Love Lock

Chapter 308 In the end, they were destined to be apart.
The ice and snow melt, spring arrives, flowers bloom, and all things revive.

Outside Yong'an City, at the southern foot of Yinshan Mountain, a newly established trade market officially opened under a clear blue sky. The melodious sound of camel bells and the bustling crowds of merchants added boundless vitality to this remote border region.

As the morning light shines down, it gilds the continuous concrete buildings with a golden glow, making them look like a mirage rising from the ground, standing majestically between the vast grassland and the border town.

This is a day that people of both countries have been eagerly anticipating.

News of the opening of border trade swept across the border like a spring breeze, igniting countless hopes.

In Cangzhou, the administration is well-organized.

Soldiers carrying M16 rifles stood at attention. Although the people were excited, they also obeyed the rules and proceeded slowly in batches. Only then were they allowed to visit the novel sight at the foot of Yinshan Mountain.

The King of Cangzhou, along with Prefect Luo Hai and other officials, as well as merchants who had rented shops, had already arrived and stood on the high platform, creating a solemn yet enthusiastic atmosphere.

The Turkic people, on the other hand, presented a completely different picture; they were unrestrained and passionate.

Boru Khan, Princess Yujia, and tribal leaders arrived in a few brand-new three-wheeled vehicles, chugging along excitedly, drawing the attention of everyone.

Behind them billowed dust as thousands of Turks, riding fine horses or driving creaking oxcarts, surged forward like a tidal wave.

They stared at the neat, sturdy, gray-white cement buildings and the wide square before them, their faces filled with shock and disbelief.

Many elderly people dismounted, their hands trembling as they touched the hard, smooth ground, tears welling in their eyes—

What they saw was not cold buildings, but food, salt, iron, and cloth; warmth in the harsh winter; and hope for the survival and continuation of the tribe.

Some even faced east, knelt in devout worship, and murmured prayers, expressing their gratitude for the blessings bestowed by the Eternal Heaven.

On the high platform, Zhao Zun, the King of Cangzhou, dressed in military attire, stood tall and spoke with a booming voice as he addressed the opening of trade between the two countries.

His gaze swept across the dark mass of people below the stage, and he looked particularly intently at the large group of Turks.

Zhao Zun's voice was steady and powerful, echoing in the air above the opening ceremony of the border trade market.

He emphasized: "...This trade fair is a bond of peace and a cornerstone of prosperity between our two countries. We hope that merchants from both sides will abide by the rules, cherish this hard-won trade route, and work together to maintain this environment and achieve mutual trust and benefit!"

The wind from the borderlands swept across Zhao Zun's silver armor, ruffling a few strands of dark hair on his forehead. Sunlight fell on his sharply defined profile, outlining his straight nose and tightly pursed lips.

His posture was as upright as a pine tree, and his gaze was as sharp as a torch. When he swept his gaze over the thousands of people below the stage, he exuded an aura of authority and dominance.

On one side of the viewing platform, Princess Yujia, dressed in red, was secretly watching Zhao Zun.

Princess Yujia looked at his composed demeanor and listened to his calm and dignified voice, a complex and indescribable sorrow welled up in her heart.

Once upon a time, during the years she stayed in Dajing as an envoy, her heart was also moved by such a brilliant and talented man.

He is like an eagle soaring through the skies in the legends of the grasslands—powerful, dazzling, impossible to ignore, yet unattainable.

Now, he is the powerful King of Cangzhou, holding immense power and prestige.

What separates them is no longer just a world of difference in status.

A man like him deserves the most outstanding woman in the world—for example, the legendary Princess of Cangzhou, who was said to be exceptionally wise and stood shoulder to shoulder with him.

My own trivial worries seem so pale and laughable in the face of this bright and clear world and the great affairs of the nation.

Hey!
In the end, they were not meant to be.

She abruptly looked away, forcefully suppressing the sudden surge of bitterness and melancholy.

Her gaze shifted to the audience below. There, the Turkic people cheered, their faces beaming with anticipation for the prosperous life to come and with longing for the boundless possibilities that this trade route would bring.

Yes, she was a princess of the Turks.

Her personal feelings should have long since faded away. Her responsibilities and her gaze should forever be focused on her people.

This trade route, which was earned through the efforts and hopes of countless people, is the future and hope that she should dedicate everything to protecting.

The wind blew again, lifting the strands of hair at her temples and dispelling the last ripples in her heart.

After Zhao Zun finished her speech, she heard bursts of applause and cheers. Her back straightened even more, and her gaze became more determined and clear.

Next, Tang Xiaotong, the newly appointed president of the China Foreign Trade Association, steadily took the stage.

He wore an indigo long gown, which, though not official attire, exuded an air of competence.

He explained the procedures for entering the market in detail, his voice clear and firm: "Please be sure to maintain order and queue in sequence. The officers on duty will guide you to ensure smooth flow and fair trading within the market."

