In a blink of an eye, it is already the end of February. The cold wind becomes gentler day by day, and the sun is three times warmer than the dull winter sun.
On the hillside, the snow facing the sun has begun to melt, and little drops of water flow down the hillside, gathering together to form a stream.
The creek then flows into the small river, and the small river is forced to become a big river!
The breath of spring has quietly arrived in the world without anyone knowing.
But the naughty boys always take advantage of my inattention, open their cotton-padded jackets, and play on the ice by the river, trying hard to catch the last tail of winter!
Unfortunately, I didn't catch the tail, and it fell into the river one after another, soaking my cotton clothes. Then my mother grabbed its ears and cooked some meat with a fire stick.
Although every family has an easier life nowadays and no one has to worry about having no money to treat their children's colds, no mother would want to let her child suffer.
After breakfast that morning, Mr. Tai San came to his old brother's yard with his hands behind his back.
Grandpa Tai was playing shuttlecock with his little granddaughter. He was in his own group, while Zhuzhu was in a group with Zhimaqiu. The old, the young, and the dog were playing loudly and it was very lively.
Seeing the elder brother coming over, Mr. Tai ended the game and asked, "Third brother, have you finished your meal?"
"We're done eating!" Uncle Tai San responded, and then the two old brothers sat under the eaves, puffing on their pipes.
Master Tai San was a little anxious and asked in a low voice, "Is there still no news from Kyoto?"
Old Master Tai was quite calm. Just as he was about to say a few words to comfort his brother, Tai Yonglu and others came running in from outside.
The old man scolded, "Why are you in such a hurry? Aren't you going into the city to send Yongning off?"
"They're all back, Grandpa, they're all back!" Tai Yonglu jumped up and down, waving his hands. "Someone from the imperial court is here! The imperial edict is coming!"
Tai Yongning, who came in later, heard his brother's misunderstanding and quickly added, "Grandpa, the court has sent someone to read the imperial edict. It means my cousin's reward has arrived! The county magistrate is behind with the officials from Kyoto and will be here soon."
Mr. Tai San and Mr. Tai Lao stood up together and shouted repeatedly.
"Go tell your mother to prepare the incense table! Clean the yard, quickly!"
Everyone was busy at once, and the small yard was bustling with activity.
Zhuzhu wanted to help, but unfortunately she only made trouble. In the end, the old man carried her into the big basket under the eaves.
The fat girl was leaning on the edge of the basket to watch the fun, and there was a sesame ball squatting next to her. It was really funny no matter how you looked at it.
Soon, the villagers gathered around after hearing the news. Master Tai San angrily shouted at everyone, "Hurry back and change into clean clothes. Don't bring shame to the clan!"
The villagers turned around and left, and when they reappeared, they were all dressed more formally than during Chinese New Year...
Guards and veterans came back one after another to investigate and report the news!
"The decree-announcing team is still seven miles away!"
"Five more miles!"
"We're almost at the village entrance!"
Old Master Tai took a deep breath and led everyone out to meet them.
The county magistrate, accompanied by two officials and the familiar eunuch Xi, led a team of a hundred people and soon arrived at the village.
Old Master Tai bowed his head and was about to salute, but was immediately supported by the county magistrate and Eunuch Xi.
"There is no need to do this, old man. It is really embarrassing for me!" The county magistrate smiled cordially. Although he didn't know how the Tai family would be rewarded, he thought it was higher than his seventh-rank rank. He didn't dare ask the old man to salute.
Eunuch Xi has been with His Highness for many years and knows very well how His Highness treats the Tai family. As a servant, he has no right to be arrogant.
The two officials were also frustrated. They were slow and missed the opportunity. Wouldn't the Tai family think they were arrogant?
Eunuch Xi was eloquent and always smiled at everyone he met. After just a few greetings, he had already greeted everyone in the Tai family. Even Mr. Tai San was so happy to see him that he was beaming with joy.
Only then did he say, "The Emperor has only been on the throne for seven days, and he's been incredibly busy with government affairs. Finally, with some free time, he quickly wrote the imperial edict himself and sent a humble servant here to announce it, fearing that others might neglect his family. Old Master, please prepare. How about we read the edict as soon as possible and then have tea and chat?"
"Okay!" The old man quickly responded...
As the imperial edict-announcing team marched along, many people watched, and they were curious about how the new emperor would reward the Tai family. Therefore, a lot of idle people followed the team, as well as villagers from Liujia Village and Zhangjia Village who heard the noise. Hundreds of people gathered at the entrance of Taijia Village, but no one dared to make a loud noise for fear of disturbing the important business.
However, in the Tai family's yard, cheers of surprise could be heard from time to time, making everyone as curious as a cat scratching.
Finally, someone from Taijia Village came out. Village Chief Liu couldn't help but ask, "What's going on? Has he been conferred a title?"
The people of Taijia Village were terribly excited, nodding their heads and shouting, "Our sixth uncle was made the Duke of Zhenguo, our eldest brother Jizu is the Crown Prince, and our eldest sister-in-law is a first-rank imperial consort! Our second brother Jizong is the Earl of Cheng'en, and our second sister-in-law is a second-rank imperial consort. Our third brother Jiye is a fourth-rank official in charge of trade with the grasslands! Even Zhuzhu was made the Princess of Changle, and Yongan is a third-rank general!"
Everyone was stunned by this string of titles and imperial edicts. The new emperor was truly too generous. This was a gesture of exalting the Tai family!
Village chief Liu was so excited that he wanted to ask something, but was interrupted by a knowledgeable person from the city!
"Since the title has been awarded, there should also be fiefdoms! Where is the fiefdom awarded?"
It would have been fine if we hadn't mentioned this. As soon as we did, the people of Taijia Village jumped up excitedly, pointing their fingers at their feet and shouting, "Here, right here! The emperor has granted Tai'an County as a fiefdom. Haha, from now on, Tai'an County will be ruled by our Tai family!"
Just then, Master Tai San came out of the courtyard with a red face. Upon hearing what the clan member said, he immediately picked up his pipe and hit the clan member with it, scolding him with a smile, "The emperor's grace is great, and it's for you to be grateful, not for you to show off like this!"
The clan members shrank their necks, and others anxiously asked, "Master Tai, is Tai'an really your clan's fiefdom?"
Master Tai couldn't suppress the corners of his mouth. After a moment's hesitation, he replied, "Indeed, that's what the imperial edict says. The emperor also rewarded our Tai family with a plaque that reads 'Loyalty, Bravery and Martial Arts,' two hundred taels of silver per household, and also provided funds for the construction of a Duke's Mansion and a memorial archway..."
"Ah, anyway, our village is about to get busy, so please forgive me if I disturbed you all!"
"Oh, Master Tai, you're too polite. This is a great occasion, and we can't wait to share in the joy!"
"That's right, that's right, this is the glory of our entire Northland!"
Everyone responded, "We'll all come and help when the time comes!"
In the Tai family courtyard, the county magistrate and two officials from the Ministry of Rites used the excuse of being thirsty to drink tea, leaving the space to Eunuch Xi and the Tai family.
Xizi immediately greeted everyone again with a smile, and then said, "Old man, the emperor means that he only has one relative in his family, and he hopes that our family will live in Kyoto permanently."
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