My Promotion Story Through Time Travel

Chapter 58 Setting Sail

In the twenty-sixth year of Hue, after a series of procedures including assessment and review, Lin Ziping finally received an offer from the county government of Phuc Xuan County, Tran Chau in April.

Fuchun County is adjacent to Huaizhou and about 200 kilometers away from Qingyang County. After the imperial court restricted merchants from taking the imperial examinations, a large number of people flooded into society. The once unpopular small county government positions became highly competitive. In this era, there were few state-owned enterprises and central enterprises, making the employment situation even more severe. After several twists and turns, Lin Ziping barely managed to get a job, and once again deeply felt that the end of the universe is the government job.

"Young Master, will you be able to adapt to such a far place?" On the eve of his departure, Granny Liao said while packing Lin Ziping's luggage, "How about I go with you? If not, we'll have to bring Xiaoya along, so we'll need a few more people to take care of him."

Lin Ziping tidied up the things and said with a helpless smile, "Granny, I'm going to work for the county government. What will others think if I bring so many people with me?"

"I'm just worried about the young master. If only he were in Qingyang," said Granny Liao, her voice choked with emotion. "This is the young master's first time away from home; I'm truly worried about him."

"Don't worry, Granny. I'll pick you up once I'm familiar with the area. Besides, Zhu Zi is coming with me, so you can come visit me too," Lin Ziping comforted her, then changed the subject to Xiao Ya: "Granny, Xiao Ya is a grown-up now. Isn't it a bit inappropriate to keep calling her Xiao Ya?"

Granny Liao looked at the busy little girl and said, "Young master is right. Little girl is almost of marriageable age, so it's time to change her name."

Marriage—years later, Lin Ziping heard those two words again. Xiao Ya was about his age, sixteen or seventeen, almost of marriageable age. How terrifying!

A blush crept onto the young girl's face: "Young master, please don't tease me, nanny. I want to stay with you forever."

"You silly child, no one stays together forever," Granny Liao said with a smile, her expression relaxing.

The next day, Granny Liao arranged for Zhu Zi and Shun Zi to pack Lin Ziping's clothes into a trunk and carry it to the carriage.

"Young Master, please bring more clothes. The clothes outside are not as comfortable as those at home. These are all your usual clothes. I've also asked the kitchen to prepare some food, all of which are your favorites. Please take them with you as well," Granny Liao said, pulling Lin Ziping aside and giving him a long, rambling instruction.

Lin Ziping listened attentively, occasionally chiming in with a few words. Having lived in this place for almost ten years, he felt a pang of reluctance to leave. Hearing Liao Mama's words, his heart softened.

Lin Zhong and Steward Tao waited at the entrance of the Lin residence.

"Greetings, Uncle. Steward Tao." Lin Ziping bowed respectfully.

"Ziping, you need to take care of your health in the future. When you're out and about, take good care of yourself. Buy whatever you want to eat, don't skimp on food or clothes. If you don't have enough money, write back and your uncle will send you some." Lin Zhong patted Lin Ziping on the shoulder.

Lin Ziping nodded: "Understood, Uncle."

"Master, it's getting late," said Steward Tao.

"Ziping, get in the car quickly. It'll be a long time before we get to Fuchun. Drive carefully," Lin Zhong instructed.

Lin Ziping cupped his hands in a gesture of respect to Lin Zhong, Steward Tao, and Granny Liao, saying, "Thank you for taking care of me all these years, Uncle, Steward Tao, and Granny Liao."

Granny Liao turned her back and secretly wiped away her tears, then smiled at Lin Ziping: "No need to thank me, taking care of the young master is what this servant should do."

Lin Ziping stepped forward and hugged Granny Liao, then turned to get into the carriage, lifted the curtain and said, "Take care, Uncle."

Master Li drove the horse-drawn carriage forward, and the familiar scenery receded. Lin Ziping recalled the scene when his mother took him to school when he was in college. It was the first time he had traveled far from home. When he arrived at school, he couldn't even tell which way was which. His mother left him all the local specialties she had brought from home and took him to eat at Haidilao. When he returned, he bought a standing ticket and stood for two days until his legs were swollen.

Memories of the city lockdown flooded back, as vivid as if they had happened just yesterday. And now, everything he was experiencing was so similar to the past that Lin Ziping couldn't help but have the illusion of time flowing backward.

The carriage came to a stop. Lin Ziping lifted the curtain to see what had happened, only to find He Jinbao, Zhang Mo, and Yang Jiadian already waiting at the place where he had last seen off Ji Xun and Fang Zhili.

Seeing Lin Ziping lift the carriage curtain, Yang Jiadian rode up on horseback and said, "Brother Ziping, you're really not being fair. You didn't even tell us you were leaving today."

"Master Li, stop for a moment."

After the carriage stopped, Lin Ziping got out and walked over to the group: "What brings you all here?"

Zhang Mo smiled and said, "It's for you."

"Lin Ziping, you're leaving without even telling us," He Jinbao said angrily.

“Yes.” Yang Jiadian nodded vigorously.

"So much has happened lately, I'm worried about what might happen," Lin Ziping explained. "How's your situation going?"

"I'm almost done. My mother is here, and my brothers can't cause much trouble," Zhang Mo said casually, seemingly unconcerned.

Lin Ziping knew that his older brothers had been following their father for many years and were always eyeing him covetously. Zhang Mo wasn't so relaxed, but he didn't press further. Knowing how to maintain appropriate boundaries in interpersonal relationships, he nodded and asked, "Jinbao, when are we leaving?"

A hint of unease crossed He Jinbao's face: "My father agrees, but my mother doesn't yet. However, it will be soon; she'll be leaving in two months. She's already written to Xiancheng."

"Brother Ziping, I'm currently a farmer, so I'll just focus on my studies at the academy. In two years, I'll go find my sister." Before Lin Ziping could ask, Yang Jiadian blurted out his plan.

Lin Ziping smiled and said, "That's great. I'll go to Fuchun first and see. If it doesn't work out, I'll make further plans. You can also come and see me. Xiaobao, when I go to Fuchun, I'll also inquire about your sister's whereabouts."

"So many years have passed, and there's no trace of my sister left in the house. I wonder if she's still alive," Yang Jiadian said with a somewhat forlorn expression.

"Yang Xiaobao, your sister is definitely alright. Quickly bring back the wine you prepared. We can't have it for Ji Xun and the others, but not for Ziping on his way." He Jinbao patted Yang Jiadian on the shoulder.

"How could that be? Wait, I'll go get it right away." Yang Jiadian composed himself and went to get the wine.

“That kid…” Zhang Mo shook his head and said, “Ziping still has a long way to go. He’ll definitely drink three hundred cups of wine when he comes back next time, hahaha…”

"Okay, you must prepare good wine and food then!" Lin Ziping laughed loudly.

"must."

……