On the morning of the fourteenth, the Council Hall of the Lord's Mansion was packed.
Xiao Yun naturally took the seat of honor. Shui Yuntian sat first on the left, followed by Feng Wuhen, Huo Lie, and Yao Yang. On the right sat the Old Madam of the Sheng Family, Xue Mingyuan, Shui Ruolin, Ma Sanbao, and several stewards responsible for construction, education, and logistics.
Once everyone had arrived, Xiao Yun sat in the main seat. Without looking through any documents, he merely swept his gaze over the room before speaking directly. "Tomorrow is the fifteenth. In my hometown, the fifteenth day of the first lunar month is the Lantern Festival. Every household decorates with lanterns and colors, praying for a bountiful harvest this year. Here in Dragon Ascending Territory, apart from the Guard Army and the Public Security Bureau maintaining their regular duties, every other department will have the day off tomorrow."
The Council Hall fell silent for a moment, as though the arrangement had come somewhat suddenly.
Shui Yuntian was the first to respond. "Should we notify the various departments and the people below in advance?"
Xiao Yun said, "Post the notice before noon. As long as everyone knows, that will be enough."
Shui Yuntian nodded and did not ask further.
Huo Lie did ask, "Will every project stop for a day?"
Xiao Yun gave a brief acknowledgment. "Stopping for one day will not affect the schedule. After the fifteenth, everyone will become even busier. After the Lantern Festival, every ongoing project must begin full-scale work—waterworks, roads, workshops, agriculture. All the schools must officially begin classes as well. Everything needs to be settled within those two days. In another half month, spring plowing will begin. We need to determine in advance how the infrastructure in every village and