Yan Qingqing's life plan for Li Xiangjian was for him to join the army. Although the battlefield was dangerous, it was also a good place to make a name for himself.
It wasn't that Yan Qingqing was vain and insisted that he pursue this career; it was simply because, based on Li Xiangjian's current performance, military service was the most suitable option for him.
Moreover, there's a powerful figure living in their house; if they're ever exposed, they need to have some means to resist.
Thinking of this, Yan Qingqing called Li Xiangjian over. She wanted to have a good talk with him, and if he was unwilling, Yan Qingqing would definitely not force him.
Li Xiangjian was bored and was just about to go out for a walk when he heard Yan Qingqing calling him. He quickly tied the horse back up and went to Yan Qingqing's room.
Yan Qingqing asked Li Xiangjian to sit down and even poured him a glass of water.
Li Xiangjian picked up the glass and drank it, immediately wincing from the heat, and complained, "Mom, why is this water so hot?"
Yan Qingqing: ……
This is freshly boiled water, it's still steaming, can't Li Xiangjian see that?
Seeing Yan Qingqing glance at him and then at the cup, Li Xiangjian said softly, "Oh dear, it's because Mom poured the water, so I didn't pay attention."
"Why is my mother calling me during the New Year? Is there something wrong?"
Yan Qingqing replied calmly, "There are some things I'd like to talk to you about."
Upon hearing this, Li Xiangjian immediately sat up straight. His mother rarely acted so formally.
Yan Qingqing asked, "Third brother, what are your thoughts on the future?"
Li Xiangjian shook his head and replied dejectedly, "Mother, I am neither as passionate about farming as my eldest brother, nor as eager to make money as my second brother, nor as fond of reading as my fourth brother, who has a photographic memory."
I don't even know what I want to do. If I had to say what I like, it would be martial arts. Maybe it's because I'm strong, and I really enjoy the feeling of my punches sending wind through the air.
Yan Qingqing nodded in agreement, then asked, "So what do you think about joining the military?"
Li Xiangjian asked in surprise, "Does Mother want me to join the army?"
Yan Qingqing said without denying it: "A person comes into this world and lives for a day. Some lives are as heavy as Mount Tai, while others are as light as a feather."
Especially for a man of seven feet tall, one should establish a moral compass for heaven and earth, establish a destiny for the people, continue the lost learning of the sages, and create peace for all generations!
You can't live your life aimlessly. Of course, I respect your choice, but I won't force you if you don't want to.
Li Xiangjian was stirred by Yan Qingqing's words; no man doesn't want to protect his country and bring honor to his ancestors.
So he immediately stood up and said, "Mother, I'm going to join the army. I'll pack my things in the next couple of days. I've heard that the Flying Cloud Cavalry of our Great Yan Kingdom is the most powerful. I can ride a horse now, so I'll join that army."
Seeing that Li Xiangjian was impulsive, Yan Qingqing forcibly pulled him to sit down and said, "If you go like this, do you think they'll accept you? There are plenty of people in the world who can ride horses; they can't possibly accept all of them."
Li Xiangjian sighed and sat down. He had finally found his direction in life, but before he could even take action, his mother had already discouraged him.
Seeing his dejected look, Yan Qingqing scolded him, "You're hopeless! If you don't even have this much confidence, then you shouldn't join the army."
I sent you to join the army so you could live a more independent life, not so you could go and die.
When Li Xiangjian saw Yan Qingqing scolding him, he quickly cheered up and said, "Mother, I won't give up."
Even if the Flying Cloud Cavalry doesn't want me, I can start as a lowly soldier, and one day they will want me.
Seeing his reaction, Yan Qingqing smiled and said, "Don't worry, if you listen to your mother's arrangements, I guarantee that when you join the army, you won't need to look for the Flying Cloud Cavalry; they will come to find you."
Li Xiangjian found Yan Qingqing's words both unbelievable and strangely anticipated.
Yan Qingqing didn't care whether he believed her or not. She took out her copy of Sun Tzu's Art of War and handed it to him, saying, "Take a look at these first. Even if you don't understand them, just memorize them."
"Mom will make some training plans for you later. It might be very tough, so think about it some more during this time. Mom won't force you."
Li Xiangjian took the military strategy book from Yan Qingqing and nodded. His mother respected his opinion, and he needed to think it through thoroughly so as not to disappoint her.
Since Yan Qingqing wanted Li Xiangjian to join the army, she certainly didn't want him to be a lowly soldier. However, one must be strong to fight; without solid skills, one cannot win a war.
A series of military training scenes flashed through Yan Qingqing's mind.
Before they knew it, it was the sixth day of the first lunar month, and the New Year celebrations were basically over for Yan Qingqing's family.
When the accounts were settled before the New Year, Yan Qingqing's shop had made a profit of about 1,800 taels of silver. In addition to the remaining silver and the money from selling the recipe to Manager Xue, Yan Qingqing now had about 4,000 taels of silver.
This can be considered the result of Yan Qingqing's hard work over the past six months.
However, this money will probably be spent soon, as her organic orchard doesn't even have a single fruit tree seedling yet.
Thinking of this, Yan Qingqing called Li Xiang'an over and asked, "How's the batch of fruit tree seedlings that Mother asked you to order before the New Year doing?"
Li Xiang'an replied, "I've already spoken to Mr. Chen, the owner of the fruit tree shop."
I'll go into town tomorrow to take a look; I should have arrived by now.
Also, our shop is opening soon, so I'm going to do some more cleaning.
Yan Qingqing nodded and said, "Alright, you're always so thoughtful, I'm very relieved."
Li Xiang'an was very happy to receive Yan Qingqing's praise, and he was just about to ask about Li Xiangjian.
Then Yuan Huiniang came in and said, "Mother, Uncle Wei is here."
Wei Laosan had just returned from his Chinese New Year holiday. He was supposed to start work after the eighth day of the new year, but he was worried and returned home early.
Yan Qingqing replied, "Let him sit in the front hall for a while. I'll go see him now."
Yuan Huiniang nodded and then went to the front hall to entertain Wei Laosan.
Seeing that Yan Qing was busy, Li Xiang'an didn't mention Li Xiangjian's matter again.
Although Wei Laosan worked for Yan Qingqing's family, he was still an outsider, and Yan Qingqing was a widow, so Yan Qingqing always received Wei Laosan in the front hall.
Yan Qingqing soon arrived at the front hall, where Wei Laosan was sitting upright.
Upon seeing Yan Qingqing, he quickly stood up and exclaimed, "My benefactor!"
Yan Qingqing said with a smile, "Brother Wei is back. How was your New Year?"
Wei Laosan replied, "Good! Everything is fine! Thank you for your concern, benefactor."
Then he took out a snakeskin belt and said, "There's nothing good at home. These mountain products were all gathered by You'er's mother when she went into the mountains."
This is just a token of our appreciation. We hope our benefactor won't find it offensive.
Yan Qingqing opened the package and took a look; they were all high-quality mountain products.
Yan Qingqing knew this was a token of their family's goodwill and didn't refuse, saying with a smile, "Oh, thank you for spending so much."
I love this taste. It seems Bao Fu's mother is quite capable; this is a blessing for your family.
Wei Laosan nodded and replied, "Yes, I heard that You'er's maternal grandparents used to cultivate mushrooms, but the craft was lost. Fortunately, her mother knew some of it, and our family has benefited a lot from it over the years."
Yan Qingqing's eyes lit up when she heard this, thinking to herself that maybe they would have a chance to work together in the future.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com