Chinese New Year

Chapter 1503 No More Old Friends

The iron pot was bubbling and steaming, and Shao Zhen, her face flushed, moved it onto the makeshift stove.

This thing is really heavy. Why not use a rice steamer instead of a big iron pot?

While he was busy, he secretly glanced at the distance and saw the emperor pacing back and forth in front of Liuhua Courtyard, talking to a group of elders.

Before long, they got closer, and Shao Zhen could vaguely hear some sounds.

"Oh? You came here with Yu Yuangui back then?" Shao Xun asked in surprise.

“That’s right.” An old man replied, “I am a soldier of the Yu family. I moved here from Yanling to guard the garrison, and later settled here.”

"Do you have any descendants?"

"Yes, a whole family."

"How are you doing?" Shao Xun pressed.

“Guangchengze is all good land now, and the yield per mu is plentiful,” the old man replied. “We are always given priority access to the new products cultivated in Guangcheng Garden.”

"What things?" Shao Xun asked with great interest.

"We have grown many kinds of cabbage. We can take them home to grow and then sell them at the post station. We can make a lot of money that way."

“Cabbage is good, but there are so many kinds that we can’t tell them apart.” An old man surnamed Le chimed in, “Officials traveling to and from the post station like bamboo shoots, leeks, and cabbage the most.”

“There are plenty of officials willing to pay for stewed cabbage and pork,” said another elderly man surnamed Hao.

This man was Hao Chang's cousin, and he had also settled here. In truth, these families were all part of the overseer group at Guangchengze in the early days. At that time, many of the laborers were prisoners of war, and they needed to bring their family soldiers to help guard the area, saving Shao Xun's energy and manpower. Now, the laborers had long since become civilians, started families and established themselves—and, barring any unforeseen circumstances, this was their second time starting a family and establishing themselves—and these families still held considerable prestige in the area.

When Shao Xun heard them mention cabbage, he laughed and walked towards Shao Zhen.

There were actually two iron pots here, one of which was stewing bamboo shoots and cabbage. Shao Zhen reminded him that the bamboo shoots were too old and not suitable for stewing cabbage, but Shao Xun just wanted to eat them.

The other iron pot was filled with stewed beef with cabbage, and the aroma was so enticing that you could smell it from seven or eight steps away.

Shao Xun gestured for everyone to sit down and wait for the dishes to be served. He casually asked, "Besides cabbage, what else is there?"

“Your Majesty, Guangcheng rice is quite good,” said the old man from the Yu family. “It used to be grown in great quantities, not only in Guangcheng Garden but also by ordinary households. Seventy percent of the rice distributed by nobles in Luoyang before the New Year was from Guangchengze.”

“In recent years, water has been scarce, and fewer households are growing rice. Many people have returned to growing millet and wheat,” said the elderly man surnamed Le. “Or they have switched to growing broad beans.”

"How about Guangcheng soybeans?" Shao Xun asked.

"The official said we could use them to extract oil. We planted them for several years and found that they did indeed produce more oil than ordinary beans, but the amount was only limited."

Shao Xun nodded and said, "Don't rush. You can't get high-oil-yielding beans overnight; sometimes you need a bit of luck."

Everyone said yes again and again.

"Your Majesty, the oxen raised by the Imperial Household Department are also quite good. Now, two households share one ox, and they are very efficient at plowing the fields," Old Hao interjected. "At the end of the Zhenming era, there were even new dairy cows that produced four or five times more milk, and those who raised them all said they were excellent."

Shao Xun was intrigued and asked, "Do the people of Guangchengze also enjoy eating milk?"

“There are large areas of forest here for grazing. With more livestock, they will naturally drink milk. Every morning, I will cook milk porridge with new rice, wild vegetables and cow's milk. I eat two big bowls of it and I will have energy all day.”

Shao Xun laughed heartily upon hearing this, saying, "I am overjoyed to see that Guangcheng Garden can bring you all such benefits."

After saying this, he instructed Shao Zhen to serve the dishes to everyone, and added, "I am always very satisfied to see a few more dishes on the people's tables. We can't let decades of fighting and killing end in extreme poverty, with bare walls and hungry faces, can we?"

"With such a variety of things left to the world, such as oxen, dairy cows, strong horses, rice, beans, and vegetables, I can rest assured."

"As long as Guangcheng Garden and Shaofu remain, they will continue to improve and benefit more people generation after generation."

"Alright, the food's here, let's stop here. Come on, let's eat."

Shao Xun invited the group to have dinner with him, and they all agreed in unison, their faces beaming with pride—you know what, stewed cabbage with meat is really delicious.

******
The sound of a dead branch breaking underfoot rang out, and a hand gently stroked the willows on the embankment.

The lake water was crystal clear, rippling gently.

The long embankment stretches into the distance, disappearing into the horizon.

Houses are scattered in a pleasing, staggered pattern, some with signs advertising their sale hanging on them.

