Jackie Chan's Son-in-Law

Chapter 46 Team and Explanation

Because of the heavy rain, Chen Sanlang and his mother were stranded in Deqing for several days. It wasn't until today, when the weather cleared up and the roads became easier to travel, that they were able to return to the prefectural city.

At this point, both mother and son knew that it was unlikely they could bring Chen Qing back to Huzhou Prefecture with just a few words or force.

That's why these words of "kind advice" came about.

Chen Qing tucked his hands into his sleeves and looked up at Chen Che in front of him.

Among the three Chen brothers, Chen Sanlang's temper wasn't actually that bad. His feelings for Chen Qing were more of a mixture of pity and sympathy.

Therefore, he usually speaks to me quite politely, and always addresses me as "elder brother".

Chen Erlang, the son of the Chen family who was considered a "scholarly talent," would often address Chen Qing by his given name when they met.

Because of Chen Erlang, he studied very well.

In other words, Chen Qing was not favored by his father at home in his early years, partly because he was somewhat weak-willed, and partly because he had no talent for studying.

This "lack of talent" might not seem like much to ordinary people, but to an official like Chen Zhaoming, who was a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations), being unable to study was simply stupid.

A fool doesn't need to inherit a family business.

It was precisely because Chen Sanlang's personality was barely acceptable that he came to the entrance of the soup kitchen at this time and said those words to Chen Qing.

"Won't this end well?"

Chen Qing said calmly, "Things have come to this point, and there's no way to salvage the situation anymore."

He looked up at Chen Che, frowned, and then waved his hand, saying, "I have a lot of things to do here and don't have the energy to make things difficult for you. Go wherever you want."

"If I see my father."

Chen Qing shook his head: "Let him do whatever he wants. If he wants to punish me, I'll be waiting for him in Deqing."

Chen Che's expression changed upon hearing this.

"After arriving in Deqing, my elder brother has completely changed. Does he even disown his own family?"

Chen Qing sneered, "Back then, when I went out to find a husband for myself, it was originally a matter of leaving the Chen family and entering the Gu family. This was arranged by your mother. If I were to marry into the Gu family, could we still be considered family?"

Chen Che shouted, "That was your own choice, elder brother!"

Chen Qing shook his head: "If we were in each other's shoes, would you be willing?"

This matter is complicated.

For several months, Madam Li had been trying to persuade Chen Qing to change his mindset. In addition, Chen Qing was not in a good state at that time and was often in a daze, which finally led to this matter.

Chen Zhaoming, who was hundreds of miles away, agreed to this because he didn't really like his somewhat slow-witted eldest son, Chen Qing, and because of the influence of Madam Li.

After saying this, Chen Qing ignored him and turned to leave.

"I have other things to do. You should go back to the prefectural city and tell your mother that she can't control me."

Young Master Chen sneered, "If she provokes me again, I'll beat her up again!"

After saying that, he didn't look at his own brother again, turned around and left, going back to the soup kitchen to keep busy.

By this time, the weather in Deqing had cleared up, and many of the disaster victims who had been in the soup kitchen had returned home to help with the aftermath. There were still about a hundred people left in the kitchen.

Chen Qing first went to the tent where the wounded and sick were being housed. After crouching down and going inside, he looked around and quickly found Li Shiyi and his sister.

At this time, the little girl, who was only eleven or twelve years old, had recovered from her high fever and, after resting for a few days, had finally recovered somewhat.

When Li Shiyi saw Chen Qing approaching, he quickly stepped forward and was about to kowtow, but Chen Qing stopped him from kneeling.

Is your sister feeling any better?

Li Shiyi quickly said, "Thanks to you and Manager Lu, my sister's fever has gone down."

In the past few days, he has often helped Manager Lu with his work and has learned some things, at least he can now address people with respect.

Chen Qing nodded and asked, "The weather has cleared up, and this soup kitchen will probably be dismantled in another seven or eight days. After that, the people will all go back to their homes, pack up their belongings, and replant their crops. Do you and your siblings have anywhere to go?"

