Chapter 323

That day, Li Linshan returned somewhat late. Wang Xiujin waited for quite a while, and when he saw Li Linshan come back, he raised an eyebrow but didn’t ask much. It was common for Li Linshan to be away from home for days at a time when there was business at the military camp. Although there was no sensitive work to speak of now, he was discreet. Still, seeing Li Linshan’s pale face, Wang Xiujin couldn’t help but worry. “Did something happen? If it concerns matters at court, no need to say.”

“I went to my grandfather’s courtyard first after returning home,” Li Linshan didn’t hide it from Wang Xiujin. Though he didn’t want Wang Xiujin to meddle, he felt he should be informed, so he briefly recounted the old man’s situation. Wang Xiujin listened with furrowed brows. That old man was shameless enough, but as a fellow merchant, Wang Xiujin could understand his approach—it wasn’t that extraordinary. Still, since it happened to Li Linshan himself, some anger was natural.

“My grandfather probably just needs time to accept it. In a few days, he’ll be fine. Coincidentally, there’s nothing pressing these days. Why not take him to the estate for a few days to relax?” Wang Xiujin proposed. When people are trapped in negative emotions, staying put can make them spiral. Sometimes it’s better to get out and clear their minds.

Li Linshan thought it was a good idea, but he didn’t have the time to stay long at the estate with his grandfather. Wang Xiujin said he had no pressing matters either and would enter the city during the day to keep things moving—otherwise, some people might start gossiping. “Why not invite your father, uncle, and second uncle’s whole family over? The estate’s large enough. We can roast a whole lamb at night, everyone can have a good time. Second uncle will soon be heading to the border town. How is cousin’s marriage proceeding?”

Wang Xiujin barely paid attention. “I’ll ask uncle tomorrow. I’ve been busy and forgot about it. Second uncle leaving for the border town? Wasn’t he supposed to have a long rest? Why leave suddenly? Did the emperor issue an order?”

“No imperial edict yet, but word has been passed down. There was a recent battle there, and the troops who fought are being withdrawn. The Li family’s reputation precedes them. Even though second uncle hasn’t been to the front much, being known as the old man’s son can intimidate some,” Li Linshan said with a smile, prompting Wang Xiujin to glance at him twice.

After deciding to go relax at the estate, Li Linshan mentioned it at dinner: the whole family would go, roast a whole lamb for dinner, both to unwind and to send off second uncle. Master Li wanted to stay home, reasoning the household couldn’t be left without a head, but the old man waved him off. “There are plenty of servants at home. Everyone should go.” With the old man’s decree, no one argued.

Early the next morning, some went to the government offices, some to the military camp, all busy with their duties. The rest stayed home preparing for the trip. Wang Xiujin didn’t go to the shop but packed a few things for the three of them. Although the stay wouldn’t be long, they still needed many items. Here and there, they filled three trunks. Wang Xiujin smirked, then reopened them, thinking they might have packed too much.

When they finally set off, Wang Xiujin watched as everyone carried trunks left and right. With servants loading the gear, it looked like a long journey ahead. The Li family’s stir caused whispers from the highest court to the common folk. No one knew what was happening—what was the Li family up to?

News reaching the palace made the emperor furrow his brows. He summoned his attendants to inquire, learning the Li family was merely heading to their estate for a few days. The emperor sighed in relief but asked about the investigation into prior matters. The attendants reported truthfully. The emperor’s expression darkened; he understood the factionalism in court, the discord between civil and military officials, but had never imagined it was this severe. These veteran ministers—did they truly believe he would treat Minister Ge like before and not pursue charges? “Has Lord Wang been informed?”

“Presumably,” the attendant replied respectfully.

The emperor nodded and continued reviewing the memorial Prince Wu had delivered on Wang Xiujin’s behalf the previous day. He found the proposal sound and suitable for implementation but hesitated whether to act immediately or wait a while. The emperor admired Wang Xiujin’s sharp mind yet felt bitter resentment toward some court officials. He was reluctant to cede more power to the civil ministers but was not yet ready to move against them. Keeping them around was an eyesore, but now was not the time to act.

Meanwhile, the large Li family arrived at the estate, hauling several carts of belongings. They brought only two cooks: one specialized in meals for the old master, the other for everyday dishes. After disembarking, the old man asked the estate servants to show him the livestock. Wang Xiujin followed with his son, explaining the uses of pigs, cattle, and sheep beyond mere food.

