climb onto the cart with the two children.

"No need to see us off further. Go back inside."

Lu Lin, limping, followed behind, "If you don't like it in Prefecture City, come back. The shop will be waiting for you."

"Ah, I'll manage."

"Don't worry about Mother and the two younger brothers. I won't let them suffer."

Tears streamed down Lu Yao's face, "Go back now."

Lu Lin and Hu Chunrong stopped at the alley entrance, watching the cart disappear into the distance.

After the Lus left, Lu Lin and Hu Chunrong felt somewhat down. Sometimes, family is like this; even though they had been angry with each other just a couple of years ago, thinking about them living so far away made Hu Chunrong want to cry.

"Ah, let's close the shop today. I'll go fetch Mother and the others. You tidy up the house here."

Hu Chunrong nodded and cleaned the house.

In the afternoon, Lu Lin brought Lu's mother, Lu Miao, and Xiaodou, along with a cart full of luggage, to stay in town.

*

The Zhao family's mule cart had been traveling on the official road for two days.

By early March, the weather began to warm, and the snow on the road melted into mud. The mule cart could easily get stuck, taking half a day to pull out.

However, Zhao Beichuan knew this road well. He had traveled it last year during his service, and he knew where the road was smooth and where there were rivers and rest stations, so it wasn't difficult.

Around noon, they passed by Liu's Pavilion, and Zhao Beichuan led the mule cart to rest.

Although they weren't tired, Dahuahua, carrying the heavy load, must have been exhausted. They took this opportunity to let her rest and eat some dry rations to fill their stomachs.

Zhao Beichuan led Dahuahua to drink water by the river, while Xiaonian and Xiaodou collected dry wood. Lu Yao built a small stove with stones and moved the iron pot from the cart to cook millet porridge.

Lu Yao squatted on the ground, trying to light the firestone for a long time without success. Suddenly, a rumble of thunder echoed, and he looked up at the clear sky, wondering if it was going to rain.

Zhao Beichuan suddenly stiffened and shouted, "Lu Yao, Xiaonian, Xiaodou, come back quickly!"

Lu Yao was startled and hurriedly ran back to the cart. Xiaonian and Xiaodou had run quite far and didn't hear his calls. Zhao Beichuan dashed over, grabbed his brother and sister, and ran back like mad.

"What happened?"

Zhao Beichuan's face turned grim as he trembled while putting the harness on Dahuahua, "Hurry up, hurry up!"

"The pot hasn't been packed yet."

Zhao Beichuan reached out to pour the water from the pot, picked up the cart, and urged Dahuahua forward.

Unfortunately, donkeys were naturally slower than horses, especially when loaded with a heavy cart. They hadn't gone far before the army behind them caught up. The rumbling sound wasn't thunder but the galloping of hooves!

Perhaps still traumatized from last year, Zhao Beichuan's heart quivered at the sound.

However, these weren't enemies but the troops returning from their rotation in Ying Prefecture. Leading them was an old acquaintance, Ge Changbao, who had escorted the grain to the border last year.

From a distance, they saw the donkey cart and initially paid it no mind. But as they passed by, a glance revealed the person on the cart.

Zhao Beichuan had left a deep impression on him. Someone who could pull down a Khitan warhorse with bare hands and decline the prince's favor was one in ten thousand.

"Whoa~" Ge Changbao pulled the reins and stopped in front of the donkey cart.

Zhao Beichuan quickly pulled the rope to stop the cart and looked up uncertainly.

"Kid, do you remember me?"

"Sir... Sir?" Zhao Beichuan hurriedly got off the cart and bowed.

Ge Changbao laughed and dismounted, "I didn't expect to meet you here. What are you doing with this cart full of stuff?"

"My younger brother passed the county examination and is going to Ping Prefecture for the prefectural exam, so I brought the whole family along."

"Ho, your family has a scholar too, both literary and martial talents."

Zhao Beichuan wiped the sweat from his forehead, "Not at all, not at all..."

"Don't be so formal. Now that you're not serving in the corvée, I won't conscript you. We're just catching up."

