CHAPTER 114: CHAPTER 112: THE CANDIDATE

Xie Liangchen was sent back to Chen Family Village while Chen Zigeng had just come out from Mr. Dongli’s courtyard.

After Chen Zigeng left, Li You personally brewed a pot of tea and went to the study to speak with the teacher.

A brazier was placed in the room, Mr. Dongli leaned on a wooden chair, sipping tea, which had a faint aroma of dried tangerine peel.

Warmth filled Mr. Dongli’s heart; Zigeng had brought steamed meat made by his sister today, perhaps fearing it might upset his stomach, he specifically took out a jar of dried tangerine peel tea.

All these were personally made by Miss Xie, evidently showing how meticulous the child was.

Mr. Dongli looked at Li You: "We captured the person, but it’s not easy to find all the spies and traitors of the Liao people; besides, there might not be only Liao people involved."

Li You replied: "Fortunately, Song Xian is familiar with the North and the Song Family Army, allowing things to go so smoothly. Whether it’s reigniting the war with the Liao people, dealing with the remnants of the former dynasty, or the Henghai Jiedu Envoy, if the North falls into the hands of any one of them, it will plunge into years of chaos again."

Upon hearing of the traitor, although he and Song Xian had prepared in advance, thinking back still induced some fear. If things got out of control, causing rebellion, more significant turmoil could happen at any time.

Mr. Dongli said: "Don’t worry, this isn’t something that can be resolved overnight. Is the rest of the country peaceful? Patience is needed, but first, there must be a suitable leader here."

Listening to Mr. Dongli, Li You felt momentarily dazed, as if returning to the past, sitting by the teacher and hearing him discuss the grand affairs of the world.

The teacher was right, his task wasn’t to investigate every detail, but to find someone capable of handling these matters.

As long as he was in the North, there wouldn’t be any mistakes.

Li You asked: "Does the teacher also think highly of Song Xian?"

Mr. Dongli said: "No need to ask me, haven’t you already seen it clearly yourself?"

Experiencing an incident reveals everything; regardless of how many years Song Qizheng led troops, he couldn’t compare to his eldest son, Song Xian. Moreover, this time Song Min secretly communicated with the Liao people, whether or not Song Qizheng was involved, the Emperor would become suspicious of him.

Li You made up his mind: "After returning to the capital, I will strongly recommend Song Xian. Even if Song Xian can’t immediately assume the position of Jiedu Envoy, Song Qizheng could at least share half of his responsibilities with Song Xian for the garrison."

Mr. Dongli continued to savor his tea, seemingly not hearing Li You’s words.

Li You then asked: "Teacher, will you not accompany me to the capital?"

Mr. Dongli took another sip of tea, and suddenly there was a slight sound from the brazier by the door where the fire had just burned out.

Mr. Dongli laughed: "Quick, my chestnuts are ready, surely dug in by Zigeng before he left."

Li You hurriedly got up to dig out the chestnuts from the charcoal.

Bustling around, he peeled the chestnuts and delivered them to Mr. Dongli. Li You smiled at the teacher: "You staying here is good too. Leave the matters in the capital to your student. Your student will be content as long as knowing you are well."

Mr. Dongli took the warm chestnuts from Li You’s palm, then reached out and patted the top of Li You’s head.

Even though he was so grown, being patted on the head didn’t make Li You uncomfortable; instead, he felt grounded. His esteemed elders were long gone from this world, and among those he felt close to, only the teacher remained.

Now he had an additional little junior brother running around with a small satchel.

...

Xie Liangchen placed the snacks brought back from the Song Family on the table.

Though not many in variety, the snacks were exquisitely made, comparable to those sold in large restaurants.

Children in Chen Family Village had never tasted even jujube cakes or bean cakes sold by the street, let alone meat-filled pastries and fragrant osmanthus cakes.

"These cakes are whiter than snow." Hei Dan couldn’t help but exclaim.

