Xu Di was able to be promoted to the position of prefect of Dengzhou this time, as the original prefect was transferred back to the Six Ministries in the capital. The position of prefect of Dengzhou was vacant. Most importantly, Xu Di led the soldiers and civilians of Dengzhou to a brilliant turnaround battle at the beginning of spring.
On the one hand, Xu Di intensified the training of his troops, and on the other hand, he vigorously developed local informants.
Among the Japanese pirates, there were actually many pirates. Many of these pirates were fishermen from the Bohai Sea area. They became pirates because they were exploited by fishing tyrants, or because their livelihood was too difficult, or because they were captured by pirates. If they could live a peaceful life with their wives and children around them, who would want to become a pirate?
Xu Di vigorously improved the living conditions of the people. When some fishermen went out to sea to fish, they would pass by islands occupied by pirates and talk to the people they knew about their lives. Knowing that their lives were getting better and better, some people had the idea of turning over a new leaf. Xu Di took advantage of these people's psychology and successfully turned some of them against the pirates.
Not only did he try to win over the enemy, Xu Di also sent ships to escort fishermen who went out to sea to fish. Of course, this was also to better train his army and to get a clear understanding of the basic situation of the Japanese pirates in the Bohai Sea.
When the time was right, Xu Di took advantage of a Japanese pirate attack and not only annihilated the invading pirates, but also chased them to their lair and wiped out their stronghold in Bohai.
Xu Di was injured in the naval battle, but not seriously. Xu Rao and Chen Zhaoci found out soon after he returned, which is why Xu Rao told him to be careful.
Xu Di nodded and said, "Father, Mother, don't worry. I not only have you two to support, but I also have my two children to raise. I can't bear to see my children orphaned and helpless from a young age."
Chen Zhaoci said irritably, "You talk a good game, but you don't think the same way when it comes to doing things. By the way, why did you think of sending Boyuan to Miaozhou? Miaozhou suffers from floods every year. Wouldn't he be busy with flood control all day long?"
“Mother, Boyuan can’t just go anywhere. Please listen to me first. Why do I want Boyuan to go to Miaozhou? Because of the Miao River, which is prone to flooding, many people are unwilling to serve as officials there. There’s not much competition for Boyuan, so it’s easier to arrange for him to go. Boyuan is really not suitable to appear in front of many people right now. If it weren’t for the fact that he can’t be idle, I would have wanted Boyuan to resign and go into seclusion.”
Xu Rao shook his head and said, "How old is he? He's not even twenty yet. It's too early for him to resign and retire. Young people shouldn't try to escape when they encounter setbacks. They should find ways to cheer themselves up. As long as they don't give up, there are always more solutions than problems."
Chen Zhaoci looked at Xu Rao reproachfully and said, "You're lecturing again."
It was a rare moment for Xu Di to joke around, so he said with a smile, "That's just my dad's professional habit. Back then, my cousins would stay as far away from my dad as possible, afraid that he would catch them and give them a lecture."
Xu Rao sneered at Xu Di twice and said, "Ideological education is the prerequisite for all education. Without a good ideology, without a positive and progressive ideology, what's the use of teaching knowledge well or learning well? Why is our country able to create a great rejuvenation? It's because we have done a good job in ideological education, and the people can work together in one direction and everyone loves their country."
Xu Di nodded with a smile, while Chen Zhaoci took Xu Rao's wine glass, shook his head with a smile, and said, "Your dad's alcohol tolerance is really too low. He can't even hold his liquor as well as I can."
Xu Di said with a smile, "My dad is happy, otherwise he wouldn't drink. When have you ever seen my dad drink?"
After drinking, Xu Rao's eyes would glaze over, and he would become very talkative, spouting off a string of sentences. He was aware of this flaw of his and usually didn't drink at all.
Seeing that it was getting late, Xu Di said to Chen Zhaoci, "Let me help you get my dad to bed. It's getting late, so let him rest early. Who knows what might happen tomorrow?"
Chen Zhaoci naturally understood what Xu Di meant. Although not everyone wanted to go to Miaozhou, Xu Di's ability to get Zheng Boyuan into the position of Miaozhou Prefectural Assistant had threatened some people's interests. Xu Di was just a prefect from out of town, so it wasn't easy to cause him trouble. However, Xu Rao worked at the Ministry of Revenue every day and had to attend court sessions. It was easy to find fault with Xu Rao and have a verbal battle with him.
Ever since Xu Zhi learned that Zheng Boyuan was going to Miaozhou, she carefully looked through the geographical record in her hand that described the local customs and culture of various places in Daliang, and began to plan what she should bring to Miaozhou.
Bai Ying had already found all the clothes Xu Zhi could wear for all four seasons. Xu Zhi looked at Bai Ying, thought for a moment, and said, "Sister Bai Ying, I really don't know when we'll be able to come back from this trip to Miaozhou. Over the years, you, Sister Bai Guo, and Sister Bai Shu have been following me without a fixed place. My idea is that you shouldn't go this time. Go back to the Marquis's Mansion first, and I'll ask Mother to help you find a marriage partner."
Before Bai Ying could say anything, Bai Guo came in from outside, smiling and saying, "Miss, I don't want to go back to the Marquis's mansion. In the past few years, I've followed you to so many places, and my heart has wandered wild. I really don't want to find someone to marry and then stay in one place to have children. I've already thought it through. In the future, I will become a self-combed woman and serve as your head nanny. Please don't look down on me for being clumsy."
"Sister Baiguo, how could you have such a thought?" Xu Zhi said disapprovingly.
Bai Guo said nonchalantly, "Miss, why can't I have such thoughts? I've been following you all these years, eating well, living well, and in a good mood. Miss, please be kind to me and let me enjoy a few more years of happiness with you, okay?"
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