Chapter 225: Han Xing and Miss Yan’s Wedding
Jinsui was about to explode! If they didn’t set off soon, the heavy snow would block the roads, and they’d have to wait until next year to reach the border city!
What was Gu Changxiao doing in Chang’an?
Just as she feared, it happened. This year’s first snowfall was unexpectedly heavy and persistent. Three days of light snow, followed by three days of blizzard-like snow.
Soon, Cheng Yu received notification that many mountain roads in Yandi were blocked by snow and impassable.
Yan Shiyi rushed in to report that news from the post stations in the Northern Frontier indicated that some merchant caravans were stranded on the road and needed assistance.
What was even more worrying was that communication from Chang’an had been cut off. The heavy snow had blocked the mountains, preventing messages from being delivered.
The only ones happy about this heavy snowfall were the officials in charge of the experimental wheat fields, as a timely snow foretold a bountiful harvest, meaning high yields for wheat next year.
However, they dared not show their joy in front of others, especially Miss Ling. Every official who returned from reporting to the Prince’s Residence said that Miss Ling’s expression was very grim.
The officials from Chang’an had been thoroughly subdued. The former Miss Ling was relatively gentle and employed all sorts of tactics against them. The current Miss Ling was like a powder keg; a single spark would set her off, and no one dared to provoke her.
Without Li Heng needing to give them a political lesson, they were all very proactive. On the issue of snow disaster prevention and relief, over a dozen officials submitted policy essays.
After the snow stopped, there was no snow disaster in the border city, but other prefecture cities in Yandi suffered. Houses collapsed, and the populace was displaced.
Officials reported that Jinsui dispatched people for disaster relief. Because the roads were blocked, using gunpowder to blast them open risked triggering an avalanche. They could only shout instructions, urging local gentry to cooperate with the government office in disaster relief. The Imperial Court would reward them afterward, but refusal to assist would be severely punished!
Jin’an and Grandpa Ling were still living in the Taoist Temple, but Jinsui had built heated brick beds for them, so they weren’t cold at night. The Academy was the same; after the construction site halted, the female students did light work on the heated beds.
The stranded merchant caravans didn’t need our assistance. Instead, Jinsui wrote a letter to the Northern Frontier, and they sent people to escort them. Fortunately, we had built many post stations, which could accommodate these caravans.
In short, other problems were minor. It was only the severed contact with Chang’an that made Jinsui very uneasy.
She feared that some aristocratic clans and powerful people might take advantage of the snow-blocked roads to rebel! She wondered how much fish oil and gunpowder Gu Changxiao had left.
It wasn’t until mid-winter, with another snowfall imminent, that the blocked mountain roads were still not cleared, and there was still no news from Chang’an.
Jinsui felt they couldn’t just wait. What if something happened to Gu Changxiao? What if, when the snow melted, they were met by an army surrounding the border city?
She summoned the soldiers of the hot air balloon flight corps. That’s right, although the hot air balloons weren’t yet of great use for flight, they needed to start training ‘pilots’.
She didn’t exaggerate and said gravely, “This mission is extremely dangerous. You might not even be able to fly out of Yandi. Therefore, I won’t force anyone. Those willing to participate, please step forward. I will not blame anyone who is unwilling.”
The result was as expected: all the soldiers stepped forward in unison. Jinsui smiled, “As expected of our Black Feather Camp brothers! Then I will issue the mission: use hot air balloons and sleds to fly out of Yandi and meet His Majesty in Chang’an.”
“Leader Ling, what should we bring for His Majesty?”
Jinsui nodded and said, “Bringing weapons is not safe. You just need to deliver the letter and open the road from Chang’an to the border city. Once the road is open, weapons and food can be transported immediately.”
Carrying gunpowder in a hot air balloon was very risky and could lead to the balloon’s destruction and death.
On this day, everyone in Yandi witnessed a miracle: sixteen seven-colored hot air balloons simultaneously took to the sky, crossing mountains, prefecture cities, and wilderness. After landing, thirty-two warriors used sleds to slide out of the snow-covered mountains.
They refueled at the post station and took off again when the wind was favorable. As the first hot air balloon flew out of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yandi, countless commoners looked up at the sky.
It was the only splash of color in winter. Although many people had seen hot air balloons fly before, during the battle against Prince Yu, hot air balloons had dropped leaflets from the sky, shaking morale and public support, playing a very important strategic role.
But no matter how many times the commoners saw them, they marveled, and children looked up with exclamations, “I wish I could fly once too!”
The elderly sighed, “The border city is truly a place where immortals live! They even have such flying objects.”
The young and strong, with thoughtful eyes, wondered if they should go to the border city for a few months of short-term work after finishing spring plowing. They heard that people were in high demand there, and anyone could find a job.
The border city would soon be the Imperial City. Alas, when those refugees passed by, we mocked them for going to the borderlands to make a living.
Who would have thought they would become citizens of the Imperial City…
Midway, due to wind conditions, one hot air balloon failed to descend in time and landed in Luocheng.
