Colonial Era: From Remnants to European Dominator

In January 1740, according to the Western calendar, Christmas had already passed and the new year had begun. However, in the East, it was still considered the old year until the 29th of that month, which was the first day of the Lunar New Year. Only on that day would it be considered the true New Year.

For Jinshan Prefecture, this year's New Year is particularly important compared to previous years, as it is a double celebration, one of which is the wedding of that young master.

"When will the sweet moments begin?"

"My maternal uncle's nephew said it was a lucky day, calculated at three-quarters of an hour in the morning."

"They're handing out candy! Hurry to the east gate, or you'll miss out!"

In a flash, all the waiting people on the street ran towards the east gate. Even the elderly, leaning on their canes and supported by their families, slowly walked towards the crowd.

On the east gate tower, dozens of festively dressed guards were scattering handfuls of candy downwards from prepared flower baskets.

"So sweet, so fragrant, it's like honey with milk added----"

Some people, after grabbing the wedding candy, couldn't wait to peel off the paper coating and stuff it into their mouths, exclaiming how delicious it was. Most of the other people around them who had eaten the wedding candy in advance did the same.

After all, even the people of the prefectural city with the best standard of living did not dare to eat much sugar on a regular basis, let alone milk candy with added milk. In this era, sugar was undoubtedly a very luxurious food, and could even be considered a tonic. Ordinary Jinshan people only dared to buy a few ounces during festivals, share them at home, and enjoy them together.

The line to receive candy stretched from the East Gate tower all the way to the end of the street. Apart from those three arrogant clans, it seemed that most of the people of Jinshan Prefecture had come.

As for the rest, they are currently waiting for candy at the South Gate.

Ten miles outside Jinshan Prefecture, a large wedding procession was leading hundreds of cattle and sheep, pulling several carts filled with dowry boxes wrapped in wooden crates, and escorted by Jinshan cavalry, heading towards the prefecture.

Li Yuanheng, a strong and dashing man, rode on the back of Zidian, glancing back at the carriage from time to time. Although according to the customs of the grasslands, the bride must ride a horse herself or be brought by her brother on horseback, the two places were not too far apart, but it was still quite a journey. If the bride from the Alker family were to ride over on horseback by herself, she might look travel-worn and frighten her good son-in-law. Therefore, Geke specially had a silver-inlaid carriage made as part of the dowry, to save face for his daughter.

Inside the carriage, despite the obstruction of the maids around her, Salika insisted on lifting the curtain and calling out a few times to Li Yuanheng, who was leading the way:

"Li Lang, there's no need to walk so slowly, lest you miss the appointed time."

Li Yuanheng paused for a moment while gripping the reins, then raised his hand to signal for them to speed up, since the auspicious time was fast approaching.

As the group quickened their pace, the carriage shook more and more. Inside the carriage, Salika gripped the silver handrail tightly, showing no sign of fatigue. After all, as the eldest daughter of the Alker family, a true steppe woman, no matter how charming and alluring she appeared in Li Yuanheng's arms, outside she was a skilled archer and horsewoman, ruthless in killing with a knife—a "true Turk."

"They're here, get ready!"

"Stand still, guns straight! If your back is bent, don't bother coming tomorrow!!"

Outside the East Gate, after the wedding candies were distributed and the guards entered, order was instantly restored. By the time the procession entered the city, the people had already spontaneously lined both sides of the street, craning their necks to peek into the carriages.

As for Li Yuanheng, the young master who brought glory to the people of Jinshan last year and thwarted the Qing dogs, he naturally received continuous cheers.

"Young master, this is my family's roast chicken, with its crispy skin and tender flesh—"

"Today is the young master's wedding day, and I have come to offer my congratulations to him."

The common people were simple and honest, giving only eggs, fresh meat, and dried fruit as gifts. The merchants, however, were much more cunning. Taking advantage of the wedding festivities, one merchant brought a roasted chicken and tried to force his way into the procession, but was stopped by the guards as soon as he entered.

Li Yuanheng put away his whip, looked at the honest-looking man with a bright smile, gestured to his attendant to accept the roast chicken, then took out a silver ingot wrapped in red cloth from his pocket and had it given to the man before continuing on his way.

The man who received the "lucky money" was indeed bold; he immediately started promoting his family's "Qi's Roast Chicken" to the crowd, saying:

"This chicken is steamed once, stuffed once, and roasted once, making it a three-times-cooked chicken. Young men who eat it will strengthen their bodies, middle-aged men who eat it will nourish their kidneys, and old men who eat it will prolong their lives."

The crowds on both sides of the street were suddenly caught in the trap of roast chicken.

After "circling" almost the entire city of Jinshan, the wedding procession first stopped in front of the government office for a while.

Among the officials in the government office, Lin Shujun weighed the silver ingot wrapped in red cloth in his hand. Even without opening it, he could roughly feel that it was worth at least "ten taels".

Looking at those minor officials who received at most five taels of silver, Lin Shujun didn't react much. After all, there has always been a difference between officials and clerks. It would be unfair if he received the same amount as them!

"Oh, it's a holiday today. If it is, I'll be going now."

