The Bad Guys: Everyone, let’s revive the Tang Dynasty together!

Chapter 554 Snow on Dangshan Mountain (Epilogue 1)

The New Year is fast approaching.

According to the established regulations of the Tang Dynasty, officials were entitled to a seven-day New Year's holiday, with three days of rest before and after New Year's Day. Therefore, if the government offices had completed all their official duties before the New Year, such as tax collection and document filing, they would often close the offices on the 27th day of the twelfth lunar month in advance, so that the officials could prepare for the festival in advance, or those who lived far away could return to their hometowns to reunite with their families in time.

Naturally, officials in the capital region needed to prepare for the grand court assembly on the first day of the Lunar New Year, and there was no reason for them to close their offices in advance. They would be busy until the 29th day of the twelfth lunar month before they could finally rest from their burdens.

For Old Man Zhang, who lived on the outskirts of Dangshan County, these imperial regulations were not very clear, but he clearly remembered that his eldest son, Zhang Cheng, who had served as the registrar in Xiayi, a neighboring county, for three years, would always rush home at noon on the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month every year.

Therefore, right after breakfast, he leaned on a jujube wood cane that had been worn smooth and shiny, strolled to the courtyard gate, and kept looking towards the city gate.

In the courtyard, the daughter-in-law and granddaughter-in-law, who had already taken their grandson back to the old house to prepare for the New Year, were leading two or three servants as they bustled about inside and outside the kitchen.

The energetic six-year-old great-grandson was chasing a startled tabby cat, giggling, around the old, leafless locust tree in the yard. A little further away, the great-granddaughter, with her two little pigtails, was squatting on the ground, drawing something on the thin snow with a twig.

Meanwhile, his grandson Zhang Ye, who had passed the civil service examination and was working as a clerk in the clerk's office of Dangshan County, had just finished reviewing his lessons for the day and was grinding ink and laying out paper in the main room, preparing to write couplets for the New Year.

Speaking of these clerks, they are quite different now than in previous years.

Two years ago, the imperial court issued new policies, and officials were given dedicated promotion assessments.

Although passing the exam still results in a minor official position, unlike the legendary leap from minor official to senior official, an ordinary county official can still be promoted to prefectural official, or even provincial or capital official if they pass through various examinations.

This not only means an increase in salary, but also a significant difference in the surrounding environment, the people and resources one can access.

In particular, if one could pass the provincial examination and become a clerk in one of the six departments (i.e., the head of the six departments), the imperial court would bestow upon him the honorary title of "Tongshilang," a ninth-rank official. If one could go further and become a head clerk in one of the six ministries in the capital, he would be granted the title of "Dengshilang," a ninth-rank official, which was equivalent to a county clerk.

The so-called Tongshilang and Dengshilang were merely honorary titles without any real positions, but for ordinary people, they were already quite prestigious, with a social status vastly different from the past. Not to mention, they could also access central government resources, making them the ultimate goal for officials and the ceiling of their careers.

Therefore, even now, those who apply for civil service positions in the local county government must undergo five levels of examination: mathematics, law, document standardization, case practice, and even political vetting. The rigor of this examination is far greater than that of previous dynasties.

Even so, those from respectable families who had no hope of passing the imperial examinations or who only had some talent in miscellaneous subjects such as mathematics still flocked to this cause.

Old Zhang's grandson failed the provincial examination for two consecutive years. Later, he participated in the "academy examination" set up by the imperial court for graduates of state schools or self-funded students, which was the entrance examination to obtain the qualification for the provincial examination, but he also failed.

After much frustration, he turned to the civil service exam for clerks and, fortunately, passed on his first attempt. Now he is a clerk in the clerk's office of Dangshan County. This year marks the end of his two-year term, and he will be eligible to take the professional promotion exam after spring. The young man is filled with both anticipation and trepidation, and dares not slack off in the slightest.

However, in Zhang's opinion, he is already very satisfied with his current situation.

The eldest son is a county clerk, holding a proper official position; the grandson is a county clerk with a promising future; and what's even more remarkable is that four generations live together, making the family harmonious.

The family's financial situation is more than twice as good as it was many years ago when they were struggling financially. If there is any shortcoming, it is that the family is not very large, which the elderly sometimes feel a little regretful about.

