Chapter 42

Zhang Lu, the steward of the Zhao family, arrived with a cart full of freshly baked steamed buns, two sheep, and all the chefs from the Zhao household. Most of these chefs were from the households of several old generals who had come to the Zhao family to learn their craft, but now they had been conscripted by Zhao Chen.

The servants from the household were also brought by Zhang Lu, and Zhao Chen even spotted the figure of Xiaomai. Since entering the Zhao household, Xiaomai had been placed by Zhao Chen to serve him, helping with tea and water, and cleaning the study. She was a very clever child.

However, in such heavy snow, what was Xiaomai doing here? What could a child possibly do to help?

"Master, Xiaomai can help in the kitchen!" The little girl stood timidly in front of Zhao Chen, looking as if she had committed a mistake, her head lowered, gazing at the hem of her dress, which was wet from the snow, and she spoke in a low voice.

Zhang Lu wore a bitter smile. Everyone in the household knew that the young master doted on this child and never allowed her to do any dirty or tiring work. Now, seeing that he had brought Xiaomai here, it was no wonder he was angry.

"What's going on? Xiaomai is ignorant, but are you also ignorant?" Zhao Chen glared at Zhang Lu, his face dark as he questioned him.

Zhang Lu gave a bitter laugh and, after Xiaomai had moved away, explained the reason to Zhao Chen. Upon hearing Zhang Lu's words, Zhao Chen immediately let out a cold laugh.

It turned out that the heavy snow had collapsed many people's houses, including those of Xiaomai's family. Somehow, her family had learned that Xiaomai was living well in the Zhao household, so the whole family had come to the Zhao household to look for her.

This was truly a case of karma! Zhao Chen let out a cold laugh. People like this deserved such punishment, and this was even lenient!

"What does Xiaomai mean by this?" After a pause, Zhao Chen suddenly looked at Xiaomai, who was busy with her skirt, and turned to Zhang Lu to ask.

Zhang Lu shook his head: "Since seeing her family, this child has refused to speak. Just before coming here, she told Zhang Lu that no matter what, she wanted Zhang Lu to bring her to Yongping Lane to help in the kitchen."

Upon hearing Zhang Lu's words, Zhao Chen understood Xiaomai's thoughts. The child must have been moved by the sight of her family's plight and, unable to get his approval, had begged Zhang Lu to bring her here.

Two large pots were set up on the street of Yongping Lane. The two sheep were slaughtered, cut into fist-sized pieces, and thrown into the pots to boil, with seasonings added until they were cooked.

Naturally, Zhao Chen did not need to do these tasks himself. The chefs had already learned how to do them.

The heavy snow finally stopped after all the houses were built. Zhao Chen held a bowl of mutton soup, squatted in front of a thatched cottage, and watched the flames under the pot. He couldn't help but sigh.

If a strong wind followed the snow, it would truly be a storm of wind and snow. After tonight, the weather in Chang'an would suddenly turn cold, and with so many people's houses destroyed and thousands of people sleeping on the streets, the consequences were unimaginable.

"Daoist, why don't you come back with me tonight!" After drinking a bowl of hot mutton soup, the person stood up to leave. Before leaving, Zhao Chen looked at Sun Simiao, who was slowly chewing on a steamed bun, and said.

"Afraid I'll freeze to death, old Daoist?" Sun Simiao replied without looking up. Not only had Zhao Chen noticed the signs of the weather change, but Sun Simiao had also seen it.

"Daoist, please come back with me!" Zhao Chen knew how terrifying a strong wind after such heavy snow could be. The old Daoist was already old, and while he couldn't take care of others, he didn't want anything to happen to the old Daoist.

"Go away, go away!" Unexpectedly, Sun Simiao waved his hand impatiently at Zhao Chen, turned around, and entered his thatched cottage, ignoring Zhao Chen completely.

"Little Lord, rest assured, I will take good care of Daoist Sun tonight!" Seeing the situation, Su Fangzheng patted his chest and swore.

"Thank you, Su Fangzheng!" Zhao Chen smiled bitterly and said, "I will have someone send more quilts over. Please take good care of Daoist Sun!"

With that, Zhao Chen took a step back and bowed to Su Fangzheng.

"Too much, too much!" Seeing Zhao Chen bow, Su Fangzheng quickly dodged and waved his hands, saying, "This is my duty. I don't deserve such respect from Little Lord!"

"Since that's the case, we will take our leave!" Zhao Chen said, called out to Sun Simiao's thatched cottage, and turned to leave with Cheng Chumu, Hu Lu, and the two hundred family guards of the Qin and Cheng families.

This heavy snow had hit Wannian County the hardest, with thousands of houses destroyed and tens of thousands of people sleeping on the streets. As they left Yongping Lane, they saw teams of soldiers rushing about. The magistrate of Wannian County, covered in mud, emerged from a lane, his face filled with sorrow.

