The Humble Family's Daughter Has A Spatial Pocket!-Chapter 1097 - 920, Different Choices

Beijing, Yan Residence.

After receiving the letter from his eldest daughter, Yan Zhigao immediately called Yan Wenxiu to the main courtyard and handed the letter to him. After reading it, Yan Zhigao asked, "What do you think?"

Yan Wenxiu thought for a moment and said to Yan Zhigao and Madam Li, "Father, mother, I want to go."

Madam Li did not know much about external affairs, so she looked at Yan Zhigao without voicing any opinion.

Yan Zhigao spoke after a silence, "It would be good for you to go to Xiliang. Our family’s foundation in Beijing is weak. Staying here, I’m afraid you would only suffer through your time at the Hanlin Academy, and if you seek an external appointment, you might not get a good position."

"Going to Xiliang, at least you have Yeyang and your sister there to support you, and with their help, you could stand on firmer ground. Yeyang probably needs more hands right now and you going there would be of help to him."

"Xiliang may not compare to other provinces, being not only harsh and poor, but with the Xiliao people eyeing it covetously. However, the more problems there are, the easier it might be to advance in ranks if you manage well compared to elsewhere."

Yan Wenxiu was thinking along the same lines. In Beijing, all the good official posts were highly competitive and the Yan Family could not overpower other families; taking a minor post would just be a waste of time.

He was still young and harbored ambitions, not wanting to stay in Beijing forever and vying with others. He too wished to govern a piece of land.

Xiliang was poor; others feared the lack of political achievements, but he was not afraid.

He had no choice but to have a sister who was quite adept in agriculture; he could more easily obtain high-yield grains than others.

Yan Zhigao continued, "Once you’re in Xiliang, I’m not worried about anything else but your safety. You must be cautious."

Yan Wenxiu nodded, "Father, rest assured, Wentao and Wenkai know many soldiers retired from the battlefield. With Wentao’s introduction, I should be able to hire a group of people, safety won’t be an issue."

Hearing this, Yan Zhigao felt reassured.

Now, the older children of the Yan family could each stand on their own feet, supporting each other.

After the father and son had finished their discussion, Madam Li chimed in, "Yiyi wants us to recommend a few more people. What do you think? Should we discuss it with the other sons-in-law?"

Yan Wenxiu kept silent, waiting for his father, the head of the family, to speak.

Yan Zhigao thought for a moment and said, "Mention it to them. Whether they go or not will be up to them."

The next day, Yan Yihuan, Yan Yishuang, and Yan Yile returned to the Yan Residence with their respective husbands.

After they had greeted and taken their seats, Yan Zhigao finally spoke, "Yiyi wrote to say that Xiliang is lacking officials to manage civil affairs. Are you willing to go?"

Upon hearing this, Xue Yi, You Kai, and Feng Shuo all looked solemn.

Xue Yi thought for a moment and asked, "Father-in-law, Xiliang has a guard post management system; what would we be able to do if we go there?"

Seeing that his son-in-law got straight to the point, Yan Zhigao smiled and said, "Yeyang said if you go to Xiliang, you’ll be in charge of the civilian affairs within the guard posts."

Xue Yi fell into contemplation; they were bonafide scholars from the imperial exams, so managing civilian matters wouldn’t be difficult.

You Kai had just passed the imperial exams this year, although he was at the bottom of the third class, he was also eligible to become a government official. Unfortunately, the You Family had no strong connections, and he was still waiting for an appointment.

You Kai glanced at Yan Wenxiu, "Will big brother go?"

Yan Wenxiu smiled and nodded, "I’ve been in the Hanlin Academy for three years, and I want to venture out."

You Kai’s expression shifted, feeling tempted now that his older brother-in-law was going.

His elder sister wouldn’t set up her own blood brother.

At this moment, Feng Shuo spoke up, "Uncle, is it really appropriate for us to go to Xiliang right now?"

Yan Zhigao’s eyebrows imperceptibly furrowed; he understood Feng Shuo’s concern. With Xiliao covetously watching Xiliang, a confrontation with Daxia was inevitable. Going there now, should they encounter war, even their personal safety could be at risk.

