Lin'an Never Night

Chapter 531: In the Snow (Additional chapter for the leader who speaks frankly)
After the fourth aunt and the sixth uncle finished their discussion, they left the main room with a sigh.

They felt ashamed, angry, and reluctant to let Yang Yuan leave.

After they left, a person quietly came out from behind the screen.

She has a slim figure and picturesque features. She is none other than the little princess of the Jin Dynasty, Wanyan Ping.

Wanyan Ping's eyebrows were drooping, and she looked extremely sad.

Ever since her fourth aunt told her the family's arrangements for her, she has been filled with nervousness, joy and anticipation for the future.

Whenever she thought of Teacher Yang, her ears started burning and her heart started beating fast.

When a married sister from the same family joked with her that Teacher Yang would give her a big red flower this time, she didn't understand what it meant. After she begged and persuaded and understood, she became even more embarrassed.

There is an indescribable joy in the midst of shame.

It was for this reason that when she saw the messenger coming from afar, she secretly climbed in through the back window, just to be the first to hear the news from Teacher Yang.

But she didn't expect to get such a result.

When Wanyan Ping walked out of the main room, it was snowing heavily.

There was a light on in the corridor, and the hazy light sprinkled in the yard, making it all white.

Wanyan Ping lowered her head, braved the heavy snow, and silently returned to the back room.

As soon as she entered her room, she threw herself on the bed, pulled the quilt over her head, and sobbed quietly.

……

Inside and outside Huanxi Town, many patrolling soldiers were quietly added tonight due to the order of Fourth Aunt.

However, they were all locals and did not wear uniform clothing, giving people the feeling that there were just a few more people on the streets than usual, which did not seem unusual.

In order to hide their tracks, they also took snow removal tools and cleared the snow.

The northerners have learned from experience that heavy snow should be swept while it is falling. If you really have to wait until the snow stops completely before sweeping the snow, it will take a lot more effort.

Sixth Uncle went down the mountain in person in the heavy snow and went to the home of the local tyrant Wu Laoer.

"What? Sixth Master, you said that person... isn't he the little prince? I was wondering why he looks so different from when he was a child."

Wu Lao Er was very shocked when he heard this, but he changed his mind and asked worriedly, "Sixth Uncle wants me to lead the troops to investigate Madam Jin?"

"No!"

The Sixth Uncle remembered the Fourth Sister's instructions. He also knew that these Koreans were related to their military supplies and whether this fragile new empire could stand firm.

So he hesitated for a moment, then shook his head and said, "Just keep an eye on it, don't act rashly."

When Wu Laoer heard this, he couldn't help but secretly breathe a sigh of relief.

He was more worried about these foreign merchants than his sixth uncle.

Huanxiling had been in decline for two years, just two years, and he knew better than anyone how bleak the result was.

Now the good days are finally here.

Although the King of Yue became the emperor, everyone in the Prince of Yue's Palace would soon move to the capital, but the commercial status of Huanxiling had already been established.

At least in the Babudagan area, it was already a recognized trading center.

Just going to the big market every time is lively enough.

What's more, before building a large warehouse for external affairs in Shangjing, this place still has to continue to undertake the most important mission.

After the establishment of Shangjing Inn, Huanxiling became a must-pass place on this trade route and could become an important transit station.

Therefore, he was absolutely unwilling to offend those Korean merchants and thus cut off this source of income.

……

After Wu Laoer sent his sixth uncle away, he called some young and strong men in the town, equipped them with weapons, and went to the streets.

There was heavy snow, and the lanterns they were holding looked like will-o'-the-wisp fires in the snow. They walked for a long time without meeting a single passerby.

On the streets, there were only patrolling soldiers from Huanxi Town and spies who pretended to be minding their own business.

"Second brother, this evening, I saw...Mrs. Jin's carriage go out."

At the doorstep of a house, a young man who was sweeping snow quietly reported to Wu Laoer.

Wu Lao Er's expression was startled, and he asked hurriedly: "Where did she go?"

The man pointed to the east end of the town and said, "He went over there. I don't know where he went."

"Has she come back yet?"

"Well, I'm back."

Wu Lao Er breathed a sigh of relief and instructed, "Just keep an eye on it and report any unusual movements to me. You must not offend the guests."

The man agreed and went back to the door to continue sweeping the snow.

Wu Laoer heaved a sigh of relief, led a dozen young men, and waded through ankle-deep snow toward the town.

As long as it is not the residence of those foreign businessmen, Wu Laoer is not afraid to check.

Moreover, he basically knows which house in the town belongs to whom and who lives in it.

He worked tirelessly to check every house in the newly built area outside the old town, all the way to the outermost house at the east end of the town, but found nothing.

Sled...yes.

But many families in Huanxiling have sleds, especially after the rise of trade here, such things are indispensable as an important means of transportation in winter.

Dogs, too.

But to pull a sled, you either use a horse or a dog. Whether from the perspective of practicality or cost-effectiveness, most people use dogs.

So, there is nothing wrong with that.

Wu Laoer’s main task was to check whether these families had any sudden guests visiting.

But if he just checked on strangers, what could he find out?

Before he entered the room, Yang Yuan had already climbed out of the window. He had already climbed onto the roof before his feet even touched the ground.

……

It snowed heavily overnight, and when I woke up in the morning, the whole town was covered in white, like a fairy tale world.

