Chapter 21 Welcoming
The military system of Shunchang was not complicated.
It was basically divided into the garrison system and the battalion system.
This can be understood as the former being permanently stationed, while the latter is mobile.
The troops currently on the front lines are those set up by the rebels.
The combat system consisted of civil officials as governors-general, eunuchs as military supervisors, and military officials as generals in charge of operations.
However, the current commander-in-chief is the new emperor's younger brother, so he commands the battles as one unit.
Although they are all called General, in reality, the positions of General and Governor are concurrently held.
The eunuch in charge of supervising the army was the emperor's trusted eunuch, known as Eunuch Liang Li.
Regardless of whether it was a general, governor, or a military supervisor.
They are all too far away from Su Qing.
However, all of these are things you must know.
Only by understanding the current official system can we make some predictions about those who come after us.
"The new eunuch is named Yu Shen, and everyone calls him Eunuch Yu."
"It seems that she only caught the emperor's eye after the new emperor ascended the throne."
“The previous eunuch accepted bribes and was reported. It escalated to the point that the capital had to recall him and replace him with this Eunuch Yu.”
Some of this information came from Zhou Qianhu, who was in charge of taking care of the wounded soldiers.
The other part was obtained by Su Qing through inquiries.
The information from various sources corroborated each other, and the accounts were largely accurate.
Yu Shen, Yu Gonggong.
He's not even forty yet, and he's already been assigned to be an internal official in charge of logistics, so he must have some skills.
Su Qing instructed, "Send the constables out to scout around and bring back accurate information so we can go out of the city to greet them."
Such attentiveness is because the person is a favorite of the emperor in the palace.
Because it's almost April, she's in a hurry to find a buyer for her medicinal herbs.
If we want the medicinal herbs in Nanjiang County to receive more attention, the current quantity of 9,000 mu is definitely not enough.
However, if it's the first time you've grown medicinal herbs, there won't be anyone to buy them in large quantities.
Farmers who were initially hesitant will definitely waver, and those who originally grew medicinal herbs may have to switch to growing other things.
As a result, all the planning over the past six months has gone down the drain.
Simply put
With buyers showing promise, more farmers are expected to participate in the next six months.
If there is no prospect of improvement, the original 9,000 mu (approximately 667 hectares) will not be preserved.
Therefore, the future Grandpa Yu is extremely important.
We can't afford to let things fall apart at crucial moments.
Su Qing ordered people to sweep the streets and clean the government office in advance.
They also had a secluded courtyard in the back of the mansion cleaned up and planted with flowers and trees.
"Find two more cooks who can make Beijing-style dishes and snacks," Su Qing continued. "The price is negotiable. Have them on standby so that there will be hot soup and rice whenever Eunuch Yu arrives."
Gu Congsi frowned. Although he knew that Eunuch Yu was important, wasn't this a bit too obsequious?
"There's no need for that. You're capable, and the local medicinal herbs you grow are excellent."
"I believe everyone can see it, so why bother?"
Su Qing bluntly called out: "You think I'm being obsequious?"
With few people around, she said directly, "Do you look down on eunuchs?"
Gu Congsi did not answer.
It looks like it.
Gu Congsi had the arrogance of a scholar and naturally disliked the likes of eunuchs.
Su Qing didn't understand but respected the instructions, and too lazy to explain, she simply said, "Just do as I say."
Gu Congsi was good in this respect.
He didn't understand, but he did it anyway.
Gu Congsi's father, Gu Jiaoyu, also accepted some of the duties.
However, Yunxi said, "Instructor Gu wants Scholar Gu to take time to study and not neglect his studies."
That's right. In the eyes of scholars, clerks and officials are not much different from eunuchs, so naturally they don't want Gu Xiucai to get too involved.
Su Qing pretended not to know.
There are many things to do in Nanjiang County. Not to mention the medicinal herb fields, there is also the need to take care of the wounded.
Furthermore, because their docks are well-maintained, many merchant ships come here.
Now we have to welcome Yu Neiguan, the logistics officer. There's no time to worry about these things. As long as we can get things done, that's enough!
The preparations in Nanjiang County were extremely thorough.
Su Qing rarely had time to rest, so she didn't take a break.
Instead, he specifically sought out Mei Niang to talk to.
I mainly want to ask about Liu Xiaomei.
A few days ago, Su Qing noticed that her younger sister was acting strangely. She asked her several times, but couldn't get the reason out.