But still, there are gains for those who are willing to take risks. Once Xiliang stabilizes and becomes safe, there would be many who desire to go, and these prime positions may no longer be available to them.

He was not pleased with this nephew-in-law.

Too calculating, too strategic!

"I’m just asking for your opinion on whether to go or not, the final decision still lies with you."

"Xiliang is indeed somewhat unstable at the moment, so consider it carefully and discuss it with your families at home, and give me a response as soon as possible."

Having said that, Yan Zhigao stood up and left.

Once he left, the restraint among Xiu Yi and the other two lessened, and they immediately started discussing with Yan Wenxiu.

Upon exiting the courtyard, Yan Zhigao ran into Yan Wenjie and Yan Wenbin; he knew they probably came after hearing some news and decided to talk to them.

"Wenjie, although you are now a Scholar, it’s best that you still prepare for the next imperial examination rigorously. Being a Scholar does allow one to hold an office, but future promotions can be extremely challenging."

"Wenbin, passing the examination for Scholar is just the beginning, your main task now is to focus on studying and not be distracted by external affairs."

That same day, Yan Yihuan and the others did not leave the Yan Residence until after having dinner.

On the way back, all three couples discussed whether or not to go to Xiliang.

Yan Yishuang spoke to Xiu Yi, "Based on my understanding of eldest sister, if Xiliang weren’t a good place, she probably wouldn’t let big brother go."

"Also, our brother-in-law, he is actually quite proud. Since he has gone to Xiliang, he probably won’t return unless he achieves something significant."

Xiu Yi listened attentively to his wife’s analysis: "When we return home, I will discuss it further with my father."

Yan Yishuang didn’t say more.

Meanwhile, You Kai was also asking Yan Yihuan for her opinion.

Yan Yihuan thought for a moment and said, "Uncle mentioned going to Xiliang today, and I observed his expression; he actually hopes that we will go."

"There are things that Uncle may not be able to say explicitly to us, but if going to Xiliang was detrimental, he wouldn’t have brought it up."

You Kai nodded, "Big brother is going, and frankly, I’m tempted."

Yan Yihuan continued, "Haven’t you always said that Uncle rises quickly in rank? Besides being supported by our brother-in-law, it’s also because Uncle serves in difficult places."

"The more problematic and impoverished the place, the easier it is to stand out with impressive achievements."

Hearing this, You Kai’s eyes brightened and he smiled, holding Yan Yihuan’s hand: "Madam is absolutely right."

The carriage carrying Yan Yile and Feng Shuo was much quieter.

Yan Yile was currently annoyed with Feng Shuo because of a concubine issue; if it weren’t for not wanting to be laughed at by her family, she wouldn’t have come back.

After Feng Shuo was silent for a while, he took the initiative to speak gently to reconcile with Yan Yile before asking, "Big brother is going to Xiliang, what do you think?"

Yan Yile frowned, knowing that if Feng Shuo went to Xiliang, she would either have to go with him or stay at home, neither of which she wanted.

Xiliang was cold and harsh; she didn’t want to suffer there. Staying at the Feng Family, with her mother-in-law keeping a close eye and her husband gone, what joy would her life hold then?

"Big brother is going to Xiliang probably because brother-in-law needs assistance there; Uncle certainly wants more people to help out brother-in-law, which is why he’s pulling us along."

"But with such poor conditions in Xiliang and the Xiliao people eyeing us menacingly, why must we go suffer? You already have an official post in Beijing."

Feng Shuo frowned and said, "But that’s just a sinecure, I can’t keep wasting my years like this."

Seeing that Feng Shuo wanted to go, Yan Yile thought for a moment and said: "My dear, once you take a local appointment, it will be difficult to return to Beijing."

That was precisely what Feng Shuo was most hesitant about: "I’ll think it over."

Two days later, Yan Zhigao received replies from his son-in-law and nephew-in-law.

"Xiu Yi and You Kai are willing to go, Feng Shuo won’t."

Madam Li heard this and smiled, saying nothing.