Republic of China: Guandong Ginseng King

Chapter 462 Taking office
Everyone went into the house and sat down. Chen Xiuyun asked the maid to take the children out to play so that the adults could talk.

Qu Shaoyang first looked at his parents and said, "Dad, Mom, I'm going to Jilin to take up my post soon. You should come with me."

The reason Qu Shaoyang came back this time was to ask his family whether they wanted to go to Jilin City with him.

According to his idea, his parents, wife and children must be taken away together.

"No, no, we are not used to life in the city, so we won't go and cause trouble for you.

We both discussed it and decided to live with the third brother.

This is our family's roots, we can't just abandon it, Dad and Mom stay here to help you take care of it." When Qu Laokouer heard this, he waved his hand.

"Yes, yes, we have discussed this with the Third and Fifth Brothers, as well as Xiuyun Lanxin and the others.

You can let the third brother take care of the Linjiang side, and let the fifth brother take care of the Fusong side.

This is the root of our family, and we can never abandon it at any time.

Besides, we think this place is nice and safe, and we really don’t want to make any more trouble.

As for you, you should take your wife and children to Jilin City and be a good official." Chen also said hastily.

When Qu Shaoyang heard this, he sighed and didn't try to persuade him any further.

What my parents said makes sense. Linjiang is the foundation of the Qu family. So many of the Qu family’s businesses are here, and they really can’t leave it behind.

Qu Jiang is a steady and reliable person in his work. With him in charge, there will be absolutely no problem.

In the past few years, Qu Fu has also grown a lot. The Fusong side left to him is all his brothers, so Qu Shaoyang can rest assured.

"Master, Master's Wife, what about you? Why don't you come with me to Jilin City?" Qu Shaoyang turned his head and asked Liu Dongshan and his wife.

"No, no, we are already this age and don't have such big ambitions. Let's just stay in Linjiang.

Just like your father said, this is our root, if we manage it well, it will be better than anything else. "Liu Dongshan shook his head.

"There is one thing. I need you to take care of Xinyuan and Wanyu and make some arrangements for them."

Liu Dongshan is already old and has lost his ambitions, and doesn't want to struggle anymore.

But the future of the two children cannot be delayed, so Liu Dongshan asked Qu Shaoyang to help arrange for Xinyuan and Wanyu.

Liu Xinyuan and Liu Wanyu, the twin boy and girl, are sixteen years old this year.

The family had originally planned to send the two to Fengtian Middle School at the age of fourteen, but due to the Boxer Rebellion, their studies were delayed and now they are still studying in Linjiang Primary School.

"That's easy. There are Baishan Academy and Chongwen Academy in Jilin City. Xinyuan and Wanyu will go to Jilin with me. I will arrange for them to study in the academy."

In May of this year, 22 Jilin gentry including Song Yu jointly wrote a letter requesting that Chongwen College be converted into Jilin University, but Changshun did not agree.

Qu Shaoyang will take over as the general of Jilin, and this matter will definitely be put on the agenda. Xinyuan and Wanyu will go there to study first, and then arrangements will be made later.

"Oh, that's great. With you two taking care of us, we can rest assured."

When Liu Dongshan and his wife heard this, they were very happy and agreed immediately.

"By the way, Shaoyang, do you have any news about Xiaozhi?
"The child should have graduated in the spring, right? Why is there no news at all?" Liu Dongshan suddenly thought of Xiaozhi and asked hurriedly.

Xiaozhi went to study in Japan in the spring of the 25th year of the Guangxu period. He should have been able to come back at the latest this summer.

Because of the war, the family hadn't heard from Xiaozhi for a long time. Liu Dongshan and his wife were always worried about him, but had no way to find out.

So when Qu Shaoyang came back, the couple hurriedly asked Qu Shaoyang.

“Oh, Xiaozhi came back a few months ago and stayed at the Beiyang School of Surveying and Mapping as an instructor.

There had been a war going on here before, and we had no news. Later I met Lord Zhang and asked him to find out.

I guess Xiaozhi will be able to write back after a while."

Qu Shaoyang really knew the news about Xiaozhi.

In the spring, when overseas students came together to support the Northeast, Xiaozhi was still in Japan. He and more than 100 progressive students including Huang Zhen formed a student army and were going to the Northeast to fight against Russia.

Later, Qu Shaoyang led his troops to fight against Tsarist Russia, and Xiao Zhi returned to China with his classmates.

However, as soon as they returned to the country, they were stabilized by the court and assigned tasks to each of them.

Therefore, Xiaozhi was unable to return to Northeast China to help Qu Shaoyang.

Now that the war has subsided and Tsarist Russia has withdrawn its troops, I guess Xiaozhi will report back with news soon.

"Oh, I'm glad you're back. I'm glad you're back."

Liu Dongshan and his wife don’t really care where Xiaozhi works. They just want to know that their child is fine.

Now that Qu Shaoyang is back and the family is reunited, we must celebrate it properly.

