I was a stepmother in ancient times, and I led my whole family to wealth.

Chapter 41 Entering the County Magistrate's Office

Gu Yucheng shook his head: "But those rumors don't seem to be fake, and more than one or two students know about them."

The county held a word guessing game this month, but it was the first time the new county head had done so since taking office, and quite a few people went to try it.

When I sent the message to everyone this morning, I specifically asked about it, and it's true.

It's also said that Chenglin's wife guessed quite a few words.

Not only that, she also answered the question about the names of several medicinal herbs for a distinguished person from the capital who was passing through our county.

The clan chief's wife frowned and looked at her old man, who remained unmoved.

This man was determined to devote himself entirely to Gu Yaohui, and no amount of persuasion could change his mind. He wouldn't give up until he suffered enough. He gave his son a look, signaling him to stop talking.

……

Dongfang Jin sat in the oxcart, holding Gu Caiwei in his arms, looking on with curiosity: "Master Xu, what does the magistrate want with me? I haven't looked at that booklet yet."

"Hehe, you'll know when we get there. But what do you plan to do here in the village? This kind of behavior is not good. We can't let it go unchecked," Master Xu asked with a smile.

These scoundrels are truly despicable! They actually vandalized someone's home like that, not only smashing the water jar but also breaking their pot. What kind of grudge could they possibly have?

Dongfang Jin smiled mysteriously: "Don't worry, I won't let them get away with it, but I won't do those things myself. Someone else will do them for me."

Yes, someone will take care of those people for her; she's about to begin her plan.

One person becoming rich might become a target of public criticism. She wants everyone to become rich, and all she needs to do is secretly make money. The first step is the Lin family...

Seeing her like this, A-Dong asked curiously, "Oh, tell me about it."

"Brother Dong, this matter must be kept secret, we can't tell anyone."

She won't say anything now, because today she saw the villagers gathered around her house. Almost everyone's clothes were patched, and some of the children's clothes were not only short but also thin. What did this mean? Poverty. The fastest way to change this situation was to start a business.

As Gu Chenglin and Lin Yu were unloading the truck, she happened to see the two daughters-in-law of the Lin family pounding sesame seeds. She suddenly remembered a business opportunity—sesame paste and sesame oil.

Sesame is grown in almost every household here, and the most common food consumed here is sesame salt.

Sesame salt is made by roasting sesame seeds until fragrant, crushing them with a rolling pin and salt, storing them in a jar, and then adding them to porridge for children, the elderly, pregnant women, and postpartum women.

"Brother Lin Yu, are there many people growing sesame around here?"

Lin Yu, who was rushing to catch the carriage, was taken aback by her question. He hadn't expected her to speak to him. After thinking for a moment, he said, "There are quite a few. Although every family in Lingwu Village grows some, they don't cultivate much in the fields. In Fengjiawan, they grow a lot of sesame because they have more mountainous land there."

Master Xu also became curious: "Is it that tiny sesame seed used to make sesame candy?"

Dongfang Jin nodded: "Yes, sesame flowers bloom higher and higher, that's the little sesame seed." Although the sesame seed is small, it has a lot of uses.

Upon hearing her words, "Sesame flowers bloom higher and higher," Master Xu laughed and said, "Hehe, what are you going to do? This sesame candy is something that every pastry shop has, but it's not easy to sell."

When he said that, everyone else looked at her, including the two children.

“Master Xu, I told you it was a secret. Once my experiment is successful, I’ll give it to you first,” Dongfang Jin still didn’t say what he was going to do.

Seeing this, Lin Yu looked at Gu Chenglin, who shook his head at him, indicating that he didn't know either, and that he still hadn't figured out his wife's background.

When the group arrived at the county government office, Gu Chenglin gave Lin Yu one tael of silver and told him to bring a box of pastries and a piece of meat when he delivered the oxcart to Aunt Gu's house. He was also told to decide what to buy for his family with the rest of the silver.

