On a winter day in the sixth year of the Qing calendar, the gloomy dusk sun shone through from the distant Cang Mountains. The weather was very cold. The private residences in the wilderness were all white. It was snow.
The clouds gradually thickened and swallowed the gloomy sun into darkness. The wind also gradually grew stronger, picking up the accumulated snow on the ground and sending it dancing in the air. More snow fell from the sky. Snowflakes of different colors from different places used the power of the wind to tangle together. In the oppressive air, they twisted and turned their heads, displaying different levels of whiteness and coldness.
The wind and snow rose again. The people hurrying on the road were unspeakably miserable. They all searched for the nearest cottage or inn to rest. This year, there had been no floods in the Qing Kingdom, but the snowfall was not small. Fortunately, during the summer, the disaster relief in the Jiangnan counties had gone unusually smoothly. The affected people had a place to stay, so the chances of them freezing to death were much lower.
This was Yingzhou, the province that had suffered the most from the floods. It was also the place where the bandits were the most ferocious after the disaster.
However, ever since the imperial envoy Fan Xian had come to Jiangnan, the bandits in Yingzhou had become much more well-behaved, perhaps because they were afraid of the might of heaven or the legendary methods of Sir Fan junior. They had already disappeared for a long time.
It was because of this that there were travelers who dared to walk on the road in this snowy day. However, now that the man-made disaster had passed, the heavens did not give them any face. Although the Yangtze River had not been sealed, not many people were willing to brave the harsh cold and walk in the direction of Jingdou.
Other than the group of carriages that were all black.
…
…
The windows and lower edges of the carriages were sealed very well. Not a sliver of cold air could penetrate. However, the thick cotton curtains in front of the carriage blocked the attack of the wind and snow. Occasionally, they gave out a few muffled cries of sorrow.
There was a heater in the carriage. A gust of hot air followed the fragrance and rose into the air, making the carriage as warm as spring. It formed a clear contrast with the harsh cold outside.
Fan Xian felt a little hot. He put two fingers on his right hand to his neck and loosened the buttons on his fur coat, exposing his neck. He took two deep breaths and put down the file in his hands. He squinted and looked out of the carriage.
Outside the carriage was a vast expanse of whiteness. The houses of Cang Shan Village, the winter fields and ponds were all covered in snow, frozen into ice mirrors. The scene of the flood that they saw when they passed by this place in the past was no longer visible. The people who died in the flood had long been buried. Perhaps their white bones were still trembling in the depths of the snow.
In the distance was a row of simple and crude houses. It could be seen that the materials used to build them were not very sturdy and could not keep out the cold. Looking at the spots of fire light and warmth seeping out from inside, Fan Xian nodded his head with satisfaction. As long as there was firewood for the stove, it was fine. Although the commoners lived hard lives, they could endure it. A little warmth could protect them through this harsh winter.
"Let's find a place to rest." Fan Xian looked at the snow-covered Overwatch Council carriage driver outside the carriage and couldn't resist furrowing his brows. "Although it is important to hurry, don't get sick from the cold."
"Yes, sir."
The group of carriages slowly made a turn and drove along the widest ridge toward the neighboring village.
Fan Xian was returning to Jingdou to report on his work. The court had set the date of his return there. Who knew that they would run into the heaviest snowfall in years and be delayed in Shazhou for a few days. Time suddenly became tight. Thus, the subordinates of the Overwatch Council followed his wishes and changed carriages in Shazhou to travel along the road against the wind and snow.
When they entered the village, a local Li Zheng had already rushed over to welcome them. This Li Zheng had his hands in a thick cotton-padded jacket, curiously and fearfully looking at the black motorcade. He was wondering which important person would travel in this windy and snowy weather.
Naturally, there were Overwatch Council officials who went to negotiate with him. Fan Xian didn't want to disturb the place too much, so he traveled stealthily the entire way. He got off the carriage and felt the snowflakes follow the cold wind into his collar. Unconsciously, he tightened his buckles and walked toward the village with the silver-white fox fur cloak.
Hong Changqing led a few swordsmen of the Sixth Bureau and followed silently behind him.
Fan Xian glanced out of the corner of his eye and thought of Wan 'er, who was still busy in Jiangnan. The Third Prince had already returned to the capital a month earlier. In order to ensure his wife's safety, he had left Gao Da and the other seven Tiger Guards in Hangzhou.
When they left Danzhou, it was early autumn. Fan Xian and his group first returned to Hangzhou. These few months were mainly used to clean out the remnants of the Junshang Conference in Jiangnan, as well as other matters.
