Chengyou is getting old, and meritorious officials are retiring.
Time flies, and thirty years have passed in the blink of an eye. Shen Chengyou is no longer the youthful spirit he once was; his temples are streaked with gray, and the corners of his eyes are etched with the marks of time, but his eyes remain sharp and bright, revealing the composure and wisdom gained through experience. He has served as the Minister of War and assisted two emperors, witnessing the pinnacle of the Great Jing Dynasty. Now that Emperor Mingzong is capable of handling affairs independently, the court is filled with wise ministers, the borders are peaceful and secure, and the people live in peace and prosperity, the weight on his heart has finally been lifted.
That year, Shen Chengyou was over sixty years old. After a court assembly, he solemnly presented his resignation to Emperor Mingzong: "Your Majesty, I am old and frail, and my energy is failing. I humbly request Your Majesty to grant me permission to retire to my hometown, live in seclusion in the countryside, and enjoy my old age in peace."
Emperor Mingzong looked at the old minister who had devoted his life to the Great Jing Dynasty, his eyes filled with reluctance and respect: "Minister Shen, you are the pillar of the Great Jing Dynasty. Without you, there would be no prosperous era today. I am reluctant to see you leave, but I also know that you have worked hard for many years and deserve to enjoy your retirement." Emperor Mingzong pondered for a moment, then granted his request, bestowing upon him a thousand taels of gold, a thousand bolts of silk, and ten thousand acres of fertile land in Jiangnan. He also ordered that a new residence be built for him next to the courtyard where Shen Qingci had retired, so that he could live out his old age in peace.
When the news reached the Shen family, the whole family felt both reluctant and relieved. Shen Jiye had by then been promoted to Minister of Personnel, taking over his father's important task of reforming the bureaucracy. He personally packed his father's bags and said sincerely, "Father, you have worked hard for the country all your life, it's time for you to rest. I will take care of things in the court, so you can rest assured."
Shen Jiye's first achievement after entering officialdom was a thorough investigation into the rampant practice of "falsifying achievements" in the performance evaluation of local officials. Following his father's example, he personally led inspection teams to various prefectures to verify officials' performance, severely punishing a number of officials who had engaged in fraud and oppressed the people. At the same time, he promoted a group of honest, incorruptible, and capable individuals from humble backgrounds. This not only cleaned up the officialdom but also won the people's approval. Emperor Mingzong praised him, saying, "He has the style of his father; he is truly a descendant of the Shen family."
Shen Jifang made even greater breakthroughs in medical skills. She devoted herself to studying the medical manuscripts left by Su Yunqing, and combined this with her years of experience in free clinics to compile two medical books: *Essentials of Pediatrics* and *Collection of Gynecological Essentials*. These books detailed the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of common ailments, written in simple and easy-to-understand language, making them convenient for both civilian doctors and ordinary people. She also founded the "Beneficial Women's Medical Clinic" in the capital, training a group of female medical officers specifically to treat women and children, thus solving the problem of women's difficulty in accessing medical care. Emperor Mingzong bestowed upon her the title of "Benevolent and Wise County Princess," making her the first woman in the history of the Dajing Dynasty to receive such an honor for her medical skills.
On the eve of his departure from the capital, a simple family banquet was held at the Shen residence. Shen Chengyou looked at his children with pride in his heart: "Jiye, now that you hold a high position, you must remember the words 'integrity' and never betray His Majesty's trust, nor forget the suffering of the people; Jifang, you have saved lives with your medical skills, and your merits are immeasurable. You must always maintain a benevolent heart and treat every patient with kindness."
"Son (daughter) will remember Father's teachings!" Shen Jiye and Shen Jifang bowed together, their voices firm.
Wang Ruoxi held Shen Chengyou's hand, her eyes full of tenderness: "Brother Qingci retired to Jiangnan back then, and now we can go there to enjoy our old age. It's truly perfect." She had already packed her bags, which included Shen Qingci's notes, Su Yunqing's medical books, and family photos from over the years, each item carrying a wealth of memories.
At dawn the following day, Shen Chengyou and Wang Ruoxi boarded a carriage bound for Jiangnan. Emperor Mingzong, along with civil and military officials, personally saw them off to the outskirts of the capital. The common people spontaneously flooded the streets, holding flowers and wine, to bid farewell to this veteran minister who had protected the country and its people. As the carriage slowly moved forward, Shen Chengyou lifted the curtain, gazing at the familiar capital and the reluctant people, tears welling in his eyes. He knew that his official career had come to an end, but the Shen family's mission of "serving the country and its people" had been continued in his children.
Traveling south, the scenery was picturesque. Shen Chengyou and Wang Ruoxi stopped frequently along the way, seeing the people well-fed and clothed, living in peace and contentment, and seeing academies and clinics scattered throughout the land, filling them with joy. They seemed to see the figures of their grandfather Shen Qingci and grandmother Su Yunqing in their younger days, and they also saw the hope that the prosperous era of Dajing would last forever.
Upon arriving in Jiangnan, Shen Chengyou and Wang Ruoxi moved into the courtyard built for them by Emperor Mingzong. The courtyard was adjacent to Shen Qingci's former residence, nestled amidst mountains and water, lush with vegetation. Every morning, Shen Chengyou would practice Tai Chi in the courtyard, and then he and Wang Ruoxi would enjoy the flowers, sip tea, and read together. In the afternoon, they would stroll along the river or visit the fields to observe the farmers at work, experiencing the tranquility and beauty of rural life.
Occasionally, Shen Jiye and Shen Jifang would bring their children to visit them. The family would gather together, chatting about court affairs, everyday life, and the children's growth, enjoying each other's company. Shen Chengyou would tell his grandchildren stories of his grandfather's life, teach them to read and write, and to identify and diagnose diseases, thus continuing the Shen family tradition.
The years in Jiangnan are peaceful and beautiful. Shen Chengyou and Wang Ruoxi spent many seasons here, their love growing richer and more mellow like aged wine; their story, like the landscape of Jiangnan, will forever remain in people's hearts. And the legacy of the Shen family will continue to be passed down from generation to generation on this land, never ceasing.
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