Chapter 68 – Giving It Away

When Zhang Jinzhi saw the ginseng, his eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. “This… you actually found ginseng at a time like this?”

“We didn’t expect it either,” Qin Ying said, holding the ginseng with a clean cloth. “This thing isn’t of much use to us, so please take it. If it can help Lord Zhou even just a little, that would be a blessing for us.”

Zhang Jinzhi hesitated for a moment. “This matter hasn’t been approved by the lord…”

“Sir,” Qin Ying slightly raised her voice, “you are a trusted aide to Lord Zhou. You should be most familiar with his condition.

“Lord Zhou is a good official who wholeheartedly serves the people. I’m afraid he’s already spent all his private savings, hasn’t he?”

Zhang Jinzhi sighed, acknowledging it. In fact, it wasn’t just Zhou Yu; all of them had contributed whatever savings they could gather.

Having seen corpses with withered limbs and swollen bellies, skeletons stripped of all flesh, and even boiled human heads in pots…

Only then did they truly understand what a human tragedy was.

The phrase “corpses lying everywhere” in books was far too understated!

No matter what the past was like or what the future may bring, at this moment, they all had only one thought: to do everything in their power, and save as many lives as they could!

Seeing his expression relax slightly, Qin Ying continued to persuade him: “Sir, the lord promised to reward the local villagers. And this ginseng was nurtured by nature itself, taken from the people and used for the people—isn’t that just right?”

“Alright,” Zhang Jinzhi was moved by her words and extended both hands to receive it. “No matter what reasoning you give, the fact that you’re willing to give up the ginseng shows you have a kind and compassionate heart.”

Qin Ying felt a bit embarrassed. “It’s not just my idea—my mother thought so too.”

She paused and added, “Honestly, it was An’an who found the ginseng. But, sir, please don’t mention that to others.”

“Don’t worry,” Zhang Jinzhi solemnly promised. “We won’t disclose anything about this ginseng. But we will never forget your contribution!”

“No need, no need,” Qin Ying hurriedly waved her hands. “We don’t want that! Please don’t say such things!”

Zhang Jinzhi stroked his beard and smiled. “Girl, I understand what you’re worried about. Don’t worry, we won’t put you in a difficult position.

“When I said ‘we,’ I meant just myself and Lord Zhou. Only the two of us will know about this.

“Forget about the villagers in Tongshu Hamlet—even the others around the lord won’t know a thing.”

Qin Ying breathed a sigh of relief, though she still felt a bit awkward.

Zhang Jinzhi tactfully changed the subject. “How has your reading been lately?” He had noticed that Qin Ying had a natural gift for learning and was extremely diligent—someone worth mentoring.

Unfortunately, she was a woman. Otherwise, he would have taken her as a disciple and helped her one day enter officialdom.

Qin Ying’s face lit up with joy. “I’ve gained a lot of knowledge.” She wanted to share her insights from reading.

Just then, Aunt Zhao, who was standing outside, suddenly said loudly to An’an, “Your mother is borrowing books from Master Zhang!”

The light in Qin Ying’s eyes dimmed slightly. She quietly sighed and bowed. “Sir, I’ll be going back now.”

“No rush,” Zhang Jinzhi understood immediately—some villagers had come to snoop around. He picked up a book, grabbed a small stool, and walked outside. “Perfect timing. I wanted to get some sun. Tell me about your insights, and I’ll see if I can find you a few more books.”

Studying should never be done in isolation. Since such a knowledgeable person was willing to guide her, Qin Ying hesitated only briefly before following him outside.

Zhang Jinzhi sat in the sunlight, half-squinting his eyes, and nodded to Qin Ying. “Go ahead.”

Qin Ying recited a passage from a book clearly and articulately. She then pointed out the parts she found most brilliant and explained her understanding. Finally, she asked, “Sir, am I right?”

Zhang Jinzhi nodded slightly. “Not bad. For you to understand it this deeply is already very impressive. But there’s still one more point…”

Outside the wall, a few villagers peeked around, confused. “What are they talking about?”

“She’s reciting from a book! Can’t you tell? You idiot!”

“Oh right, Yingzi seems to be literate…”

Aunt Zhao glanced sideways at them and gave a cold snort through her nose. She then lowered her head and continued helping An’an feed the chickens.

Zhang Jinzhi helped solve a few problems for Qin Ying, then handed her the book. “Take this home and read it. If there’s anything you don’t understand, come ask me.”

An’an ran to Qin Ying’s side, hugged her leg, tilted her little head, and praised, “Mom, you’re amazing!”

“You’re amazing too!” Qin Ying bent down and picked up the child, then bade farewell to Zhang Jinzhi.

Zhang Jinzhi chuckled and asked, “I haven’t asked yet—what’s An’an’s full name?”

During the New Year, Zhao Hu had mentioned giving An’an a proper name, but Qin Ying hadn’t responded.

Now that Zhang Jinzhi asked, she found it hard to answer.

Aunt Zhao chimed in, “Ha! We’re still trying to figure out whose surname An’an should take!”

“What’s there to figure out?” someone outside the wall said. “Of course it should be Guo!”

Someone else added, “What if Guo Wen doesn’t want to? It’s not like he can’t have more kids…”

Aunt Zhao shot them a fierce glare. “What business is it of yours!”

The group immediately fell silent, embarrassed.

Then Aunt Zhao turned to Zhang Jinzhi and explained, “Huzi and I want An’an to take the surname Zhao. But Yingzi says she wants An’an to take the surname Qin, so we haven’t decided yet.

“Anyway, An’an’s still young. There’s no rush.”

Zhang Jinzhi nodded. “Alright, you can discuss it thoroughly. But once you decide, make sure to tell us—we want to join the celebration too.”

“Celebrate what?” Aunt Zhao didn’t quite understand.

Zhang Jinzhi grinned. “Doesn’t An’an need to be recorded in the family genealogy? That’s a big deal. Don’t you have to throw a feast?”

Aunt Zhao’s face turned a little red. “You’re too kind… None of our ancestors knew how to read or write. Where would we get a family genealogy?”

Zhang Jinzhi was stunned, then immediately apologized, “Sorry, I didn’t know… But that’s not a big deal. Isn’t Huzi literate now? You can start the genealogy from his generation—it’s not too late.”

Aunt Zhao’s eyes lit up. “You’re right! I’ll definitely make sure he studies hard from now on!”

With that, the family said their goodbyes and left. The few villagers waiting outside the courtyard quickly gathered around, noisily asking why they’d come.

Aunt Zhao gestured toward the book in Qin Ying’s hand and took An’an into her arms. “Can’t you see? Borrowing books from Master Zhang!

“Weren’t you all saying that studying was useless? But it was from books that our Yingzi learned the new techniques for farming. Didn’t you all benefit from that?”

They were referring to things like plant spacing, fertilizing, and artificial pollination—all said to be learned from books.

The villagers looked more and more embarrassed. “That was ages ago! Why bring that up now? We all know Yingzi is incredibly capable—she’s the pride of Tongshu Hamlet!

“Our village is a great place too. Otherwise, how could we have kept Yingzi here? Isn’t that what Master Zhang called… what was it… spiritual something?”

Zhang Jinzhi overheard and couldn’t help but remind them, “A land of outstanding people!”