IDWBE -Chapter 244 Family

Wang Qingbang wiped his tears and said, “Mr. He, Pan Duo said you still have a great-grandson? He’s been wandering in Liangzhou. If nothing goes wrong, he should arrive in Sanhe in a few days. Your family line won’t die out. You should quietly rejoice instead of sighing like the rest of us. There’s really no need for it.”

In the past, they lacked the means and courage to search for their families, fearing any trouble might affect them.

Now, they no longer feared anything. Sitting with the lord over five provinces, with millions of people under their command, ready for battle, possessing the aura of seizing the capital with horses and swords—they acted with growing boldness.

“This matter is still uncertain,” He Jixiang sighed. “I’ve been in Sanhe for too long. I’ve never even seen my great-grandson, let alone this great-great-grandson. Perhaps it’s better to have no expectations. The more hope there is, the more my heart aches, leaving me sleepless night after night. It’s unbearably painful. I’d rather have nothing—just myself.”

Bian Jing said, “I’ve seen your four sons and several grandsons—they’re like copies of you. Mingyue once said this is biological inheritance. It means the father’s traits are roughly mirrored in the sons. Your grandson is probably the same. Besides, your family was exiled to Liangzhou, and they were officially registered as military households. Every generation is recorded in the records—there’s no mistake. You can rest assured; there’s no need to act like a worried child.”

He Jixiang finished his porridge, put down his bowl and chopsticks, and frowned. “I hope so. If Pan Duo really finds the He family line, he will be a benefactor to our family forever.”

Chen Desheng added, “If he finds my great-grandson, whatever happens to the Pan family in the future, I will still leave them a branch of our family line.”

Bian Jing sighed. “So will I.”

Shan Qi smiled wryly—these words were directed at himself.

Yet, he could not find any reason to object.

After all, the old men were clear: if Pan Duo makes a mistake in the future, he should be punished, but leaving a lifeline for his descendants is not excessive.

Judging from the present, no matter how the lord’s temperament changes, he is not a man who kills without mercy.

At the gate of the Commander’s Office, a carriage stopped, followed by a squad of cavalry, led by Liu Kan.

Liu Kan dismounted and cupped his hands. “Mr. Bian, it’s getting late. We can depart now.”

Bian Jing nodded, carried a bundle out, and let Liu Kan take it. He then bowed to the group of elders. “I’ll be in Nanzhou for a while. Take care of yourselves, gentlemen.”

“Take care!”

The elders escorted him to the gate.

“Farewell.”

With the support of two cavalrymen, Bian Jing boarded the carriage.

Wang Qingbang instructed Liu Kan, “Take good care of Mr. Bian. If anything happens, I won’t forgive you.”

Liu Kan bowed. “Don’t worry, sir. I will take care of him properly.”

The carriage set off from Baiyun City, heading straight to Nanzhou.

As Nanzhou gradually stabilized, roads across the region began to be repaired. Following the lord’s plan, even if towns couldn’t connect as in Sanhe, at least cities should be linked.

Inside the carriage, Bian Jing, accompanied by fifty skilled craftsmen and protected by over a hundred cavalry, arrived at Qingyuan City in Nanzhou. The snow was melting, sparkling under the sun.

Wei Yishan helped him down. “Mr. Bian, your clothing is too thin. Put on something thicker.”

He draped his tiger-skin cloak over the frail Bian Jing.

“Thank you.”

Shivering, Bian Jing tightened the cloak around himself, and, supported by Wei Yishan and Jiang Zhen, entered the Provincial Administration Office.

Bian Jing removed the cloak and sat at the main seat, holding a cup of hot tea. He glanced around and asked, “Where’s Wulin?”

Jiang Zhen stood, cupping his hands. “Pardon, Mr. Bian. After Wulin returned to Nanzhou, he acted coldly toward us. Ji Zhuo and I decided to keep him in the back office, forbidding him from coming and going freely. He was quite upset, but we didn’t interfere.”

Bian Jing sighed. “That’s fine. If he can’t accomplish anything, he’ll only cause trouble.”

Jiang Zhen said, “If you wish to see him, I can summon him.”

Bian Jing waved his hand. “No need. Stubborn as he is, seeing him or not makes no difference. Everything I had to say, I already said in Sanhe. He must act as he sees fit.”

Jiang Zhen said, “Mr. Bian, you are wise.”

Bian Jing smiled. “You’ve learned to say these flattering words on your first trip out.”

“Mr. Bian,” Jiang Zhen laughed. “If you’re really strict, I’d have to kneel and bow three times as a student to you. This is already me being casual.”

Although she came from a female academy, these elders were her teachers. She respected Bian Jing deeply.

Bian Jing smiled. “Enough of these formalities. Where is Ji Zhuo?”

Jiang Zhen said, “First, the rebel army entered Yong’an, then the troops of the Prince of Nanling followed. General Ji, not trusting the border region, personally led troops to guard it and hasn’t returned yet. If you need to issue instructions, I can send word.”

“No urgent matters. Besides, it’s not something I should worry about. I’m here purely for road construction,” Bian Jing said, glancing at Wei Yishan. “So, Qingyuan City only has the two of you? Have you also become constables?”

Wei Yishan said, “Your insight is keen, sir. We serve the lord with complete dedication, until death.”

Bian Jing nodded. “The road from Baiyun City to Qingyuan City is already passable. Very good. I’m gratified—you’ve truly worked hard.”

Jiang Zhen laughed. “Sir, all thanks to the craftsmen. We barely had a hand in it.”

Bian Jing said, “Once the snow fully melts, continue repairing the road. How is the labor allocation?”

“Don’t worry, sir,” Jiang Zhen personally refilled Bian Jing’s cup. “Master Liu is in charge of this. I don’t know the details; let him explain.”

“Student Liu Boxian pays respects to Master,” Liu Boxian, who had been quietly standing behind Wei Yishan, suddenly stepped forward. Tears fell as he knelt with a splash, sniffling, “I can see you again! I can die without regret!”

“Liu Boxian?”

Bian Jing squinted at him, then shook his head. “Forgive my poor eyesight, I truly don’t recognize you.”