Chapter 215

Chapter 215

"I heard the Border Guard Army has driven away those Turkic tribes."

"Really?"

"Of course it's true! I also heard that the Turkic Khan died on the way, and now they've split into Eastern and Western Turks. They probably won't be able to raise an army to attack us again!"

"Great! Such good news calls for another drink. Today's on me!"

"Brother Song, you're too generous!"

In a Shanzhou tavern, several officials were hosting a farewell dinner for Chen Qingyan. Over a month ago, the transfer orders came through: Chen Qingyan was being reassigned to the capital. Where he would be assigned hadn't been specified yet, but matters in Shanzhou needed to be wrapped up beforehand.

The new Prefect of Shanzhou was named Le Linshan, a man in his forty-something who had been promoted from Jiangling.

During the handover, he was astonished by Chen Qingyan's detailed and well-organized plans. Before arriving, he had thought he was being sent to the middle of nowhere, but Shanzhou turned out to be far better than he had imagined.

Especially in recent years, with a focus on developing agriculture and livestock farming, not only had the people's livelihoods improved, but tax revenue went up too. The annual reviews consistently scored in the middle tier. For an impoverished prefecture, this was pretty impressive!

Thus, he felt a growing respect for this young Deputy Prefect. Raising his glass, he said, "I see many notes here about matters related to Jiaxuan Lay Buddhist. I heard this person knows his way around farming—might I have the chance to meet him?"

Chen Qingyan smiled. "Prefect Le, please don’t take offense, but this person is no longer in Shanzhou. I’m afraid a meeting isn’t possible."

"Might I ask his esteemed name? Perhaps I can look him up another time."

"To be frank, this person is my husband, Wang Ying."

"Ah?" Not only was Prefect Le shocked, but even Prefect Feng, sitting nearby, widened his eyes. Only Vice-Prefect Zhang and Chief Clerk Cao had heard a little about Wang Ying’s agricultural shop.

"I’d heard earlier that Mr. Chen’s agricultural shop sold quality seeds and fertilizer, but I had no idea he was such a farming expert!"

"He’s too humble to call himself an expert, but he is indeed highly skilled in agricultural matters." Chen Qingyan raised his cup in a toast. Wang Ying was instrumental in Shanzhou’s development. Previously, his husband had preferred to stay out of the spotlight, but now that they were about to leave, Chen Qingyan wanted to ensure he left behind a good reputation.

Everyone had a good time at the meal. Leaving the tavern, Chen Qingyan looked at the familiar streets with a bit of reluctance. Unless something changes, he might never return here again.

When he and A Ying had first arrived, they had vowed to develop Shanzhou. Now, more than three years later, he had pretty much accomplished that goal. With fine seeds, composting techniques, and the hard work of the local magistrates, Shanzhou would surely continue to improve!

"Nephew, once you leave, who knows when we’ll meet again?" Feng Zhien suddenly slapped him on the shoulder from behind. His large hand was strong, and Chen Qingyan flinched from the pain, reminded of their first meeting.

"Since we’ve met, it’s fate. Your uncle doesn’t have much to offer, but years ago, during a bandit crackdown, I came across a jade pendant that’s quite presentable. I’d like you to have it." He pulled out a piece of green jade from his robe.

"This—this is too generous." The jade was clearly of high quality and valuable. Chen Qingyan felt awkward accepting such a gift without having earned it.

"Take it, take it. I heard you were the one who resolved the Liangzhou siege. Though I don’t know how you managed it, you protected thousands upon thousands of people in Shanzhou. Consider this my thanks on behalf of everyone."

Chen Qingyan had no choice but to accept the pendant. "Thank you, Uncle." This time, he said it sincerely, and Prefect Feng responded warmly. The two walked back to the government office as if they were truly uncle and nephew.

*

In the experimental fields, Wang Ying had been waiting for some time. Noticing Chen Qingyan’s flushed cheeks and the smell of alcohol, he asked, "You’ve been drinking?"

"My colleagues held a farewell banquet for me today. I had a small drink with them."

"I heard the transfer order from the capital arrived. When are you coming back?"

"Official business at the government office has been handed over. I leave tomorrow."

Wang Ying said, "It’s already November, and the snow in Shanzhou is a foot deep. Why not use that transport feature to return?"

Chen Qingyan shook his head. "We only have three uses. They’re too precious—we should save them for emergencies."

"It’s hard on you, traveling so far in such cold weather."

"It’s fine. I just won’t make it back before the New Year. If you have time, bring Mother here to see me."

"Alright."

Chen Qingyan took out the jade pendant Prefect Feng had given him. "Keep this safe. Prefect Feng gave it to me as a parting gift."

Wang Ying took it and examined it closely, unable to suppress a smile. "Uncle Feng is quite generous."

Chen Qingyan also smiled. "I said I couldn’t accept it, but he insisted. I had no choice but to take it."

"Since you’ve accepted it, consider it recouping some of the costs. We spent over a thousand silver taels on grain to support Liangzhou." Most of the money had come from Lin Sui, who had earned it from selling medicinal herbs.

"After the New Year, Yuanbao should return to his hometown for the exam, right?"

"Yes, he plans to return to the capital after passing the county exam."

"Good. That should be around the time I assume my post in the capital." Normally, prefects from various regions are required to report to the capital by mid-February, but since Shanzhou is relatively remote, arriving by the end of March would be fine.

They chatted a bit longer, but since it was getting late and Chen Qingyan had to start early the next day, Wang Ying urged him to rest. Wang Ying then tidied up the experimental fields.

After this period of accumulation, the experimental fields were about to level up.

Ever since the great victory at Liangzhou, the experimental fields had instantly added five million experience, startling Wang Ying.