When the world was in chaos, high-ranking officials and nobles from Luoyang flocked to this place to settle down and seek a life of ease.

When the world was at peace, they found the place too remote and left, either voluntarily or involuntarily.

Upon careful reflection, it evokes a myriad of emotions.

But this is not bad either. Isn't this what I've been aiming for? To restore order to our lost land and give the people a bright and clear world.

After standing under the tree for a long time, Shao Xun continued walking along the embankment.

A carriage followed behind him, with his daughter Wang Huiwan sitting inside, coaxing her five-year-old son to sleep—she and Xu Xuan had two sons and a daughter, the eldest of whom was already fourteen. For many years, Lu Xun enjoyed strolling along the long embankment with Badger in her arms, often accompanied by Princess Xiangcheng, Sima Xiuyi.

For Wang Huiwan, this long dike also held significance for her, so she often came here to stay at the former residence of Princess Xiangcheng for a while, which seemed to bring her peace of mind.

The carriage slowly came to a stop. Wang Huiwan got off the carriage, walked to Shao Xun's side, and silently stayed with him.

“Huiwan, of all my daughters, you are the one I owe the most.” Shao Xun suddenly stopped and asked, “What do you want?”

Wang Huiwan's heart skipped a beat, and she felt a sudden, inexplicable panic.

“I lack nothing.” Wang Huiwan shook her head and asked softly, “Why do you ask that, Grandpa?”

Shao Xun turned around, looked at his daughter, smiled, and said, "Before, I had to urge you before you would call me Grandpa."

Wang Huiwan did not lower her head shyly as usual, but continued to look at her father.

"Are the children alright?" Shao Xun asked.

"All is well," Wang Huiwan said. "Jianniang is fourteen years old, and someone has already come to propose marriage to her recently."

"It's too early," Shao Xun shook his head and said, "Let's wait another four or five years."

After saying that, he said with some emotion, "I never thought that the little person who nestled in your arms back then would grow up. In my heart, you are still a child. When I first saw you, your small body was dressed in an elaborate dress, following behind your mother, looking as meticulous as a palace tutor."

Wang Huiwan was also lost in memories.

When she first met her father, she was still confused and did not know who the man in front of her was who was looking at her with surprise, guilt and affection.

All he remembered was that his mother's attitude towards him wasn't very good, but the man didn't seem to care, and instead smiled and tried to please his mother.

After leaving, just before boarding the carriage, the expression on her mother's face was something Wang Huiwan couldn't understand at the time. But now she knows, it was regret and melancholy.

My mother was strong her whole life, but she only opened up to me on her deathbed.

As for her, she now has too many memories to reminisce about.

After composing himself, Shao Xun asked, "How is Kuanming?"

“I’ve started studying, and last month I practiced martial arts for the first time. I’m very dedicated,” Wang Huiwan replied softly.

Kuanming is the eldest son of Xu Xuan and Wang Huiwan. He is seven years old this year, while their second son, Kuanliang, is only five years old.

Upon hearing about his grandson's situation, Shao Xun looked up at the sky and said, "Your husband's mourning period is over, isn't it? In a couple of days, he will become the governor of Xiangcheng. From now on, just live a peaceful life here. The mountains and rivers are beautiful, and you can live a life free from worldly strife. Isn't that wonderful?"

A gentle breeze blows, and the willows sway gently.

Shao Xun held a willow branch in his palm, as if to comfort him, and said, "In this way, Grandpa can rest assured. Wealth and power are all fleeting in the end; peace is the true blessing."

“Grandpa, you—” Wang Huiwan stared intently at Shao Xun, her usually calm eyes filled with worry.

Shao Xun's smile gradually brightened as he said, "Don't worry, Grandpa is just tired. He's been thinking too much and it's taking a toll on him."

Wang Huiwan fell silent.

She had a premonition that her father was about to leave her, and she hoped it was just her imagination.

I wanted to ask clearly, but it wasn't the right time.

The world is so big, and there are only a few people she cares about. She regrets that she subconsciously distanced herself from her father because of embarrassment.

The father turned around and slowly walked along the embankment.

His body was still broad and strong, and he could still shelter her from the wind and rain.

He was composed and calm, as if there was nothing in the world he couldn't handle.

His eyes were full of appreciation and satisfaction, as if Guang Chengze's life achievements were a microcosm of his accomplishments.

He seemed to feel a little regretful, because Guang Chengze was also changing, both in people and things.

It's not easy for him to see even a few acquaintances on his trip. Most of his old friends have long since passed away and are buried in their hometowns, making it difficult for him to even pay his respects.

After all, thirty or forty years have passed.

The sunlight was obscured by a dark cloud, and Wang Huiwan was slightly startled before regaining her senses.

Her father had already walked quite a distance and was waving goodbye to her.

The soldiers gathered in turn, crowding around their father.

The father had a bright smile on his face, looking carefree and relaxed, just like always.

(End of this chapter)