The deep winter settled over Willow Village like a shroud, isolating the hamlet from the rest of the world. The days were short, the sun a pale, distant coin that offered light but no heat.
For the Chen family, the rhythm of life had shifted from the frantic rush of the harvest to a steady, disciplined endurance.
Chen Yuan stood inside the large shed on the East Hill. The air here was thick and humid, smelling of straw, animal musk, and the faint, sweet scent of fermentation from the compost pit.
*Clack. Clack. Clack.*
The sound of a wooden racket echoed through the shed.
Chen Yuan was playing a strange game with the two puppies, Hui Hui and Hu. He held a stick attached to a string, dragging it through the straw. The gray pup, Hui Hui, pounced with clumsy determination, while the female, Hu, hung back, watching with calculating eyes before lunging for the kill.
"Good," Chen Yuan murmured as Hu snapped the string with a precise bite. "You're learning. No wasted movement."
Xu Tie sat nearby, mending a leather harness. "Hu will be a hunter. Hui Hui... he is a follower. But loyal."
"We need both," Chen Yuan said, wiping sweat from his forehead. The shed was warmer than outside, but the cold still seeped through the cracks. "A ranch needs dogs that can herd and dogs that can guard."
He walked over to the corner of the shed where the "Winter Garden" was located.
It was a humble setup—twenty clay pots arranged on a bed of hot stones that were rotated from the fire pit every few hours. Oiled paper tents covered each pot, creating a humid microclimate.
Chen Yuan lifted the edge of one paper cover.
Inside, tiny green shoots had emerged. They were delicate, a vivid emerald against the dark "Spirit Soil." Winter Chrysanthemums and a hardy variety of mint.
"They are growing," Chen Mei said softly, stepping up behind him. She carried a bucket of warm water. "But they grow so slowly, Third Brother."
"It's winter, Mei," Chen Yuan said. "Growth is a battle against nature now. Water them sparingly. Just a few drops. Too much water will rot the roots in the cold."
"I understand." Mei carefully used a gourd ladle to drip water onto the soil.
Chen Yuan inspected the leaves. *System.*
**[Subject: Winter Chrysanthemum (Spirit Soil variant).]**
**[Status: Germinated.]**
**[Growth Rate: Accelerated by 15% due to soil heat.]**
**[Estimated Bloom: 12 days.]**
Twelve days. Just in time for the City Lord's Winter Banquet and the New Year rush.
"Keep watching them," Chen Yuan said. "If these bloom, we can buy a new plow ox for the spring planting. We can't rely on Hei Tan for everything; he's too valuable for field work."
* * *
The peace of the morning was shattered by a commotion outside.
"San Lang! San Lang! Come quick!"
It was Chen Hu's voice, sounding stressed.
Chen Yuan rushed out of the shed, followed by Xu Tie.
Down at the base of the hill, near the entrance to the pasture, a confrontation was taking place.
Chen Hu was standing in front of the gate, blocking a young man who was trying to push past him. It was their cousin, Chen Bao.
And he wasn't alone. Behind him stood his mother, Second Aunt, and his father, Second Uncle. They looked like a delegation of misery.
"Move, Hu!" Chen Bao shouted, his face red. "I just want to see the bull! I heard he pulls carts! I want to see!"
"Get lost!" Chen Hu retorted. "You just want to cause trouble. You're drunk!"
Chen Yuan walked down the slope, his face impassive. "What is going on here?"
Second Aunt immediately switched from aggressive to tearful. "San Lang! Oh, my poor nephew! Look at you, freezing on this hill! Your uncle and I were so worried! We heard you nearly froze to death delivering soil to that greedy Steward!"
"We are fine, Second Aunt," Chen Yuan said, stopping a few paces away. He didn't miss the way Second Uncle's eyes darted to the shed, assessing. "Why are you here?"
"We... we need help," Second Aunt sniffed, wiping her eyes. "The winter is hard. Our grain stores are low. Bao... Bao lost his job at the warehouse."
"Lost it?" Chen Yuan raised an eyebrow. "Or got fired for gambling?"
Chen Bao bristled. "You watch your mouth! It was a misunderstanding!"
"It was gambling," Chen Hu confirmed flatly. "I heard the foreman kicked him out for betting on dice games during work hours."
