Chapter 57: Xu Yaozu Promoted to County Magistrate

The events that took place at the Northern Garrison Prince’s residence were still unknown to Xu Nian, who was far away in Lingshan County.

Due to being intoxicated, she had not even stayed up for the New Year’s Eve vigil. Naturally, she woke up late the next day. In fact, most of the Xu family members woke up late as well, as they had played dominoes all night. If not for Madam Wang’s age preventing her from staying up any longer, the women of the household might have continued playing until morning.

Fortunately, the Xu family lived on an estate, so no villagers came to pay New Year’s visits—only a few tenant farmers arrived to kowtow outside the courtyard to pay their respects to their landlords.

The morning meal was so quiet that one could hear a pin drop, with only the occasional sound of bowls and chopsticks clinking. Finally, Old Master Xu cleared his throat and said, “Yesterday was an exception because it was New Year’s Eve. In the future, you must not be so indulgent.”

Everyone in the Xu family meekly agreed. Even Madam Wang, who usually had a sharp tongue, did not argue, knowing she was in the wrong. As for Xu Nian, who had introduced the game of dominoes, she nodded so vigorously it was as if she were pecking rice.

During the Sheng Dynasty, government officials were granted a week-long holiday for the New Year. Xu Yaozu had planned to use this time to spend quality moments with his family. Since arriving in the northern border region and assuming his duties at the county office, he had barely seen his parents and children—he could count the days on one hand. However, on the third day of the new year, the county magistrate himself paid them a visit.

Even as Magistrate Wu stood outside the Xu family’s courtyard, his heart was still reeling from shock. The reason for his visit stemmed from an official appointment letter he had received that morning.

Although it was a holiday, Magistrate Wu was required to remain at the county office in case of emergencies.

Early that morning, he had been leisurely sipping tea in his study—of course, the tea was a fine variety that Madam Shen had brought back from the Xu family. Just then, his attendant rushed in, drenched in sweat. Magistrate Wu was so startled that he nearly choked on his tea, thinking some major incident had occurred in the city.

To his surprise, his attendant informed him that a courier from the capital had arrived on horseback, carrying an official appointment letter. Magistrate Wu didn’t even have time to change into his formal attire before hurrying to the front hall. When he saw that the messenger was a personal guard of the Northern Garrison Prince, he instinctively bowed even lower.

Upon opening the appointment letter, Magistrate Wu found that Xu Yaozu had been promoted to County Magistrate of Wansheng County. He felt both unsurprised and caught off guard at the same time.

All officials in the northern border region knew of Wansheng County’s unique status. The land in this region was mostly barren, but Wansheng County had abundant fertile fields and the best harvests. That was its first special characteristic.

Additionally, because the imperial court had been defaulting on military salaries for the Northern Garrison Army—having paid nothing at all in recent years—Wansheng County’s tax revenue was used to support the entire army. This was its second unique trait.

Everyone knew how much the Northern Garrison Prince valued his army, which meant that the magistrate of Wansheng County was the lowest-ranking official who had the most direct contact with him. No one had expected such an important position to be granted to Xu Yaozu.

Snapping out of his thoughts, Magistrate Wu instructed his attendant to knock on the Xu family’s door. When the Xu family heard that the county magistrate had come to visit, they were all astonished. Xu Yaozu and his brothers hurried out to greet him.

Magistrate Wu stopped them from bowing and instead laughed heartily as he said to Xu Yaozu, “I must congratulate you, Assistant Officer Xu, on your promotion!”

Xu Yaozu was utterly confused. “What is there to celebrate?” he asked.

Magistrate Wu then explained the contents of the appointment letter. Upon hearing that it had been issued by the Prince’s residence, Xu Yaozu was equally shocked.

Magistrate Wu stayed in the Xu family’s study for over an hour, providing Xu Yaozu with detailed information about Wansheng County’s unique situation. Xu Yaozu was grateful, as he had not been in the northern border region for long and was still unfamiliar with many aspects of the area.