He sometimes wondered if his family's luck had started to improve after that winter when he kindly took in that young couple in distress.

From then on, the eldest son, who was originally just a clerk in the county government, gradually found his official career to be smooth. A commoner with no connections was able to become a county clerk and obtain an official position. You must know that in this prosperous era, even if you pass the imperial examination and become a scholar, you may not be able to immediately wait for a substantive post.

Old Zhang glanced back at his great-grandson playing in the yard, a kind smile spreading across his wrinkled face as he slowly pondered these things. Regaining his composure, he raised his voice slightly towards the house and said, "Judging by the sky, Dalang should be on his way."

Inside, Aunt Zhang was carrying a newly fluffed cotton quilt out, intending to hang it on the clothesline in the yard to air it out. Hearing this, she chimed in, "That's right, by this time of year, we should already be seeing people. Perhaps the snow hasn't completely melted on the roads, making the carriages and horses travel slower..."

Before she could finish speaking, the outline of a carriage appeared faintly at the end of the official road in the distance, gradually approaching with the rumbling sound of its axle.

Old Zhang squinted at it, his smile deepening, and uttered a proverb that had become widely known over the years: "Speak of the devil, and he shall appear."

The carriage came to a stop outside the courtyard gate. The curtain was lifted, and a middle-aged man in his forties, wearing a blue cotton robe, nimbly jumped out of the carriage. This was Zhang Cheng, the eldest son whom Old Man Zhang had been longing for.

However, after getting out of the car, Zhang Cheng did not immediately go inside. Instead, he turned around and helped another person out of the car. The latter was also around forty years old, with a thin face and a short beard. He was Li, the county magistrate of Dangshan County.

The two had been colleagues for many years in Dangshan County and were very close. They often visited each other during festivals. Unexpectedly, Zhang Cheng picked him up halfway back to his old home today.

"Grandpa, Mother, I'm back." Zhang Cheng greeted them while smiling at Magistrate Li beside him, "Brother Li, please come in. My humble abode is simple, please don't mind."

When Old Man Zhang and Old Woman Zhang saw that their son had brought back the county's magistrate, they dared not be negligent in their etiquette, even though they were acquainted with him.

Old Zhang hurriedly took two steps forward, leaning on his cane, and cupped his hands in greeting, saying, "Oh dear, I didn't know Magistrate Li was here. I'm so sorry for not welcoming you properly. Please come inside and sit down; it's warm inside."

Aunt Zhang also put down her work, wiped her hands on her apron, and greeted them with a smile.

County Magistrate Li quickly returned the greeting with a clasped hand and a beaming smile: "You're too kind, sir. I've come to bother you and wish you a Happy New Year in advance."

As he spoke, he took a gift box from the attendant who was following behind Zhang Cheng's coachman, and handed it to him, saying, "This is just a small gift, nothing special, but I hope you will accept it."

At this moment, Zhang Ye, the grandson who was writing in the main room, also heard the noise and quickly came out. When he saw his father and Magistrate Li, he immediately straightened his clothes, stood respectfully to the side with his hands at his sides, and bowed to the latter first: "This humble official greets Magistrate Li."

Then, he turned to Zhang Cheng and called out with a slightly restrained and respectful tone, "Father."

Zhang Cheng glanced at his son, grunted in response, and then turned to Magistrate Li, saying, "Brother Li, since you have come to visit today, and it is the end of the year, please spare this boy and do not test his studies."

He then instructed his son, “Go and fetch my jar of good Mengding stone flowers, and replace it with some new charcoal. I’ll have a chat with Magistrate Li in the main room, and you can serve me there.”

Zhang Ye felt as if he had been granted a pardon and quickly replied "Yes," then hurried inside to prepare. Zhang Cheng then smiled and gestured for Magistrate Li to enter, and the two walked side by side into the main hall.

When his son's good friend, who was also the county magistrate's assistant, visited, Old Man Zhang would not refuse his son's request. He instructed his daughter-in-law to arrange for servants to entertain Assistant Magistrate Li's entourage, and then signaled his granddaughter-in-law to prepare a few more dishes. He personally sat down and served tea, accompanying the guest as an elder to show respect.

The four sat around the stove inside the house, exchanged a few pleasantries, and drank a round of hot tea. Zhang Cheng then held the warm teacup, breathing out white breath, and said, "This winter looks warmer than in previous years."

