AEOGA CH76

“Your Majesty, Your Highness.”

The next day, Hua Yan and Fu Xinian came together to Chongxue Palace, arriving just as Lu Xuechao and Xie Chongjin were cutting window paper crafts side by side.

When they were children during the New Year holidays, palace attendants would cut paper decorations to paste onto the windows, adding to the festive atmosphere. Xie Chongjin had found it amusing back then and learned the craft. Later, when playing with Lu Xuechao, he taught him how to cut paper.

Lu Xuechao was brilliant; after watching Xie Chongjin cut paper just once, he was able to replicate it smoothly. Later, the student surpassed the master, and he cut out many exquisite patterns.

The New Year customs of Changli were simple enough—cutting window paper crafts, hanging lanterns, dressing in red, pasting Spring Festival couplets, and hosting New Year banquets. Adorning the rooms in vibrant shades of red was all it took to bring forth the New Year’s joy. Cutting window paper crafts together every New Year was a habit they had shared over the years, and by now, their paper-cutting artistry had grown exceptionally refined.

Xie Chongjin had just finished cutting a paper portrait of Lu Xuechao and was holding it up for him to see when Hua Yan and Fu Xinian requested an audience. Xie Chongjin granted them entry, and the two walked in side by side, holding hands.

The pair offered verbal greetings. Xie Chongjin had previously commanded that unless it was a formal occasion, there was no need to perform grand bows.

Lu Xuechao put down his scissors and looked at Hua Yan and Fu Xinian’s intertwined hands, his brows arching slightly: “You two, this is…”

Hua Yan lowered his head shyly: “This subject has a selfish request… Is the marriage bestowal Your Majesty mentioned that day still valid?”

Even Hua Yan, who was usually the boldest, lowered his head in embarrassment. Yet Fu Xinian—normally the most reserved—faced the Emperor and Empress directly. His voice was clear and his gaze steadfast: “This subject has set his heart on Hua Yan and wishes to follow the example of Vice Minister Liu and Vice Minister Shen in requesting Your Majesty’s imperial decree for a marriage bestowal.”

They already shared the reality of husband and wife, so they naturally should not remain without formal standing. They needed to claim the status of a married couple.

According to His Majesty’s Talent Protection Plan, to guard against Yelang, they had to remain in the imperial palace in the capacity of imperial consorts and could not openly marry for the time being. For now, they were informing the Emperor and Empress to make their relationship known; once everything settled down in the future, they could officially complete their wedding.

With an imperial decree of marriage bestowed by His Majesty, even if they had not yet held a formal ceremony, they would henceforth hold the status of betrothed.

Xie Chongjin showed no surprise whatsoever: “Yun Luo.”

“At once.” Yun Luo’s skill in drafting imperial marriage decrees was already thoroughly practiced; counting Liu Yansheng and Shen Hezhou, and then Qin Yulong and Helian Xi, this was already his third time writing one.

“I was wondering how long you two were going to hold out,” Xie Chongjin said. “I bet on before the New Year, while Qingshu bet on after. Qingshu, you lost.”

The corners of Fu Xinian and Hua Yan’s mouths twitched. To think they had agonized for so long, only for their being together to be a foregone conclusion in the minds of the Emperor and Empress.

Lu Xuechao glanced at the two, his tone somewhere between fond amusement and mild regret: “Had you two come a few days later, I would have won.”

Fu Xinian: “…It was this subject who acted too impetuously.”

So the Emperor and Empress had actually been so bored that they made bets on when the imperial consorts would get together for fun?!

No matter which dynasty or imperial harem this was placed in, it would probably be considered a spectacle.

Hua Yan looked at the pile of red paper cuttings on the table and smiled: “Your Majesty, Your Highness, are you cutting paper for fun?”

Seeing the lifelike portrait of the Empress in front of Lu Xuechao, Hua Yan exclaimed in admiration: “Your Highness’s self-portrait paper craft is truly exquisite.”

He had thought the Emperor and Empress were merely playing around, but looking at these intricate and delicate designs, their paper-cutting skills were extraordinarily high.

