In addition to the seeds provided by the system, Qiao Lan also asked people to bring some seeds and fruit trees from Tongzhou from other places.
She will plant what she can, and she can plant some if the climate is not suitable, but they will not bear fruit.
After such a busy midsummer, the news from the capital finally reached the south.
A huge notice was posted on the city gate of Lantian County, saying that the new emperor would ascend the throne and grant amnesty to the world.
Although the Duan family is far away in a small county in the mountains and forests in the south, the impact is really not small.
Once the emperor and his ministers are established, once the new emperor has been established, it is time to open an encyclopedia and recruit new officials.
Duan Mingqing originally planned to go to the capital at the end of last year, but because the news never came through, he never left.
After hearing the news that the capital had stabilized, Duan Mingqing went directly to Qiao Lan.
"Mom, my son plans to leave for the capital in two days to visit the government office in the capital." Duan Mingqing said.
Qiao Lan nodded directly in agreement, "I have to go, but wouldn't it be dangerous if you set off alone? Why don't you let Xiao Sun and Coach Mo go with you?"
It takes several months to walk back and forth to the capital. Even in peaceful times when there are no bandits or robbers on the road, there is always danger when encountering any wild beasts.
Duan Mingqing: "There are caravans coming to Beijing from Tongzhou every month. Then you will spend a few taels of silver and just go with the caravans."
Since Duan Mingqing can make arrangements by himself, Qiao Lan naturally doesn't have much objection, "Okay, go ahead! If there is anything missing, I will arrange it for you."
Money is the only thing she can give.
Duan Mingqing went to Tongzhou to inquire. There happened to be a caravan going to the capital at the beginning of next month. He could go with the caravan.
After knowing the departure date, Ms. Liu started to help her husband buy things.
Although it is still hot now, it will be autumn when we are halfway there, so we should prepare some thick clothes. We also have food, water, and various dry food and medicines for the journey.
Knowing that Duan Mingqing was going to the capital, Shang's thoughts changed slightly.
Shang's natal family is in the capital. When Shang left the capital, the Shang family avoided the Duan family and did not send anyone to visit. However, Shang's aunt still came out to take a look at Shang and gave her some silver coins.
.
Although the Shang family is ruthless, she was raised by the Shang family after all. Even if she doesn't know what's going on at home, she should always inquire about her own situation.
Mrs. Shang was thinking about her aunt, so she approached Mrs. Liu, hoping that Duan Mingqing could help her find out about her aunt, and if her aunt was okay, she would send her a safe letter.
After Mr. Shang explained his purpose, he handed over a money bag.
"Brother and sister, I don't have much money in my hands. Just keep these and don't show them to others!" Shang said softly.
The money in this money bag is the monthly silver given to her by the palace in the past few years, and some money given by her husband to raise chickens.
It was hard work for her husband to raise chickens, so Shang didn't dare to take more money. She just put most of her monthly savings into it, and she had to save the rest for her children.
Ms. Liu looked at the money bag and didn't dare to pick it up. She pushed back and said, "Second sister-in-law, what are you doing? How often does the family take money to go out? Inquiring about the news is just a matter of passing by. Let the third master go directly to inquire.
That’s it.”
"Brothers and sisters, food and drink in Beijing are more expensive than in Tongzhou. If you can't find anyone to ask for information, it will cost a lot of money. Just keep it, it's my little thought. Even if you don't find out, I will wait for my third brother to take the exam in Beijing in a few years.
Let’s talk about it after becoming a Jinshi.”
"Second sister-in-law, you can't do it."
The two sisters were pushing each other around in the yard, and Qiao Lan passed by and just listened.
Then he spoke: "From the second child's family, you can take back the money. I will give the money to the third child, so you don't have to pay for it. If you want to send letters or things to the capital, you have to pay it out of the official account."
Hearing this, the two of them were deeply moved.
"Thank you, mother." One by one, they stepped forward and thanked Qiao Lan.
Mrs. Wang got in touch with her family early in the morning and was not as troubled as the two of them. Letters traveled thousands of miles for more than half a year, which was better than no news at all.
After living in Tongzhou for several years, Wang received two letters from home, each of which made her happy for several months.
Seeing that all her daughters-in-law were homesick for their families, Qiao Lan sighed in her heart, lamenting the difficulty of this era and the difficulties of being a child.
Fortunately, she dressed as an old woman and had children and grandchildren. If she had been younger, she would have had to worry about getting married and having children, which would have taken decades.
Thinking of these things, Qiao Lan thought that their family must be returning to the capital.
As for when to go back, it depends on how her cheap sons do in the imperial examinations.
If he could remain an official in the capital for a long time, he would definitely be able to move his family to the capital.
Duan Yuexiu has been living alone in the capital for decades. For the children and grandchildren of the Duan family, the capital is their root. Duanjiacun is only a hometown in words. The Duan family has no relatives here and is considered a family.
Although the capital is far away, you can still find your in-laws, which is convenient for your daughter-in-law and granddaughter to go to your maternal home, and you can even have someone to talk to with your children and grandchildren at home.
Qiao Lan just thought about this and hasn't told her family yet.
Whether we can say it specifically depends on how confident our children and grandchildren are. If they don't live up to expectations, it's better not to say anything.
-
The day before Duan Mingqing was about to leave, everything was packed on the carriage.
A large group of people wearing brocade robes and riding tall horses came towards Duanjiacun.
Further ahead of the group of people, there were two small officials on horseback running wildly, raising dust all the way and rushing towards the yard where the Duan family was.
As soon as the two of them arrived at the door of Duan's house, they quickly dismounted and knocked on the door: "Is anyone there?"
"Is the Duan family here?"
Because Duan Mingqing is leaving tomorrow, none of the children at home are in class today, and most of the family is in the hospital, preparing to have a farewell meal.
When Uncle Sun heard the rapid knock on the door, he stooped and slowly went to open the door: "Here, who is it?"
"We were sent here by the county magistrate. We have urgent matters!" the clerk shouted at the top of his lungs.
The clerk's voice was so loud that it could be heard even in the backyard.
The children were playing in the yard. When they heard the sound, several older children panicked.
Last time, a group of people like this came to knock on the door, and then they were taken out of the house and went to jail.
Duan Yujin recalled the heavy memories of the past and couldn't help but said: "Third uncle, is someone coming to raid our house again?"
The other children in the courtyard also started to panic after hearing this. The younger ones probably understood the meaning of confiscating the house and looked like they were about to cry.
Duan Mingqing comforted several children, "It's okay, our house has been ransacked. The new emperor's succession is a universal amnesty, and no house will be ransacked!"
Duan Mingqing guessed that it was his mother who had received the reward.
The case of Mrs. Du was very involved, and it was not just their home that was ransacked. Even if the court redressed their case, they would not be so anxious, let alone send the order so quickly.
But since the old lady is being rewarded, those things at home should not be important anymore.