The late emperor passed away and the young emperor succeeded the throne.
Dongqing valued filial piety. Naturally, they would not change the year right after they succeeded the throne. Therefore, the matter of changing the year name had been delayed from the beginning of the year to the first day of the new year.
Therefore, the new year was also known as the first year of Chengzong.
If it was a peaceful era, such a big event like changing the year would be a cause for celebration.
However, it was different now. Dongqing was divided, the feudal lords were divided, and the reputation of the court was at rock bottom.
To put it bluntly, the young emperor's edict could only be effective in the vicinity of Chenzhou. It was just a roll of yellow cloth anywhere else.
As the lord, Jiang Pengji should receive the New Year's greetings from the officials in the state capital. However, the state capital of Wanzhou had not been built yet. There were still many things for her to deal with in Chenzhou and Hu County. The officials were so busy that they wanted the people to have a good New Year.
When the people under her rule reunited with their families, Jiang Pengji, Liu She, and Liu Zhao gathered for a simple dinner.
"Happy New Year!"
Jiang Pengji changed into a new set of clothes and accepted the New Year's gift from Liu She with a smile.
"Father, happy New Year."
Liu Zhao was still dressed like a rich young master. He was more particular about his clothes and accessories.
Not to mention the material of his clothes, just the flower and bird fan in his hand was made of silk and the frame of the fan was made of sandalwood. It was exquisite like a work of art.
"Sister, happy New Year."
Liu Zhao said his New Year's greetings and looked at Jiang Pengji eagerly.
He liked elegant and rich things. His daily clothes and accessories had to be perfumed before he wore them. The daily expenses were not small.
Liu Zhao's life was tight with the fixed monthly allowance given by Liu She. He looked forward to getting a big red envelope from Jiang Pengji during the New Year.
Jiang Pengji could not help but smile. She replied with her greetings but did not take out the big red envelope that Liu Zhao had expected.
Liu Zhao was speechless.
He felt wronged. Did he have to continue eating dirt next month?
When Liu Zhao was discouraged, Jiang Pengji said, "I have sent someone to send it to your room."
Liu Zhao's eyes suddenly lit up. He wanted to shout, "Long live sister."
Liu She was rather displeased. "He is always chasing dogs and fighting cocks. He is ignorant and incompetent. If you continue to spoil him, he will rely on you in the future."
Liu Zhao was most afraid of Liu She. Hearing him reprimand him, he quickly hid behind Jiang Pengji.
Fortunately, Jiang Pengji was tall. Otherwise, how could she block Liu Zhao?
Jiang Pengji smiled and said, "So be it. It's not like I can't afford to raise him."
"Sister, if that's the case, can you ask Father to give me a raise?"
Not only did Liu Zhao depend on his sister, but he also depended on his father.
What made people sad and indignant was that after gnawing on him, he was still a Moonlight Clan member.
It couldn't be helped. He liked to live an exquisite and luxurious life, so his daily expenses were naturally not small.
Liu She's face twitched. If it wasn't for the fact that he didn't wear his sword during the New Year, he would have drawn his sword and let Liu Zhao know why the flowers were so red.
You're a man, yet you're so keen on living off a woman. Can't you have some backbone?
There were only three people at the New Year's banquet, but this was Liu Zhao's first time celebrating the New Year with so many people.
In the past, in the backyard of the Liu residence, Madam Gu Zhen was bedridden and Madam Hu did not like to see him. Even on a big day like the New Year, he would stay in his courtyard and eat the dinner prepared by the servants. In his eyes, there was nothing special about the New Year except that there were more rations.
Liu She glared at Liu Zhao.
"Come over early tomorrow to pay your respects."
Liu Zhao's expression instantly collapsed.
Ever since Liu She retreated behind the scenes and handed over all the government affairs to Jiang Pengji, his life had been completely idle.
At first, he was not used to it, but after a long time, he felt happy. Every day, he would fish, walk the dog, play with the birds, visit friends, read and paint …
He was happy, but Liu Zhao was completely gloomy.
Once the old man was idle, he always liked to find things for himself to do. Liu Zhao's life became more and more difficult. Every day, he was asked to do his homework.
Due to his authority, he obeyed for a while.
After a long time, he could not stand it anymore. He simply ran to Jiang Pengji's place to seek refuge.
His biological sister was indeed his biological sister. Not only did she not protect him, but she also tied him up and sent him back to Liu She to receive education in love.
Hearing Liu She ask him to pay his respects early tomorrow, Liu Zhao's scalp went numb.
"Sister, save me …"
Liu Zhao lowered his voice and shook Jiang Pengji's sleeves. His eyes sent out a signal for help.
Amidst the howls of the audience in the streaming room, "So cute," "Let Auntie rub you," and "Streamer, you lack a sister-in-law," Jiang Pengji unceremoniously sold Liu Zhao out. She dodged sideways and heartlessly abandoned Liu Zhao, who had sent out the signal for help, leaving him to Liu She to deal with.
On the seventh day of the new year, the market reopened.
Xiangyang District was Jiang Pengji's original foundation. Under her painstaking management, it had been expanded again and again. Not only had the city walls been expanded, but the surrounding villages had also been included in the outer city and reorganized. Xiangyang District was now one of the most prosperous areas in the north.
After the New Year, the number of people on the streets increased sharply. Apart from the locals, there were also many figures of outsiders.
These outsiders were all Dongqing students who came because of its reputation. Some were from aristocratic families, while others were from poor families.
In their usual impression, Xiangyang District should be a remote and backward small town. After experiencing the double suppression of the Tsing Yi Army and the Red Lotus Group, it should be desolate and cold. Beyond their expectations, ever since they entered Wanzhou, the scenery they saw made them suspicious.
Suspicious of what?
They were suspicious of what year it was now!
It was clearly a chaotic time, but in Wanzhou, it was a scene of prosperity.
There were wars everywhere in Dongqing, and there were constant conflicts between the feudal vassals. Outside Wanzhou, they could see refugees dressed in rags. Once they crossed the border, they could see well-proportioned fields and straw in the middle of the fields. Occasionally, they could see hardworking commoners and urchins.
After entering the city, they couldn't believe their eyes.
The streets were neatly planned, the eaves were arranged neatly, the houses on the left and right were exquisite and elegant. The vendors on the street were all in high spirits, their faces glowing.
Not only were they in good spirits, but the clothes they wore were also very clean. There were few patches on them.
"Happy New Year."
In the streets and alleys, joyous celebrations could be heard everywhere.
"Happy, happy New Year …"
A little girl in a red coat stood by the side of the road. She raised her head and looked at the vendor who was carrying the goods in a daze.
The vendor didn't hear her at first, but the little girl shouted again seriously.
After a while, she gulped down a mouthful of saliva.
The peddler finally noticed the little girl, and when he saw her delicate face, his expression became even gentler.
Seeing that the little girl was staring at the honey hawthorn fruits he had made, he smiled and took one for her.
"Happy New Year. Take it and eat it."
Just by looking at the child's attire, he knew that he was from a wealthy family.
"Thank you."
The little girl grinned and took the New Year's gift from the vendor. Before she could put it into her mouth, a weak-looking boy appeared beside her.
The boy looked only six or seven years old. He was thin, but his expression was very mature. The corners of his lips were tightly pursed.
"Uncle, you have to do business too. You can't take advantage of others."
He raised one hand and took the little girl's hand. With his other hand, he took out a few coins from the money bag at his waist and gave it to the vendor.
After saying that, he led the little girl away.
The peddler took the money. Seeing the boy's attire and the book basket on his shoulder, he exclaimed in hindsight.
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