Actually, Ge Changbao was quite open-hearted. He had been strict on the road last time, but that was out of necessity. Military campaigns were serious business, and military law was absolute, even he had to abide by it.

Reporting Zhao Beichuan's contributions after the battle at Datongkou demonstrated his good character.

"I see you were about to rest. Don't rush off; come with me to the pavilion for some food before continuing."

Zhao Beichuan didn't dare refuse and quickly tied the donkey cart where it had stopped, instructing those on the cart, "Eat first, I'll go chat with the sir for a bit."

Lu Yao asked with concern, "Will everything be alright?"

"It will be fine, don't worry." Then he hurried toward the pavilion.

In the pavilion sat two people: Ge Changbao and a military officer surnamed Liang. Seeing Zhao Beichuan approach, they said, "Is this the man you mentioned who pulled down a warhorse at Datongkou?"

"None other than this kid! Come, come, sit down."

Zhao Beichuan sat nervously beside them.

"What's your name?"

"Zhao Beichuan."

"Oh, right, right, I remember those guys calling you Da Chuan. Are you planning to move to Ping Prefecture?"

"The teacher in town has limited skills. I want my brother to study in Prefecture City to learn more."

Ge Changbao, who knew nothing about scholarly pursuits, waved his hand, "If you had accepted the prince's offer earlier, you might have already secured a position."

"I know nothing about military campaigns and cannot bear such responsibility."

Ge Changbao smiled and shook his head. Who becomes a soldier immediately upon entering the camp? It's all learned gradually. This kid just isn't interested.

"I told them you pulled down a warhorse with your bare hands, but they don't believe me. Why don't you show Liang here what you can do?"

Liang Zhong, a military man, could lift a three-stone millstone with his bare hands, but pulling down a running warhorse was impossible for him. He was particularly interested in Zhao Beichuan.

"I don't know martial arts."

Liang Zhong rubbed his hands together, "Just arm wrestle with me, let me see how strong you are."

Zhao Beichuan hesitantly extended his hand, and the two gripped each other on the stone table. Liang Zhong, fearing Zhao Beichuan would hold back, said, "If you win, you can ask for help with any difficulties in Ping Prefecture!"

Ge Changbao added, "Liang is not exaggerating. As long as it's not against morality, the Liang family can help you."

Zhao Beichuan nodded quickly.

The match began, both gripping each other's hands and applying force. Liang Zhong did have some skill, managing to hold his ground against Zhao Beichuan. Veins bulged on their arms, and their muscles trembled slightly.

After a while, Liang Zhong couldn't hold on much longer. His face turned purple, and sweat trickled down his temples. Zhao Beichuan, using only seventy percent of his strength, didn't want to break the official's arm.

"Ah, I can't!" Liang Zhong released his grip and admitted defeat, shaking his sore hand and examining Zhao Beichuan, "You're indeed impressive!"

Zhao Beichuan quickly stood up to apologize, "Please forgive me, sir."

"No harm done. It was my challenge, and you really don't plan to join the military?" He also valued Zhao Beichuan's strength.

"My parents passed away early, and there are no elders at home. My siblings rely on me, so I can't go to war..."

Liang Zhong, feeling disappointed, took out a palm-sized copper badge from his pocket and handed it to him, "Come to the Liang family if you need anything in the future."

"Thank you, sir." Zhao Beichuan quickly took the badge with both hands.

A soldier brought over the prepared meal, consisting of three simple dishes and three bowls of millet rice.

Zhao Beichuan nervously joined them for the meal, while Ge Changbao invited him to have a drink once they reached Ping Prefecture.

Ge Changbao was quite grateful to him; without this young man, thousands of men would have perished there. This battle was won, the grain successfully delivered to the border, and he received commendation from the prince. One could say that Zhao Beichuan was his benefactor.

After the meal, the army continued on its march, riding their horses at great speed, quickly leaving the mule carts far behind.

Zhao Beichuan handed the copper token given by Liang Chong to Lu Yao for safekeeping and urged Da Hua forward.