Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 352 Contempt_1

Chapter 352: Chapter 352 Contempt_1

The following day, Graduate Meng stayed behind with Yang Zhumu and Yang Zhulin to be responsible for the collection of high-yield crops such as sweet potatoes, while Zhou Shuren and the others continued their journey to Lizhou Prefecture City.

Although they left people to gather the crops, there was still an urgent need for food in Lizhou Prefecture City. As they traveled, they bought inexpensive grains from passing farmers’ homes, which caused the caravan to grow ever larger. To avoid delaying the journey, sometimes they would travel through the night and rest in the carts.

Having traveled for the better part of the distance, Zhulan was secretly glad that she had been willing to spend silver in the capital to buy ginseng. This time not only did her parents need to be fortified, but she and Zhou Shuren needed it too, as both had been exhausted these past days.

Upon entering the territory of Chuanzhou Province, Zhulan noticed many apple trees. In some places, there were whole orchards of them, and she suddenly remembered that apples had been introduced to the Northwest since the Han Dynasty. She recalled that in modern times there was an Apple Town in the Northwest. Considering that Chuanzhou and Lizhou were adjacent, and their geographical locations were similar, Zhulan’s eyes lit up. The fruit was precious in the winter days of old, "Shuren, look at the apple orchards."

Zhou Shuren put down the account book he was holding and looked in the direction Zhulan was pointing. Indeed, there were apple orchards, "What about them? You want to eat apples?"

Zhulan, "No, I was thinking since Lizhou Prefecture City and Chuanzhou are so close, it would also be suitable to plant apples. I’m thinking of buying some mountain land and then purchasing apple trees from Chuanzhou for planting. What do you think?"

Zhou Shuren naturally supported her, "I’ll listen to you."

Zhulan began calculating, "I also need to build two ice cellars and several more underground cellars. If we store more apples, they will become more expensive as winter approaches, and we could make a lot of money then."

Zhou Shuren took in the idea of ice cellars. His most important task at the moment was to ensure the food and clothing of the citizens of Lizhou Prefecture City and to make this year’s spring plowing go smoothly. He would put aside other income-increasing ideas for now and deal with the two major problems first.

There were indeed many apple orchards in Chuanzhou, and numerous abandoned orchards were scattered amongst the hills and valleys. These were the result of poor taste and lack of profit due to not knowing how to grow the apples properly.

Zhulan also didn’t know how to grow them—professional fruit farmers were necessary for planting. They would have to invite specialists from Chuanzhou later on.

The journey to Lizhou Prefecture City grew ever shorter, and the number of refugees who couldn’t get food and had to beg for a living also increased. Seeing the large grain transportation carts in the caravan, more and more people followed along. Fortunately, the government officers were numerous, and it was springtime, which allowed for the gathering of wild vegetables, so there wasn’t a famine crazed rush to loot.

Entering the boundaries of Lizhou Province, there were many people on the mountainside digging wild vegetables and looking for food. Thankfully, it wasn’t a drought with barren fields. As long as the high-yield crops could be successfully cultivated, there was hope for life.

Lizhou Province City was a direct-ruled territory, and Zhou Shuren’s position as prefect was on par with that of a Magistrate. Although Zhou Shuren was still a Fifth Rank Official, because he was the prefect of a direct-ruled territory, his salary was more than what a prefect of a dispersed territory would receive.

Moreover, as Lizhou Province City was a direct-ruled territory, the powers granted to Zhou Shuren as prefect were unusually large.

These were things Zhou Shuren explained to Zhulan later on, and it was only then that she understood there was so much to know about the Prefecture City.

In the territory of Lizhou Province City, Zhulan saw that the children were all thin and weak, victims of the war. The most suffering was still endured by the common people who had no silver, couldn’t cultivate their land at home, had spent all their silver fleeing calamity, and couldn’t afford the seeds for spring plowing upon returning home. On top of feeding a family, it was like adding frost to snow.

Lizhou Province City was impoverished, with few merchants. Some wealthy families hadn’t returned yet, and even fewer would hire helpers, leaving no extra sources of income. As a result, people were forced to sell their sons and daughters.

Brokers were currently most abundant in Lizhou Province City.

It pained Zhulan to see this, especially when she saw a group leading children away—those children had been sold to brokers.

Zhou Shuren wrapped his arms tightly around Zhulan, "Don’t look."

Zhulan, listening to the cheers from behind, felt even heavier in her heart, "Thank goodness we’ve been collecting grain along the way."

Zhou Shuren nodded. Several grain transportation teams were following them, and he sighed, "There’s not much silver left in hand."

