Chapter 598: Supporting the Army
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Su Binglan saw what happened and knew there were still many places in
Dingzhou where people were still poor, just like how Tenghe Town used to be.
Tenghe Town could develop because of its factories and workshops. Everyone had jobs and could make a living. Ultimately, a person’s life could only improve through local development.
Su Binglan wanted to develop and improve Dingzhou further. That way, kind-hearted people could eat better foods and have warm clothes to wear.
Then they would no longer have to worry about insufficient food or clothes.
She understood how it felt to have nothing since her family had also experienced poverty. Moreover, Tao Zhenggang and Miss Li had told Su Binglan about their family’s struggles.
Tao Dayong and Tao Eryong exhausted themselves working at the docks, and their mother would feel a lingering fear whenever she brought up the past. However, their lives had improved since meeting Su Binglan.
As the pottery workshop gained traction, Tao Zhenggang and his wife began taking in apprentices. Tao Dayongs pottery skills also gained popularity, and he married Shi Fang.
The Taos gave many betrothal gifts to Shi Fangs parents, and her parents prepared a generous dowry for her. The two families attached great importance to the young couple’s marriage.
When Shi Fang and Tao Dayong married, the latter and his family treated Shi Fang well. Shi Fang was kind and treated her husband with respect. In addition, she had excellent cooking skills. She also helped around the house whenever the family was busy.
When Shi Fang went to work at the embroidery shop, Tao Dayong would pick her up, no matter how early or late she finished work. All the women working at the embroidery shop were envious of Shi Fang because they knew Tao Dayong spoiled her.
Su Binglan’s heart burned with passion when she thought about the changes the Taos went through. She yearned to develop Dingzhou to help its people live better lives.
Su Binglan and Luo Jin’an reached the front of the queue quickly. Madam Wang was stunned when she looked at the young couple. She asked, “Are you here to get some cured meats?”
Su Binglan smiled and answered, “Give us two cured sausages and cut them into pieces. We’d also like a pound of beancurd and two chicken wings, please. ”
She planned to have a little of each when she and Luo Jin’an went to the dumpling shop later.
Madam looked at the beautiful young lady before her and asked,
“Judging from your accent, are you from around here?”
She could not help but want to converse with Su Binglan because the young lady reminded her of her granddaughter.
“Yes, but we just passed here and noticed this store.” Su Binglan did not say she was from Su Teng Village because she knew Madam Wang would not dare take her money if she knew.
“Are you a local, madam? Why are you selling cured meats?” Su Binglan asked.
“Thanks to Master Fengchen and Madam Zhizhi of Su Teng Village, I have a job managing their store to make a living. I have a sister who lives in Su Teng Village.
“She heard that Master Fengchen and his wife would open a cured meats store, so she asked around for me to get a job here. Master Fengchen asked about my family background, and I told him my son had joined the army to protect Dingzhou.
“After that, Master Fengchen immediately put me in charge of his store. You should visit Su Teng Village, It’s in Teng County if you don’t know where it is. It doesn’t look like a village now because it’s much livelier and more prosperous than Tenghe Town.
“If it weren’t because I needed to care for my grandchildren here, I would’ve moved to Su Teng Village.
“l could barely afford to eat in the past, but things have changed now. My son can now earn a monthly salary since he joined King Lan Ruozhu’s army. He sends me enough silver to have a good life.”
Madam Wang rambled on, and Su Binglan felt warm inside. The latter could not help but chuckle.
Su Binglan did not expect her uncle to open his store in such a way, but she had to admit it was a good idea since it helped people like Madam Wang.
The locals knew about Madam Wangs situation and that her son could receive monthly payments after joining the army. Families who had lost a loved one in the war could also receive pensions and subsidies.
Therefore, more people wanted to join the army. If a family had many sons, the family would arrange for them to join the army. At least they could eat their fill that way.
Su Binglan felt rather conflicted at that thought. However, feeding a large army would require a lot of money. Hence, she needed to earn more by building more factories and shops. She also considered what was most profitable.
Before Su Binglan regained her memories of Lan Ruobing, she had always wanted to live a comfortable and peaceful life with her family in Su Teng Village.
Now that she had many more responsibilities, she could not stay long in Su Teng Village or Tenghe Town.
Furthermore, Su Binglan had many plans as Lan Ruobing. Otherwise, she would not have arranged for Blue Mountain Academy to be in Tenghe Town.
Luo Jin’an wrapped the cured meats in a paper bag while looking at his wife, who had her head lowered in deep thought. Luo Jin’an asked, “What are you thinking about?”
Su Binglan replied, “l was just thinking of doing more things to help more people. ”
Luo Jin’an gently ruffled his wife’s hair. “You’ve already done a lot. Don’t pressure yourself so much. Also, I’ll help you with whatever you want to do.” He did not want his wife to take on burdens alone.
Su Binglan’s eyes lit up when she heard his words. “You’re right. I almost forgot that you’re in better health now. Since that’s the case, you can help me a lot.’
She had grown accustomed to doing everything independently because she did not want her husband’s cold poison to trigger.
However, now that she had cured most of his cold poison, she could work toward removing it entirely after the Purple Spirit Ginseng finished maturing in her pocket dimension.
When King Chu Feifeng attacked Dingzhou, Luo Jin’an led his army to defend its people. The event shocked countless people and made the enemies tremble in fear.
Su Binglan had witnessed him in battle and thought he was formidable yet graceful. Luo Jin’an’s armor made sounds that made him seem like he was breaking through the cold wind as he fought.
His demeanor was overwhelming and intimidating, and Su Binglan knew he was the true Wei Jin’an.
Luo Jin’an smiled elegantly. “Thank you for everything you’ve done, Bing.”
He felt powerless in the past because of the cold poison. Although he wanted to help his wife, he did not have the strength. Still, things had changed for the better.
“It wasn’t much. The main thing is that you’re better now.” Su Binglan was in an excellent mood as she looked at her husband’s sturdy and healthy figure.
Luo Jin’an looked at her happy expression and smiled. He would do anything to protect her happiness. “Let’s go and eat.”
“All right.”
A dumpling restaurant was beside the cured meats store. Since it was lunchtime, quite a few people were already eating inside. A young man entertained the customers while a woman beside him served the dishes. Occasionally, a man would come out from the kitchen with the dumplings, and Su Binglan guessed the restaurant must be run by a family of three..
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