Chapter 146 Departure

Xie Sangning had already planned the route from Jinling to Xihan, which should have taken five or six days at a fast pace. However, she deliberately took a long detour, extending the journey to ten days, because she had arranged to pass through Jiangnan along the way.

Jiangnan is a world-renowned place, a land of fish and rice, prosperous and bustling, with its small bridges, flowing water, painted boats and pleasure boats. It is the poetry and distant place in the hearts of many people in Daqing.

Let alone the Lin family members who rarely travel far, even Xie Sangning himself, after years of hardship in Xihan and maneuvering in the capital, has never had the chance to see this legendary land of wealth and luxury with his own eyes.

Since the whole family has finally managed to get out of the country, it would be a good idea to take the opportunity to visit Jiangnan and broaden our horizons.

When she announced her itinerary, the entire Lin family was in an uproar!

"Jiangnan?! Are we really going to Jiangnan?"

"My God! I... I can actually go to Jiangnan?"

"Mom! Did you hear that? My cousin said she's taking us to Jiangnan for the night!"

Especially the younger generation, such as Lin Ziyuan, Lin Wantang, and several unmarried cousins, were so excited that their faces turned red. They were restless in the carriage, wishing they could sprout wings and fly to Jiangnan immediately.

Even the two aunts showed rare excitement on their faces.

Jiangnan, the name itself carries a magic, representing the most beautiful place in their minds.

Xie Sangning listened to their excited discussion, a slight smile playing on her lips.

She also wanted to see Jiangnan.

Let's see what that place, which writers and painters have described as a paradise on earth, is really like.

However, despite their excitement, Xie Sangning gave everyone a heads-up: during the ten-day trip, they would only be able to stay in a decent inn for two nights.

One is Jiangnan Prefecture City, and the other is Shanyang Prefecture City.

Both of these are large cities with high walls, garrisons, and bustling streets, making them relatively safe, and the inns there are also better.

As for other places...

Xie Sangning looked through the car window at the desolate land on both sides of the official road, and his eyes darkened.

Where else can I find a decent inn?

Even if there are small towns, they are mostly small and poor. The so-called inns are nothing more than a few drafty mud houses, controlled by local thugs. They are not only dirty and chaotic, but also have safety issues.

Those places are a melting pot of all sorts of people, and even ordinary business travelers passing through are on edge, let alone a conspicuous convoy like theirs.

She chose to stay only in Jiangnan and Shanyang, precisely because of safety and comfort considerations.

In other places, it's better to endure the hardship of the journey or simply camp in the relatively safe wilderness than to rashly venture into those chaotic areas.

“Alright…” Xie Sangning withdrew her gaze, leaned back on the cushion, closed her eyes to rest, and thought to herself, “Let the Lin family’s children, who grew up in the prosperity of Jinling, see with their own eyes how people in other places besides Jinling and Jiangnan live in this Great Qing world… It might be a good thing for them.”

The carriage traveled for about two hours, and the sun was rising higher.

Xie Sangning instructed the convoy to stop at a flat grassland with a wide view and near a water source, in preparation for lunch.

This isn't something you can just eat some dry rations to get rid of.

The accompanying cooks quickly and efficiently unloaded fresh vegetables, meat, rice, and noodles!

Soon, wisps of smoke rose from the chimneys, and the enticing aroma of food filled the grass.

The Lin family members all got out of the car to stretch their muscles, and the children ran around and played happily on the grass.

Everyone was stunned by what they saw!

"My goodness, they brought so many pots, pans and utensils!"

"It smells so good! Even better than what we make at home!"

Lin Ziyuan and Lin Wantang sat with Lin Zhu on the soft cushions that had been laid out especially for them.

Lin Wantang looked at the steaming stove not far away, and couldn't help but sneak a glance at a place a little further away—there, the guards on guard duty were gathered in groups of three or five, each taking out the dry rations and water bags they carried with them and eating silently, which was in stark contrast to the hot food that the Lin family was enjoying here.

The little girl was kind-hearted and felt a pang of pity seeing the guards eating cold, hard rations in the cold wind.

She hesitated for a moment, then gently tugged at Xie Sangning's sleeve and whispered in a still somewhat awkward voice, "Cousin... they... can't eat... cold food..." She pointed to the guards in the distance.

Xie Sangning followed her gaze, her expression calm and unwavering.

She crouched down, looking directly into Lin Wantang's clear yet slightly uneasy eyes.

"Wantang, your intentions are good. It's good that you know how to be considerate of others."

Just as a hint of joy appeared in Lin Wantang's eyes, Xie Sangning abruptly changed the subject:

"But rules are rules. A master is a master. A servant is a servant."

“They have taken on the job and received their wages, so they have their duties and responsibilities. I have already arranged their meals, with plenty of dry food and meat, and hot water is also provided for them. This is what they should do, and it is their duty.”

"If you feel they are working hard and are cold, just remember their hard work and reward them. But you cannot break the boundaries of hierarchy because of a moment of soft-heartedness. If you see them eating dry rations today and invite them to eat with you, will they ask to rest in the same carriage with you tomorrow because they are working hard as guards? Will they ask to sit on equal footing with you the day after tomorrow because of their outstanding contributions?"

Xie Sangning didn't speak harshly, but every word was like a hammer blow, striking Lin Wantang and also Lin Ziyuan's heart.

"A master can show compassion, reward, and bestow favors upon his servants, but he must never blur the lines or confuse the hierarchy. This is not cold-bloodedness; it is the foundation of maintaining order. Once this rule is broken, and masters cease to be masters and servants cease to be servants, that is the true source of chaos. Do you understand?"

Lin Wantang seemed to understand, but under Xie Sangning's gaze, she nodded subconsciously and whispered, "Wantang... understands... the rules... can't be broken..."

Lin Ziyuan, who was standing to the side, also put away his playful smile and looked thoughtfully at the guards who were eating in silence.

For the first time, he felt the weighty significance of the word "rules" so directly.

Meanwhile, Old Master Lin, who had been quietly watching this scene, revealed admiration and a complex emotion in his eyes.

He admired Xie Sangning's clarity, composure, and control.

These words were not only instructing Wan Tang, but also a precise interpretation of the way of life for aristocratic families.

Despite her young age, she was able to grasp the nuances of the situation with such maturity and insight. Her wisdom and composure far surpassed those of many others. The younger generation of the Lin family seemed like children in her presence.

"Sigh..." Lin Zhu sighed deeply and silently in his heart, a sigh filled with regret, "Such intelligence, such methods, such vision... why must she be a woman! If she were a man..."

Once the thought arose, it could no longer be suppressed.

If she were a man, with her abilities, temperament, strategies, and background, how could she not rise to high office and serve the country?

His gaze toward Xie Sangning was even more complex and difficult to describe.