CHAPTER 78: CHAPTER 76 CLOSENESS

The light in the study was bright, but it couldn’t compare to the sunlight streaming in from outside.

Song Xian lifted his head; it was dawn.

Chang An personally brought in water for Song Xian to wash up.

"Master, Mr. Li knows you’ve returned and instructed someone to inform you that he’s waiting for you at the government office."

As Song Xian listened to Chang An, images of Xie Liangchen and Chen Family Village suddenly flashed in his mind. He knew that people from the Imperial Hospital had arrived in Zhenzhou and had already selected a place to renovate for the Official Medicine Bureau.

His takeover of Zhenzhou had reached the Capital, followed by a memorial from Song Qizheng admitting guilt. The Emperor reassured Song Qizheng and did not mention anything about the Military Governor position.

In court, some spoke for Song Qizheng, while others took the opportunity to impeach local officials, requesting the court to rectify governance. Naturally, there were also memorials praising Song Xian, saying he was young and talented, proficient in both civil and military affairs, and dedicated to serving the people. The words "Chen Family Village" appeared for the first time in Jinluan Hall.

Thinking of this, Song Xian slightly curled his lips, yet his face showed no trace of a smile.

Someone deliberately put him and Chen Family Village in the spotlight.

In his previous life, there were also praises of his every victory; then the court dispatched him to the Northwest to reclaim Prince Guangyang’s territory. Now, he had only taken over Zhenzhou for a little over a month, and someone couldn’t wait to scheme behind his back.

Donning his official robe, Song Xian led his people to the government office.

In the second hall of the government office, Li You was speaking with a few people. At a glance, Song Xian knew they were from the Imperial Hospital.

Everyone stepped forward to greet, and Li You had someone hand over the official documents from the Imperial Hospital to Song Xian.

Li You said to Song Xian, "The Official Medicine Bureau has selected several locations in the east. Ultimately, the decision is yours to make."

Vice Envoy Jia Si from the Imperial Hospital bowed and said, "In a few days, more medical workers from the Capital will arrive. We are determined to accomplish this task diligently."

After Jia Si finished speaking, he paused for a moment, "I also plan to visit the nearby pharmacies. I’ve heard that the Chen Family Village selling medicine is right here in Zhenzhou; I wonder if it’s possible to visit the village..."

It is said that Chen Family Village’s ability to trade in medicine is all due to Song Xian. Before coming to Zhenzhou, Princess Jiahui specifically advised Jia Si to visit Chen Family Village. Song Qizheng mentioned the village while admitting guilt; a small village, appearing in memorials from both Li You and Song Qizheng, naturally had something special about it.

Princess Jiahui is the only surviving lineage of Prince Guangyang, intelligent and clever, favored by the Emperor, frequently accompanying him. Jia Si couldn’t help but heed her words.

"Of course," Li You replied, "The last time I went to Chen Family Village, I saw the villagers, young and old, drying medicinal herbs. The surrounding villages all send their herbs to Chen Family Village. If you want to know about the herbs in the nearby mountains, why not go take a look."

Jia Si thought Song Xian would speak, but it was Mr. Li who replied instead.

Jia Si quickly agreed.

Song Xian appeared to be nonchalantly drinking tea, but none of the movements in the room escaped his observation. He hadn’t been away from Zhenzhou for long, yet Li You seemed to have grown closer to Chen Family Village.

Was it because Chen Zigeng apprenticed under Mr. Dongli, and Xie Liangchen learned pharmacology from Xu Tingzhen? Did Li You, therefore, have more personal dealings with the people of Chen Family Village?

No wonder Jia Si seemed surprised; he probably didn’t expect that the one defending Chen Family Village was not him, but Li You.

Li You’s confidence in Chen Family Village was a good thing, yet Song Xian felt a bit uneasy in his heart, like others were eyeing his Vigorous Martial Army.

Jia Si and the others withdrew.