The snow was piled up particularly deep in front of some people's doors because of the backwind.

But even in such weather, Mrs. Jin went up to Huanxi Ridge and said goodbye to Fourth Aunt.

Fourth Aunt smiled and said, "Madam Jin, it snowed heavily last night. This road is not easy to travel on."

Madam Jin smiled and said, "It's OK. I'm riding a sledge, so I'm not slow at all."

The fourth aunt said, "Madam, why are you in such a hurry? Wouldn't it be more convenient if you waited a few more days to let the snow melt or compact it?"

Madam Jin sighed quietly and said, "I thought so too, so I didn't leave when it snowed last time. But now the road conditions have just improved a little, and it snowed again. I'm afraid if I wait any longer, the situation will remain the same, which will delay the departure of the merchant ship."

Madam Jin smiled and said, "If the trip is delayed, some of the northern delicacies will not be sold smoothly during the southern New Year. I want to bring the next batch of goods, but I'm afraid the time will be delayed. There is really nothing I can do."

After hearing this, the fourth aunt naturally stopped trying to persuade her: "Mrs. Jin has worked so hard, so I wish you a safe journey."

The fourth aunt sent Madam Jin to the gate of the palace, and watched her walk down the mountain gracefully accompanied by the guards, her eyes narrowed slightly.

Mrs. Jin gave very good reasons.

Moreover, Mrs. Jin expressed her intention to leave in the near future a few days ago.

So, there seems to be no doubt.

But Fourth Aunt always felt something was wrong.

Is it really such a coincidence?
If Yang Yuan has sneaked back to Huanxi Town and wants Mrs. Jin to take him away, isn't that equally reasonable?

After thinking for a moment, the fourth aunt called out in a deep voice, "Second Wu."

Wu Laoer hurriedly took a step forward and bent down slightly.

The fourth aunt said, "Mrs. Jin is leaving. You should follow the rules and take people to check. Be extra careful."

Wu Lao Er asked: "If Yang Yuan is really found..."

Fourth Auntie's face darkened: "Then take them! Although we need the help of these Koreans, we are not afraid of them. This business is good for us, but isn't it good for them? We, the Great Jin people, can't let the Koreans take advantage of us!"

Wu Laoer quickly agreed and was about to leave.

The fourth aunt suddenly had an idea and called him back, saying, "Ask Ping'er and the others to go with you to check. They are the ones who usually handle the transfer of goods between the two sides. Ask them to follow and they will be able to spot any problems at a glance."

Wu Laoer quickly agreed again.

……

Goods and people entering and leaving the town must be inspected. This is a system that has gradually been improved during the rapid expansion of Huanxiling's commercial functions.

It involves not only security and management, but also tax collection.

Yes, since it is a commercial activity, taxes must be collected normally.

We cannot give up taxation just because the transaction object is the holder of the regime.

After all, private income and the regime's income are two different things.

This concept was instilled into his disciples by Yang Yuan.

But he didn't know about the establishment of this system.

The improvement of many rules and regulations gradually emerges from the growth of emerging things.

This was the rule set by his good disciple during his trip to the capital.

Mrs. Jin knew that goods had to be inspected when entering or leaving Huanxi Town, but she didn't take it to heart.

One reason is that, as the most important customer of Huanxiling, she enjoys green pass treatment and is rarely subject to strict inspections.

Second, Yang Yuan escaped from Shangjing City, and the pursuers were still following him.

In other words, no one on Huanxi Ridge knew about Yang Yuan's escape, so as long as she left in time, no one would be suspicious or investigate.

However, Yang Yuan misjudged one person, that was Shangguan Luo.

Shangguan Luo was chasing after him with a rage.

Moreover, the young man had already sent light cavalry to rush to Huanxi Ridge at full speed.

Not only Huanxiling, but all the large tribes along this trade route have received the news one after another.

Therefore, the way of departure that Mrs. Jin had arranged in advance for Yang Yuan was no longer so reliable.

When Mrs. Jin's convoy was ready to leave Huanxi Town, it was stopped by a tax checkpoint outside Huanxi Town.

Tax Inspector Feng Ma Hu, who used to just count the total number of vehicles with a smile on his face, ask about the types of cargo on the vehicles, and then release the vehicles after giving a careless tally as soon as he saw that it was Mrs. Jin's convoy, was not careless at all this time.

He stood in the middle of the road and said with a fake smile: "Check every car, don't miss any."

Then, he looked at Madam Jin, who was leaning against the charcoal stove in the carriage and looked more beautiful than a flower, and said with a smile: "It's just a routine inspection, so it may take a little longer. There is a warm shed next to it, Madam, you can come down and stretch your hands and feet."

Wu Laoer led a group of young and strong men who temporarily served as tax collectors and walked towards the long convoy.

Among this group of young and strong tax collectors were a group of young girls with red lips, white teeth and picturesque eyes and eyebrows.

All the young ladies had frightened faces, full of grief and indignation.

Apparently, the class monitor failed to keep the secret this time.

She told her classmates the news that Teacher Yang was going to abandon them.

Wanyan Ping was wearing a fur coat, had a tense face, and held the short knife at her waist tightly.

Although the girls were still young, they were bright and pretty, and were obviously beauties.

They rushed forward aggressively, their deerskin boots making the snow crunch. They were like accompanying their best friends to catch an adulterer.

(End of this chapter)