Going to Qingzhou Prefecture

 

On the tenth day of the twelfth month, Jing Yi invited shopkeeper Huang of Jixian Pavilion, for a drink. During their meeting, they discussed some matters carefully.

 

On the eleventh day of the twelfth month, he gathered both the Jing and Lin families in the backyard of the Jing family’s small restaurant to discuss the matter of purchasing servants in the Qingzhou Prefecture. Even the young boys from both families had to participate, as they were going to be responsible for important matters in the future and couldn’t be sheltered like delicate flowers.

 

Everyone arrived that day, and no one was absent. Even Xiao Shu sat close to Chuxia, occupying a chair.

 

Jing Yi took the lead in speaking, expressing his concerns about natural disasters but not wanting to create panic among everyone. He didn’t go into too much detail since these were unpredictable events, only emphasizing that in the future, they should prioritize buying land and farming as their primary focus.

 

On this point, everyone agreed without any issues. They all came from rural backgrounds and couldn’t change their fundamental beliefs; land was their lifeline.

 

Then, he discussed the matter of buying servants in the Qingzhou Prefecture. To their surprise, their parents readily accepted the idea. It made sense; those who offered themselves as servants were likely in dire straits, and both families were kind-hearted, so they would give these people a chance at a better life.

 

However, there were some doubts about the choice of location.

 

“What? You want to go all the way to the Qingzhou Prefecture to buy servants? Can’t we do it in the town or the county seat?” Father Jing asked with surprise.

 

“Xiao Yi, is it because of the snow disaster?” Father Lin had also heard about the refugees and people petitioning for help, and he wondered if this was related.

 

“Yes, actually, it’s possible to buy servants in the town or county seat. But after careful consideration, I think it’s better to go to the Qingzhou Prefecture,” Jing Yi replied.

 

He had analyzed the pros and cons thoroughly. Buying refugees in the Qingzhou Prefecture had several advantages. Firstly, there was a wider selection to choose from compared to the town or county seat, where most servants were usually sold by other provinces and might have criminal records or debts. Secondly, refugees who had left their hometowns wouldn’t have many ties and would be fully committed to serving their new masters, without the interference of troublesome family members or relatives. Lastly, he had heard that the leader of Qingzhou had received praise from the Emperor for taking care of refugees. He believed that there might be some tax benefits or other incentives for those who bought refugees in the Qingzhou Prefecture.

 

In the end, both families agreed, and they decided to go to the Qingzhou Prefecture together with the caravan led by shopkeeper Huang. They would depart on the fourteenth day of the twelfth month. The participants from the Jing family included Jing Yi and his wife, Jing’s father, and Jing An. From the Lin family, it was Lin’s father accompanying his twin sons.

 

Bringing the three young boys along was Jing Yi’s suggestion. He told them, “You three, this time you’ll get to see the world beyond our village. Since you’ve all told me that you don’t like studying, I won’t force you. But from now on, start thinking about what skills you want to develop for your future!”

 

The three young boys had initially been excited to join the trip to the Qingzhou Prefecture, but after hearing their big brother’s words, they obediently nodded, suppressing their joy.

 

At this point, Lin’s father spoke up, “Xiao Yi, it might not be convenient to bring Chuxia along. The Qingzhou Prefecture is quite chaotic right now with refugees and all. It’s better to leave him at home.”

 

Lin’s father knew that Jing Yi was certainly worried, but he doted on Xiaxia and was afraid that mentioning him might make him anxious. So, as the head of the family, he would take care of it himself.

 

Chuxia looked at his father with a distressed expression and then tugged at Jing Yi’s sleeve.

 

Jing Yi had become somewhat childish lately. While he used to be calm and mature externally before his marriage, now he was still fine with outsiders but displayed a somewhat spoiled attitude, especially towards his family. This was the result of indulgence.

 

“Father, rest assured, I can definitely take care of Xiaxia. Besides, Xiaxia is essential. If we have to choose a maid or a nanny in the future, it will be inconvenient for me and father. Xiaxia will have to step in,” said Jing Yi, the qualified peacemaker.

 

Having received this assurance from his son-in-law, Lin’s father didn’t say anything more.

 

On the fourteenth day of the twelfth month, in the early morning, the eastern sky was just beginning to brighten, and the scenery on the road was still not very clear. In front of the Jixian Pavilion, five carriages were parked: the first two were for passengers, and the last three carried goods. There were also six tall, muscular men accompanying them, clearly skilled in martial arts, providing a sense of security.

 

Jing Yi had learned from his previous conversations with shopkeeper Huang, that these were specially hired escorts from the county’s escort agency. Since shopkeeper Huang had settled in Fuyang Town, he had also brought his parents, wife, and children over.

 

Although the journey was long and tiring, and they only returned to the Qingzhou Prefecture once a year in the twelfth month to report and deliver money, along with presenting New Year’s gifts, shopkeeper Huang always prepared the gifts with care. He never made excuses due to the distance, showing genuine dedication to his family.

 

“Big Brother Huang, we’ve arrived. Are you all prepared? Do you need my help?” Jing Yi immediately crossed the crowd of people handling the goods as he got off the carriage and found shopkeeper Huang. He even flexed his arm to show his strength.

 

“Hahaha, Jing, my friend! You young people still have energy!” Huang patted Jing Yi’s arm, which was also quite strong. He looked at the tall and robust physique of the young man and felt slightly envious.

 

Then, he asked with concern, “My friend, can your carriage handle the journey? Horses that haven’t traveled long distances might not keep up. I have two spare carriages in my backyard; you can use them for now, if you like.”