Was there anything in this world that His Highness did not know how to do?

Xie Chongjin raised his brows: “Looks good, doesn’t it? I cut that one.”

“This is the one Qingshu cut.” Without a hint of restraint, he showed off the portrait of the Emperor that Lu Xuechao had cut for him.

Every year during the New Year, he would cut a portrait of Lu Xuechao. As the person cutting the paper grew older year by year, the portraits grew older as well—from childhood, all the way to adulthood.

Hua Yan: “…”

Deeply envious.

Noticing Hua Yan’s envious gaze, Fu Xinian only hated that he did not know how to cut paper crafts.

I’ll have to learn it when we get back.

Before that, he could still paint a portrait for Hua Yan. He might not know paper craft, but his painting skills were passable.

Though, it still could not compare to the ink paintings His Majesty hand-painted for the Empress.

Fu Xinian lamented from the bottom of his heart: Why does an Emperor need to be so multi-talented? He’s completely raising the bar and wearing out his subordinates!

Xie Chongjin had no idea he was driving competition across all fronts.

Hua Yan said cheerfully: “Then we’ll cut some when we go back, too! My window crafts might not be as amazing as Your Majesty’s, but cutting some lifelike little animals is no problem for me.”

“I was thinking yesterday, even though we hung lanterns and tied colorful ribbons everywhere until it looked bright and festive, it still felt as if something was missing.” Hua Yan murmured to himself, “So it was missing window paper crafts on the windows.”

“And another thing—it’s decorated so festively and looks so lively, but there isn’t a single sound. It still feels quiet and desolate.” Hua Yan grew more excited as he spoke, “If only we could set off firecrackers, the New Year atmosphere would be even stronger.”

Fu Xinian let out a heavy cough.

Only then did Hua Yan snap back to reality and hastily said: “This subject misspoke.”

Xie Chongjin said: “No matter.”

Though spoken carelessly, the listener took it to heart, and Xie Chongjin seriously pondered Hua Yan’s suggestion.

He and Qingshu had grown up celebrating the New Year together. In the depths of winter, the land would be wrapped in silver, while outside was cold and desolate. No matter how warmly decorated the inside was, the surrounding silence always made it feel a bit empty.

Lu Xuechao had once stood quietly beneath the eaves hung with lanterns, extending a hand to catch a falling snowflake. Snow covered his black hair and white fur cloak, quiet and beautiful, like an isolated painting detached from the mortal world.

The mortal world should have hustle and bustle.

Xie Chongjin had indeed thought more than once that the New Year ought to have some lively sounds.

There were sounds of pipes and strings in the palace, and hiring music houses to play music was lively enough. But music could be enjoyed anytime in the palace, so it was not unique to the New Year.

Xie Chongjin thought back and forth and recalled that in common folk celebrations, people set off firecrackers. However, strict quiet was always required in the imperial palace out of fear of disturbing the nobility; palace rules strictly prohibited the sound of firecrackers.

But he was the rules, wasn’t he?

–

Fu Xinian and Hua Yan managed to tie the knot at the very tail end of the year, yet they didn’t have much time for romantic sweetness, both rushing to write their year-end reports.

Besides preparing for the New Year banquet, Lu Xuechao also took time to summon Qin Yulong and Helian Xi to inquire about weapon improvements.

Lu Xuechao had never formally studied physics—nor did teachers exist in this era who could systematically teach physics; all knowledge had to undergo a process of starting from scratch.

Lu Xuechao was that very process.

Practice was the sole criterion for testing truth. By groping forward step by step, drawing blueprints, modifying, and practicing—discarding countless failed attempts—one would eventually forge far superior weapons. Predecessors had walked this exact path as well.

Qin Yulong and Helian Xi were the ones who actually used weapons on the battlefield, so when Lu Xuechao wished to improve them, he had to consider practical utility. He designed several blueprints: there was a heavy repeating crossbow with massive range and lethality, but because it was too heavy, ordinary soldiers could not lift it. There was a lightweight bow easy to carry, but its range and power were insufficient. After testing, both were rejected by Qin Yulong and Helian Xi.

