Chapter 495 - 188: Meritorious Service
Chapter 495: Chapter 188: Meritorious Service
Once the Lantern Festival was over, the prefectural academy began its term. Zhao Jing and De’an returned to their studies there.
Chen Wanqing, in turn, became incredibly busy.
In the third month, with the Imperial Examination approaching, the Moonlight Fragrance sent to the Capital City by the Kangning Fragrance Workshop finally took off. After simmering for two months, its popularity exploded.
A flurry of orders, like snowflakes, descended upon Chen Wanqing.
The female manager of the Kangning Fragrance Workshop wished she could come and press for more stock several times a day.
Chen Wanqing was under immense pressure to keep up with supply. Her home workshop ran around the clock, and even Mrs. Zhao and Xiang’er pitched in to help, but they still couldn’t meet the demand.
Having no other choice, Chen Wanqing went to a broker and purchased twenty maids and older female servants.
But even with twenty extra people, it was not enough. She had no choice but to hire twenty more.
She had purchased forty people in total, spending nearly all the Silver Coin she had earned recently.
Even so, it was still difficult to fill the massive hole that was the Capital City’s market.
It was like a bottomless pit; no matter how much Moonlight Fragrance was sent, it seemed to be swallowed up in an instant.
Again, with no other choice, Chen Wanqing discussed the matter with Mr. Xie. They decided to temporarily halt supplies to Moxiang Pavilion and focus all their efforts on supplying the Capital City.
Mr. Xie was very agreeable and consented immediately. Not only that, but he also used Moxiang Pavilion’s network to help her purchase raw fragrance materials from various regions.
With Xie Ming’s assistance, things became much easier for Chen Wanqing.
’This both reduced the risk of my formula being exposed and solved my predicament of insufficient funds. Xie Ming is truly a kind and helpful person.’
While Chen Wanqing was busy supplying the Capital City, news of a "great victory" suddenly spread through the streets one day.
The news seemed to come out of nowhere. At that moment, Chen Wanqing had just stepped out of the Kangning Fragrance Workshop, and she was completely bewildered when she heard it.
"I’ve been so busy making fragrances these days, I feel like I’ve turned my brain to mush. I had no idea there was a war going on. Is it on the northwest border, or the southeast coast?"
The female manager of the Kangning Fragrance Workshop covered her mouth with one hand and said with a light chuckle, "Neither. It’s the water bandits who were utterly defeated."
"Water bandits?" Chen Wanqing started, taking a hasty step forward. "Sister, are you talking about the bandit suppression campaign from last year? Has there finally been progress? Did we win a decisive victory?"
The usual calm and composed expression on Chen Wanqing’s face vanished, replaced by deep anxiety. The female manager recalled her earlier inquiries, and after a moment of confusion, she understood.
"Could it be that someone in your family, my dear sister, went to fight the bandits?"
"To be honest with you, Sister, my father is the deputy magistrate of Qingshui County. For this campaign, he is the one leading the men from Qingshui County."
"Is that so? I had no idea your esteemed father was such a righteous and awe-inspiring man. He is truly a role model for our generation..."
The female manager offered a few polite words before continuing with the previous topic. "I don’t know much either. I only know that there were three main groups of water bandits on the Jitong River. Originally, they were rivals, each refusing to submit to the others, and there was a great deal of conflict between them. But after Xinghuai Prefecture posted the notice to suppress the bandits, they actually formed an alliance to fight the prefecture’s joint forces..."
Kangning Fragrance Workshop was a large business with operations in all the major prefectures. To facilitate the transport of goods, they paid particularly close attention to any turmoil or conflict within the Wei Dynasty.
They had deliberately collected information about the bandit suppression campaign. However, the government had intentionally concealed details, so they didn’t know much.
Unable to get any more useful information from the female manager, Chen Wanqing quickly departed.
After returning, she found Cao Xu and sent him to the area around the Prefectural Magistrate’s Office to find out exactly what this "great victory" entailed.
’Were all the water bandits annihilated? What about the death toll? Were our own casualties heavy?’
Cao Xu was gone for the better part of the day, only returning after dark.
"My lady, the campaign has been relatively successful; one could fortunately call it a great victory. However, the forces sent from the various regions suffered no small number of casualties. This was due to their unfamiliarity with the river’s undercurrents and their mistake of rushing forward recklessly in pursuit of glory."
Chen Wanqing’s heart tightened. "Did you hear any news about my father?"
"Not directly. But I did hear faint rumors about a leader with the surname Chen from one of the counties south of Xinghuai Prefecture. He is said to be brave and resourceful. This Lord Chen convinced the constables from the other counties to hold their position. He then led a detachment around to the rear of the bandits’ lair, had his most skilled men scale the cliffs, and struck directly at their main camp. They beheaded two of the bandit chiefs in their own hall, achieving a tremendous merit."
"Mr. Cao, do you think that person could be my father?"
"It’s possible. This old servant made careful inquiries. The description of him from the constables at the government office bears a strong resemblance to the Master. If there are no surprises, it must be him."
Mrs. Zhao had been listening from the side with her heart in her throat, not daring to interrupt. Upon hearing this, she finally murmured, "Amitabha Buddha."
"It must be him, without a doubt. Your father has always been bold yet meticulous, open-hearted and righteous. Everyone respects him. He is also highly capable, so it’s no surprise he would achieve such a great feat."