3.11 The decision of the couple

After Xiaowu and Xiaoshan’s wedding banquet, Wan Changsheng and his wife informed Pingan of their decision.

"Dad, Mom, have you really thought it through?"

Wan Changsheng said: "Ping An, I have discussed it with your mother again and again, and also informed your uncle and grandfather. First of all, you have to come back to take the exam next year. It's only a year away.

Secondly, Sanqiang is still studying at the provincial school here, and he will also take the college entrance examination next year. We can't leave him here. Your second uncle is now working as an accountant at Baicaotang in Jiao County. His monthly salary is less than here, but fortunately it is close to home and he can take care of the family.

Also, I agreed with your biological father that you are the eldest son on both sides. He has been in the capital for these years, so it is not convenient for you to go there. This time, you can stay at his house."

Ping An saw that both of them were looking at him, and smiled softly: "In that case, you can stay here for the time being. When we get to the capital, I will go to see my father, but I should live in my master's house, which is convenient for studying medicine and literature. My father is at work and is basically not at home during the day. It would be awkward for me to live there."

"Son, you can decide for yourself. You can live in your master's house. When you arrive in the capital, it is not polite to tell others about your father, especially since he is your biological father."

Ping An took out a purse from his bosom, took out a stack of silver notes and handed them to his mother: "Mom, here are 1,400 taels of silver. 1,000 taels are for the family, and 400 are for Xi'er to keep."

All this silver was accumulated by him over the past two years. The gentleman only showed him the account book of the dividend silver, which made him very excited. Unfortunately, he used it all to buy properties and used the excess as working capital, and didn't give him any of it.

Fifty or sixty thousand in two years, plus the previous earnings from grain, not a penny got to him.

The sir is better than the master.

After giving my mother the fourteen thousand, plus various expenses when I got back, I still had about thirteen thousand left.

He might bring all his own people this time. With more people, money would be spent faster. However, the things he brought back from traveling all over the country, especially the jade ornaments, he could give one to his parents and take the rest with him. They would still be nice gifts.

After all, he is a minor, so he takes in much more than he takes out.

Mei Niang took it with a smile: "I will accept what my son gave me, and save it for my son's wedding in the future. I will also save what was given to Xi'er, and it will be her brother's dowry in the future."

Wan Changsheng couldn't hold back his smile. "My wife, you are so good. You accepted everything your son gave you without even asking if he had any money. You even had to go to the capital to give gifts to the master's family and his father's family."

Mei Niang thought the same thing, but before she could say anything, Ping An said, "Mom and Dad, keep it. I have some money on me. There's no need to save it. Just spend what I give you. I can earn it in the future."

"Okay, I'll keep it. Your father is now a doctor, and his monthly salary is not small. We can't spend it all. We rent out the house and land, and we earn a lot every year. Our family is doing better now."

Ping An said, "Why don't mom and dad go back to their hometown with Raymond Lam this time? It's very likely that Er Qiang will come back with Raymond Lam."

Mei Niang sighed, "Let's talk about it later. It's been six or seven years since I came out. I haven't seen your grandmother and her family. I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss them. But your father still wants to learn more from your uncle and grandfather, and..."

She said no more.

Wan Changsheng smiled bitterly, "Military service is usually three years, and five years if a war breaks out. Now that the war is over, the soldiers recruited two years ago who are still alive can only go home in June next year. I heard that many people died in various places. If your mother and I go back in style, I'm afraid we won't be welcomed, but rather jealousy and hatred from some distant relatives. So forget about it for the next two years."

Ping An was also speechless.

But this kind of thing is indeed possible. Some people will not care that you don't have the ability to manage so many people, but they should not be treated the same way because some people have gained the benefits and don't have to go to the battlefield to die. If they want to die, then die.

…

Ping'an returned to his life of going out early and coming back late. In the morning, he went to the clinic with his father and uncle, listened to the teacher's lectures in the morning, and saw patients in the clinic in the afternoon. Except for Lin Feng, the others stayed in the village to help.

"Master, the young master of the Huo family is here."

Starting from this month, Sun Sicheng asked Ping'an's people to call him "Master" or "Young Master", saying that before, the man had not really belonged to him, and in order to distinguish him from his two sons, he had to call Ping'an "Young Master".

Who knew that he would not change his name after calling him that? It didn't matter in small places, but if he still called him that in the capital, he would be laughed at. How could a subordinate call his master by his name?

"Young Master Huo? You mean Huo Zhi? Why is he here?"

Ping'an jumped up. The departure date was not far away. He was taking Xiaoshan, Qingshi and Xiaochen to make medicine these two days. He would try to make as much as possible on the way by himself.

When I got to the front hall, I saw that person standing there was someone else but Huo Zhi.

"Brother Huo, why are you here?"

Huo Zhi smiled and said, "Ping An, we haven't seen each other for many years. If we meet on the way, I'm afraid I won't recognize you."

Ping An laughed: "Isn't it just that he's a little taller? Brother Huo, why did you come to Yong'an?"

"Ping An, Brother Huo, you are really tired and hungry. Can you wait for me to rest and eat something?"

Ping An shook his head and laughed. This was the relationship between him and Huo Zhi. Even though they hadn't seen each other for several years, when they met it was like they were together every day. There was no sense of strangeness at all.

"So, do you want to stay with me at the farm or at the inn? By the way, how many people did you bring with you?"

"I'll go live with you at the farm. I've brought sixteen guards with me, but they can stay at the inn."

"Then you can take two personal guards with you, and the rest can find an inn to stay. Wait a minute, I'll go say hello to my people."

"Is your master here? I have to pay my respects."

"My master and my husband have been out doing business these past two days, so they are not here right now."

Lin Feng took Huo Zhi's dozen people to the inn, while Ping An took Huo Zhi to a nearby tavern for dinner.

Only then did they know that Huo Zhi had been studying hard and learning medicine and martial arts since he returned home. He also went to the southwest battlefield two years ago. Because of his outstanding performance and the fact that the Huo family sent a large amount of medicinal materials to the military camp, he was awarded the title of "Good Doctor" by the court two months ago, and was also given the honorary title of Sixth-Rank Anxi General.

Ping'an was speechless.

Both times he and his master rewarded him with nominal positions, but fortunately this time he got both nominal and real ones.

"Congratulations, Brother Huo. Are you going to the capital to thank for the reward this time?"

Huo Zhi smiled, "I think they have both. I'd better thank you for the reward. I'm also going to go to the capital to take a look. The war in the southwest ended a year later than in the north. Although it's said to be over, there are still minor fights up to now, and it's not completely over at all.

Also, I want to come here to see you. It’s been six years since we last met. I’m already twenty-one, and I’m old.”

Ping An laughed out loud: "If people in their twenties are considered old, what about people in their forties or fifties? What about people in their fifties or sixties? I am only seven years younger than you. Should I also be considered old after seven years?"

Let's not talk about this. I have good news for you. At the beginning of August, my master, teacher and I also went to the capital. Our situation is similar to yours. My master and I also went to the battlefield and also received rewards from the court."

"Bang, bang, bang."

"Come in."

There were two people dining together, and Ping An ordered four dishes and one soup, which was a waste.

"Brother Huo, please take a look at the food. Is it to your liking? The food here is not as exquisite as the southern dishes. Please."