Chapter 99 Epilogue
During this period, Li Zheng was at home preparing for her trip to the Northwest. During this time, Li Zheng also took the opportunity to take care of the affairs of Ayue and Yang Huwei. Although it was a bit rushed, her belly was even bigger when she arrived in the Northwest. By the time the baby was born, she would have no time to take care of it, which would delay her again.
This packing left more than a dozen carriages, and there were still other items that had not been loaded. Li Zheng planned to have Butler Zhu take the items by water, leaving ahead of them and preparing a place to stay in the northwest in advance.
Gu Chengze was going to the northwest and was given a six-month deadline to take up his post. This was just enough time for her to go with him, and he could also accompany her and feel at ease.
Of course, Li Zhu had to be taken away. Li Zheng was worried because he was still a young boy, so she decided to wait until he grew up and come back to study.
Little Bo Ge'er was very happy. He could count the number of times he had ridden in a carriage in such a short time, let alone riding a horse. When he was about to leave, Bo Ge'er pulled his father to ask for a ride on a big horse. Seeing that his son liked it, Gu Chengze did not refuse.
However, when leaving the city again, Gu Chengze did not carry Bo Ge'er on horseback. When he left the city to take up his post, there were naturally people seeing him off or watching the fun. Naturally, there were so many people at this time that he could not be carried.
After bidding farewell to many of his colleagues outside the city, Gu Chengze went back, followed by the careless Qin You.
In Qin You's words, this means following him for sure.
Qin You looked at his brother Gu Chengze in front of him. He didn't expect that he would follow him. However, his smile was still a little sad. He was alone and the only people he was close to were Chengze's family.
Although Gu Chengze ran away with a look of disgust, he couldn't help but smile. Gu Chengze was also very happy that Qin You could come. When he asked to go to the northwest, he didn't tell Qin You because he felt that Qin You could have someone better, even though he looked very unruly.
However, he didn't expect that he would choose to follow him. He didn't expect this, but who doesn't want to have their friends and family around them?
Li Zheng saw Qin You standing behind Gu Chengze in the carriage, his face beaming with joy, and knew he was very happy. She smiled back and nodded at him. After all, to her, Qin You was truly a good man. He had driven to his rescue overnight when Gu Chengze was in trouble, and since he was his friend, she naturally welcomed him. Of course, the most important thing was that Qin You had a good temper.
Even Li Zhu saw it and waved to Qin You, saying hello to him, and only stopped when Qin You responded to him. It's no wonder that Li Zhu likes Qin You, it's really Qin You's personality charm.
Qin You was slightly relieved to see how welcoming they were. He greeted them with a smile and knew that he would have to trouble them in the future.
They stopped and started along the way for nearly four or five months. The scenery changed from beautiful to desolate. When they reached the northwest, it was all gray and even more desolate. Bo Ge'er's desire to play was extinguished.
Li Zheng also frowned as she looked at the desolate area, thinking about getting help to plant trees and grass. Now that she was here, she also wanted to help him. Of course, she was just making suggestions and he would do the rest. After all, she was already eight months pregnant and it was not convenient for her.
Gu Chengze and Qin You frowned at the desolate place. They had done their homework before coming here; judging by the memorials they had submitted, this place shouldn't be so desolate. But then they thought of the chaos in the officialdom, and their frown relaxed again. Now that he was here, no one else could interfere. But this matter still needed to be handled slowly.
When they arrived at the house, it was not as luxurious as the ones in the capital. Of course, it was obvious that Butler Zhu had put a lot of effort into it. However, although the house was simple, Li Zheng did not dislike it. After all, she would be staying here for a long time and could clean it up slowly later.
As soon as Gu Chengze and Qin You arrived, they were invited by the local officials to drink. Having just taken office, they went there with the intention of seeing them. Unexpectedly, when they returned, they looked angry, as if they were pissed off at their lack of fighting spirit.
Li Zheng saw that he was angry and worried that he might get sick, so she asked him, "What's wrong? What happened?"
"Today, Qin You and I went to meet those old-timers. I didn't expect them to be such good-for-nothings who only cared about eating, drinking and having fun." Gu Chengze said this with gritted teeth. He had come here with the desire to make a difference. But how could he do that with these people around? It made him angry just thinking about it.
Li Zheng understood his feelings. "I think it's quite normal!" Without waiting for Gu Chengze to object, she continued, "What kind of people could come to the Northwest? Don't you understand? They are nothing but worthless or without any background. They studied hard for years, and after becoming officials, they found this place so desolate. They might have wanted to change. But growing crops here is difficult, and there are few people. How could they change? Their current lifestyle of eating, drinking, and enjoying themselves is nothing more than an escape."
Gu Chengze understood Li Zheng's words. Now that he was thinking about it, he really didn't have any good solutions. But seeing how shabby the people outside were, compared to those in the capital, he also wanted them to live better.
"What should I do then?"
Li Zheng thought for a moment and recounted to him what she remembered from her past life, about the importance of motivating subordinates, offering them sweet treats, and giving them a sense of accomplishment, especially regarding economic development. She also told him that since growing crops wasn't working, they could grow something else. She didn't elaborate further. Li Zheng knew he was intelligent, so she just needed to give him some clues. With his abilities, he could definitely pull it off.
When Gu Chengze arrived, he not only held the title of general, but also temporarily served as prefect. Otherwise, how could he manage the people's livelihood? Ultimately, the court was still short of manpower. However, I think the special examination will be held next year, and by then there will be more manpower.
Ever since Li Zheng gave Gu Chengze some ideas, he suddenly had a direction. He went out early and came back late every day, but no matter how late it was, he would come back to accompany Li Zheng every day.
After Gu Chengze left that day, Li Zheng suddenly felt some stomach pain after dinner. She told A Yue and got ready. She had given birth once before and had experience. The delivery went smoothly and she gave birth within an hour. As soon as Gu Chengze entered the door, he heard the baby crying and hurried over to see her.
Li Zheng gave birth to another boy this time, and Gu Chengze named him Gu Yunshan. Since he had a younger brother, Bo Ge'er no longer cared about his uncle and came to tease him every day.
When Bo Ge'er was old enough to go to school, Shan Ge'er, who was only three years old, also clamored to go. The two brothers had a good relationship, and Li Zheng was happy to see it.
Over the past three years, the northwest has undergone significant changes. It is no longer desolate, now filled with wind-resistant, cold-resistant, and drought-resistant plants. The sand in the city no longer hurts as much as it once did. The people now live and work in peace and contentment, and merchants come everywhere to buy fruits and vegetables.
These fruits and vegetables were grown by Gu Chengze and the other old farmers. At first, they thought it was just a joke, but now they can actually sell them for money. They can be so busy here, and their lives have improved thanks to General Gu. They are very grateful to him.
After General Gu came, the officials became excited and came every day to see if there was anything else to do.
Li Zheng watched Bo Ge'er go to school with his younger brother Li Zhu. Shan Ge'er, who was standing nearby, saw this and grabbed hold of them, preventing them from leaving.
She leaned in Gu Chengze's arms with a happy face.
Everything is beautiful.
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