Chapter 1479: Chapter 1479: Opportunity
After returning home from the government office, Zhou Shuren changed out of his clothes while saying, "Ask the eldest and the others to come over for dinner today."
Zhulan thought to herself, there must be something going on. "What about Mingyun?"
"Mingyun should come too."
The eldest and the others arrived quickly. As the dishes were brought to the table, Zhou Shuren gestured for his sons and grandsons to sit down. He first drank a bowl of soup—vegetable soup—since he could no longer stomach rich broths.
After finishing his bowl, Zhou Shuren said to the eldest, "I have secured a position for you from the Emperor."
"Cough, cough, cough!"
The eldest, who had just taken a sip of soup, choked violently. Covering his mouth, he turned his head aside to cough incessantly. His father’s announcement had greatly startled him. Finally done coughing, he signaled his son to stop patting his back, took the handkerchief his son handed him and wiped his mouth. "Father, you must be joking, right?"
Zhou Shuren gave him a sidelong glance and said, "Do you think I’d joke about an official post?"
The eldest son was stunned. So it was true—he was really going to have an official position?
Chang Yi, however, was much calmer than his elder brother. "Father, what position did you secure for big brother?"
Zhou Shuren replied, "The Emperor, touched by the sacrifices of soldiers who gave their lives to protect the nation, has approved my proposal to systemically care for the orphans of these soldiers. Your task, eldest, is to investigate how many children have been orphaned and identify any who have been mistreated."
This task required patience and someone earnest to handle it, making the eldest the most suitable candidate. Of course, Zhou Shuren did not assign this role to the eldest simply because of his suitability; as the head of the Zhou family, the eldest would eventually inherit the Marquis title. By involving him in this endeavor now, the Zhou family could ensure its participation for generations to come, even after Zhou Shuren’s death.
Although he didn’t know how long he had left, Zhou Shuren resolved to think through all possibilities and arrange what needed arranging.
The eldest was uncertain. He had always managed household matters but had never taken on a governmental role. "Father, do you think I can handle this?"
Zhou Shuren cast a glance at him. "What do you think?"
The eldest fell silent. His instincts told him that if he answered in a way that didn’t meet his father’s expectations, his father would deal with him sternly. "I can do it. I will definitely manage it well, Father."
Zhou Shuren nodded. "Ming Hui, that clever child, will accompany you."
After pausing, he continued, "This position comes with no rewards, but I expect you to perform it earnestly. Prepare yourself—depart the day after tomorrow."
Once their father had finished assigning the task, Chang Yi asked, "Father, are all the children to be brought back to the capital?"
Zhou Shuren replied, "Not all of them will be brought into the capital—only the ones from the nearby provinces. Officials will be sent to investigate children in the other provinces, and they will be cared for locally."
In recent years, the population had nearly doubled. Although last year’s dual-front battlefield had fewer casualties thanks to gunpowder, the losses were still significant. Bringing all the children to the capital was unrealistic.
The eldest now understood: he was responsible for the nearby provinces. He felt more at ease, knowing he could return in time for the busy farming season.
That evening, Zhou Shuren sat beside his wife. "You’ve barely said a word tonight."
Zhulan pulled back the covers. "I’ve been pondering something. I want to visit the palace and meet with the Empress Dowager."
Zhou Shuren raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
"I feel that if this truly is the Little Ice Age period and there are no high-yield crops, life will only get harder for the common people. You’ve read Yushuang’s letter—the estate Chang Yi purchased has already taken in many children. In these difficult times, children are the first to die, along with the elderly. Your proposal addresses the orphans of soldiers, but what about the peasants?"
Zhou Shuren understood her intent. "You want the Empress Dowager to take the lead?"
Zhulan responded, "I’d like to take the lead myself, but we’re under imperial authority. As you’ve invoked the Emperor to support your plan, the Empress Dowager is the ideal candidate to spearhead this effort."
"Why not the Empress?"
"The Empress is connected to the Wen family. If she gets involved, the Wen family will inevitably interfere, and this initiative will no longer be mine. But with the Empress Dowager in the lead, it’s a different story. Over the years, my work compiling books has proven that I’m not just a woman confined to the inner household but one with intellect and ideas."
