Chapter 197

Chapter 197

Chen Qingyan proactively submitted an application to the Ministry of Personnel for an external posting. As the requested location was Shanzhou, the official assignment document was issued the same day.

He was promoted two ranks, from a seventh-rank Compiler to a sixth-rank Vice-Prefect of Shanzhou, overseeing grain transport, land management, water conservancy, and legal affairs. This position was akin to a vice-mayor in modern times, an achievement most ordinary people could only dream of.

Yet, his colleagues at the Hanlin Academy thought Chen Qingyan had lost his mind! Such postings were typically reserved for demoted officials; for him to volunteer was simply baffling.

Chen Qinghuai was the first to hear the news. After work, he rushed to his elder brother’s home. “I heard you’re being assigned to Shanzhou?!”

Chen Qingyan, tidying his study, responded, “Yes, the Ministry of Personnel has approved it. I’ll be leaving this month.”

Chen Qinghuai paced anxiously. “Weren’t you supposed to stay in the capital? How could you go to Shanzhou?”

“What’s wrong with that?”

“Shanzhou is a harsh, desolate place! And once you’re posted provincially, it might be hard to return to the capital!”

Chen Qingyan chuckled. “A provincial assignment isn’t so bad. Didn’t you once wish for one yourself?”

“Our situations are different. I have no interest in court politics and don’t want to get entangled in the conflicts between the noble families and the pure officials. That’s why I wanted a provincial assignment to escape, but things didn't work out, and I ended up staying. But you… you’re different.”

“It’s precisely because I’m different that I must leave the capital.”

Chen Qinghuai, being astute, immediately grasped the underlying reason. “No wonder… But why Shanzhou? Jizhou, Laizhou, Yanzhou, or Songzhou would all be better choices.”

Chen Qingyan reiterated his explanation from the previous day. “In Shanzhou, I can still leverage Fourth Uncle’s connections. It’s not a bad arrangement.”

“Alas… Once you leave, I’ll be the only one left in the capital. If anything happens, I won’t have anyone to consult.”

“Discuss things thoroughly with your wife. Don’t underestimate the women in our households. If it weren’t for your sister-in-law, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Chen Qingyan patted his arm. “Work diligently in the capital these next few years. Perhaps when I return, I’ll be relying on you.”

“Me? A seventh-rank official? Elder brother, you’re asking too much of me.”

The two brothers exchanged wry smiles. Those who wished to leave couldn’t, and those who wished to stay couldn’t—such were often life’s regrets.

A couple of days later, other colleagues also came to visit, including Li Bin, Liu Junshan, and Li Lang, with whom he had previously gotten along well.

“We heard you’re being assigned externally.”

“Yes, as Vice-Prefect of Shanzhou. My rank is now higher than all of yours.”

Li Bin playfully nudged him. “Stop joking! Why would you choose such a place? At the very least, you should’ve aimed for Yangzhou or Jinling!”

“Good postings like those would never fall to me. Rather than taking a sinecure elsewhere, I’d prefer to make a real impact in Shanzhou.”

Liu Junshan said, “Brother Qing Yan, you have great ambition! I feel the same way!” He too had been assigned externally and was soon to become a Transport Commissioner of Zhengzhou, a sixth-rank position, starting from the ground up.

Li Bin sighed. “I thought Qing Yan would stay in the capital. With all of you leaving, there’ll be even fewer people to gather with.”

Li Lang added, “Meanwhile, Xu Wei managed to stay. I heard he used the Shen family’s connections to get into the Ministry of Personnel.”

Everyone felt disdain at the mention of him. Initially, Xu Wei had carried himself with an air of integrity and pride, constantly criticizing everyone and acting as though he thought he was superior.

Yet, in less than a year, he had been swayed by the noble families and eagerly joined them. Now, benefiting from the Shen family’s influence, he had gained considerable advantages. Recently, he had even purchased a three-courtyard compound on Changle Street in the Qinglong district, which must have cost him at least ten to twenty thousand taels of silver.

