CHAPTER 1056: CHAPTER 1055: OFFICIAL SHIP

Meanwhile, she asked Old Granny Wu to call all the people from the Wang Family.

They were pacified with the persuasion of Wang Yongzhu and Song Chongjin, who said it wouldn’t make a difference if they delayed by a day or two, and they could have a proper discussion tomorrow. The luggage wouldn’t be packed in a short time, and it was getting late, so it was better to talk about it tomorrow.

It’s needless to mention how the different branches of the Wang Family tossed and turned all night, sleepless, engaging in late-night discussions between husbands and wives, fathers and sons.

The next day, as soon as they woke up, they were called to the backyard, where Old Granny Zhang announced that they would be returning to the county town tomorrow. This time, they probably wouldn’t return until after the New Year. Because the Imperial Spring Examination would be in February next year, the journey from Jing County to the Capital City was long, and they might need to arrive by the end of the year.

The Wang Family brothers were dumbfounded upon hearing this.

Wang Yongfu was the first to react: "Mother, are you and Sister going together?"

Old Granny Zhang rolled her eyes: "What? This old lady, half-buried in yellow soil, now has the chance to go to the Capital City with your brother-in-law and sister! Maybe I can even see where the Emperor lives and witness the grand scene. Are you planning to stop me?"

Wang Yongfu quickly waved his hand: "Mother, that’s not what I meant. But it’s your milestone birthday this year, and—"

"What’s the point of having a milestone birthday? Will it guarantee a long life? If you all behave and don’t cause trouble or annoy me, perhaps I can live a few more years," Old Granny Zhang retorted.

Wang Yongfu, not being articulate to begin with, was left speechless by Old Granny Zhang’s sharp remarks.

Wang Yonggui, who was beaten yesterday, dared not even sit when he entered today; his whole body ached, so he naturally didn’t dare to speak up.

Wang Yongping hesitated and said, "Mother, when will you return this time? I’m worried. Why don’t I go with you?"

Upon hearing this, not only did Wang Yonggui’s eyes light up, but everyone else also looked expectantly at Old Granny Zhang.

Old Granny Zhang threw a shoe sole over: "Nonsense! I’m going with your brother-in-law and sister. It’s perfectly reasonable. Why join the excitement? Is there no business to conduct at home? Is life not to be lived? Do you want to bring your wife along too?"

Wang Yongping scratched his head: "Business diminishes after November, and there’s not much money to be made. Besides, don’t Eldest Brother and Third Brother stay home? It would be good if you brought Xiao Qiao to take care of you."

"Bah!" Old Granny Zhang retorted: "Such wishful thinking! Why? Does your old mother lack someone to attend to her? Your sister bought two maids and a servant girl for me! Besides, when we reach the Capital City, won’t your uncle be there? Isn’t he more experienced and capable than you all? Bringing you along, what do you know? It’s good if you don’t cause trouble!"

"Your brother-in-law and sister are going to take the exam, not assume office. There’s already a lot to worry about, and you still want to make it more chaotic? Get rid of that idea as soon as possible!"

Old Granny Zhang was adamantly opposed.

The Wang Family brothers all looked disappointed. Ah, the Capital City, where the Emperor and the noble patrons reside—just one visit there would be brag-worthy for a lifetime.

Wang Yongzhu, observing this, thought for a moment: "None of us have been to the Capital City, and because of next year’s Spring Examination, it might be difficult to find accommodation. Too many people, and it’s hard to settle down. Once we settle down, if Brother Song becomes a Scholar and stays in the Capital City as an official, we can then invite a few brothers and sisters-in-law to visit the Capital City."

"But for now, even though we’re not making a big deal out of Mother’s birthday and don’t want to trouble the villagers, I think we can hold it in the county town. Then, brothers and sisters-in-law, bring your children to the county town. We’ll celebrate Mother’s birthday and then set off for the Capital City. Though you won’t see the Capital City right now, you can still visit the county town."

As soon as he said this, not only did the Wang Family brothers look delighted, but Lady Jiang and Liu Xiaoqiao couldn’t help it either, and not to mention the children, who had long been cheering.

For them, going to the town was already a rare experience; going to the county town—apart from Wang Yonggui, no one in the group had been there.

Everyone was excited; the Capital City was too far, but visiting the county town was also wonderful.

Immediately, everyone focused their thoughts on the trip to the county town, and the little bit of reluctance about the departure was swept away.

The next day, Wang Yongping still drove the carriage to send Song Chongjin and the others to the town. This time, nearly the entire village came out to see them off, not just the Wang Family.

After a good round of farewells, they finally boarded the carriage and watched them leave.

As they went far away, Wang Yongzhu lifted the carriage curtain and looked back, seeing Qilidun being left far behind, growing smaller...

※※※

In November, the Grand Canal was in its busiest time of the year as everyone rushed to their destinations before the cold December when the canal would freeze over.

Next year’s Spring Examination saw all the graduates heading to the Capital City, and those from remote areas naturally had to set off early.

Those in better conditions would usually agree to hire a passenger boat, making them feel more secure.

Graduates with constrained resources could only hitch a ride on other boats, and if conditions were spartan, staying at the bottom of the hold was unavoidable.

Song Chongjin and his group, currently financially stable, had originally planned to hire a passenger boat with other graduates from Jing County heading to the Capital City.

However, Imperial Doctor Du, after receiving a letter from the Capital City, directly informed them that there was a team of official boats making their way to the Capital City by the end of the year, and there were a few vacant spots on the boats, which were directly booked for them by Imperial Doctor Du.

These official boats were naturally better than civilian boats—not only larger, with deeper draughts for smoother sailing, but most importantly, they were safer.

The journey to the Capital City was long, with places that were turbulent with rapids and shoals, and naturally, there were water bandits who made a living by raiding passing boats.

These bandits knew to pick the softest targets; they wouldn’t dare touch an official boat or a large fleet, leaving the solitary civilian boats as their preferred targets.

Every year, there were always reports of boats being robbed and even entire vessels being sunk.

Thus, civilian boats would generally dock at large piers and agree to travel together, looking out for one another.

The civilian boat that Song Chongjin and Wang Yongzhu initially intended to hire was a fleet under a well-known Escort Agency, which had been navigating these waters for years and had its own methods to avoid water bandits.

However, official boats were the safest option, considering the peace throughout the world today; if anyone dared to act against the official boats, they would likely be completely eradicated soon after.

Song Chongjin and Wang Yongzhu would naturally not refuse such a good opportunity—being able to board the official boat was thanks to Imperial Doctor Du’s influence.

Under Imperial Doctor Du’s arrangements, when the official boats passed by Jing County, they made a brief stop. Song Chongjin, Wang Yongzhu, accompanied by Old Granny Zhang, Yang Zongbao, two maids, and a servant girl, quietly boarded the last boat of the fleet.

Once on board, Song Chongjin and Wang Yongzhu saw the steersman standing on the deck. Upon their arrival, he nodded slightly and then saluted Imperial Doctor Du standing on the dock with a fist salute.

He then instructed someone to take Song Chongjin and their family to the cabin and turned back to leave.