 

Jing Yi bowed to express his gratitude to shopkeeper Huang before responding, “Last time, you mentioned this to me after having some drinks, and I asked a friend of mine who works at the carriage and horse rental shop to help me rent two carriages. There are experienced carriage drivers, and the horses are strong and experienced in long-distance travel. They’re fast, reliable, and have great endurance.”

 

Shopkeeper Huang slapped his forehead, admitting his forgetfulness due to alcohol, and chuckled heartily.

 

Afterwards, shopkeeper Huang went on to provide Jing Yi with detailed information about their journey. He assured them that they wouldn’t face any problems because they were leaving during the daytime. He explained that the Qingzhou Prefecture typically extended its gate-closing time to the Hour of the Dog (7 PM to 9 PM) in the twelfth month, so there was no need to worry.

 

He advised them to focus on travelling safely, with minimal stops during the journey. They would pause briefly every few hours to allow everyone to rest and the horses to take a break. Lunch would be taken outside Ji County’s county town, lasting half an hour. They were grateful for their fathers accompanying them on this trip.

 

Jing Yi’s father, being the straightforward type, couldn’t stand hearing phrases like “I’m sorry,” “Thank you,” or “You’ve worked hard,” especially when used within the family. He found them unbearable and would tease his son, especially when those words were directed at him. He would quickly respond with a shiver and then seek out Lin’s father to join him in teasing their sons.

 

Lin’s father, equally savvy, didn’t respond to his comments and excitedly pulled Jing’s father into one of the carriages.

 

Speaking of excitement, who wouldn’t be excited? While Lin’s father had gone hunting in the mountains before, he had never travelled so far, not even to the county town, let alone the Qingzhou Prefecture.

 

Men remained young at heart until they died, and now these two middle-aged men were chatting enthusiastically in the carriage, laughing and joking.

 

Jing Yi and Chuxia exchanged glances and couldn’t help but smile. They beckoned to their three younger brothers to join them on the carriage.

 

These two carriages each had two horses pulling them, and the horses were strong and in their prime. The carriages themselves were rented, larger, and reinforced to accommodate six to eight people comfortably.

 

Inside the carriages, they had prepared some blankets, clothing, dry rations, and even a small chamber pot for Chuxia. Since it was the first long journey for the whole family, it was better to be prepared.

 

Once they were on the carriage, Jing Yi pulled out a blanket and covered Chuxia’s legs, letting him lean on him. They didn’t say much, simply listening to their younger brothers engaging in lively conversations, which they found quite entertaining.

 

Gradually, Chuxia fell asleep. The three young boys in the carriage also lowered their voices instinctively.

 

When Chuxia woke up, he learned that they had missed the first rest stop, and they would have to wait for another half-hour for the next one. However, he hadn’t drunk much water, so it wasn’t a problem.

 

Around 1 o’clock in the afternoon, the caravan arrived at the outskirts of Ji County. Shopkeeper Huang sent someone to inform them that they could disembark and explore the area, enjoy some hot food, and return within half an hour. They didn’t need to worry about their luggage as there were people watching the carriages.

 

Jing Yi and his family were overjoyed to have the chance to stretch their legs. They inquired about how the two carriage drivers would manage lunch and found out they had brought their own dry rations. So, they gave each of them twenty wen to buy a bowl of hot soup to eat with their rations.

 

The carriage drivers were grateful. Such considerate employers were rare. In the past, most employers didn’t even ask them how they would manage lunch. Some even brought food to eat in the carriages, trying to avoid them, acting stingy and petty.

 

Jing Yi led his large group towards the commercial street on the outskirts of the county town. They couldn’t afford to waste time, and cleanliness and hygiene were important when travelling. So, they chose a small restaurant that seemed crowded with people and where most customers were wearing fine cotton robes.

 

Once inside, they realized it was a restaurant serving lamb soup, something resembling a simplified version of lamb and bread stew from ancient times. This was excellent, as lamb meat was considered a precious commodity, especially during the winter when it was a nourishing delicacy.

 

Without hesitation, they ordered seven bowls of lamb soup, two more pounds of braised lamb, four side dishes, and fifteen pieces of bread. They planned to eat first and, if they needed more, they would order later.

 

Steaming bowls of lamb soup were served, and the restaurant advised them to break the bread into the soup, making it even more delicious. They also offered their homemade jujube sauce to enhance the spiciness. Stirring the milky-yellow lamb soup with the spoon, filled with pearl-like bits of bread, was exceptionally appetizing just by the aroma.

 

Everyone couldn’t wait and scooped a spoonful of the hot lamb soup. The bite-sized pieces of milky-white lamb, combined with a spoonful of pearl-like bread cubes, resulted in a delightful blend of flavors—savory with a touch of saltiness, freshness, and an irresistible deliciousness.

 

They added a slice of red braised lamb to each bite, took a sip of the lamb soup, and savored it carefully. No, it was too delicious; they couldn’t afford to savor it slowly. They devoured the meal, and some even ordered more bread halfway through. Finally, when all the food was gone, the three younger brothers were still licking their lips, savoring the taste.

 

It was a bit expensive, but it was undeniably delicious!

 

Jing Yi didn’t waste any time, paid the bill, and then packed four pounds of braised lamb to take with them. Lin’s father didn’t compete with his son-in-law over the bill. They had spent quite a bit of time together, and there were few opportunities to win such competitions. He was open-minded and decided to help the young couple in other ways in the future.