Chapter 210 It’s Snowing

The cold wind howled outside.

There was already an underground dragon buried in the basement of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, with charcoal burning in it. After the winter solstice, an incense burner was added, with sandalwood burning in it. The windows were closed, and the whole hall was filled with fragrance, and it was warm like spring.

A map made of silk brocade was spread on the floor tiles in front of the imperial desk, occupying almost half of the room.

A pair of bright yellow satin boots were placed next to the map. Emperor Yongchang walked slowly on the map with his hands behind his back, as if he was measuring this vast empire with his footsteps.

Emperor Yongchang was walking when he suddenly stopped. His eyes slowly swept from the Central Plains to the southern border, then looked at the southeast region. After a pause, he shifted his gaze to the outside of the Great Wall. His feet were on Shandong and Jiangsu respectively.

Dai Quan stood beside the imperial desk with his head down, his eyes quietly following the footsteps of Emperor Yongchang.

After a while, Emperor Yongchang raised his feet, and then his feet stepped on the Central Plains.

Dai Quan seemed to understand something.

Finally, Emperor Yongchang spoke: “Tell the cabinet that the people in the counties and cities flooded in Henan will be exempted from taxes for another year.”

Dai Quan felt relieved when he heard this. He thought the emperor would implement the new policy in the Central Plains region at the same time.

Emperor Yongchang went on to say, “Since May this year, in order to raise military funds, several provinces have increased taxes on the people, especially the people of Shuntian Prefecture. Now that the court has money and grain, it is time to pay back the people.”

Dai Quan quickly complained: “Your Majesty is as merciful as the sky!”

“Forget it. This money won’t reach the people.”

Emperor Yongchang started walking back and forth again, saying, “Except for Shuntian Prefecture, the provinces that have increased taxes will be exempted from taxes for one year. The Ministry of Revenue will immediately allocate funds and return the extra taxes to the people of Shuntian Prefecture before the twelfth lunar month.”

Dai Quan responded loudly: “As you wish!”

“Your Majesty, we are coming from Hetao, and we need to rush here 600 miles.” The voice of the eunuch on duty came from outside the palace gate.

Dai Quan was startled, and walked quickly to the door, gently pushed it open a crack, and sure enough, there were three feathers stuck on it!

After receiving the urgent letter, Dai Quan immediately closed the door, then walked to the map and presented it with both hands.

Emperor Yongchang snatched the urgent letter, tore open the seal and read it. After reading only a few lines, he snorted coldly.

Dai Quan was surprised.

After a long while, Emperor Yongchang closed the urgent letter and said slowly: “Xie Jing won a small victory in the Houtao area. The remnants of the Ikh Zhao League, with the support of those filthy cat princes of the Ulanqab League, attacked several mountain passes and were repelled by our army. More than 700 enemy soldiers died, and our army lost 108 people. However, one mountain pass was breached and burned. Xie Jing said that we must guard against the enemy’s surprise attack this winter.” At this point, he sighed, “I regret it!”

Dai Quan understood that if he had allowed Li Hu to continue fighting, although he still could not take down the Ulanqab League, he would have certainly severely damaged the enemy and there would not be what we have today. If the tiger is not killed, it will eventually become a problem!
After pondering for a long time, Emperor Yongchang said: “Tell the cabinet to send an envoy to Shengjing and ask the Jurchens to send the heads of those princes of the Ikh Zhao League to the capital. Also, ask the Jurchens to tell those filthy cat princes of the Ulanqab League that if they happen again, I will destroy the Ulanqab League.”

Dai Quan responded loudly, “Yes, sir!” and was about to leave.

“Wait a moment!”

Emperor Yongchang took out a list of meritorious soldiers from the express delivery, took a look at it, and then walked to the imperial desk.

After a moment of silence, Emperor Yongchang picked up a pen and made a mark on the list.

Dai Quan took a look and saw that it was Liu Xianglian’s name that was crossed out.

Emperor Yongchang: “Approved.” Then he handed the list to Dai Quan.

Dai Quan opened his mouth, finally responded with a “yes”, and walked out.

Emperor Yongchang started walking again with his hands behind his back, and suddenly shouted, “Someone come!”

The eunuch on duty came in in response.

Emperor Yongchang: “Go ask the third prince when the new city in the Hetao area will be built?!”

The eunuch on duty said, “Yes.” Then he reported, “Your Majesty, Earl Zhongyong is back.”

Emperor Yongchang: “Oh? Where is he now?”

The eunuch on duty said: “Well, Lord Zhongyong has returned directly to the palace. He should be here soon.”

Emperor Yongchang was amused: “What a useless thing! You have no ambition.”

The eunuch on duty saw this and asked quietly, “Should I ask someone to summon Earl Zhongyong to the palace?”

Emperor Yongchang waved his hand and said, “No need.”

“Yes.” The eunuch on duty bowed and walked out.

At this moment, a low cry came from outside: “It’s snowing!”

Emperor Yongchang turned around and walked to the window to look out. Snowflakes were falling from the sky.
The cold wind was howling and the snow was falling even heavier than before. What a good omen!
Two servants came out from the corner door holding large brooms and walked towards the main gate.

