Republic of China: Guandong Ginseng King

Chapter 470: Reunion Year in the Provincial Capital

This time when he came back, because his family was arranging a marriage for Tianzhi, Wanyu hid everywhere and was no longer as close to Tianzhi as before. Tianzhi felt very uncomfortable.

He couldn't imagine a situation where Wanyu would become a stranger to him if he married someone else.

Another thing is that Tianzhi has loved Wanyu since she was a child. No matter what Wanyu wants or wants, Tianzhi will try his best to satisfy her.

Whether going out to study or studying abroad, whenever Tianzhi encounters good things, the first person he thinks of is Wanyu.

His love for Wanyu was not the kind of love between men and women, but more of a love between family members.

But when he thought about the little girl he had loved and spoiled since childhood, and wondered which boy she would marry in the future, and what if she suffered any injustice again, he felt heartbroken.

So after visiting Wanyu, Tianzhi knelt in front of Liu Dongshan and his wife, begging them to agree and let Wanyu marry him.

One is their biological daughter, and the other is their adopted son whom they have raised for so many years. What can Liu Dongshan and his wife say?

Can you still break up the couple at this point? If you really do that, wouldn't it ruin your daughter's life?
Under the persuasion of Qu Shaoyang and his wife, the two agreed.

"Well, we proposed marriage to Xiaozhi with great fanfare, but we didn't expect that your daughter would snatch it away in the end.

What will people say if this gets out? I'm quite optimistic about the daughter of the Zhao family and was planning to propose marriage to her."

Lin Ruolan slapped her thigh and said in annoyance.

"Master's wife, you have more than one son, Tianzhi, don't you also have Xinyuan?
I think Xinyuan is more suitable for Miss Zhao. Otherwise, you should propose marriage to Xinyuan." Qu Shaoyang said half-jokingly.

I thought Xinyuan would be so anxious after hearing this that he would shout that he wanted to study abroad and was unwilling to get married too early.

As a result, Xinyuan on the other end blushed suddenly.

"Brother, stop joking. I have accomplished nothing and am not worthy of the girl from the Zhao family."

When these words were spoken, everyone in the room was shocked and stared at Xinyuan with wide eyes.

"No, Xinyuan, have you taken a fancy to the third young lady of the Zhao family?"

We all went through this together when we were young, so who wouldn't understand Xinyuan's expression and the meaning of his words? Lin Ruolan asked in surprise and joy.

Xinyuan scratched his head and said embarrassedly, "I met her that day when I was welcoming guests with my brother in front. She was quite nice."

After just one meeting, Xinyuan remembered that quiet and gentle girl.

But that was the marriage partner chosen by his mother for his brother. Xinyuan couldn't say anything and could only feel regretful inwardly.

But he didn't expect that his sister had already fallen in love with Brother Tianzhi, and their marriage was about to be put on the agenda.

Xinyuan had just started to think about it when he was called out by his eldest brother. The young man had not yet learned how to hide his thoughts, so he suddenly revealed his thoughts in front of his relatives.

"It's a good thing we didn't rush to the Zhao family to propose marriage, otherwise it would be difficult to handle."

Chen Xiuyun breathed a sigh of relief. Due to a series of coincidences, she almost broke up the marriage between Xinyuan and Wanyu.

"Come on, Master's wife, I'll accompany you to the Zhao family to propose marriage to our Xinyuan some other day."

They are all brothers-in-law anyway, so just pick the one you like.

"Okay, I'll follow your instructions." Lin Ruolan was so happy that she didn't know what to do and agreed immediately.

However, Liu Dongshan on the other end was a little hesitant.

"No, you think it's too simple, right?
Tianzhi at least has a job now, and Xinyuan is still at school and plans to study abroad next year.

With neither success nor fame, will the Zhao family be interested in our Xinyuan?" Liu Dongshan is a man, so he considers issues in a more realistic way.

