Grandfather Qin received the letter and called Qin’s father and Qin Shouye into the room.

Since Qin Fang would continue on the path of officialdom, and Qin Shoucheng’s chances of returning were slim even if he failed the imperial exams, the household would eventually fall to Qin Shouye.

Therefore, Grandfather Qin involved him in all major family matters.

Qin Shouye, though only sixteen, had already developed a sense of maturity and responsibility.

When he entered the room, Grandfather Qin handed him the letter, saying, “Take a look at what your elder brother wrote.”

Qin Shouye accepted the letter with a nod. “Yes, I will.”

He opened it and began reading aloud for Grandfather Qin and his father.

When he reached the part where Qin Fang had been promoted to the rank of General of Martial Virtue, a fifth-rank official title, both Grandfather Qin and Qin’s father clenched their fists in excitement.

They had thought that Qin Fang’s previous position, which made him a seventh-rank officer on par with the county magistrate, was the peak of his career.

They never imagined he could rise even higher.

Unlike Grandma Qin, who was concerned about his safety, they were reassured by his description in the letter.

He had earned his promotion by providing strategic advice rather than through dangerous combat.

Additionally, they felt immense gratitude toward Yang Haiyan, Qin Fang’s wife.

Qin Fang mentioned that his strategic insights came from reading military books, which Yang Haiyan had specifically bought for him.

She had also taught him to read.

Qin Fang believed his wife deserved much of the credit for his success.

After understanding all this, Grandfather Qin and Qin’s father agreed with Qin Fang’s assessment that his wife had indeed contributed greatly to his achievements.

They now fully appreciated the wisdom in the saying, “Marry a virtuous wife, and your path will prosper.”

If Qin Fang hadn’t married a good woman, how could he have achieved all this?

How could he have learned to read or studied military strategy?

And, if he hadn’t married such a supportive wife, would he have been so willing to care for his younger siblings?

When Qin Fang was a seventh-rank officer, the family had concealed this from the second and third branches of the family.

But now that he was a fifth-rank general, Qin Fang mentioned in his letter that there was no need to keep it secret any longer, as he had made arrangements for the family members.

Qin Fang outlined two options for the family members in his letter.

The first option was for them all to move to Yunxiang County.

The military camp there had a thousand acres of farmland that needed managing.

Since managing it was too much for just Niu Er, Qin Fang suggested that his family could take on this task.

They were skilled farmers, and overseeing farmland for the army wasn’t much different from farming at home.

Besides, they wouldn’t have to farm directly; they’d only need to supervise the soldiers and could receive a monthly allowance for their work.

Additionally, the army camp needed someone to handle accounting, and Qin Fang recommended Qin Shouye for the position.

As Qin Shouye read this, he felt a surge of emotion.

He was genuinely happy for his elder brother’s success.

To him, his elder brother was a towering figure, much like their father.

He recalled how Qin Fang used to carry him on his back and play with him.

When Qin Fang went off to serve in the army, it had been the hardest farewell for him.

Over the years, Qin Shouye had grown, but he still saw his brother as an unattainable figure.

His father had aged, but his brother’s tall and strong presence was like a mountain.

Later, when Qin Fang and his wife took Shoucheng and Qin Siya with them, Qin Shouye was glad, though he couldn’t deny a sense of loss.

Every man wishes for his own achievements.

Yet, he understood that his parents needed him nearby, especially now that his grandparents were growing old.

Reading on, he found the second option.

If the second and third branches of the family didn’t want to move to Yunxiang County, Qin Fang would gift them ten acres of prime farmland as a personal gesture of success.

This would be a show of respect and gratitude from him, as the ten acres were valued at a hundred taels of silver.

Grandfather Qin was pleased with this.

Although he hadn’t intended to rely on Qin Fang’s success to benefit the other branches, he was proud to see his eldest grandson showing generosity and supporting his uncles within his means.

Qin Fang mentioned that he had discussed these plans with Yang Haiyan.

Now that they both earned a salary—Qin Fang received 120 taels of silver each month as a fifth-rank officer, and Yang Haiyan, as a fifth-rank titled wife, received an allowance of 60 taels each month—they could afford to help.

Although Yang Haiyan didn’t particularly enjoy living with extended family, she understood the importance of family honor.

When Qin Fang suggested these arrangements, she didn’t object.

Moreover, now that they had achieved success, it would be unkind to ignore the second and third branches of the family, and it would reflect poorly on Qin Fang’s reputation if they didn’t extend a hand.

Moreover, Qin Fang’s plan was quite reasonable.

Although he intended to bring the whole family together, only the main branch would live in the General’s residence.

The second and third branches would not. If they were willing to manage the military lands, they could live there and receive a monthly salary.

If not, he would give them ten acres of high-quality land.

Ten acres of prime land were worth one hundred taels of silver, but managing military lands offered a better future.

However, Qin Fang didn’t know what the second and third branches would choose.

