The next morning, Tian Jing went to the nursery.
After inspecting all the greenhouses, she proceeded to check on the ginseng seedlings.
The plastic sheeting at the bottom of the arched greenhouses had been rolled up; they didn't need to be sealed at this season.
However, the temperature under the shade net exceeded twenty degrees Celsius.
Summer had just begun; what would happen during the hottest days of midsummer?
Tian Jing decided to sow another three layers of rose seeds outside the existing rose vines.
She planned to create shade using multiple layers of rose arches.
She intended to take three years to grow the ginseng to thirty-year maturity. If she didn't create the right growing environment, her deception would be exposed.
Therefore, the cultivation of the roses also needed to be a gradual process.
After coaxing the roses to grow to a little over a foot tall, she stopped, and would coax them again in a few days.
After inspecting the nursery, Tian Jing asked the men on duty if they wanted to retire.
These men had been in Kushan for eleven years. Some of their families had stayed for a while, but they couldn't live there permanently, as their hometowns were their true homes.
The men were taken aback. Did Captain Tian think they were too old and slow?
Tian Jing shook her head. "Don't overthink it. I just feel you've been away from home for too long. If any of you wish to retire, I will provide a retirement bonus."
The men refused. They had developed an affection for Kushan; it was their second home and a safe haven where they didn't face odd glances.
Their families visited occasionally, expressing only longing, not complaints.
They were still capable of working and were the pillars of their families.
Retiring early and returning home to live out their days?
Seeing that none of the men intended to retire, Tian Jing said,
"I was just mentioning it. If any of you encounter family matters and wish to retire early and return home, don't hesitate to speak up."
"I will purchase fifteen years of social security for you upfront. Even if the retirement pay is spent, once you reach retirement age and process your pensions, the monthly payments will cover your basic expenses."
The men bowed to Tian Jing in gratitude. They would try their best to work until retirement age before returning home.
If special circumstances arose, they would not hide them and would discuss them with Captain Tian.
Tian Jing nodded. She knew these men had worked in Kushan for over a decade with little desire for personal gain, and she worried they might conceal any hardships.
...
Li Weibo accompanied Yu Ziyu on a trip to the Hot Spring Valley. Yu Ziyu had visited last time in winter.
At noon, only Li's mother, Tian Jing, and Li Zhengguo were present for lunch.
As soon as they put down their bowls, Tian Jing's phone rang.
Seeing it was Shen Jianrong's number, Tian Jing answered and playfully asked if she had dialed the wrong number, suggesting she should have called Ziyu or Xiaobo.
Shen Jianrong chuckled, saying she wasn't that confused yet.
She was calling to inform Tian Jing about several major events that had recently occurred in the capital.
The Tang, Tu, Gong, Huang, and Cai families were fined for tax evasion, and the relevant personnel might face prison sentences of over three years.
The Wu family preemptively declared and paid their back taxes and late fees, but they were still penalized.
Shen Jianming and Shen Jianhui applied for early retirement from their positions and reported their respective fathers-in-law.
Subsequently, those who committed offenses within the Ma and Zhao families were arrested by the local police, with appropriate sentences and fines.
Ma Xingxiang and Zhao Qilan were not only accused of bribery but also of secretly using the Shen family's influence to protect their own families. They were fined an amount equivalent to their bribes and faced prosecution, likely resulting in imprisonment.
The person identified by the Huang family for tax evasion turned out to be Shen Xiaoping.
Elder Shen personally visited the Huang family. The Huang family produced their business license, clearly stating Shen Xiaoping as the legal representative.
Elder Shen was so enraged that he left the Huang family immediately, deeming his granddaughter foolish for being put forward as a scapegoat.
Mrs. Tang was divorced by her husband. Upon returning to her maiden home, she instigated her brother to divorce Shen Xiaohui.
Tu Changhua ignored his elder sister, telling her to behave herself when she returned to their parents' home and not to cause trouble for the family, or he would drive her away.