A servant put down his broom, rubbed his hands and breathed: “What a heavy snow!”

Another servant said: “Stop talking nonsense and start sweeping the snow. Uncle San will come out and criticize us later.” As he said that, he started sweeping the space in front of the door.

Suddenly, there was a burst of hurried horse hoofbeats. Before the two servants who were sweeping the snow could come to their senses, they saw a group of cavalrymen stopped in front of the mansion gate.

“Second Master.”

“Second Master is back!”

The two servants finally reacted, hurriedly threw away the brooms in their hands, and strode forward to salute: “Greetings, Master.”

Li Hu smiled and nodded: “Get up.”

The two servants said, “Yes.” They kowtowed and stood up. They ran to the front door together, banged on the door knocker, and shouted, “Open the front door quickly. The master is back home!”

Li Hu looked at the gate and found it was indeed much more imposing. There was a plaque above the main gate with four large characters “Loyal and Brave Earl’s Mansion” written on it.

Unlike the Ning and Rong mansions, the Li mansion was built by Li Hu himself. At this time, the two heavy middle doors opened.

Immediately afterwards, Li San hurried out from the side door.

“The snow is slippery, please walk slower!” Li Hu dismounted and strode forward.

Li San said excitedly: “The Second Master is back.” Then he was about to salute.

Li Hu hurriedly supported him and said, “Let’s skip these empty formalities in the future.”

Li San: “Etiquette cannot be abolished.” He bowed and saluted.

All the stewards and servants knelt down in unison: “Greetings, Master!”

Li Hu smiled and nodded: “Get up, everyone get up.”

All the stewards and servants kowtowed heavily again: “Thank you, Master!” and stood up.

Li Hu: “Let’s go home.” Then he took Li San’s arm and walked into the middle door.

As Li San walked, he said, “Second Master, go see Miss Lin.” At this point, he smiled and said, “I didn’t ask anyone to tell Miss Lin.”

Li Hu also laughed: “Just walk slowly.” Then he strode towards the backyard.

Because of the heavy snow, the backyard was covered in white.

The women were already sweeping the snow along the paths.

Seeing Li Hu striding towards them, the maids were startled at first, then they all knelt down and said, “Greetings, Master of the family.”

Suddenly, a silver bell-like laughter came from Lin Daiyu’s courtyard.

Li Hu listened carefully and heard Lin Daiyu’s voice, then he walked in quietly.

In the snow, Lin Daiyu, wearing a white fox fur cloak, was playing with Xueyan, Qingwen, and a few little maids. She was very happy!
Li Hu walked over slowly and found that Lin Daiyu had a handkerchief covering her eyes and they were playing hide-and-seek.

Qingwen was sharp-eyed and was about to speak when she suddenly remembered something and silently bowed to Li Hu.

Xueyan also saw Li Hu and was about to speak, but Qingwen covered her mouth with a smirk and pulled her back to the living room.

Li Hu smiled and waved to the little girls.

The little girls understood, held back their laughter and ran out.

Only Li Hu and Lin Daiyu are left here.

Lin Daiyu seemed to have noticed something, so she stopped and called out, “Xueyan, Xueyan Qingwen!”

Li Hu walked over slowly, his feet stepping on the snow, making a crackling sound.

Lin Daiyu came towards him.

Li Hu stopped and looked at Lin Daiyu who was walking slowly towards him. Could this girl walk in a straight line with her eyes blindfolded?

Lin Daiyu walked up to Li Hu and stopped.

Li Hu raised his eyebrows. Could it be that this girl could see it?
Thinking of this, Li Hu stretched out his hand and waved it in front of Lin Daiyu, but there was no response.

At this time, Lin Daiyu stretched out her hand and groped Li Hu, saying, “Qingwen, is that you?” As she spoke, her small hands touched Li Hu’s cheeks, “Oh, why did your face suddenly become bigger, like a pig’s head?” The slightly cold small hands slid towards Li Hu’s ears.

Li Hu was stunned. Pig head?

“Ouch, be gentle~”

“I knew you were playing tricks on me!”

“You can see it!”

“nonsense!”

“Let go first!”

“Don’t let go, don’t let go, I won’t let go!”

“You forced me to do it!”

Li Hu picked her up, kissed her, hugged her and held her high.

“No, let go”

“Well”

Lin Daiyu finally managed to free herself, but the handkerchief covering her eyes had already slipped off. She punched Li Hu in shame and anger, “Put me down!”

“did you miss me?”

“Bah! Put me down now!”

Li Hu let her go, picked up the handkerchief on the ground and took a look, “Wow, it really can…”

Lin Daiyu hurriedly covered Li Hu’s mouth, blushing: “Don’t talk nonsense.”

Li Hu looked at her with a smile and moved his face closer.

Lin Daiyu’s neck turned red with embarrassment, and she said in a voice as soft as a mosquito: “This is outside.”

Li Hu was happy: “Come on, let’s go into the house and talk.” Then he put his arm around her waist, holding her in his arms, and strode into the house.

(End of this chapter)