After a pause, she continued, "The Empress Dowager has few capable aides by her side. Marquis Ning is her nephew, and his young wife lacks the authority to command respect. That makes me the most suitable candidate."
Zhou Shuren lay down on the heated brick bed, enjoying its warmth. "You’ve been thinking hard about this all evening."
"It wasn’t just tonight. Ever since I discussed establishing orphanages with you, I’ve been contemplating this. If the Empress Dowager truly takes this seriously, it could save many children. While they may not all be raised as elites, they can be trained as craftsmen. Over generations, they will contribute to societal progress. What do you think?"
Zhou Shuren’s lips curved into a smile. "I think it’s an excellent idea. Social development requires a foundation, and your plan could accelerate progress."
Zhulan beamed. "I’ve been holding back for years. Now that there’s an opportunity, I want to seize it. When women acquire knowledge, they won’t be confined to the inner quarters. Although the process will be slow, the future looks promising."
Zhou Shuren hadn’t seen such a vibrant spark in his wife’s eyes for a long time. "If this is what you wish to do, then do it. Our journey together has brought us to where we are today—we have nothing to fear."
Zhulan concluded, "I’ll draft a plan and choose an appropriate day to enter the palace. Since you’ve recently proposed the care of orphans, I’ll need to find the right timing for my approach. Yes, we’ll have the eldest observe the lives of the common people, which will help me seize the right moment."
Zhou Shuren listened to his wife as she spoke. Zhulan herself wasn’t sure how long she had been talking by the time they finally fell asleep late into the night.
The eldest’s commission was met with the greatest delight by Lady Li. As for Ming Hui accompanying him, Lady Li wasn’t reluctant at all and even seemed eager to send him off.
Ming Hui, on the other hand, was unwilling to go. Fond of comfort, he even had his young servant swap out hand warmers at the Academy during lunch hours. How could he bear such hardship? But with a single word from his grandfather, he couldn’t even seek his grandmother’s indulgence.
Ming Jia patted Ming Hui’s shoulder. "This is a rare opportunity to gain experience. Make the most of it."
Ming Jung added, "Have the kitchen maid prepare plenty of food for you. Your picky tastes won’t tolerate starving yourself thin."
Ming Rui handed him a few books. "Don’t forget your studies while you’re away. I’ll test you when you return."
Ming Hui sighed. "You’re truly my dear brother."
Ming Rui smiled faintly. "Cousin, actually."
Ming Hui grumbled, "...Fine, you win."
The day of preparation passed swiftly. With a glum expression, Ming Hui climbed into the carriage, watching his grandmother longingly, only to see her waving a handkerchief, wishing him a safe journey.
Ming Hui turned his gaze to his mother, only to find her not even sparing him a glance!
The eldest smacked his son on the head. "You think I’m happy to take you along, just because you don’t want to go?"
This child was the most pampered; just thinking about his picky nature made the eldest’s head ache before the journey had even begun.
Ming Hui huffed, pulling his cloak over his head and ignoring his father entirely.
The eldest frowned. Among his siblings, he was the one who lacked their father’s authoritative presence the most.
In Zhangzhou Province, Yushuang returned home with a face as pale as a sheet. The moment she arrived, she summoned the doctor, who prescribed her a calming soup.
Liufeng returned from outside and hastened to the back courtyard. "Weren’t you just at Father’s estate? What happened?"
Recalling what she had seen, Yushuang’s face turned even paler.
An older maid, feeling heartache for her mistress, gestured for the young master to leave before softly explaining, "On our journey, we came across two frozen children, one older and one younger, who had died on the road to the estate."
The maid shuddered. "The two children’s eyes were wide open, filled with unwillingness. And..."
Liufeng asked, "And what else?"
The maid took a deep breath and said, "The bodies of the two children were mangled, their bones exposed. They’d already been gnawed on by wild animals."
Liufeng felt heavy-hearted. This wasn’t an isolated incident—he had occasionally come across similar sights while visiting villages. With a sigh, he said, "Go tend to the soup."