Upon hearing this, Li Shiyi's face darkened: "Master, my family are tenant farmers. After my mother passed away, I don't know if the landlord will still let me farm for him."

Chen Qing asked, "Is it just the two of you, brother and sister, in your family?"

Li Shi nodded, tears welling up in his eyes, but being his age and concerned about his image, he turned his face away, not wanting Chen Qing to see.

Chen Qing looked at him, paused, and then said, "Would you like to come to the city with me to work?"

Li Shiyi suddenly turned his head to look at Chen Qing.

Young Master Chen spoke calmly, “Anrentang needs some workers. I’ve picked out a few homeless people with nowhere to go from the sheds these past few days, and I plan to bring them to Deqing to work.” “Once we get to Deqing, I’ll arrange accommodations for you. You can work at Anrentang first, and there may be other things for you to do in the future.”

"If you're willing, I'll take you into the city in a few days."

Chen Qing was indeed recruiting people.

In this era without extraordinary martial arts, one person's strength is far too small. If Chen Qing remains alone, he may be stuck with the Gu family for the rest of his life, unable to escape.

He needs people to do things for him and help him gradually build up his strength.

This flood is a great opportunity, after all, people like Li Shiyi are not only needed by Chen Qing, they also need Chen Qing.

Li Shiyi looked up at Chen Qing, hesitated for a moment, and then gritted his teeth and said, "Master Chen, I can sell myself to you, but my sister..."

"I don't want her to sell herself."

His expression was resolute.

Chen Qing said speechlessly, "Who asked you to sell yourselves? You don't need to sell yourselves, you're just doing labor."

"From now on, you will work for me. If you are unhappy, you can leave at any time."

Chen Qing paused for a moment, then continued, "Including you, I've already selected seven or eight people. If nothing unexpected happens, I'll take you into the city in a few days."

Are you willing?

"willing."

Li Shiyi answered without hesitation, patting his chest and saying, "Master Chen is my sister's great benefactor, and also my great benefactor!"

The young man knelt down with a thud and kowtowed, saying, "From now on, I will do whatever Master Chen asks me to do!"

Chen Qing helped him up, patted him on the shoulder, and said nothing more than "okay".

These people were Chen's original team.

However, he was well aware that the selected group of people was only a preliminary selection, and that half of these seven or eight people would be usable in the future.

Then this trip will be a huge success!

…………

Meanwhile, just as Chen Qing was gathering people at the soup kitchen, Chen Che had already returned to Huzhou City with his mother.

The mother and son spent two days returning to the prefectural city, and rested there for a few more days. Early one morning, a blue sedan chair stopped in front of the Chen family's house.

Madam Li, accompanied by her two sons, greeted the Chen family at the main gate. When a middle-aged man in a blue robe with a dignified appearance stepped down from the sedan chair, Madam Li's eyes turned red, and she wept bitterly.

"master!"

This cry was one of utter grievance.

Chen Cheng, the second son of the Chen family, and Chen Che, the third son, stepped forward and knelt respectfully on the ground, bowing and paying their respects to the middle-aged man.

"My child meets his father!"

This middle-aged man was naturally Chen Qing's father, Chen Huan, also known as Chen Zhaoming.

Chen Huan glanced at the mother and her two sons, gently patted Madam Li's hand, and finally turned his gaze to his second son, Chen Cheng.

"How's your preparation for the prefectural exam going? Do you think you'll pass this year?"

Chen Cheng quickly bowed his head and said, "Father, I guarantee I will pass the prefectural examination."

Chen Huan nodded, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes: "You must pass the imperial examination as soon as possible and prepare for the provincial examination."

Chen Cheng bowed deeply: "Your son obeys."

Madam Li, standing to the side, gritted her teeth and said, "Master, what about Deqing..."

"I already know about what happened in Deqing."

Chen Huan walked home with his hands behind his back.

"After a few days of rest."

He turned to look at Madam Li.

"I will go to Deqing to see Gu Shao and demand an explanation from you."

(End of this chapter)