Just after the New Year festivities, the gently drizzling winter rain pushed the coldness of the season to another climax.
A troop slowly moved along the newly repaved broad official road.
Hui An lifted the curtain of the carriage and looked outside, his expression serene but tinged with worry.
As far as his gaze could reach, recently harvested farmland was beaten by a thin layer of frost, leaving behind withered rice stubs reminiscent of the lifeless winter chill.
However, Hui An saw things differently.
"Although Qianzhong County is newly pacified, we have seen order returning to the various prefectures and counties along the way. People are farming methodically, merchants and travelers are trading, and there is hardly any trace of war."
Feeling the peaceful atmosphere outside, Hui An showed a faint smile and could not help but sigh.
However, as thoughts of something crossed his mind, the smile quickly faded, replaced by a touch of complexity.