Second Aunt flushed. "That... that's not the point! We are family, San Lang! You have money. You have food. You have a bull! We have nothing! Your uncle says... since we are kin, you should share."
"Share?" Chen Yuan laughed coldly. "When Father broke his leg three years ago, did you share your grain? When we needed seed money, did you offer a single copper?"
"We were poor!" Second Uncle finally spoke, his voice gruff. "We are still poor! You have the soil business. Give us... give us ten taels of silver. Just ten. To tide us over."
Ten taels.
It was nearly half of Chen Yuan's remaining liquid capital.
Chen Yuan looked at them. He saw no shame, only entitlement.
"I won't give you silver," Chen Yuan said.
"You—!" Second Aunt shrieked.
"But," Chen Yuan continued, raising his hand, "I have work."
"Work?" Chen Bao scoffed. "I'm not shoveling dung for a few coppers like those brats."
"Then you will starve," Chen Yuan said, his voice hard. "I have hay that needs to be moved from the low ground. It's heavy labor. I pay three coppers a day. If Bao works, he eats. If he doesn't, he leaves. And Second Uncle... if you want to guard the gate at night so Xu Tie can rest, I pay two coppers. But no drinking on duty."
"How dare you treat your elders like hired hands!" Second Aunt screeched. "We are your family! We deserve respect!"
"Respect is earned," Xu Tie spoke up. He stood behind Chen Yuan, leaning on his spear. His scarred face and military bearing silenced the shouting. "On the border, we didn't care about family trees. We cared if the man next to you could hold a shield. If you can't hold a shield, you don't eat the meat."
Second Aunt stepped back, intimidated.
"Three coppers is for strangers," Chen Bao muttered, looking away. "Family should get more."
"You are not strangers, so I am offering you a chance," Chen Yuan corrected. "Strangers I wouldn't hire because they have bad reputations. This is the only offer. Take it or leave the hill."
Second Uncle looked at the ground. He was a man of pride, but the winter was cruel. "Moving hay..."
"I'll do it," Chen Bao grumbled suddenly. "But I want meals included."
"Rice and pickles," Chen Yuan agreed. "Meat on the weekends. Like everyone else."
"Fine."
It was a small victory, and a headache. Now Chen Yuan had to manage lazy relatives. But it was better than them spreading rumors in the village that he was heartless. And he needed the labor.
"Start tomorrow morning," Chen Yuan ordered. "Now, please leave. The animals need rest."
* * *
That afternoon, Chen Yuan focused on the horses.
The snow in the makeshift corral had been cleared, creating a small track.
He saddled Red Cloud. The mare was shedding her winter coat, looking sleek and strong.
"We are going to practice the canter today," Chen Yuan told the horse, patting her neck.
He mounted up. His legs were stronger now; he no longer wobbled like a newborn foal.
"Walk. Trot."
He guided her into a trot, posting in the saddle to absorb the shock. His thighs burned, but it was a good burn.
"Good. Now... lope."
He kissed to her and squeezed with his legs.
Red Cloud broke into a smooth, three-beat gait.
The world slowed down. The rhythmic sound of hooves on packed earth was hypnotic. Chen Yuan found his balance, sitting deep in the saddle.
*System, Riding Skill Assessment.*
**[Skill: Horse Riding (Intermediate).]**
**[Progress: 45%.]**
**[Stability: High. Can now attempt mounted tasks.]**
He rode a lap around the track, feeling a sense of freedom he rarely found in the crowded house or the endless ledger books. This was the core of his dream—the partnership between man and horse.
He pulled Red Cloud to a stop near Xu Tie.
"You're sitting better," Xu Tie critiqued, tossing a rope on the ground. "Now, pick that up without falling."
Chen Yuan took a deep breath. He kicked off his right stirrup, leaning down low over the horse's shoulder. It was a move that required absolute trust in the horse not to spook.
He reached down, his fingers brushing the dirt.
He missed.
He tried again, straining his back.
He missed.
"On the third time, the horse will move," Xu Tie warned.
Chen Yuan gritted his teeth. He calmed Red Cloud, speaking softly. "Steady, girl. Steady."
He leaned down again. This time, he didn't grab for the rope; he guided his hand to it.
His fingers closed around the coarse hemp.
"Up!" He pulled himself back into the saddle, holding the rope aloft.
