Chapter 135
Five days later, the official document from the Ministry of Personnel arrived. Wen Shi carefully put away the document and began packing his things.
There are many famous academies in the capital. There are no examinations for the sons of officials, and they will not refuse to accept them. In the past few years in the capital, he has heard a lot about them. He has a son who is studying, and he has always valued him. It is hard for him not to hear some news.
From the moment he received this document, he was already a sixth-rank official.
He was about to be transferred to a remote and cold place, but fortunately it was not a remote and harsh place. It was a county town located at the junction of the north and south. The county town was not big, but it was not small either.
Wen Shi finally chose a well-established academy in the capital that offered accommodation for his son. This academy was not cheap; the price was six times higher than the previous tuition and filial piety allowance. Including Wen Leqian's living expenses, the annual cost would be at least one hundred taels of silver.
Of course, the couple certainly wouldn't mind spending the money.
The environment here is very nice, and the academy is very spacious. There are only ten students in each classroom, which is completely different from before.
Besides, the accommodation is still single rooms. When I heard this, I remembered when I first started school, I didn't have a choice. It was all dormitory-style rooms, and sometimes I couldn't even sleep.
The couple had already set a date for their departure. They would rent a carriage from a caravan shop, and since the couple was an official, traveling on the official road would be quick.
After settling their son in, the couple began moving.
They don't need to rent this courtyard for now. They'll put all their things in Ping'an Village, pack up, and then head to Ping County.
Ping County is where Wen Shi will soon take up his post.
Of course, the day before the move, Wen Shi invited some colleagues with whom he had a fairly good relationship, plus Hu Yong'an.
Some people see this as a happy occasion for him, as he has been promoted, while others feel that it is easy to leave but difficult to return, and they cannot help but feel sorry for him.
You should know that Wen Shiren is a very good person.
"Brother Wen, take care in the future. We hope to meet again someday."
As he was leaving, Hu Yong'an glanced at Wen Shi and, recalling all the things that had happened before, couldn't help but feel a little emotional.
Wen Shi nodded and told him to take care.
Back in Ping'an Village, on their last night together, the family ate together.
“Third brother, I’ve heard that the sophisticated and wealthy people in the city hire tutors to teach their children at home. Our family is not bad off right now, so why should we send our children to study outside? There are so many students in one classroom, the tutor can’t possibly take care of everyone.”
“It’s so hot in summer and so cold in winter, and the children suffer from running back and forth like this.”
Xiuyu took a bite of food. She didn't have the financial means, but if Wen Shi was willing, she and her husband would definitely have the money. They could invite the gentleman to their home so that the children could study together, which would also benefit her two children.
She personally thinks this is a good thing.
“Sister-in-law, everything has its pros and cons. It’s hot in summer and cold in winter. I used to live like that. Education is one aspect, but character is also very important. If you rely entirely on your family for support, you’re destined not to go far. Our family doesn’t have as much wealth as other families.”
Wen Shi remained calm, and when he caught a glimpse of Wen Chuanzong out of the corner of his eye, he did not refute it.
He understood his older brother; he was selfish, but not stupid. He certainly wouldn't dare to do anything that would harm the interests of the whole family.
In recent years, he has gradually calmed down, which is good. There may not be much progress in the short term, but it's hard to say what will happen in the long run.
“Sister-in-law, it’s already very good that the children are driven to and from school these days. It’s mostly my second brother who drives them. They don’t lack food or clothing. So what if they go through the cold and heat? Aren’t they all doing this for their future? No pain, no gain.”
Wen Lao Er was eating in silence when he heard this and looked up.
He looked at Wen Shi. After sending Wen Leqian to school tomorrow, the couple would also be leaving, and they didn't know when they would be able to return.
The children sitting nearby eating together didn't seem to think too much about it.
Liu and Old Man Wen didn't speak, they just listened. Thinking about their third son who was going on a long trip, they were both reluctant to let him go, but they weren't really willing to let him come along.
Although the third son is going to be a county magistrate, this place is close to the capital, which is great. If we bring the whole family over, we might have to start all over again.
Xiao Wu's wife is still undecided, and Old Man Wen is worried about this too.
To be frank, the family only has ten acres of real land, which they bought after coming to the capital. Although it is tax-free, the output is limited. Moreover, it is divided among three families. Each time, they keep enough for the family to eat and then sell it all. So the money they receive is indeed limited.
The second and fourth brothers were really keeping a close eye on this, and they would make a fuss over even a penny more.
The third son's wife should be rich, but she...
"Third son, come over here after dinner. I have something to tell you."
Wen Shi nodded, not particularly surprised.
After the meal, everyone returned to their own rooms. Yingxiang didn't rush back to her room; instead, she followed her son to his room and slipped him two hundred taels of silver.
"Leqian, keep this money safe and don't tell anyone. You're all grown up now, so don't spend it recklessly. Buy only what you need and what you like."
Wen Leqian looked at her mother and shook her head.
“Father left me enough money. I’ve already paid for everything at the academy. He said he’ll send me one hundred taels every year when he writes to me. Mother will keep the money for herself.”
“What your father gave you is what your father gave you. This is what your mother gave you. You can keep it. If you don’t need it, just save it.”
Wen Shi has now been promoted, and his salary will increase. He can afford to spend one hundred taels a year to support his son's education without any pressure.
