TSWPF -Chapter 300 Instructions

Liu Zhimou was completely unaware of all this. Even if he had known, he wouldn’t have said a single word—after all, it was a matter of the royal court, and he had no authority over it.

As soon as he returned to the Liu residence, he hadn’t even reached his courtyard before Elder Liu eagerly summoned him to the study.

“Grandfather…” Liu Zhimou greeted respectfully.

Elder Liu hummed in response and asked him when he would be officially assigned to his post.

“In three days.” The timing was tight, but fortunately, they had already handled everything on hand and wouldn’t be caught off guard.

Elder Liu paused, then asked where Liu Zhimou would be sent.

When Liu Zhimou mentioned Ninghua County, Elder Liu frowned. How could he be assigned to Ninghua County? It was such a poor place—how could the emperor send Liu Zhimou there?

The thought of his grandson and the others enduring hardship in such a backward region made his heart ache.

Should he petition the emperor to have Liu Zhimou sent elsewhere?

While Elder Liu fretted, Liu Zhimou’s face remained calm and relaxed. He smiled, comforting his grandfather not to worry. He thought the place was fine—there was plenty of opportunity to achieve results.

Why did he want to be an official? Wasn’t it to do some good for the people? Now that he was assigned to Ninghua County, he would find every possible way to lead the people there to a life of enough food and warm clothes.

Hearing this, Elder Liu sighed heavily. He knew his grandson was stubborn—no amount of persuasion would change him. So he quietly suppressed his worries and offered a few words of encouragement.

Elder Liu realized Liu Zhimou was right: the poorer the place, the easier it was to achieve meaningful accomplishments. He shouldn’t obstruct his grandson’s development but rather support and encourage him, so he could take good care of himself and his family there.

“Once we settle down there, grandfather, you can come visit and stay for a while.” Not just the maternal grandparents, even the grandfather was old now, his hair turning gray.

Although Liu Zhimou had once harbored resentment toward Elder Liu, he later understood the elder’s difficulties and no longer rejected him.

After all, he was his own grandfather. He also didn’t want to make his parents worry, so he agreed to Elder Liu’s suggestion.

After staying a few days at the Liu residence, the chaotic environment made him uncomfortable. Fortunately, it was only for a few days, so he could endure it.

“All right. If nothing comes up, I’ll come see you.” Elder Liu wasn’t attached to the Liu residence; he was eager to follow Liu Zhimou and the grandchildren. Being with those children, he didn’t have to overthink or worry. Sometimes he felt that the warmest sound in a home was the laughter of several strong-willed grandchildren—the people he could truly rely on.

Liu Zhimou smiled and nodded, saying he would be more than welcome. If Elder Liu came, he must write ahead to let them prepare.

Elder Liu chuckled and nudged him, saying, “We’ll see when the time comes. If there’s time, we’ll come; if we get lost, there’s nothing to be done.”

“All right, it’s settled then.”

Elder Liu’s attention soon turned elsewhere. He carefully went over all the precautions Liu Zhimou needed to observe while on assignment, making sure he remembered everything so that nothing went wrong.

Liu Zhimou, being a first-time official, wasn’t sure what to do when he arrived, planning to figure things out as he went. He hadn’t expected someone to patiently help him prepare in detail.

He felt deeply touched. After Elder Liu finished speaking, he nodded firmly and said he understood and would not disappoint him.

Elder Liu waved his hand and said, “The most important thing is that you all stay safe. Don’t put yourselves in dangerous situations. Understand?” Harsh terrain breeds rough people, and he knew that Ninghua County’s populace wouldn’t be easy to manage.

Especially the wealthier gentry—they might resist authority, bully a new county magistrate, and in extreme cases, even threaten his life.

Having witnessed such things before, he feared they might happen to his grandson. Thus, he repeatedly reminded Liu Zhimou that personal safety was paramount, and he should never act rashly without confidence.

Once a person is lost, everything else is gone. Life is more important than anything else.

“Grandfather, don’t worry. I have a sense of measure in these matters and won’t let myself or my family fall into danger.”

Seeing his grandson’s face more mature than his years, Elder Liu nodded, though he still thought about which skilled individuals he could assign to protect them. He couldn’t fully trust sending his grandchildren off to Ninghua County unguarded.

