Chapter 1115: Advice

“Uncle, do you think I’m such a person?” Mu Yangling said with a smile, “You obtained this with your own abilities. In the past, because you were my subordinate, even if the Department of Agriculture wanted to poach you, they wouldn’t dare to do so. Now that I’m relenting this time, it’s only natural for you to get an official position. However, it’s impossible for them to recruit you as a lowly official. With your merits, it’s not difficult to be conferred a fifth or sixth-grade official title.”

Liu Ting’s mouth was agape, and he was so nervous that his palms were sweating. He had never thought that he would one day become an official.

Liu Ting returned home in a daze.

Liu Daqian and Liu Erqian were lying on recliners in the courtyard, basking in the sun. A few great-grandsons were playing with building blocks by their feet. When they saw Liu Ting’s dazed expression, Liu Daqian asked with a frown, “What’s the matter?”

Madam Zhao went forward to support her husband and asked with concern, “Did something happen in the farms?”

Liu Ting grabbed his wife’s hand and muttered, “Ah Ling said that I can become an official!”

Madam Zhao was shocked. Her first thought was that Mu Yangling intended to abuse her power to get an official position for her kin. Liu Daqian and his brother were also shocked.

Seeing his father’s expression change, Liu Ting immediately came back to his senses and quickly relayed Ah Ling’s words.

Only then did Liu Daqian’s expression slowly improve. Madam Zhao looked around and asked hesitantly, “You can become an official without going through the Imperial Examination or fighting in a war?”

Liu Daqian had lived for many years and knew more after all. When he heard this, he said, “In the past, people noted for their filial piety and moral records could even be recommended for an official post based on that. Although it’s no longer a thing now, it should still be possible to recommend such a person to be an official. Ah Ting doesn’t have any other abilities except farming. Although I don’t know why being a good farmer allows one to be an official, since Ah Ling said that it’s fine, it’s fine. She’s not someone who abuses her power for personal gain.”

Liu Daqian and Liu Erqian were a little excited: “Our Liu clan can also produce an official!”

The Liu clan was not having a hard time now, and in fact, they could be considered well-off. Not to mention the money Liu Ting earned, Liu Lang’s agriculture and animal husbandry businesses already made them plenty wealthy.

Thus, his great-grandsons were sent to the academy to study. However, it was useless, for the Liu clan had yet to produce a single descendant who was cut out for studies.

The descendants who served in the army at most became section commanders and could not be considered officials. They did not want their descendants to risk their lives on the battlefield, so Liu Daqian and Liu Erqian’s plans for their descendants were just for them to possess basic literacy and accounting skills, and work hard on the farm in hopes of becoming rich one day.

And now, the two of them immediately changed their plan: possess full literacy, have accounting skills, excel at farming, become wealthy, and become an official.

Liu Daqian held Liu Ting’s hand happily. “This matter hasn’t been decided yet, so we can’t tell outsiders. However, our family has to celebrate properly. Ah Ting, go buy some good wine and dishes.”

Liu Daqian pulled Liu Ting into the ancestral hall to offer incense and pay respects to their ancestors.

Liu Erqian sat on the threshold and smoked as he muttered, “Big Brother, we can be considered to have brought honor to our ancestors…”

In the house, Liu Daqian was lecturing his son. “A family like ours must have accumulated ten lifetimes of blessings to have produced an official. You have to be careful with your words and actions. Don’t waste all your blessings and make sure to accumulate merit for your descendants.”

Liu Ting knew that his father had always been strict and disciplined, and wasn’t someone who would do unethical things. The reason why he made such a request was because he was afraid that his descendants would abuse his position for their own gains. Liu Ting himself was an honest person, too. Although he was so excited that he almost lost his composure when he heard that he could become an official, his temperament had not changed. He naturally agreed at this moment.