Seeing Zhao Chen and his group coming out of Yongping Lane from a distance, the magistrate nodded at Zhao Chen. Although they had never met before, Zhao Chen had spent his own money to help build two hundred houses in Yongping Lane, which had solved some of his problems. Therefore, he was grateful to Zhao Chen.

"The weather will turn cold tonight. Do you have a plan to settle the people?" Zhao Chen didn't want to bring up this matter, but seeing so many innocent people standing in the snow, he couldn't help but ask.

"To be honest, I am at a loss!" The magistrate of Wannian County, upon hearing this, did not get angry at Zhao Chen's impertinence but instead politely clasped his hands and said, "Does this young gentleman have any good suggestions? I am at my wits' end!"

"Why don't you report this to the Ministry of Revenue and ask the Ministry of War to lend some military tents?" Zhao Chen sighed, having already guessed that the magistrate had no plan to settle the refugees from his worried expression.

"Is this feasible?" The magistrate of Wannian County frowned and looked at Zhao Chen doubtfully.

"Can we just let so many people freeze to death?" Zhao Chen smiled bitterly and said to the magistrate.

"If this plan works, I will be grateful to this young gentleman on behalf of the people of Wannian County!" The magistrate of Wannian County thought for a moment and found Zhao Chen's suggestion very feasible. He bowed deeply to Zhao Chen and quickly left with several clerks for the county office.

"I hope they can borrow enough military tents!" Watching the magistrate and his group leave, Zhao Chen sighed heavily, looking at the people standing helplessly in the snow with their families, and then walked wearily toward his residence in Xinghua Lane.

After returning from Wannian County, the group parted ways at the street corner. Cheng Chumu took his family guards back to Dexin Lane, the Qin family's guards were taken back to the Qin residence by Qin's personal guards, and Hu Lu parted ways with the group on Zhuque Street and went to the Imperial Academy in the Imperial City.

Everyone was exhausted that day, and Zhao Chen was also extremely tired. He had planned to have a good sleep as soon as he got home, but as soon as they entered Xinghua Lane, he saw a few people standing alone in front of his house.

A couple with two children, the older one about three or four years old, held in the man's arms, and the younger one, about one or two years old, held in the woman's arms.

Seeing Zhao Chen and his group enter Xinghua Lane, the man pushed the woman from behind and whispered something to her. The woman bit her lip and hesitated, looking at Zhao Chen and his group.

Zhao Chen smiled coldly and turned to Xiaomai, who was staring straight at the woman. He couldn't help but sigh.

No matter how strong Xiaomai appeared, she was still a child at heart. Which child could remain indifferent upon seeing their own mother?

Xiaomai, who was staring at her mother, seemed to sense Zhao Chen's gaze. She quickly turned her head, glanced at Zhao Chen, and then, as if afraid of being punished, quickly lowered her head and dared not look at the woman.

As soon as Zhao Chen reached the gate, the woman immediately knelt down with her child, sobbing and begging Zhao Chen to take in her family of four.

"Master, please be kind and take in our family of four!" The woman kept sobbing, and the man behind her wore a flattering expression, kneeling behind her and begging as well.

"I can take you in!" Zhao Chen looked at the woman kneeling on the ground and sighed, "But Xiaomai will have to return to the main house and work as a servant."

"No problem, no problem!" The man was overjoyed upon hearing this and said repeatedly, "Our poor child is meant to do hard work!"

Zhao Chen ignored the man's words and stared directly at the woman. He was only talking to her because she was Xiaomai's mother. If she showed any sign of indifference, he would leave without hesitation.

The woman's mouth was slightly open, her face showing a struggle. On one side was her infant child, and on the other was her daughter who had finally found a better life. This choice was clearly cruel for her.

Everyone's eyes were on the woman. Xiaomai's fists were tightly clenched, her teeth biting her lip, and her eyes fixed on her mother.

"Dear, what are you thinking?" The man behind her was already impatient, smiled flatteringly at Zhao Chen, and, unseen by others, pinched the woman's arm, urging her to decide.

After a long silence, the woman finally sobbed and nodded. Zhao Chen let out a disappointed cold laugh, and Xiaomai, with a cry, covered her mouth and burst into tears.

At this moment, the child's heart was completely shattered. It was a cruel scene, the second time the mother had mercilessly abandoned her daughter.

"Zhang Lu, drive them away. If they dare to approach the gate again, break their legs!" Zhao Chen lovingly held Xiaomai's hand, his face dark, and instructed Zhang Lu. He then turned and led Xiaomai into the house.

The pleading voices continued behind him, but Zhao Chen no longer bothered to look back. The woman had her own difficulties, but understanding did not mean approval. His sympathy was not cheap enough to be given to such people.