Daming: Internship also counts as work experience

Chapter 132: Willing to Give Up
Zhao Guang felt that the tall and burly Imperial Guard and the beautiful woman looked somewhat similar, so they must be related, or even siblings. The woman was probably the one connected to Song Sheng.

Zhao Guang felt he had found the key to the problem. It seemed difficult to straighten out Magistrate Song right now, but he could start with the woman. Women are like that; give them some beautiful jewelry and pretty brocade, say some nice things to coax them, and the matter would be settled.

Zhao Guang suddenly felt a surge of energy, with only one question on his mind: Should his wife or his granddaughter do this?

……

On New Year's Eve, several people sat around the table, toasting and keeping vigil together.

The intention was good, but before midnight, only Jia Chuan and Gao Yunduo were still relatively sober.

Looking at the blush on Gao Yunduo's cheeks, Jia Chuan, emboldened by the alcohol, tentatively said, "In the future, I will definitely earn you an imperial title."

"Who cares?"

Jia Chuan was secretly delighted and said, "I don't care whether you like it or not, I have to earn it for you! I'll rank where I am in the men's circle, and you'll rank where you are in the women's circle."

Suddenly, a phrase that Jia Chuan had heard in his previous life popped into his head. He thought it was very powerful and blurted it out. He hadn't had a chance to use it in his previous life, but he never expected to have a chance to use it in this life.

He thought Gao Yunduo's face would only turn redder after hearing this, but to his surprise, Gao Yunduo didn't react at all and asked calmly, "Can you live until then?"

"What are you talking about! The matter in Le'an is almost resolved. Once the Prince of Han is captured, we'll deal with him again, and this matter will be over. Who else wants my life?"

"Being with the king is like being with a tiger."

Jia Chuan opened his mouth, thinking that Zhu Zhanji didn't seem to live a long life. He wasn't worried about Zhu Zhanji while he was alive. Based on his limited historical knowledge, he knew that Zhu Zhanji was a good comrade. Following a good comrade, as long as you don't go too far, the outcome won't be too bad. But what about after Zhu Zhanji died?
Jia Chuan tilted his head, searching through his muddled mind for the life story of Zhu Qizhen, the "God of War," wanting to see if he could live to be seventy or eighty.

Seeing Jia Chuan's expression, Gao Yunduo assumed that he had taken her words to heart, and said, "I don't care about high-ranking positions, fine clothes, or sumptuous meals. My mother said that wealthy families are just high walls that enclose women. They don't necessarily live as comfortably as ordinary families. As long as we can have enough to eat, why do we need such high walls?"

Jia Chuan looked at Gao Yunduo, who then said, "What good is risking your life? You're still stuck in this place, aren't you? No matter how great your achievements are, they depend on the Emperor's mood. If he thinks you're good right now, he'll cover for you even if you cause a huge mess. But if he's in a bad mood tomorrow, he can take whatever anyone says as fact and punish you. My grandfather once said that if you want to live longer, don't become an official if you hate evil like poison."

"I... am very easygoing."

"You're easygoing? What did Vice Commissioner Xu say in his letter to you?" Gao Yunduo asked, tilting her head.

Jia Chuan sighed. Today, Gao Yuntian brought Xu Gong's personal letter, which roughly meant that investigating the case was fine, and the Embroidered Uniform Guard's help was also acceptable, but it was best to wait until the new year for the transfer order to be issued. As for the magistrate of Xian County, the Ministry of Personnel would conduct an investigation. He should focus on his duties and not concern himself with other matters. After the new year, some things would be settled, and the emperor would surely reward Jia Chuan. He must not overstep his bounds at this time, especially since there was already much discussion in the capital. Jia Chuan would inevitably be caught up in these disturbances in the future. Xu Gong concluded by quoting Zhuangzi: "If the whole world praises him, he will not be encouraged; if the whole world criticizes him, he will not be discouraged."

Jia Chuan knew that Xu Gong considered him one of his own, which was why he spoke so bluntly. Although he didn't understand the last sentence, it didn't stop him from understanding the rest. He wasn't an imperial censor; he just wanted to punish the county magistrate because he didn't get along with him. Xu Gong was practically pointing his finger at him and asking, "Who do you think you are?"

After reading the letter, Jia Chuan went to the courtyard to calm down. This was indeed quite different from what he had thought. But thinking about it carefully, if the court investigated and punished anyone he said anything bad about, wouldn't that be too frivolous?

For the first time since he came into this world, Jia Chuan felt his own naivety. He thought he was capable, that he was great and noble, and that he should be able to do whatever he wanted. This time he was punishing a county magistrate, but what about next time?
Jia Chuan even sensed that Zhu Zhanji had placed him here not entirely to save his life, but perhaps also to calm him down and prevent him from getting carried away.