He didn’t tell Liu Zhimou about this, knowing that if he did, his grandson would refuse help. It was better to keep it secret.

“If you understand, I can rest easier. Tomorrow, I’ll tell your master about this; he’s been concerned about it too.”

“All right…”

The next morning, before Liu Zhimou could go to Mr. Luo’s house, Mr. Luo came to him directly, handing him a notebook to study carefully.

Liu Zhimou glanced at Mr. Luo, then opened the notebook. When he saw that it contained detailed information about Ninghua County, his heart leapt. It was as if he were soaking in warm water—it felt wonderful.

He thanked Mr. Luo sincerely. This was information that could not be bought with any amount of silver—it was priceless. He was truly grateful.

Mr. Luo sipped his tea and smiled, saying, “This is also to make things easier for myself, so that unrelated people don’t disturb me.”

Liu Zhimou suddenly remembered that Mr. Luo would be going with them. With Mr. Luo by his side to hold authority, he felt less nervous.

“Promising…” Mr. Luo muttered, sounding a bit annoyed. It was such a small matter—why be so moved? “All right, stop thanking me here. Pack your things quickly; we leave the day after tomorrow.”

The thought of traveling so far after so many years made Liu Zhimou feel both excited and anxious, like a child.

Understanding Mr. Luo’s meaning, Liu Zhimou smiled faintly and said, “I’ll pack everything, and we’ll leave promptly the day after tomorrow. But the journey is long—Master, will your health hold up?” He truly worried about Mr. Luo.

Mr. Luo, extremely wise, glanced at Liu Zhimou, then turned away without speaking. He was in perfect health—nothing would happen.

Even without words, Liu Zhimou understood his meaning and gulped down a bit more tea to change the topic. Once he saw Mr. Luo relaxed, he stopped talking.

At this moment, Elder Liu, who had been silent, spoke. He asked Mr. Luo to also take care of Liu Zhimou and the others, ensuring they stayed on the right path.

With Elder Luo accompanying them to Ninghua County, Elder Liu felt much less uneasy. Even if he trusted no one else, he could trust Elder Luo.

“They are my grandchildren too. If I don’t care for them, who will?” Compared to Elder Liu, Mr. Luo was far more capable in this regard.

Elder Liu didn’t argue, shaking his head and turning the topic away.

Mr. Luo stayed at the Liu residence for two hours before taking his leave.

Liu Zhimou saw him to the door and was returning to his courtyard when Liu Zhiyan came looking for him. Liu Zhiyan asked directly about the timing and location of the assignment.

Without hesitation, Liu Zhimou told him.

“Ninghua County?”

Liu Zhiyan scratched his head and smiled awkwardly. He had no idea where Ninghua County was.

Seeing his expression, Liu Zhimou laughed and gave him a brief introduction of the county.

“What? Such a poor place, and Fourth Brother, you’re willing to go there?” It would be unbearably hard—was his brother out of his mind?

“I’m willing. It’s a good place to do real work for the people.” Moreover, if he could develop Ninghua County, his strength would grow. When he returned to the capital, he would be in a much stronger position.

Liu Zhiyan looked up at Liu Zhimou, seeing his Fourth Brother so determined to do good for the people. Meanwhile, he only thought of how poor the place was and how difficult life there would be.

Times like this were truly shameful.

If he ever became an official and had such thoughts, it would be dangerous.

“No matter what decision you make, Fourth Brother, I support you.”

“Thank you, Sixth Brother.” Feeling such wholehearted support stirred a surge of determination in Liu Zhimou. He patted Liu Zhiyan’s shoulder. “Come with me.”

“All right…” Liu Zhiyan didn’t know what Liu Zhimou wanted to say, but upon hearing this, he immediately nodded.

Liu Zhimou shook his head in amusement and took the opportunity to give him a lesson: don’t trust someone so easily, or you might be sold out while counting someone else’s money.

Liu Zhiyan proudly replied, “If it were anyone else, I wouldn’t care. But you, Fourth Brother, I know you wouldn’t sell me out!”

“Good, you have a sense of measure.”

Seeing Liu Zhiyan’s confidence, Liu Zhimou didn’t say more. He led him back to his temporary study, took out several books and his notes, and handed them to Liu Zhiyan to study carefully. If he didn’t understand something, he could come back tomorrow or write to him with questions.