The snow fell heavily.
The whole world turned into a vast expanse of white.
This was the first snowfall of the nineteenth year of the Longxu reign, and this snowfall also signified that winter was approaching in the north.
Meanwhile, on the official road from Yuguan City to the capital, a large army was marching through the snow.
In the middle of the army, on a carriage, Li Xin, Zhao Bingzhang, and others sat around a stove. A charcoal brazier in the center was boiling wine; after a cup of hot wine, their whole bodies felt warm and cozy.
After entering Changli County, members of the militia even appeared on both sides of the official road, standing by the roadside, looking on expectantly.
Upon hearing the news that His Highness Prince Xin was about to enter the capital, everyone wanted to see what His Highness Prince Xin looked like.
Li Xin naturally wouldn't refute the people's idea.
Upon hearing the news, Li Xin also put on a thick cotton-padded coat and stood at the door of the carriage, looking at the people on both sides of the official road.
Upon seeing the figures on the carriage, the people erupted in cheers—
"Long live His Highness Prince Xin!"
"Long live His Highness Prince Xin!"
Those were heartfelt cheers, each one representing the people's support for Li Xin.
After all, they'll have better days after Li Xin arrives!
The Dongning policy will also be gradually implemented here!
"Fellow villagers, get up quickly!"
Seeing the people kneeling in the freezing snow, Li Xin felt a pang of pity and quickly called out, "It's freezing cold, the ground is covered in snow, don't kneel. I don't care about these formalities, get up quickly!"
"Long live His Highness Prince Xin!"
"Long live His Highness Prince Xin!"
More and more people gathered on both sides of the official road.
Meanwhile, the Tiger Warriors continued to escort Li Xin to the capital.
Along the way, Li Xin truly understood what it meant to be supported by the people.
In chaotic times, human life is as worthless as grass!
The greatest hope of the people is to have a good official who cares about the people!
Now, His Highness Prince Xin is undoubtedly a good official and a good emperor who cares about the people!
Seeing the cheers and support of the people, Li Xin naturally would not let them down.
On the way to the capital, Li Xin ordered that the Dongning policy should continue to be used in the areas under the jurisdiction of Prince Xin.
Five-year tax exemption!
Exempt from poll tax!
Let the people rest and recuperate!
These policies are secondary; while they can ensure that people will not suffer hardship in the next five years, other policies will be needed for a prosperous life.
That is to set up factories and workshops in various places so that people can have other income besides farming.
Only in this way will people's lives get better day by day!
Now that winter has arrived and snow is falling heavily, the war has temporarily come to an end, and Li Xin has plenty of time to plan and build up various places!
The distance from Yuguan City to the capital is not far.
However, due to the crowds of people lining the streets to welcome him, it took Li Xin nearly ten days to reach the capital.
Meanwhile, a portion of the Tiger Legion, along with militia forces from Jidong and other areas, entered the capital ahead of everyone else.
These advance troops, upon entering the capital, were naturally there to maintain order and ensure the absolute safety of the Forbidden City.
In late October, Li Xin arrived in the capital.
Nowadays, apart from the people who have lived here for generations, there is no one else in the capital.
The vast majority of officials were coerced by Li Ming.
The officials who remained were mostly those in lowly positions who could not be promoted in Li Ming's court, as well as some who had no hope for Li Ming and, in fact, supported Li Xin from the bottom of their hearts.
Upon hearing of Li Xin's arrival, these officials flocked to Chaoyang Gate to greet him.
Outside Chaoyang Gate.
The imposing Tiger Legion stood guard, guns at the ready.
At the city gate, on the city tower, and in the surrounding area of more than ten miles, there were Tiger Warriors and militia armed forces maintaining order.
Near the city gate, a large crowd of people stood craning their necks and gazing into the distance.
Before long, rows of neatly arranged soldiers appeared in the distance.
The Tiger Army soldiers, heads held high and chests puffed out, arrived outside Chaoyang Gate in the capital, carrying flintlock muskets made in Dongning.
"stand at attention!"
After the soldiers entered Chaoyang Gate, Wei Dahai, the commander of the Tiger Army, shouted loudly.
Swish!
The soldiers, in high spirits, moved in perfect unison, as if they were one person.
Tiger Guard soldiers stood guard on Chaoyangmen Outer Street, extending all the way to Chaoyangmen Inner Street, and outside the Forbidden City.
After the procession lined up, a modest carriage gradually approached Chaoyang Gate.
Before long, the carriage curtain was lifted, and a young man stepped out, waving to the surrounding crowd with a smile.
"This is His Highness Prince Xin?"
"Yes, I've seen him! I saw him when His Highness Prince Xin left the capital to take up his fiefdom. He was Prince Xin!"
"You're so young! Look at that smile, so warm and welcoming. You'll definitely treat us ordinary folks very well!"
"Of course! The people of Dongning and Liaodong love His Highness Prince Xin!"
Some people were whispering among themselves.
As the carriage drew closer, the crowd erupted in deafening cheers.
"Long live His Highness Prince Xin!"
"Long live His Highness Prince Xin!"
...
Waves of sound echoed along the main street outside Chaoyangmen.
The sound was even louder and more resounding than the cheers of the people on both sides of the official road.
As the carriage approached, the officials outside Chaoyang Gate immediately knelt down and shouted, "Your subjects pay their respects to His Highness Prince Xin! Long live His Highness Prince Xin!"
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