Zhulan fell silent. Indeed, there wasn’t much left, now only fifteen thousand taels. In the future, there would be many places to use silver, "Think about it this way, the silver came with you to Lizhou Province City, and at least it didn’t go through several hands and get skimmed off in the middle. We’ve used it all on the refugees. Doesn’t that thought make you feel a bit better?"

Zhou Shuren smiled. "Indeed, it’s much more comfortable."

If this were to be broken down layer by layer, to end up with even twenty thousand taels of silver upon reaching Lizhou City would be a cause for immense gratitude.

By the time they reached Lizhou City it was midday, and the Deputy Magistrate and the Circuit Intendant had already been waiting outside the city gates for quite some time.

No sooner had Zhou Shuren stepped out of the carriage than he saw the haggard-looking Deputy Magistrate and Circuit Intendant. He had information provided by the Emperor, both the Deputy Magistrate and the Circuit Intendant were newly transferred, the former having been a prefect of a direct-ruled territory in Chuanzhou Province, promoted from the fifth rank to the proper Fifth Rank. Although promoted, based on the Deputy Magistrate’s haggard appearance, Zhou Shuren guessed that he would have preferred to continue working slowly as a prefect in the direct-ruled territory.

The Circuit Intendant was also newly transferred, coming from a prefectural city in Jiangnan. He was clearly in his thirties, yet his worn appearance made him look over forty.

Deputy Magistrate Chen Chen, aged forty-three, was not only extremely stressed but also constantly worried about losing his position. Upon receiving the imperial edict that the new second-place scholar was to become the magistrate of Lizhou City, he had cursed outright. How could a laureate, who had never held an official post before, handle the mess in Lizhou City? Wouldn’t it mean that both their heads would roll?

Now, as he saw the newly appointed Magistrate Zhou and the large convoy, knowing right away that the carts behind were filled with grain, he put away his disdain. There must be a reason why the Emperor valued him so highly.

Circuit Intendant He Yun, aged thirty-six, let out a sigh of relief when he saw the long procession. Salvation had arrived.

Deputy Magistrate Chen Chen and Circuit Intendant He Yun stepped forward, "Mr. Zhou."

Zhou Shuren returned the greeting, "Mr. Chen, Mr. He."

Chen Chen and He Yun exchanged glances and understood; they did not believe Mr. Zhou would have investigated them in advance. Mr. Zhou’s accurate mention of their surnames must have been informed by the Emperor, no wonder all the new transfers to Lizhou City were appointed by the Emperor. It became clear in their minds, the Emperor indeed placed great importance on this Mr. Zhou.

Since the Emperor regarded him highly, they dared not to take him lightly. They couldn’t help but glance at the government officers in the convoy, not knowing who among them might be the Emperor’s men. Given that Lizhou City was already a mess and they hadn’t been able to alleviate the situation, the Emperor must be dissatisfied. It was better for them to stay on their toes.

Chen Chen said, "Mr. Zhou, you must have had a tough journey, please come into the city."

Zhou Shuren replied, "Please go ahead, sirs. I need a moment to speak with my family, and then I will return to the government office with the convoy."

No sooner had he spoken than the sound of horse hooves approached from afar. Zhou Shuren saw Wu Chun leading the way, knowing that he had come to pick up Yang’s family upon hearing the news.

The Deputy Magistrate, the Circuit Intendant, and others were stunned, wondering why General Yang had come. They soon realized the reason.

Wu Chun dismounted and saluted, "Uncle, you must be weary from your journey."

Zhou Shuren smiled, "I was thinking of sending word after entering the city, but you’ve managed to come on your own."

Wu Chun explained, "I had people watching at the city gates. When I learned that the city was welcoming Uncle today, I came from the garrison. Uncle, did grandfather and grandmother fare well on the road?"

Zhou Shuren answered, "They’re physically fine, but since we’ve been traveling continuously, they will need some time to recuperate at home. Today, we shall head to Uncle’s residence first, and in the evening when I return, our family can have a proper reunion."

Wu Chun knew his uncle had something to ask him and said with a smile, "Alright."

In their silence, the Circuit Intendant and Deputy Magistrate well knew that because Lizhou City was close to the frontier and was an upper prefecture, the military presence was larger than in other states, with as many as four thousand soldiers. The highest commander was General Zheng, and General Yang was the second most powerful voice. These two generals had made great contributions and were personally trusted by the Emperor, and to think, he was Mr. Zhou’s nephew!

The two officials had now completely abandoned any petty thoughts; if they remembered correctly, General Yang had even saved General Zheng’s life!