After the whole family was swept away, I lay down flat

Chapter 1057 Returning Hometown
There is no need for Haitang to say more about what happens next, Haijiao will also consider it.

He was in the Imperial Guard and often went into the palace to guard the palace. He knew more about what was happening in the court than his younger sister who stayed at home, and he also understood better what he should do.

Haitang returned to her own yard and rested normally. She got up early the next morning, washed up, and went to the upper room in the main courtyard to pay her respects to her grandparents and have breakfast with them. She didn't expect to hear about her grandfather Hai Xiya's latest decision at this time.

He planned to take his grandmother Ma and the people from the eldest branch of the family back to his hometown in Yongping Prefecture to worship his ancestors after the New Year's Eve.

Ma sat on the sidelines without saying anything. Judging from her expression, she had obviously been prepared for this. I'm afraid the old couple had discussed it in the room last night. Ma might not be happy to go back to Jianghaitun, but since Haixiya had made the decision, she would not object.

Although Hai Changan and his wife were surprised, they had no objection and were willing to follow their parents' arrangements in everything. Haijiao and Haitang were very surprised and worried that the two elders would not be able to endure the hardship of a long winter journey.

Hai Xiya said lightly, "From Chang'an to the capital, it's more than 2,000 miles, and my husband and I have made it through it safely. From the capital to our hometown in Yongping Prefecture, it's only a few hundred miles, how could it be difficult for us? You just rest assured, the official road has been built all the way to Jianghaitun, and we have been driving along the official road all the way. The road is relatively flat, and there are many towns to rest along the way. No matter how hard it is, it will not be worse than when we were traveling in the northwest. My husband and I are still strong and can handle it."

Hai Jiao said hurriedly, "When we entered Beijing, the weather was not too cold and the convoy was not moving too fast, so Grandpa and Grandma naturally did not find it hard. But now it is the coldest time of the year and you have to rush back to your hometown to worship your ancestors, so you have to arrive before New Year's Eve, which is too rushed. What if the weather is bad and you and Grandma are stuck in the middle of the road, how are you going to spend the New Year?!"

Hai Xiya waved his hand and said, "I have asked around. There won't be a big snowstorm before the New Year, so the journey won't be too hard. It should be sunny during the New Year, and it won't be rainy or snowy until after the Lantern Festival. It's a good time for me to go back home. If the car is too slow, we can just change horses. We rode horses when we were in the northwest. As long as we dress warmly, we can reach our destination in a few days after traveling hundreds of miles."

Haitang stared at her grandfather in amazement. She never expected that the old man was so confident in his body and riding skills!
Even if he and Ma had passed by on horseback from the northwestern border town back to Chang'an, it was not in the cold winter!

Forget it. It seems that grandpa has made up his mind. It’s useless to persuade him anymore. Let’s talk about something more practical.

Haitang tugged at her brother's sleeve, signaling him not to persuade her any more, and then said to her grandfather, "Since Grandpa has made up his mind to return to his hometown to worship his ancestors, we should start preparing early. Riding a horse is impossible. It's so cold, even if you wrap yourself up tightly, the cold wind will penetrate your body. You and Grandmother should not get off the carriage and ride unless it's absolutely necessary. I'll pack up the carriage at home, put on two more layers of fur, and equip it with a heater and a charcoal basin, so that you two can be warmer on the road."

Hai Xiya smiled when she heard this: "Okay, Tangtang is the most obedient and filial. Then I'll leave this matter to you. Help your grandmother pack her bags and send people to buy anything she needs. When your grandmother and I are gone, the household affairs will be handed over to you. At that time, you have to help your second aunt take care of the household chores. Don't make any mistakes in the interpersonal relationships during the New Year, or your relatives and friends will laugh at you." Haitang agreed obediently, but Mrs. Hu widened her eyes. She didn't expect that after her parents-in-law returned to their hometown to worship their ancestors, she would be the one to take charge of the household chores. Although her mother-in-law often asked her to help with housework, she really had never tried to be independent!

Mrs. Hu was a little flustered. She wanted to say that she had no confidence, but when she thought about her mother-in-law going away, there were only two female relatives at home besides her and her niece Haitang. If she didn't step forward to take on the responsibility of housekeeping, could she rely on her niece? ! Although her niece was more skilled in housekeeping than her, she was an elder after all, so she couldn't say this!

Mrs. Hu hesitated for only a short while before the matter was settled. She looked at her husband helplessly before she could push her responsibility to others. Seeing that Hai Chang'an had no objection to this, he assured the two elders: "Don't worry, Dad and Mom, we will definitely take good care of our family!" Mrs. Hu closed her eyes and could not say anything. She could only smile and nod.

Seeing that the matter was settled, Haijiao had no choice but to accept his grandfather's decision. He asked again, "How many people do you and grandma want to take with you? Take more so that we can have more care on the way. We can't rely on the elders in the clan, and Baozhu, the eldest son of the eldest branch, is still young... How about I accompany you back?"

Hai Xiya waved his hand and said, "No need. You and your second uncle should stay and look after the house. You all have errands to do, and you may have to go to the palace to guard one day. Don't delay your errands because of trivial matters at home."

He would bring along Old Cui's family, plus a few sturdy male servants, and that would be enough. After returning to his hometown, he would still have to buy land, so he could buy a few more people to stay in the old house, so he would never be short of manpower.

He is old now. Even if his career goes smoothly, he will have to retire in a few years. At that time, he will most likely return to his hometown to retire. If he does not prepare early and buy people and land, how can the old couple live a peaceful and leisurely life? Even for his own future, he has to make this trip in person.

Moreover, the Hai family has been too unreasonable these years. If he doesn't go back to take charge, how can he teach his family members and let them know what is the right path? ! In the past, he was far away in the northwest, unable to reach them, and could only watch his elder brother and nephew lead the good family astray. Now that he has returned to Zhili and has been promoted to the fifth rank, he has enough confidence to command the family members. How can he sit back and watch the family continue to decline? His children and grandchildren have worked hard for half their lives, and they have to continue to support the family business alone, without even a helper from the same family? !
Hai Xiya made up her mind to go back to her hometown to worship her ancestors. Seeing that her children and grandchildren all accepted her decision obediently, she began to announce her plan: "My husband and I plan to stay in our hometown until the tenth day of the first lunar month, and then return to Beijing before the Lantern Festival. All matters related to visiting relatives and friends during the New Year will be left to you to take care of. After the Lantern Festival, the family will go to find a craftsman to look at Baoshun's house. After the spring, we will start the work and try to renovate the house before March to avoid missing Baoshun's wedding date."

Ma added, "I have already placed an order with a workshop to make new clothes, boxes and furniture for Baoshun and Tangtang. If you haven't come back yet, the workshop will send the drawings. Chang'an's wife must remember to check the sizes and patterns carefully to avoid any mistakes. If they ask you to pay first, you must remember to settle the accounts with them. It's all recorded in the account book. It has a clear number of how much money to pay and when. Aunt Cui will go out with me. If there is anything you don't know, just ask Tangtang directly. She knows everything."

Mrs. Hu smiled dryly and nodded, but she was already beginning to feel worried.