After Qin Shouye finished reading the letter, he looked expectantly at Grandpa Qin and Father Qin. “Grandfather, Father, should we go live with Big Brother?”

Grandpa Qin, hearing his tone, couldn’t help but chuckle. “It sounds like you want to go?”

Qin Shouye, slightly embarrassed, replied, “Grandfather, wherever you, Grandmother, Father, and Mother go, I’ll go.”

Grandpa Qin didn’t tease him further.

After all, he had once been young too and knew exactly what his grandson was thinking.

If he were at his grandson’s age, he wouldn’t pass up such an opportunity either.

What Grandpa Qin was most curious about was Father Qin’s opinion, so he asked, “Eldest, what do you think?”

After all, he had raised three sons.

The eldest was honest, the second was also straightforward, while the youngest had a few tricks up his sleeve.

Given his eldest’s character, how did he manage to raise such an outstanding grandson?

Grandpa Qin thought about it and concluded that it must be his own excellent genes, with his grandson’s intelligence skipping a generation.

Of course, he kept this thought to himself. If he said it out loud, no one would agree, and the first to object would be his wife, who always believed their eldest grandson’s cleverness came from her, thanks to her good upbringing.

Father Qin didn’t have much of an opinion. “I’ll do as Father says.” Before he got married, he listened to his mother, who arranged his marriage to Qin’s mother.

After marrying, he listened to his wife.

Now, it seemed he would… listen to his son?

Grandpa Qin, hearing this from his eldest, knew he didn’t need to ask further.

His son wasn’t the decision-making type, but at least he wasn’t easily swayed either. “Then let’s follow Ah Fang’s arrangements and see what the others think. Don’t worry that your brothers, the second and third, might take advantage of Ah Fang. Last year, when Ah Fang came back, he was still a low-ranking official with little salary. We didn’t expect him to support his brothers and even worried they might cause him trouble if they found out about his position.

At that time, Ah Fang didn’t offer to help them.

Now that he’s brought it up, it means he’s capable of helping.

He’s always had a good head on his shoulders, and his wife is a smart woman. There’s no need to worry about them.”

Father Qin said, “Father, I never thought about it that way.” He genuinely hadn’t.

Whether his son helped or not, he had no particular feelings about it.

If his son didn’t offer support, and if the second and third branches were in trouble, he would help them if he could.

But right now, the family was harmonious, and no one needed his assistance.

Grandpa Qin understood his eldest son’s thoughts, but there were some things that needed to be said out loud.

Inside the house, the three generations of the Qin family heads were discussing plans, while outside, everyone was asking Huang Huzi about Qin Fang and his wife.

When they heard about everything that had happened to Qin Fang from the border to Yunxiang County, their eyes widened in amazement.

Niu Dan exclaimed, “Big Brother Huang, my brother is amazing! He captured the bandits in one go. He’s really incredible!” The young boy looked at Huang Huzi with bright, admiring eyes. “Big Brother Huang, my brother is really good at martial arts, isn’t he?”

Huang Huzi nodded, “The general’s martial arts are the best among all of us. When he was promoted to Centurion two years ago, it was during a martial arts competition. Our battalion had a thousand men, and the general was the best.”

Niu Dan’s eyes widened in awe. “Wow! When I grow up, I want to be a general like my brother and catch bandits too!”

Huang Huzi thought to himself that the general had used knockout drugs to capture the bandits, not martial arts.

But he hadn’t mentioned that earlier.

It wouldn’t be appropriate to talk about such underhanded methods in front of the elders and children.

Besides, he didn’t want to risk getting punished by the general later.

Third Uncle Qin chimed in, “Ah Fang’s wife is impressive too. When Ah Fang wasn’t home, she held everything together, isolating the sick from the healthy. Even a man might not have the courage to handle that.”

Second Aunt Qin added, “Of course, Yan Yan comes from a wealthy family and has studied. She’s literate too.”

Grandma Qin listened, beaming with pride.

Mother Qin, though enjoying the stories, was most concerned about her grandchildren, so she couldn’t help but ask, “Brother Huang, when you left, did you know if Ah Fang’s wife was pregnant?”

Huang Huzi felt embarrassed. “Old Madam, I… I don’t know. The Madam stays in the inner courtyard, and we, the soldiers, stay in the outer courtyard. So I’m not aware of the Madam’s situation.”

Grandma Qin said, “She’s probably not pregnant. Yan Yan accompanied Ah Fang to his new post in March, and with such a long journey, it’s unlikely. Then, once they arrived, they must’ve been busy… But Ah Fang and Yan Yan are still young. There’s no rush.”

Mother Qin replied, “I’m not in a rush. I’m just asking.”

Although her eldest son was already twenty-two, which wasn’t exactly young, her daughter-in-law was only eighteen.

So indeed, there wasn’t a hurry.

Still, like all mothers, once her son was grown and married, she couldn’t help but start thinking about grandchildren.