Chapter 64 – Motivation

After the end of the first lunar month, spring plowing was put on the agenda.

Every household began repairing farming tools and preparing seeds.

By mid-February, they started fetching water to moisten the fields and turning over the soil. In late February, spring plowing officially began.

Once the potatoes and millet were planted, they began planting saplings that had been pre-cultivated on the mountain.

The once barren and yellow hills gradually began to show signs of green.

An’an could already walk steadily and her speech had become much more coherent. She was able to say relatively simple sentences now, though she still mispronounced a few words.

Ever since she could walk steadily, she would wobble out every day to feed the chicks. At first, Aunt Zhao would accompany her, but later it was enough to just stand by the wall at home and watch as she marched confidently into the western neighbor’s yard, greeting loudly, “Uncle Zhang!”

Zhang Jin Zhi would then come out with a smile to welcome her and lead her to feed the chicks.

After the weather warmed up, the chicks were raised in the courtyard. Enthusiastic villagers came to help build a chicken coop and fenced off a small area with a bamboo fence.

Zhang Jin Zhi was very grateful—he no longer had to sleep with the overwhelming stench of chicken droppings!

The young master insisted on raising chickens. Zhang Jin Zhi didn’t really understand why, but when he saw An’an’s joyful smile, he suddenly realized that a child’s pure smile was his motivation.

The young master was truly an official who loved the people as his own children. He tirelessly traveled around, personally engaging in various types of farmwork, and even charged ahead into dangerous areas, all so that the people under his governance could cast off the shadow of drought.

He believed that once the drought was over, the young master would continue to lead the people of Qin County toward prosperity.

He had read the essays written by the young master. They were based on real investigations of various regions, carefully studying the characteristics of different lands and what crops were suitable for planting in each.

Only then did Zhang Jin Zhi finally understand—the young master, once seen as mediocre and decadent in the capital, had merely been concealing his true abilities.

If he were truly ignorant and unlearned, how could he have grown so much in such a short time?

Working under someone like him offered a glimpse of hope. The many years spent burning the midnight oil on studies could finally be put to good use.

By mid-March, Aunt Zhao couldn’t help but mutter, “When is Huzi coming back? He’s been gone so long and hasn’t even sent a letter…”

“Didn’t Mister Zhang say everything is fine?” Qin Ying comforted her. “Don’t worry. What could happen following Lord Zhou around?

“Communication isn’t convenient, and Huzi can’t write many characters. If he could, he would’ve definitely written to us.”

The two of them chatted while tending to the vegetable garden. The seedlings had grown about an inch, and it was time to thin them for the second time.

An’an had been on the ground picking at ants. The sun was just right, shining warmly in the courtyard. Hearing her grandmother and mother talking, she couldn’t help but open the surveillance monitor—and saw a group of dusty travelers walking toward the village entrance.

“Uncle! Uncle!” She jumped up, smiling as she ran to report, “Uncle is back!”

“Huh?” Aunt Zhao glanced at her and chuckled. “Grandma and Mommy were just talking about Uncle, but we don’t know when he’s really coming back. Is our An’an missing Uncle? He’ll lift you high up when he comes back!”

Seeing that they didn’t believe her, An’an turned around and ran outside.

Qin Ying, worried, chased after her. “Don’t run too fast!”

As soon as she reached the entrance, she saw a group of people approaching—and wasn’t that Zhao Hu, the one running fast at the front?

At first, she was startled, then immense joy surged in her heart. She turned her head and shouted, “Mother! Huzi really is back!”

Zhao Hu had already picked up An’an, held her under the armpits, and lifted her high. “An Bao’er! Did you miss Uncle?”

“Yes!” An’an replied loudly, her voice clear and joyful. “An’an missed Uncle!”

“Wow!” Zhao Hu was amazed and delighted. “Our An Bao’er can say so much now! That’s amazing!”

An’an grinned proudly.

Aunt Zhao had already come outside, and before she could speak, tears were already streaming down her face.

Zhao Hu, still holding An’an, rushed over in big strides, his emotions surging. “Mother! Sis! I’m back!”

Qin Ying’s eyes welled with tears as she nodded repeatedly. “Good, it’s good that you’re back! Huzi, you’ve grown taller…”

“Mm!” Aunt Zhao wiped her tears and patted Zhao Hu’s arm. “You don’t grow up until you’ve been out in the world. You really have become a grown man now!”

Zhao Hu chuckled happily.

An’an struggled out of his arms and ran with her short legs ahead: “Uncle Zhou!”

Zhou Yu was also very surprised. In just two short months, An’an’s speech had become so clear? And although she still ran a bit unsteadily, she didn’t fall.

He opened his arms and squatted slightly, catching An’an in his embrace. He gently tapped her nose. “Wow, An’an has really grown up!”

“Hehe…” Even though everyone already knew it, being praised like this still made An’an very happy!

Villagers began coming out to the street one after another to greet Zhou Yu.

Zhou Yu nodded in return, then handed An’an back to Zhao Hu. “We’ll go wash up and rest first. You haven’t seen each other in a while—you must have a lot to talk about.”

His gaze passed Zhao Hu and landed on Qin Ying. After two months, she seemed more refined and elegant, even more outstanding.

Seeing him look over, Qin Ying gave a polite bow, and the family turned back toward the house.

Qin Ying quickly boiled a large pot of hot water, and Aunt Zhao found Zhao Hu’s change of clothes, urging him to bathe. “You can play with An’an later.”

While Zhao Hu bathed, mother and daughter prepared the meal.

When Zhao Hu came out with dripping wet hair, An’an greeted him with a grin and clung to his leg again.

“Ow!” Zhao Hu bent down to pick her up. “I missed you so much! Uncle even dreamed of you several times!”

Aunt Zhao naturally stepped behind him with a dry towel, had him sit down, and began drying his hair while asking, “Where did you all go?”

“We went to the neighboring Xin’an County,” Zhao Hu replied. “Lord Zhou went to discuss official matters with their county magistrate. But before we went, we also found a water source—right at the border of the two counties.

“Xin’an County also wants to discuss with us about inviting Qin County’s well-digging team to help them dig wells.”

He chuckled as he continued, “Not sure who started the rumor, saying our county’s well-digging team has been blessed by the gods—wherever they dig, they strike water.”

Aunt Zhao and Qin Ying also laughed along.

Suddenly, they heard loud voices from the west neighbor. Aunt Zhao went out to look and saw Uncle Chen Jiu leading several villagers over.

After exchanging pleasantries with Zhou Yu, he offered to help with the cooking.

Zhou Yu declined politely. “We’ve already prepared everything here. Thank you. I heard the spring plowing in the village has finished? Come visit me later and tell me more about it.”

Uncle Chen Jiu quickly waved his hand. “No rush, no rush. My lord, please get some proper rest first. We can talk tomorrow.

“Besides, no matter how much I say, it’s better to see it with your own eyes. Tomorrow, I’ll accompany you for a walk through the fields!”