Liu Daqian continued, “Also, when you become an official, you have to do your best. Don’t embarrass the Liu clan and Ah Ling. Although Ah Ling said that you deserve this position, without her recommendation and her connections, you might not be able to stand out even if you were ten times more capable. Look at the many farmers on the edge of the field; there are so many people out there who can farm. Yet, I’ve never heard of anyone who became an official just because they knew how to farm. So we have to be grateful towards Ah Ling. If you don’t do your job well, those high-ranking officials in the court will probably gossip about her in private.”

“Father, I know all of this.” Kneeling on the ground, Liu Ting saw that his father’s body was on the verge of collapse, so he hurriedly got up to support him and said, “Don’t worry. If I’m up to the job, I’ll do my best as an official. If I don’t have the ability, I’ll resign. I definitely won’t embarrass Ah Ling.”

When Liu Daqian heard this, he hesitated for a moment before slowly nodding.

That night, Liu Daqian and Liu Erqian drank two glasses of wine before falling asleep. Half-asleep, Liu Erqian said vaguely, “Brother, you have to live a few more years. Even if it’s just for Ah Ting’s sake. I heard that after one’s parents die, those who are officials have to resign from their posts and go home to mourn.”

Liu Daqian shuddered and opened his eyes to look at his brother. Then, he slowly covered himself with the blanket and replied softly before falling asleep.

After that, Liu Daqian focused on maintaining his health. He had always felt that it was a waste of money to take tonics, but now, he took the initiative to drink it.

Mu Yangling patrolled the farm for two days. After making some adjustments, she ended her patrolling work. She did not return to the city immediately. Instead, she rode around the vicinity with Qi Haoran.

The 5th Division campsite was still there, but it was no longer a training camp for soldiers. Instead, it was now a meat-processing factory that hired retired soldiers. The kids’ favorite rabbit jerky was all produced here.

Qi Haoran and Mu Yangling did not enter the camp. Instead, they rode their horses and looked at the camp from afar. Qi Haoran said with a smile, “To think that Zijin would use such a tightly guarded camp as a factory. What a waste.”

“Since this is no longer the border and there are no passes here, there’s not much use for the soldiers to stay here. You yourself said that the camp is heavily guarded. Wouldn’t it be a pity to abandon it? I think Zijin is using resources rationally.”

“If he hears this, he’ll definitely say, ‘I’m helping you make arrangements for the veteran soldiers. If you’re not willing, tell me earlier. I’ll move the factory away.'” Qi Haoran imitated Fan Zijin’s mannerisms and cast a disdainful glance at Mu Yangling.

Mu Yangling laughed out loud and said, “You can do this in front of him when we get back.”

Smelling the fragrance in the air, Mu Yangling swallowed her saliva and said, “Before we go back, we’ll go to the factory and ask for a few jars of jerky. I haven’t eaten the rabbit jerky produced by our factory in a long time.”

However, Qi Haoran drooled and said, “I want to taste Mother-in-law’s cooking. Ah Ling, how about we go into the mountains to hunt a deer and let Mother-in-law make a dish using it?”

At the thought of her mother’s culinary skills, Mu Yangling also drooled. She nodded and said, “Alright, we’ll enter the mountains now and go home in the afternoon.”

The couple carried their bows and arrows into the mountains. However, as an injured person, Qi Haoran could only follow behind her and could not do it himself. He felt it was a pity. For this, he emphasized again and again, “I’ve already recovered. The imperial physicians said that I’ve already recovered.”

Mu Yangling was unmoved. “But you still have to be careful. It’s best if you don’t move too much in the next two months. You almost injured your heart meridians.”

Qi Haoran could only follow behind with a pout. It was only when they dragged the prey back to the General’s Residence and saw Madam Shu that his expression softened.

Shu Wanniang looked at the prey that the guards had left in the front-yard and couldn’t help but turn around. “Ah Ling, did you go hunting in the mountains again?”

Mu Yangling grinned and said, “Mother, Haoran and I want to taste your cooking.”

Shu Wanniang rebuked, “Still, you don’t have to go into the mountains to hunt personally. You can just buy it at the market.”

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