Old Mrs. Chen watched as the village children gathered, and Chen Zigeng carefully counted the number of cakes. Not everyone could have two, but they could share different ones.

"One piece per person," Old Mrs. Chen said, "Wash your hands clean before taking them, starting with the youngest."

The remaining would be given to the elderly in the village. Old Mrs. Chen calculated in her heart that each piece eaten was one piece less; let them eat it. Like Mrs. Zhao, who would barely get through this year; even if the Chen Family Village prospers, she couldn’t enjoy the blessings. Now it’s best to prioritize them.

And keep a few for Mr. Xu.

Old Mrs. Chen thought and kept two more pieces for her granddaughter.

Miss Chen said she ate at the Song Family, which she didn’t believe. Could one get full as a guest at the National Guardian General Mansion? Miss Chen was much thinner than when she left the Xie Family, and she hadn’t gained it back yet. If not for supporting Chen Family Village, how could she end up like this?

Old Mrs. Chen had made up her mind and waved to Xie Liangchen.

"Miss Chen!"

Just as Old Mrs. Chen opened her mouth, her vision blurred and she tasted something soft and sticky. She didn’t dare bite and looked at Xie Liangchen in amazement.

"Grandmother, eat up," Xie Liangchen glanced around, "Here comes someone! Close your mouth quickly, you’re drooling."

Old Mrs. Chen, missing a few teeth, couldn’t keep hold of the osmanthus cake and feared drooling. She quickly held it with her lips.

Xie Liangchen’s eyes crinkled into a smile: "Is it tasty?"

Old Mrs. Chen couldn’t speak, surprised, but more moved; eating just one osmanthus cake filled her mouth with sweetness.

Xie Liangchen said: "Once we earn some silver, I’ll make it for you, Grandma. I’ll add more candied fruits. I also want to make chestnut cakes, glutinous rice cakes... and make Double Ninth Festival cakes by next year’s Double Ninth Festival."

Old Mrs. Chen’s heart fluttered hearing this; making all these would cost how much silver?

Xie Liangchen took a bowl for a sip of hot water: "I’ll take these to Mr. Xu, then head to the weaving room, see how many woolen goods can be made, and distribute them promptly."

She also planned to discuss with her second uncle about sprouting and cultivating seedlings in the cellar, so it would be easier to plant medicinal herbs come spring.

Seeing her busy granddaughter walk out, Old Mrs. Chen also saw one by one the children carefully cradling the snacks. Instead of eating them right away, they all ran home.

Thanks to these snacks, joyful sounds filled the air everywhere.

Xie Liangchen entered the weaving room, where several maternal aunts stayed every day. The looms sounded "creaking and groaning," running from morning till night without stopping, and wool was drying in the courtyard.

Xie Liangchen walked in to check the situation: "Is there enough wool for each family to have a quilt?"

Hei Dan’s mother, Mrs. Gao, said: "Weaving it thin should suffice."

"No, it can’t be thin." Xie Liangchen shook her head, recalling how particularly cold this winter was, with particularly heavy snow. Many died in the cold, and the epidemic in spring was related to this.

Preventing sickness must start now, and she must try making finished medicine with Mr. Xu. If events from the previous life recur, perhaps their medicine could save lives.

Song Xian had the Medicine Bureau ready before the year-end; the next task was indeed this matter.

Was it not that Song Xian, coming to meet her tonight, besides teaching boxing and kicking, would discuss this with her?

As Xie Liangchen’s mind busily worked, she also began arranging the accounts in her hand, carefully calculating how much wool to buy to be sufficient. They also needed woolen clothing, and her uncles had to patrol outside. Just relying on a few coarse cloth garments would truly freeze people to death.

The North’s winter was excessively long; most people stayed cooped up at home waiting for warmth to return. Yet Xie Liangchen wasn’t planning to rest idly by.

Busy in the weaving room, the sky had turned completely dark.

Only then did Xie Liangchen recall she should have gone home long ago, wondering if Song Xian had come?

This creditor, finally in good spirits, would surely be angry if left waiting...