Jiang Jin read the memorial address, her voice solemn and mournful: "They were the true backbone of our Jinyang Army, using their lives to define what it means to love one's country and people, building unbreakable lines of defense with their flesh and blood..."
"Though they have left us, their spirits will forever guard our Han people's land, and their deeds will be engraved in the river of history, immortalized in the annals!"
As the last handful of loess covered the graves, quiet sobbing rose from the crowd.
The land had yet to be reclaimed, yet the heroes had already returned their souls to the heavens.
As Jiang Jin and the others left the cemetery, they saw countless common citizens standing in front of it, gathering of their own accord to bid farewell to these martyrs.
Zhou Sui's eyes stung with emotion, and he turned to look at Jiang Jin.
The Jinyang Army was the most beloved army of the people he had ever seen.
And his lord was the most beloved lord he had ever known.
The group returned to the county office and held another meeting.
Yao Ji reported on the matter of Xiaoqi Mountain.
Jiang Jin nodded: "Are all the people arranged properly?"
Luo Qingci replied: "They've been settled in Chunrong County."
With the sudden surge in population, only Chunrong County had relatively more housing available.
"Good. Have the literacy classes started?" Jiang Jin asked.
Chen Xi nodded: "They've begun, but there are far too many participants this time—they'll need to be divided into batches."
She hadn't expected so many people to sign up for the literacy programs this year. They were even more enthusiastic than the people of Gefeng had been at first, with most registering.
Feng Qingzhu laughed softly: "Probably because they've seen that literacy leads to easier job opportunities—Gefeng's example has been a powerful motivator."
Not just government officials—even factory workers largely needed to be literate.
Those working in the fields could only be selected for positions like work-team heads or registrars—relatively easier jobs—if they could read.
Without "education," one had almost no chance of advancement under Jiang Jin's rule.
Jiang Jin was pleased: "That's a good atmosphere. But we must place even more emphasis on the soldiers' literacy training."
Suddenly remembering something, she asked: "Has the candidate for the Jinyang Times been selected?"
Before Luo Qingci or Chen Xi could speak, Feng Qingzhu jumped in: "My lord, you'll never guess who's among them."
Though she managed the vast industrial zone, she lived with Luo Qingci and was well-informed about many matters.
Jiang Jin grew curious: "Oh? Who?"
Feng Qingzhu chuckled, not dragging it out: "Wei Qingran."
Jiang Jin was taken aback—indeed, she hadn't expected that.
But on further thought, it made perfect sense.
That was the depth of a great clan's heritage.
Chen Xi smiled calmly: "I was just about to report this to you, my lord. Her writing foundation is excellent, and she picked up the simplified characters very quickly. It's clear she's putting in real effort."
Luo Qingci affirmed: "She's well attuned to current events and uses precise wording. We all believe she can serve as the head of the Jinyang Times."
Chen Xi, clearly well-prepared, handed several documents to Jiang Jin: "My lord, take a look—these are the best works from those recruited for the Jinyang Times so far."
Jiang Jin took them and read carefully.
These were actually simplified mock editions of the Jinyang Times, co-created by Chen Xi and Luo Qingci, serving as assessment content for the head editor candidates.
After reviewing several pieces, Wei Qingran's work clearly surpassed the others—precise and incisive, able to grasp key points easily, with highly persuasive and stirring language.
It was evident she had a strong cultural foundation and her own views on current affairs.
Jiang Jin couldn't help but smile—her useless father had been mediocre as a person, but he had left her quite a pool of talent.
"Alright, let Wei Qingran serve as the acting editor-in-chief of the Jinyang Times, with a three-month probation period." She made the decision.
"Put out the first issue as soon as possible. Besides the sections we discussed before, each issue should include one popular science article—like scientific farming methods, the dangers of drinking unboiled water, and so on."
The meeting lasted a full two hours before ending.
By the time Jiang Jin returned to Qingqiu Mountain, darkness had fallen. She felt it had been ages since she'd been home.
Liqiu and Guyu were both delighted, bustling to prepare her evening meal.
Outside the courtyard, a dim lantern hung high over the gate, casting a warm yellow glow that gave this winter day a hint of warmth.
The guards at Qingqiu Mountain watched the lingering figure paces nearby, silent but alert.
Wei Qingran hesitated for a moment, then finally stepped forward and knocked on the gate.
