Chapter 68

He wasn't a corrupt official, and he genuinely wanted to do some practical things for the common people—he wanted to achieve some political accomplishments.

Although this place had become a poor and remote corner due to the surrounding mountains, it was still only a little over three hundred li from the capital, so there remained the possibility of being promoted to the capital.

But over the years, the lack of any real accomplishments had worn him down, until he finally sought only to avoid mistakes and coast along smoothly until he could retire.

Now, Huo Jilin's sudden, righteous concern for the country and its people struck him, reminding him of the ideals he'd long since abandoned.

That feeling was not pleasant. He was already past fifty.

The Huo Jilin before him was only nineteen years old—at nineteen, he too had harbored such lofty ideals.

After a long pause, Magistrate Liu stroked his goatee and said, "Regional Commander Huo is so noble and righteous—I truly admire you."

The words came out flat. Huo Jilin glanced at him, knowing what he was thinking—that he was wary of him and choosing to stay out of it and watch from the sidelines.

Huo Jilin only smiled faintly and continued, "It's Magistrate Liu I admire. In this battle, I know that Dongling County has rendered great service. Dongling County oversees thirteen townships and thirty-six villages, and each village sent half its able-bodied men, putting over ten thousand men on the front lines. Those ten thousand men are the only reason we held out until victory. It was a damn close call."

Huo Jilin kept the chill out of his voice as he spoke—his words could easily be read as sarcasm.

Although conscription was an order from above that Magistrate Liu could not defy, as the head of the county, he should've fought tooth and nail for the people in his care. But to protect his official position, he'd hidden the truth and sent over ten thousand ordinary folks to the battlefield with nothing but their bare hands. If they'd lost that battle, who knows how many would've died!

Did he even sleep at night?

He had no right to call himself a father to the people.

Magistrate Liu's face went pale, then flushed red. For a moment, he couldn't tell if Huo Jilin was complimenting him or cutting him down.

It had to be praise, right? How would some country bumpkin know any better?

Magistrate Liu had looked into Huo Jilin's background, but hadn't turned up a thing.

He had Village Head Zhou to thank for keeping quiet all these years to avoid trouble—after Huo Jilin's father died, no one knew how they'd ended up here in the first place.

Old Man Huo had never registered his household with the county, nor did he own land. If not for the strict conscription this time, they wouldn't even have known Huo Jilin existed.

There were plenty of people not on the books. To dodge taxes, folks often never registered their kids, so Magistrate Liu didn't give it a second thought.

Huo Jilin's big achievement was pure dumb luck.

Hunters really knew their stuff—word was, they'd won the battle and captured the Crown Prince of Northern Yuan alive using the same tricks they used to smoke out and drive wild boars.

Magistrate Liu shut his eyes. What a bunch of country hicks.

Those Northern Yuan bastards deserved to be dealt with that crudely!

Either way, Magistrate Liu felt a little satisfaction thinking about the defeated Northern Yuan Tartars.

So he warmed up to Huo Jilin and automatically took his words as a compliment.

He said modestly, "It's my duty as a parent-official. You know, we're the capital's last line of defense. If this barrier falls, the capital is in danger. When the lips are gone, the teeth are exposed—we have to stop the Northern Yuan Tartars no matter what."

Huo Jilin shot him a cold look. To be blunt, if he hadn't come from the future, this war would've been a total disaster long ago.

This win was pure luck—just a psychological trick played on the Northern Yuan Tartars.

The Northern Yuan Tartars had come down to raid during this lean season because the Third Prince was colluding with them, trying to force the Emperor to step down.

The Northern Yuan Tartars hadn't come fully prepared either—they hadn't thrown in their full strength, just testing the waters as they fought. If they kept sending men to die, the Tartars would happily take them out. If they saw how weak the defenses were, they might push straight through to the capital in one go.

As a parent-official, in a situation like that, he didn't report the severity to the court or ask for troops—and he still had the nerve to say he had no choice?

Huo Jilin took a long, deep breath. He couldn't judge people from ancient times by modern standards.

People back then had a rigid belief in the emperor's authority.

If the emperor ordered a minister to die, the minister had to die.

They'd never question the emperor's decisions—they'd just drag the common folks into dying for an emperor who didn't deserve their loyalty.

Huo Jilin dropped the empty talk and got straight to the point with Magistrate Liu: "Magistrate Liu, I understand your difficulties. This battle has caused countless casualties, and post-war resettlement is a long-term matter. I want to do my small part. I'll start by helping with medicine, and I hope you'll back me up. Once that's handled, I can take the Regional Commander post with a clear conscience."

Hearing that, Magistrate Liu let out a long sigh of relief too:

"Good. If you insist on doing this, I will certainly make things convenient for you. This is a great deed. I have indeed been overwhelmed by the post-war matters—veteran compensation and wounded soldier placement are both headaches. If you pull this off, I'll make sure you get full credit for it."

Huo Jilin smiled faintly: "Good, thank you, Magistrate Liu."

After leaving the county office, Huo Jilin looked up—the sun was already heading west. He'd been at it most of the day and needed to find a place to eat.