County Magistrate Li nodded and replied:
"It's warm, but there's no work in the fields, so people can't stay idle. In Puyang, the imperial court's massive project to manage the Yellow River hasn't stopped. I saw in the newspaper that His Majesty has established a new method called 'constraining water to flush away sand,' and is using a novel material called 'cement' in combination with steel to build dams. It's said to be as strong as bluestone and very sturdy."

Moreover, the government is recruiting workers to build some kind of 'overflow dam,' providing food and lodging, and offering a daily wage of thirty copper coins. After a winter of leisure, one can actually save quite a bit. A while ago, many young men from Dangshan went there in groups, saying they wanted to earn some extra money for the New Year before the holiday."

Listening to this, Old Zhang sighed, "The world is truly different now. Seven or eight years ago, during the off-season, farmers would just hibernate, saving every penny they could. Who would have dared to dream of going out to earn cash? The government is genuinely finding ways for ordinary people to make a living."

"It's more than just a way to survive."

Zhang Cheng smiled and said, "Grandpa, you're an old resident, so you should know how many people and how much land our Dangshan County had around the first year of the Hongwu reign. I just heard Brother Li say that, according to the latest Yellow Register of the county, our Dangshan now has more than 20,000 households, nearly 150,000 people, and the registered land is almost 400,000 mu."

This number left Old Zhang somewhat stunned. He only knew that there were many people in the city and countryside, but he never imagined that a county could have more than 100,000 people.

Meanwhile, County Magistrate Li remarked with emotion:

"Yes, the population growth is indeed rapid. It's also thanks to the imperial court's promotion of Champa rice, which can be harvested twice a year, is drought-resistant, and has a high yield. In addition, the northern grasslands are now stable, and the prices of cattle and sheep hides have come down. Porcelain and silk from Jiangnan are also much cheaper than in previous years when they are transported by canal. Nowadays, the prices of grain and cloth in the market are stable. For ordinary families, as long as they are willing to work hard, it is not difficult to have enough to eat and wear."

Zhang Ye, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but interject softly: "I'm just afraid that if there are too many people, there won't be enough land to go around, and many young people will have to go to the city workshops to make a living, or like now, to volunteer for government projects."

Zhang Cheng glanced at his son, which was considered an acknowledgment of his statement. He then lowered his voice and said to Magistrate Li, "That's why there are rumors in the court that the 'equalization of land tax and poll tax' policy should be brought up again for discussion."

"The land tax system was merged with the poll tax?" Old Zhang asked, puzzled. "I think I heard the government mention it once years ago, but I haven't heard anything about it since."

"Yes."

Zhang Cheng explained:
"At the beginning of the dynasty, household registration and land data were chaotic. In addition, with the implementation of the equal-field system, every family was allocated land. The court mainly collected taxes based on the number of males. Now, five years later, the population has exploded, especially in Henan. Some families have many males but limited land, making the poll tax a heavy burden. Conversely, workshops and commerce in various places are becoming more and more prosperous. If the court wants to encourage childbirth and allow skilled people to work in workshops and trade with peace of mind, it might be a way out to incorporate the poll tax into the land tax collection. I heard that in the future, in addition to the existing checkpoints, people will need a new ID card and a letter of introduction from the government to travel, which will facilitate management and the movement of people."

County Magistrate Li nodded: "If this matter succeeds, it will alleviate the difficulties of many poor households and make industry and commerce more prosperous. However, it will have a great impact, and there will probably be a lot of debate in the court."

Hearing these words, Zhang, who had experienced the Huang Chao Rebellion, the fragmentation of the country, and the rise and fall of the Zhu family emperors, felt these changes most deeply. Listening to their conversation and comparing it with the past, he truly felt as if he had lived through another world.

When these matters were discussed, the topic naturally veered off course, and when the topic turned to the emperor's achievements, Magistrate Li took a sip of tea and said, "Speaking of which, there is another matter that has been the subject of much discussion in the court and among the people recently."

"Brother Li, are you perhaps referring to the matter of the gentlemen jointly submitting another petition, respectfully requesting His Majesty to ascend Mount Tai for the Fengshan ceremony?" Zhang Cheng replied.

