In the first year of Zhongping, early December!
Emperor Liu Hong, in celebration of the Yellow Turban being pacified, granted a general amnesty to the world. At this moment, he officially changed the era name to Zhongping, completely relegating the Guanghe era name to the dust of history.
On the official road outside Zhuo Commandery in You Province, the surroundings were already covered in white snow, and light snow continuously fell from the sky.
From time to time, a cold wind would sweep across this northern land.
Over a thousand people, escorting dozens of carriages, were still slowly advancing.
Inside one of the carriages, a brazier was placed, emitting hot steam.
Liu Jin, clad in a long robe, warmed his hands by the fire, finding relief from the cold air.
Beside him, Yin Yue's cheeks were flushed from the cold weather. She was already wearing several layers of padded clothes and long gowns.
Her fair little hands constantly drew closer to the brazier for warmth.
Liu Jin gently expressed his concern!
"My wife, the northern weather is a bit cold. You must wear more clothes, lest you catch a chill."
Yin Yue nodded upon hearing this and said affectionately!
"Liu Lang, don't worry."
"Since I married you, I must naturally accept the cold weather of the north. If I can't even accept this, how will I live with you in the future?"
Hearing this, Liu Jin chuckled, reached out and stroked Yin Yue's head, his heart filled with emotion.
Ancient women were like this; they followed their husbands no matter what. No matter how difficult it was, they would learn to adapt, rather than throw in the towel and run back home.
He reached out and lifted the carriage curtain, and the snow-covered scenery on both sides of the road came into view, along with a gust of cold wind.
Liu Jin paused slightly, then immediately asked!
"De Hu, how much further is it to Zhuo Commandery? I see the snow is falling heavier and heavier. If we don't reach the city soon, it might be a bit troublesome, no?"
Zhao Teng heard this and quickly replied!
"Big Brother, we have already arrived at the outskirts of Zhuo Commandery. We'll reach it after a few more li."
Liu Jin nodded upon hearing this. A few more li was acceptable.
If it were too far, they would have to set up camp on the spot, start a fire for warmth, and continue onward. He feared that his thousand cavalrymen wouldn't be able to endure it.
Fortunately, the snow had only started falling these past two days. If it had been snowing for a long time, the roads would have already been frozen, and the road conditions would be completely invisible. They would probably have to wait for the snow to stop before returning to Zhuo Commandery.
So, he pulled the carriage curtain back down, preparing to sit by the fire.
Just then, Zhao Teng's voice suddenly rang out again!
"Big Brother, Prefect Wen has arrived."
Liu Jin, who had just sat down, stood up again upon hearing this, lifted the carriage curtain, and stood on the carriage looking into the distance.
In the distance, a carriage, escorted by dozens of riders, was slowly approaching.
When the carriage arrived in front, a guard by its side lifted the curtain.
A familiar figure was revealed; it was Prefect of Zhuo Commandery, Wen Shu.
Liu Jin's face broke into a smile, and he immediately waved and said with a laugh!
"Prefect."
Wen Shu heard this familiar voice and looked at Liu Jin in front of him, his heart filled with excitement, like an old friend he hadn't seen in years.
He quickly waved and burst into hearty laughter!
"Wen Yi!"
Liu Jin immediately jumped down from the carriage, a long robe draped over him, and slowly walked over.
Wen Shu, assisted by his servant, stepped down from his carriage.
They approached each other step by step, then embraced, laughing heartily at each other.
Wen Shu looked at the gold seal and purple ribbon on Liu Jin's person, a smile on his face, and congratulated him!
"Congratulations, Wen Yi, on being enfeoffed as a marquis and appointed as a general!"
Liu Jin heard this and waved his hand with a smile!
"Prefect, please don't tease this junior. My achievements today are largely due to your cultivation back then."
Wen Shu smiled and nodded. He had seen back then that this young man was extraordinary.
Sure enough, even though he was in Zhuo Commandery, he often heard of Liu Jin's prestige, whether it was beheading the bandit leader Zhang Liang, or breaking through Guangzong and defeating hundreds of thousands of Yellow Turbans, shaking Hebei.
More than half a year had passed, and Liu Jin before him was already enfeoffed as a marquis and appointed as a general. Both the marquisate and the generalship held higher status than him.
Now, he could only be considered a subordinate official in front of Liu Jin.
Wen Shu merely sighed, then looked at the thousand cavalrymen behind him, and quickly said!
"I had already learned earlier that Wen Yi was returning to Zhuo Commandery. Since the northern weather is very cold, preparations must be insufficient."
"So I have already ordered people to prepare a camp, as well as clothes, firewood, and hot soup. After arriving in Zhuo Commandery, you can settle down properly, and you won't have to worry about this cold weather."
Liu Jin's heart was filled with joy upon hearing this. He hadn't expected Wen Shu to have already prepared everything.
He had originally been a bit annoyed that heavy snow had started falling after entering You Province. He himself was fine.
But the main concern was the thousand cavalrymen. If they didn't have anything to protect against the cold, they would easily suffer injuries in this cold winter.
Since Wen Shu had prepared everything, he didn't stand on ceremony. Their relationship had been established long ago.
Moreover, with his current status and position, Wen Shu's attitude towards him would naturally be even better.
Liu Jin smiled and said politely!
"Then I thank Prefect."
Wen Shu waved his hand, feigning displeasure!
"Wen Yi, our relationship is so close, yet you're still being so polite with me. Otherwise, I'll get angry."
Liu Jin laughed heartily upon hearing this, then immediately leaned over and put his arm around Wen Shu's shoulder, like good friends, and sat down in his carriage.
So the two of them sat in the carriage, warming themselves by the fire, and began to chat. The convoy continued to move slowly forward.
They soon arrived at Zhuo Commandery City. He immediately instructed Guan Yu to arrange the thousand cavalrymen in the pre-prepared camp.
They lit fires for warmth for everyone, provided extra clothes, and dispelled the chill.
The remaining hundred-plus cavalrymen then escorted the dozen or so carriages into the city.
News of Liu Jin's return quickly spread throughout Zhuo Commandery City.
Many common people began to whisper among themselves!
Because everyone knew that Liu Jin, by pacifying the Yellow Turban Rebellion, had already been enfeoffed as a marquis and appointed as a general, becoming a noble person held in high esteem by everyone.
Even the Prefect of Zhuo Commandery, regardless of his status or position, could not compare to Liu Jin.
The news swept through the entire Zhuo Commandery City like a storm.
Many officials, aristocratic families, and powerful magnates began to ponder how to send gifts.
They hoped to connect with Liu Jin and gain some influence, so that they could walk proudly in Zhuo Commandery in the future.
Liu Jin, sitting in the carriage, looked at Wen Shu beside him and slowly said!
"Prefect, I need to go to Chengxi Street to pick up Aunt Zhao. After all, she showed me immense kindness, and it was because of her that I am alive today."
"Now that I have achieved some success in my career, it is only right that I go and bring her back to care for her."
"If Prefect is busy, I'll come find you later."
Wen Shu heard this, chuckled, and quickly waved his hand!
"Wen Yi, what are you saying? You and I are like brothers. Since she is your aunt, she is also my aunt. What's wrong with going to greet her?"