The matter they had agreed on in Danzhou had been approved by the Palace. Wan 'er had taken the lead. The matter had developed unexpectedly smoothly. The Xiong family of Lingnan and the Sun family of Quanzhou had both invested a large sum of silver into the Conference. Even the Ming family, which was like a declining mountain, had shown some interest. However, Wan' er still hadn't thought of a name for this organization or its true use, so she had first taken the name of the Hangzhou Conference and made do with it.
With the support of silver and Fan Xian's connections, the Hangzhou Conference could easily purchase Northern Qi's grain ahead of time. It could easily connect with the various provinces without worrying about the government finding trouble. Additionally, with the connections of the Fan, Liu, and Lin families all over the world, as well as Xia Qifei's Jiangnan water bandits' channel deep into the people, the Hangzhou Conference developed quickly. The entire Jiangnan disaster relief work, other than the court's channel, had another smooth and speedy channel.
However, Fan Xian and Wan 'er had always been hidden behind the scenes. Not many people knew the role this couple played in the Hangzhou Conference. They all thought that this matter was led by nobles in the Palace in Jingdou and the palace treasury transport company yamen was a tool.
There was another heavy snowfall in Jiangnan this winter. Who knew how many families would run out of food, how many farmhouses would be crushed, and how many people would freeze to death? Lin Wan 'er had to stay in Hangzhou for a while. At least, she had to help the Jiangnan people get through this period of time before anything else. It was still the same old saying. Even if she couldn't help much, it was better than nothing.
Lin Wan 'er busied herself in this matter. Her talent for strategy, which had long been helplessly suppressed, finally revealed a corner. Fan Xian did not put too much effort into this matter. It was just his wife alone using letters to control all aspects. Whether coldly, majestically, or gently, she controlled this strange beast. She carefully had it plow the fields for the people under heaven, yet she did not make the government, the driver, feel unhappy.
However, this matter was somewhat arduous. The degree of propriety and triviality made even Fan Xian fear it like a tiger. Wan 'er had finally found something that could prove herself. How could she let it go so easily? Thus, she worked tirelessly. When Fan Xian left Hangzhou, he was worried that she would not be able to take good care of herself. The wife of the Teng family was also a servant who deeply feared the mistress, so he decided to leave Sisi there.
As Fan Xian thought about this, he quickly walked into the village. The carriage had already been set up. He left behind people to guard the place. All of his subordinates, a total of 30 or so people, followed him into the village and entered the almost empty family school.
Li Zheng carefully followed behind. He did not dare ask who this important figure wearing the expensive fox fur coat was. He could only guess endlessly in his heart.
After entering the empty family school, someone had already started a stove. After the ginger and sugar water was cooked, the women in the village hurriedly poured it into bowls and respectfully presented it to the officials.
Fan Xian picked it up and took a sip. He didn't say anything. His clear and spirited eyes only stared in a daze at the row of houses outside the main door. He suddenly opened his mouth and asked, "If the snow gets heavier, will these houses be able to hold up?"
This village was still in Yingzhou. It was also a pitiful place that had been hit by a flood last year. This row of houses had been gradually built last year. They looked thin, so Fan Xian was a bit worried.
Li Zheng paused. He wasn't sure if this person was asking him. Hong Changqing coughed and gave him a meaningful glance.
Only now did Li Zheng wake up. His half-bent body moved a few steps closer to Fan Xian and respectfully replied, "Master, in a few days, the snow will be even thicker. Whether or not it will be able to hold up, I'm really not sure."
Fan Xian glanced at him with some surprise. He thought it was rare for a mere Li Zheng to not keep on boasting. He smiled warmly and said, "Then, won't you have to patrol every day?"
Li Zheng chuckled and said, "Master, what are you talking about? With such heavy snow, as Li Zheng, of course, I have to look at it every day." He then proudly said, "However, I think it shouldn't be a problem. Don't look at these houses as unremarkable. They were designed by the master craftsmen of the palace treasury. I heard that the three large workshops all live in these kinds of houses. The snow should be fine."
Fan Xian began to laugh. His subordinates behind him also began to laugh. Li Zheng was a bit confused. He thought, What is so funny?
He asked a few more questions about whether there was enough firewood and briquettes. Fan Xian then ended his conversation with Li Zheng. Involuntarily, a complicated emotion welled up in his heart. The power of the Qing Kingdom was indeed powerful. As long as it was operated properly, it would not be a problem to ensure these commoners a normal life. As for himself … he seemed to be gradually getting used to the feeling of being a powerful official. Although he was just passing by, he couldn't resist asking a few more questions.
Powerful official?
Fan Xian sighed and walked to the door of the school. Narrowing his eyes, he looked at the darkening sky outside, the colder wind, the heavier and heavier snow, and the deeper and deeper cold. His thoughts floated to another place. The first time he thought he should be a powerful official in this life was when he said it to his father. The second time was when he was drunk in Shangjing in Northern Qi.
