Chapter 100 The Duke Arrives

As the year draws to a close, a joyful atmosphere permeates Daxing. Since the last time the Tartars suffered a crushing defeat, the area has been quiet for almost a month, with no one coming down to gather hay. However, the weather has become increasingly cold, feeling much colder than in previous years. The border soldiers on the city walls, wearing thick coats, are constantly stamping their feet and rubbing their hands.

"Damn it, it's getting colder and colder this year."

"That's right. A lot of lambs have frozen to death these past two days. Commander Lin was originally thinking of raising them until spring so they would have lambs, and then we could eat them every year."

Ji Xiaoman rubbed her ears, which were red and cracked from the cold, and breathed out warm air while stomping her frozen feet: "The sheep froze to death? Heh, then there's a high chance we'll have meat to eat today, hehe. After I get off work, I can even have some meat soup, hehe."

Wang Gou also laughed: "A couple of sips of this warms the heart, and if you're lucky, you might even get a couple of pieces of meat to take back to my wife to try."

After their banter, the two picked up their spears and continued their patrol for the day.

Upon reaching the top of the city wall, a young man in a blue robe with a long sword at his waist stood on the wall, gazing into the distance. The two exchanged a glance, then jogged over and greeted him with a fist salute: "This humble servant greets Commander Qianhu!"

Lin Changning, who was gazing into the distance from the top of the wall, turned his head and saw two burly young men slightly raising their hands: "No need for formalities. Was there anything unusual during today's inspection?"

Ji Xiaoman, being more outgoing, replied directly, "Commander Lin, there's nothing unusual; all the watchtowers are functioning normally."

Lin Changning's gaze swept over the two men's chapped ears and red, chapped faces. Then he looked at their swollen, thick fingers, which were gripping the spears and were as thick as radishes from the cold. Remembering the frostbite ointment that Shilang had given him, he rummaged around for a while before finally pulling out a bulging piece of oiled paper: "Here, rub your hands and ears. How frostbitten are they? When you run out, come to my house on your day off. My brother is a doctor, and he can get you some more frostbite ointment."

Ji Xiaoman looked at Lin Changning's outstretched hand with embarrassment: "I can't accept this. The commander's own hands are still frostbitten. We're all roughnecks and used to the cold. Commander, please take it."

Lin Changning glared at Ji Xiaoman and shoved the frostbite ointment, which was wrapped in dark ointment, into her hands: "Just take it. Stop talking nonsense. My brother is a doctor. Do you think he would be short of my medicine? You two can share it."

Wang Gou felt embarrassed, but as his gaze swept over the pink frostbite patches on Lin Qianhu's slender fingers, he felt both touched and grateful.

Ji Xiaoman, holding the small paper packet, smiled shyly, nudged Wang Gou with her elbow, and shouted, "Thank you for your understanding, Commander!"

After exchanging greetings, the two continued walking, holding each other's hands. When they reached the next spot to prepare for the change of shifts, Wang Gou said embarrassedly, "The commander's own hands are still frozen. Frostbite ointment isn't cheap at the pharmacy, so you just gave it to us."

Ji Xiaoman tore the cardboard in half, scraped one half onto the cardboard, and said, "Just remember Qianhu's kindness. Take this, rub your hands together, and give it to your wife when you get back. My wife's hands are also frostbitten, and they itch terribly every night."

Wang Gou took the oil paper, wrapped it up carefully, and stuffed it into his pocket: "Then I'll take it back for my wife to use too."

People were coming and going at the city gate, and the atmosphere was lively as the end of the year approached. Ox carts loaded with lanterns, newly made New Year pictures, and vendors selling all kinds of trinkets had already set up stalls in the city.

A group of people were queuing up at the meat stall to buy mutton. Because of the cold weather, many sheep had recently frozen to death. Half of them were taken from the stall, and the rest were sold to the people in the city at a low price so that everyone could have a better New Year.