Thinking of how Wu Bing had spent years lying low, living in constant fear and worry, only to get the chance to be ennobled thanks to his father's love, it's really naive of him to think he can do whatever he wants after just two or three months.

Hearing Gao Yunduo's indirect advice, Jia Chuan smiled bitterly and said, "I know I've overstepped my bounds. I only think about my own pleasure and can't stand the slightest grievance. When I encounter corrupt officials, I want to help the emperor to deal with them... It's as if I'm the only good person in this world."

Gao Yunduo glanced at the leftover food on the table, tilted her head, and said, "I don't like my brother joining the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

Jia Chuan then remembered that the Gao siblings' father had died in the imperial prison. Although it wasn't due to torture by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, he still died in the territory under their jurisdiction.

“But my brother said that this is the only way to help you and help me… The help he’s talking about is the real help, the help you’re talking about isn’t.”

Jia Chuan was stunned for a moment. It wasn't that he didn't understand, but rather that he didn't expect Gao Yunduo to be able to understand so clearly.

“My mother said that my father is just stubborn.” Gao Yunduo touched her wine glass and lowered her head. “My maternal grandfather agreed to the marriage because he thought my father was upright. Although he was poor, my maternal grandfather had plenty of money. But my mother only realized after she married him that life is not just about being rich or poor, but also about how stubborn you are. My mother said that someone as stubborn as my father would never have a good life, and would even make his children suffer.”

Jia Chuan remembered that Gao Yunduo's mother passed away not two years after her father. He had previously thought that the couple was very loving, but judging from Gao Yunduo's words, her mother had probably harbored resentment for many years.

Gao Yunduo shrugged and said, "My maternal grandfather once said that the biggest mistake he ever made was agreeing to marry my mother to my father. My brother's marriage and my marriage... If my father hadn't let it slip, my mother probably wouldn't have known until the wedding date was already set."

"You mean..."

"Otherwise, how could my brother's marriage be arranged without a betrothal? My... my father even pretended to be unwilling, but it was actually my mother who was unwilling, but my mother knew that she couldn't stop it... I don't even know how many times my mother was made sick by my father."

Jia Chuan took a deep breath.

“My brother is a lot like my father, he’s also stubborn. My mother said before she passed away that neither of these two marriages should be counted, but my brother argued that the promise should be kept, no matter how unwilling he was. He felt that he had to obey his father’s decision. At that time, I thought that if he dared to talk about my marriage, I would break his legs. Anyway, my maternal grandfather left us a lot of money, so we wouldn’t have to worry about food and clothing. But after he did some things with you, he seems to have changed a lot.”

"It just shows that he is different from your father."

Gao Yunduo nodded and said, "Grandfather said that what he hates most is all the roundabout talk in officialdom. He said that martial arts practitioners should be straightforward. If it works, it works; if it doesn't, it doesn't. Why bother with a bunch of useless nonsense! Mother said that I am most like my maternal grandfather. I also hate roundabout talk. I told my brother before that I will make my own decisions about my marriage."

Jia Chuan's heart immediately jumped.

Gao Yunduo picked up her glass and drank it all in one gulp. She let out a long breath and said, "I know you love me, but the betrothal gifts I want aren't silks and satins, jewelry, or any monetary dowry. I don't want live geese, and I certainly don't feel proud just because I went through the traditional betrothal ceremony with someone. What I want is... a lifetime of peace and stability. Can you give me that?" Jia Chuan's mind went blank for a moment. He realized that Gao Yunduo's family of origin had completely influenced her views on marriage. Although Jia Chuan didn't approve of blaming everything on one's family of origin, it was clear that Gao Yunduo had been influenced by them.

Gao Yunduo stood up unsteadily and said, "You don't need to answer me so quickly. Think it through before you tell me. I'm sleepy, I'm going to sleep now."

……

They had agreed to stay up all night together, but when midnight arrived, only Jia Chuan was still awake.

Gao Yuntian and the others were exhausted, and if they drank any more, they wouldn't be able to hold on. But Old Zheng, upon seeing the fine wine, didn't need anyone to urge him to drink; he could get drunk on his own.

Gao Yunduo must have been exhausted long ago, but seeing that everyone else was about to give up, she saw this as an opportunity and forced herself to stay awake and make her point clear.

The faint sound of firecrackers could be heard outside. Jia Chuan gently opened the courtyard gate and walked into the courtyard.

After drinking some alcohol, even the cold wind seems to avoid me.

Jia Chuan looked up at the sky; the stars twinkled and the moonlight was like water.

He remembered Gao Yuntian telling him that Beijing and Nanjing would be very lively during the New Year, with firecrackers being set off. Although the Emperor had said to be frugal, this was the first Spring Festival after the Emperor ascended the throne, so it would naturally be more lively, and firecrackers would definitely be set off all night on New Year's Eve.