Such a person was looked down upon by all, and after leaving the Hanlin Academy, he no longer kept in touch with them.

After seeing off a friend, Wang Ying said, "We need to inform the Liu family about Yuanbao. I’ll take some gifts and pay them a visit later. After all, he studied there for two years, and now that we're leaving, we should properly express our gratitude."

"I'll go with you."

They got ready, gathered the gifts, and went to the Liu residence again.

When Mrs. Liu saw them bringing so many things, she asked, "Why are you bringing gifts?"

"Qing Yan's transfer order has come through. We'll be leaving for Shanzhou in a few days, and we might not see each other often in the future. Yuanbao has caused you trouble over these two years of his studies."

"Trouble? Not at all. We're like family—there's no need for such formalities."

Wang Ying said, "It's just a token of our appreciation. Over the years, Qing Yan has also benefited greatly from Uncle Liu’s guidance."

Mrs. Liu replied, "I don’t know much about court affairs—let them handle their own business. But once you leave, I don't know when we'll meet again."

Over the years, the two had gotten along quite well. Because of Yuanbao, Wang Ying often visited, especially during winter, when he sent fresh vegetables every few days. The Liu family's elderly grandmother had even gained some weight from eating them, and her health had improved significantly.

"We'll meet again someday."

Meanwhile, Liu Yaozhi had already heard that Chen Qingyan was going to Shanzhou for his new post. He offered a few words of advice: "Although the border has been calm on the surface these past few years, the Turkic people have been watching closely, waiting for an opportunity to reignite the conflict. So, when you arrive in Shanzhou, you must prepare early."

Chen Qingyan felt uneasy. "Uncle, have you heard something?"

Liu Yaozhi nodded slightly. "I can't go into specifics, but remember what I said."

"I understand, nephew!"

After leaving the Liu residence, Chen Qingyan remained uneasy. Wang Ying noticed his distress and asked, "What's the matter?"

"Lord Liu just mentioned that fighting might flare up again at the border. Shanzhou is so close to the frontier—I'm starting to wonder if this was the right decision..."

Wang Ying held his hand and said, "Brother Sui and the Marquis are still at the front lines. Why should we be afraid? Besides, if Shanzhou falls, the Turks could push southward straight into the Central Plains. Don’t worry—there are others more anxious about this than we are."

After returning home, the two began preparing for the journey. Since they didn’t know how long they would be away, Wang Ying decided to rent out their house in the capital. It was better to earn some money from it than to leave it empty.

They packed everything they could into the storage space, which didn’t take up much room. Once everything was ready, they had only three or four bundles and two carriages, traveling light.

Expecting to be away for at least three years, Wang Ying decided to detour to Jizhou first to visit his mother-in-law and family. Otherwise, the old lady might worry if she found out later.

Since they were in a hurry, the family set off by the end of August.

As they left the capital, Yuanbao pressed against the carriage window, looking outside with a hint of melancholy.

Wang Ying stroked his hair and asked, "Are you reluctant to leave?"

Yuanbao nodded. "The teacher said he would teach us the 'Correct Interpretation of the Five Classics' by the end of the year. It's too bad I can’t keep learning."

"Once we reach Shanzhou, we’ll find another teacher for you," Wang Ying reassured him.

"Good! I can’t fall too far behind Yunxi!"

The wooden wheels rolled on, carrying them away from the capital. Wang Ying gazed through the window at the centuries-old city, not knowing how long it would be before they returned.

*

On September 10th, Wang Ying and his family arrived in Jizhou.

The trip was unexpected, and they hadn’t had time to send a letter ahead.

When the carriage stopped at the front door, Li Shi still had no idea they had returned.

Chen Ju knocked on the door, and Chen Fang, who opened the side gate, stared at him in surprise for a long moment before exclaiming, "Tian-dage, you're back!"

Chen Ju chuckled, "I've changed my name—it's Chen Ju now. Hurry and open the main gate; master and young master have returned."