County Magistrate Li nodded in agreement: "His Majesty declined the offer three years ago, but now that the world is at peace and the people are living in contentment, it is indeed a golden age unprecedented in a thousand years. Therefore, we gentlemen cannot help but submit another memorial, respectfully requesting His Majesty to ascend Mount Tai for the Fengshan ceremony, to demonstrate the great achievements of our Hongwu era."

Although Old Man Zhang didn't quite understand the specific meaning of the Fengshan ceremony, he knew it was a momentous event. Upon hearing this, he sat up straight and said, "This is a good thing! His Majesty the Emperor is the Holy Son of Heaven; he should go!"

"Unfortunately, the Emperor's will seems unmoved." Magistrate Li sighed regretfully. "Such an unparalleled achievement should have been offered to Heaven at the Fengshan ceremony, setting an example for future generations."

"Why is that?" Old Zhang was taken aback, and even Zhang Ye, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but be curious.

County Magistrate Li shook his head with a wry smile; he couldn't explain the reason either.

However, after a moment of contemplation, Zhang Cheng suddenly said in a slow voice, "Brother Li, you may not know this, but when I was in the prefecture, I overheard some officials discussing that the Emperor was unwilling to perform the Fengshan ceremony, not because of insufficient merit or virtue, but because he felt that 'the Western Regions are not yet open and the Liaodong Peninsula is not yet pacified,' and that he would regret performing the Fengshan ceremony at this time."

"Oh?"

County Magistrate Li wasn't surprised that Zhang Cheng knew some important news. He had long suspected that this fellow had risen from a lowly clerk to a registrar and often received subtle favors from his superiors. If anything was strange, it would have been strange that Zhang Cheng had been stuck in the lowly position of registrar for so many years.

So he leaned closer, looking curious.

Old Zhang became even more puzzled: "The Western Regions? The Liaodong Peninsula?"

Zhang Cheng then patiently explained:
"In recent years, the Western Regions have gradually become accessible. The so-called Uyghurs and Tibetans in Liangzhou, Ganzhou, Suzhou, and even the surrounding areas have either submitted or been pacified by the imperial army. The court originally intended to take over the Guiyi Army, which only had two remaining prefectures, Sha and Gua, and establish Qinghai and Gansu provinces to reopen the Silk Road."

Unexpectedly, the Uyghurs of Xizhou and the Karakhanid Khanate, sworn enemies, had previously submitted to the Tang Dynasty. Now, seeing the court's intention to establish provinces and completely control the Western Regions, these two small foreign kingdoms, in order to control the vital trade routes, have united to obstruct the imperial army and even dared to plunder Shazhou. His Majesty, upon hearing this, was greatly enraged and has ordered the mobilization of 50,000 cavalry from the Southern and Northern provinces as vanguard to reinforce Hexi. It is rumored that the Duke of Lu (Wang Yanzhang) may personally lead the western expedition, sweeping away all dissidents and eliminating their foes.

These words stirred Zhang Ye's emotions, while Old Man Zhang gasped, "The Duke of Lu is personally leading the expedition? It seems the Emperor is truly enraged..." County Magistrate Li merely stroked his beard slightly, "For His Majesty to be so furious, the evil deeds committed by these two countries must extend far beyond what is outwardly apparent. The Duke of Lu's western expedition will likely be swift and decisive, leaving no room for future trouble."

"Who says it isn't?"

Zhang Cheng continued:
"Furthermore, the Bohai Kingdom in the northeast, as well as the former territories of Goguryeo, Silla, and Baekje—all former territories of the Three Han Kingdoms—have been quite restless lately, seemingly with the Japanese (Wokou) stirring things up behind the scenes. I've heard that His Majesty plans to make a northern tour to Dading Prefecture next spring to convene a meeting of the various banners of the grasslands. This is partly to intimidate the northeast, and partly, perhaps, to manage the Liaodong Peninsula and completely resolve these border troubles. There are also rumors that the ships being built by the Duke of Wei in Quanzhou and Mingzhou are getting larger and larger, capable of sailing across the ocean. If the Japanese continue to cause trouble, His Majesty may very well send an army across the sea to eliminate future threats."

Old Zhang listened intently, muttering, "The Holy Emperor is trying to emulate Emperor Taizong and expand the territory."

