Farming and reading family

Chen Ke did understand a little bit. It was common for officials to snatch credit from others. Moreover, he was just a small scholar. It was possible that Lord He had stopped the memorial on the way to the capital.

Otherwise, Lord He would not have been transferred to Xiangzhou to serve as an official.

Xiangzhou used to be a place of exile. It was only during this dynasty that a large number of people were moved there to open up wasteland, and it only then did it grow to a certain scale.

"It's normal that my wife doesn't understand the affairs of the officialdom." Chen Ke didn't talk about it anymore.

Even if Chen Ke didn't say anything, Gao E wouldn't hold on to it. "It's snowing so heavily now. I'm afraid Mr. Du and the others will be late."

Chen Ke nodded.

The children were very happy and built a snowman in the yard again. This time it was much more beautiful than the last time.

Hearing that there would be lanterns during this year's Lantern Festival and that the city gates would remain open all night, the villagers decided to go see the lanterns together. Chen Hanyue and Luo Qing'er were among them.

Luo Dagang usually keeps Luo Qing'er under strict control, and she rarely leaves Baotou Village. Now during the New Year, Luo Dagang can't say anything, but he wants to take Luo Qing'er to see the lanterns personally.

This made Luo Qing'er very happy. She took out all her clothes to try on and put on the new velvet flowers she had bought for the New Year.

Gao E originally didn't want to go, thinking that there would be so many people there and the lanterns wouldn't be much to see.

As a result, Tao Meiyu sent her an invitation, inviting her to watch the lanterns together. After some thought, Gao E decided to go, after all, Tao Meiyu would leave He County after the New Year and no one knew when.

She was going to He County, and all the children were eager to try it out. Children loved this kind of excitement the most.

Finally, Gao E felt that she could not favor one over the other and took all the children with her. Then she found that there were so many children that one carriage could not accommodate them all. So she had to let the younger ones ride in the carriage, and the older ones could ride in as many seats as they could, and the rest took turns walking.

In order to take care of these children, Gao E brought all the adults in the family who could, and also notified Lu Hao to provide support to avoid accidents due to too many people.

When they arrived at the gate of He County, the person who was going to pick up Gao E was already waiting there. His eyes widened when he saw Gao E with so many children, but he still took them to the yamen respectfully.

Tao Meiyu was very happy to see so many children. She asked the servants to distribute dried fruits and snacks to them, and personally gave them a piece of silver as New Year's money.

The glittering silver frightened some of the children so much that they dared not take it and looked at Gao E cautiously.

"This is the New Year's money that Mrs. He gave you. Thank you, Mrs. He." Gao E said with a smile.

Several children kowtowed and wished the New Year, and only then did they feel at ease receiving the New Year's money.

After the New Year's greetings, the children and the people who came with Gao E were sent to the hall to play, and Tao Meiyu kept Gao E to talk.

"Aren't we going to see the lantern festival?" Gao E thought that they could go directly to the lantern festival since they had arrived.

"When the Drum Tower is empty, we'll go up there and take a look." Tao Meiyu said nonchalantly, "Besides, those lights aren't anything to look at."

"There's nothing interesting here, but you still invited me to watch it?" Gao E felt that Tao Meiyu was a scammer.

"I don't think there's anything to see. Those lights aren't very impressive in Dan City, but they should be an eye-opener for people in He County."

Gao E paused for a moment and asked, "You mean those lights were shipped from Dan City?"

"Otherwise, where would He County have so many lanterns in such a short time?" Tao Meiyu spread her hands.

He Tangchun served in He County for too short a time. Although he was appointed to the post due to the flood, the flood problem was not completely resolved. Later, the county annals of He County did not know how to write about him as the county magistrate.

So he planned to hold a grand lantern festival before leaving office. However, according to the schedule at that time, it would be too late even if he rushed to do it.

Tao Meiyu suggested using the lanterns from previous years in Dancheng.

For Dancheng, these are lanterns from previous years, but for people in Hexian, they are very rare.

Gao E felt that although Tao Meiyu looked unusual, she was a rare and virtuous wife, and most importantly, she was rich.

"Ordinary people can't even imagine the happiness of rich people." Gao E joked with a sour look on her face.

Tao Meiyun looked happy: "I guess you will be a rich man next time we meet."

Gao E didn't deny it: "Have you decided on a departure time?"

"We'll start packing after the fifteenth. I'll go back to Dancheng first. My master needs to see the court's schedule." Tao Meiyun sighed. "This time, we'll go to the capital first and then to Xiangzhou. The journey may take two or three months."

It’s not that far, but the road is difficult to walk on.

Moreover, young talents like He Tangchun would be treated well by local officials and gentry when they arrived at a place, with a simple meal and overnight stay. If they wanted to make friends, they might try to stay for a day or two.

"Then do you want to go to Xiangzhou after giving birth in Dancheng?" Gao E thought that He Tangchun had been alone outside for many years and it was inevitable that he would have a confidante.

"No." Tao Meiyun said directly, "The child is young and can't travel all the time. When the child grows up, he may have to leave Xiangzhou."

Gao E thought about it and asked: "Master He, do you know who the new county magistrate is?"

"I'm not sure, but it seems like he came directly from the capital, possibly because of the mulberry planting and silkworm breeding trial in Hexian County." Tao Meiyun reminded us, "People like this have complicated relationships, so befriending them is the priority."

"Do you think I'm the kind of person who would easily make enemies with others? Especially an official like this." Gao E joked.

"You are different from others. As long as it happens to you, no matter who is involved, if you think it is wrong, you will want to try it." Tao Meiyu said in a low voice.

"I'm not that hateful of evil." Gao E laughed at herself.

The two chatted idly as the night turned dark and large fireworks bloomed above. A servant came to report that the Drum Tower was empty, so they called the children to go out together.

Luo Qing'er and Chen Hanyue couldn't hold it in any longer and came out of the yamen early, and Luo Dagang followed them out.

Tao Meiyu was right. These lanterns were outdated in Dancheng, but they were very novel to the people in Hexian.

At first, Luo Qing'er listened to her elder brother and didn't go into the crowd, but the more beautiful the lanterns were, the more people gathered around them, and if she wanted to see them, she had to squeeze into the crowd.

Soon the two of them forgot Luo Dagang's instructions and kept diving into the crowd. Even though Luo Dagang was watching closely, there was a time when he couldn't see them if he wasn't paying attention.

Gao E and the others followed the alley to the place closest to the Drum Tower, where there were yamen runners clearing the way, so they reached the Drum Tower smoothly.

He Tangchun was originally entertaining the gentry of He County here, but now those gentry have been sent away by He Tangchun, leaving the time for his wife to entertain Gao.

Seeing so many children coming up with Gao, He Tangchun smiled slightly, and suddenly thought that it would be a blessing if he could have a house full of children and grandchildren like this when he was old.

The group of children were very excited at first, but when they saw there were still people on the drum tower, they immediately calmed down.

"Greetings, Lord He." Gao E gestured to the children to salute.

Chen Zhengyan and Jin Chao walked upright in front, leading a group of children to salute respectfully.

Chen Tao's etiquette was not standard, which made him stand out among the other children.

"Is that Mr. Chen's son?" He Tangchun saw Chen Tao.