Chapter 44: New Year's Eve

Hearing what Fang Han said, the scholars felt even more that the Protector was unreliable, and they grew increasingly worried about their own futures.

Fang Han dismissed them and instructed Liu San to lead them in finding living quarters. The mansions within the city had all been occupied by the Protector's Mansion for the sole purpose of recruiting talent in the future, and now, they finally served their purpose.

Suddenly, the scholars were transformed from impoverished recluses living in the mountains into officials with their own homes, a change they couldn't adapt to immediately. Fortunately, Fang Han ordered them to follow Su Zihuan for the time being to learn the ways of governance. This finally made them feel like actual officials.

New Year's Eve.

The entire Protector's Mansion was a scene of bustling celebration. Chickens were slaughtered and sheep were butchered in preparation for the New Year's feast. Liu San, the various servants, maidservants, Old Wu, Fang Shou, the personal guards, and Sun Shengyuan were all present.

Beyond the Protector's Mansion, the city defense garrison and the entire city were filled with joyous festivities. Even the soldiers from the surrounding counties in Western Yun County had gathered together under the leadership of their respective commanders.

The Southern Frontier had not celebrated the New Year with such unbridled joy in a very long time.

To boost his prestige, Fang Han even ordered all the farmers who managed the terraced fields outside to return home for the New Year. This policy won him immense favor among the common people.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Fang Han ordered Fang Yuan to spread derogatory rumors about Fang Li. On the one hand, this would heighten the people's disappointment in the imperial court and make them loyal to him; on the other hand, it would further enhance Fang Han's persona. He was willing to use grain as a cost just to outshine Fang Li.

However, while leaving the fields unwatered for a day had no major impact, the fish inside were in trouble. Originally, the water in the terraced fields was kept very shallow. Now, with no one tending to them daily, the water surface would quickly dry up, affecting the growth of the paddy field fish.

Fortunately, the Protector's Mansion was vast, equipped with comprehensive internal recreational facilities. Thanks to Liu San's continuous renovations, the garden had long been completed, waiting only for flowers and plants to be sown in the coming year. The artificial lake within it came in handy, temporarily serving as a shelter for the paddy field fish.

Fang Shou led men to catch the paddy field fish and transfer them into the pools of the Protector's Mansion. Many of the fish had grown significantly in size. Sun Shengyuan accompanied Fang Han and Lin Qingwei to observe them and reported on the current condition of the fish.

"Sir, these fish have already begun to breed. Those few with the largest bellies are full of roe."

Seeing the paddy field fish laden with eggs, Fang Han was deeply gratified and strongly tempted to catch a few to satisfy his cravings. However, the stock of paddy field fish was still too small for such indulgence; it was better to keep raising them for breeding purposes.

As dusk fell, the New Year's Eve dinner was ready. Following Fang Han's orders, everyone brought their share of the feast back to their respective quarters. Liu San stayed with the servants, the blacksmith Old Wu, and Sun Shengyuan. Fang Shou joined the personal guard battalion. Hongye and several maidservants dined together. Naturally, Fang Han and Lin Qingwei remained in their own small courtyard.

Actually, Fang Han would have preferred everyone to sit down and eat together, but this was not the modern world of his past life; this was antiquity, where strict distinctions were maintained between superiors and subordinates. Even if Fang Han didn't mind, the others would feel too constrained. Therefore, he had no choice but to let them stay within their respective small circles.

Before a table laden with sumptuous dishes, Fang Han somehow found his appetite lacking.

"What's wrong?" Lin Qingwei asked.

Fang Han sighed and said, "I just feel like something is missing. Besides, there are only the two of us for New Year's Eve."

Hearing this, Lin Qingwei silently put down her chopsticks. Lost in his own thoughts, Fang Han didn't notice.

*Is he dropping a hint to me?* Lin Qingwei thought to herself. *Though I am a princess, my title is empty and unfulfilled.*

*That woman Lin Qingxue definitely looks down on me.*

*Like other officials, Fang Han should have wives and concubines.*

*As a wife, I ought to fulfill my duty by finding concubines for him to bear his children.*

A tempest of thoughts raged in Lin Qingwei's mind, stretching a casual remark from Fang Han into a myriad of details. Those things she usually overlooked, it turned out, he had kept all of them in his heart.

"Fang Han, I... we, tonight..." Lin Qingwei's face flushed crimson, her words halting and stammering.

Suddenly, Fang Han realized what was missing—aside from people, it was fireworks and firecrackers. People were supposed to set off firecrackers for the New Year. Having lived in this world for several years, he had forgotten about it because this world was too backward to have firecrackers.

"Once we stabilize the Southern Frontier, I'll give you a surprise next New Year," Fang Han said, picking up his chopsticks. Then, seeing Lin Qingwei keeping her head lowered, he asked in surprise, "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

Lin Qingwei hurriedly shook her head and said, "No, nothing."

"Eat up. It won't taste good if it gets cold. Let's rest early tonight."

In the Great Zhou dynasty, there was also a custom of staying up late to welcome the New Year and offering New Year greetings. However, Fang Han had no intention of staying up late. In this era devoid of recreational games, staying up late was pure torture.

Therefore, shortly after finishing their New Year's Eve dinner, the two of them went to bed early.

The next day, on the first day of the New Year, just past the fifth watch, Fang Han woke up early and went to Lin Qingwei's room to rouse her.

Lin Qingwei groggily opened her eyes. Seeing that it was Fang Han, she mumbled, "Why did you wake up so early?"

Fang Han smiled and said, "Have you forgotten what day it is today? The first day of the New Year. We have things to do."

Hearing that it was the first day of the New Year, Lin Qingwei had no idea what tasks awaited her. Back in the palace, every New Year required paying respects to one's elders. But because of her illness, everyone regarded her as a harbinger of bad luck. Even on the first day of the New Year, she was not allowed to pay respects to anyone—not even the Empress, her mother. Thus, she had never formed any concept of the first day of the New Year.

Now, hearing Fang Han say there were things to do, she couldn't react in time. Even so, she obediently put on her clothes and followed Fang Han out into the city.

When Fang Han climbed to the highest point in the city, the scenery of the entire town lay spread out before them without obstruction. Red lanterns were hung everywhere, and people were already roaming the streets to visit friends and relatives. Others were paying New Year greetings to their elders to collect lucky money.

"Is... this what celebrating the New Year is like?" Lin Qingwei asked, a look of sincere envy in her eyes. In her world, the concept of celebrating the New Year did not exist. It was only after coming to the Southern Frontier that she experienced the first New Year of her life.

"That's right. Come, sit by my side; they'll be coming soon."

Knowing that Lin Qingwei had previously known very little about the New Year, Fang Han kept guiding her along.

Not long after Lin Qingwei sat down beside Fang Han, Fang Da led a group of soldiers up to the ramparts. Alongside each of them was a woman.

Fang Han had once promised to find them wives, help them start families, and settle them down once they reached the Southern Frontier. Now, out of a hundred men, half had already found their wives.

At this very moment, on the first day of the New Year, they had come to pay their respects to Fang Han and Lin Qingwei.

Fang Da walked up first, accompanied by Yue Lan, whose belly was slightly rounded.

"My Lord, my Lady, Happy New Year! We have come to pay our respects to you. May the Lord and Lady live a hundred years."

Looking at the man before him, who was much older than he was yet forced to pay him respects, Fang Han felt a sudden sense of helplessness. He, too, had been thrust into this position against his will.