Chapter 250 - Chapter 250: Ascension
Chapter 250: Ascension
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Mr. Wen sorted out the medical case and handed it to Zhou Jia, instructing him to report it to the Imperial Court and make it public.
A few months later, the emperor, who was far away in the capital, received the medical case reported by Zhou Jia. He said excitedly to Shen Zhong, “Mr. Zhou’s family are really meritorious subjects of Great Yong!”
Shen Zhong bowed and smiled. “It’s also because Your Majesty is blessed that you can have such a good minister.”
In October of the golden autumn, the Imperial Court sent someone to take away dozens of stones of corn seeds. They left a box of gold bars for Li Yu, a box of calligraphy, and many rare herbs for Mr. Wen. Li Yu looked at the box of gold bars and smiled. “Your Majesty’s reward is really generous!”
Time passed quickly. In the blink of an eye, another year passed. The poor people who had borrowed the seeds and farming equipment from the county government returned the money they owed to the Qingchuan government. The originally poor families had started living comfortably.
Qingchuan also had thousands of acres of fertile land. Zhou Jia’s help to the poor had achieved significant results, and the county school had also achieved preliminary results. These two things added another highlight to Zhou Jia’s political achievements.
When Zhou Jia and Scribe Tu worked together in Qingchuan, he felt that Scribe Tu was a person who was willing to do things for the people. During their time together, he recommended Scribe Tu to the Imperial Court for promotion. The Imperial Court agreed to Zhou Jia’s recommendation and appointed Scribe Tu as the new assistant county magistrate.
In the blink of an eye, Yangyang was chattering non-stop and running around with Seven Pounds. Zhou Jia’s three-year term was almost over. The outcome of his assessment was that his political results were extraordinary for three consecutive years. Zhou Jia looked at the comments on it and sighed. Was it easy to be a county magistrate? He was so conscientious that he had not even accompanied his wife and children much. However, this appraisal could be considered an affirmation of his hard work and diligence.
Not long after, the new appointment from the Imperial Court was also sent to Qingchuan County. Zhou Jia was promoted to fifth-grade official and would assume the position of the Magistrate of Yunzhou.
Zhou Jia returned to the back office with the appointment letter and said to Li Yu with a smile, “Yu’er, Yunzhou is only a month away from Tongzhou. After I take up a position in Yunzhou, Ah Qing will be able to visit us. Or it will be much more convenient for us to visit him.”
When Li Yu heard that Yunzhou was only a month’s journey from Tongzhou, she thought that it was indeed much more convenient to travel two-thirds of the way. She asked happily, “Xiao Xi, where is Yunzhou?”
Zhou Jia took out the map and pointed at it. “It takes more than two months to walk northwest from here to Green Mountain County. Yunzhou City is a small county city near the border of Great Qi. It’s two times the size of Green Mountain County. Yunzhou is also the birthplace of Emperor Taizu.”
“Then when are we leaving for Yunzhou?”
“After my handover of duties, we’ll set off for Yunzhou.”
Li Yu was very satisfied with Zhou Jia’s appointment in Yunzhou. She mainly liked that it was close to Tongzhou and it was convenient for her to reunite with Li Qing and the others. After receiving the appointment letter, Li Yu began to make preparations to set off for Yunzhou. She sold the two farmsteads, shops, and inns to the Four Seas Bank in Qingchuan at a price. She brought people to pack their luggage.
Seeing that Li Yu had already begun to pack her luggage, Assistant County Magistrate Tu said to Zhou Jia and Li Yu with a bitter expression, “Lord, it’s a good thing that you’ve been promoted, but once you and Madam leave, my food will be gone. It’s still better for Mr. Qian who doesn’t have to worry about not following you.”
Mr. Qian patted Assistant County Magistrate Tu’s shoulder and joked, “Old Tu, you’re only in your forties now. Why don’t you marry another and have a companion! ”
Assistant County Magistrate Tu shook his head like a rattle. “Then forget it! I’m used to being an old widower. As long as someone cooks for me and I don’t have to eat alone.”
Li Yu looked at Yu Niang, who had brought the child to visit her. She thought that ever since Yu Niang moved to the Yang family, Assistant County Magistrate Tu had always taken good care of the mother and son. They were both sentimental people. She smiled and said, “Yu Niang, cook an extra bowl of rice in the future. It’s feasible for Assistant County Magistrate Tu to go to your house to eat.”
“Madam’s idea is good.” County Governor Tu clapped and praised when he heard that. He cupped his hands at Yu Niang and said with a smile, “Miss Yu, I’ve decided. I’ll rely on your family for dinner in the future.”
Yu Niang bowed and said, “Seriously, it’s just a matter of getting an extra pair of chopsticks ! ”
Li Yu clapped her hands and smiled. “Alright, we can leave in peace now. Yu Niang is alone with the child but has Assistant County Magistrate Tu to take care of her. She would not be afraid of being bullied. Yu Niang will help County Magistrate Tu cook so that County Magistrate Tu won’t have to worry about his meals. Everyone will be happy.”
“Oh, oh, everyone is happy!” Yangyang and Seven Pounds clapped and laughed with Li Yu. Everyone laughed.
The new county magistrate was very proactive. He arrived in Qingchuan in mid-November. Zhou Jia brought his people out of the city and warmly welcomed the new county magistrate into the city. On the same day, he handed over the seal to him. Li Yu brought her people and prepared everything. She had already equipped the carriage and waited in the front yard. She was waiting for Zhou Jia to hand over the seal to the new county magistrate before setting off.
After Zhou Jia left the government office, he did not even go to the backyard. He went straight to the carriage that was already waiting in the front courtyard. Yangyang had two towering braids and was wearing a thin red silk jacket and a pair of red silk flower pants. He was holding a wooden sword in his hand and was dressed like a Fu Wa in a New Year painting. As soon as he saw Zhou Jia, he threw herself into his arms, hugged Zhou Jia’s neck, pointed at the horse, and shouted, “Father, Yangyang rides a horse. Yangyang rides a horse.”
Zhou Jia smiled and sat down with Yangyang in his arms. He pointed at the leaves in the courtyard that were shaking non-stop and coaxed patiently, “Be good. The wind is too strong. You can’t ride a horse yet.”
Seeing that Zhou Jia had gotten into the carriage, Ruyi raised his whip and shouted, “Let’s go!” A row of eight carriages drove out of the county office briskly and soon left the city gate.
Assistant County Magistrate Tu, who was originally prepared to give Zhou Jia a farewell gift, waited for a while in the government office. However, Zhou Jia and the others had long disappeared. County Governor Tu looked at the commoners and the students from the county school behind him and bowed in Zhou Jia’s direction. “Lord Zhou, have a safe trip.” Everyone bowed and called out.
It took them half a month to reach Clearwater Town and rest for a day. After Li
Yu and Zhou Jia brought Yangyang to their parents’ graves, they set off for Yunzhou. The weather in early December was already very cold. Li Yu had always been worried that the children were still young and would be in trouble if they fell sick on the way.
Mr. Wen was also worried that the children would be sick. He had to take their pulse once a day before he could feel at ease. Fortunately, Yangyang and Seven Pounds were strong and were well taken care of. They were always safe and sound.
Li Yu leaned against the car and watched Zhou Jia playing with Yangyang for a moment. She thought about how the ancient people said that one should carry their grandson instead of their son. However, whenever Zhou Jia was free, he would carry Yangyang and play with him. The father and son drew in the car, played games, and flipped the cart into a mess. The laughter along the way caused Seven Pounds to always want to come to Li Yu’s car. Ruyi was blamed by Xiaoyu for not taking care of their son..