The thirteenth day of the winter month in the sixth year of Daxia.
The sky in Chang'an City had been gloomy for three full days, and finally in the evening the first snow since the beginning of winter fell.
The Minister of Revenue, Yun Xiyan, got off the carriage, looked up at the snowflakes dancing under the red lanterns, and walked into the house.
You Xifeng walked out of the inner room, patted the snowflakes on Yun Xiyan's shoulders, glanced at him, and said with some complaint: "It's already the end of the Xu hour, why are you coming back later and later every day? Are you really that busy? Your parents-in-law have been in Chang'an for half a month, and you don't have time to accompany them."
Yun Xiyan grinned: "Isn't it the end of the year yet?"
"The Ministry of Revenue is busy all year round, and even busier at the end of the year."
"All the accounts submitted from various places for the past year need to be re-calculated. Yan Xiwen has been pushing us really hard lately. The three provinces are in urgent need of this year's revenue and expenditure. After all, next year's fiscal plan depends on this year's profit and loss of the Ministry of Revenue."
“Is that a profit or a loss?”
You Xifeng asked this question and then smiled dumbly, adding, "Of course I made a profit. Didn't I have dinner with Zhong Yu a few days ago?"
The couple walked along the winding corridor towards the main house. You Xifeng continued, "She said that she has now brought her Shu embroidery business to the Leah Continent. The Leah Continent is now very prosperous, and business is booming. She has made a lot of money over the years."
Yun Xiyan entered the main house, and You Xifeng took off his official uniform for him. "She said she opened two shops in Alia City, and also opened shops in the capitals of the three countries."
"That's enough to keep her busy."
Yun Xiyan replied, then asked, "It's almost the New Year, and it's the peak business season. Why is she back?"
You Xifeng shook Yun Xiyan's official uniform and hung it up. "She said her father-in-law is old and has been working hard outside for many years. He is a little tired. He has been in the Leah Continent for three years and doesn't miss home anymore. Besides, her children also need to go to school, so he came back to Chang'an."
"What about her business?"
"I've hired a few shopkeepers. They said the business is already on the rise. These shopkeepers have been with her father-in-law for several years, so don't worry..."
You Xifeng paused, then continued, "I think she also wants to come back. After all, Sandao's grave is on Hanshan Mountain outside Guanyun City. She has been busy outside these years and has no time to burn paper at Sandao's grave. I'm afraid she will go to Guanyun City."
Yun Xiyan looked out the window, pondered for a moment, and sighed softly, "We haven't had time to go to Guanyun City in the past three years. Sandao likes the hustle and bustle. Sigh... Please help Zhongyu arrange her child's education. Let's arrange for her to start at Qinglian Academy."
"Oh, by the way, Sima Tao came to my house this afternoon and said that many good friends have returned for the New Year this year. Lu Xihui and Zhong Jitang have all returned to Chang'an. He said that if you have time, send them a letter and we can have a drink together..."
As he said this, You Xifeng glared at Yun Xiyan again and said, "Drink less wine, your belly is getting bigger and bigger!"
Yun Xiyan chuckled, and a hint of surprise suddenly appeared on his face.
Over the years, those friends who came from Jinling have all gone their separate ways and are busy. In the blink of an eye, it has been two or three years since we last met.
They all seized the great opportunity of Daxia's rapid development, and their respective family businesses experienced rapid growth.
They made a lot of money, and at the same time, they paid considerable taxes to Daxia.
Today's Daxia has truly realized the policy of developing both commerce and agriculture that Fu Xiaoguan promoted back then - the status of merchants has been unknowingly improved, and now no one looks down on merchants, and even many people have participated in the business industry.
In recent years, thanks to the significant improvement of infrastructure and the improvement of agricultural equipment by the Academy of Sciences, farming has become much easier for farmers than before, and the output of the fields has reached its peak in a thousand years.
This is the best era.
This was an era that Yun Xiyan had never dared to imagine when he traveled around the world.
If it weren't for the encounter with Fu Xiaoguan in Jinling, what kind of life would I be living now?
"This belly isn't bigger because of the alcohol. Look, how many times have I had time to drink in the past year?"
"Life is good, life is comfortable and worry-free, so it's natural to gain weight..."
Before Yun Xiyan finished speaking, the old housekeeper hurried over. He bowed and said, "Master, someone from Prime Minister Yan's residence wants you to go to the Yan Mansion."
Yun Xiyan was startled. "What did you say?"
"He said he would invite the master over for a couple of drinks."
Yun Xiyan laughed again and spread his hands towards You Xifeng, "This is Yan Xiwen's invitation, I can't refuse, right?"
You Xifeng bit her lip, glared with her almond-shaped eyes, and reached out to pinch Yun Xiyan's waist, "Drink less!"
"Yes, sir!"
"Wear more clothes, it's cold outside!"
"good!"
…
…
Yan Mansion.
The big red lanterns have already been lit.
Yan Xiwen, Qin Mowen and Ning Yuchun, three of the most powerful people in Dachen, were sitting together at this moment.
He was not sitting in a wing room, but under the pavilion in the back garden.
The wind was blowing from all directions, bringing with it large flakes of snow. It was naturally a bit cold, even though there was a heater burning in each of the four corners of the pavilion.
"Which one are you singing?"
Qin Mowen shuddered, reached out to the stove in the corner to warm himself up, and asked curiously.
"Hey, do you think we've had the leisure to enjoy the snow in these years?"
Enjoy the snow?
The word seems to have been forgotten long ago.
Ning Yuchun burst into laughter. "Do you still want to recite poetry?"
Yan Xiwen poured tea, shook his head, and smiled, "How many years has it been since I last recited a poem? Over ten years, right? Ever since I was struck down by Fu Xiaoguan's poetry in Jinling, I've never felt like reciting poetry again."
"Then why did you suddenly think of enjoying the snow?"
"Actually, enjoying the snow is secondary. I think we can have a hot pot in the snow. It will definitely feel great."
"Why don't you cook it yet?"
"Don't worry, wait for Yun Xiyan. There's another old friend who will surprise you."
"who?"
"Don't worry, you'll know when you get there."
A moment later, Yun Xiyan arrived, and he walked over excitedly with a roasted chicken in his left hand and a leg of lamb in his right hand.
He stood outside the pavilion, looked around, and asked in astonishment: "Prime Minister Yan, are you inviting us to drink or to drink the wind?"
Yan Xiwen immediately glared at him and ordered the servant beside him, "Get the hot pot and start cooking!"
Yun Xiyan stepped into the pavilion and handed the things in his hand to the servant, "Let's have hot pot? Eating hot pot on such a snowy day is a real treat. Slice the lamb leg for hot pot, and kill the roast chicken for a good drink."
Yun Xiyan sat down, took the teapot and poured himself a cup of tea, "Sima Tao and the others are back. When they have their day off, I'll treat you. Let's go sit upstairs in Liuyun Tower and listen to Rong Duoer sing the song "Drinking Song"."
As soon as Yun Xiyan finished speaking, the butler came over with two more people, one in front and one behind.
Yun Xiyan and the others looked up and were immediately shocked—
Fan Tianning!
What surprised Yun Xiyan and the others even more was the person behind Fan Tianning——
Withered cicada!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
