Chapter Twenty: The Founding of Kaikou County

  Qin Yu and Shuang Xi chatted for a while before letting Shuang Xi leave. Chatting could comfort Shuang Xi, which was exactly what Qin Yu had in mind.

  Qin Yu had originally planned to use sweet potatoes as betrothal gifts, but now they have all sprouted and are planted in a shady place. Although the sunlight is scarce, it can guarantee their survival for the time being, after all, it is now the hottest summer days, which is not conducive to the growth of both.

  Cheng Lingyun indeed took care of the sweet potatoes and potatoes according to Qin Yu's method, and from Shuang Xi's mouth, Qin Yu also knew about Cheng Lingyun's dedication, which could be said to have reached a crazy level, running tens of times a day without even going home.

  A young lady, just because of a few words, has reached this point. Qin Yu says he's not moved, that's impossible. He gazed for a while before leaving, and had many thoughts about Cheng Lingyu, whom he hadn't seen in some time.

  Cheng Lingyun, although not in contact with many people, has already begun to show her virtues as a wife and mother-in-law. Coming from a large family and having seen the world, Qin Yu can imagine that their future home will be well-managed and orderly under her care.

  What Qin Yu valued most was Cheng Lingyi's devotion to her emotions, otherwise she wouldn't have been so dedicated just because of Qin Yu's few words. For Qin Yu, who had been battered by modern relationships, this was undoubtedly a treasure that needed careful nurturing.

  Of course, most ancient women were like Cheng Lingyun, after all, the ethics and morals of that time were much higher than modern times. Even in the Tang Dynasty, which was known for its open-mindedness, it was still better than modern times. However, this did not hinder Qin Yu's fondness for Cheng Lingyun.

  Cheng Fu, Cheng Lingyun was talking to Mrs. Cheng in the backyard, and Cheng Yaoguang returned with great enthusiasm, opening his mouth and shouting, "Haha, unexpectedly, that little guy is really Qin's nephew. If it weren't for my thick skin, how could I get a real seal of the county marquis back?"

  "Ah." A soft cry, Cheng Lingyun covered her small mouth in surprise and looked at Cheng Yaowen with an incredulous expression, as if to confirm whether what he said was true or false.

  Cheng Yaojin smiled with joy and handed the imperial edict to Cheng Lingyun to read. After a moment, Cheng Lingyun covered her mouth in surprise and delight.

  Qin Yu really had a title, but it was only the ninth rank of Kaiguo County male, and it was also a title, not a real seal, just in Qingfengju, with 300 households and 500 mu of Yongye land, unlike before, Qin Yu was just an ordinary scholar.

  Although Cheng Lingyi appears to be indifferent, she still hopes that Qin Yu can have an extraordinary status. This is also an inevitable thing, who let this be the Great Tang, people of this era all think so, especially with Cheng Lingyi's noble birth.

  "Ah, Lü'er, you've got a good eye for this young man. We must seize the opportunity and discuss the wedding date with Qin lao ge as soon as possible. This matter must be settled quickly." Just as Cheng Yaojin was smiling and saying this, he suddenly remembered something and let out a loud shout.

  "Not good, the old devil's eyes are not right, no way, I have to hurry up, dare to pry into my Cheng family's wall corner, you three little bastards, bring me the Declaration Flower Mansion."

  Cheng Yaojin hastily rushed out, shouting as he walked. When he reached the gate, he suddenly remembered that the imperial edict was still at his home. He hurriedly added a sentence, "Girl, go and find your second brother, give this imperial edict to that little brat." After finishing speaking, he strode away quickly.

  Cheng Lingyun didn't respond, and after a moment, she buried her head in Madame Cheng's bosom and burst into tears. She was worried that Qin Yu would be snatched away from her. It wasn't easy to find someone who didn't mind her appearance, and if he were to be taken away, what would she do?

  Didn't hear Cheng Yaojin say that Qin Yu is really Qin Qiong's nephew? Even Wei Gong had thoughts, how could Cheng Lingyun not be anxious.

  Qingfeng residence, after Qin Yu finished lunch, he immediately called the maid in charge of cooking and gave her a good lecture. The maid left with a confused expression, and Qin Yu couldn't help but sigh silently, "Still needs effort."

  Qin Yu had decided that he must cultivate a chef for Qingfeng Residence, after all, he couldn't do everything himself, and he was also a landlord.

  The Tang Dynasty had little entertainment, and at this moment, he didn't need to go teach, so Qin Yu had some free time, feeling bored, so he came to the pavilion, looked at the fountain, admired the fresh flowers, and from time to time threw fish food to tease the fish in the pool, which got rid of some annoyance.

  The scorching sun at noon was unbearable, and although the pavilion blocked out the sunlight, the temperature was still sweltering. Qin Yu sat for a while before he couldn't take it anymore and decided to head back to his room to rest. Just as he took a few steps, he suddenly slapped his forehead, "Stupid me! Yongnian County doesn't have saltpeter, but this place should have some, right?"

