Chapter 407 - 287: Bitter Winter, North Wind and Snow, the Frozen Qin Capital? What a Pity, What a Joke!

Outside Qin Capital, the sheltered district.

More than ten people dressed in the Ink Robe of the Regent’s Mansion rode tall horses into the district, followed by several wagons full of goods, covered by white snow, making it impossible to discern what they carried.

"By the sacred decree, the royal grace overflows, restoring the books of three thousand three hundred impoverished souls in the sheltered district..." Zhong Yang solemnly announced in the center of the sheltered district.

Restore the books?

Many heard the voice, huddled their bodies, and braced themselves against the fierce wind and snow to come out.

Zhong Yang remained expressionless and continued the announcement.

"This sheltered district undermines the prosperity of Qin Capital and shall be demolished immediately."

Demolish the sheltered district?

Already struggling through the wind and snow, the impoverished instantly fell into despair, their frail bodies seemingly about to be buried under tonight’s storm.

Behind the crowd, an old man and a young child wrapped in worn cotton coats watched from a distance, their coats tattered, yet warmer than others’ clothing.

"Master, they’re going to tear down this place..." Little Yu’s eyes welled up with tears, "If they tear down this place, where will we live?"

"Indeed, if this place is torn down, where do we go from here?" Ji Wujiang lamented the suffering of the poor in the wind and snow.

The ’we’ he spoke of was not himself and Little Yu, but all the residents of the sheltered district.

This snow was already set to claim more than half the lives in the sheltered district, and demolishing it would virtually wipe out everyone.

"That young one, ultimately unable to stop this tragedy..."

More than three thousand vibrant lives frozen to death at the feet of prosperous Qin Capital, it’s truly ironic.

Ji Wujiang lifted his head, gazing in the direction of Qin Capital, seemingly able to pierce the snow, through the inner and outer city, striking deep into the Imperial City.

"Alas... Chang Qin Jiumin, if you continue like this, not even a millennial catastrophe could prevent your family’s dynasty from collapsing."

"Never mind, I cannot evade this calamity," Ji Wujiang murmured, "It’s been a long time since I visited the Imperial City."

Over three thousand lives, unseen would have been fine, but having seen them, it made him slightly heartbroken.

"Master, what are you speaking of?"

"Nothing."

In the center of the sheltered district.

Zhong Yang continued his announcement while sympathetically scanning the crowd.

The sheltered district, though built only of thatch, ragged and worn, could at least block some wind and snow.

Without the sheltered district, those who had just regained their books could only await death.

"Guo Heng, distribute the books."

Having announced everything, he ordered the wagons forward.

Three wagons, all filled with cold books, unable to eat, unable to wear.

At that moment, horse whinnies sounded from outside the sheltered district.

"Oh?" Ji Wujiang, ready to leave with Little Yu, paused, his face showing slight surprise.

A man in armor, with a stern countenance, strode into the sheltered district, arriving at the central position.

"General Tao." Upon seeing the newcomer, Zhong Yang immediately cupped his hands in salute.

"Lord Zhong." The newcomer was none other than Tao Long, the cavalry general of the Huang Forbidden Army, the palace guard of the Seventh Prince.

"General Tao comes here...?" Zhong Yang was somewhat puzzled.

"Lord Zhong, Your Seventh Highness commands, all citizens in the sheltered district restored in the books may go to Mei’an Mountain Stone Factory and Jiping Cloth Shop."

"Weren’t Mei’an Mountain Stone Factory and Jiping Cloth Shop seized?" Zhong Yang grew more puzzled.

"Your Seventh Highness intends Mei’an Mountain Stone Factory and Jiping Cloth Shop as crucial industries for Qin Capital, not to be abandoned due to the corrupt official Cui Ye, thus appointing Attendant Reader Chu Ming as supervisor for both places."

"Attendant Reader Chu?" Zhong Yang was shocked, recalling the conversation with Chu Ming during the seizure of the Cui Mansion that morning.

This reader really pleaded before the Seventh Prince for these common people?

"Rest assured, General Tao, I will handle this." Zhong Yang cupped his hands.

"Good, I’ll leave it to Lord Zhong; I must return to report, farewell."

"..."

Not far off, Ji Wujiang’s eyes were profound, seemingly containing a hidden brilliance.

"Good lad! Not bad... not bad..."

"Master, it’s cold..."

"Let’s go." Ji Wujiang led Little Yu.

"Master, where are we going?"

"Where to?" Ji Wujiang looked toward Qin Capital, "To see the apprentice of my good apprentice."

"Master, what does ’the apprentice of my good apprentice’ mean?"

"..."

...

Qin Capital, Inner City.

On winter’s dusk, the cold wind was cutting, and the sky was shrouded in a sheet of lead-gray.

Majestic crimson walls towered high, appearing more solemn and sacred against the backdrop of swirling white snow.

The glazed tiles were heaped with thick snow, resembling the silver-clad spine of a dragon winding through the clouds.