"Master, it's okay. I'll talk to the Zhao family if things don't work out." At this time, Qu Shaoyang spoke.

In Qu Shaoyang's opinion, Xinyuan and the third daughter of the Zhao family are of similar age and are more compatible.

As for Xinyuan’s uncertain future, that’s not a problem as long as Qu Shaoyang is around.

When Xinyuan comes back from studying abroad, it will be no problem to arrange a position for him in the provincial government.

Liu Dongshan thought about it and agreed, so he nodded.

"That's fine. You should start a family first and then a career. Once a man gets married, his heart will be settled."

And just like that, the family reached an agreement.

The next day, Chen Xiuyun asked a matchmaker to go to the Zhao family to find out more.

When the matchmaker heard that the proposal was for Liu Xinyuan, he was a little confused. It seemed that this was not the person he mentioned at the beginning?

Chen Xiuyun had to explain that Xinyuan’s age was more suitable for the third daughter of the Zhao family.

The matchmaker went to Zhao's house to inquire about the news.

The Zhao family had originally been optimistic about Zhang Tianzhi's career in the New Army, but suddenly they heard that the proposal was for Qu Shaoyang's other younger brother, who was still in school, so they were naturally not very happy.

Later, when the Zhao family heard that Xinyuan might go abroad to study after the new year, they started to have ideas.

So, Mrs. Zhao replied to the matchmaker, saying that they would think about it and ask the third girl's opinion.

Turning around, President Zhao went to meet Qu Shaoyang, and after some greetings, he stated his purpose.

Chairman Zhao has a son who is about the same age as Xinyuan and studies at Baishan Academy.

President Zhao wanted to send his son to study abroad, but he had no way, so he wanted to ask Qu Shaoyang for help.

When Qu Shaoyang heard this, he laughed and said that if the two families became relatives, it would be possible for him to send Xinyuan abroad and take one with him.

This was exactly what President Zhao wanted to hear, so he readily agreed to the marriage.

The marriage between Xinyuan and the third daughter of the Zhao family was settled.

On the twelfth day of the twelfth lunar month, Lin Ruolan, accompanied by Chen Xiuyun and the matchmaker, went to the Zhao family to propose marriage with generous gifts.

Because Xinyuan will be preparing to study in Germany after the new year, and this trip will probably take three to five years. It would not be appropriate to let the third daughter of the Zhao family wait in vain.

After discussion, the two families decided to get married first and Xinyuan would go to Germany to study.

Once Xinyuan settles down there, I can also find a way to bring my wife over there.

In this case, the wedding date cannot be delayed. The engagement will be on the 12th day of the first lunar month after the New Year, and the wedding will be on the 26th day of the second lunar month.

It was a bit rushed, but fortunately the Zhao family had already prepared the dowry, so there was enough time.

Xinyuan’s marriage has been settled, and next is the matter of Tianzhi and Wanyu.

Since both of them are from the same family, there is no need to go through the marriage proposal procedure. On the 16th day of the twelfth lunar month, they were directly engaged.

Tianzhi returned to Jilin on business. After surveying Changbai Mountain and Tumen River and negotiating the border, he would return to Tianjin, so there was no need for him to purchase property in Jilin City.

Chen Xiuyun meant that the Qu family had many houses in the city, so they should pick a good one, clean it up and let them live there first.

When Tianzhi returned to Tianjin, his family would give the couple enough money so that they could buy a similar house there to live in.

Another thing is that Tianzhi and Wanyu are not young anymore, so there is no need to put it off any longer and just hold the wedding together with Xinyuan, which will be a double happiness.

These two months are almost enough time for them to prepare.

Therefore, the general's mansion was busy in the following days, preparing for the New Year and Tianzhi's wedding. Chen Xiuyun was too busy to handle it, so she called the three concubines to help.

The ladies in the mansion were busy, and Qu Shaoyang was not idle either. The New Year was coming soon, and there were a lot of things to do in the provincial government.

