C111. Beyond This Point.
The travelers had already heard about the changes in Youzhou from the merchants, but they were still greatly impacted by the sight of the leveled roads and the contented populace beneath their feet.
Times had indeed changed.
As soon as the travelers arrived in Youzhou, Yuan Li received news of their arrival. He dispatched two capable local men from his personal guard, Kong Ran and Gu Yue, to welcome these esteemed scholars and gentlemen.
Before their arrival in Jixian County, Kong Ran and Gu Yue were tasked with taking the travelers on a tour of some of Youzhou's most famous landmarks.
Seizing this opportunity, Yuan Li promptly began preparations for a lantern festival.
A month earlier, Yuan Li had instructed his men to announce at every market day that a lantern festival would be held in Jixian County in mid-May. This was the first time Jixian County was hosting a lantern festival, and it was imperative to make it a grand affair, attracting the townsfolk to come and enjoy the festivities.
It was also an opportunity to showcase the differences between Youzhou and the outside world to these southerners.
While hidden currents surged outside, the people of Youzhou Prefecture lived peacefully, and even the bustling lantern festival subtly indicated the strength of Youzhou Prefecture, didn't it?
The art of making lanterns was easy to learn and many people, upon learning that the officials were purchasing lanterns, began making lanterns from grass and wood to earn some extra money.
The finished lanterns gradually found their place in the market, casting their light under houses, along roadsides, by rivers... Everywhere there were shadows of lanterns.
The people were excited about this and conversations between them often revolved around questions like, "Have you made lanterns?"
"Will you bring your children to the Lantern Festival?"
Many merchants interested in the lantern festival did not leave after the grand market. Instead, they found a place to stay temporarily, waiting for the Lantern Festival to begin.
Yuan Song soon approached Yuan Li, saying, "Jixian County should be expanded further. The number of residents coming to Jixian County is increasing, and if we don't expand further, Jixian County won't be able to accommodate them all."
Yuan Li agreed immediately and let Yuan Song take charge.
Yuan Song was in high spirits and said with a smile, "The number of people in Guangyang County is increasing. I believe the harvest in the coming years will be very good."
That was certainly a possibility.
After the 500,000 refugees who had fled to Youzhou Prefecture following the snow disaster last year were distributed to various counties in Youzhou Prefecture and given fallow fields to cultivate, the refugees in Bingzhou were also given land. The Huanglong Army uprising had caused havoc among the local landlords, allowing Yuan Li to benefit without having to lay a hand on the landlords themselves.
With numerous acres of prime land in their possession, the landlords were like emperors of their own little territories.
This was the reason why the tax revenue collected by the Northern Zhou government continued to decrease. It was because each of the landlords, no matter who they were, held countless acres of good land and tenant households, acting as if they were emperors of small kingdoms.
This was why common people struggled to feed themselves and why the rebels only needed to overthrow one landlord to gain plunder that could sustain their continued growth.
Now, there were no more such powerful landlords in Youzhou Prefecture and Bingzhou. The land was firmly in Yuan Li's hands, ensuring that the grain yield increased year after year.
Yuan Li did not lack land; he lacked people to till the land.
But that was changing... rapidly changing. Over the past few months, more and more refugees had fled to Youzhou Prefecture and the situation in Bingzhou was gradually stabilizing.
Yuan Li believed that by the end of this year, the population of Youzhou Prefecture would double.
He also planned to recruit new soldiers in the fall of this year.
The Lantern Festival was scheduled for the fifteenth day of the fifth month.
This day was not a traditional festival or significant occasion, so Yuan Li established it as Youzhou Prefecture's annual Lantern Festival, linking it to celebrate last year's abundant harvest and hoping for another bountiful harvest this year.
Thus, this lantern festival was named the "Harvest Hope (Panfeng) Festival."
On the eve of the Harvest Hope Festival, Kong Ran and Gu Yue finally arrived in Jixian County with the renowned scholars from the south.
Yuan Li personally welcomed them and prepared a banquet for them to enjoy. During the feast, he casually mentioned the upcoming "Harvest Hope Festival," allowing these renowned scholars to participate in the festivities.
Those who were willing to come from afar to Youzhou Prefecture were either extremely curious about Yuan Li and Chu Hechao, or curious about Youzhou Prefecture itself. They gladly accepted the invitation and indeed attended the lantern festival the next evening.
Originally, these renowned scholars did not hold much expectation for this unfamiliar "Harvest Hope Festival." After all, how could the remote and desolate Youzhou Prefecture compare to places like Yangzhou or Xuzhou in terms of prosperity?
However, when they saw it with their own eyes, they were amazed!
It was lively, exceptionally lively, not at all inferior to the Lantern Festival!
Even before entering the market, they were greeted by various lanterns illuminating the surroundings, each unique in shape and color, creating a vibrant and colorful display.