The Cai family, showing some conscience, did not do anything to Shen Xiaojuan.
When Gong Laoda, the legal representative, was arrested, he even reassured his wife not to worry, stating he would not divorce her.
Shen Jianrong sighed, "I never expected Gong Laoda to be such a loyal person. I never imagined his in-laws would be so despicable, tricking Shen Xiaoping into becoming the legal representative."
"I never thought the Tang family, who seemed so amiable, would divorce Tu Lihua."
"Even more surprising is how heartless and unfeeling Shen Jianming and Shen Jianhui are..."
Tian Jing disagreed. "The fault of Shen Jianming and Shen Jianhui lies in allowing Ma Xingxiang and Zhao Qilan to shield their families."
"Their realization of their mistake and their voluntary reporting must have been taught by Elder Shen. Don't speak carelessly."
Shen Jianrong froze. Yes, it was her father who taught them. Her father had even used her, which was truly insidious.
She recalled another matter. "Oh, I heard Lou Caiyun was sentenced to five years, and her eldest daughter-in-law miscarried in shock and anger."
Miscarried?
Tian Jing didn't pay much attention. She had found two daughters-in-law for Lou Caiyun, and they were supposed to be quits. She hadn't expected Lou Caiyun to dare to spread rumors.
Fortunately, Han Lushi was effective and directly sent her to prison.
Shen Jianrong, thinking of the recent tense atmosphere in their circle, couldn't help but chuckle.
"These past few days, no one dares to mention Captain Tian anymore. If anyone does, their companions immediately disperse."
"You've become famous, and it's a fearsome reputation."
"Not only the Lou Caiyun incident, but they also know about Mrs. Tang and Mrs. Gong offending you at the formal dress shop."
"Furthermore, that formal dress shop closed down the very next day. Tell me, how could you *not* be famous?"
A fearsome reputation? That was also good. Tian Jing wished those who didn't know their place would stay away from her.
"Don't tease me. Are you still planning for Ziyu to bring back the cloth shoes?"
"Of course, why wouldn't I?" Shen Jianrong said nonchalantly.
"Whether they buy them or not is their problem; it's their feet they're inconveniencing."
"Besides, my cloth shoes aren't for sale to people lacking foresight."
"Don't just bring cloth shoes for me; bring some local specialties too. Ziyu is driving back, so she might as well earn back the gas money, right?"
Tian Jing chuckled. "You've really gotten into the money-making spirit."
"I'm poor," Shen Jianrong, having been overshadowed by Tian Jing's generosity, directly admitted her poverty.
"Then why did you give the wedding gift to Ziyu?" Tian Jing still didn't understand Shen Jianrong's purpose in giving the gift to Yu Ziyu.
The annoyance from Ma Xingxiang and Zhao Qilan constantly begging her for loans in the past few days poured out of Shen Jianrong.
"You don't know, I intentionally gave the wedding gift to Xiaobo in front of Ma Xingxiang and Zhao Qilan."
"Ma Xingxiang and Zhao Qilan were fined an amount equivalent to their bribes and penalty fees. They came to me asking for money."
"I told them I had no money. They told me to ask Ziyu or you for a loan. I don't know where they got the nerve to be so shameless!"
Tian Jing understood. Shen Jianrong had anticipated being asked for money long ago.
"Ziyu and Xiaobo will stay home until Lili's wedding before leaving. Would you like Ziyu to stay for a few more days?"
From Tian Jing's words, Shen Jianrong understood that Xiaobo would not be returning with Ziyu.
"No need. I'll attend Lili's wedding and then take turns driving back with Ziyu."
"Alright," Tian Jing agreed. Shen Jianrong was a good mother. She herself hadn't considered whether Yu Ziyu might be distracted while driving due to the pain of separation.
In the first place, she wasn't someone to linger on emotions, and Li Zhengguo was always by her side.
Later, when Li Zhengguo became village head, he was tied down by village affairs. They were separated a few times, but not for long.
By then, her relationship with her husband was no longer as intimate as it had been in their youth.