Around the capital, there are mountains and many fertile fields, among which are estates of all sizes.

Some of these estates are located on the mountains, while others are at the foot of the mountains. Many of them have been passed down through families for many years. Because they are close to the capital, they are unwilling to grow crops. Instead, they grow fruit trees and vegetables, which they then transport to the capital to sell, earning a considerable income each year.

Some people's estates were inhabited by their family's servants, who had signed indentures with their masters. Others were tenant farmers who relied on the land they cultivated on the estate. Each year, they would give a portion of the produce to their masters, and the rest would be used to feed their families.

The Liao family was settled by Xu Di in one of these estates. This estate was acquired by Xu Di himself later, but it wasn't registered under his own name. Instead, it went through several detours and was registered under the name of someone who ran a shop in the capital. If anyone came to investigate, they wouldn't be able to trace it back to Xu Di.

Xu Di sent someone to invite Liao Pingyuan and his eldest son Liao Zhiqi to Miaozhou.

After Liao Pingyuan escaped from Ganzhou, his whole family lived in this small village. On weekdays, Liao Pingyuan took care of Liao Zhi Qiu's two children, Jun Ge'er and Mei Jie'er, as well as Cheng Ge'er, the child born to Liao Zhi Xia and registered under Liao Zhi Qiu's name, to study. Liao Zhi Qiu, on the other hand, worked the land with the farmers in the village. Over the years, Liao Zhi Qiu, who had always been a scholar who was devoted to the river, became an old farmer.

Xu Di had written to Liao Pingyuan a few days ago, asking for Liao Pingyuan's opinion on whether he was willing to go to Miaozhou to repair the river.

After a serious discussion, Liao Pingyuan and Liao Zhiqi decided that they still had to go to Miaozhou to repair the river. After all, this was a skill passed down through generations of the Liao family. The Liao family not only relied on this skill to make a living, but more importantly, they wanted to pass it down.

Liao Pingyuan and Liao Zhiqi's luggage was already packed. After the people arranged by Xu Di arrived, the father and son quietly went to Tongzhou and then boarded a ship heading south from the Tongzhou dock.

Standing on the deck, Liao Pingyuan looked at the vast autumn sky and felt a surge of pride rising in his heart. The Liao family had started out working in river management and gradually learned the art of river control. Through the efforts of several generations, the Liao family had developed its own unique methods for river management.

Liao Pingyuan was thinking about his family history when Liao Zhiqi came out of the cabin and whispered, "Father, what should we do if someone recognizes us when we go to Miaozhou?"

Looking at the somewhat desolate autumn scenery along the banks of the canal in the distance, Liao Pingyuan said nonchalantly, "Zhiqiu, since Lord Xu has brought us to Miaozhou, he must have a plan. What we need to do is to manage the Miao River well. As long as we manage the Miao River well, we will have a place in front of the Emperor. Why should we worry about those people coming to cause trouble for us?"

Liao Zhiqi sighed as he thought of his younger sister at home, who was sometimes lucid and sometimes confused. Liao Pingyuan could tell what his son was thinking just by looking at his expression.

After the sudden disaster that befell his family, Liao Pingyuan was prepared for the destruction of his family. But unexpectedly, he met Xu Rao, who had just taken office. With Xu Rao's help, although the Liao family did not get their revenge, they were given a chance to survive. For the past few years, the whole family had been hidden by Xu Di in an unknown small village. News from the capital was frequently sent over by people from the village. Liao Pingyuan deeply felt that Xu Di was a meticulous man. Whatever he wanted to do, he made thorough preparations and always had a backup plan. Liao Pingyuan felt very fortunate to be able to follow such a person.

Liao Pingyuan patted his son on the shoulder and said, "Son, after you go to Miaozhou, don't worry about anything. Just follow your father and learn the skills of river management. For generations, our Liao family has made a living by river management. It is also through river management that we have the opportunity to speak in front of powerful people. Before your grandfather passed away, he repeatedly instructed that the way of river management must be passed down from generation to generation. If you learn it well, I will also have Jun'er and Cheng'er learn it well so that they will have a skill to make a living in the future."

Liao Zhi Qiu listened to his father's words and felt a pang of sorrow in his heart, but he didn't show it on his face. He was really afraid of being found by the Third Prince's men. Back then, his family had escaped from the clutches of evil in Ganzhou after a near-death experience. They lived a peaceful life in hiding for a few years. Liao Zhi Qiu felt that he didn't want to come out again. It was good enough to stay on the estate and live a good life with his wife and children.

No one knows a son better than his father. Liao Pingyuan understood his son's considerations. He felt it was a pity that his son was too soft-hearted and always wanted to live a comfortable and stable life. But such a comfortable and stable life is not so easy to come by. You still have to work hard and make it yourself.

Liao Pingyuan was very grateful to the Xu family. Xu Di helped him find a place to stay, and Madam Xu, Chen Zhaoci, would regularly visit the estate to examine her daughter, leaving behind prescriptions each time. Sometimes, she would even send someone to deliver medicinal herbs. Under Madam Xu's treatment, her daughter had recovered a lot. The peaceful estate was indeed suitable for her daughter to recuperate. However, the Xu family did not owe him anything, and they had no obligation to treat his family so well. Since they had finally found a place where he could use their resources, Liao Pingyuan was naturally willing to do anything for them.

Liao Pingyuan didn't tell his son about his thoughts; he just watched his son turn around and go to the cabin to cook dinner with the boatmen.

The boat was said to belong to the Chaobang, a boat that specialized in transporting goods. The boatman was a talkative man who was very enthusiastic when he learned that Liao Pingyuan was going to Miaozhou to help repair the river channel.

The man said to Liao Pingyuan, "When Miaozhou was flooded, Lord Xu personally brought supplies and asked us to take him to Miaozhou by boat. At that time, the Miao River was like a wild horse that had broken free of its reins. Nobody knew where it was going to change its course. It was only after a few of us old guys crossed the Miao River several times and gritted our teeth that we finally got him to Miaozhou. At that time, Lord Xu said that if the Miao River were repaired, it would be a great thing that would benefit the country and future generations. Mr. Liao, you have truly become a great benefactor to the people on both sides of the Miao River by repairing its course."

This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!