Rebirth: Making a Fortune in Ancient Times

Grand Tutor Li had originally planned to take the two of them with him, and the Emperor also wanted to meet them; the earlier test of their studies was just a scare tactic. However, if Shen Luo's grandfather disagreed with his going to the Russian border, he could only respect his wishes, since Shen Luo was indeed too young.

Upon hearing that he was to write large characters, Shen Luo couldn't sit still for a moment and immediately wanted to go back to his room to write for his teacher to see.

Grand Tutor Li calculated the time and figured Master Shen should be arriving soon, so the group got up and headed to the study. They chatted with Zhang Youtie about this year's harvest as they walked.

"I originally planned to plant corn after the wheat harvest, but it seems that won't be possible this year," said Li Taifu with some regret.

"We'll plant the same next year, it's just that the kid suddenly had an idea," Zhang Youtie said with a smile.

"Hmm? What are your thoughts? Tell me about them."

"I wonder if there are any crops over there that we don't have here. If possible, I would like to ask the Grand Tutor to help me bring back some crop seeds." Zhang Youtie spoke to Grand Tutor Li with great respect.

"That's easy. Since you've put it that way, why don't I bring back all the seeds I've collected along the way and give them to you so Xiaxia can try planting one too? What do you think?"

Having known the Zhang family for several years, he knew that Xia Yu was exceptionally skilled at seedling cultivation; the seedlings she nurtured always had a remarkably high survival rate. If crops from elsewhere could also be successfully grown here, ordinary people would have a much wider variety of food to eat in the future.

"That's excellent. Grand Tutor's considerations are indeed more thorough. Thank you for your hard work, Grand Tutor."

"Oh, what's so hard about it? It's just something I did on the spur of the moment," Li Taifu waved his hand dismissively.

The group talked in the study for less than half an incense stick's time before they heard Uncle Li and Master Shen talking outside.

Hearing his grandfather's voice, Shen Luo couldn't sit still in the room. His calligraphy had just been praised by his teacher. Now, all he needed was his grandfather's permission to go see the Russians.

"Oh, my dear grandson." Old Master Shen happily caught Shen Luo, who had rushed over, and looked him up and down.

"Hmm, very good. It seems you had a great time at Uncle Zhang's house. You look much more energetic and robust." Old Master Shen was delighted to see that although his grandson had lost a lot of weight since returning from the capital, his spirits were noticeably better.

Shen Luo didn't have time to chat idly with her grandfather, so she quickly pulled on Old Master Shen's hand, gesturing for him to bend down, as she had something to say.

Having understood his grandson's meaning, Master Shen bent down slightly so that Shen Luo could hear his ear.

Shen Luo leaned close to Old Master Shen's ear and whispered...

"Grandfather, I want to go with my teacher to see the Russians. You must agree, please remember that." Shen Luo whispered in his grandfather's ear, mimicking his teacher's usual tone.

Master Shen didn't understand what he meant, nor did he know where he was going to see the Russians. He simply patted his hand and said...

"Don't worry, Grandfather knows what he's doing."

After saying that, he took Shen Luo's hand and went into the house.

In the study, Grand Tutor Li recounted the contents of the letter from the capital, and stated frankly that the journey to the Russian border was long and cold, asking Master Shen if he would be willing to let Shen Luo go with him.

Upon hearing that they were going to such a far place, Master Shen glanced at his young grandson and felt a little uneasy. However, he quickly reconsidered. With Grand Tutor Li and Changyun accompanying them, and traveling with an official delegation, their needs for food, clothing, and lodging would be met. Moreover, this would be a good opportunity for them to broaden their horizons. Having thought this through, he immediately nodded in agreement.

After saying all this, Master Shen asked about the departure time.

"We'll have to wait for the Emperor's decree, but I estimate we'll be heading to the capital in the next three to five days," Grand Tutor Li replied after a moment's thought.

Hearing that they would be setting off in just three to five days, and that they would be gone for several months, Master Shen looked at the excited Shen Luo with a hint of reluctance.

"Luo'er, come home with your grandfather for a few days. You'll be gone for several months, and your grandmother will miss you so much that she won't be able to eat or sleep."

"Okay, I miss my grandparents too." Shen Luo felt a little sad when she heard that her grandmother missed her so much that she couldn't even eat.

Lunch was at Li Taifu's place. The vegetables were grown in his garden, the eggs were laid by the chickens he raised himself, and the fish was freshly caught from the garden pond. There was also a pickled cucumber dish, made by Aunt Zhao, who cooks in the kitchen, using this year's tender cucumbers.

During this period, in order to help Shen Luo lose weight, the Zhang family had been eating mostly vegetarian food. Now, eating the rich and oily braised fish, both Changyun and Shen Luo had a great appetite, even eating two extra steamed buns. Their good appetites made Aunt Zhao, who was cooking, beam with joy.

After the meal, the group chatted for a while before Mr. Shen and Zhang Youtie got up to take their leave.

Shen Luo did not return to the Zhang family, but instead went back to his own home in the county town with Master Shen.

"Brother Changyun, tell Sister Xiaxia that she must come to see me off when we set off." Shen Luo stuck her head out of the carriage window and shouted to Changyun.

"I understand, don't worry, she will definitely see you off." After watching the carriage disappear on the official road, Zhang Youtie and Changyun boarded their own carriage and went back home.

Xia Yu had been busy moving the wheat from the cellar to the drying yard every day until noon when she realized that her father and Changyun had not come back for lunch.

"Mother, where did my father and brother go? And Shen Luo, where are they today?"

“This morning, Grand Tutor Li sent a letter asking your father to come over. Your brother and Luo’er were worried something might happen, so they went with him. They should be eating there. We’ll eat by ourselves, don’t worry about them.” Madam Liu knew her daughter had been busy lately, either in the cellar or at the drying yard, and hadn’t paid attention to many things at home.

"Oh, I've been too busy lately and haven't noticed these things," Xia Yu replied and then lowered her head to eat.

"Mom, I want to buy a house in the county town." After swallowing the food in her mouth, Xia Yu said what she had been thinking about for the past few days.