readytorunbook Chapter 60 Taking Office
Chapter 60 Taking Office
"Father, what did you see the emperor like?" Xiao Siyue was very curious about what the current emperor looked like, and whether he was particularly majestic.
As soon as Xiao Siyue spoke, the others widened their eyes and looked at Xiao Qinian with curiosity. They were also eager to know.
Having no other choice, Xiao Qinian could only pick out some less sensitive topics to discuss with Xiao Siyue and the others.
"The current emperor is a wise ruler, very dignified yet with a touch of kindness." Xiao Qinian recalled the glance he saw when he looked up during the palace examination.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Siyue knew that she shouldn't say too much, so she didn't say anything more.
"Father, has the Emperor granted you an official title?" Although Xiao Siyue hadn't seen Xiao Qinian in official robes, she had some guesses based on the yamen runners accompanying him.
“Yes, His Majesty has appointed me as the magistrate of Qianyuan County in Yuzhou Prefecture,” Xiao Qinian said. In fact, he had proposed this position to his teacher. His teacher originally wanted him to stay in the capital as an official, but he wanted to achieve some real results, so he chose to become a magistrate in a local area.
Although having a teacher in the capital might make his official career smooth, he wouldn't make much progress and might even become addicted to the power struggles in the bureaucracy. He wanted to take advantage of his youth to gain experience outside, do more practical work for the common people, and gradually rise through the ranks, taking a down-to-earth approach.
"Qianyuan County?" Xiao Siyue was surprised. She knew this place. When Xiao Qinian asked her to study before, she wanted to learn more about this dynasty, so she asked Xiao Qinian to tell her about the geographical environment of various places and the local people.
Of course, she had mentioned the situation in Qianyuan County. Qianyuan County was located in the south, about 1000 li away from where they were. It would take about half a month by carriage, which was too far. She knew that officials were now subject to the avoidance system and could not serve within 500 li of their ancestral home, but 1000 li was still a long way.
Moreover, Qianyuan County is a remote place, and the people there are even poorer than those here. In addition, the public security is very bad, so Xiao Siyue is a little worried about Xiao Qinian.
"Father, why were you assigned to the south?" Xiao Siyue asked worriedly.
“I chose it myself. The magistrate of that place recently passed away, and the imperial court urgently needed to send an official to take up the post. I just happened to be there,” Xiao Qinian said.
Urgently needed? That means Xiao Qinian's time is very tight.
"Dad, when are you going to take office?" Xiao Siyue asked anxiously. The others also looked at Xiao Qinian with tense expressions.
"You must take office within a month." Xiao Qinian said with some helplessness.
Xiao Siyue calculated the time. It took Xiao Qinian 7 days to travel from the capital to his home, and 15 days to travel from his home to Qianyuan County. So, all things considered, he could only stay at home for a maximum of 7 days.
"Dad, does that mean you can only stay home for seven days?" Xiao Siyue felt a pang of sadness. With her father gone, she wouldn't see him for a long time. As an official, he couldn't come home often, let alone from such a long distance; it would probably be several years.
"I can only stay for five days, I have to go ahead of time." Xiao Qinian's answer immediately dampened the atmosphere at home, and the lively atmosphere he had brought with him when he returned was gone.
"Third son, now that you're gone, your mother won't see you for a long time." Old Mrs. Xiao's tears, which she had finally managed to hold back, began to flow from her eyes again.
"Mother, I will come back to see you in a few years." Xiao Qinian thought that he couldn't stay in Qianyuan County forever. He would definitely be transferred to the capital in the future, and then he would bring his whole family over.
"But..." Before she could finish speaking, she was interrupted by the waiter.
"Alright, old woman, the third son is going to take up his post," Old Master Xiao was quite insightful. His son's future was the most important thing. As long as they were well and didn't cause trouble for their son, that was enough.
"Third son, go ahead, and be sure to be a good official." Old Master Xiao stood up, patted Xiao Qinian on the shoulder, and said encouragingly.
"Yes, Father, I will." Xiao Qinian's gaze was firm; he was determined to become a good official like his teacher, wholeheartedly serving the people.
"Husband, please take me with you on this assignment," Lin Qin said from the side.
“But Qianyuan County is very harsh, and I don’t think you’ll be able to adapt.” Xiao Qinian turned to look at his wife, his brows furrowed. He couldn’t bear to see his family suffer there. So he didn’t plan to take them with him.
"I'm not afraid. If you can do it, so can I," Lin Qin said firmly.
“Okay,” Xiao Qinian said, touched, as he took Lin Qin’s hand. The two looked at each other, and the atmosphere between them was filled with a pink, bubbly feeling.
Xiao Siyue felt like she had been fed a mouthful of dog food (a Chinese slang term for witnessing public displays of affection).
"Father, Mother, what about us?" Xiao Siyue had no choice but to interrupt when she saw the two holding hands for a long time.
The two looked away, and Xiao Qinian looked down at his well-behaved and adorable daughter: "Yue'er, let's not go for now. How about we go when you're a little older?"
Xiao Siyue didn't refute it; she had many things to do. The hot pot restaurant wasn't open yet, so she'd wait until next year to see.
"And what about your brother?" Xiao Siyue asked again.
Xiao Qinian glanced at Xiao Siyu: "I plan to take your brother with me."
Xiao Siyu is already ten years old this year, and Xiao Qinian plans to take him under his wing and teach him personally. Moreover, since Xiao Siyu is a boy, he should get more exercise. This is Xiao Qinian's idea.
"Ah, Dad, are you really taking me?" Xiao Siyu's brows were so furrowed they could trap a mosquito.
"What, you don't want to go?" Xiao Qinian said with a stern face.
"No, I can't bear to leave my sister, grandparents, and brothers," Xiao Siyu explained.
"So you're willing to leave your parents?" Xiao Qinian said, his expression softening. As long as it wasn't because he was afraid of suffering, it was fine. Otherwise, he would have to give him a good talking-to.
"I can't bear to leave my parents, so I'll stay with them," Xiao Siyu said happily.
In the following days, the Xiao family began preparing things for Xiao Qinian and his family of three to take with them. They packed two carriages full of food, drink, and clothing. Xiao Siyue even gave Xiao Qinian the silver she had saved to take with him.
"Father, take this money with you," Xiao Siyue said. She knew that Qian Yuan was poor, and since they had just arrived, they would definitely need money for many things, as the county magistrate's salary was not high.
"Yue'er, you can keep your money. We have some, and your grandmother gave us some yesterday too." Xiao Qinian was very touched by his daughter's actions, but his wife had already given him 2000 taels, and with what they had saved, they had 2500 taels in total.
"Father, you keep it. I don't usually need it. You should take more," Xiao Siyue still gave the silver to Xiao Qinian. In the past year, she had saved up about 900 taels and gave 800 taels to Xiao Qinian.
Watching Xiao Qinian and his group walk away, Xiao Siyue couldn't help but shed tears; she was reluctant to part with them.
"Don't cry, Yue'er," Old Mrs. Xiao hugged Xiao Siyue, and the grandmother and granddaughter comforted each other.