After he finished speaking, he waved his hand, and the soldiers carrying M16 automatic rifles on duty below the stage immediately sprang into action, directing the crowd and demarcating areas. Everything began in an orderly manner.

Princess Yujia sat beside Bolu Khan, and from the moment Tang Xiaotong began to speak, her gaze never left him.

The sunlight illuminated her deep eyes, which flowed with undisguised admiration and tenderness.

She leaned slightly closer to Bolu Khan, her voice low but tinged with barely concealed excitement. "Bolu, the fact that this trade agreement has been finalized is largely thanks to Manager Tang—oh, now we should call him Chairman Tang—who has made a tremendous contribution. If it weren't for his tireless efforts and hard work, our Turkic people would probably still be gazing at the Yin Mountains with longing."

Boru Khan followed Yujia's gaze, a meaningful smile appearing on his rugged face.

He nodded slowly, his gaze once again falling on the market gleaming in the sunlight, his eyes filled with anticipation for the future.

Below the stage, people from both countries began to line up separately. The people from Cangzhou looked at the Turks' furs and cheeses with curiosity, while the Turks couldn't wait to touch the porcelain and silks from the Central Plains.

The entire market square was bustling with noise, and the neighing of camels and horses created a vibrant and lively symphony of border trade.

This brand-new market not only connected goods, but also, at that moment, connected two completely different lives and hopes.

The market was bustling with people, and the noise was filled with joy.

The indoor market, spanning over a thousand square meters, was brightly lit. Merchants from Cangzhou and the Turks had already rented out all the hundred-plus shops and were now busy displaying their goods.

On the blue brick wall next to the courtyard, the trading rules and management regulations painted in vermilion are particularly eye-catching under the illumination of solar lights.

"Tore, look at this mirror! It reflects even the scars on my face clearly!" the Turkic fur merchant exclaimed, holding up the mirror he had just acquired.

His stall was piled high with bundles of snow leopard skins, and next to it, a wooden barrel was filled with deer antler medicinal wine.

The shopkeeper from the silk store across the street smiled and handed over a solar-powered lamp: "Take this with you when you close up shop at night. It's much brighter than the tallow lamps you use."

The lampshade was made of glass, which allowed it to absorb sunlight during the day, and now it was emitting a soft, warm light.

The Turkic girl, Aymu, pointed to the shelf on tiptoe: "Ata, that blue-and-white porcelain bowl looks just like the one my mother left behind!"

The old man beside the girl stroked his beard and sighed, "The people of Cangzhou have fired kilns with such exquisite skill; it would be worth exchanging ten lambskins for it." A fragrant aroma of herbs wafted from the medicinal herb area, where Wang, the Cangzhou medicine merchant, was exchanging techniques with a Turkic pharmacist.

"This snow lotus must be wrapped in oiled paper, otherwise its medicinal properties will be lost." He explained while demonstrating, and the other person nodded repeatedly, taking out a notebook to carefully record the instructions in Turkic script.

"Try our newly made milk curds!" The Turkic young man presented a wooden plate. "They're made with Cangzhou white sugar, and they're no longer as sour as before."

Several children from Cangzhou tentatively put it in their mouths, and their eyes immediately lit up.

Suddenly, exclamations of admiration rang out from the east end of the market. A crowd had gathered around the miniature cement arch bridge model on the Cangzhou Goods Company's display stand.

"Using this material to build houses, we will no longer have to worry about floods during the rainy season." Tang Xiaotong personally demonstrated, pouring cement slurry into the mold, "It will solidify like stone overnight."

The aroma of naan bread and tea wafted from the food court.

The Turkic woman who sold butter tea and the old man from Cangzhou who sold pancakes lived next to each other. One copper coin could buy a bowl of hot tea, and two copper coins could buy a meat-filled pancake.

Some locals in Cangzhou joked, "This way of eating has actually brought out a fresh flavor."

Soldiers on duty guided the flow of people in an orderly manner at the entrance, and occasionally reminded people: "Please give way to the porcelain stalls, and customers with children, please take good care of your children."

Sunlight filtered through the glazed tiles, casting dappled patterns on the courtyard floor, illuminating the dazzling array of goods on the shelves and the curious, satisfied smiles on everyone's faces in the market...

Here, the trade market is bustling with activity.

Meanwhile, the Prince of Cangzhou's mansion in Qingshui County was quiet.

The spring sunshine was bright and warm, streaming through the carved window lattice and bathing the room in a cozy glow.

Han Lei, who had been suffering from loss of appetite due to morning sickness, has felt much better in the past few days since eating spicy crayfish.

She gently stroked her still flat stomach, a tender smile unconsciously curving her lips.

"Kumquat, sandalwood," she called softly.

Two personal maids entered in response, one of them carrying a cup of warm jujube tea: "Your Highness looks much better today."

Han Lei took the teacup, took a small sip, and then asked as if she suddenly remembered something, "What is the old lady doing today?"

"Your Highness, the old lady is making clothes for the young master in the east wing," Zitan replied with a smile. "She's been busy since she got up this morning, choosing only the softest Jizhou brocade."

