The whole family travels through time and space, and the three of them struggle together

Emperor Jiayou directly issued an imperial edict to confer an official title on Zhou Dajiang.

"I, under the divine blessing, dedicate myself to the prosperity of the nation and the well-being of the people! Zhou Dajiang of Donghai Prefecture is a man of exceptional talent. He previously achieved unprecedented feats in defeating the Japanese invaders, and later achieved a top ranking in the imperial examination. He is a role model for young talent in our dynasty. I hereby appoint him as Langzhong of the Ministry of Works, in charge of all its affairs, to honor his virtue. I decree this."

Zhou Dajiang was dazed after receiving the imperial edict. On the other hand, Chen Xiuying was the one who was given a purse filled with banknotes after Eunuch Shi announced the edict.

"Trouble you to come all the way here. This is just a small token of my appreciation. It's not much of a token of respect, but I hope you will accept it."

Eunuch Shi took the purse and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, I have always placed high hopes on Lord Zhou." I don't need to say the rest, you know.

Zhou Dajiang was startled when he heard what Eunuch Shi said, and he quickly and respectfully replied, "Thank you for your advice, Eunuch. I will do my best to live up to your grace."

After Shi Gonggong resigned, Zhi Ge'er asked Zhou Sisi, "Sister, is Daddy an official now?"

Zhou Sisi: "It should be..."

Then she looked at her mother again, "Mother, what kind of official is Si Langzhong?"

Chen Xiuying was also stunned. "How could I, who has no memory, know what rank it was?" So she nudged the head of the household and said, "Dad, the child asked what rank the doctor was?"

"Don't poke me, let me float for a while."

Zhou Dajiang was also confused at this moment. How could he be promoted so early? He hadn't even been paraded through the streets yet. Besides, the top three wouldn't be promoted so quickly, right? Who knew what was going on?

Fortunately, Zhou Dajiang didn't drift away for long before Master Cui showed up. "My father knows you must be confused, so I came to tell you something."

Zhou Dajiang hurriedly asked him, "Master Cui, what's going on? Why was he suddenly given an official position?"

"Don't call me Lord Xiao Cui. You will be my boss from now on. Just call me Xiao Cui." Lord Xiao Cui said with a smile.

"Stop joking, let's talk about what's going on."

"What else could it be? Your essay for the palace examination was so well written that His Majesty and the other officials all said it was 'substantial,' so my father asked His Majesty for you in advance. Plus, the Emperor has always been concerned about the small reward you received for the previous victory over the Japanese invaders, so we're combining them together this time."

Song Dajiang... It turns out that in the emperor's mind, five hundred taels of gold is too little. Well, I don't think it's too little. If possible, you can give me more.

Master Cui continued, "The Ministry of Works consists of four departments: the Ministry of Works, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Fisheries, and the Ministry of Water Resources. The Langzhong of the Ministry of Works is the head of each department, a fifth-rank official who assists the Shangshu and Shilang. He oversees the city's construction procedures and is responsible for the maintenance of the Yellow River levees. Therefore, even though I am the Langzhong of the Ministry of Water Resources, I am still under your command. You are our leader now."

After saying that, he looked at Zhou Dajiang and said, "Well, I have an unwelcome request. Since you are our leader, can I ask you for a few men?"

Zhou Dajiang was stunned. "You're asking me for someone?"

"Isn't our Water Department responsible for ship modification? Can we give all the technicians who went to Japan with us to the Water Department?"

"No, I don't care about them, why are they asking me for people?"

"Don't think I don't know. You have the final say over the Qingshangou Processing Workshop. As long as you give the order, there's no way they won't release you."

"Even if I have the final say, I still have to ask the other party first, and then they have to agree, right? I'll write to you later and ask about this matter before we can decide." Zhou Dajiang was convinced. He hadn't even taken office yet, but people were already asking him for people.

