and instructed Li Laosi, “You ride into the city to have a look. When Mr. Wen finishes his duties, if he has some free time, invite him over here. If he’s busy, just wait until evening, and ask him t...The Emperor was, as always, generous to the Li family. He directly gave Li Lao Er a position of Fifth Rank, the title of Hubei Official, in charge of all matters concerning the Relief Bureau.

This was simply an unexpected surprise for Old Li Er!

He thought that being a sixth-rank official was good enough, but he didn't expect the emperor to give him a fifth-rank position!

Don't underestimate this half-point, many people have struggled for ten or eight years and may not even be able to climb up.

After the three kowtowed to express their gratitude, Li Lao Er received the imperial edict and placed it on a temporary incense altar. He then invited the chief eunuch into the room for tea.

The eunuch in charge was also quite amiable, declining tea and instead simply admiring the flowers in the courtyard. Then, in a casual manner, he instructed Li Lao Er not to betray the Emperor's trust.

The Emperor spared no effort for this mere Fifth Rank magistrate. He even went so far as to argue with the senior ministers.

And, afterward, the Relief Agency's monthly stipend became one hundred piculs of grain and one hundred taels of silver. The Medical Bureau also had doctors take turns seeing patients at the Relief Agency every month...

Li Laoer quickly calculated in his mind. The new food and grain standard was enough to cover half of the Relief Office's expenses.

This is a great situation: he serves the court, and the court relies on him.

Initially, he may still need to sell flowers in exchange for supplies and support from relief agencies.

But in the future, we will slowly look for opportunities to attract more people to donate. When the old and young from the relief office can recover and survive, everyone can also become self-sufficient.

Perhaps, by then, the Li family would no longer need to help...

An hour later, the chief eunuch tucked a silver note into his sleeve and returned to the palace with glee, leaving Li Lao'er still somewhat dazed.

He actually managed to do it, and the results were even better than expected!

Mr. Wen and Liu Zhiheng wished they could have another drink to celebrate in grand style.

But Mr. Wen still restrained himself and said: "Yusheng, go back to Suijin Beach first to report the good news and let your family be happy."

And the relief effort isn't something you can just talk about and make it happen; there has to be a plan, and personnel need to be coordinated properly…

Liu Zhiheng nodded in agreement and said, "That's right. When you need provisions, just let me know. Of course, my father is still eagerly anticipating that golden lotus plant. You have to prepare one for him."

Li Lao'er couldn't help but chuckle: "Don't worry, if anyone is missing, it won't be the old man."

After some casual conversation, Li Er instructed Zhao Shu and the four members of the Cao family a few words, then took the imperial edict and hurried out of the city.

In Li's grand courtyard in Suijin Beach, dinner preparations were underway.

Li Zhensheng was not at home. Li Laoer lived permanently in Baihuayuan, the third son and his wife and children were all in Los Angeles, and finally, only Li Laotai, Tao Hongying, and Jia Yin, these three generations of women, remained in the courtyard.

Few people were there, and even the meal lacked flavor, so only congee with small dishes and scrambled eggs were prepared for dinner.

Three tails wagging, lying at the door, rolling a chicken egg. It was hungry but also wanted to play. Its fox face was full of struggle, making everyone in the house laugh.

As soon as the dishes were served, Li Lao'er hurried back.

"Gee, why is the second son back tonight" Li Laotai was very surprised and couldn't help but worry. She asked her son who had just entered the house, "Lao Er, you came back to live here, what about those flowers in the garden Won't they be stolen"

"Mother, don't worry, I've made all the arrangements." Li Laoer smiled as he washed his hands and face, tidied up, and sat at the table. Then he motioned to Zheng Feng to bring out the imperial edict, "Mother, I received an imperial edict today. Remember to put it on display, okay"

"An imperial decree" Old Madam Li and her whole family were surprised. She continued to inquire, "Has the Emperor bestowed something upon you again But, wasn't something given before"

Li Lao Er let out two dry coughs, trying his best to suppress his joy, and said: "Mother, no, this time the Emperor bestowed upon me the title of from fifth rank official, Yuan Wai Lang. From now on, I will be in charge of the relief agency!"

