Chapter 164: Assistant Magistrate Li's Visit

The current head of the household is Zhao Kaifang, exactly fifty years old, with two sons. One is the brother-in-law of Li Shimin, having married Li Yuan's youngest daughter, Princess Changle. The other is Zhao Ying, who has not yet reached his twenty years of capping age, possesses ordinary academic talent, and has been pampered since childhood into a spoiled and dissolute youth.

For some unknown reason, why would a wealthy and influential family like the Zhao clan refuse to send Zhao Ying to Chang'an for his studies, instead letting him loiter around in this rural private school?

Furthermore, since Zhao Gui is Li Shimin's brother-in-law, the Zhao family could be considered imperial relatives with a quite prominent status. Why had he never heard anyone mention this before?

Uncle Yang had never mentioned it, nor had Gongsun Wenda or Gongsun Helan. If not for stumbling upon this matter today, and hearing old Liu explain it to him, he would still have no idea that such a powerful family was hidden right here in Sanyuan County.

Imperial relatives—what a grand title. Even old Liu knew about it, so Uncle Yang and Gongsun Wuda and the others could not possibly have been unaware. But the last time Uncle Yang spoke to him about the prominent families of Sanyuan, why did he uniquely omit the Zhao family? Did he forget, or did he feel that the Zhao family was simply not worth mentioning at all?

Liu Yitiao stood up and chased Liu Ertiao into the study to review his lessons. Until this matter was resolved, it was no longer appropriate for him to go to the private school, lest he incur the retaliation of the Zhao family.

He was all too clear about the two moves he taught Liu Ertiao that morning. The targeted areas were somewhat vicious and sneaky, and the power was immense. Moreover, Liu Ertiao had struck out of lingering resentment, and there was no telling what kind of state he had clawed Zhao Ying into.

However, judging by those two servants surnamed Zhang and Li, Zhao Ying's injuries should not be particularly severe. Otherwise, they would have long since fetched weapons to capture people, rather than coming to settle the matter privately in such a leisurely manner.

Old Liu also set his mind at ease. Since he had decided to delegate authority, major household matters could be left for his eldest son to decide. The eldest son was not like before; he was capable, resourceful, and insightful. With him around, he figured the second son would not come to any harm either.

Therefore, after greeting Liu Yitiao, old Liu slipped into the silkworm room.

Cleaning up and clearing away silkworm droppings—although sericulture was traditionally women's work, these chores could not be left for Madam Liu He to shoulder all alone. Thus, on occasion, old Liu truly knew how to cherish his wife. No wonder a flower like Madam Liu He had so willingly inserted herself into this pile of old Liu's cow dung, and stayed stuck there for over twenty years.

"Big Brother!" Liu Xiaohui ran out from the inner room wearing a short, patterned cloth dress. Reaching Liu Yitiao's side, she hugged his lower leg and snuggled into his arms.

Liu Yitiao shook his head, momentarily putting the previous matter aside. Chuckling, he picked up Liu Xiaohui and sat her on his lap, gently pinching her rosy little cheeks and smiling as he said, "Oh my. Our little Hui is so pretty today. Mmm, smelling so sweet—come on, let Big Brother give you a kiss!"

"No, no, Big Brother's face is too prickly. Xiaohui won't let Big Brother kiss." Liu Xiaohui hurriedly covered her face with her hands, guarding it to prevent Liu Yitiao from kissing her.

"Huh?" Liu Yitiao paused for a moment, then subconsciously reached up to touch his chin. Unawares, some stubble had already begun to grow there.

"You little rascal, how dare you refuse Big Brother a kiss! Let's see how Big Brother deals with you!" Liu Yitiao made a funny face at Liu Xiaohui, then feigned rubbing his hands together before reaching out to tickle her under the arms and along her ribs.

"Giggle, giggle!" Liu Xiaohui wriggled back and forth on Liu Yitiao's lap, dodging the attack of his hands while giggling uncontrollably. Her childish, crisp laughter echoed throughout the courtyard.

It was evident that the little girl thoroughly enjoyed this feeling, and Liu Yitiao never grew tired of it.

"Alright, while Big Brother has some free time, how about I take you out for a spin? We'll ride our family's little donkey." Liu Yitiao lifted Liu Xiaohui high up into the air and affectionately placed her atop his shoulders.

"Yay, yay! Xiaohui hasn't ridden Xiaobai in so long. I want to ride Xiaobai again! Thank you, Big Brother! You're the best, Big Brother!" As she spoke, Liu Xiaohui bent down herself, wrapped her arms around Liu Yitiao's head, and planted a resounding kiss right on his forehead.

Xiaobai was the name Liu Xiaohui had given to Liu Wuhen, just as she had named the family's little yellow calf Xiaohuang, naming them according to the color of their fur.

Walking over to the cattle shed, Liu Yitiao reached up, lifted Liu Xiaohui down from his shoulders, and gently set her upon Liu Wuhen's back. He then untied the reins and led Liu Wuhen out.

"Off we go! Big Brother is taking Xiaohui for a ride!" Stepping out the front gate, Liu Yitiao vaulted onto the donkey, holding Liu Xiaohui tightly and securely in his arms.

Seeing Liu Xiaohui's flushed little face glowing with excitement, Liu Yitiao smiled faintly and patted Liu Wuhen on the head. Understanding the cue, the donkey lifted its hooves and broke into a trot.

