Chapter 864 – Northern Overlord (1)
Jiang Pengji was taken aback for a moment, raising her hand to help the woman up, smiling, “This isn’t the place for a chat. Why don’t we find a nearby eatery to sit down?”
From the various signs on the woman’s exterior, it was evident that life was tough for her. She seemed to live frugally, eating only once a day.
Yet, the child by her side was well-fed, plump and adorable, dressed in fine cotton attire.
While fine cotton isn’t expensive, it’s quite a significant expense for an average farming household.
After a moment of hesitation, the woman’s expression shifted to one of joy as she followed Jiang Pengji to the nearby Zhike Restaurant.
Zhike Restaurant had spread throughout Wanzhou’s towns, gaining more fame daily, with the cook continually innovating new dishes.
Though aimed at mid to high-end diners, common people would sometimes tighten their belts for an occasional meal here.
As the woman entered the elegant room with Jiang Pengji, she had come to know it only by rumor, having saved every penny for her child alongside the Old Steward.
“Order whatever you like; the kid… if I remember correctly, isn’t he the child protected by his birth mother back then?”
When the earthquake struck the capital, how many common people did Jiang Pengji save?
Now, a large part of the populace in Xiangyang were those who had fled with her during that calamity.
The woman nodded with tears in her eyes, the bloodshot orbs not indicating grievance, but rather overwhelming excitement.
She had always remembered Jiang Pengji, but how could a busy person like her possibly remember an ordinary woman?
She had just made a remark earlier, not expectant at all, yet was taken aback when Jiang Pengji hit the nail on the head.
“Indeed, he is my little lord.”
The woman nodded vigorously, while the plump child in her arms looked about curiously, shifting his gaze from Jiang Pengji to his mother.
Completely perplexed by the unfolding events, he could only crouch on his mother’s lap, tiptoe, and try to wipe her tears with his chubby little paws.
“How have things been these years?”
Jiang Pengji looked at the child, recalling fragments from memory.
She remembered rescuing this child from the rubble, shielded under a contracted woman’s form.
Had it not been for the protective stance of the woman, arching her back, creating a gap with her head, arms, and chest, that child might not have survived.
The woman flashed a pure smile, “Thanks to the governor’s capable governance, we’ve been able to survive in this world with my little lord.”
Back then, there were twenty people in her household, but after the earthquake, only three survived.
A wet nurse, a steward, and a mere two-month-old infant.
The chaos outside left them, the elderly, weak, and women, with no choice but to flee to Jiang Pengji in Xiangyang.
The Old Steward took on odd jobs, while she knitted or embroidered flowers to sell. They lived frugally, and after paying the nominal rent to the county office, it was enough for their livelihood. The two were loyal servants who, even if exhausted themselves, refused to let the child suffer, hence only he wore clothing made of fine cotton.
Jiang Pengji said, “Are you the wet nurse? If I’m not mistaken, an elderly lady also survived.”
The woman replied, “The governor has a good memory; that was my lady’s accompanying steward.”
Jiang Pengji called to the child, “Come here.”
The child was quite nervous; having bumped into someone earlier, he was too shy to approach.
Encouraged by the woman, he hesitantly scuttled over to Jiang Pengji.
Jiang Pengji picked him up and bounced him lightly; the two-year-old was surprisingly hefty.
“I recall this child’s family seemed extraordinary. After all these years, haven’t you thought of bringing him to find his relatives?”
Before the earthquake hit, the capital was prime real estate; owning property there would mean wealth and status.
By all means, this child’s parents shouldn’t be ordinary.
The woman said, “I’ve long had this intention, but since there’ve been constant wars, neither the steward nor I dared to take my little lord on such a risky quest, hence we’ve postponed until now. I plan to wait a few more years to save enough for travel expenses before searching for relatives, so as not to delay my little lord’s education.”
Is there anywhere safer in Dongqing than Wanzhou?
With the lion ruling, heavily guarded, and the governor treating the common people like his own, Wanzhou was managed meticulously.
Beyond Wanzhou’s borders, it was either war or rampant disasters. How could she and the Old Steward possibly protect the child?
Jiang Pengji held the little boy, adding some food to his plate.
“What’s the child’s background? Now that I’ve saved him, it seems fate has brought us together today. If I can help, I can send someone to inform the child’s relatives to bring him back early. You look like it hasn’t been easy for you these years.”
The woman’s eyes became tearful again as she prostrated, “Thank you, Governor. If there’s a next life, I will certainly repay your kindness.”
Wiping away her tears, the woman added, “My master belongs to the Cui family of Chongzhou.”
“The Cui family of Chongzhou?”
Jiang Pengji, one arm cradling the child, pointed at the food table, how fortuitous!
Chongzhou was indeed her father Liu Zhi’s territory, and as for this Cui family, Jiang Pengji vaguely recalled hearing rumors about them.
The Cui family had long been entrenched in Chongzhou, acting like local tyrants but not a reputable noble lineage. They had some leverage but were still looked down upon.
The reason? Simply put, it was due to their close ties with the northern border.
They were involved in businesses across two regions, seemingly swaying where the wind blew.
Correspondence from Liu Zhi indicated disdain towards the Cui family.
It was even said that they—reeked of copper coins, lacking any airs of refinement.
At a cursory glance, this Cui family was preoccupied with wealth and power, no wonder Liu Zhi held such a poor impression of them.
The woman nodded vigorously, saying, “My lady is the eldest daughter-in-law of the Cui family’s main house.”
Chongzhou bordered the northern border, a historically turbulent area. Even if the Cui family had good relations with the northern border, they couldn’t escape the wave of marauding bandits.
The Cui family arranged for their eldest daughter-in-law to be in the capital for childbirth, little did they know she would encounter an unprecedented mega earthquake!
Jiang Pengji’s mind sparked.
“My father is the governor of Chongzhou; what a coincidence! I’ll write to him so that the Cui family can send someone to bring you back.”
For the woman, it seemed an insurmountable challenge, but for Jiang Pengji, it was merely a small favor.
Hearing this, the woman excitedly bowed several times to Jiang Pengji, nearly at a loss for words.
Jiang Pengji smiled meaningfully at the child.
She inquired about the woman and child’s residence, accompanying them for dinner before finally stepping back into the cool moonlight, returning to the county office.
She turned to those nearby, “Bring Wen Zheng, Zishi, and Zixiao here. I need to discuss something important with them.”
As the others were out of Xiangyang, Jiang Pengji called the three intellectuals first.
After a short wait, Qi Guanrang, Feng Zhen, and Wei Ci arrived one after another.
The three exchanged glances, puzzled about why Jiang Pengji had summoned them alone.
“I wish to attack the northern border.”