"Ha!" he laughed, breathless. "I got it!"
"Not bad," Xu Tie nodded. "You're starting to look like a rider. A clumsy one, but a rider."
It was high praise from the veteran.
* * *
Two days later, the "Winter Garden" was ready for its first harvest.
The Chrysanthemums were small, but they were vibrant yellow and white, blooming defiantly against the gray winter backdrop. The mint was lush.
"They are beautiful," Chen Lan gasped. "Like little suns."
"They are money," Chen Yuan corrected gently. "And we need to move them before the frost touches the petals."
He carefully packed the potted flowers into a wooden crate, padding them with straw.
"I'm going to the city," Chen Yuan announced. "Brother Hu, hitch the sled. And tell Cousin Bao to get ready. He's coming to help carry."
"Me?" Bao, who had been lazily pitching hay, looked up. "I'm carrying flowers? That's women's work!"
"It's heavy work," Chen Yuan said. "Or you can stay here and clean the pigsty."
Bao grumbled but grabbed his coat.
* * *
The trip to the Prefecture City was tense. The road was slick, and the wind bit at their faces.
When they reached the City Lord's Manor, Chen Yuan didn't go to the side gate. He went to the main gate.
The guards blocked them. "Stop! This is the main entrance!"
"I have an appointment with Steward Zhou regarding the Winter Banquet," Chen Yuan said, pulling out the token. "And I have goods that cannot be exposed to the cold for long."
The guard inspected the token and went inside. Moments later, Steward Zhou appeared, looking irritated but curious.
"What is it now, Chen Yuan? If it's more soil, take it to the back."
"Not soil, Steward," Chen Yuan said. He nodded to Chen Hu and Bao. They carefully lifted the crate and set it down on the clean stone steps.
Chen Yuan pulled back the straw and the cloth covering.
Steward Zhou gasped.
Inside the crate, twenty pots of yellow and white Chrysanthemums bloomed, their petals perfect, their centers gold. Beside them, pots of fresh, green mint.
"Flowers?" Steward Zhou's eyes widened. "In this weather? The city florists have been closed for a month! The Lady has been complaining that the halls are too dreary!"
"These are hardy winter blooms," Chen Yuan said. "Grown in my 'Spirit Soil' with a special method. They can survive a heated room for two weeks."
Steward Zhou bent down, smelling the mint. The fresh scent cut through the cold air.
"The Lady loves Chrysanthemums," Steward Zhou murmured. "She says they represent resilience. And mint for the tea..."
He stood up, his eyes sharp. "How much?"
"Fifty copper coins per pot," Chen Yuan said. "And the mint... thirty coins per pot."
"That is highway robbery!"
"They are the only fresh flowers in the city, Steward," Chen Yuan replied calmly. "And they are alive, not cut. They will last. If the Lady doesn't like them, I will take them back and sell them to the brothels. They pay double for color in winter."
Steward Zhou glared at him. He knew Chen Yuan was right. Scarcity dictated price.
"Fine. But the Lady will inspect them first. Wait here."
The crate was carried inside.
Chen Yuan stood in the snow, shivering. Chen Bao stamped his feet. "San Lang, are you sure they will buy this?"
"Quiet," Chen Yuan said. "Watch and learn."
Twenty minutes later, the gate opened.
A maid ran out. "The Steward says... take the money! The Lady is delighted! She wants them placed in the main hall immediately!"
Steward Zhou walked out, holding a pouch. "One thousand four hundred coins. Count it."
Chen Yuan took the pouch. It was heavy. "Pleasure doing business, Steward."
"Next week," Steward Zhou called out as they turned to leave. "Do you have more?"
"If the weather holds," Chen Yuan replied. "I might have some winter berries."
"Bring them."
As they walked away, Chen Bao stared at his cousin with his mouth open.
"You... you just sold weeds and dirt for... over a tael of silver?"
"Flowers, Cousin," Chen Yuan corrected, hiding his shaking hands in his sleeves. "We sold flowers. And that is the difference between a farmer and a merchant. One sees dirt; the other sees gold."
He climbed onto the sled.
"Now, let's go buy some coal. And maybe... some pork for dinner."
They rode back to the village, the sled gliding smoothly over the snow.
The ranch was surviving. And for the first time, Chen Yuan felt they weren't just surviving. They were beginning to thrive.