Countless stalls lined the streets, causing a dazzling display. There were also many stalls selling masks, tailored for shy girls and young men.
The rich aroma wafting in from somewhere on the street made those who had not yet had dinner uncontrollably salivate.
What caught their attention even more was the crowd on the street.
The brightly lit street stretched for miles. The people, young and old, men and women, occasionally stopped in front of the lanterns, creating a lively atmosphere.
Despite their patched clothes and simple straw shoes, their faces glowed with a healthy and content expression under the light of the lanterns.
In a trance, these scholars felt as though they had seen a scene from a prosperous era.
From a glance at these people, it was evident that they lived extremely peaceful lives.
Was this truly Youzhou Prefecture, a place known for exiling criminals?
They stood dumbfounded for a moment before walking into the street. As they explored further, their eyes were overwhelmed by the sights.
There were countless goods they had never seen in the south, as well as utensils brought in by the Hu people. As they walked, money was gradually spent, and their servants carried more and more items.
When they reached the food market following the scent, these well-traveled scholars could not help but show looks of astonishment.
What kind of food was this?
Why had they never seen or heard of it before?
The food available in the Northern Zhou Empire was too limited, with only a few cooking methods like steaming, boiling, stewing, and roasting. Even the descendants of wealthy families who were accustomed to lavish feasts had never seen these foods before, feeling a mix of surprise and embarrassment.
They had to ask like common villagers who had never seen the world: "What is this?"
"What kind of food is this?"
"How is it made and how should it be eaten?"
After leaving the food market, these renowned scholars also experienced discomfort similar to what Cui Yan had experienced due to overeating, their faces tinged with a hint of paleness.
Guiding them on this excursion were Guo Mao and Wang Er. Guo Mao could tell from their expressions that they had eaten too much, but maintaining decorum, he did not mention their embarrassing situation.
Amused, Guo Mao subtly signaled Wang Er to slow down, giving them some time to recover.
As the night grew darker, the lanterns resembled falling stars, overshadowing the brilliance of the moon.
The third day of the Harvest Hope Festival was a night of revelry, with the atmosphere becoming more lively as the night progressed, filled with the bustling sounds of merchants and merrymakers.
Yuan Li also joined in the fun.
The crowded streets made Chu Hechao clutching his arm through their clothes, fearing he might get separated.
The crowd was overwhelming, and Chu Hechao, being tall and robust, caught the attention of passersby, who glanced at him and then at Yuan Li. After a short walk, Yuan Li caught a glimpse of Chu Hechao's impatient expression and furrowed brow.
Yuan Li bought two masks, one for himself and one for Chu Hechao.
Even wearing masks couldn't shield them from the crowded streets. After walking down one street, Yuan Li decided not to venture any further. He bought some candied haws made by the locals and walked with Chu Hechao along the riverbank, leisurely strolling.
Along the river, a few people stood in pairs, gazing at the water and the moon. With the darkening sky, their features were obscured, leaving only silhouettes that were picturesque.
Chu Hechao grabbed Yuan Li's arm and led him to a lush weeping willow by the riverbank, where the branches acted like curtains, creating a private space shielded from prying eyes.
Occasional ripples in the water caused the lanterns on the river to sway and flicker.
Chu Hechao and Yuan Li shared a candied haw, coated in sugar cane, a delicacy only made possible by Yuan Li's ample supply of sugar cane. The sweetness nearly overwhelmed them, with Chu Hechao and Yuan Li savoring the sweet and tangy flavors together.
As they bit into a sour piece, Yuan Li nearly lost a tooth, exclaiming, "So sour!"
Chu Hechao chuckled, teasing him, "If you can't handle it, spit it out."
Determined not to waste it, Yuan Li forced himself to finish it, tears welling up from the sourness, "Can't be wasteful."
Seeing Yuan Li's reaction, Chu Hechao felt mischievous and, brazenly, jokingly said to his companion, "The one in my mouth is sweet. Want to try?"
Yuan Li responded, "You shameless man!" refusing to taste the last piece and offering it to Chu Hechao instead.
Smirking, Chu Hechao declined, stating, "Unless you give me a kiss."
Their voices were hushed, muffled by the rustling of the willow branches. However, those familiar with them could vaguely make out their identities from the fragmented sounds and silhouettes.
Yang Zhongfa couldn't believe his eyes as he witnessed the scene beneath the willow branches.
Initially, he found the figures of the two men somewhat familiar. Just as he was about to greet them, he overheard a conversation that left him startled.
A chilling sensation ran through him, and Yang Zhongfa began to doubt his senses, questioning his eyesight. How could it be the general and Yuan Li?
It was impossible, absolutely impossible.
How could these two...
Chu Hechao and Yuan Li...
It couldn't be them!