If they go to Ping County, they can stay at the county government office; they won't need to rent a place, and their expenses will definitely be less than here. Yingxiang will probably be able to save a little more.
Income has increased significantly, and expenses have also decreased considerably.
She has arranged everything in the capital, including the shops, and has trusted people to manage them. She has been personally overseeing the business for several years and knows the annual income and output in her mind.
Meeting in person is inconvenient, but communication is possible. She has already let go of everything here for now and will take stock when she returns.
Two hundred taels of silver notes, one hundred taels, one fifty taels, and five ten taels notes.
Wen Leqian took out his money pouch from his pocket and put the money in. The pouch was already bulging, showing that Wen Shi had given him quite a bit.
This was a birthday gift Yingxiang gave him last year. Yingxiang bought it ready-made—a beautifully crafted black money bag.
"Study hard in the future, and I will write to you."
"I understand, Mother. Don't worry, in a few years, I'll be able to visit you and Father."
"Then wait for me, Mother. Remember what I said."
"Don't worry, Mother, I'll keep this to myself."
Yingxiang didn't distrust the Wen family; they would definitely take care of him, and Wen Shi would send money to his son. But she was worried that if her son had any unexpected expenses and didn't have money for a while, it would be so painful. Communication wasn't that fast.
On the other side
Old Man Wen looked at Wen Shi and asked about his salary.
Unexpectedly, Wen Shi refused him decisively: "Dad, I also have a family and children, and I can't spare much."
"Now that you're an official, what are you afraid of when your children grow up? Plenty of people will give you money. Even if you can't afford a dowry, it won't be difficult for your son to get married."
“There’s no such thing as a free lunch. As for Yingxiang, Father, you shouldn’t even think about it. If you’re after the money your wife has, the whole family will lose face. This isn’t our village; this is the capital, where etiquette is paramount.”
"The academy that Leqian is going to isn't cheap either. If I want to go back to the capital in the future, it might not be so easy. If I need to bribe someone, Father, where will the money come from?"
Wen Shi spoke frankly, and after thinking for a moment, Wen's father fell silent.
“Dad, I’ve hardly spent any money from the family before. I know I wasn’t born out of thin air, but this is all I can do.”
"It's true that I only have this one child right now, but as long as he does well, I have no regrets."
"Alright, third brother, I know what you mean. Dad isn't an unreasonable person. I'm just worried about Xiao Wu's wife. I don't care about anything else. We've raised them all this time, and we don't owe them anything."
"Don't worry about that. If Xiao Wu really needs it in the future, just have him write to me. If possible, I will help. Lending money is no problem."
Hearing this, Old Man Wen felt much better.
"Alright, it's getting late. You should go back and rest. You'll be leaving tomorrow morning after you drop off the children, and who knows when you'll be back. There are many literate people in the family now, so write back often. Someone will read to me. Take good care of yourself. Dad is waiting for you to come back."
Wen Shi nodded, stepped out of the hall, looked up at the sky, and saw that the moonlight was beautiful.
He took a breath and went inside.
He's not a heartless person; if this brother needs it in the future, he'll definitely lend it to him if he has the means.
After returning to the room, Yingxiang had not yet gone to sleep. When she saw him come back, she immediately sat up.
The two had already packed their belongings, consisting of only two light trunks, along with some changes of clothes and money. Yingxiang had already put most of her savings into her system backpack for safety. This time, the two were traveling light, and they would just need to buy whatever they needed once they arrived at their destination.
Yingxiang has changed her jewelry over the years, but the ones she keeps are the ones she likes, so she naturally wears them. She also has some face cream, but that's about it.
The next morning, we went to the capital. The carriage had already been rented, and we just needed to take the official road with Wen Shi's official appointment document.
Watching her son walk into the academy and wave goodbye, Yingxiang couldn't help but feel a lump in her throat. When they were actually on their way, she felt a little lost.
Wen Shi sat to the side, holding his wife in his arms.
Starting from the capital and heading to Ping County, even with a smooth journey, it would take more than half a month to reach the county by official road.
Wen Shi traveled along the official road, and Yingxiang followed along this time. She felt fine, the carriage was smooth, and there was food and drink along the way so she could rest. It wasn't tiring at all.
The two arrived in Yunzhou at the end of April.
The two of them should go to the Yunzhou Prefectural Government Office first. After meeting with the Prefect, they can go to Ping County, where their term of office will be over.
Inside the government office, the prefect looked at Wen Shi, who was very polite and looked quite young. After confirming the appointment documents, he smiled.
"Your Majesty has a discerning eye. I also see that you, sir, are steady and reliable. You will surely bring benefits to the people in the future. Let us depart immediately."
"yes."
As he watched Wen Shi leave, Prefect Zhou's lips curled into a slight smile.
Of the six counties under Yunzhou, Ping County is neither the richest nor the most desolate. The man before him is young but not arrogant, steady and polite, and has no powerful backers.
To be remembered by an emperor, one must possess some ability. Now that one is working under him, one cannot be an incompetent person.
Yunzhou is not much different from Songshan Prefecture, where the two of them lived before.
He had everything he needed, and when he heard that he was worried that if his wife needed something in the county, she might not be able to buy it, he told her to buy more of whatever she wanted.
Yingxiang has seen a lot in the world. She used to desire all the jewelry she wanted, and she also owns several sets of silk clothes. Now she is not so materialistic.
After spending less than a day at the post station, the two headed towards Ping County.
Three days later, we finally arrived.
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