Han Lei chuckled upon hearing this, her fingertips gently tracing her lower abdomen: "The baby is only the size of a bean sprout, Mother is too impatient."

Even so, a warm feeling welled up in her heart.

Since she became pregnant, everyone in the Prince's mansion has treated her like a giant panda. In particular, Zhao Zun, before going to Yong'an City to inspect the trade market, specifically ordered the entire mansion to take good care of her and not allow her to overwork.

But she was never the type to stay cooped up in her room. She'd missed a lot of things due to morning sickness a few days ago, but now that she was feeling better, she decided to go out.

"Zitan, bring me my hoodie." She put down her teacup and looked at the neatly arranged pile of textbooks on the table. "I need to go and check out the new school in Qingshui County."

"Your Highness, the Prince said you are not allowed to go out." Jinju and Zitan exchanged a glance, both hesitant.

Before leaving the manor, the prince specifically instructed that the princess should rest well and not overwork herself. How could they dare to let the princess go on a busy day?

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing." Han Lei saw their concerns and said gently but firmly, "I'm just going to check on the progress, I won't get tired."

After changing her clothes, Han Lei walked lightly along the cement path towards the front yard.

Sunlight filtered through the sparse clouds, bathing the flowers and plants in the courtyard in a pale gold hue.

Upon reaching the front yard, she quickly scanned the surroundings and saw several maids wiping the railings under the eaves, the sound of towels being wrung in buckets of water clearly audible.

In the distance, wisps of smoke rose from the kitchen chimney, and two servants hurriedly carried a basket of fresh vegetables toward the back kitchen without looking up.

She deliberately slowed her pace, pretending to admire a camellia in full bloom, but her eyes glanced at the east wing where the old lady often sat—the rosewood armchair was empty, with only a Buddhist scripture on it.

Seeing that the old lady was indeed not in the front yard, Han Lei slipped out with Zitan and Jinju.

A quarter of an hour later, an inconspicuous blue-curtained carriage passed through the bustling streets of Qingshui County, heading towards the newly built school.

Inside the carriage, Han Lei leaned against the soft cushions, holding a carefully compiled textbook in her hands.

Although she was unwell these days, she did not remain completely idle. Instead, she combined modern educational concepts with the needs of this era and compiled a set of introductory teaching materials.

"Your Highness, we've arrived." After some time, the coachman's voice came from outside.

With Jinju's help, Han Lei stepped down from the carriage, and the scene before her eyes brightened her day.

What was once an empty lot before the New Year has now taken shape.

The cement walls are sturdy and smooth, and craftsmen are painting them white; in the courtyard, carpenters are busy making tables and chairs, and the fragrance of wood shavings fills the air.

"Your Highness, what brings you here?" Supervisor Lin hurriedly came forward, beads of sweat still on his forehead. "This place is messy, and you are pregnant; it's really not appropriate for you to come."

Han Lei smiled slightly: "It's alright, I'm just checking the progress. It looks like classes will start in about half a month?"

"At most half a month!" Manager Lin said confidently. "The tables and chairs are being made, and the teachers have all been recruited and are helping to organize the books in the backyard."

As they were talking, several scholars dressed in Confucian robes arrived upon hearing the news and bowed to Han Lei. Among them were elderly scholars over sixty years old and failed candidates in their prime, all of them with curiosity and respect for this legendary princess.

"Gentlemen, there's no need for such formalities." Han Lei gestured for everyone to sit in the main hall, which had already been built. "I've come today to discuss teaching matters with you all."

She distributed the textbooks she had brought to everyone, and the teachers opened the pages. After only a moment, puzzled expressions appeared on their faces.

“Your Highness, what are these symbols…” the eldest Master Li asked, pointing to the pinyin.

“This is a phonetic notation method called Pinyin,” Han Lei explained patiently. “Once you learn it, you can pronounce even unfamiliar characters by yourself. And these numbers,” she pointed to the Arabic numerals, “are much easier to calculate than counting rods.”

Seeing the confused expressions on everyone's faces, Han Lei stood up, walked to a makeshift wooden board, and took out chalk from her spatial storage to write down the pinyin letters "a, o, e".

“I know this is something new to you all.” She turned to face the teachers, her gaze sweeping over each face. “But we are not running a school to train poets who only know how to write poetry, but to teach children practical knowledge. For Cangzhou to develop, it needs people who can do math, keep accounts, and read and write practical documents.”

She paused, noticing the excitement beginning to gleam in the eyes of several of the younger teachers.

“We will teach according to their aptitude,” Han Lei continued. “After the children enroll, we will observe their strengths and interests and quickly determine their training direction. Some may be suitable for learning accounting, some may be suitable for learning crafts, some may be suitable for learning agriculture... Everyone can find a path that suits them.”

The hall was completely silent, with only the sounds of craftsmen working outside the window.

This educational philosophy was undoubtedly revolutionary for these traditional literati.

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