However, before they had taken more than a few steps, they were forced to come to an abrupt halt.

Right before them approached two figures: Li Zhide and Li Wu, the county magistrate and the chief constable.

Liu Yitiao shrugged slightly, jumped down from Liu Wuhen's back, and after softly comforting Liu Xiaohui for a moment, led the donkey to wait quietly by the roadside.

Judging by the appearance of Li Zhide and Li Wu and the direction they were heading, it looked as though they had come specifically looking for him.

"Uncle Li, Chief Constable Li, this junior pays his respects." As Li Zhide and his companion drew near, Liu Yitiao calmly cupped his hands in greeting.

"Haha, greetings to you too, virtuous nephew Yitiao." Li Zhide reined in his horse, stopped right beside Liu Yitiao, and said with a smile, "What a coincidence; your uncle here is precisely coming to look for you. I wonder where my virtuous nephew is heading? If you are not in a rush, could you spare a moment?"

Li Zhide's extreme courtesy caught Liu Yitiao somewhat off guard. He hurriedly turned the donkey around and bowed deeply to Li Zhide, saying, "This junior has no urgent matters whatsoever. Even if I did, how could I possibly keep Uncle Li waiting? Uncle, please follow your nephew inside so we can talk."

Leading Liu Wuhen, Liu Yitiao brought Li Zhide and the constable into his home.

Li Zhide handed his reins to Li Wu, telling him to tie up the horses, and then followed Liu Yitiao into the parlor.

"Please take a seat, Uncle Li; please take a seat, Chief Constable." Liu Yitiao sent Liu Xiaohui off to the inner room, personally poured bowls of tea for his guests, and then modestly sat down beside Li Wu.

"I wonder what brings Uncle here on this visit?" Liu Yitiao cupped his hands toward Li Zhide and asked softly.

"It is nothing major," Li Zhide straightened up and said to Liu Yitiao, "It is about the farmland and oxen I mentioned to you last time."

"By the decree of His Majesty the Emperor, the three hundred qing of land and fifty oxen bestowed upon my virtuous nephew have already been prepared by your uncle. Ah, here is the title deed." With that, Li Zhide pulled a red-stamped paper document from his robe and handed it to Liu Yitiao, saying, "Three hundred qing of perpetual estate land, entirely barren territory, located just west of Gutian Village, right adjacent to your nephew's previous thirty qing of perpetual fields."

"You have truly gone to great trouble, Uncle Li." Liu Yitiao accepted the deed with both hands, glanced over it, and then bowed respectfully to Li Zhide.

Three hundred qing of wasteland west of the village? That probably meant the entire boundless expanse of wilderness west of the village was included!

Thinking of the endless plains stretching alongside his fields, Liu Yitiao's heart swelled with boundless joy. It was only a pity that the spring plowing had already passed, meaning these three hundred qing of land would likely miss this season.

"As for those fifty oxen, when would it be convenient to have them delivered to my nephew?" Li Zhide glanced around the Liu family courtyard and remarked, "Your uncle observes that your family's courtyard here probably cannot accommodate them all, right?"

"Uncle has sharp eyes," Liu Yitiao said, cupping his hands. "Our courtyard is small and already stretched to its limits, so this junior intends to build a larger homestead, which will take about a month or so. Until then, might I impose upon Uncle to have someone temporarily manage the oxen on my behalf? Any expenses incurred during this period will be fully covered by this junior."

"That is naturally no problem," Li Zhide took a sip of tea, looked at Liu Yitiao, and said, "In any case, those oxen do not consume all that much fodder, and since my virtuous nephew is willing to pay, it cannot be considered a violation of the imperial court's regulations. I shall give the instructions later. Whenever your new residence is completed, nephew, you may come to me to claim them."

"Many thanks, Uncle Li! Thank you for troubling yourself on my account!" Liu Yitiao stood up and bowed respectfully to Li Zhide. Regardless of what Li Zhide's personal character might be, the fact that he was willing to help with such a massive favor made Liu Yitiao grateful from the bottom of his heart. This bow was performed with utmost sincerity.

"You are too courteous, nephew." Li Zhide raised a hand slightly, gesturing for Liu Yitiao to sit, and said, "Actually, the one who truly ought to express gratitude is your uncle."

Looking at Liu Yitiao with genuine sincerity, Li Zhide said, "The 'Liu Family Plow Workshop' that my nephew previously established has won no small amount of prestige for Sanyuan and for your uncle. Even His Majesty the Emperor has praised me several times on its account. In my future official career, if I achieve any success, my nephew's contribution is indelible."

As he spoke, Li Zhide beamed broadly. Just yesterday, he had received definitive news from a close friend in Chang'an that before long, he would be promoted once again and transferred to the capital.

Having served in his post for less than four months, he was already slated for transfer to the imperial city. Following Wang Zhihong, he was the first Sanyuan county magistrate in history to be reassigned before serving a full three-year term.

Li Zhide felt as though he were living in a dream.

He now truly understood the state of mind Wang Zhihong had experienced back then. This Liu Yitiao was a blessing to any official's career.

Li Zhide patted Liu Yitiao's shoulder and said with profound meaning, "Young man, keep up the good work! Milk will be provided, and monthly tickets shall be granted as well!"