The Great Han Dynasty: From Feng Lang Juxu to the Eternal Emperor

Chapter 259 Winter Solstice

Today is the winter solstice and it doesn’t snow in Chang’an.

The servants at the Zhenbeihou Mansion bought a lot of yellow paper and paper ingots.

As the application of paper became more and more widespread in Han Dynasty, various customs began to change.

In the past, paper was not used to burn paper during sacrifices, but now it has become popular to burn paper money.

Wei Ning read Tian Qianqiu's letter carefully in the study and put it aside casually.

Zhengxi's operation was beyond Weining's expectations, causing Cuoxi and the Shemeng 3rd Division to profit from it. He figured out the conspiracy.

I just don’t know if the people in the Shemeng Department are too stupid, or if Zhengxi is too smart.

But no matter what, the situation in southern Xinjiang began to stabilize, and Weining felt relieved.

Zhao Ce and others pulled the carriage and were already waiting outside the Hou Mansion.

Not long after, Wei Qing's carriage convoy also came over.

Mrs. Wei, Huo Qubing and other members of the Wei family came.

Wei Zifu didn't come.

After Wei Ning, Wei Qing, and Huo Qubing met, the group walked toward the outskirts of Chang'an.

When passing by the market, Weining glanced at the salt shop, which was crowded with people.

Wei Qing asked Wei Ning curiously: "Have you opened a new shop again?"

Wei Ning said: "Yes, it's the end of the year, and all the employees in the country's post stations have to pay. I don't have so much money to pay, so I can only open a new shop to make some money."

Wei Qing said suspiciously: "No money?"

Are you kidding me?

Where is the money left in your liquor store and inn? Where did all the money go?

Wei Ning thought for a while, but did not hide it from Wei Qing, and said: "Lend it to Your Majesty."

Wei Qing: "..."

"What new store opened?"

Wei Qing changed the subject.

Wei Ning said: "Salt."

Wei Qing glanced at Wei Ning strangely, he always surprises me.

When they arrived at the outskirts of Chang'an, the tombs had been neatly trimmed. Wei Ning and Huo Qubing took shovels and leveled the soil on the tombs.

Wei Qing ordered his servants to place chickens, ducks, fish and even a whole roasted pig in front of Wei Pingjun's grave.

The powerful family attaches great importance to sacrifice, so it is impossible to sacrifice cattle. Wei Qing is a man of rules and regulations, so it is impossible to sacrifice cattle.

Yellow paper like copper coins was sprinkled on Wei Pingjun's grave. Wei Ning knelt down and burned all the paper ingots and paper money on the grave.

Huo Qubing carried Old Mrs. Wei to Wei Pingjun's grave. The old lady was moved by the scene, her eyes were red with sadness, and she kept saying that Mr. Wei Ping had raised a good grandson for her.

Wei Ning followed Wei Qing to the side and asked Wei Qing concernedly: "How is my aunt?"

Wei Qing sighed: "There are not many days left."

Wei Qing was also very sentimental about the husband and wife's love for one day, and felt uncomfortable seeing his wife suffering from illness.

"It's hard to say whether we can survive this year or not," Wei Qing added.

Wei Ning didn't know how to comfort Wei Qing.

Wei Qing smiled bitterly and said: "People, when they first get sick, they are afraid of death. They think that if they continue to live, it is better to die than to live. But after the illness has been for a long time, they actually hope to be relieved as soon as possible, so they are no longer afraid of death."

Wei Ning nodded with deep understanding.

After the sacrifice, Wei Qing asked his servants to take Mrs. Wei back to the mansion, and he rode back to Chang'an City on a tall horse alongside Wei Ning and Huo Qubing.

"New Year approached."

Wei Qing looked at Wei Ning and Huo Qubing thoughtfully, and said earnestly: "Qubing will go on an expedition after the new year, and Ning'er, you will also go to Hexi with the baggage."

"Your mission is not heavy and there is not much danger."