Later, he realized the experience was likely related to the number of people they had saved. He wondered if reaching level nine would bring new rewards.

But never mind that for now. The war had ended, Qing Yan had been promoted, and fortunately, the secret of the experimental fields remained safe. Probably, even in death, the Turkic Khan couldn’t figure out where Liangzhou had gotten so much grain.

*

Soon, it was Chinese New Year again. This year marked Wang Ying’s thirteenth year in this dynasty.

Sometimes Wang Ying felt a disconnected feeling, wondering if he had truly lived a previous life. Yet those vague memories reminded him that he had indeed lived two lifetimes.

This year, though Qing Yan wasn’t home, Qing Song and Qing Yun were both there, along with Qing Song’s husband, the young Qin lad. He was already six months along but still lively and active, his childlike personality making him very likable.

During the New Year’s Eve, Chen Qingsong said, "Next year is Father’s sixtieth birthday, and Yuanbao will also return to the county to take the county exam. I was thinking of going back with him."

Wang Ying nodded. "Qing Yan mentioned this to me before he left. We plan to make it a grand celebration."

Li Shi said, "He’s been gone for so many years—no need to waste money on him."

"Ah, you can’t say that. Father didn’t get to enjoy the blessings of his children and grandchildren while he was alive. Now that Big Brother and I are capable, we naturally want him to enjoy some happiness in the afterlife."

The ancients placed great importance on ancestral worship—not just out of superstition but more as a way to remember the deceased. Even a thousand years later, traditions like tomb-sweeping during Qingming Festival persist.

Mentioning her husband, Li Shi couldn’t help but sigh. "He was so unfortunate. He didn’t enjoy many peaceful days while alive, toiling for half his life only to end up with that illness in his final days."

In the past, Li Shi never dared to bring up her late husband. Every time she did, she would end up in tears. Perhaps as she grew older, she had gradually come to terms with it, now speaking of him for the first time.

Qing Song had only been six years old at the time and understood nothing. He only remembered his father lying in bed, emaciated to skin and bones, his breathing accompanied by a wheezing sound.

"Mother, what illness did Father actually have?"

"I don’t know either. Back then, your father always complained of stomach pain. The town physician couldn’t cure him, so we went to the county town. The county physician said he had abdominal stone disease and prescribed many medications, but nothing worked."

"Later, it gradually worsened until he couldn’t eat anything at all, yet his stomach grew larger and larger, as if he were seven months pregnant…"

Listening to his mother-in-law’s description, Wang Ying guessed that his father-in-law might have had liver disease, with the abdominal swelling due to ascites. But these were just his speculations. The man was long gone, and even if he were still alive, Wang Ying couldn’t have saved him.

"Right after your father passed, Qing Yan wasn't ready to take charge, you and Qing Yun were still young, and I had never run a household before. So all the funeral arrangements were handed over to your second uncle, Chen Biao.

Who would have thought he would even embezzle funds from his own brother's funeral? We had originally ordered a cypress wood coffin with a thick base, but he secretly swapped it for an elm one, pocketing over seventy taels."

Hearing Chen Biao's name, Wang Ying was momentarily stunned, taking a while to recall that shady second uncle he had taken down when he first arrived.

Qing Yun and Qing Song were just as disgusted. "Thank goodness our sister-in-law exposed him, or our whole family would have been ruined by him!"

"Exactly. After your father was gone, times got tougher for our family. I didn't know how to manage the household and was too easily swayed by others. Plus, your eldest brother fell ill back then, and I really had no choice but to turn to prayer and superstition."

Li Shi said somewhat sheepishly, "I... I ended up getting cheated out of quite a bit of silver."

If it hadn't been for Wang Ying, Li Shi didn't dare imagine—most likely, her eldest son would have died young, the family land would have been taken by Second Uncle's family, her daughter would have been hastily married off when she came of age, and her youngest son would never have amounted to much.

The turning point in everything was Wang Ying's arrival. Li Shi was genuinely grateful to this son-in-law.

Chen Qingsong said, "Before the New Year, we received a letter from Fourth Uncle saying that after the holidays, he plans to return to our hometown with us to visit the ancestral hall and also mark Father's death anniversary."

Li Shi said happily, "That's wonderful! Qing Huai and his wife might make it back too. Our whole family can finally reunite once more."

It had been over three years since they last saw Fourth Uncle and the others.

And there was Old Liang, their teacher. Though they had kept in touch by letter over the years, not being able to see him in person still worried them. Old Liang was already sixty-three after the New Year—at that age, each visit could be their last.

Inside, the candlelight flickered; outside, the heavy snow fell endlessly. They wondered where Qing Yan had reached by now and whether he'd gotten to eat any dumplings.

As midnight approached, the children grew sleepy. Qin Xiaolang, being pregnant, couldn't stay up either and went to bed early with the child.

Wang Ying planned to take the family to the test fields to meet with Qing Yan.

Everyone was thrilled. It had been months since their last meeting, and they had been thinking of him constantly.

Wang Ying bolted the door, making sure no one could see, and was about to bring the three through when suddenly they heard Chen Fang's voice from outside.

"Madam, sir, the master is back!"

The three stood up in surprise and hurried to open the door to welcome them.

Outside, the cold wind howled, swaying the lanterns on the porch. Chen Qingyan, Chen Ju, and Chen Zhandong stood soaked at the main entrance.

"Why have you suddenly returned?" Li Shi asked, overjoyed, rushing forward to take her son's hand. "You're freezing! Come inside and warm up!"

Wang Ying was the first to notice something was wrong. "Where's your carriage? Qing Yan, what happened?!"

Chen Ju, standing beside them, legs giving way, collapsed to his knees. "If it weren't for the master... we would have died on the road..."