"Dad," a child's voice interrupted from the shore, reminding Yang Zhongfa that this was not a dream, "Did you get me a lotus lantern?"
Beneath the weeping willow, Yuan Li and Chu Hechao also recognized the voice as Xuan'er's.
Startled, they turned to see Yang Zhongfa standing nearby, looking dumbfounded.
Yuan Li's heart skipped a beat.
He swallowed nervously and followed Chu Hechao out from the weeping willow, the dim light of the lanterns fleeting across their faces. Yang Zhongfa's heart sank as the last ray of hope he held onto vanished completely.
"Dad?" Xuan'er called out.
Yang Zhongfa's hand trembled as he quickly replied, "Have the servants take you back, I'll bring the lantern back for you!"
"But, Dad..."
Yang Zhongfa shouted, "Hurry, go back!"
Confused, Xuan'er was carried away by the servant.
Yang Zhongfa's hands were shaking, and he forced a smile, "General, Sir, what are you doing here?"
Chu Hechao pulled Yuan Li behind him and gazed intently at Yang Zhongfa, "You've seen everything."
Unable to deceive himself any longer, Yang Zhongfa's lips trembled, "General, how could you... how could you do this... you and Yuan Li are relatives, you are relatives!"
Chu Hechao replied, "We are fake relatives."
"But still relatives!" In sudden fury, Yang Zhongfa raised his voice but kept it low, fearing others might overhear their conversation. "General, do you want to be condemned by the people? Have you forgotten how Huyan Wuzhu used to curse you? Yuan Li is your brother-in-law, how could you do this? How can you betray the late Eldest Chu, the late Prince, and Consort? Chu Hechao, do not make me believe you are heartless and treacherous!"
Yang Zhongfa knew his words would hurt Chu Hechao, but it had to be said - this deceit had to be stopped before someone noticed!
Chu Hechao's chest heaved dramatically, lips pressed tightly, his face turning a shade of iron blue.
The wounds that he had not yet healed were reopened by Yang Zhongfa.
His emotions churned, with something dark and painful flickering in his eyes. Eventually, his face became calm.
"You're right, I am heartless and treacherous," Chu Hechao answered calmly. "Throughout history, there have been many who have done similar acts, one more person like me doesn't make a difference."
Enraged, Yang Zhongfa's veins bulged, "General!"
"That's enough, Mr. Yang!" Yuan Li stepped forward, his expression now composed. "This is not the place for conversation; please follow us to the Prince's Estate."
Reluctantly, Yang Zhongfa followed them to the Prince's Estate.
As they walked, he observed Yuan Li's calm demeanor, his worry deepening.
Yuan Li was only twenty-one years old, so young. He had plenty of time ahead of him. Young people are fickle, and he had never been with a woman before.
Could Yuan Li truly continue to be with Chu Hechao?
The General was so resolute, but Yuan Li was so cool-headed and rational.
Did he truly love the General?
Yang Zhongfa felt as if he was in a dark and winding maze, unable to see Chu Hechao and Yuan Li's future at all.
Upon returning to the Prince's Estate, the three of them sat in the study room in silence. After the servant lit the lamps and served three cups of tea, he exited, closing the door tightly behind him.
No one spoke, and the tea leaves slowly sank to the bottom of the cups.
Yuan Li closed his eyes, calming the anger that rose when he heard Yang Zhongfa scolding Chu Hechao as heartless and treacherous.
"How long have you two...been together?" Yang Zhongfa finally asked.
Chu Hechao's expression was obscured by shadows, his jaw outlined coldly by the lamp light. He replied, "Two years."
"Two years, you have been together for two years," Yang Zhongfa wiped his face and smiled bitterly.
"So that's it, that's it..."
Scenes that he once found suspicious flashed through his mind. It all started when they went to Mang Mountain to seek Cui Yan and met a girl from the Cui family. Yang Zhongfa had been deceiving himself, subconsciously thinking that the General and Yuan Li could never be together.
How could it be possible?
But they truly managed to be together.
"While no one has found out yet, you should end this quickly," Yang Zhongfa looked at Yuan Li. "Lord Yuan, you have always been someone who plans ahead, you must be aware of the consequences if your relationship is discovered."
Chu Hechao frowned, gripping the armrest tightly, and coldly said, "If you have something to say, say it to me, not to him."
Ignoring Chu Hechao's menacing look, Yang Zhongfa continued to gaze steadily at Yuan Li.
Yuan Li opened his eyes and said, "I know the consequences."
Yang Zhongfa spoke gravely, "You are young, with your parents at home and a bright future ahead of you. I advise you to stop here."
Enraged, Chu Hechao stood up abruptly, "Yang Zhongfa!"
Yang Zhongfa raised his head to look at Chu Hechao. The muscles on the old general's face twitched, and he said firmly, "Even if I die here, I will urge you to end this, and I will say all that needs to be said."