Later, Xiao Zhao brought some bedding, pots, pans, etc.
The cleaning was finally completed before An's father came home.
"Oh, mother, my third brother is really capable. This house is so big." Qian, who had some free time after cleaning, happily walked around.
"Of course. If it weren't for me, San'er, you would never be able to live in this blue brick and tile house in your life. You always blame your father and me for being partial. If you two could also let your father and I live in this house, I would also be partial to you!" Mother An glanced at them and scolded.
The eldest and second oldest Ans, who didn't say anything, looked at each other and thought, "They didn't do anything wrong, so why did their mother take them with her?"
In fact, they don’t care that much about their parents favoring their younger brother. As the eldest son in the family, An Lao Da feels that he should shoulder the burden of the family and take care of his younger brothers.
An Laoer didn't care. His parents had taught him to take care of his younger brother since he was a child. His younger brother was in poor health, so he had been doing so since he was a child. Besides, his younger brother was not conscienceless.
He also often told him that when he found a job in the county and became capable, he would take care of his son like he took care of his younger brother, so that his son could also gain a foothold in the county and would not have to dig for food in the dirt like them.
"Oh, mother, who said you are partial to one another? Besides, even if you are really partial to one another, isn't that what should be done? I have come to realize that our third brother is the most capable. Who knows, in the future all his nephews and nieces will have to rely on their third uncle for support." Qian hurried forward and said.
"Ms. Qian is right. I just went out and asked around. The rebel army in the city is a good one. Commander Zhu never oppresses the people. If the third brother really works under Commander Zhu, then we will have a backer. It will be more convenient for us to live in the city."
"This is the deed. Xiao Zhao gave it to me when I walked in. He also said Jingzhi wouldn't be coming to dinner tonight, but would eat at Commander Zhu's. So, for the time being, we can be considered to have settled down in Lan County."
Father An was delighted and pleased. He hadn't expected this nearly two-month escape from famine to have such a happy ending. All the family members were safe and sound, and his youngest son, Jingzhi, had become more responsible. Not only did he no longer fight for seats with his nephews and nieces, but he would even lend a hand occasionally.
After leaving the team, those who had never left home in their lives didn't know the way. Fortunately, Jingzhi was knowledgeable. With his guidance along the way, they avoided many dangers. Sometimes they could even find some wild vegetables to fill their stomachs on the way south.
Now he has caught the eye of Commander Zhu. It seems that his youngest son has grown up. When he thinks of the preferential treatment for scholars that he has heard, he is proud of his decision to send his three sons to private school. He even asked the private school teacher to choose the names of his three sons.
Qian thought about what they had inquired about on the way to Lan County. They heard that these bandit troops, no, the rebel troops were very powerful and often chased and attacked the government soldiers.
This time they were out on patrol. A large number of officers and soldiers were dispersed by their main force. In order to prevent the defeated soldiers from looting the surrounding areas, people were sent out for patrol every day. It was just a coincidence that they met them.
The leader named Cheng Neng seemed very respectful to the third brother. Such a capable person was so respectful to the third brother. It seemed that the third brother was more powerful.
Who would have thought that it was thanks to Jingzhi that she could get to where she is today. Thinking of this, Qian felt a little ashamed. She shouldn't have disliked Jingzhi for being idle and not coming home.
Zhu Kang was very happy. He had just won a battle, and today there were scholars who came to surrender to him. He immediately invited An Jingzhi and Cheng Neng to his home as guests.
This was Cheng Neng’s first time visiting Zhu Kang’s house. He didn’t expect that Commander Zhu’s residence was so ordinary. It felt no different from his own home.
He also knew that he was invited because of An Jingzhi's talent. If he was just a centurion, he would rarely see Commander Zhu under normal circumstances, so after taking a quick look, he quickly looked away and stopped looking around.
"What's your name, little brother?" Zhu Kang asked after he had the two of them sit down. He had just returned today when he heard that one of his men had brought a scholar with him to surrender, but he hadn't had time to ask in detail.
"Hello, Commander Zhu. My surname is An, and my given name is Jingzhi."
Zhu Kang carefully tested and considered An Jingzhi's ability in his words, and remained calm when he heard that he was not even a student.
"Come, you are just here to talk. Have some food. Don't be polite. Don't be disgusted by the home-cooked dishes." Zhu Kang's wife was also accompanying him. She looked like a smart and capable woman.
An Jingzhi and the other two thanked him and started eating.
The feast was filled with joy, both host and guest enjoying themselves. Cheng Neng would occasionally comment on An Jingzhi's "talents." Zhu Kang found it hard to imagine that such a distinguished figure could be from a farming family, not even a student.
He was delighted that he had finally met a capable scholar, and he treated An Jingzhi with great courtesy.
"Goodbye, Mr. An." Zhu Kang personally saw him out the door and instructed two people to take An Jingzhi home. Now An Jingzhi still didn't know where his family was arranged.
"The master looks very happy." Mrs. Zhu walked back with Zhu Kang.
"These past few days I've learned that conquering a kingdom is difficult, and defending it is even harder. I didn't have much territory before, and I was constantly running around with those officers and soldiers. All I had to do was manage the army."
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