…
…
Haitang left.
When Lang Tiao brought the Northern Qi diplomatic group to Suzhou, Fan Xian knew that Haitang would certainly follow her brother disciple back to Northern Qi. For one, it was the Northern Qi empress dowager's edict. For another, Haitang couldn't find any excuse to convince herself to stay. She was the saint girl of Northern Qi, not the Qing Kingdom's princess. What right did she have to live in the Fan family's Hua Garden every day? Furthermore, her most important mission in coming South was to help the Northern Qi Emperor monitor Fan Xian's performance of the secret agreement. Given her relationship with Fan Xian, it seemed that even the Northern Qi Emperor had a headache. Naturally, he would follow the empress dowager's wishes and summon this disciple aunt back.
Fan Xian did not see that scene with his own eyes, but it was as if he could always see it in his mind. That flowery dress, that village girl, swaying her body, carrying a basket, and leaving Suzhou at ease. She didn't even turn her head to look.
Although Haitang had left, Fan Xian's agreement with Northern Qi continued to progress steadily. The smuggling along the North road had already entered a stable stage under Fan Sizhe and Xia Qifei's North and South cooperation. The channels between the two sides had already been opened. Goods produced by the palace treasury flowed endlessly into Northern Qi territory. The price was much cheaper than on the market. The Qing court had lost a great deal of silver because of Fan Xian's secret mischief, but the Hangzhou Conference had gained a great deal of silver.
It was all the people's silver. Who cared who was holding it and who was using it?
Under Fan Xian's attack, the Ming family had truly sunk into a stalemate. Although the Ming family still had tens of millions of liang of silver in their hands, assets were not flowing water. The Ming family could not bear to sell off their land and property to make their business more active. Thus, they could only borrow money from outside to move things around.
The problem was that the old Ming matriarch had been strangled to death by Ming Qingda. This master of the Ming family did not have time to completely accept the old matriarch's position in the Junshang Conference. Although Dongyi's Taiping money house still supported the Ming family, it was clearly much weaker.
Thus, Ming Qingda could only go to find the person who had lent him a helping hand during his time of great trouble … Zhaoshang money house.
Fan Xian stood at the door with his head lowered. The more he borrowed, the better. He had to follow the Emperor's wishes and take everything the Ming family had without bloodshed. That was why he had dragged things out for so long.
He raised his head and looked at the heavy snow in front of him. His heart was filled with satisfaction and pride. He had been proud of himself for so many years, but to be able to settle Jiangnan, he had to allow himself a chance to be proud.
Suddenly, his pupils constricted abruptly.
In the heavy snow, a black line broke through the wind. Like a streak of black lightning, it seemed to have already crossed the distance between time and space. Using the wind and snow to cover the sound of breaking through the air, it came in front of him in an instant.
It was an arrow, a black arrow.
Fan Xian narrowed his eyes and did not dodge or avoid it. The Tyrannical zhenqi in his body suddenly rose. His left hand moved, and the long sword at his waist swung up. The tip of the sword chopped straight forward.
There was a muffled thud.
Fan Xian's seemingly simple but actually ruthless strike struck empty air.
A green banner suddenly appeared in front of him. Under the banner was a green-clothed man with a green cloth band tied to his hair.
The soul-eating arrow landed on the pole in the middle of the banner. The feathers of the arrow trembled endlessly.
He saw two large words written on the banner.
"Tie Xiang."
The secret agents of the Overwatch Council had long reacted. Six swordsmen held hard crossbows and surrounded the green-clothed man in the center. The other Sixth Bureau swordsmen had already followed the snowflakes in the dark night toward where the arrow had come from and disappeared into the darkness.
Fan Xian looked at the green-clothed man. His gaze was calm. No one knew what he was thinking. Suddenly, he opened his mouth and said, "Return."
With one simple word, all of the Sixth Bureau swordsmen who had snuck out to chase after the archer obeyed the order and stood silently on the snowy plain in front of the school, surrounding the green-clothed man in the center.
Fan Xian raised his head and glanced at the green banner. Suddenly, he said, "Fortune-Teller, did you calculate that someone was coming to assassinate me?"
The green-clothed man lowered his head. His face could not be seen clearly. He only smiled slightly and said, "How could a mere little arrow hurt Sir Fan junior?"
Fan Xian calmly said, "That is why I do not understand. The big arrow did not move, so how did the little arrow come?"
The green-clothed man warmly said, "The little arrow is young and has a fiery temper. He is always a bit impulsive."
Fan Xian was silent.
The green-clothed man continued, "I am also not a fortune-teller …" He put two fingers together and pointed at the two words on the banner in his hand. "My surname is Tie, and my name is Xiang."
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