Chen Xiuyun had asked the kitchen to prepare the banquet long ago. It was noon, so everyone had a reunion dinner together.

By the afternoon, local gentry and wealthy families in Linjiang came to pay their respects.

They were all fellow villagers and had been together for so many years, so Qu Shaoyang couldn't say goodbye, so he had to chat with everyone for a while.

It was not until the evening that Qu Shaoyang had the opportunity to be alone with Chen Xiuyun.

"Wife, I have really made you suffer over the past two years.

I'm out fighting, and the heavy burden at home and outside is all on your shoulders. Thank you for your hard work."

What Qu Shaoyang feels most guilty about is his wife and children. He always causes trouble outside, but this causes his wife to live in fear and worry all day long.

Now that I'm back, I must comfort my wife.

"You and I are one as husband and wife, why are you still saying those things?
At least I am at home, and although I am a little tired, I am safe. You are leading troops in battles outside, where there are many dangers and it is more difficult. "

When Chen Xiuyun was helping Qu Shaoyang take a bath just now, she saw with her own eyes that Qu Shaoyang had many more scars on his body.

It's easy to imagine that in a battle, how could one be so lucky as to not get hurt?

Qu Shaoyang's personality isn't one that allows him to sit back and watch. It's estimated that every time there's a battle, he's the one who leads the charge forward.

Getting injured is a common occurrence, and being able to survive is truly a blessing from God.

"You are now a general of Jilin, a high-ranking official, and a frontier governor. You must not work so hard in the future.

Let's just be good and live a peaceful life, okay?"

Chen Xiuyun has no other requests. She just hopes that her husband is safe and the family is reunited. She will be content.

Qu Shaoyang sighed. He wanted to live a peaceful and stable life, but in the current world, how could he get what he wanted?

"Okay, I won't make any more troubles in the future. I will just be an official and govern Jilin Province well."

Qu Shaoyang couldn't bear to see his wife disappointed, so he had to agree.

"I'm in a very tight schedule this time, I have to leave the day after tomorrow at the latest.

You and Lan Xin should hurry up and pack up, and take care of the family business.

When the time comes, I will arrange for someone to escort you to Jilin City." Qu Shaoyang was taking a detour to go home to take a look. There were many things waiting for him in Jilin City, so he couldn't stay at home for long.

When Qu Shaoyang went to Jilin to take up his post, his wife and children must definitely go with him, and any useful people in the family must also go with him.

In addition, the Qu family has so many industries that they have to decide where to assign them and who will be in charge of them, as well as how to develop them in the future. All these things need to be handled properly.

Qu Shaoyang doesn't have the time to deal with it, so doesn't that mean he has to hand it over to Chen Xiuyun and Meng Lanxin?
Fortunately, these two people are really capable and they keep the house in order, so Qu Shaoyang doesn't have to worry too much.

"Well, then you go first, we'll be there after we've packed up.

By the way, let Yuhuan and Chunhong go with you to Jilin City.

I feel more at ease with them taking care of you." Chen Xiuyun took the initiative to mention Lin Yuhuan and Er Yuehong.

When Chen Xiuyun went to Jilin City before, she got along well with Lin Yuhuan, and she also noticed that Lin Yuhuan had feelings for Qu Shaoyang.

So Chen Xiuyun asked Lin Yuhuan to move into the house and take care of it on a daily basis, which was actually her intention to take a concubine for Qu Shaoyang.

Er Yuehong has been in Linjiang City for almost two years. Chen Xiuyun has a very good impression of this bold, capable, and talented girl.

Especially after learning about the relationship between Er Yuehong and Qu Shaoyang, he understood that this person would have to enter the mansion sooner or later.

As a sensible and considerate wife, how can I wait for the man to speak?
Anyway, there will be new people entering the mansion sooner or later, so it would be better for her to take the initiative.

After hearing this, Qu Shaoyang was silent for a moment, but did not object.

Well, he did have some affection for Er Yuehong. This girl's temperament and personality were exactly what he liked.

As for Lin Yuhuan, I can’t say whether I like her or not, but I don’t hate her at all.

Lin Yuhuan has been working loyally for him over the years and has wasted her youth. Anyway, the mansion can support her, so he can take her as a concubine.

"Thank you for your generosity, ma'am. I won't be polite to you anymore. I should give an explanation to these two people."

Qu Shaoyang kissed Chen Xiuyun's cheek and sighed softly.

The couple was finally reunited after two years of separation. Naturally, they had endless things to say and do, and they tossed and turned until midnight before they finally fell into a deep sleep.

The next morning, Qu Shaoyang met with officials from Tonghua and Fusong who had rushed to the scene after hearing the news, and then met with the managers of various industries to make some general arrangements for things here.

On September 24, Qu Shaoyang led his troops to leave Linjiang City and headed to Jilin to take up his post.

Also accompanying them were Lin Yuhuan and Yang Chunhong.