  However, it was Qin Yu who thought of using saltpeter to make ice to cool down during the Yongnian era, but after searching everywhere, he couldn't find any saltpeter. He went back and forth, and eventually forgot about it. Now that he's in Chang'an, with some free time on his hands, he remembered this matter again.

  Qin Yu finished speaking, and hastily found a servant to give him a few taels of silver, instructing him to go fetch some saltpeter. As Qin Yu had expected, Chang'an indeed had saltpeter, and two hours later, the servant brought back a large cartload of saltpeter for Qin Yu.

  Qin Yu was overjoyed and hastily ordered the maids to fetch water, bringing a pile of basins and wooden tubs. Amidst the shock of several maids, a basin of ice appeared in Qin Yu's courtyard.

  Qin Yu smiled with satisfaction and said to the stunned maids, "Go, put all this ice in the house."

  The maids were naturally shocked, they even suspected that Qin Yu was a god, or how could he wave his hand and conjure up ice? But it was actually Qin Yu trying to show off, deliberately doing this because the era was too boring, looking for some fun was good, and it wasn't anything excessive.

  Just as Qin Yu was feeling pleased with himself, a maid came to report, "Young Master, the second young master of the Cheng family has arrived and is calling for you to go quickly."

  Qin Yu was taken aback, "What is this guy doing here? There's no wine, and even if they were discussing marriage, it's not something he can decide on his own, right?", Qin Yu suddenly felt a surge of joy, and hastily ran to the main hall, where he saw Qin Huailiang sitting unceremoniously on the threshold, holding a yellow brocade scroll in his hand.

  Seeing Qin Yu arrive, Cheng Huailiang hastily stood up, coughed loudly and shouted, "Is that Qin Yu in front?".

  "Second uncle, have you been beaten silly by Fang Er?" Qin Yu rolled his eyes, this guy's words were always awkward no matter how he listened.

  "Cough cough, be serious for a moment, didn't you see what I'm holding in my hand?" Cheng Huailiang said, gesturing to the yellow scroll in his hand.

  Qin Yu took a glance, "What's the big deal? It's just a scroll with a few...". Just as he said this, Qin Yu suddenly froze, then remembered something and secretly cursed, "Damn it, is this an imperial edict? You're trying to trick me, Second Black."

  "Haha." Cheng Huai Liang saw Qin Yu suddenly open his mouth and not dare to speak, instantly smiled, then opened the imperial edict and said seriously, "Brother-in-law, quickly accept the edict." Qin Yu heard this and very reluctantly knelt down to receive the edict, secretly cursing, "Damn!"

  "We, by the Mandate of Heaven and in accordance with the will of the Emperor, hereby decree that Qin Yu, son of the Qin family, possessing both virtue and talent, is indeed a pillar of the state. We specially grant him the title of Duke of Qingfeng, Marquis of Kaiguo County, with a fief of 300 households, and reward him with 500 mu of perpetual inheritance land, to be passed down through generations without replacement. Let this be known throughout the empire."

  "I, led by the edict, thank you for your kindness." Qin Yu gritted his teeth and finished speaking, immediately got up, snatched the imperial decree, read it from head to toe, and after a long time, Qin Yu suddenly opened his mouth and let out a sad and indignant roar, "Damn!"

  Qin Yu's anger was not without reason. Although he had been granted a fief, with an income of 300 households, the problem was that the location of this county marquis was really frustrating. Qingfengju was nowhere to be found, it was Qin Yu's own house, and it couldn't even be counted as a village. It was really unreasonable. And Li Shimin had given it to him in such a way, wasn't this making people shiver? It would have been better if he hadn't given it at all.

  Qin Yu didn't know that being favored by the Tang Dynasty was extremely rare, which meant that Qin Yu had already entered Li Shimin's eyes. Otherwise, Wei Zheng would not have taken his advice, and of course, Qin Qiong's weight in this matter was also not low.

  At this moment, Wei Chi Gong and Cheng Yaojin were having a fierce battle in the Qin mansion, exchanging blows for over 300 rounds. They came and went, creating quite a commotion. Qin Qing sat on a stool, smiling as he watched the two fight, not intervening to stop them. Although Qin Qing was usually stern, sometimes he knew how to enjoy himself, like now.

  "Sister's husband, what do you mean?" Cheng Huailiang looked at Qin Yu with a puzzled expression and asked.

  "It's an exclamation of excitement, I'm thrilled, I'm delighted, don't you think it sounds magnificent?" Qin Yu said offhandedly, not having the mind to bother with Cheng Huailiang.

  "So that's how it is, damn it! I was saying, brother-in-law, do you still have some wine? Today, brother-in-law being enfeoffed as a noble is definitely something to be celebrated." Cheng Huailiang thought for a moment and felt that Qin Yu was right, so he asked with a flushed face.

  "There is." Qin Yu said, Cheng Huailiang's eyes lit up, just getting excited, Qin Yu continued to say, " plain boiled water".

  Cheng Huailiang's head suddenly drooped down, "Forget it, I'm out of here."

  Qin Yu watched as Cheng Huai Liang's figure disappeared into the distance, his mouth twitching involuntarily. "This guy."