Chapter 98: Slow Journey in the Snow (Part 3)

Zhang Yu was taken aback, seeing Han Gang pulling Liu Zhongwu to mount the horse and leave, which did not seem to be a pretense. He hurriedly called out, "Please wait a moment, benefactors! I beg you to leave your names. My son also serves in the capital, and if you go to the capital, I can have my son repay your kindness!"

"Expecting a return for a favor is not the way of a gentleman. Mr. Zhang, you have a kind heart, but it is unnecessary! I bid you farewell!" Han Gang clasped his hands in a salute and leaped onto the horse with great ease. Laughing heartily, he led the still somewhat dazed Liu Zhongwu and the others, and soon they were far away.

Zhang Yu watched Han Gang's figure grow smaller, lost in admiration of his free-spirited and generous nature. "To leave without a trace, hiding one's name and identity. This young man truly has the style of the ancients." Turning to look at his useless servants, he was filled with anger and shouted, "Why are you still standing there? Chase after them! They are heading to the capital, so it's a good opportunity to go with them! Hurry! Hurry up!"

"Why?" Liu Zhongwu was puzzled by Han Gang's actions, riding his horse and leaning over to ask, "We saved his life, don't we deserve his thanks?"

The cold wind stung their faces, penetrating their clothes. The sky grew increasingly gloomy, and snowflakes began to drift down like flying cotton, signaling the start of a snowfall.

Slowing down, Han Gang turned his head and shouted to Liu Zhongwu, "It's getting late, let's head into the city. There's no need to delay further. Gratitude and gifts are all fake; getting to the capital and securing an official position is what really matters."

Liu Zhongwu frowned, feeling somewhat displeased. Zhang Yu seemed to be a man of status, and he mentioned having a son who served in the capital, though not a high-ranking official, he was still an official. Forming a good relationship with Zhang Yu would not have been in vain. But Han Gang had forcefully pulled him away, and now it was too late to return. What a pity, what a missed opportunity. Liu Zhongwu's expression turned cold: 'Could it be that he fears I might gain useful support and really secure an official position?'

Lu Ming, with a thick face, leaned over and said, "Brother Liu, Han Gong's actions are not bad. This Zhang Yu is not a good person. It's better to keep a distance."

Lu Ming closed his mouth after speaking, leaving it a mystery, waiting for Liu Zhongwu to ask more. But Liu Zhongwu had always looked down on Lu Ming and had seen him constantly fawning over Han Gang. He wouldn't believe a word Lu Ming said and didn't even ask. On the other side, Han Gang showed no interest at all. It was already late, and he didn't want to spend the night outside the city of Jingzhao due to gossip. There were inns and food in the city, and the Lantern Festival was also happening. As long as Lu Ming was around, he could always hear gossip later, so there was no need to waste time here.

However, Han Gang saw through Liu Zhongwu's dissatisfaction. A significant part of his actions was to provoke Liu Zhongwu's discontent. He suddenly said without any context, "Brother Ziweng, you will thank me tomorrow."

Confused, Liu Zhongwu watched as Han Gang flicked the reins and took the lead. If his prediction was correct, Liu Zhongwu would definitely be grateful tomorrow. Even if he was wrong, the cryptic statement could be explained away. To win over this talent, whom Xiang Bao also favored, Han Gang had used the unexpected event to his advantage. Although the success rate was high, the constant scheming was tiring.

As night fell, the snowflakes, fine as cotton, began to fall gently from the sky. The walls of Jingzhao finally rose above the horizon.

Jingzhao, the center of Guanzhong, though far from the grandeur of the Tang Dynasty's Chang'an, was still much more prosperous than Qinzhou. About four or five li from the city, shops lined both sides of the road, and residential areas were densely packed further away.

During the Tang Dynasty, Chang'an was the world's largest city, leading in planning, population, commerce, and all aspects of urban life. However, after centuries of change, Chang'an had been ravaged by wars and invasions by the Tibetans. It was finally reduced to rubble in a fire set by Zhu Wen. The Song Dynasty's Jingzhao was built on the ruins of this city.

It was the Lantern Festival, and the lights on the city walls shone like a brilliant galaxy, far more splendid than what Han Gang had seen at Gangu. Fireworks frequently ascended from the city walls, blooming in the night sky. The countless lights gathered, turning the low clouds red. This was the first time Han Gang had seen such a scene since arriving in this era.

After all, it was the Lantern Festival.

People flooded the streets, often entire families going out to view the lanterns. Children carried various small lanterns, walking happily in front, while their parents and siblings followed behind. After entering the city, Han Gang and his group struggled through the crowd. The streets were packed, but thanks to Lu Ming, who knew the way, they did not get lost.

The Lantern Festival was a major event of the year, perhaps even the Song Dynasty's carnival night. On New Year's Day, people stayed at home with their families. The Spring Festival was related to agricultural rituals. The Lantern Festival, however, was a celebration primarily for the urban residents, known as Fangkuo households. The capital, Tokyo, would have lanterns for five days, while ordinary military and prefectural cities would have them for three days.

Lantern mountains and pavilions, adorned with colorful lights, stood in the streets, their gold and silver reflecting and their brocades shining. These were made by various guilds and wealthy merchants, who would compete to see who could create the best.

The snow had stopped, but the wind continued. Snowflakes on rooftops and branches were lifted by the wind. The light snow did not dampen people's spirits. The lights scattered in the snow mist, casting a soft yellow glow in the air, creating a dreamlike atmosphere.

Walking through the brightly lit streets, Han Gang suddenly remembered something. In his haste to enter the city, he had forgotten one thing. Chang'an, unlike Qinzhou, did not have a curfew, and during the Lantern Festival, the city gates remained open at night. He didn't need to rush so hard. But this was good; he didn't have to wait until tomorrow. Liu Zhongwu's mood, which was currently sour, would improve tonight.

Liu Zhongwu seemed to have forgotten his discontent and was now interested in the lanterns and markets around him. His face, which had been stern, now showed a hint of a smile. Qinzhou, being on the border, was not as prosperous as Jingzhao, and its festivals were far less lively. He couldn't help but be captivated.

Unlike Liu Zhongwu, Li Xiaoliu and Lu Ming were already mesmerized by the sights. Han Gang, however, felt a sense of detachment as he looked around.

The bustling streets, the jubilant crowds, and the innocent smiles of children all spoke of peace and happiness. Although there were laborers and taxes, it was still a place free from the sounds of war.

The Song Dynasty had been established for a hundred years, and despite occasional turmoil and border conflicts, the internal peace was largely maintained. For the people living in the interior during the Xining era, this might have been ordinary, but it was a rare and precious time compared to the late Tang and Five Dynasties periods.

However, in about fifty or sixty years... or perhaps forty or fifty years, the peaceful times would be shattered by the iron hooves of the northern invaders, due to the folly of two incompetent emperors and a few corrupt officials.

For the first time... the first time since his arrival, Han Gang pondered the meaning of his presence in this world.

He remembered reading "The Collected Works of Li Bai" a few days ago. While the poems were memorable, a particular preface left a deep impression on him: "The universe is the inn of all things; time is the guest of all generations."

Inn... Han Gang found this word very fitting, describing him as a traveler moving against the flow of time. But he was no longer just a guest