Chen Xiuyun had already told the two girls that they were allowed to enter the house, so the two girls were naturally happy to do so and happily followed Qu Shaoyang.

The group got up early and traveled late, and arrived in Jilin City in early October.

The original Jilin General Changshun had been transferred elsewhere long ago, and the general's office had already been cleaned up.

Yang Chunhong and Lin Yuhuan brought the maids and wives, cleaned up and decorated the house inside and out, and then moved into the general's mansion.

Officials from the prefectures, states, and counties under Jilin Province, as well as local gentry and nobles, had been waiting for a long time.

As soon as Qu Shaoyang arrived, these people immediately arranged a very grand welcome ceremony to welcome Qu Shaoyang.

The gifts alone filled up an entire room.

Eating, drinking and having fun are all exclusive to the rich. At this time, due to the impact of the war, people in Jilin Province were living in poverty and their lives were difficult.

Moreover, when Changshun was in office, he signed many contracts with Tsarist Russia, some of which were signed behind the back of the court.

Now that Changshun has been transferred, Qu Shaoyang is left with a huge mess.

Jilin Province is facing financial difficulties and the price of silver is soaring.

The first thing Qu Shaoyang did when he took office was to check the land taxes, release idle land, and survey all the banner land occupied in previous years and increase taxes.

At the same time, a notice was issued throughout the province that from that day on, the price of each tael of silver would be three hundred coins, and the price would only fall, not increase.

Through various means, the price of silver was stabilized, prices were controlled, and people's lives gradually stabilized.

Due to the disaster, agricultural production decreased.

Qu Shaoyang submitted a memorial to the court, requesting a deferral of the silver grain rent and tax that the people of the three surnames in Jilin were supposed to collect in the 27th year of the Guangxu period, and an exemption of the silver grain rent and tax that the people of Shuangcheng Hall in Jilin were supposed to collect in the 27th year of the Guangxu period.

Half a month later, Chen Xiuyun, Meng Lanxin brought the children, as well as the siblings Xinyuan and Wanyu, to Jilin City under the escort of Xingjia, Xingye and other guards and servants.

Afterwards, Chen Xiuyun took charge and officially brought Yang Chunhong and Lin Yuhuan into the mansion.

Yang Chunhong was the third wife, Lin Yuhuan was the fourth wife, and at this point, Qu Shaoyang had a total of four wives and concubines.

In order to please Qu Shaoyang, some officials outside wanted to send beautiful women to the general's mansion, but they were all rejected by Qu Shaoyang.

There are already four ladies in the mansion, which is enough. There is no need to take in more concubines.

After Xing Jia arrived at the general's mansion, he served as the chief steward, taking care of the daily affairs of the mansion.

Xingye is the chief manager, mainly responsible for external errands.

As for Jiang Chunfu, he stayed in Linjiang and worked as a housekeeper, helping Qujiang manage the family's long-term workers and servants.

Most of the maids and wives who originally served in the mansion also followed.

These people have been in the Qu family from the beginning and are loyal to the Qu family. They are a hundred times better than other people.

The general's mansion is much larger than the Qu Mansion on the other side of the river, and there are more people in the mansion. Chen Xiuyun cannot manage it alone, so she assigns tasks to Meng Lanxin and others.

The sisters get along well with each other and work together to take care of all matters in the mansion, so Qu Shaoyang doesn't have to worry about anything, which is pretty good.

Xinyuan and Wanyu came to Jilin to study, and Zhenbang is not young anymore and should go to middle school.

Qu Shaoyang found the person in charge of the academy and asked for a few admission places.

Xinyuan and Zhenbang had no problem and could keep up with all their studies, but Wanyu was different because the academy had never admitted female students.

The dean of the academy was worried that Wanyu would cause a lot of trouble if she entered the school.

Qu Shaoyang didn't want to make things difficult for them, so he arranged for Xinyuan and Zhenbang to go to college first, and temporarily arranged for Wanyu to go to Jilin Shi Hospital to learn professional knowledge from the doctors.

Wanyu has been studying medicine with Chen Xiuyun since she was a child. In recent years, she has also learned a lot of Western medicine knowledge from Chen Xiuyun, so she quickly adapted to studying at Shi Hospital.

Qu Shaoyang meant that this was the way to go for now and he would think of a solution later.

If that doesn't work, I will pay out of my own pocket to set up a women's medical college in Jilin Province to train female doctors and nurses.

If a women's hospital is built in the future, Chen Xiuyun will have a place to display her talents.

Zhenbang was older and could go to middle school, but Zhenye, Zhenwu, Zhenjie and Jialing were younger, so they were all arranged to go to elementary school.

The family specially arranged four attendants to escort the children to study every day.

With Qu Shaoyang's current wealth and status, he can hire any kind of teacher, but Qu Shaoyang feels that the children should still go to school and learn how to deal with people.

The school is also a small society. More experiences will be beneficial to the growth of children.

(End of this chapter)