"Why are you writing this letter? Oh, I forgot to tell you that newly promoted officials are entitled to two months of home leave. Since you've been hired by my Ministry of Works, you don't have to take the imperial examination. After attending the Qionglin Banquet, you can apply for leave from the Ministry of Personnel. Then you can go back and pack up your house and move to the capital."

Zhou Dajiang was overjoyed when he heard he had two months of home leave. He hadn't been home for a long time, and homesickness suddenly washed over him.

"Okay! I understand. Thank you for letting me know." Zhou Dajiang hurriedly thanked him.

Master Cui waved his hand. "However, you must arrange matters in Qingshangou as soon as possible. After all, the Ministry of Works is overwhelmed with work, and everyone is looking forward to the technical staff coming to help. Also, your former Minister of Works has been in mourning, so his position has been vacant, and has been temporarily filled by the Left Vice Minister of Works."

Zhou Dajiang nodded. "I'll save that. I won't miss my work. But then again, where are they going to stay?"

"The court has low-rent housing, and there's also a monthly rental subsidy. If you find the environment unsuitable, you can rent a private house yourself."

"I understand, thank you!" The treatment in the Donghua Kingdom's family is really good!

After Master Cui said his last words, Zhou Dajiang began packing for his return trip. He wasn't interested in horseback parades; only the top three would receive such privileges. Fourth place, like him, would have to follow on foot. He was looking forward to the Qionglin Banquet, where he could enjoy free delicacies. But there was nothing else to do. Nothing could surpass his desire to return home!

So after the Qionglin Banquet, Zhou Dajiang went straight to the Ministry of Personnel to apply for home leave.

Ever since Chen Xiuying learned she had two months of family leave, she quickly arranged her tasks. It was already mid-March, and the saplings had already been planted. She left some money for Mrs. Yu, telling her to buy anything she needed that wasn't available on the farm.

The down processing business has come to a close, and it's estimated that things won't get busy until autumn. She's definitely not needed on the renovation side. She's just there to get the commission.

After thinking about her plans after returning to Beijing, she greeted the shopkeeper Xue and asked him to help keep an eye out for suitable two-story shops in the capital.

Zhou Sisi's situation was even simpler. She and her stepmother earned quite a bit of money between the first and second months of the year. The weather was hot this time, so the ice rink was closed. However, thanks to the popularity of mahjong in Beijing, the two of them still made quite a bit of money!

In her study, she has been accumulating manuscripts for the past two months. Moreover, because of her two playing cards before the New Year and the additional "Mulan" after the New Year, the dividends from the study in the past two months have doubled!

Zhou Sisi patted her bulging purse, thought for a moment, and begged her mother, "Mom, while you're looking after the store, can you help me look after it as well? When we get back, grandma, my grandmother, and I will open a store too."

Chen Xiuying had no objection to her daughter opening a shop. The child had her own money and two mothers to check on her, so there was nothing to worry about.

So, the next day, she went to Datong Trading Company again. Xue Jing thought she was going to ask about the store, so he said directly, "We've asked our people to keep an eye on the store, but we haven't received any news yet. Don't worry, if I find something suitable, I'll buy it for you first."

Chen Xiuying shook her head embarrassedly. "No, no, no, I'm not here to rush you. I'm here to ask you to keep an eye out for a suitable two-story shop with a small courtyard."

Shopkeeper Xue was dumbfounded. "You're going to open two stores at once? What kind of business is this?"

"No, it's my daughter who wants to practice. As you know, her books have been selling quite well in recent years, so she wants to do something else."

When Manager Xue heard that it was Zhou Sisi who wanted to buy the shop, he had no questions. After so many years of getting along with her, he knew Zhou Sisi's talent in painting.

Then he nodded and agreed: "Don't worry, I should be able to buy it when you come back."

So, after Zhou Dajiang got the approval document, everything at home was arranged.

The whole family also went to the Duke's Mansion. The old lady was reluctant to leave Zhou Sisi. "I don't care when you two come back. Sisi, please come back soon!"