"What's the matter?" Jiang Jin hadn't expected Wei Qingran to come looking for her so late at night.
Wei Qingran looked a little embarrassed and nervous, organizing her words before speaking: "My lord, do you have a presence in Sizhou?"
Jiang Jin wasn't surprised that Wei Qingran knew about this.
Though the people of Sizhou who'd been relocated to Liuxiang County had been placed in villages, news always leaked out somehow; anyone slightly clever could guess the gist of the situation.
She had no intention of hiding it: "That's correct."
Wei Qingran hesitated, then said: "My lord, my parents have likely gone to Sizhou. I wonder if you could help me look for them? If possible, I'd like to bring them to Gefeng."
Jiang Jin's gaze was calm: "You're from one of the great clans, aren't you?"
"You've been in Gefeng for a while now, so you should know; Gefeng has no use for great clans. Even if they come, I won't grant them privileges."
Wei Qingran nodded: "I know. We're merely a branch of the Wei family—hardly a great clan."
She lowered her head, her voice tinged with sorrow: "In times of chaos like this, having a safe place to live is more than enough. And since my family has some modest wealth, wouldn't it be wonderful to live as idle common folk in Gefeng?"
She truly believed Gefeng was wonderful; that was why she wished her parents and younger brother could come here.
As for privileges—she'd never entertained the thought.
Only then did Jiang Jin nod: "Alright. Once you've written your letters, hand them to Mu Ning, and I'll have word sent to have your family located. If they're found, the letters will be delivered to them."
In her four counties, most people were poor; if "wealthy households" came over and stimulated consumption, that would indeed be quite beneficial.
"However, I don't have many people in Sizhou, so I can't guarantee they'll be found." She couldn't help but temper expectations first.
Wei Qingran lit up with gratitude and nodded: "I understand. Thank you, my lord—just having you try is more than enough."
She bit her lip: "If my parents are found, could they pass a message to the Meng family? We used to be neighbors, and they're likely in the same area."
Jiang Jin had no objection to this: "Fine. If they'd like to come to Gefeng, I can pick them up on the way when spring comes next year."
With a boat, getting to Sizhou would become much easier—she could transport goods and supplies by water, and picking people up would just be a matter of convenience.
Sensing Jiang Jin's care and kindness toward her, Wei Qingran felt her throat tighten, and she hurriedly bowed in thanks.
Jiang Jin waved her off: "No need for formality."
Wei Qingran steadied her emotions, then smiled with pressed lips: "A Li scored first in last time's exam, you know. Her teacher says she has great aptitude for study and may consider skipping a grade next year."
Jiang Jin was somewhat surprised—she hadn't expected this sister of hers to be such an academic star.
She couldn't help but think of Yun Chengxuan. Hmph, better not go there—that one still couldn't even get basic arithmetic right.
"Auntie!" No sooner said than done—she'd merely thought of him, and he appeared at the door.
"Auntie! I can smell that we've made tons of delicious food at home—it smells amazing!" Yun Chengxuan came bounding in cheerfully.
Seeing Wei Qingran, he paused for a beat, tried for ages, but still couldn't remember who she was; he simply assumed she was another freeloader after a meal, and his eyes turned wary.
Dong Si followed behind Yun Chengxuan and nodded toward Wei Qingran with a smile: "Madam Wei."
The past had turned to wisps of smoke, and who they were now was a rebirth of sorts.
Wei Qingran inclined her head. “Magistrate Dong, Master Yun.”
She rose and bowed to Jiang Jin. “My lord, I’ll take my leave now. When I’ve written the letter, I’ll bring it to Group Leader Mu.”
As Wei Qingran departed, Yun Chengxuan let out a quiet breath of relief. Good, good—she wasn’t here to mooch a meal.
Jiang Jin glanced at him and shook his head, amused.
Dong Si remarked with feeling, “I never thought Lady Wei would truly stand on her own two feet.”
“By the way, my lord, Meng Chong has joined the army.” He’d only just learned of it himself.
Jiang Jin raised a brow slightly. “Is that so?”
Wei Qingran hadn’t mentioned it—clearly she didn’t intend to ask for special treatment.
Of course, a capable person didn’t need special favors to rise by merit alone.
“My lord, you truly mean to hand the Jinyang Times over to her?” Dong Si frowned slightly.