“Exactly.” Zhang Cheng nodded and smiled. “Therefore, I personally believe that His Majesty should wait until the Western Regions and the Eastern Frontier are pacified and the whole world truly submits before making the offering to Heaven. At that time, His Majesty will probably be able to achieve a feat that will last for a thousand years and truly live up to his name.”

After he finished speaking, everyone in the hall nodded, and Magistrate Li clapped his hands repeatedly, saying, "So that's how it is! His Majesty's ambitions are indeed beyond our comprehension."

Zhang Ye, being young, was deeply moved, feeling honored to be born in such a prosperous era. Old Zhang, on the other hand, was even more moved. Having personally experienced the chaos and strife of the past, he knew how hard-won the peace and stability of today was, and he admired the Emperor's great talent and strategy. Given the Tang Dynasty's strength in suppressing all sides, it was remarkable that the Emperor had been able to endure until now before opening up new territories to the outside world.

While the three generations of the family were receiving guests, several knocks came from outside the half-open courtyard gate, followed by a clear male voice: "Excuse me, is the host family here?"

Hearing the noise, Aunt Zhang, who was tidying up at the kitchen door, thought it was her granddaughter-in-law returning from shopping. She called to a servant, "Sixth Sister, go open the door quickly and see if it's the young mistress. Help her with her things."

The maid, called Sixth Sister, responded and trotted over to open the courtyard gate.

However, she did not immediately welcome them in. Instead, she whispered a few words to the person outside the door, then turned and quickly returned to the courtyard. With a hint of hesitation on her face, she said to Aunt Zhang:

"Grandma, the person outside isn't the young mistress, but a young couple with a son. They look unfamiliar and don't seem to be from around here. Their demeanor... they seem like important guests from somewhere."

"A young, unfamiliar gentleman?" Aunt Zhang was somewhat surprised. At the end of the year, most of the visitors were relatives and old friends, and it was rare to see a stranger.

She put down her work, wiped her hands on her apron, and walked towards the courtyard gate. "I'll go take a look."

Upon reaching the door, a man and a woman stood outside. The man was tall and imposing, and even though he wore a seemingly ordinary indigo brocade robe and a slightly worn black cloak, his majestic bearing was undeniable. Although he wore no conspicuous ornaments, he carried two rather heavy brocade boxes, which shone like pearls in the dark night, impossible to ignore. His restrained heroic spirit seemed to be innate.

The woman beside him was dressed in a simple, moon-white jacket and skirt. She had a beautiful face and a temperament like a plum blossom in the snow. She was about twenty years old and had a graceful figure. She was holding the hand of a boy who was about five or six years old.

The boy wore a well-fitting royal blue cotton-padded jacket, with a snow-white fox fur collar around his neck. His face was as white as jade, and his features were as delicate as a fairy child in a painting. He stood quietly beside his mother, not making a fuss, but only using his bright and clear eyes to curiously look into the room.

Aunt Zhang was stunned. Her gaze lingered on the man's face. She felt that this man was extraordinary and had an air of nobility about him. Why would he come to her farmhouse?
She cautiously turned her gaze to the woman, feeling a vague familiarity in her features, but unable to recall where she had seen her before. She then offered a polite but slightly reserved smile and asked, "And you two are…?"

The aloof woman stepped forward, a slight smile playing on her lips: "Madam, it's been so many years. How have you been? Do you still remember that young couple in distress that you and your husband took in on the way from Caozhou to Dangshan ten years ago, in the dead of winter?"

Aunt Zhang was startled again, as if the floodgates of memory had been suddenly burst open by those words. Years ago, on that snowy night, the girl's cool, aloof features slowly overlapped with the woman before her, now possessing a more refined and elegant air…

Her eyes widened suddenly, and her finger trembled slightly as she pointed at them: "It's...it's you! Young master! Young lady!"

She turned around abruptly, facing the main room, and called out loudly in her familiar local accent, filled with surprise, "Old man! Old man, come out quickly! Come and see who it is! The young couple you've been thinking about all these years have returned!"

Old Zhang was listening to his son and County Magistrate Li discuss state affairs in the main room when he heard the noise. He paused for a moment, then seemed to remember something, abruptly stood up, forgetting even to take his cane, and stepped out of the main room in a few steps.