Only Li You and Song Xian remained in the room.

Li You looked towards Song Xian, "How are things in the Northwest?" He knew Song Xian had been leading troops to inspect defenses, so he asked.

Song Xian replied, "There have been several skirmishes at the checkpoints, but they quickly subsided. For now, it seems there’s no intention for a large-scale attack."

Li You sighed, "The court will eventually need to eliminate remnants of the previous dynasty and reclaim Prince Guangyang’s territories. This battle is inevitable. There’s pressure within the court urging the Emperor to wage war early. On this journey to the Northern Border, I’ve witnessed the people’s suffering. I will do my best to persuade the Emperor to plan prudently and wait until the Northern Border stabilizes before engaging in battle."

Song Xian observed Li You’s solemn demeanor; this was the first time Li You had broached such topics since coming north.

Li You’ll continued, "Stabilizing the Northern Border won’t be easy. To the north, there’s Liao, to the northwest, the remnants of the previous dynasty, and to the east, the Henghai Jiedu Envoy. Many eyes are upon you. Be cautious in everything you do."

If the previous sentence was a reminder, this one was an intentional inclination toward him.

Song Xian stood and saluted Li You, "Thank you, Mr. Li."

Li You smiled faintly, "A prosperous nation makes for a peaceful populace. If even a child can understand these words, it’s promising."

Something passed through Song Xian’s mind, but his expression betrayed no emotion.

He had never uttered those words, but he could guess who Li You was referring to as the "child"—Chen Zigeng, who had been taught these words by Xie Liangchen.

Li You’s face showed a hopeful expression, "In a few days, I should be returning to the Capital. The Official Medicine Bureau here will be left to you. If managed well, it will benefit the people and hopefully contribute to Daqi’s prosperity sooner."

Song Xian replied, "Rest assured, sir."

Li You remained silent for a moment, picking up his own teacup. The wild mint inside emanated a faint, fresh scent. He finally made up his mind, "Chen Family Village is setting up a Familiar Medicine Institute."

Under Li You’s gaze, a flicker of surprise crossed Song Xian’s face, but he quickly regained composure.

Li You nodded, "A Master of Medicine has gone to Chen Family Village. With Zhenzhou establishing an Official Medicine Bureau, perhaps her medical skills can be put to use. Don’t let her talents go to waste.

This matter, when I return to the Capital, I will also report to the Emperor."

Li You spoke of Chen Family Village as if recounting family matters, even instructing Song Xian to pay special attention. Song Xian now realized that Li You’s relationship with Chen Family Village had distinctly changed.

After their conversation, the two of them went over the map together, counting the stationed troops and defenses. Only then did Song Xian leave the government office.

"Master, where are we going?" Chang An brought the horse forward and asked.

Song Xian looked forward; he had yet to accept her invitation to Chen Family Village.

Is it that soon? Chang An felt slightly surprised; not even a day had passed.

The group sped out of the city, heading straight for Chen Family Village.

"So many people."

Before they even reached Chen Family Village, Song Xian had to rein in his horse due to the numerous people coming and going along the road.

Women carrying bamboo baskets were talking about something, but upon seeing Song Xian and his group, they quickly stepped aside.

After Chang An inquired, he reported back to Song Xian, "They’re people from nearby villages coming to Chen Family Village to make woolen goods?"

Woolen goods, Song Xian certainly knew, as they were widely used for keeping warm in the north.

Yet when Chang An handed over a woolen hat, Song Xian couldn’t help but chuckle. She truly didn’t let anything slip by. The pattern on the woolen hat resembled the style of Fangs, which, if he remembered correctly, wouldn’t become fashionable in the Capital for several more years.

Running a Familiar Medicine Institute while also trading in woolen goods; no money-making opportunity was missed.

Chang An looked up just in time to catch a fleeting smile in Song Xian’s eyes.

Was the master smiling at the thought of Miss Xie?

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