Chapter 89: Arrangements Before Departure

No matter what, no one would come to disturb Li Zhengping now, and the Li family could finally rest easy.

In the next two or three days, a steady stream of people arrived at the Li household, all hoping for work at the distillery. The Li family quickly settled into a new routine: working during the day and spending the evenings teaching the children to read and write. Since Grandfather Li had spoken, no one dared disobey him, for fear of a thorough scolding.

The first to be reprimanded was Uncle Li, who claimed he had no gift for learning, that all those round characters made his head spin. Grandfather Li scolded him so severely he didn’t dare utter another word, and obediently joined the lessons, though it left him exhausted and bleary-eyed. Still, he had to admit his father was right—since Su wanted them to help manage the estates, literacy was a must.

With Uncle Li’s experience as a warning, no one else dared show even a hint of displeasure. Only after trying did they realize how arduous reading and writing could be, and their admiration for Li Su grew all the more.

Li Su was pleased to see this and offered a few encouraging words.

In the blink of an eye, it was time to announce the list of those hired for the distillery, and many people crowded outside the Li family home.

Grandfather Li led the way, hands clasped behind his back. Li Ziru, imitating him, followed with hands behind her back too—their stride was identical.

“Everyone, come into the courtyard. I’ll read out the names of those chosen,” Grandfather Li announced.

No sooner had he finished speaking than the crowd surged forward.

Some had even come from neighboring villages, just for this opportunity.

Grandfather Li, looking solemn, held the paper in his hand as everyone gazed at him expectantly. A faint smile flickered on his lips before he suppressed it.

Each time Grandfather Li called a name, the person chosen was overcome with joy.

He paused at one point, and the crowd was puzzled—why had he stopped?

He leaned down to whisper to Li Ziru, “Ziru, what’s this character again?” He’d made sure to memorize it earlier, but now it had slipped his mind.

Li Ziru glanced at it and replied, “Yao.”

“Wan Yao,” Grandfather Li read.

There was a moment of confusion. Who was Wan Yao? No one could recall any family with that surname in the village—maybe she was from another village?

“I… I was chosen?” someone stammered.

“Dog Egg’s mother? Your name is Wan Yao?”

Wan Yao smiled shyly. “Yes, that’s my name.” After marrying, she’d been called “Ba Jin’s wife,” and after having children, everyone called her “Dog Egg’s mother.” It had been a long time since anyone used her real name.

Still, it was good news—this job would make life much easier at home.

In the countryside, no family was truly well-off. For a woman like her, earning thirty copper coins a day was unheard of. Only the Li family was willing to offer such a chance—even a man toiling in town all day earned no more than twenty.

“Wu Da Ya,” Grandfather Li continued.

“Is that my daughter?” someone inquired.

“There are a few girls with that name in neighboring villages,” another whispered.

Grandfather Li clarified, “The daughter of Wu Si Yao’s family.”

“Wonderful! Da Ya, you can go earn money at the distillery!” her mother exclaimed.

Wu Da Ya nodded excitedly.

Before long, all fifty names had been read. Each of them had been carefully chosen by Grandfather and Grandmother Li, who took their grandson’s request to heart.

“The distillery isn’t finished yet. In the meantime, those selected should come for…” Grandfather Li paused, trying to recall what Su had called it.

He glanced at Li Ziru, who whispered, “Training—pre-employment training.”

“Oh, right, pre-employment training. We’ll teach you what to do. If you’re not up to it, you’ll be replaced.” Speaking like a scholar really was different—he could barely remember the words. Luckily Ziru was there, or he’d have been embarrassed.

Age had dulled his memory, Grandfather Li thought with a sigh.

After giving them a time to report, the crowd dispersed, chatting as they left.

Some talked of the Wang family’s affairs, others of the distillery. In the end, everyone agreed the Li family was truly blessed. The Wang family, they said, had only avoided disaster before because of Li Zhengping’s good fortune. Now that she was gone, their luck had run out entirely.

Li Su took time to explain to his family the special steps in the distilling process—these were to be handled only by family, while other tasks could be assigned to outsiders.

He taught the entire process to his own family, but the training for outsiders would be handled by the Lis.

Li Su also explained all his plans for the future. Li Daping and Feng Cuicui were astonished. “So we’re landlords now?” With three estates and the distillery in their names, it was true.

Li Su smiled. “Yes, you could say that.”

His eldest brother and sister-in-law, as well as his second brother and sister-in-law, were deeply moved to learn that the shops were in their names. Their youngest brother had truly given them everything good, keeping nothing for himself.

They resolved to treat him even better in the future.

When Li Zhengping heard his plans for her, tears welled up in her eyes. She thought it natural that there were no shops in her name—after all, she was a woman.

But Su had given her a much larger share of the distillery’s profits than anyone else. He treated her as an equal, never belittling her because she was a woman.

She’d never heard of a younger brother treating his elder sister so well.

Li Zhengping’s eyes reddened, and Li Su grew flustered. “Third Sister, please… don’t cry!”

“Little Four, I’m truly grateful—to you, for the divorce, for changing Zixi’s name, and now for the distillery profits. You’re the best brother in the world!”

Recently, inspired by Jiang Yan, Li Zhengping had begun to change her outlook—she realized a woman could carve out her own place in the world.

Now that her brother had entrusted the distillery to her, she was determined to make it thrive, to save more silver for Li Su.

He smiled. “You’re my sister.”

Overcome with joy, Li Zhengping wept tears of happiness, and the whole family couldn’t help but laugh along.

Li Su’s actions now made them truly feel all their sacrifices had been worthwhile.

With everything at home set in order, Li Su handed over the distillery’s affairs to Li Zhengping.

He spent a few days with Xi Sheng, playing chess together.

“Su, have you settled things at home?” Xi Sheng asked as he placed a piece.

“Almost,” Li Su replied, setting down his own.

Xi Sheng nodded. “Then you can set out for Mingyue Academy soon. Stop in some towns along the way, see how things differ outside—it will do you good. There’s truth to the saying: reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles.”

“All right. Master, when will you go to Mingyue Academy?” Li Su was already thinking about Xi Sheng’s plans, even though he hadn’t left yet.

“That’s nothing for you to worry about. I still have some things to take care of—no set date yet.”

“Just make sure you finish reading the books I gave you, and don’t fall behind in your studies. Otherwise, when you arrive, there’ll be trouble.”

Li Su answered with a heavy sigh.

He realized that since coming here, he’d grown rather attached to home…

Seeing his troubled face, Xi Sheng said with resignation, “I’ll come find you as soon as I can. Now that you’re a certified scholar, it’s only natural you’ll spend time apart from your family. You can’t take them everywhere you go.”

Having grown used to the lively days surrounded by family, friends, and his master, he found it odd to suddenly be on his own again.

It was true—luxury was easy to get used to, but hard to give up.

Before coming here, he’d always been alone and didn’t find it strange. Now, after so much warmth and company, the prospect of solitary study felt foreign.

But Li Su soon adjusted his mindset and said, “When I become an official in the capital, I’ll bring my whole family to join me.”