When he finally saw the couple standing at the courtyard gate, their charm even greater than before, he was stunned for a moment, then looked them up and down, his gaze lingering on Xiao Yan's face for a long time. Finally, he slapped his thigh and burst into laughter:

"Oh my! It really is a young man and a young woman! Good, good, good! I told you, you two are both excellent people, you will surely overcome all difficulties and grow old together! Look, look, isn't this perfect! This child, oh my, this child is so handsome, just like a fairy child in a New Year's painting!"

Zhang Cheng and County Magistrate Li were also attracted by the unusual commotion outside and followed them out.

The former looked at the unfamiliar couple in front of him and was initially a little confused, but when he heard his father and mother's words, he immediately remembered the old man Zhang would occasionally mention in recent years that when he was away from home on official business, his family had taken in a young couple in distress.

Whenever Old Zhang mentions it, he always wonders if the young couple is doing well afterward, and he often says that their good life was brought to his family by them, and he misses them dearly.

I suppose these two are the ones in front of me.

A smile of realization and enthusiasm immediately appeared on his face, but he paused slightly when his gaze fell on the man.

Although the other person always had a smile on his face and stood there in a very amiable manner, his seemingly ordinary clothes could not hide the kind of... he could not describe it accurately, but he felt that he was profound and imposing, with an aura of nobility that was far beyond that of an ordinary rich kid.

Zhang Cheng knew he didn't have much talent, but having dealt with people at the grassroots level for so many years, he could be considered to have been through many ups and downs in the officialdom. He intuitively felt that the other party was no ordinary person, so he felt a chill in his heart and unconsciously became a little serious.

County Magistrate Li was simply curious.

However, he was also surprised by the couple's appearance and demeanor, which were truly unlike anything he had ever seen in his life. The woman was exceptionally beautiful, but the man, despite not looking very old, possessed a kind of heroic and reserved air, exuding an aura of authority without anger. When he met those dark, piercing eyes, even he, a county magistrate, subconsciously wanted to lower his gaze and avoid them.

Therefore, Magistrate Li was secretly alarmed. Listening to the words of the old man and his wife, he vaguely knew where Zhang Cheng's official career came from, but he didn't know who this man was.

Xiao Yan handed the brocade box in his hand to the sixth lady, then bowed to Old Man Zhang and Aunt Zhang and said with a smile, "Old man, aunt, it's been many years. Are you both still in good health?"

"Still healthy, still very healthy!" Old Zhang grinned from ear to ear and hurried forward. "Thanks to you all, life has gotten better and better these past few years. We have enough to eat and wear, and we feel comfortable. Naturally, our health is also good. Come on in and sit down. It's cold outside, but we've lit a fire inside, so it's warm."

As he spoke, he caught sight of the brocade box in Sixth Sister's hand and complained, "You're already here, why bring all this stuff!"

Xiao Yan smiled, looked at his son beside him, and said, "Dai'er, call him Grandpa and Grandma."

The quiet little boy raised his bright black eyes, looked at Old Man Zhang and Aunt Zhang, and obediently called out in his childish voice, "Grandpa, Grandma," just as his father had instructed.

This call filled Old Man Zhang and Aunt Zhang with joy. Aunt Zhang responded repeatedly, her eyes welling up with tears: "Oh, oh, good child, so good, so good!"

Looking at Li Dai's delicate and serene features, her affection was evident. "Look at this little one, how can he be so handsome? He's just like his parents!"

Old Zhang was overjoyed and didn't know what to do. For a moment, he forgot that he had two great-grandchildren. He squatted down and tried to soften his loud voice: "Little one, your name is Dai'er, right? How old are you?"

“Six years old,” Li Dai replied quietly, holding up six slender white fingers.

At this moment, the great-granddaughter, who had been nestled in her granddaughter-in-law's arms with two little pigtails, saw the unfamiliar child at the door who was about her age but as beautiful as a jade doll. She couldn't help but break free from her mother's embrace, run to Old Zhang's side, tug at her grandfather's clothes, and stare intently at Li Dai.

As for the other chubby-faced great-grandson of the Zhang family, he was clearly a bit shy and huddled behind his mother's legs.

Li Dai also noticed this girl of similar age, and his eyes revealed a hint of curiosity as he tilted his head slightly to examine her.

"Six years old is good, six years old is great!"