The Qing government decided to abolish the Sanxing Deputy Governor-General and establish Yilan Prefecture in the Sanxing area.

Linjiang Prefecture was established in Lahasusu, and Bodune was promoted to the position of Tongzhi of Fumin to Xincheng Prefecture, and Tangyuan County was established under Hulan Prefecture.

All these are under the jurisdiction of General Jilin.

In addition, during the Russo-Japanese War, Qu Shaoyang signaled Han Dengju to take back the Guanjingzi gold mine in Jiapigou.

The forest patrol team joined forces with local gentry and common people to recover the Tangyuan Duluhe gold mine in Hulan Prefecture, which had been forcibly occupied by Tsarist Russia in the 24th year of the Guangxu period, and the Jilarin gold mine in Hulunbuir area, which had been stolen by Tsarist Russia, and expelled the Tsarist Russia's influence from the Humar Gold Factory.

Some of these gold mines belong to Jilin Province, and some to Heilongjiang Province. They all have to be reopened for mining and heavily guarded to prevent the Tsarist Russia from making a comeback.

Chongwen Academy in Jilin City was first changed to the Academic Affairs Office, and then to the Education Department, which was in charge of the academic affairs of the entire province.

Baishan Academy was changed to Jilin Normal School.

He also ordered each prefecture, state, and county to select students with good character and academic performance and send them to Japan to study in accelerated teacher training programs.

After returning from studies, they will work in primary and middle schools in prefectures, states and counties.

In order to resist Tsarist Russian flour and prevent the spillover of power, the grain and cereal merchants in Jilin City united and prepared to open a large flour processing plant in Jilin City.

The expected investment is 100,000 to 150,000 taels. With Qu Shaoyang as the matchmaker, two sets of large-scale mechanical processing equipment will be imported from abroad.

It is estimated that after it goes into production, the daily output of flour can reach about 40,000 kilograms.

In order to compete with Tsarist Russia and Japan for mineral resources, the official Jilin Emudexing Coal Mining Company was established with an initial investment of 100,000 taels.

At the same time, Qu Shaoyang rectified the police administration and established the Jilin Police School.

He then founded the Jilin Army Primary School and selected 40 students to go to Japan to study military affairs.

On the 14th day of the twelfth lunar month, the Qing court ordered General Zhao Erxun of Fengtian to meet with the generals of Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces to discuss the post-war resettlement of the three provinces.

After receiving the order, Qu Shaoyang immediately went to Fengtian. When he returned from Fengtian, it was already New Year's Eve.

The war subsided this year, and Liu Dongshan and his wife, as well as Zhang Tianzhi, are all in the provincial capital, so the family is reunited.

The house was decorated with lights and colorful decorations everywhere, children were running around the yard happily, firecrackers could be heard from time to time, creating a peaceful and lively scene.

In the evening, Qu Shaoyang, his wife, three concubines, ten children, and Liu Dongshan's family gathered in the flower hall for a lively reunion dinner.

In the autumn of the 29th year of the Guangxu period, Yang Chunhong gave birth to a boy and named him Zhencheng. He had a chubby face and was very cute.

In February of the 30th year of the reign of Emperor Guangxu, Lin Yuhuan gave birth to a girl named Jiaying. She looked more like Lin Yuhuan, with a pink and tender complexion, and chubby face like a glutinous rice dumpling, very cute.

In recent years, Chen Xiuyun and Meng Lanxin have not had any more children.

Chen Xiuyun already had four sons and one daughter. She was busy with various affairs in the mansion all day long and had no energy to take care of the babies, so she simply discussed with Qu Shaoyang and decided not to have any more children.

As for Meng Lanxin, she is not someone who can easily get pregnant.

In addition, she led her troops to the battlefield only half a year after giving birth to Jiali, which also damaged her body. She has not been able to get pregnant again in the past few years.

Anyway, she already has two sons and one daughter, so it doesn't matter whether she has another one or not.

