Jiang wanted to personally travel to Nanjing to discuss business for the pharmaceutical factory. After discussions among the village chief and clan elders, four strong men were quickly selected from the clan to escort him.
Of course, having four grown men escorting a woman like Ms. Jiang might damage her reputation.
Just as the village chief and the clan elders were having a difficult time, a strong man stepped forward and said that his wife was originally from Jinling and he wanted to take the opportunity to take her back to her parents' home in Jinling.
"Perfect timing. You all go back and pack your things. I'll go discuss with the Jiang family when to depart."
The village chief and the clan elders breathed a sigh of relief, as there were women among them who spoke highly of the Jiang family's reputation.
The matter was temporarily settled. After the able-bodied men left, the village chief and the clan elders discussed the expenses for the journey...
Jiang Yue was also busy. She got up early in the morning, rode in her sons' oxcart, and after arriving in town, she took Qingsong to the old place to pick up a horse-drawn carriage.
Qingsong was overjoyed. He had been craving a carriage for a long time. If it weren't for his elder brother telling him to wait a little longer, saying that Mother would definitely buy a carriage this year!
Otherwise, he would have lost his temper long ago!
"Auntie, it's you! I remember you, it was you last year—"
Clearly, the person in charge was quite impressed with her.
"It's good that you remember. I'm here to buy a carriage, so I'd appreciate your recommendations. Of course, if the horses are good and the price is fair, I can buy a few more when I come back after I've finished my business."
Jiang Yue gave a forced smile, clearly impressed by the manager.
"Hehe, definitely, definitely!"
The manager's smile revealed a hint of ingratiation. Putting everything else aside, he was a man who could boast about buying several carriages, so he was not simple and not someone to be trifled with!
"Mother, look! What a magnificent horse!"
Upon seeing the stables, Qingsong had already run over to look around, left and right.
He was overwhelmed by the choices; they all looked good, and he wanted them all!
"Young master, would you like to try riding a horse? Don't worry, a groom will lead the horse and make sure you're safe."
The steward immediately started flattering, thinking that the young man must be the one driving the horse, and that it would be easier to sell one if the young man took a fancy to it.
"Mom, I want to ride a horse!"
Qingsong did not respond to the steward immediately, but looked at his mother with longing eyes, seeking her permission.
"Manager, please find a docile horse for my son to test drive."
Since her son rarely made a request, Jiang Yue naturally complied.
Soon, the stable boy led a horse with jet-black fur out of the stable.
The horse seemed to have been trained to be very obedient. The stable boy whispered something in its ear, and the horse knelt down, waiting obediently for someone to ride it.
Qingsong carefully mounted the horse without any panic. Soon, with the help of the groom, he was able to roam smoothly around the courtyard.
"Da da da~"
Perhaps it was fate at first sight. After trying out the horse, Qingsong couldn't stand any of the other horses and only took a liking to this gentle black horse.
The black horse was also quite sensible, staying close to its new owner.
Seeing this, Jiang Yue pointed to the black horse and told the steward, "This is the one."
The carriage was even simpler; once the frame was installed, it was quickly set up.
The price for the carriage and horses is eighty taels.
Of course, the manager voluntarily gave room for negotiation, and after some haggling, the deal was settled at sixty-five taels.
Both parties were satisfied. Jiang Yue readily paid the money, took the horse's indenture, and even registered it with the government.
Yes, even horses have indentures!
The registration process at the county government office went very smoothly, and they even encountered Magistrate Liu, who had just been dismissed from office.
Jiang Yue bowed respectfully and said politely:
"Lord Liu, how have you been?"
"Mr. Jiang, what brings you here?"
Upon hearing this, Magistrate Liu nodded slightly and made a gesture of support.
"My family runs a small business, and we're planning a trip to Jinling Prefecture. It's a long and arduous journey, so a horse-drawn carriage is faster than an oxcart, isn't it?"
The other party was a county magistrate, and she said this while also getting a travel permit from the government.
"I see. Then I will have my clerk issue you a travel permit. With the government's stamp, you can pass through the official roads and city gates smoothly for a month."
Upon hearing this, Magistrate Liu did not ask too many questions, as the changes in Wujia Village had already been reported by his subordinates.
Therefore, he was not particularly surprised to hear that Jiang was going to Nanjing.
"In that case, this humble woman thanks Lord Liu very much!"
Jiang Yue thanked them and then respectfully saw them off as they left with their guards.
"Mother, Lord Liu is a good official. Can my third brother become such a good official in the future?"
Qingsong was still young, and he couldn't remain indifferent when he saw the official.
Just now, Lord Liu was chatting with Mother so politely, and his heart was in his throat!
He somewhat hoped that his third brother could one day...
"That depends on what your third brother thinks: whether he wants to be a good official who benefits the people, or a corrupt official who commits all kinds of evil."
Jiang Yue patted Qingsong on the shoulder and suddenly realized that the boy had grown taller again; she could barely reach him without standing on tiptoe.
"My third brother will surely become a good official who brings benefits to the region in the future!"
Qingsong resolutely blocked the railway. He had seen several shadow puppet shows in the town and knew that corrupt officials would be beheaded!
He didn't want his younger brother to be beheaded, even if it meant he couldn't become an official.
"Qingsong, you've grown up and look like a big brother now. Your mother is very pleased."
Jiang Yue praised softly, "Raising a son is really not easy."
One wrong move and you could become a psychologically twisted, gloomy, and terrifying villain!
Fortunately, based on current observations, all three sons have "turned over a new leaf" and embarked on their respective chosen paths.
Maybe in a few years, when her grandchildren are born, she'll be able to retire earlier?
"Alright, Aunt Jiang, the contract is ready, and this is the travel permit that the master asked the clerk to prepare for you..."
The yamen runners quickly brought the goods and kindly saw the mother and child off.
"Giddy up!"
"Da da da~"
"Qingsong, slow down, it's swaying inside."
"Okay, Mom~"
......
Jiang Yue was actually lying. The carriage wasn't shaking much. She said that just to remind Qing Song to drive slowly and not to be too reckless.
After receiving the new carriage, Qingsong naturally drove it to the entrance of Brothers Hot Pot Restaurant to show it off to his elder brother and other brothers.
After they had had their fill of fun and everyone had enjoyed themselves, he slowly drove his mother back to the village.
After returning to the village, Jiang Yue first went to the village chief's house to discuss that they would gather at the village entrance at 5:00 AM the next day and set off for Jinling Prefecture.
The village chief repeatedly reminded them to take good care of themselves, regardless of whether the business deal went through or not.
The village arranged for four strong men to accompany him, and to avoid suspicion, they also invited one of the men's wives to go along.
Jiang Yue herself hadn't thought of all this. Once she heard that the village chief had made all the arrangements, she immediately felt that the safety factor for the rest of the journey would increase dramatically.
My new carriage is quite large, so it's okay for a few more people to squeeze in.
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