As Xu Quan walked forward, he said, "It's not easy to stay in the capital. Why don't you try to go somewhere else? Find a job as a county magistrate or registrar and learn how to do things. Who knows, you might actually rise to a high-ranking official position later on. Fourth brother, you have to eat one bite at a time, and you have to do things one step at a time."
Xu Qu, who was standing next to him, nodded in agreement. Xu Qu was a commoner and had never been ambitious in his studies. Xu Wei and Xu Quan were forced by their uncle to take the exams. Xu Qu had never been interested in studying. In recent years, he had run a few shops and worked as the manager of the shop near the Marquis's mansion. He was living a fairly comfortable life.
Xu Qu smiled and said, "Fourth Brother, Third Brother is very knowledgeable. I think you should listen to Third Brother."
Xu Quan wrinkled her nose at Xu Qu and said, "You make it sound so easy. You know I'm not that ambitious. If I go out and don't get promoted for several years, won't people laugh at me? Besides, I'm a grandfather now. What if I have to work under my son-in-law or nephew in the future? Wouldn't that be pathetic?"
That is indeed a problem. Xu Quan smiled and said, "If you broaden your mind, just think about it. You're going to take up an official post outside, and you'll be taking your younger brother and sister-in-law with you. The two of you can experience different customs and cultures together. Isn't that a good thing?"
Upon hearing this, Xu Quan laughed and said, "Your sister-in-law, my wife? She's busy with the children's marriages all day long. My son is only a few years old, and she can't wait to get him married. I'm trying to get an official position in another region, and I doubt she'll leave all her affairs in the capital to accompany me there."
As they were talking, they had already reached the gate of Xu Rao and Chen Zhaoci's courtyard. Xu Quan looked at the old woman sweeping the courtyard and said to Xu Rao, "You should go back and take good care of yourself. Once your wound has healed, we'll go for a drink together again. Come to think of it, it's been many years since we last drank together."
Xu Rao agreed. Chen Zhaoci had already come out of the room after hearing the commotion. Seeing the three people standing at the garden gate, he quickly came over and said, "You two uncles have come at just the right time. We made some pulled noodles and chili oil in the kitchen. Shall we eat together?"
Xu Quan quickly waved his hand and said, "Third Sister-in-law, please forgive me. The chili peppers taste good, but they make me feel hot every time I eat them. I won't eat them anymore. Once Third Brother's leg injury heals and he can drink again, we brothers will definitely have a good drink together."
Watching Xu Quan and Xu Qu walk away, Chen Zhaoci helped Xu Rao into the courtyard, saying as they walked, "I was just about to go see if you were about to wake up, but you came back by yourself first."
Xu Rao limped into the room, looked at the breakfast that had already been laid out, and said, "I just happened to run into them, so they helped me back. By the way, I can rest at home for a few more days. Should we go visit my father-in-law?"
Chen Zhaoci said, "You should stay at home for the next day or two and not go anywhere. Try to avoid strenuous activity with your leg injury. I will send them a message."
Besides the old man and woman, everyone from Chen Zhaocheng to Chen Zhaoci's nephew came to greet the Chen family.
Chen Yukang looked at Xu Rao, who was half-reclining on the couch, and said admiringly, "Uncle, you don't know this, do you? You are now a role model for our generation. Everyone is talking about the great victory in Liaodong. Everyone is saying that those who resisted the Jin army in Liaodong are heroes. You, the highest-ranking officer in Liaodong, are the hero among heroes."
Upon hearing this, Xu Rao smiled and said, "You flatter me. I just did what I was supposed to do."
Chen Zhaozhi laughed and said, "Brother-in-law, it's not as simple as you say. Everyone knows they should do their job. But when it really happens to you, in such a dangerous situation, who can think about what they should be doing? Don't you think so?"
Everyone talked to Xu Rao for a while. Seeing that Xu Rao looked a little tired, Chen Zhaocheng and the others took him outside and said to Chen Zhaoci, "You can let your brother-in-law stay home and rest and recover."
Chen Zhaoci agreed and went to the front hall of the main courtyard for lunch. Chen Zhaoci accompanied him there, while Chen Zhaocheng walked at the back. After watching the group walk away, Chen Zhaocheng said in a low voice, "Zhaoci, the poisoning of the Ma family's child is not a simple matter. I investigated further and found out that although the Cao Gang had internal strife back then, it was instigated by outsiders. The person who did this was extremely careful, and it took me a lot of effort to find out. The person who poisoned the Ma family's child claimed that they wanted to use the poison to control the Ma family. Zhaoci, I want to ask you a question: should we cure this poison or not?"
Chen Zhaoci smiled and said, "Brother, it's come to this point. What difference does it make whether we resolve it or not? I suppose it was those same people who started this trouble in the first place. Isn't it all because of the power of the Cao Gang? Haven't we offended them enough?"
Chen Zhaocheng sighed and said, "That's true, but this matter is still unresolved. Who knows who will have the last laugh?"
Chen Zhaoci whispered to Chen Zhaocheng, "Brother, tell me, who will have the last laugh for us? We can only let the person we hope will have the last laugh, otherwise, how can this whole family, young and old, have a good life?"
Chen Zhaocheng nodded calmly and said, "That's true. Now that we've embarked on this path, we can only go all the way to the end. Alright, I understand. The Ma family kid's health has been improving recently. I'll prepare the antidote and use it first."
Chen Zhaoci thought for a moment and said, "Brother, tell me, who in our Great Liang is the most skilled at making drugs?"
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