Lao Tai Li didn't quite understand the difference between honorary and actual positions, but she knew that honorary positions sounded better. Actual positions meant working for the emperor, and she could tell those apart!

"Good, good! The Emperor has always been so kind to our family. I've never felt truly at ease. From now on, when you have tasks, you must work diligently and alleviate the Emperor's worries. You must be worthy of his grace!"

"Mother, rest assured, I know what to do." Li Lao Er quickly got up and replied.

Tao Hongying also smiled and said, "Congratulations, second brother. It's a pity that the eldest brother, third brother, and fourth brother are not here, so we can't have a drink to celebrate with you!"

Jia Yin also ran over, hugged her second uncle's arm, and said with a smile: "Congratulations, Second Uncle! You are a high official now. In the future, you will be Minister of Rites or Prime Minister!"

"Alright, Second Uncle will try his best and definitely become a high-ranking official!" Li La Er rubbed his niece's head, "Let's eat first, and after that, Second Uncle will take you for a walk."

The family gathered around the table after receiving the imperial decree, happily enjoying their meal and conversation.

The title of Count is a fine one, and it commands respect when you go out. But apart from attending grand court functions, there isn't much real work to be done.

Because of this title, Li Lao Er couldn't go to the Onsen Valley very often, and he couldn't work in the fields anymore.

If he doesn't open the garden, he'll really just lie flat at home all day...

Now that he has a job, no matter what he does, he finally has a place to use his skills!

Soon, the meal was finished, Tao Hongying led people to clear the table, and Li Laotai was busy finding fabric for her son to make two new outfits.

She may not be able to help her son with anything else, but she can at least make sure he's clean and presentable so that no one will look down on him for something as small as that!

Jia Yin held onto her second uncle's hand and walked out of the courtyard, strolling towards the village gate.

Li Laoer didn't treat his little niece as an ordinary child. On the way, he explained clearly how he had calculated to get this job and what his future plans were.

Having said that, seeing that he was far from home, he crouched down and picked up his niece again, afraid she would get tired.

Jia Yin listened attentively, and immediately she hugged Er Bo's neck, praising him: "Er Bo is amazing! You became an official even without passing the imperial examination! Zhi Min said that Uncle Liu often causes trouble in the yamen. Those officials who serve with him always look down on Uncle Liu."

"In the future, when your second uncle goes to be an official, if anyone bullies you, tell your second uncle, and he'll tell Funiu'er to take care of them!"

Li Lao'er felt his heart warm, and he couldn't help but smile. He held his plump niece tighter and said, "Your second uncle is an adult, and he should protect and love you, but I haven't done a good job. Instead, I have to use your flowers to exchange for food to help others. Even this fifth-rank magistrate was earned this way. Your second uncle is ashamed..."

"But you wait three months, after three months, your uncle will make the relief agency self-sufficient and no longer need our family to sell flowers for extra income!"

"Second Uncle! I have lots more of those flowers. Second Uncle can use them to exchange for money and grain to save people, I'm very happy." Funiu patted her second uncle's shoulder. "And I know, Second Uncle became an official to protect me, Grandma, and our family! Now, Big Uncle, Third Uncle, and Father are all away from home, so I have to help Second Uncle!"

Li Lao Er's nose felt sore, and he almost shed tears.

He wasn't crying out of injustice, but because someone understood the joy he put his heart into.

Actually, if you really asked him, he preferred drinking tea, reading books, taking walks in the valleys, and teaching children at school.

Occasionally, I'll go into the city to meet up with friends. We'll gather in groups of three or five, have a few drinks, and chat animatedly. It's so carefree...er! Last night, she even put this watermelon in the well water to keep it cool. On the way here, it kept spraying water just so you could get it and eat it right away. Don't underestimate her because...