Yun Daman looked at Prefect Qin with an apologetic expression. "Prefect, it's not that my brother and I are picky, but Shuō'ān City is too far from Dàshuǐ Village."
"The round trip alone takes more than half a month."
"With so many mouths to feed at home, I can't rest easy!"
Just as Yun Erman was about to refuse, Liu Cuirong glared at him. "Husband, if your elder brother doesn't go, you will!"
"Prefect Qin is a man who repays kindness. We cannot fail to appreciate his intentions."
Yun Erman: "..."
This troublesome wife.
Not a single benefit would fall to her.
Yun Erman, being shrewd and capable, knew the pros and cons of going to Shuō'ān City.
While Liu Cuirong could let go of her parents and children, Yun Erman couldn't.
"Be quiet and go inside!" Yun Erman frowned and snapped.
Madam Gu also sighed, her forehead creased, utterly speechless.
Liu Cuirong pouted and moved to the back of the crowd.
No one in this family understood her.
Her heart was truly weary!
"Since that's the case, what are your requests?"
Prefect Qin was completely bewildered.
The old Yun family didn't want money, nor did they want official positions. This made things very difficult for him!
Prefect Qin never owed favors.
If he received kindness, he would repay it immediately.
Otherwise, if the matter weighed on his mind, he would always feel indebted to others...
"As long as it's within my power, I will do my best to satisfy you," Prefect Qin said with a smile.
Little Xi Tian raised her small head, looked at her parents, and then glanced at Prefect Chen.
Suddenly, she had an idea.
The reason her elder brother and second brother were unwilling to go to Shuō'ān City was its distance from home.
If they were to serve as officials in the county town, the situation would be different.
Prefect Qin had already lowered his stance, practically begging the Yun family to state a request.
If they continued to refuse, it would be ungrateful.
So, Little Xi Tian toddled over to Prefect Chen and called out in a milky voice, "Uncle Prefect!"
Prefect Chen was immersed in feelings of envy and jealousy.
Upon hearing Little Sweet Treasure call him, Prefect Chen quickly crouched down and said with a smile, "Oh my, Sweet Treasure, do you need something from your Uncle Prefect?"
Little Sweet Treasure was the little lucky general of the old Yun family and the goddess of fortune for Dàshuǐ Village.
Therefore, Prefect Chen wished he could steal her home to dote on and cherish...
Little Xi Tian blinked her big eyes, her eyebrows curved. "Uncle Prefect, does the county yamen need any clerks?"
"My elder brother and second brother are both literate and agile. Could you, Uncle Prefect, let them serve in the county yamen?"
Since Shuō'ān City was out of the question, then Héyáng County would be acceptable.
It would only take a short while to get there on horseback.
Serving in the morning and returning at sunset, how convenient!
Prefect Chen was stunned for a moment. Just as he was about to reply, Prefect Qin slapped his forehead, his face beaming with joy.
"That's right! I was momentarily confused. How could I have forgotten about the county town?"
He valued talent greatly and knew that Daman and Erman were both good men.
He had been so focused on keeping them close and employing them that he had forgotten about the county town.
Prefect Chen: "..."
Was his presence that insignificant?
He just forgot about such a large county town so easily?
"Prefect Chen, I'll leave this matter to you. Is that alright?"
Prefect Qin looked at Prefect Chen with a smile.
On the surface, he was seeking his opinion, but in reality, he was issuing a command.
Prefect Chen gave a dry laugh.
Did he have a choice?
"It can be done, but the county yamen currently only needs one person."
Prefect Chen sighed slightly and looked at Daman and Erman. "This means that the two brothers must discuss and decide. Only one can serve in the county yamen."
The rest would remain in Dàshuǐ Village to continue farming.
This outcome was beyond the expectations of Old Man Yun and Madam Gu.
However, they were also content in their hearts.
The Yun family had over fifty mu of land. If both brothers went to serve in the county town, wouldn't the land be left to go to waste?
Yun Erman directly pushed his elder brother forward. "Your Excellency Prefect, my elder brother is distinguished in appearance, can read and calculate. Let him serve!"
Yun Daman: "..."
He wiped the sweat from his brow and then pulled Erman back.
"Your Excellency Prefect, my younger brother enjoys reading, and he also likes to practice martial arts. He is proficient in both civil and military arts. You should let him go!"
Prefect Qin smiled faintly.
Since the matter was settled, it didn't matter who between the brothers went to serve.
After all, he had repaid his favor, and his heart felt lighter.
Seeing the sun setting and the light gradually dimming, he had to leave.
There was still a lot of official business waiting for him in Shuō'ān City.
"Yiyi, Xiaolan, hurry up and get in the carriage!" Prefect Qin beckoned to them.
The sisters pouted, reluctant to get into the carriage.
After bidding farewell to the Yun family one by one, the coachman flicked the reins, and the carriage slowly drove out of Dàshuǐ Village...
Daman and Erman were still arguing. Prefect Chen felt a bit helpless.
He couldn't wait any longer, so he said to Old Man Yun, "Brother Yun, you discuss it slowly. I'll be heading back first!"
"Once you've reached a decision, have him report directly to the county yamen tomorrow!"
Yesterday, a subordinate had given him a roe deer. Prefect Chen had been craving it all day and had no energy.
He had to hurry back, instruct the cook to stew the meat, and then roast it.
Old Man Yun grinned. "Alright, thank you for your trouble, Prefect Chen. Daman, Erman, quickly see him off."
"No need, no need!" Prefect Chen waved his hands repeatedly.
You all continue to discuss slowly!
In fact, there wasn't much to do serving in the county yamen.
After all, these were people arranged by Prefect Qin. How could he dare to order them around or boss them about!
After Prefect Chen left, many villagers were still gathered in front of the Yun family's door.
It seemed that if they didn't reach a decision, they wouldn't be able to sleep well...
The village chief was overjoyed, his eyes crinkling with happiness. "Oh, this is truly wonderful."
"Our Dàshuǐ Village will also have an official now."
Du Lao San also had an excited look on his face. He directly hooked Old Man Yun's neck and said with a simple laugh, "Old Man Yun, when your son becomes an official, no one will dare to bully me when I sell tofu in the county town."
Aunt Zhang also said, "My daughter married into the county town, and her husband beats and scolds her every day. Daman, Erman, you must help her!"
Daman and Erman: "..."
As the saying goes, when one person attains the Tao, even his chickens and dogs ascend to heaven.
They hadn't even gone to the county yamen yet, and the villagers were already coming to plead their grievances.
The brothers felt immense pressure.
Little Xi Tian saw her elder brother and second brother looking dejected and covered her mouth, giggling.
"Old woman, look... who should go?" Old Man Yun was also at a loss.
No matter who went, one person would be offended.
Madam Gu let out a sigh and looked at Little Xi Tian. "Daughter, who do you want to go?"
Little Xi Tian: "..."
Why was the ball being kicked to her?
This baby was still young and couldn't make such big decisions!
"I don't know!" Little Xi Tian decisively pretended to be confused.
Liu Cuirong stomped her feet anxiously and shouted, "Of course, Erman should go! He's the hero who fought the wolf, and the Prefect personally put a big red flower on him."
The villagers, upon hearing this, expressed their agreement.
However, Zhao Guihua, who was standing nearby, couldn't help but frown...