Meanwhile, Xu Fugui and his brother eagerly shared the joyous news with the rest of the family in the main hall. The Xu family members were so overwhelmed by the announcement that they could hardly process it. Only Xu Nian beamed with delight, her eyes curving into joyful crescents.

The old lady turned to her husband and said, “Old man, pinch me! Did I hear that right? Yaozu has become a County Magistrate?”

Old Master Xu pinched his own thigh instead. With a sharp intake of breath, he burst into laughter. “Our Xu family’s ancestors must be smiling upon us! My son has been promoted!”

Tian Shi was also overjoyed and could hardly contain herself. However, seeing how overly excited the two elders were, she couldn’t help but feel concerned. She stepped forward and poured them each a cup of tea, giving them time to calm down.

Zheng Shi and Little Wang Shi were also extremely delighted. The smoother their eldest brother’s official career was, the better their children’s future would be.

Since Xu Fugui and his brother only knew about the promotion but not the specific reasons behind it, the entire Xu family sat anxiously in the main hall, waiting for more details. Even the usually boisterous Little Liuzi did not dare to speak loudly.

When Xu Yaozu returned after seeing Magistrate Wu off, he was met with over a dozen pairs of eyes staring directly at him.

“Yaozu, what did the county magistrate tell you? Was it about your promotion?”

“Father, yes, it was about that. Since the spring plowing season is not far away, I must report to Wansheng County and assume my new post within ten days.”

Old Master Xu was surprised at how urgent it was. “Then you should take your wife and set out as soon as possible. It’s best to reach Wansheng County quickly.”

Xu Yaozu understood that his family was unfamiliar with official protocols, so he explained, “Father, Mother, my term as magistrate in Wansheng County will last at least three years, and it could be even longer. That’s why our entire family needs to move there with me. Besides, once I arrive, I will need help managing things.”

This put Old Master Xu in a difficult position. He was reluctant to leave the newly purchased estate behind, especially since the fields there were about to be cultivated for spring planting.

Madam Wang, who knew her husband best, was displeased and said, “Which is more important—your son’s official career or your land? Just listen to him. The whole family should go to Wansheng County together.”

At this moment, Little Wang Shi spoke up, “Father, Mother, how about this—you and the others go first, while my husband and I stay behind for now.

“First of all, I am pregnant, so it wouldn’t be suitable for me to travel such a long distance. Secondly, with no one managing the estate, I know you wouldn’t feel at ease. Once we have finished overseeing the tenants and the planting is done, and once my pregnancy stabilizes, we will catch up with you in Wansheng County.”

Little Wang Shi’s suggestion hit right at the heart of Old Master Xu’s concerns. Moreover, he felt completely at ease with his third son managing the farmland.

After this preliminary discussion, the family began preparing for their departure to Wansheng County.

First, Xu Yaozu returned to the county office to hand over his responsibilities to a temporary administrator. News of his promotion had already spread, and while he could ignore most people, he still had to attend farewell banquets hosted by colleagues with whom he had worked for a long time.

Meanwhile, Old Master Xu and Madam Wang returned to Wanying Village—partly to bid farewell to their old neighbors and partly to discuss grain seeds with Old Man Wang and the others.

Although Xu Nian planned to take some sweet potato seeds with her, there were still plenty left on the estate. She also wanted to collect data on how crops grew in different soil conditions, so she arranged for Old Man Wang’s family and a few others to plant some in newly reclaimed farmland.

Xu Fugui took Xu Ji and a few of the younger ones to visit their old teachers and scholars. Even Xu Nian made a special trip to the Fan family’s residence to explain why she would no longer be attending the women’s academy.

Tian Shi had many tasks as well. In addition to visiting a few familiar ladies, she also went to a brokerage firm and purchased two servants—an older woman to care for Little Wang Shi and a young servant boy to assist Xu Youliang with errands.

The Xu family unanimously decided to bring Zhang Tian’s family and Zhao Lan’s mother and daughter to Wansheng County. Since they were unsure of the conditions there, it was better to have a few trusted people around to help manage affairs.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye. Outside the Xu residence, more than ten horse-drawn carriages stood in a row, ready to carry the Xu family on their journey to Wansheng County.