Chapter 477 - Chapter 477: Chapter 473: In a sorry state_1 (1/2)

Chapter 477: Chapter 473: In a sorry state_1

With Xiao Mo’s death, the formations of the Jin Country’s Iron Cavalry were thrown into chaos, quickly collapsing.

Wei Zhan, Zhou Fu and Zhong Chuyan attacked from three sides, driving the Jin army out of the central plains in no time.

They pursued the defeated army all the way to the Jin capital, setting fire to the Imperial Palace.

When they returned, they brought back a group of former royal family members who had been captured by the Jin, as well as surviving princes and ministers and many skilled craftsmen. These people were all ragged and emaciated, looking like beggars.

Doctor Li and his grandson were a bit better off, but not by much.

Hundreds of thousands of soldiers depleted the entire Jin dynasty’s food stores, taking everything of value. Every soldier returned with spoils of war.

Upon their return, Emperor Zhou Wuchang promoted all military leaders by one rank. He also bestowed the title of Protector of the State on Wei Zhan, made Wei Zhan’s father an honorary duke, and his mother a lady of the third rank. He also awarded Yingbao’s father, Jiang Sanlang, with the title of Honorable Duke, and his mother, Xu Chunniang, with the title of a County’s Duke’s Lady.

In addition, he granted the title of Founding Baron to Old Man Jiang, a hereditary title, and the rank of Anren to his wife, Jiang Liu.

When the imperial decree reached Dongchen Village, the entire village was buzzing with excitement.

Old Man Jiang, at his age, had been granted a title – and a hereditary one at that! What great favor from the Emperor!

From now on, not only the Clan Leader and Lizheng had to pay respects to Old Man Jiang, even the senior official of the county had to respectfully call him Elder Jiang when meeting any member of the Jiang Family.

In West Village, Old Man Chen and his wife sat on a warm brick bed, shelling Gleditsia sinensis, while the sounds of gongs and drums could be heard from the Jiang Family’s banquet.

Chen’s wife was old and frail, with white hair and a hunched back. As she slowly shelled the Gleditsia sinensis, she sighed, “If our second son hadn’t abandoned Yingbao back then, he might be a duke now, and we would have a hereditary title, bringing wealth and honor to our descendants.”

Old Man Chen remained silent, his face hard.

His son had become a ruin, why mention those things?

“Old woman, never again say that Yingbao is ours. If word gets out, we could be charged with pretending to be relatives of a government official. Can you bear that responsibility?” The Jiang family was not what it used to be, not something his family could afford to provoke. He just wanted to live a peaceful life for a few more years.

Chen’s wife fell silent.

At that moment, Chen Xubao walked in, carrying two bowl of dumplings: “Grandpa, grandma, my sister sent over some dumplings.”

Old Man Chen nodded, set down the Gleditsia sinensis in his hand, took a bowl of dumplings, stirred it with the spoon inside, and asked, “Did you drain the water from the rice seedling field?”

“Mm.” Xubao handed the other bowl to his grandmother, then sat down to help shell the Gleditsia sinensis.

Old Man Chen glanced at his grandson, saying, “Once we sell these seeds, let’s find a matchmaker for you. A few days ago, matchmaker Zheng came by, she said there’s a girl from the next village over. She’s agreeable and hardworking, capable both inside and out. But her family demands a dowry of fifty coins and four bolts of cotton cloth. Your grandmother and I agreed.”

Xubao shelled the Gleditsia sinensis quietly, answering in a low voice: “It is all up to you two.”

Old Man Chen sighed in relief.

This grandson was a good boy, although he was quite quiet.

Two years ago, he was ruined by his father, couldn’t pass the imperial examination, and ended up giving up on studying. Since then, he had helped with the farming at home, occasionally setting up a small stall in the market to sell the fruits grown at home. Taking each day as it came.

Whenever Old Man Chen thought of his useless second son, he would get irritable.

A once promising scholar who had become useless thanks to his messy life. Lazy at home, he would disappear for days. When he came back, he either demanded money or slept. He should never have spent all that money on his education. As it turned out, it was all wasted. He couldn’t write a decent script or properly wield a sword. Let him weed the field, and he would accidentally uproot the young plants.

Another round of drums echoed through the village, Xubao set down the Gleditsia sinensis, left the courtyard, and looked towards Dongchen Village.

A figure shuffled in that direction, hair a mess, face full of stubble, clothes rumpled, looking quite shabby. It was his father, Chen Changping.