Not far away, several children were playing and laughing with Qi An'an on the street. Except for Qi An'an, whose clothes were clean and tidy, the other children's clothes were patched. A group of little kids were playing and chasing each other with paper animals. Zhi Qi, who had returned some time ago, was sent by Qi Rong to Qi An'an's side to take care of the children. The impatience in the eyes of the group of little kids was almost overflowing.

He's not like Lin Changning, who can keep a bunch of kids in line. He gets really annoyed when little kids chatter away.

A group of children ran to the foot of the city wall and played. Qi An'an led the way. These children were no longer afraid of the fierce border soldiers. They circled around the people and played happily. When they got tired, they squatted in the corner of the wall and hummed the moon song that Qi An'an had taught them.

"Jade plate, jade plate~ why do you hang on the roof~"

The children's innocent singing reached the city tower. Lin Changning, who had finished his patrol, turned his head and looked into the city. He saw a bunch of little kids squatting at the corner of the city, humming "Jade Plate". He smiled helplessly and went down. He had promised Qi An'an the day before yesterday that he would take her skiing today. He couldn't wait to come to the city tower to wait for her before he even finished his shift.

Lin Changning stepped down from the city wall and called out to Qi An'an, who looked at him with her eyes crinkled. Qi An'an turned around, her eyes lit up, and she ran over.

"Brother Liu, have you finished your shift?"

Lin Changning nodded and took the child's hand: "You're off duty now, let's go. We can go back to the garrison to sign in and then go home. How about we have mutton hot pot for lunch?"

Zhiqi followed and raised an eyebrow: "You don't need to go back. I'll go back and sign it for you. You take the young master back first. I'll come to your place for lunch."

Lin Changning found it amusing, knowing that he just wanted to freeload on the hot pot: "Okay, let's just invite Wenzhi and the others too."

Zhiqi nodded: "Okay, then you go back first, I'll cut some more mutton for you later."

After they finished speaking, the two left separately. Lin Changning, in a good mood, took Qi An'an's hand and stopped when they reached the sugar figurine stall. He bought two sugar figurines under Qi An'an's eager gaze. The golden malt sugar gave off a sweet aroma in the air. Lin Changning took the two little rabbit sugar figurines, took out a few copper coins from his sleeve and handed them to the stall owner. He then pulled Qi An'an and was about to leave.

Turning his head, he followed Qi An'an's gaze and found him staring blankly at the vendor selling candied hawthorns, seemingly lost in thought.

Lin Changning sighed: "Do you want some candied hawthorns, An'an? I'll go buy some for you."

Qi An'an turned around instantly, raised her head, and shook her head gently with a sweet smile on her face: "Brother Xiao Liu, I don't like candied hawthorn, but sugar figurines are delicious."

Old Liu's story left a shadow on Qi An'an; ever since Old Liu passed away, the child has never eaten candied hawthorn again.

Seeing this, Lin Changning stopped talking and gently pulled Qi An'an's hand, which wasn't holding the candy, and said, "Okay, let's go home. At noon, your little brother will make you your favorite garlic dipping sauce."

midday —

A group of people were eating a hot pot of mutton in Lin Changning's main room. Qi An'an and Shi Lang were sitting at a small table to the side, each holding a bowl of mutton and eating with relish. Unfortunately, the men were too fast, and Shi Lang, who ate slowly, and Qi An'an, who had short arms, couldn't get any meat. So Shi Lang simply scooped up the first pot and got a bowl of mutton for himself and An'an and sat down to eat slowly.

Lin Changning and a group of men sat together, competing to grab meat.

There was plenty of meat, but it tasted even better when people fought over it.

Just as the group was enjoying their meal, a border guard suddenly arrived. After greeting several commanders and guards, he looked anxiously at Qi An'an and said, "Young Master, the commander says your father, Duke Qi, has arrived at the garrison and is summoning you there!"