Although a complete, successful product had not yet been developed, Qin Yulong and Helian Xi were both shaken during the testing process.

If successful, this new type of bow and crossbow would completely render obsolete the bow-and-arrow weapons currently used by various nations, and Changli’s military strength would increase drastically.

Lu Xuechao did not even hide such a secret weapon from Helian Xi.

—Naturally, he wouldn’t hide it. Lu Xuechao was determined to sell weapons to Xifeng in the future, so what did it matter if Helian Xi got a foretaste? Secrecy and hiding would not allow them to stand against the strong enemy of Yelang.

Of course, that would also have to wait until Changli possessed weapons even more powerful than those crossbows. The most advanced military power was only reassuring when kept strictly in one’s own hands.

Lu Xuechao was busy preparing the New Year banquet and improving weapons, so he did not notice what Xie Chongjin was busy with recently.

This busyness carried straight through to the New Year’s Eve banquet.

At the banquet, everyone wore red formal attire. Starting with Liu Yansheng, one after another gave their year-end reports.

Liu Yansheng served in the Ministry of Revenue and reported on the year’s financial income, land, and household migration. When the disaster struck Jiangnan back then, the Emperor and Empress issued a decree allowing refugees to reclaim wasteland. After being allocated land, a large number of homeless refugees migrated to uninhabited wilderness, and under various court policy supports, they cultivated a vast amount of wasteland. By the end of this year, that group of commoners had settled down and acquired new household registrations. What was once a desolate wilderness had now become a prosperous town, where the people took root and thrived.

As for financial revenue, this year was a year where everything needed rebuilding from scratch. The court invested massive amounts of gold and silver in disaster relief and construction, while reducing national taxes. The treasury was not considered abundant, but it was far better than the dire poverty of the past three years.

Furthermore, because there was no official from the Ministry of Works present, Liu Yansheng mentioned in passing that the water conservancy construction funded in Jiangnan was completed, so there was no need to worry excessively about floods in the coming year. The Grand Canal connecting the north and south proposed by the Emperor and Empress was still being excavated; with limited manpower at present, it would likely take eight to ten years to complete. Since this endeavor drained resources and fatigued the populace, there was much dissent among the people.

This was within Xie Chongjin’s expectations. Excavating the Grand Canal connecting north and south was a project that benefited future generations. During his reign, it could not quickly yield results, so encountering misunderstanding was inevitable.

The predecessors plant trees so that future generations may enjoy the shade.

He was willing to be that predecessor.

Shen Hezhou served in the Ministry of Personnel and reported on major personnel adjustments. The Yujing officials had undergone a massive purge, and local officials in various regions were also being investigated and replaced one by one. Changing the past trend of rampant corruption, the political sphere was now considered clean and upright.

Fu Xinian served in the Ministry of Justice and stated directly that after His Majesty assumed personal rule, public morale and law and order had risen across all regions, causing crime rates to drop significantly. Although the entire country had not reached the point where “no one picked up lost items on the road, and doors were left unlocked at night,” it was far better than the previous chaos where “bandits roamed openly and etiquette collapsed.”

Qin Yulong and Helian Xi exchanged glances, and Qin Yulong stood up to report on the military details. In past years, due to official corruption and withholding military pay, soldiers and warhorses were emaciated and morale was low. Now, with reorganized training and military funds allocated to replace weapons and armor, their mental outlook was completely refreshed, ready to await orders at any time.

With politics and military matters reported, Hua Yan and Wang Yiming reported on the economy. Putting aside the high-end brand of Huaman Pavilion earning overflowing profits, small-scale businesses like grain, clothing, baked cakes, fruit, and rice wine had long penetrated thousands of households, no longer controlled exclusively by the former richest Wang family. If the national borders could open for foreign trade, wealth would flow in even more abundantly.