He headed to his father-in-law's place in Chen Family Village for a meal.

By getting in with the government and using official backing, he could use the government-run medicine sheds as a test run—on one hand, it would speed up the spread of ready-made medicines.

Most importantly, it would keep his medicine business from being squeezed out or framed, and let it run smoothly.

Given how Magistrate Liu was acting, that was the most he could offer.

As for the herbs and equipment, the government couldn't help much—he'd have to sort out the supply himself.

Last time, when he'd gone with Chen Jue on the post-wedding visit home, he found out his father-in-law bought medicinal herbs, and they'd talked at length about how that trade worked.

His father-in-law didn't buy nearly enough, but he could use him as a way in—team up with other herb merchants to get raw materials at less than half the usual price.

His father-in-law had really taken a liking to Huo Jilin, especially when he showed up with two more jars of wine. It wasn't a holiday or anything, but he'd brought such pricey gifts—that showed respect.

Father Chen grumbled with his mouth: "It's not a festival or special occasion—why buy such expensive things!"

But he was all warmth, happily telling Mother Chen to get cooking: "Kill a chicken to fatten up our son-in-law! Hurry! Eldest, second, third—come sit with him."

"So, good son-in-law, what brings you here today?"

Father Chen asked. He knew better than to think Huo Jilin was just visiting—he'd come for Mid-Autumn Festival less than a month ago. Even his own sons couldn't stand him.

Besides, when Chen Jue married Huo Lin, he hadn't given Chen Jue much of a dowry.

And he hadn't asked for much of a bride price from Huo Jilin either—it was like he was cutting ties with his son Chen Jue.

That's how he'd felt back then. He'd left Chen Jue at that Taoist temple for years without a word—wasn't that because he didn't want the kid anymore?

Huo Jilin smiled at him. "Can't I just come see my father-in-law?"

Father Chen's stern face cracked into a hint of a smile. He knew Huo Jilin was just buttering him up, but it still sounded good.

Then Huo Jilin used his gift of gab to line up herb suppliers through Father Chen, buying herbs at thirty percent less than what the medicine shops charged.

At that price, the three sons sitting nearby traded looks—it was way too low, almost at cost. What was the point of all their work?

How the hell did his father agree to this? He hadn't even drunk that much.

His father had been in the herbal medicine business for so many years—there's no way a single cup of wine could win him over.

Huo Jilin could also see that the three brothers-in-law were unhappy, and he smiled as he continued: "The Chen family is Chen Jue's natal home, and I won't let his family suffer any loss. I'll give my father-in-law and my three brothers-in-law a ten percent stake in Chen's Pharmaceutical. Chen's Pharmaceutical is bound to grow and thrive one day, and when that day comes, you three brothers-in-law can just sit back and rake in the dividends."

Okay, that's more like it—no, wait, he couldn't be bought off with a measly ten percent. Chen's Pharmaceutical might not grow for who knows how long. Huo Jilin was just blowing smoke up their asses.

But Father Chen had already slammed the table and decided: "Good son-in-law, I'll support you just for that name alone. But don't spoil Chen Jue too much—he's too damn stubborn... I don't know who he gets it from, but he needs a firm hand..."

Huo Jilin watched as Mother Chen smacked Father Chen hard on the back: "Old man, you're drunk. Keep your mouth shut..."

Huo Jilin pretended not to see it and smiled at Father Chen: "Father-in-law, please rest early. Your son-in-law will be heading out now. I'll be stopping by over the next few days—just make sure the herbs are ready. The more, the better."

Huo Jilin stayed for dinner today because Chen Jue actually had someone cooking for him.

Today, Zhou Qingshan had brought his wife home, and even the eldest brother, Zhou Qingshu, who'd married far away and could only make it back once or twice a year, had come with his husband and two children.

The family was reunited, and they made dumplings.

They were the chive-and-egg dumplings Chen Jue loved—the kind he swore tasted like crab roe. Uncle Liu knew he loved them, so he'd made two kinds on purpose.

Zhou Qingshu's husband was Zhao Jun, a pig butcher from Zhao Family Village on the other side of the mountain. The meat he brought was three inches of thick fat and looked amazing—the dumplings they wrapped dripped oil with every single bite.

He greeted everyone with a big grin: "Everyone, eat up! Eat as much meat as you want! Oh, and brother-in-law, I brought you some bone marrow—eat what you need to heal up! Have plenty!"

Zhou Qingshu shot him a fierce glare: "A few cups of cat piss and you can't keep your mouth shut? Do you even know how to talk? My brother... he's gonna get better, I know it!"

Zhou Qingshu's voice cracked as he spoke, on the verge of tears. His brother's leg was broken and he hadn't even known—three huge mountains between them, and he had no damn idea.

So many days had gone by, and he still didn't know.

Zhou Qingshu's eyes were red. He knew it wasn't Zhao Jun's fault—they were just too far away—but he couldn't forgive himself.

If Zhao Jun hadn't been able to cough up six taels of silver back then, he wouldn't have had to sell himself off so far away.

The big burly Zhao Jun shrank back a little at the glare, coughed, and said: "Sorry, I misspoke. I just meant since we rarely get to come back, I wanted to bring more stuff..."