"Get rid of the disease."

Huo Qubing said with a smile on his face: "Here you are, uncle, what are you doing?"

Wei Qing said: "Don't smile so playfully."

He knew that Huo Qubing had always been this kind of person, he didn't care about anything and looked careless, but in fact he was more thoughtful than anyone else. On the battlefield, Huo Qubing changed into a different person, and the stranger made him feel chilled.

Wei Qing still felt that Huo Qubing's style of play was too radical, but he had no way to correct Huo Qubing's style of play. He could only remind: "If you want to go deep alone, you must capture a few more guides on the grassland."

“Don’t get lost, that’s the top priority.”

Wei Qing knew that Huo Qubing's fighting style was not a random and chaotic style. Huo Qubing was very shrewd. He knew how to use a small group of cavalry to rush into battle.

"When the enemy retreats, we advance. When the enemy is stationed, we harass him. When the enemy is tired, we attack. When the enemy retreats, we pursue him." Weining said.

Huo Qubing said with a smile on his face: "My little cousin, this sixteen-character mantra is pretty good. It perfectly explains my playing style."

He seemed very excited, this is a close friend!

While talking, the three of them arrived at Weining's salt shop.

Huo Qubing asked Weining: "Little cousin, where did you get so much salt?"

Wei Qing was equally curious.

Wei Ning said: "I took out the salt mountain that Yan Zhongyuan gave me and sold it."

Wei Qing: "?"

"Not poisonous?"

Wei Ning said: "Remove the toxin."

Wei Qing didn't understand, but he was shocked and didn't ask any more questions. He knew that he might not be able to understand even if he asked.

His descendants are more capable than him, which is enough to make Wei Qing proud.

Outside the bustling salt shop, there is a scene that seems very out of place.

Yan Zhongyuan stood alone in the cold wind, silently watching the crowds of people in front of the salt shop.

How much does it cost?

It should have belonged to me.

Wei Qing drove his horse over. When he saw Yan Zhongyuan, he nodded to him and said, "Old Yan, you have done a good deed."

"It's good to let the people eat salt."

Huo Qubing: "Well, why is it bad? Master Yan never asks for anything in return. Such a big salt mountain will be given away as soon as he is told."

Wei Ning nodded with deep approval, clasped his fists and said to Yan Zhongyuan: "Master Yan, after you Confucius, you are really the best in the world. This noble and upright character is enough for the world to praise you."

Yan Zhongyuan's face twitched fiercely, and he subconsciously said: "But why are they all praising you, Marquis Zhenbei?"

Wei Ning said: "You are wrong, they are thanking His Majesty... Well, anyway, aren't I here to thank you with my uncle and cousin?"

"Want to buy salt? Can I give you a discount?"

I want to break your bones now!

You three evil deeds of the Wei family! Is this a group effort to humiliate me?

Why go so far?

This is simply unreasonable and incomprehensible! A bunch of lowly nobles! Become a powerful person or be a lowly person! What are you so proud of? I’ll buy your head! I will never use your table salt, ever!

Yan Zhongyuan snorted heavily, waved his armbands, turned around and left angrily.

"Eh? Lao Yan!" Huo Qubing said loudly.

"What are you doing? Who told you to call me that? It's not polite!"

Huo Qubing: "Sorry, please stop first."

"Don't do it!"

Yan Zhongyuan walked faster.

"There is dog shit in front of you... If you step on it, there will be dog shit on your skirt..." Huo Qubing reminded kindly.

Yan Zhongyuan glanced down, his features frowning.

"You have dog shit on you, Lao Yan, did you hear that?"

I want you to tell me when I'm riding a horse? What should we do now? I took off my clothes in public? Throw away your shoes? Are you, Huo Qubing, the only smart one?

You three bitches from the Wei family are waiting for me, so you can enjoy the good harvest!

I will curse you two little bastards when I get back, and you will die on the battlefield next year! Wait!

(End of this chapter)