Mentioning this, Mei Niang sighed: "What else could it be? Liu Zhubu has been gone for a year, and the Zhu family is planning to have Zhu Niangzi remarry someone else."
"They also said they would send the younger sister back to Liujiazhuang and let the Liu family raise her."
Getting married, at first glance, seems like a good thing.
It is said that a first marriage is decided by one's parents, but a second marriage is decided by oneself.
Now, the Zhu family is suddenly demanding that Zhu Niangzi remarry.
How could it possibly be for her sake?
Not to mention, how could they accept being separated from their mother?
Liu, the registrar, and Zhu, the wife and daughter-in-law, lived in harmony.
After Liu, the registrar, left behind a mother and daughter, who relied on Su Qing for support.
Although they were an orphan and a widow, no one dared to harass them as they lived in the government office.
He lived a comfortable life and even saved up a considerable amount of money.
Upon receiving the letter from home, Madam Zhu couldn't help but cry: "Old Liu and I have known each other since childhood. It wasn't an arranged marriage, but our lives were inevitably a bit rigid."
"Now I'm marrying a nobody, and he even wants to send my daughter away. I'd rather die."
Upon hearing this, Su Qing frowned and asked, "When did the Zhu family start this idea?"
"It seems to be after the New Year," Mei Niang said after thinking for a moment.
The case is solved.
Su Qing, who was in charge of things, had seen many matters, both big and small.
Understanding the cause and effect usually allows you to guess the reason.
Before the New Year, both Mei Niang and Zhu Niangzi sent festival gifts to their husbands' and wives' families.
Originally, it was just a matter of exchanging gifts and visiting relatives.
It's estimated that the Zhu family discovered that Madam Zhu was doing quite well, receiving two monthly stipends, and that if they remarried her, they could receive another dowry.
Money is a powerful motivator, and Zhu's parents and brothers must be eyeing the silver.
However, her family members repeatedly sent letters urging her to hurry up, which made Zhu Niangzi lose face and became the subject of gossip.
When Liu the Registrar's family learned of this, they also wanted to take Liu Xiaomei away.
They said the clan had discussed it and agreed to raise the younger sister and find her a good marriage.
Most likely, they were so annoyed by the Zhu family that they simply gave up on the marriage.
The Zhu family was greedy.
The Liu family wasn't much better off.
My younger sister is only eleven years old this year.
If they forcibly bring her back to the clan, and she is a woman whose father died and whose mother remarried, she may suffer a lot of humiliation.
Although Liu Xiaomei didn't talk much before, she was a lively little girl.
Now I'm so depressed.
If even she knows this, how could others not understand?
Zhu Niangzi could only bear the burden of letters from her maternal family.
If her husband's family comes to take her younger sister away, she will surely suffer a fate worse than death.
Mei Niang was surprised.
My daughter guessed them all correctly, down to the last detail.
"What should we do then?" Mei Niang said immediately. "Qingqing, can you save them both?"
Su Qing pondered for a moment, but couldn't make up her mind. She said, "I'll write to the Zhu and Liu families first, and tell them that my younger sister and Madam Zhu have work to do at the yamen and can't leave for a while."
"Tell them not to send anyone over rashly, otherwise even if they come, they won't be able to take anyone with them. I'll write to them again once I find suitable people on my side."
Use delaying tactics first.
She'll look for another opportunity.
However, this matter is indeed somewhat troublesome.
Zhu Niangzi's maternal family, as well as her relatives in Liujiazhuang.
Both of their statements are very useful.
After finishing her story about her younger sister, Su Qing subconsciously looked at Mei Niang: "Mother, how are my two uncles?"
Zhu Niangzi and her daughter had a considerable amount of savings.
Mei Niang has one too!
Moreover, as the person in charge, her salary was about the same as that of Magistrate Su back then, but she earned more money.
Mei Niang didn't understand her daughter's subtext and only said, "Your eldest uncle and second uncle also said they want to come over, because they're worried that we'll have a hard time here."
"After the New Year, someone brought us a lot of fabric, saying they would make clothes for us."
“Your maternal grandfather even sent over the family heirloom ginseng, saying it was for saving his life, and that if the ginseng were here, your father wouldn’t have been in trouble.”
At this point, Mei Niang looked at her daughter and couldn't help but smile as she hugged her: "Good child, your maternal grandfather and uncles are all very good. They won't let their mother get married."