Young Yachang listened intently, then asked, “Uncle, cowhide and pigskin can both make shoes. They say pigskin is good for the skin. So, if pigskin shoes get worn out and cleaned, can we cook and eat them?”

Yachang’s innocent question struck Wang Xiujin as mischievous, as if two small black wings flickered behind the boy. “Of course not. Shoes made from pigskin are processed with many inedible substances. If you eat them, Yachang’s intestines would rot,” Wang Xiujin answered. The thought reminded him of his childhood lessons about the Red Army’s Long March—crossing snowy mountains and grasslands, eating tree bark and boiled belts. Back then, he wondered if he asked the teacher if those things were edible. The answer was yes. When starving, cleanliness mattered little; survival was all.

Patting his son’s shoulder, Wang Xiujin said, “If people live day to day without knowing where their next meal comes from, they don’t care what goes into shoe-making. As long as it fills the stomach, someone will eat it.”

Master Li paused, then glanced back at Wang Xiujin. At first, he didn’t understand why Wang Xiujin said such things, but recalling Wang Xiujin’s childhood, he cast a calm look at the large pig in the pen and asked the caretaker how much it weighed.

“That pig is over three hundred pounds, sir. After a while, it will be ready for slaughter,” the caretaker respectfully replied without much excitement.

Master Li nodded. “Save the pig’s head for me. The last time the cook made braised pig head, it tasted excellent.”

Wang Xiujin promptly promised to handle it. Yachang stood on tiptoes, trying to see inside but too short to gauge the pig’s size. Wang Xiujin found his son’s anxious yet reluctant-to-ask-for-help expression amusing. Rather than lifting him up, he pretended not to notice.

Master Li noticed his great-grandson’s antics and chuckled, stopping a servant from reaching out.

Wang Xiujin quietly enjoyed the moment before lifting his son onto the wall so he could see properly. Yachang thought his uncle was becoming more mischievous lately but then turned his gaze to the big spotted pig, which looked plump and perfect for braised pork.

The pigs in the pen seemed utterly indifferent to the onlookers. Their curled tails flicked now and then, proof of life. After a while, Wang Xiujin couldn’t bear the smell and suggested visiting the cattle and sheep. Yachang tried to jump down from the wall, startling Wang Xiujin to catch him immediately. Is mischief a child’s nature? Holding his son down, Wang Xiujin said nothing reproachful.

Yachang tilted his head, wondering why his uncle didn’t scold him or warn about danger as usual.

Wang Xiujin never intended to lecture. Did telling a child off help? Not at all. It merely went in one ear and out the other, never reaching the heart. Better to let him learn from pain. Of course, if he kept trying until he succeeded, that was acceptable too.

The pigpen’s stench was bad, and the cattle and sheep shed wasn’t much better. The old man didn’t mind. As he walked through, it was his first time seeing the cattle and sheep Wang Xiujin had brought back from the grasslands—generations had passed, each animal robust. “Can these cattle be used for plowing?”

“Grandfather, they can’t. If they could, I’m afraid the literati would have submitted memorials to have me imprisoned long ago,” Wang Xiujin quickly explained.

Master Li laughed heartily and pointed to the sheep. “The wool sweaters we wear come from these creatures?”

“Yes,” Wang Xiujin answered, nearly fainting from the smell but still following behind.

Master Li nodded, looking at the herd with a surge of complex feelings. He turned to the caretaker. “Have the person who roasts whole lambs pick a large, fat one.”

“Sir, roasting whole lambs tastes best with lambs, not big, fat ones,” the caretaker said with a smile. Though a hired hand, not a servant, and beneath the old general in status, he spoke cautiously, unsure if he was too familiar.

Master Li paid no mind, not knowing what was best. He assumed bigger, fatter meant better. “Then do as you say. If one is too small, get two. When the time comes, each of you who work for my granddaughter-in-law will get a share,” he said in good spirits, generous with others’ possessions.

Wang Xiujin didn’t object; he wasn’t stingy and naturally wouldn’t eat the meat himself. The servants would watch over it. Seeing the old man’s good mood, he refrained from saying anything that might dampen it.