Chapter 491: Such a Scene, Isn't It Worth a Poem?

Early October, the scorching summer had long passed, and more than half of the leaf‑falling autumn had already gone.

By October, the weather was already turning cold, and in another month another heavy snowfall would arrive.

It also signaled that the calmest year since the Zhenguan era was about to draw to a close.

Yesterday a royal edict arrived at the Xianlya; Chen Yan and the others had thought they would soon return to Chang'an for appointments, but unexpectedly, while returning to Chang'an was indeed planned, Li Shimin made no arrangements for any of them.

He only revoked their positions in Weinan County and gave no other assignments.

"Brother Chen, what does His Majesty mean by this?"

Beside the Wei He dock, at the familiar teahouse, Du Gou turned his head to ask.

Chen Yan shook his head, indicating he was unsure.

Fang Yizhi guessed, "Perhaps His Majesty is giving us a period to return to Chang'an to recuperate, and will make arrangements for us afterward."

"After all, no matter how we put it, we have achieved great merit; today's Weinan County is worlds apart from the Weinan County of the fourth year of the Zhenguan era, and it has validated many things."

"Moreover..." he paused, then smiled, "Brother Chen is about to return to Chang'an for his coronation; perhaps His Majesty intends to wait until after Chen's coronation before appointing us."

Du Gou and Chen Yan, after listening, silently pondered for a moment, then both nodded, agreeing that Fang Yizhi's reasoning made sense.

Li Shimin was still very personable; in private he often slipped away with Du Ruhui and the others for outings, so Chen Yan's need to hold a coronation banquet and take a break seemed reasonable.

"Coronation..."

Chen Yan watched the boats sailing along the Wei He, the gentle cold wind brushing the vast water surface, stirring faint ripples.

"When I have my coronation, I will truly be Zi Anxiong!"

Hearing this, Du Gou and Fang Yizhi burst into laughter.

In fact, by rule, a Tang man may only adopt a courtesy name after his coronation; for example, Chen Yan is called Zi An.

But because Chen Yan's parents died early, he was given a courtesy name early, and since His Majesty and Her Majesty both called him Zi An, many people addressed him that way.

Nevertheless, as Chen Yan said, after his coronation he will truly be Zi Anxiong.

"Brother Du, look," Chen Yan pointed to the bustling dock in the distance, where cargo ships stopped and departed, laborers occasionally wiping sweat from their brows, and carriage after carriage rolled in from afar, loaded goods and left.

We've seen such scenes countless times since arriving in Weinan County.

"Do you feel it's different from before?"

"Of course it's different," Du Gou said, gazing at the repeatedly‑seen scene, dazed, "I still recall when Brother Chen and I first came here, it was chaotic, full of dirty puddles; the laboring townsfolk looked numb, a dock bustling with traffic yet as still as a dead pond."

"Now the ground has been rebuilt, order imposed by harsh law, the workers wear new clothes, and there is light in their eyes."

Du Gou cleared his throat, scratched his head, "Not that I'm afraid of your jokes; I consider that I have contributed here, and this contribution has been the source of my greatest pride and satisfaction in over twenty years of life."

"It's not that this achievement promises me a future, but because I truly feel that what I do is meaningful, that I'm helping the people improve gradually."

"Honestly, that sense of accomplishment is downright intoxicating."

Fang Yizhi strongly agreed with Du Gou's words, as he felt the same.

Although Chen Yan is the decision‑maker, they've been involved all along and made great contributions, haven't they?

"It's just a pity... we have to leave tomorrow."

Chen Yan was rather emotional.

During his time in Weinan County, he lived quite comfortably; official duties were not too demanding, and as long as he steered the right direction, he could do whatever he wanted each day.

"What, Brother Chen, are you reluctant to part?" Fang Yizhi teased, "Why not petition His Majesty to let you stay in Weinan County a few more years?"

"Staying is definitely impossible," Chen Yan said silently. "Weinan County is ultimately just a single county; making its people live well is naturally a source of pride, but returning to Chang'an offers the chance to improve the lives of the entire realm's people. I think that would be even more pride‑inducing."

Du Gou and Fang Yizhi exchanged glances, and a surge of heroic spirit rose within them.

"Well said!" Du Gou laughed heartily, "We've done what we can; let's leave this to Li Yifu and his men."

"Even with reluctance, even with parting, our steps should not halt because of it!"

"Chang'an has a broader world awaiting us!"

Fang Yizhi smiled faintly, seeing the mood settle, raised his hand and shouted, "Xiao Er, bring the wine!"

Chen Yan jerked his head up, staring bewildered, "No, we're leaving tomorrow—why the hell are we drinking?"

"Exactly because we're leaving tomorrow, that's why we drink!" Du Gou grabbed the rising Chen Yan, "You damn fool, you aren't trying to run away, are you?"

Chen Yan: "......"

He tugged hard and found that this kid Du Gou was actually a bit stronger than him—no wonder, having trained the Six Arts under Du Ruhui since childhood.

Chen Yan was speechless.

Why do you all love drinking so much? Isn't being drunk uncomfortable?

Just a moment ago you were sighing poetically, how the hell did we suddenly switch to drinking again?

"Brother Chen, sit down, just a small sip, two cups," Fang Yizhi stood up and guided him back to his seat.

"Really?" Chen Yan asked skeptically, "Just two cups?"

"It's truly that genuine!" Fang Yizhi and Du Gou both assured.

"Alright then, two small cups it is."

Chen Yan knew he couldn't escape; otherwise, when his coronation came, he would surely be punished, so he had no intention of running.

However, with alcohol, the more cups you drink, the more it goes to your head.

The three kept sipping, sip after sip, until they couldn't stop.

At this point, after several dishes were added, the three were somewhat tipsy.

However, unlike before, as they kept drinking, suddenly none of them spoke any more.

Each holding a cup, they gazed at the Wei He, at the dock, at this... county town that they, a few young men, had jointly breathed life into.

"Brother Chen!"

"Hmm?"

"With this scene and feeling, shouldn't we compose a poem?"

...... I can't even solve a problem, I feel dizzy, please send someone to my home to deliver a message, asking my wife to come pick me up, okay?