There are ten children. The oldest, Zhenbang, will be eighteen during the Chinese New Year, and the youngest, Jiaying, will only be three years old after the Chinese New Year.

Qu Shaoyang looked at the room full of chattering and jumping children, and then at his wives and concubines who were still beautiful and each had their own unique characteristics, and he felt more and more satisfied.

After twenty years in this world, I now have a beautiful wife and concubines by my side, and a group of children to enjoy the family happiness. This can be considered a small achievement.

"Come, Master and Mistress, I respect you two.

It's a rare opportunity for the two elders to come to the provincial capital to celebrate the New Year. We are reunited as a family, so we must have a drink to celebrate."

After the wine and food were served, Qu Shaoyang poured full glasses of wine for Liu Dongshan and his wife and toasted them.

Liu Dongshan and his wife hurriedly raised their glasses and toasted Qu Shaoyang.

"The best thing I have done in my life is to accept Shao Yang as my apprentice.

Look at me now, how much happiness have I enjoyed following my disciples?
At the birthday party that day, all the old people who came were very respectful to me. Were they doing it for me? They were doing it for Shaoyang.

Shaoyang, Master is old and can’t help you now. If there is anything in the future, just let Xinyuan take care of it.

If this guy doesn't do his job well, tell me and I'll beat him up."

Liu Dongshan was very clear that his family and the Qu family were inseparable.

He entrusted his son to Qu Shaoyang. Even if Liu Dongshan was gone one day in the future, Xinyuan would definitely not do too badly as long as it had Qu Shaoyang as its backer.

"Master, that's not the case. Xinyuan is very motivated and a good kid.

When he gets married, he will be more stable and will have a bright future. "

To Qu Shaoyang, Tianzhi and Xinyuan are closer to him than Qu Jiang and Qu Fu. He is happier than anyone else if they can live a good life.

"Today is New Year's Day, let's not talk about that. It's a rare family reunion. Master and Madam, we'll toast to you together."

Chen Xiuyun gave Meng Lanxin and the others a wink, and the four of them raised their glasses to toast the two elders.

Over there, Zhenbang led his brothers and sisters, holding fruit juice made from hawthorn, sand apple, pear and other dried fruits, and they all stood up to toast Liu Dongshan and his wife.

"Grandpa, grandma, and we wish you good health and a long life."

A few older children took the lead, and the younger ones followed, speaking in unison.

"Hey, hey, good." Liu Dongshan and Lin Ruolan were so happy that they couldn't stop smiling and said "good" several times.

We are family, so there is no need to be so particular. Just eat and drink casually during the New Year.

Liu Dongshan is old and cannot drink too much, so after three cups he concentrated on eating. Tianzhi and Xinyuan drank a little with Qu Shaoyang, but neither of them drank too much.

The children are all grown up, even Jiaying can use chopsticks to pick up food and eat by herself, but she eats a little slowly.

Jialing and Jiali coaxed the little sister, picked up food for her, picked out fish bones and bones, and occasionally fed her a bite.

The little girl didn't care about anything else and just lowered her head to eat. Her little face was already chubby, and when her mouth was filled with food, her cheeks bulged out, making her even cuter.

After the reunion dinner, the children dressed up and went outside to set off firecrackers.

Jiaying was still young and didn't dare to go out, so Lin Ruolan held Jiaying in her arms and coaxed her.

Qu Shaoyang was talking and chatting with Tianzhi, Xinyuan and Liu Dongshan, while Chen Xiuyun was playing mahjong with Meng Lanxin.

This is an entertainment they learned after arriving in the provincial capital. When they have nothing to do, the four of them just get together to play a game. No one cares about winning or losing; it's just a pastime.

Sometimes, some officials' families would come into the mansion and play mahjong with Chen Xiuyun and the others to keep in touch with them.

Don't underestimate women. None of these officials' wives are easy to deal with. You can learn a lot of things through them.

Madam politics is also an indispensable means in officialdom.

(End of this chapter)