"Me too----"

"Oh, and don't forget to have a drink at the Prefect's residence tonight."

Seeing those ignorant petty officials who wanted to run away and squander the money, Lin Shujun looked down on them, but he quickened his pace. After all, if he didn't go back soon, his wife would probably think he was using the money to support other women.

The wedding procession, after meandering around, finally arrived at the gate of the Li residence. According to custom, the groom would naturally carry the bride into the residence on his back.

Give me your hand.

Reaching out a pair of well-maintained, delicate hands, Li Yuanheng unceremoniously pulled the beauty out and, with a deft movement, hoisted her onto his back.

Feeling the ambiguous gazes directed at her from all around, Salika was not shy at all. Instead, she lifted half of her veil, revealing half of her face, her amber eyes filled with pride for her husband.

As Li Yuanheng's cloud-patterned boots stepped across his own threshold, celebratory music instantly filled the air, marking the beginning of a new chapter in his life.

"Serving tea----"

Two bowls of tea were delivered to Li Yuanheng and Salika by Li Yuanheng and Salika.

Then, as she presented the gold bracelet, Li Zhangshi didn't forget to give her new daughter-in-law some instructions in slightly broken Turkic:

"If you are bullied, come to me, and I will stand up for you."

Salika, who had entered with confidence, now nodded shyly, almost putting on the bracelet on her right hand backwards, which amused Li Zhangshi.

After drinking the tea, Li Yanxing paused only slightly before taking out a small gold tiger-head seal from his pocket and placing it directly into Li Yuanheng's hand.

"Eldest son, from now on you will be in charge of military affairs in the manor, so don't bother me."

Clutching the warm tiger-head seal in his hand, Li Yuanheng bowed deeply before Li Yanxing and said respectfully:

"Father, you are generous. I will surely become your gold mine and train an iron army that can serve as your backbone."

"It's good that you meant it."

Li Yanxing nodded in satisfaction, then looked at Wang Haizhou, who was acting as the emcee:

"Master Wang, the auspicious time has not yet arrived. Shouldn't we go and pay our respects to the old master now?"

Wang Hailun glanced at Li Yuanheng, who was winking at her, and after inwardly scoffing, replied:

"According to the auspicious time, it would be best to visit the old master in another hour."

Li Yanxing looked at the newlyweds still kneeling before him, pondered for a moment, and then gave them instructions:

"We are tired from the journey, so we will take the bride back to her room to rest for an hour before we go to visit the grandfather."

"Yes, Father—"

"Yes, Father."

Li Yuanheng then took Salika back to the bridal chamber that had been prepared in advance.

The wedding reached its most lively moment in the evening.

"Excuse me, more food is coming."

"Wow, bear paws! We're really having a great meal here!!"

Looking at the newly served plate of braised bear paws, everyone, including Lin Shujun, swallowed hard, but out of politeness and consideration for their status, no one dared to pick up their chopsticks, until a voice said:

"I didn't eat lunch, so I've been waiting for this meal. Sorry everyone—"

But as soon as a pair of chopsticks fell, in the blink of an eye, the fattest and largest piece of the bear paw was snatched away. By the time everyone reacted, it was already in its mouth.

"Master Lin, why are you eating so fast?!"

"Lin thief, you always eat the most, shut up!!"

While cursing, the people at the table quickly devoured the remaining bear paws. When the new dishes were served, the waiters muttered among themselves:

"That table is still drinking, they haven't eaten a single bite, how come this table is eating so messily?"

No matter how fast they ate, it couldn't keep up with the sheer volume of food at today's wedding banquet. Even the table of the minor officials had four large and six small dishes, plus two desserts. This table alone had eight meat dishes, not to mention the remaining dozen or so dishes and desserts. And these eight dishes were:

"Stewed pheasant, braised bear paw, braised deer tail, stewed whole lamb, fragrant roe deer spine, fragrant stewed muntjac meat, roasted swan, and the last dish, braised Giortai fish."

The white-spotted pike, a specialty of the Altai region, is considered the king of fish.

After a satisfying meal, paired with some aged wine from the Li family estate, as Lin Shujun would say:

"This life is so good, even the gods wouldn't trade it for it!!"

After the wedding banquet ended and the guests left, Li Yuanheng, dressed in his wedding attire, walked towards the location of the bridal chamber after toasting the last cup of wine.

When the door opened, Salika, who was sitting on the couch, was not nervous at all. Instead, she took off her veil and rushed towards her beloved husband.

"You've finally come! If you hadn't come, I would have come looking for you."

Feeling the warmth and coquettishness in his arms, Li Yuanheng scratched his nose, his forehead touching those amber eyes:

"The last time it didn't feel good, but this time the millstone is a bit smoother?"

"Hmph, that depends on whether you've been secretly grinding grain these days, my lord."

Salika's haughty snort emboldened Li Yuanheng, who scooped her up and carried her towards the wedding curtain, saying as he went:

"We've already won two great victories; this time we're sure to win a third."

The wind blew through the wedding gate, and the lights inside the house flickered and stood still for a while. After another hour or so, the lights went out, and the Li residence and the entire Jinshan Prefecture fell into silence.