"Ah, yes!" Chen Fang fumbled to open the gate, even forgetting to send word inside.

In the main room, Li Shi and Chen Qingyun were sewing winter jackets for the children. As the weather grew cooler day by day, they had to prepare winter clothing in advance. Although Qin Furong had already ordered store-bought clothes for the children, Li Shi still wasn’t convinced, worrying that clothes made by outsiders wouldn’t be thick enough to keep the children warm.

"I wonder how tall Yuanbao is now. I was thinking of making one for him too, but by the time it got to the capital, the weather will have turned cold."

Qing Yun said, "Make it bigger. If it doesn’t fit this year, he can wear it next year."

Li Shi nodded, "That’s true. Let’s make one then."

As they measured the cloth, they heard a commotion in the courtyard. Li Shi thought it was Chen Rong bringing the children over. "Perfect timing—let your Auntie help with the cutting. She’s more precise than I am."

But when the door opened, it was Yuanbao.

Li Shi was speechless for a long moment, until Qing Yun cried out joyfully, "Yuanbao, what are you doing back!"

"Grandma, Aunt!"

"Oh, my dear child!" Li Shi rushed over excitedly and hugged Yuanbao, tears streaming down her face.

"Where are your Dad and Father? Are you alone?"

"Dad and Father are getting the luggage in the courtyard."

Li Shi held Yuanbao and looked him up and down carefully. A mother’s youngest son and a grandmother’s eldest grandson are her pride and joy, and Yuanbao had grown up by her side—of course she missed him terribly.

"It’s been over two years, and Yuanbao has grown so tall! Are you cold? Are you hungry?"

Yuanbao smiled and shook his head. "No, I had something on the way."

"Your Grandma was just saying she wanted to make you a cotton-padded jacket. It’s perfect timing that you’re back—we can get your measurements now to make sure it fits well!"

Yuanbao entered the room and looked around. It had been three years, but everything was just like he remembered it from his childhood. He walked to the vase by the windowsill and lifted a flowerpot—sure enough, beneath it was a small wooden horse he had hidden there before leaving.

In the courtyard, Wang Ying and Chen Qingyan were bringing in their things. "Mother, we’re back."

"Come in and sit down! Why did you return so suddenly without sending a letter first? What a wonderful surprise!"

Wang Ying said, "There’s been a change in Qing Yan’s assignment. He’s been transferred to Shanzhou as Vice-Prefect."

Qing Yun and Li Shi exclaimed in unison, "To Shanzhou?!"

Chen Qingyan nodded. "I asked for this posting to Shanzhou myself. Don’t worry, Mother."

"Oh dear, why such a faraway place? Your fourth uncle stayed in Shanzhou for a few years, and it exhausted him so much his hair turned white. I never thought you’d have to go too."

Qing Yun added, "Yes, didn’t Qing Song say you would stay in the capital? Why were you suddenly transferred to Shanzhou?"

Chen Qingyan couldn’t explain the political situation to them and simply said, "Staying in the capital to accumulate experience takes too long. A post out in the provinces offers faster promotion."

"But such a distant place… When will you be able to get back for a visit…" As Li Shi spoke, she began to cry again.

Wang Ying quickly comforted her. "Don’t worry. We’ll get back to visit you whenever we have time."

Li Shi hugged Yuanbao and said, "My dear grandson, next time we meet, your Grandma might not recognize you."

Yuanbao said, his voice thick, "Grandma, don’t be sad. Yuanbao will always recognize you."

Seeing the somber mood, Chen Qingyun tried to lighten the atmosphere. "Can you stay home for a few days?"

Chen Qingyan replied, "Only five days. The official document requires me to report to my post by October."

"Then I’ll go back and get Chang Yi, and also bring Third Aunt, Qiu-ge, and the others, as well as Qin Furong."

Wang Ying said, "Perfect timing—we’d like to meet our sister-in-law too."