Su Qing probed her uncle's meaning, and he understood. However, she immediately clarified another matter: "If Mother has someone she wants to marry, of course there is no problem. No matter what, your daughter will support you."
That's exactly what I'm afraid of – a situation like the Zhu family's!
However, judging from what she just heard, the Mei family relatives are all very kind, which put her at ease.
After temporarily dealing with her younger sister's matter, Su Qing returned to the main hall.
Several pharmacy owners had something to say, and she needed to go and see them.
After resolving these matters, before they could even have a cup of tea, Constable Wu came to report: "Sir, Eunuch Yu's carriage is delayed and is expected to arrive a few days later."
Why the delay?
Officer Wu was somewhat uncertain, only saying, "It seems he's ill, but we don't know if it's true or not; they're keeping the news very well under wraps over there."
Su Qing nodded slightly: "Tell the former constables not to ask any more questions or say anything, and just follow their instructions."
"Report any major changes immediately."
Yu, the official who was originally scheduled to arrive in Nanjiang County on the third day of the fourth month, delayed his arrival until the ninth day of the fourth month.
Contrary to expectations, Eunuch Yu was brought in lying down.
Grandpa Yu was seriously ill. He was delayed on the road for several days and suffered from vomiting and diarrhea, making him unable to move.
The usual lively welcome was inappropriate, so Su Qing didn't let anyone get close. Instead, she instructed her patient and meticulous subordinates to come over and take him directly to the neatly prepared courtyard.
The courtyard is quiet and peaceful, truly a good place to recuperate.
Yu, the eunuch, was pale. Despite his discomfort, he thanked Su Qing and then fell into a deep sleep again.
Yu, the eunuch, was accompanied by more than a dozen servants.
First and foremost were Eunuch Wang and Eunuch Li, who were responsible for taking care of her personally.
The two men had only managed to curry favor with Eunuch Yu because of this official business trip, but before they could even take up their posts, Eunuch Yu showed signs of dying.
Officer Wu wanted to ask if they should call a doctor to take a look.
Su Qing shook her head slightly, and only after the two eunuchs, Wang and Li, asked did she send someone to invite them.
Getting sick can be a big deal or a small deal.
If you take the initiative to invite them, you will inevitably be held responsible if something goes wrong.
It's much safer if the other person speaks first.
She wanted the people of Nanjiang County to live a better life.
I don't want to ruin the medicinal herb farm!
Fortunately, the cooks from the capital city were put to good use.
I made a bowl of mushy egg drop soup, using the method from the capital. Yu, the palace maid, drank some and her breathing calmed down considerably.
Dr. Bai said to Dr. Hao, "This is dysentery. It's mostly caused by eating something unclean on the way, which leads to chills and fever. It's good that you can eat something."
"This illness requires plenty of rest and recuperation."
The two wrote out a prescription, which Su Qing also examined. Finding no problems, she then had someone prepare the medicine.
"Personally take good care of him. Eunuch Yu is a nobleman, so be extremely careful," Su Qing instructed the two doctors, Bai and Hao.
This was not kept secret from the ailing eunuch Yu and the two eunuchs, Wang and Li.
In times like these, having a local official like Su Qing who handles matters efficiently is a stroke of luck for them.
Outside the bedroom, there was a sumptuous and delicious meal prepared for the entourage, allowing everyone to rest well.
They also sent clever people like Yunxi to help carry out the message.
After the matter was resolved, Su Qing, who had been anxious, was no longer in a hurry.
What's the use of being anxious now?
Sick people should not be disturbed.
Let's let Consort Yu rest and recover properly.
Once you've recovered from your illness...
Surely we can get some of her medicinal herbs from her?
Things didn't go smoothly, but Su Qing wasn't discouraged.
Whether things succeed or not, it doesn't stop her from doing her job well, nor does it stop her from actively trying to find solutions.
Fortunately, good news always comes.
The Zhu and Liu families replied, saying that since Master Su needed people, they shouldn't come over rashly.
This matter has been temporarily put on hold.
No one will take Zhu Niangzi and her daughter away for the time being.
Su Qing put down the letter, did not reply, and wrote a letter to Commander Xue, telling him about the situation on his side.
Gu Congsi was helping to sort through the letters when he saw Su Qing's bold and skillful handwriting. He frowned and asked, "What new calligraphy model have you been learning?"
Su Qing placed another letter on top, gesturing for it to be put away as well, and said with a smile, "Isn't it beautiful? So impressive."
Based on this momentum alone, she was very confident about the upcoming transaction.
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