bayedsolid Chapter 60 Return
Chapter 60 Return
When his one-year term was up, Yu Zhe, along with those who had followed him to Yi County, reluctantly left the county. The newly appointed magistrate, along with all his colleagues in the yamen, saw him off ten miles away.
The people, carrying umbrellas symbolizing their support, lined the streets to see him off. Such a good official was leaving; the crowd was reluctant to part, and many wiped away their tears.
After walking several dozen miles, Luo Jianming finally couldn't help but say regretfully, "Sir, for the long-term stability of Yi County, you have paid tens of thousands of taels of silver. Now you're leaving like this, without getting a single coin back. It's such a pity!"
"What's the use of regretting it? I can't just levy taxes and extort money from the people, can I? The people of Yi County are very poor. Most of that money was used to build the city gate and the county government office, as well as to buy food and weapons. I can't let the people share the burden of that money, can I?"
Yu Zhe sighed helplessly. He wasn't a pushover either, and he was also heartbroken about the money. After all, it was all money Zisu had given him. He felt ashamed and distressed to have used so much of his niece's money.
However, he had no choice at the time. Without that money, he probably wouldn't have lasted a month in Yi County. He would either have been killed by the Yi people or driven away by the local populace. The people wouldn't tolerate a useless and incompetent official, much less listen to him.
After more than three months of arduous travel, Yu Zhe and his group finally knocked on the door of Xiaoshitan.
"Uncle! You're finally back!" Zisu opened the door and stepped out, unexpectedly seeing her uncle whom she had missed for so long. She jumped up with joy, tears welling up in her eyes.
Her uncle is back, and he's going back to the capital to take up his post! Moreover, it's said he's been promoted several ranks and is now a fourth-rank official. That's great! She has someone to rely on now, and she no longer has to worry about the Shangguan Chengfeng family causing trouble for the people of Xiaoshitan!
For the past few months, she hadn't dared to set foot in the capital to avoid Shangguan Chengfeng's family. Now that her uncle had returned, and Shen Laihui, Luo Jianming, and the others had also come back, she felt much more at ease.
Yu Zhe couldn't help but tear up, reaching out to stroke his niece's hair, and said with heartache, "It's all my fault. I've made you worry and suffer, and Zisu has had to endure so much hardship! From now on, with your uncle here, Zisu won't have to be afraid of anything!"
During his two years in Yi County, he diligently studied martial arts under Shen Laihui, and his skills have improved significantly. He can now defeat even several third-rate masters; as for Shangguan Chengfeng, ten of them would be no match for him.
Yu Han is four years old. She has a chubby face, is clever and quick-witted, and is very cute.
He knelt on the ground and respectfully bowed to Yu Zhe, saying, "Your son greets Father. Father, you must be tired from your journey!"
"Good boy, your cousin has raised you very well!" Yu Zhe quickly helped his son up, his eyes filled with kindness and gratitude as he looked at Zisu. "Zisu, thank you, thank you for everything you've done for your uncle! From now on, I will love and protect you as my own daughter. Good boy, don't worry, as long as your uncle is here, the Shangguan Chengfeng family will never be able to hurt you again!"
Yu Zhe had to go to the capital to report on his duties within a month. He stayed at Xiaoshitan for twenty days, personally teaching his two-year-old son Shangguan Yi and instructing his own son Yu Han every day.
Twenty days later, he took the Yu family servants Lu Yuan and his family of three and bid farewell to his mother, son, and Zisu and her daughter: "Zisu, your uncle is going to take up his post first. I will come to pick you up for the trip to the capital after I have settled in!"