Wei, the head of Jinxiang Academy, was still the most influential figure.
He felt honored that the Yun family had been bestowed the title of 'House of Radiant Gates'.
Heyang County was far from the capital, and the Emperor might never have heard of this small place in his lifetime.
Yet, the Yun family's youngest daughter, through her own efforts, had designed the waterwheel blueprints.
Coupled with her significant contribution in driving away the rat plague four years prior, she had drawn the Emperor's attention to this place…
Since Magistrate Chen treated the Yun family with respect, Dean Wei naturally had to reciprocate with courtesy.
He also instructed several teachers to focus on nurturing Jinshan and Jinhe.
"Dean Wei, these are ducks raised at home, plump and delicious. Please take them back and stew them."
Yun Erman handed over two large ducks.
"Oh my, I dare not accept them! Please keep them for yourselves!"
Dean Wei, filled with trepidation, shook his head in refusal.
He had already accepted a lot of mountain produce from the Yun family when Jinhe first came to study…
It would be improper for him to accept anything more this time.
Yun Erman chuckled, "I've already brought them, and I can't carry them back. Please accept them, Dean Wei!"
This was his mother's specific instruction: to deliver the ducks to Dean Wei.
"Then… consider them purchased!" Dean Wei opened his money pouch, intending to pay.
Yun Erman, feeling helpless, accepted forty copper coins from Dean Wei and said with a smile, "I'll trouble you to take good care of them in the future."
"If Jinshan is mischievous or unruly, please feel free to discipline him!"
Discipline?
What a joke!
He was already trying his best to curry favor.
"Daddy, can I go home after school?" Yun Jinshan asked timidly.
He didn't want to stay at the academy; otherwise, he wouldn't be able to see his little aunt.
There were plenty of horse-drawn carriages traveling between Da Shui Village and the town. Guo Laosan from the village entered the town every morning to sell vegetables and returned to the village in the evening.
If he bought a few jars of sorghum wine for him, Guo Laosan would surely be happy to ferry Jinshan back and forth…
"You can, but don't cause any trouble for others!"
"Understood, Dad!"
Yun Erman then checked on Jinhe, made a round at the county yamen, and drove back to the village.
Although he was part of the county yamen, Magistrate Chen did not compel him to be on duty.
He could return home if there was work to be done, but he had to rush back immediately if the yamen had any urgent matters.
Such occasions were rare, happening perhaps once every ten days or half a month, so Yun Erman had plenty of free time.
When he had time, he would weed the fields, gather wild goods from the mountains, or trap a rabbit…
The next morning, Magistrate Chen arrived at Da Shui Village.
The Yun family's refusal to have a son-in-law marry into their household had not diminished Magistrate Chen's enthusiasm.
He had come this time to offer a backdoor opportunity to the Yun family.
"Uncle Magistrate, please have some tea!" Little Xitian, with her keen observation, poured a cup of tea.
Magistrate Chen smiled broadly and patted Little Xitian's head, "You're so well-behaved. Would you like to come to the county town and stay for a few days?"
Xiao Ran had been unhappy since she returned.
Magistrate Chen thought she must have been missing Sweet Baby.
Little Xitian blinked her large eyes and shook her head, "No, Big Brother and Second Brother are both studying, so Mother will be lonely at home!"
Yun Xiaobao was at home, but he only knew how to play all day. He wasn't as caring as her, his little cotton-padded jacket.
Upon hearing this, Magistrate Chen's heart melted, "Sweet Baby is truly sensible!"
Why were other people's daughters so wonderful?
He would work hard after returning home and ask Madam Huang to have another daughter…
If raised like the Yun family, she would surely grow into another Little Sweet Baby.
At noon, Old Man Yun returned from the fields. Everyone was already seated at the dining table, and they did not forget to set a pair of chopsticks for Magistrate Chen.
Magistrate Chen did not refuse and started eating with his bowl.
"Magistrate, is there anything you've come for this time?" Old Man Yun asked.
Magistrate Chen, who had been smiling and staring at Daman, clearly had something to say.
"The agarwood forest on Tuofeng Mountain now belongs to the county yamen!"
"After discussing with Advisor Zuo and the various yamen officials, I plan to recruit some tree planters to go into the mountains to protect the forest."
"I think your Daman is very suitable for this."
"He is young and strong, energetic, and honest and reliable. He will definitely do a good job planting trees in the mountains…"
After his speech, the entire Yun family, young and old, looked somewhat bewildered.
What bright prospects could tree planting have?
Wandering around in the forest all day, could one become an official?
Liu Cuirong was the first to object, "Hmph, we still have so much land to cultivate at home, where would we find the time to go into the mountains to plant trees?"
They were clearly bored and had nothing better to do.
Anyway, anyone else could go; she absolutely refused to let Erman go planting trees.
Magistrate Chen put down his chopsticks and said with a smile, "You may not know this, but anyone who goes into the mountains to plant trees becomes one of our yamen officials."
"He will receive a salary, be exempt from taxes, and enjoy all the benefits of the yamen. His treatment will be the same as Erman's current position…"
"Ah?" Liu Cuirong's eyes widened, and she almost jumped up in excitement, "R-really?"
This was too good to be true!
If her Erman went planting trees, he would receive double the salary each month.
Besides, planting trees in the forest wasn't tiring.
It was much better than toiling in the fields with crops!
Oh my, she had secretly gone for fortune-telling that day, and the fortune teller said she would make a fortune this year.
And here it was!
Magistrate Chen shrugged, "When I speak, my word is my bond. I never make empty promises!"
In fact, there were only three positions for tree planting, and his intended candidate was Yun Daman.
The remaining two spots were taken by Madam Huang's distant relatives…
Zhao Guihua glanced at Yun Daman and tentatively asked, "Husband, do you want to go planting trees?"
If he went to the mountains to plant trees, the fifty mu of land would be left to Old Man Yun to manage alone.
Erman was also a yamen official now and went to the county town every few days, so he couldn't always be at home.
"I… I don't really want to go!" Yun Daman mumbled.
He was also concerned about his father, who suffered from backaches and leg pain every day, and he couldn't rest assured.
"If you don't go, then let Erman go, okay?" Liu Cuirong exclaimed.
"Erman, quickly agree!"
Such a good opportunity, if missed, would never come again.
What was there to hesitate about?
"Shut up!" Yun Erman frowned.
He was already an official yamen constable. How could he hold two positions and go planting trees in the mountains?
Magistrate Chen also said with a smile, "Erman cannot go; he already has a position. This job is best suited for Daman."
He was determined to get both Daman and Erman into the yamen…
This way, he could also get closer to Little Sweet Baby in the future.
Yun Daman was at a loss and looked hesitantly at Gu Shi and Old Man Yun, "Dad, Mom, what do you think…"
"If you want to go, then go. I can manage those few mu of land myself," Old Man Yun waved his hand.
Those weren't just a few mu of land; they were over fifty mu. How could he manage them all by himself?
Gu Shi said nothing, fully respecting her son's decision.
Just as everyone fell silent, unsure how to choose, Little Xitian called out crisply, "Go planting trees!"