But firecrackers were something only royalty and wealthy families could afford to set off. In places like Xian County, not many people could afford them, so Jia Chuan only heard sporadic noises.

He stood in the courtyard, white mist accompanying his every breath.

He had been in love in his previous life, but he didn't have much experience.

In this life, when he was in Huangluling, he never had any expectations for marriage. He was just living a life of leisure and waiting to die. In the end, he couldn't bring himself to be ruthless and could only make do with life.

Looking back now, after meeting Zhu Zhanji, it was as if an invisible hand was pushing him forward. He seemed to have no right to say 'no'. He didn't know what would happen tomorrow. He could only deal with whatever came his way. He even teetered on the edge of life and death several times. He couldn't even be safe, let alone live a stable life.

When he was in junior high school, he was obsessed with reading martial arts novels. At that time, he always felt that those heroes would encounter beautiful women as soon as they went out. Was it fate or... he had never seen a woman before?

Now he was experiencing the same thing. After leaving Huangluling, he met Gao Yunduo. He felt it was fate's arrangement. He had never eaten pork but had never seen a pig run.

Love was a luxury in his previous life, and it's even harder to achieve here. Jia Chuan felt that Gao Yunduo's appearance was to his liking, and her straightforward personality was also his type. It was only natural that he would develop feelings for her. A marriage with such a foundation of affection was already quite good in this life. It was better than Zhu Zhanji arranging one for him one day, and then the two of them consummating their marriage without ever having met...

Previously, Jia Chuan had been secretly pleased, as Gao Yunduo had been very attentive in protecting him along the way, especially during the trip to the manor, where she showed bravery in sacrificing for love. Jia Chuan thought he had successfully captured her heart and that marriage was a sure thing. He even planned to take advantage of the New Year to finalize the marriage with Gao Yuntian, so that when Zhu Gaoxu's matter was resolved and the emperor bestowed honors upon him, he could also request a marriage decree. He also wanted a large house in the Second Ring Road of Beijing, wanting to give Gao Yunduo enough face and let her marry him in a grand and glorious manner.

But she doesn't care about these things; she just wants stability, which Jia Chuan can't provide for the time being.

Jia Chuan didn't believe that Zhu Zhanji would transfer him to some prefecture or county government office to serve as a stable official; he was too young.

Jia Chuan sighed. A peaceful life? Maybe he should wait until he could return to the capital and properly beg Zhu Zhanji? It's not like he couldn't live off a woman; there are several ways to do it. Since he's sacrificed his career for marriage, he'll definitely have the guts to do it.

But would Zhu Zhanji let him leave?
Jia Chuan took a deep breath. After thinking it over, he realized that he wasn't that important. As long as he was willing to give up all the rewards and official titles, Zhu Zhanji might be eager for him to leave. He felt that Zhu Zhanji would definitely put a lot of thought into rewarding him. Too much or too little would not be appropriate. After all, he was young.

If he's willing to leave, the problem will resolve itself.

The present moment is not for him to figure things out, but for him to explain to Zhu Zhanji after returning to the capital. Jia Chuan does not think there is anything he cannot give up. In the end, he is working so hard for a few taels of silver, so that he will not be easily manipulated by others in the future. If his family had a mine, why would he risk his life to survive?
Jia Chuan understood this principle.

Before, there was no opportunity, so there was no need to think about these things. Now that there is an opportunity, as long as you can be willing to 'give up'... Jia Chuan took a deep breath and went back to his room to sleep.

……

The next morning, Zhao Guang's granddaughter came running over.

The granddaughter looked to be about sixteen or seventeen years old. She had an ordinary appearance and a somewhat plump figure. She became familiar with Dong Yuanyuan after a few words. By the time Jia Chuan got up, Zhao Guang's granddaughter had come and gone several times, bringing with her a lot of gold and silver jewelry and beautiful silks.

Gao Yunduo went in and out as if she hadn't seen anything. Dong Yuanyuan's eyes were shining as she looked at these things, but she just wouldn't accept them. No matter what Zhao Guang's granddaughter said, she just shook her head. It wasn't until she saw Jia Chuan come out that she looked at him expectantly and asked, "Big brother, can I accept them?"

"Why are you giving it to me?" Jia Chuan asked, rubbing his eyes.

She said she had plenty.

"Then we'll accept it!"

Dong Yuanyuan immediately jumped up happily like a child. Shunzi whispered from the side, "Keep it down! Even if you accept it this time, you have to ask again next time, even if it's just a tael of silver."

"I know! No one will give it to me next time either. It's because Tingting and I are good friends. Otherwise, I wouldn't accept it."

Zhao Tingting was also very happy. Because she was in a hurry to go back and take credit, she said a polite remark that Dong Yuanyuan believed, and then left in a hurry.

(End of this chapter)