Chapter 134: His Royal Highness Cheng is Coming
The return of Chen Xiao Mai made Yuan Bao very excited.
As soon as Chen Xiao Mai came back, Yuan Bao threw himself at Chen Xiao Mai and screamed with excitement.
Chen Xiao Mai seemed to be touched too. He screamed together with Yuan Bao. Then they rolled on the ground like two dogs.
Lu Lin's heart melted on seeing them rolling and screaming in the sunshine, he appreciated sweet moments like this.
After Chen Xiao Mai came back, Yuan Bao followed Chen Xiao Mai like a shadow, he always sweet-talked Mai into making snacks for him.
Yuan Bao's sweet talks worked great on Chen Xiao Mai, Mai had been busy in the kitchen since he came back.
Lu Lin, on the other hand, seemed to be anxious about this. He was worried that Yuan Bao would become a fat boy if he carried on like this. Lu Lin always thought only babies and kids were supposed to be chubby, but he wasn't that bothered about his kids' appearance.
"Little Uncle, where's that Brother Ji who sneaked into your room? Is he staying in the capital city?"
Chen Xiao Mai nodded and said in disappointment, "Yes, now he is studying in one of the best academies in the capital city."
"Why does he have to go to an academy to study? Father and Second Uncle study at home."
Chen Xiao Mai puffed up his cheeks and said, "I don't know! I heard that good students in the academies will all become successful scholars and officials in the future, perhaps he wants to become a government official.
Yuan Bao gnawed at his fingernails and said, "I have zero interest in studying, those soft writing brushes gives me headaches."
Chen Xiao Mai tilted his head and said, "Yeah! I don't like reading either. Second Brother always forces himself to study, I'm glad no one is forcing me. Maybe Brother Ji is forcing himself to study because his family is poor?"
Yuan Bao nodded and said, "That makes perfect sense, Brother Ji isn't business material, maybe study is his only option."
"Little Uncle, let me ask you a question, will Brother Ji ever come back?"
Chen Xiao Mai nodded and said, "Yes, he said that he would come back to see me when he makes his dream come true."
Lu Lin listened to the conversation between Mai and Yuan Bao for a while, many thoughts whirled around in his mind. 'Ji Yun An told Mai that he would come back for Mai once he made his dream come true, is that a promise or just some casual talk?'
Lu Lin looked at Mai and shook his head. He thought, 'Well, I shouldn't be thinking so much now, they are both so young. We don't want to part with Mai any time soon anyways. Plus Mai is so adorable, I'm sure he will marry well.'
Lu Lin walked away with a grin when Mai and Yuan Bao started to talk about buying an official title for Ji Yun An. He knew that was not going to happen, for influential and privileged families like the Ji Family, reputation was what they valued the most. Of course they wouldn't get involved in buying official posts.
......
Ji Cheng Kang returned to the camp with the 900 taels of silver that Ji Yun An had given him.
Ji Cheng Kang used the 900 taels of silver to improve meals for the soldiers, settle down the veterans and buy more military supplies.
The atmosphere in the camp was much better and everyone worked harder.
Ji Cheng Kang did not expect that he would benefit from his nephew so quickly.
Liu Yun walked in and said, "General Ji."
Ji Cheng Kang glanced at Liu Yun and said, "Is everything all right? No one is causing trouble in the military camp, right?"
Liu Yun shook his head with a smile, "No, everyone is behaving well. No one is allowed to go to Lu Lin's winery if anyone committed an offence."
The soldiers would volunteer to work at Lu Lin's winery on their days off for perks like free wine and food. And everyone was behaving very well since Liu Yun implemented the collective punishment policy.
Liu Yun was amazed that the soldiers got along so well with Lu Lin, sometimes he felt like Lu Lin was held in esteem as high as General Ji now.
"General Ji, this story is just so addictive!"
At night, the soldiers would spontaneously make a fire and ask Old Eight to tell the story.
Listening to the story at night had become the main entertainment of everyone.
"That story is really interesting," Ji Cheng Kang turned his hose up at Cai and Ji Yun An's success when the story first swept the capital city. However, it didn't take him long to change his mind. Soon his friends started to visit him, asking for more chapters.
"Young Master Ji is amazing!" Liu Yun said.
Ji Cheng Kang shook his head and said, "Let's be honest here, the unsung hero here is Lu Lin but don't get me wrong, Cai and Yun An have done a great job as well."
Liu Yun nodded and said, "Our county magistrate governor seems to have many special ideas. The plough he designed has definitely benefited the society, I'm sure he can invent more stuff if he puts some effort, but it seems like he is only interested in studying recipes."
Liu Yun frequented Chen Xiao Cai's restaurant quite often recently. The food had definitely won his heart and he stopped complaining about Lu Lin spending too much time studying recipes.
......