Old Zhang looked at Li Dai, then at his great-granddaughter who was tugging at his clothes, and felt both moved and happy. He quickly invited Xiao Yan and Ji Ruxue into the house, saying, "Quick, come inside and sit down, don't let the child get cold! It's warm inside!"

He greeted them warmly, then looked down at his great-granddaughter and said, "Niu Niu, quickly greet him, this is... your uncle." He didn't know how to get the two children to become friends.

The little girl with two pigtails looked at Li Dai, blinked, and muttered softly, "Uncle."

Li Dai looked at him and smiled slightly in response.

Xiao Yan waved his hand slightly, glanced at Zhang Cheng and County Magistrate Li standing behind Old Man Zhang, and said gently, "Old man, there's no need to bother. We are relieved to see that you two are well today. Since we seem to have guests at your residence, we will not disturb you any longer. We will find another opportunity to visit you two in person another day."

"Hey! What kind of talk is that!"

Upon hearing this, Old Man Zhang became anxious. He disregarded the subtle air of nobility he sensed and grabbed Xiao Yan's sleeve, fearing they would leave.

"What's with all this talk of guests? This is my son, and this is Magistrate Li from Dangshan County. We're not strangers! You've come all this way, with such a young child in your arms. How can you leave without even having a cup of hot tea? No, absolutely not! We didn't get to treat you properly back then, so we have to make up for it today!"

Aunt Zhang chimed in, "That's right! We parted so hastily back then, and I didn't even get to treat you to a proper meal. I've been thinking about it ever since. You absolutely have to have a meal before you leave today!"

Before Xiao Yan could refuse again, she immediately instructed the servant beside her, "Sixth Sister, go and see if there is any fresh, good meat left, and buy two more live fish. If there are any newly arrived winter bamboo shoots from Jiangnan, buy some as well! Old man, go to the cellar and get a few jars of old wine!"

At this moment, Zhang Cheng also stepped forward with a smile and solemnly bowed to Xiao Yan and Ji Ruxue:
"My name is Zhang Cheng. I have met you, young master and madam. My parents have often mentioned you two, and they are grateful for your help back then. Today, I am honored to meet you both. You are indeed extraordinary. Since you are old friends of my parents, you are honored guests of the Zhang family. Please stay, so that my parents may have something to say about your long-standing friendship, and so that I may do my part as a host."

Although Magistrate Li was unaware of the situation, seeing the scene, he readily agreed, bowing and saying, "Indeed, it is fate that we meet. The New Year is a time of great celebration, so please don't refuse."

Xiao Yan and Ji Ruxue exchanged a glance, and seeing a gentle smile in her eyes, they knew that she was also willing.

He pondered for a moment, then finally nodded and smiled at Old Man Zhang, saying, "Since that's the case, then I'll respectfully comply. I'll have to trouble you both again, old man and old woman."

"No trouble at all! No trouble at all! Please come in, please come in!" Old Zhang was overjoyed and quickly stepped aside to lead the way.

Looking at the quiet Li Dai and his curious great-granddaughter, he was overjoyed and said repeatedly, "It's warm inside, there's a charcoal brazier, and freshly steamed rice cakes, they're so sweet! Niu Niu, take your uncle inside!"

Having heard her grandfather's words, Niu Niu became a little bolder. She moved closer to Li Dai, wanting to take his hand, but was also a little shy.

Li Dai smiled serenely at her, and Niu Niu, seeing this handsome "little uncle" and the adults on both sides smiling, became even bolder. She reached out to take Li Dai's hand and said in her childish voice, "Little uncle, come inside and play, eat cake."

Li Dai seemed somewhat surprised. Looking at the little girl in front of him, who was a little shorter than him, he didn't flinch away. He let her soft little hand grab a few of his fingers, then raised his eyes and looked at his parents with a slightly questioning expression.

Xiao Yan laughed heartily at the sight, while Ji Ruxue smiled and nodded gently to her son.

With his mother's permission, Li Dai followed Niu Niu, who was eagerly watching him, and walked towards the main room.

The courtyard became lively again. Aunt Zhang directed her daughter-in-law and servants to hurry up and prepare the lunch. Xiao Yan and Ji Ruxue were also warmly invited into the courtyard by Old Man Zhang and his three generations of grandparents.

(End of this chapter)