Chapter 52: with translation of chapter title

Regarding her husband saying he would help Su Changliang find work, Su Liyan initially didn't take it seriously.

First, it's the year-end now, and basically no industry is hiring much; any hiring would wait until next spring.

Second, Su Liyan also felt that finding work wasn't that easy.

In Huangcheng, there's a position for every radish—even finding a clerk's job is hard.

Who knows how many villagers have crowded into Huangcheng, unable to find work and ending up sleeping on the streets.

On her way to work each day, Su Liyan could see many people sleeping on the streets, and she didn't know how they would cope once deep winter arrived.

Su Liyan never imagined her husband could be so capable, securing an official post for her brother.

This…… this talk in the village, isn't that an official?!!

Our family actually produced an official?!.

When Su Liyan looked astonished, Lu Yuan raised an eyebrow and said:

"Am I not impressive as your brother?"

Having come to her senses, Su Liyan earnestly looked at Lu Yuan and nodded, saying:

"Brother, you're definitely the most formidable person in the world!"

After breakfast, Lu Yuan went out with Su Liyan; he was going to find the household that had previously delivered wine to him.

Since it wasn't on the way with Su Liyan, he naturally didn't see her off to work.

Huangcheng also has a post office; even for these rural areas around it, delivery is quite fast.

However, Lu Yuan thought his little brother-in-law had never traveled far, so he shouldn't get lost; thus, he had someone go pick him up.

As for whether that wine-selling household would be willing to help Lu Yuan……

Lu Yuan threw three large silver dollars at the shopkeeper, who then instructed his assistant and immediately set off in an ox cart for Qiu Qiu Village.

They set the time: tomorrow morning at nine, outside Dongmen of Huangcheng.

After arranging all that, Lu Yuan went home to catch up on sleep; he needed to rest and prepare, for there might be a tough battle tonight.

…………

In winter, the sky grows dark quickly; by around six in the evening it's completely dark.

The wine shop's assistant, feeling his way in the dark, entered the village; the Su Clan residence wasn't hard to find, since it was the only one with a Spirit Power Lamp lit brightly.

Moreover, the Su Clan's courtyard was really lively now.

With lights on this late night, a crowd was playing cards in the courtyard.

People, sometimes like moths, are drawn to bright places at night.

Although it was cold, everyone still preferred to stay outside rather than go home to deliver grain tax.

Su's mother watched the gathering of these elders in her household, shaking her head helplessly.

Since Su's mother could raise a daughter like Su Liyan, she herself must be a good daughter-in-law.

Seeing her household in this state, though helpless, she couldn't say much, for her husband's face mattered.

Moreover, Su's mother knew her husband was honest and inarticulate, and would not refuse anyone.

When others said they'd come in the evening, her husband couldn't well say no.

It seems this matter should wait until her brother-in-law returns to discuss it; constantly making a ruckus like this tonight isn't right.

"Mom, when are they leaving?"

Su Changliang yawned and said.

These days Su Changliang hasn't slept well; those people return only after eleven at night, yet he still has to get up early every day.

Su's mother also shook her head helplessly and said.

"I guess after a few days they'll have had their fun and go back; no problem, wait till your brother-in-law returns and have him speak up."

Su Changliang nodded repeatedly; he also felt his brother-in-law was capable, and having him speak on this would definitely work.

While Su's mother and Su Changliang were feeling drowsy, unsure what time they'd sleep tonight.

The shopkeeper from the city walked to the doorway, gazing at Su's mother mending shoe soles in the main hall, and smiled.

"Elder sister, are you busy?"

"Huh?"

Hearing that, Su's mother lifted her head and saw a familiar figure.

Isn't this the shopkeeper who came a few days ago to deliver goods??

His appearance made the card players stop, staring oddly at this outsider from another village.

Su's father also recognized him and quickly rose.

This…… why is he here again? Could it be that her brother-in-law sent something else?

The shopkeeper then pulled an envelope from his pocket and said with a smile.

"Your brother-in-law sent me to deliver a letter, and also said to have your son pack up now; I'll take him back to the city."

Could this be…… her brother-in-law having found work for her son?

That's too fast.

Her brother-in-law is indeed capable!

In a moment, Su's father and mother understood what was happening, and promptly turned to Su Changliang and said.

"Hurry, go pack your things."

Su Changliang felt delighted as well, quickly nodded and left.

Su's mother took the envelope and hurriedly opened it; however, after opening it, she instead handed it to her husband.

"She herself is illiterate."

As Su's father looked at the words on the envelope, his body trembled more and more, his face full of disbelief.

The people in the courtyard also gathered around, asking, "What is this?"

What's up??

Su's mother, seeing her husband like that, hurriedly pushed him and said anxiously:

"What's wrong, what did you all say?"

At this moment, Su's father, who had just come to his senses, stared wide-eyed, his face full of disbelief as he looked at Su's mother and said:

"Mother, this... this our son-in-law has Changliang go become an official in the imperial city!!!"

At this moment, Su Changliang, who had just returned to the house, hearing this also ran out.

He also wore a face of disbelief.

"This... this I'm supposed to become an official?!!"

The shopkeeper in town was also dazed, but as a townsman, his mind was still working.

While others were still stuck in great shock, the shopkeeper had already come up with a fawning smile, approached Su Changliang and said:

"Grandpa, your brother-in-law asked me to help you pack your things; we need to hurry, your brother-in-law said he'll be waiting for us at the east gate at nine in the morning."

"Grandpa?"

Su Changliang looked at this forty-something shopkeeper who called him 'grandpa', and Su Changliang felt a bit dazed.

And the people in the courtyard were also dazed.

And Su's mother, seeing her dazed son, stamped her foot anxiously and said:

"What are you spacing out for? Hurry up and pack your things; didn't you hear your brother-in-law say he'll be waiting for you at the imperial city at nine tomorrow? If you're late, it won't really be your brother-in-law waiting for you."

Su Changliang froze, then nodded repeatedly, turned and went into the house, saying, "Yes, yes, yes, my brother-in-law has a bad stomach, so we can't keep him waiting."

……

At half past eight at night, Su Changliang was already sitting on the ox cart holding a large bundle.

The whole village came out with kerosene lamps to see him off.

What a fine fellow, Qiu Qiu Village has really never produced an official like this in all these years!!

This is absolutely a good thing!!

From now on, Qiu Qiu Village won't have to fear being bullied!!

At this moment, Su's mother stood beside the ox cart, looking at her son and earnestly instructed:

"Go to the city, whatever you do, don't cause trouble for your brother-in-law; in everything, listen to your brother-in-law."

"Your brother-in-law says one plus one equals three, you must believe him, heard?!"

The people nearby didn't find this strange; they thought, if their family had such a brother-in-law, then surely whatever the brother-in-law says goes!

Su Changliang nodded repeatedly, earnestly saying:

"I will definitely listen to my brother-in-law!"

Finally, Su Changliang set off on the ox cart.

Meanwhile, at the Huangcheng siheyuan...

Lu Yuan leaned against the head of the bed, smoking a cigarette, looking pleased.

Su Liyan blushed, resting her head on Lu Yuan's chest, her face full of happiness.

After finishing that cigarette, Lu Yuan tossed the butt aside, then flung back the covers and said:

"I won't sleep until it's light today!"

This made Su Liyan let out a soft moan, and she casually turned off the lamp.

(End of chapter)