Before Lin Yu could refuse, Master Xu told him to take it and instructed him to make sure his father thoroughly investigated today's events and gave Gu Chenglin an explanation.

They also said that if they hadn't encountered it, so be it; but if they had, they couldn't just sit idly by.

Moreover, he would also tell the county magistrate about this matter so that he would also know about it.

Master Xu knew that Ah Dong would definitely report it as well. Although he was a master clerk, he couldn't remain silent when he encountered the situation.

Gu Chenglin, Dongfang Jin, and the two children followed A Dong to the backyard of the county government office, where Lu Yunqing and Chu Xiong were already waiting for them.

Chu Xiong saw the family of four, and finally fixed his gaze on Gu Chenglin, without waiting for them to pay their respects to the county magistrate.

Chu Xiong looked at Gu Chenglin and said bluntly, "I asked Magistrate Lu to bring you and your wife here because it's about military matters."

Don't be afraid, it's nothing serious. I'm just asking about someone, and as payment, I'll treat your leg.

"I won't say you'll be completely cured, but I'll definitely make sure you never need crutches again, okay?"

Gu Chenglin bowed respectfully and said in a deep voice, "Sir, I'm afraid this humble subject cannot comply with your request."

Chu Xiong nodded in satisfaction upon hearing his reply: "Not bad, not bad. Don't worry, I won't harm you. The person I inquired about is a member of the Chu family."

"Do you know that eight out of ten physicians in the army of the Eastern Lin Kingdom are from my Chu family?"

Gu Chenglin nodded: "I know a little bit."

"Hehe, good to know. Come with me, I won't make things difficult for you."

When I was passing through this place, I met your wife again, who answered my question. When I was talking with Magistrate Lu, I heard that you had just returned from the army.

That's what came to my mind. I know the rules of the military, and what I'm asking is about an old father's longing for his child.

Don't worry, I won't ask about other matters in the army. My eldest son is the head of the Imperial Medical Academy.

I guarantee you, in the name of the Chu family, that I will not break the rules.

Dongfang Jin noticed Gu Chenglin staring at her and said, "Why are you looking at me? If you know the answer, say so; if you don't, don't. You're not an official."

You're already calling yourself a commoner, what are you worried about? You're just a farmer's son, it's a miracle you came back alive, how could you possibly know military secrets?

Gu Chenglin pursed his lips: "Then I'll go with him. I'll leave you to take care of the child for now."

He had long anticipated that Elder Chu would contact him, but he never expected that Elder Chu would do so under the guise of looking for Xiao Jin.

"Go ahead, didn't he say he'd treat your injuries? As long as it doesn't violate any principles, you can tell me anything."

Chu Xiong smiled: "Don't worry, I know the rules."

“That would be best,” Dongfang Jin said seriously, looking at him.

After they left

Lu Yunqing gestured for Dongfang Jin to dispense with formalities: "Sit."

Dongfang Jin didn't stand on ceremony. He pulled the two children to sit down and served them some snacks: "Eat up. This is what the county magistrate eats. You two can enjoy this rare treat."

Lu Yunqing was amused by her actions. This girl was not pretentious at all, and had a genuine personality. She was nothing like those noble ladies in the capital who wore masks all day long.

Looking at the two restrained children, he said gently, "Eat up, and if you're not full, go to the kitchen for more."

Dongfang Jin quickly followed up, saying, "Quickly thank the magistrate."

"Thank you, Your Honor," the two children said timidly as they stood up.

"Okay, let's eat," Lu Yunqing said, reaching for the teapot to brew tea.

Dongfang Jin was a step ahead of him, reaching out to pick up the teapot: "I'll do it."

Lu Yunqing asked in surprise, "You can even make tea?"

"I know a little bit."

"Was this also taught by that master?"

"Yes, he drinks tea every day, and I learned a little bit from watching him."

Lu Yunqing was particularly shocked as she watched her smooth and skillful movements as she scalded the teapot, placed the tea leaves, warmed the cups, and poured the tea from a high position. This was not something that could be learned by simply watching.