The people of Luocheng were more devout towards hot air balloons than those in other prefecture cities. Even knowing that soldiers from the border city’s Black Feather Camp were on board, they still worshipped them as gods.
This was because the medicine that saved them from the plague in Luocheng came from the border city. Later, the border city also sent a lot of medicine and food.
The people cheered and rushed into the streets and fields, chasing the trail of the hot air balloons.
This made the soldiers on board afraid to land in crowded areas. They had to land hastily in deserted wilderness, pack them up, and quickly seek supplies from the post station.
However, the post station in Luocheng did not have supplies for hot air balloons. Perhaps even Miss Ling, with all her amazing calculations, couldn’t have predicted they would land here.
Fortunately, the snow in the Luocheng area was not heavy, and horses could still travel. They borrowed horses from the post station and galloped towards Chang’an.
Everyone knew the deterrent effect of hot air balloons on the populace, so as they neared Chang’an, they raised the hot air balloons again.
The people of Chang’an were as joyful as if it were New Year’s, as for several consecutive days, giant seven-colored balls flew overhead every day.
Chang’an had also experienced heavy snowfall, though not to the point of blocking roads. However, many rural residents were affected. The appearance of hot air balloons could not change the disaster, but it could boost morale.
It made them believe that the Imperial Court’s rescue would surely arrive!
Gu Changxiao received these Black Feather Camp flying soldiers and, upon hearing that Leader Ling was very worried about the situation in Chang’an, Gu Changxiao smiled.
This was the first time he had genuinely smiled since ascending the throne and becoming Emperor in Chang’an. Though letters were long, the ink was restrained.
Especially with Jinsui’s personality, it was too difficult to hear her say a sweet word. Now, hearing her worry and anxiety from the Black Feather Camp soldiers made Gu Changxiao’s heart feel sweet.
He said busily, “It was my oversight. I didn’t expect Yandi to be blocked by snow. Can you return?”
The soldiers replied, “We can return! As long as there is wind, we can fly over the snow-blocked mountain roads.”
“Leader Ling asked if Your Majesty needed anything? Once she clears the roads there, she will immediately send it.”
Gu Changxiao chuckled. Suisui must still think he was in the border city fighting and dealing with constant rebellions.
Little did she know that all those with the capability had already been stripped of their power and troops.
Originally, due to some political affairs, he planned to stay in Chang’an for the New Year and then, after the grand sacrifice, officially relocate the capital with the remaining officials and powerful figures on the second day of the second month.
But seeing Jinsui’s concern for him, Gu Changxiao decided not to wait any longer.
He announced at the morning court that Han Xing would remain in Chang’an with fifty thousand troops, not only to suppress the powerful clans and gentry in Chang’an but also to aid in the war on the Northwest border.
He himself would lead a group of important ministers to immediately relocate the capital to the border city. Less important officials would follow with supplies after spring.
Never had an emperor moved the capital by going first! The officials naturally objected, but Gu Changxiao’s decision was made, and their objections were invalid.
Of course, their objections were not very sincere, because as long as Gu Changxiao remained in Chang’an for one more day, they would be on edge for one more day.
Although General Han had the authority to act first and report later, General Han would certainly not be as bloodthirsty as His Majesty. Everyone could finally have a peaceful New Year.
They had previously received letters from officials who had already arrived at the border city, knowing that the control over officials there was extremely strict and the workload heavy, completely different from the officialdom atmosphere in Chang’an.
They began to worry again, fearing a difficult life after arriving at the border city.
Even more infuriating was that His Majesty could kill people but did not allow officials to resign. Daring to resign would result in a demotion to the borderlands, and they dared not deliberately make mistakes to be dismissed, as that could easily cost them their heads.
The officials in Chang’an were in a panic! Our Emperor is unlike any previous rulers. What will the future officialdom be like?
Han Xing and Miss Yan’s wedding was held in a hurry, but because it was a marriage bestowed by the Emperor, and Gu Changxiao personally attended the wedding, all officials, powerful figures, aristocratic clans, and rich merchants of any standing in Chang’an came to give gifts and attend the wedding banquet.
Han Xing had learned from Jinsui how to handle gifts, so there was no question of bribery. If other generals feared receiving overly generous gifts, making the Emperor wary or suspecting them of forming factions,
Han Xing had no such problem. Gu Changxiao even took the lead in bestowing many gifts, indirectly reminding the guests that the gifts should be substantial! Didn’t they see how generous the gifts I sent were!
Gu Changxiao recalled that when the border city was still poor, Jinsui always found ways to host banquets, asking the gentry of Yandi to give gifts, and then auctioning or reselling the gifts to use the gold and silver for military supplies…
He missed Suisui even more!
Speaking of Miss Yan and Han Xing’s wedding, everything else was normal. Because Yan Jiu was present, and the Yan Clan had a separate courtyard in Chang’an, Han Xing went to the Yan family to pick up the bride. Yan Jiu prepared a dowry of a hundred li for her sister.