Time flew by. In the blink of an eye, another two years had passed. Lu Lin chose to retain his post in Sha County.
Officials needed to associate with high-ranking officials if they aspired to get a promotion, because only the high-ranking officials had the opportunity to present themselves before the emperor.
Lu Lin didn't have the l high aspirations to get a promotion, so he didn't bother to associate with any high-ranking officials.
Even though Lu Lin made his name known thanks to the plough, the emperor attended to numerous affairs every day, so Lu Lin didn't get a promotion this time.
The people of Sha County were very happy that Lu Lin was staying in his post. During the past few years, the lives of the people in Sha County had improved significantly. Many villagers were worried that their standard of living would suffer a decline if a new county magistrate came.
The villagers from several villages in Sha County joined forces and sent Lu Lin a plaque with inscription to celebrate his merit.
Lu Lin was very excited and felt that he was a talented official.
In the past few years, many villagers had earned money by planting fruit trees and raising silkworms.
No villager lived in straitened circumstances anymore, a lot of villagers had even renovated their houses.
Ji Cheng Kang also hoped that Lu Lin would stay in his post. After all, Ji Cheng Kang had worked well with Lu Lin over the years.
......
"General Ji," Chen Xiao Cai and Lu Lin cupped their hands towards Ji Cheng Kang.
Ji Cheng Kang smiled and said, "Hello, Magistrate Lu, Young Master Chen!"
Chen Xiao Cai bought several shops and established a commercial street years ago, and the commercial street had become a hit.
Young Master Chen had become a household name across Sha County. Everyone thought that Chen Xiao Cai was a business genius.
Lu Lin, as the county magistrate, was very unreachable for the villagers. In contrast, Chen Xiao Cai, who had more contact with the villagers, was more approachable.
"General Ji, what can we do for you?" asked Lu Lin.
Ji Cheng Kang nodded and said, "Sorry for calling you in such a hurry, here is the thing, His Royal Highness Cheng is coming to Sha County to send military supplies."
Lu Lin frowned and asked, "Is it the emperor's Uncle Cheng?"
Lu Lin knew the royal family a little. The deceased emperor fought hard for the throne, most of his brothers had died in that political storm, only Cheng and another prince had survived.
"I heard that Uncle Cheng is not young anymore! Why would the emperor send him for this mission? It's a long journey from the capital city to our Sha County, what if Highness Cheng is worn out?"
Ji Cheng Kang smiled bitterly and said, "Highness Cheng requested it on his own initiative."
Lu Lin couldn't help but sigh, "That's strange, most people would try their best to shirk a mission like this!"
Ji Cheng Kang shook his head and smiled bitterly. "Actually, there is some facts that Highness Cheng wishes to hide."
Lu Lin asked suspiciously, "I'm all ears! What is it?"
"Highness Cheng's wife passed away two years ago. The Empress married her cousin to Highness Cheng as his new wife, but the Imperial Concubine Hua also married her cousin to Highness Cheng as a concubine. Highness Cheng dared not to offend either his new wife or his new concubine. " Ji Cheng Kang couldn't help but shake his head.
Lu Lin was rendered speechless.
"Highness Cheng is in his fifties now, right? Cousins of the empress and Imperial Concubine Hua must be well under twenty! I can't believe the women in the imperial harem would go this far to win more political power!"
Chen Xiao Cai couldn't help but chime in, "That sounds horrible! Now no one is happy in that marriage!"
Lu Lin glanced at Chen Xiao Cai and said, "Things are like this in those royal families!"
Ji Cheng Kang sighed and said, "You guys can only carry on like that in front of me, all right? Watch your tongue once you walk out from my camp!"
Lu Lin and Chen Xiao Cai nodded.
"Highness Cheng is likely to stay in Sha County for a while."
Lu Lin permitted a dry smile, "Poor Highness Cheng, he would rather stay in a poor and remote area than his sumptuous manor."
"Are you sure, General Ji? But our county is poor, we don't have anything to treat him to! What if we offend him?" Chen Xiao Cai asked worriedly.
In the past few years, Sha County had developed quite well, but Chen Xiao Cai had been to the capital city and he was well aware about the gaps between Sha County and the capital city.
"I'm not sure now. Hopefully His Highness will go back to the capital city not long after he arrives."
Lu Lin said calmly, "No need to worry about something that's not happened. If His Highness decides to stay, we just do our best to receive him."
Ji Cheng Kang nodded. "That's the spirit! I heard Highness Cheng is the most kind prince and he won't get angry easily."
Lu Lin rolled his eyes and thought about the hearsay about the deceased emperor. It was said that the deceased emperor used tricks to frame his brothers to pave the way for himself to get the throne, he let go of Highness Cheng because Highness Cheng's mother had a humble origin and Highness Cheng showed no ambition.
Lu Lin firmly believed this Highness Cheng was leading a charmed life.