After traveling through time, I was raised by a little brat

It's April again, and willow catkins flutter down like snow, creating a dreamlike feast. However, for Tang Jilian, this season signals both farewell and a new journey. After three years in office, he's about to return to the capital for an assessment, the outcome of which will determine his future—promotion, transfer, or demotion—all at the mercy of the Ministry of Personnel.

Time flies. Nine years ago, when he left the capital for his post in southern Xinjiang, he was filled with anticipation and unease about the unknown. Now, as he once again set foot on this familiar land, he found the imperial city had become a stranger. The years passed quietly, and the children grew up. In particular, he missed Tang Wenshu's birth, which filled him with an indescribable guilt.

During his nine years in Southern Xinjiang, Tang Jilian rose through the ranks, rising from Sima of Southern Xinjiang to prefectural governor, and finally to prefectural governor. This marked a four-level advancement, leaping from a sixth-rank official to a fifth-rank official. While the support of the Tang Guogong Mansion was crucial, his own achievements in Southern Xinjiang are also significant. With unwavering determination and wisdom, he led the local people to overcome numerous challenges, promoting economic development and social stability. Consequently, upon his departure, the people presented him with a thousand-people sail as a token of their gratitude.

Southern Xinjiang's climate is dry and rainless, with more deserts than oases. The people there have long led a hard life. Newly arrived, Tang Jilian struggled to adapt to the harsh environment and fell ill frequently. But over time, he gradually accustomed himself to this life and resolved to change it all.

Tang Jilian understood that to improve the living conditions of the people in southern Xinjiang, they had to first address their basic needs. So, he began organizing caravans to travel to the desert, bringing essential supplies like salt and iron to the locals. These supplies were crucial for the desert dwellers, both for daily life and for farming and hunting.

At the same time, the caravans also took precious gems and minerals from the nomads, and of course, gave them food of equal value. Tang Jilian focused not only on material improvement but also on cultural education. He actively promoted the construction of schools, giving more children access to education. Through learning, children could broaden their horizons and improve their qualities, better prepared for future challenges. Furthermore, Tang Jilian encouraged the development of agriculture and animal husbandry to increase food sources and improve quality of life.

Thanks to Tang Jilian's efforts, living conditions in southern Xinjiang improved significantly. The caravans' activities brought economic prosperity, increased tax revenue, and enabled the government to invest more resources in infrastructure and social welfare. The people's living standards continued to improve, and they expressed their gratitude to Tang Jilian.

Of course, another crucial issue troubled Tang Jilian. Upon his arrival in southern Xinjiang, he was shocked to discover the alarming number of abandoned babies, particularly girls. Statistics indicate that nearly one in three families abandons their baby girls. This chilling statistic reflects the local society's disdain and indifference towards female life.

This situation has led to a severe imbalance in the male-female ratio in southern Xinjiang, with families often having multiple sons but struggling to find daughters. This situation has made it extremely difficult for local men to find wives, and has even led to widespread illegal activities such as the trafficking of women. These issues have not only severely impacted social order and stability, but have also caused deep distress and concern among the people.

Tang Jilian, an upright official who lived a simple life, was particularly concerned about the rights of girls in southern Xinjiang. He was well aware of the strong preference for boys over girls in southern Xinjiang, which led to the abandonment or murder of many baby girls. He decided to take action to change this situation.

Tang Jilian, using his meager salary and the annual living expenses Zeng Yuan sent him, carefully planned and implemented a special policy. This policy stipulated that any family in southern Xinjiang who gave birth to a baby girl would immediately receive a generous reward of two taels of silver. However, this two taels of silver was not given to the family all at once, but rather an annual payment of 200 wen, until the girl turned ten.

In addition, if a family chooses to send a girl to a school for free education when she turns five, they will receive an additional 100 coins per year. In this way, the family can make full use of the funds to raise the girl and ensure that she receives adequate care and attention.

It is particularly worth mentioning that when a girl reaches the age of ten, she can be engaged, and the bride price paid by the man's family becomes another considerable income. Therefore, the people of southern Xinjiang are grateful to Tang Jilian and highly respect him.

This policy was entirely funded by Tang Jilian's generous contributions. However, as the number of girls born in southern Xinjiang continued to increase, his financial burden became increasingly heavy. Despite this, he never complained and remained steadfast in his support for this charitable cause.

Even after returning to the capital, Tang Jilian remained concerned about the baby girls in southern Xinjiang. He specifically instructed local officials to continue implementing this policy and pledged to send money to southern Xinjiang annually to ensure continued protection of baby girls. This selfless dedication and unwavering commitment are admirable, reflecting his care and sense of responsibility for vulnerable groups.

After a month, Tang Jilian finally arrived at the Imperial City. His first order of business was to report to the Ministry of Personnel, where he was personally received by the newly appointed Right Vice Minister, Tang Jili. This was the benefit granted to the Duke's Mansion by the Emperor six months after Tang Wenshu had saved the Crown Prince's life.

The two looked at each other in silence. Tang Jili carefully reviewed Tang Jilian's achievements over the past three years. It read: tax revenue increased by 30%, people lived a good life, and no one stole lost items on the streets; he opened schools, produced several successful candidates, hundreds of successful scholars, and recruited numerous talented people for the court... These were all real achievements, without a trace of exaggeration.

Tang Jili was silent for a moment, then suddenly said, "You should stay out for a few more years." His tone was firm, leaving no room for doubt. He then added, "You also know the situation at home." This was said in a riddle, but Tang Jilian understood the deeper meaning. He nodded slightly to show that he understood. Finally, he said, "Brother, I will listen to you."

"Yangzhou Tongzhi, do you have any objections?" Tang Jili picked up the teacup, took a sip, and then slowly asked. His eyes fell calmly on the person in front of him, as if waiting for an answer.

When Tang Jilian heard this, he couldn't help but feel a little surprised. He wondered, isn't this a demotion in name only, but a promotion in reality? Yangzhou is one of the three upper prefectures. In comparison, southern Xinjiang is much more desolate.