The Emperor bestowed gifts on both sides: those to the Yan family were Miss Yan’s dowry, and those to the Han residence were gifts for Han Xing.
This wedding also reassured many aristocratic clans. It seemed His Majesty did not intend to completely suppress the aristocratic clans. Look at the Yan Clan, the foremost aristocratic clan in Yandi, which was highly trusted by His Majesty.
Upon further inquiry, they learned that Yan Jiu had been very helpful to His Majesty when he was exiled to Yandi, was the first aristocratic clan to respond to land reform, and had assisted in quelling unrest among the Yandi aristocratic clans.
They became uncertain again. It would be difficult to achieve the same merit as Yan Jiu now; the opportunity to assist the Emperor in his rise had been missed.
From now on, they could only actively respond to the court’s new policies. They no longer had the ability to raise armies. The appearance of high-yield grain in the border city also meant that the court would not lack grain in the future.
With the court not lacking grain, the significance of aristocratic clans hoarding grain was greatly diminished. Alas, although His Majesty did not use iron-fisted methods against the aristocratic clans,
he had indirectly restricted their development. In at most a decade or two, they would transform from beings comparable to the royal family into insignificant local gentry.
Especially since His Majesty valued commoners and opened special examinations, the monopoly of education by aristocratic clans would also end.
In short, this wedding made the people of Chang’an think a lot. If Jinsui knew, she would definitely tell them about someone named Huang Chao.
Instead of using the power of exterminating clans to target aristocratic clans without household registration, he used land reform to limit your growth. His Majesty has already been very merciful and gentle!
You are still ungrateful and privately call His Majesty a tyrant!
If it weren’t for His Majesty ascending the throne, but Prince Yu, then within a few decades, if not Huang Chao, then Li Chao or Liu Chao would appear, completely eradicating the aristocratic clans that had been arrogant for a thousand years.
Speaking of the wedding, another amusing event was the bridal chamber night of the young couple.
The dowry prepared by the two elder brothers was complete, but no matter how complete, one thing was missing: the instruction on marital arts from the mother or matron to the bride the night before the wedding.
Even two “fire avoidance diagrams” were not included.
Miss Yan had no mother long ago, and her governess matrons were all in the border city. The young matron sent by Yan Shiyi to deliver the dowry was too embarrassed to mention it, assuming someone had already taught Miss Yan.
Even Yan Jiu, who was always meticulous in his planning, forgot about this matter!
This resulted in Miss Yan’s wedding night: after lifting the veil, drinking the cross-cupped wine, removing wedding clothes, and taking off makeup, the couple covered themselves with a quilt and… just chatted.
Initially, Han Xing patiently chatted with her, thinking she was shy. Anyway, they were talking about the border city, which he was also interested in.
But by the time of the hour of the snake, Miss Yan said she was tired. She had woken up before dawn to get ready and wanted to sleep.
Only then did Han Xing belatedly ask, “Miss Yan, do you know what is supposed to happen in the bridal chamber?”
Miss Yan blushed and shyly replied, “Of course, I know. Then, I’ll close my eyes, and you can kiss me quickly.”
Han Xing: “…Just kissing?”
Miss Yan opened her eyes and looked at him curiously, “What else is there to do?”
Suddenly remembering something, she became shy again and tucked her feet away, saying, “If you want to touch my feet, I, I’ll spray some perfume first.”
“Why would I want to touch your feet?”
“Isn’t it said that only a husband can touch a woman’s feet? Isn’t the bridal chamber night when the husband looks at his wife’s feet?”
Han Xing looked at Miss Yan gently, recalling the night in the Northern Frontier when he treated her wounds. Her skin was as smooth as jade.
His face flushed, his eyes gleaming with the predatory gaze of a hunter. He slowly leaned closer, put his arm around Miss Yan’s shoulders, and let her lean into his embrace.
With a flip, Han Xing was above her, looking into her eyes, and said, “Then let your husband teach his wife how to… consummate the marriage…”
He kissed her lips, which were like roses. Han Xing’s movements were equally clumsy, as he had only seen them in the “fire avoidance diagrams” and had never practiced them.
The red candles flickered, the incense was cold, the wind and snow howled outside, while inside was a scene of spring.
In the Imperial Palace, Gu Changxiao unusually invited Yan Jiu into the palace, and the two of them had a few drinks late into the night.
Don’t assume their relationship had improved; Gu Changxiao told Yan Jiu that he had to return to the border city with him on horseback.
Yan Jiu was helpless. He didn’t want to ride horses, especially in the dead of winter, and traveling with Gu Changxiao would undoubtedly be at a forced march pace.
He wanted to sit in a large carriage, warmed by a charcoal fire, covered with a thick blanket, drinking tea and reading a book, slowly making his way to the border city.
But Gu Changxiao disagreed. Everyone else could travel slowly, but Yan Jiu was the only one who had to go with him.