Zhou Qingshan smiled: "I'm fine. Qingshu, don't go blaming people for nothing. I'm doing great, aren't I?"

He also squeezed his wife's hand beside him: "I'm really fine now, don't worry. Look, I can run and jump, same as anyone else."

Zhou Qingshan's wife, Zhang Xiuer, nodded repeatedly, then looked at Chen Jue and urged him to eat: "Jue Geer, you eat, have as much as you want..."

Chen Jue nodded at her: "I know. You all eat too."

Zhou Qingzhu smiled and placed the chive-filled dumplings in front of him, saying to Zhang Xiuer: "Sister-in-law, he loves this filling. Brother Chen, here—I made the filling myself. One day I'll teach Brother Dalin how to make it too. He's coming to pick you up soon, right? I'll teach him then."

He could joke about those two now. A few days ago, they'd had a massive blowout, but by the next day it was all sunshine and rainbows again. Anyone with a weak heart couldn't handle it.

Chen Jue shot back at his teasing: "Fine, teach him then."

Zhou Qingzhu nodded vigorously at him. When it came to managing a husband, you had to learn from Brother Chen. His eldest brother should take notes from Chen Jue too.

Brother Dalin was so tough and had such a nasty temper, yet in front of Chen Jue, he always backed down.

Chen Jue had no idea what he was thinking. He just slowly ate the chive-and-egg dumplings, careful not to overeat.

He was already watching his weight now.

That was something he'd never expected—before, he couldn't get enough to eat; now, he had to watch his portions.

Which just went to show that life seemed to be getting better.

Chen Jue looked at the white-flour dumplings on the table, then at the wrinkles around Uncle Liu's smiling face, and figured this family's hardships were finally behind them.

After the meal, Zhou Qingshan sat around chatting with his brother-in-law Zhao Jun.

Zhou Qingshan's wife, meanwhile, pulled out a handkerchief and handed it to Chen Jue.

After learning that Chen Jue had cured Zhou Qingshan's illness, she'd embroidered it specially for him. She'd learned embroidery at her mother's house, and her usual trade was embroidering handkerchiefs.

She didn't have much money, so the handkerchief was plain white cotton.

But the flowers and plants were beautifully embroidered—clearly the work of someone with a steady hand and a good eye.

On the handkerchief she gave Chen Jue, she'd embroidered a single orchid.

Zhou's wife said shyly: "I heard from the doctor—orchid... orchid pavilion, a healer's heart. My stitching isn't that good, so don't laugh at me. Use it to wipe your sweat..."

Chen Jue looked at the finely embroidered handkerchief and smiled: "Thank you. It's really beautiful."

Just as he was talking, Huo Jilin walked in.

Zhou Qingshan quickly greeted him: "Dalin, get over here! We've been waiting for you! You eaten yet? There's still hot water in the pot—I'll cook you some dumplings..."

Uncle Liu had already gone to cook the dumplings, but Huo Jilin stopped him: "I've already eaten. Don't go to any trouble..."

After greeting the Zhou family, Huo Jilin took Chen Jue home. On the way, he glanced at the handkerchief: "That's some nice embroidery, huh?"

Chen Jue folded the handkerchief and tucked it into his robe. He had a feeling Huo Jilin was gonna try to snatch it from him.

"...Why are you so protective of it? Didn't I give you something too? That jade—why don't you keep it? It's a family heirloom."

Huo Jilin pressed on.

Jade from a family of imperial criminals—why the hell would he carry that around? Was he trying to get himself killed faster?

Chen Jue didn't want to waste words on him, so he asked: "How are the medicines? Did Doctor Tang sign off on them?"

Huo Jilin gave a light snort: "Medicine made by your own hands—how could it not pass?"

A hint of a smile appeared on Chen Jue's face: "Good. Then next, we'll move to large-scale production."

Huo Jilin hummed in agreement: "I'll go see the village head in a bit and request this piece of wasteland to build the factory. Chen's Pharmaceutical is officially established as of today."

Chen Jue finally turned to look at him: "Chen's Pharmaceutical?"

Huo Jilin smiled back at him: "That's right, Chen's Pharmaceutical. Chairman Chen, from now on I'll be your assistant. I'll serve as CEO, alright?"

Chen Jue gave him a look: "This is your idea, your pharmaceutical company."

Huo Jilin shrugged noncommittally: "What's mine is yours, and what's yours is mine. There's no need to draw lines between us."

Seeing Chen Jue still staring at him, Huo Jilin gave up on appealing to sentiment and switched to pragmatism: "I'll be taking up the post of Regional Commander in the future. It wouldn't be appropriate for me to have any business under my name."

Chen Jue didn't look convinced, but everything Huo Jilin had just said was true—as was the vow he'd made that night. He'd promised Chen Jue absolute decision-making power, and that he'd be his assistant.

Chen Jue finally stopped trying to correct the name. He looked at the clear blue sky and let his mind wander for a moment.

His surname had been given to him by Dean Chen.

If Chen's Pharmaceutical ever truly flourished and was passed down through generations, would Dean Chen ever know?