My Apprenticeship to Uncle Jiu: I Was a Warlord in the Republic of China

Early the next morning, Jiang Li and his party set out on their journey. After walking for two days, they finally arrived outside Renjia Town. Butler Zhang invited Jiang Li to the Ren family and asked Mr. Ren to thank Jiang Li properly.

But Jiang Li declined the offer, saying he missed home after being away for many years. Then Ren Tingting lifted the car curtain and said, "Then Brother Jiang, go home first. You must come to my house to play in a few days."

Jiang Li smiled and said, "Okay, I'll come over after I pay my respects to the master in a few days."

After saying that, he led his men to the Jiang family. Because he had not written a letter to inform his family about his itinerary, the convoy went all the way to two miles outside the Jiang family's courtyard before someone recognized him and went home to report the news.

When they arrived at the door, their mother was waiting at the door with their younger sister and a few servants. Jiang Li quickly got out of the car and knelt down in front of his mother and said, "I am an unfilial son and have made you worry."

Wang Chunhua was only happy at this moment, she didn't blame anyone, she just kept smiling and said, "I'm glad you're back, I'm glad you're back."

Jiang Xiaohua, who was standing by, pulled at her mother's clothes and said, "Mom, let our second brother go in first. It's not good to kneel at the door."

Wang Chunhua then helped her son up and brought Jiang Li into the yard. After entering the yard, Wang Chunhua instructed Old Wu, who had been promoted to housekeeper, to take the convoy to a nearby wing.

Holding his mother's hand, Jiang Li couldn't help but sigh, "I've been away from home for three years, and there hasn't been much change in our family."

Wang Chunhua said, "We country folk just need a place to live. Why do we need so many changes?"

Jiang Li smiled and said, "That won't do. We are now landlords after all. I brought back eight gunmen as guards this time. If we don't expand the yard, it will be very crowded in the future."

Wang Chunhua didn't respond, she just said, "You go talk to your father about this. Now I want to settle accounts with you. Tell me how many letters you have sent home in the past three years. Do you still have me as your mother in your heart?"

Jiang Li said somewhat awkwardly, "Don't I send a letter home every month?"

Wang Chunhua said unhappily, "How can you say that you only send one letter a month? If someone doesn't know, they would think you were dead out there." As she spoke, she began to cry.

Jiang Li had no choice but to change the subject and said, "Where are my elder brother and father? I brought you gifts. I'll go get them in."

Wang Chunhua interrupted, "Who cares about gifts? You've been away from home for so many years and you still don't want to talk to me. Do you really not want to recognize me as your mother?"

Jiang Li had no choice but to smile and tell his mother about some of the interesting things he saw and heard in the provincial capital.

An hour later, it was dinner time before father Jiang Kaishan and eldest brother Jiang Daniu returned home. When they saw Jiang Li, they asked him all kinds of questions and talked endlessly.

Wang Chunhua saw her son's predicament and said, "Okay, okay, son, you've worked hard all the way, so you should eat first and then have a good sleep. We can talk tomorrow if you have anything to say."

Coming to the dining table, a slender and pretty young woman bowed to Jiang Li and said, "My concubine greets my second uncle."

Just when Jiang Li was curious about who this was, his eldest brother Jiang Daniu said with a smile, "Second brother, you see, I haven't introduced her to you yet. This is the sister-in-law I told you about in the letter."

Jiang Li reacted instantly and said, "You see, I didn't react at all this time. I'm Jiang Li, your younger brother, meeting your sister-in-law." Then he bowed.

At this time Jiang Kaishan said, "Okay, okay, now that we know each other, come over and have dinner."

Just like that, three years later, the family had a reunion dinner again. After the meal, Jiang Li distributed the various gifts he brought back to his family members and told them about his research results over the past three years.

Of course, the family was only surprised that the yield of pumpkin per mu could reach 1,800 kilograms. As for the mushroom species, they were not very interested, and Jiang Li did not explain much.

Jiang Kaishan then talked about the current situation of his family. Although the arable land had only increased to 300 acres, as Jiang Li said, as long as there was output, there would be no loss.

Therefore, the two barren hills that Jiang Kaishan purchased to plant fruit trees and medicinal herbs and graze cattle and sheep could barely be considered a wealthy family.

As for the business in the town, it also expanded to several surrounding towns, and was all handed over to the eldest brother Jiang Daniu for management. He took 40% of the income and gave 60% to his family.

Jiang Li listened to his father's smug boasting and couldn't help but exaggerate and scare him, "Dad, you've been talking for so long, don't you realize that our family is about to be destroyed?"

Jiang Kaishan immediately jumped up and said, "What nonsense are you talking about, kid?"

The other people in the family were also looking at him in shock and confusion, wondering how he would explain it.

Jiang Li shook his head and said, "Have you never heard that if a child carries gold through a busy city, he will be doomed to disaster sooner or later?"

"We are just farmers with no power or influence. If we were a well-off family, it would be fine. But you have accumulated so much wealth over the years and you haven't developed your connections and influence. Aren't you just a big piece of fat meat that people are eyeing?"

Everyone was sweating profusely after hearing this. Jiang Kaishan immediately asked in a panic, "What should we do with our son? Think of a solution quickly."

Jiang Li said, "Don't worry, I'm back now."

"I had thought of this situation before when I was in the provincial capital, so I adopted eight teenage orphans and beggars. After three years of training, they have become a pretty good team."

"If we can repair our courtyard wall and select some tenants to form a team to protect the farm, this small crisis will naturally be resolved."

Hearing this, Jiang Kaishan said, "Yes, yes, yes, I will start preparing for these two things tomorrow without further delay."

But then he changed his mind and said, "Since you already have a solution, why do you still want to scare me? Are you itching for a slap?"

Jiang Li spread his hands and said innocently, "I'm not afraid that you don't understand the seriousness of the matter, so I resorted to this desperate measure."

"Have you not heard the ancient counselors in the opera? They come up and say that I am here to save your life. That way, the person will take it to heart. I am also doing this for this family."

Although Jiang Kaishan was a little unhappy, he accepted the explanation and said, "Okay, okay, you've worked hard along the way, go back and rest early!"

Jiang Kaishan spoke, and the family members dispersed one by one.

Jiang Li washed up and lay on the bed thinking, "I just got home and I'm afraid it won't be easy to leave tomorrow. I'd better go to see the master the day after tomorrow!"

He then sat cross-legged and began to practice, circulating his magical powers for two cycles before stopping and going to sleep.

Early the next morning, Jiang Li took the eight guards to do morning exercises outside the yard. Half an hour later, everyone finished their morning exercises and had breakfast.

Jiang Kaishan got up and saw his son doing morning exercises with others but did not interfere. He just complained during dinner, "Old Wu told me that the breakfast you asked him to prepare for those people was better than the breakfast for me, the landlord, with eggs and white flour buns. Do you want to live like this or what?"

Jiang Li laughed and teased, "Dad, why do you feel sorry for them? Have you forgotten why we raise them?"

"That's to protect our family's lives and property. We are reluctant to give up even a little food. You wouldn't want to let the horse run without giving it grass to eat, would you?"