Among all businesses, the most lucrative was undoubtedly the Anesthetic Powder. All industries belonged to the royal family. Jiang Yue and Yun Yao served as the heads of the Jiangnan branch and maintained contact with Hua Yan and Wang Yiming, the two overall managers. Jiangyan Pharmacy had recently launched the new scar-removal cream developed by Lu Xuechao, whose effect was so good that it sold out as soon as it hit the shelves, yet it still could not shake the status of the Anesthetic Powder.

Since war broke out with Xifeng and diplomatic relations were severed, Changli currently had no diplomatic ties with any country, nor did it openly conduct foreign trade. While private trade by ordinary merchants went ignored by higher-ups, a treasure like the Anesthetic Powder would strictly remain under imperial control. Thus, despite all nations coveting this treasure and willing to buy it at high prices, none had the channels to obtain it.

It was foreseeable that if trade opened up, Changli’s national treasury would become immensely wealthy.

After the others finished speaking, Lin Chanzhi stood up as an agricultural official to report on the year’s grain production and crop varieties, which were sufficient to keep all of Changli fed and clothed for three years.

In just one year, turning around a collapsing nation to this extent was nothing short of a miracle.

This was inseparable from everyone’s hard work.

After listening to all the reports, Xie Chongjin poured a cup of wine, stood up, and said: “I, together with the Empress, raise a glass to you all.”

Everyone hastily stood up to offer a toast.

Xie Chongjin drained his cup and said earnestly: “That Changli has all of you is Changli’s good fortune, and my good fortune.”

Everyone looked visibly moved. Serving the country with loyalty was their duty; to receive such solemn thanks from His Majesty was their honor as well.

Xie Chongjin added: “Such a fortunate occasion deserves to be celebrated by setting off firecrackers.”

Everyone was startled, then grew excited: “Firecrackers?”

Everyone loved lively celebrations, but since firecrackers were banned in the palace, they had never even considered it.

Lu Xuechao asked: “You even prepared this?”

He had managed the New Year banquet himself, yet he didn’t know there was a firecracker segment.

Xie Chongjin smiled: “This is my surprise for you.”

Lu Xuechao didn’t spare his feelings: “What’s so impressive about setting off firecrackers? It’s only forbidden in the palace, but they are everywhere on the streets—I usually find them too noisy.”

“Amidst the sound of firecrackers, a year passes”—setting off firecrackers during New Year was nothing rare among the common people; only Xie Chongjin, who grew up in the palace and had rarely heard them, found it novel.

Changli’s firecrackers were made by burning bamboo segments with fire to make them explode with a “crackling” noise, which was why they were called bamboo crackers. Lu Xuechao actually disliked listening to them, finding the noise clamorous.

“They aren’t great to look at, so I made some improvements,” Xie Chongjin whispered in his ear. “Qingshu, look up at the sky.”

Lu Xuechao froze. Accompanied by a burst of explosive sounds, the gasps of the people around them had already risen.

“Look, the sky! So beautiful!”

“How was this done? I’ve never seen such a beautiful scene in my life!”

“Is this a firecracker? Why is it different from the ones I know? Aren’t firecrackers made by burning bamboo? How can this bloom in the sky?”

Not only Liu Yansheng and the others, but even the palace servants were stunned, letting out soft gasps of awe. Everyone raised their heads, their eyes reflecting the magnificent fireworks.

Lu Xuechao watched the colorful fireworks in the sky, blooming brilliantly, tearing through the night sky, and then falling like shooting stars.

It was beautiful and deeply breathtaking.

“Does it look like a blooming flower?” Xie Chongjin embraced him from behind, chuckling softly. “Flowers should be given to the one you love. I researched this for a long time and accidentally discovered that mixing sulfur and saltpeter creates a huge explosion—I nearly injured my hand.”

“I named it fireworks.”

“To present the flowers of the heavens to the person in my heart.”

“Qingshu, is it beautiful?”

When it came to making Lu Xuechao happy, Xie Chongjin was entirely earnest.

Lu Xuechao possessed a natural talent for physics.

Coincidentally, Xie Chongjin also understood just a little bit of chemistry.