The cold wind howled, and a bitter chill filled the boundless world. Snowflakes drifted down as though someone were scattering salt, falling in soft flurries onto the Marquis of Linhe's neck, icy cold.
The Marquis of Linhe had originally been a Thorough Marquis guarding Lingnan. For his achievements in suppressing the Southern Barbarians, he had been transferred into the Imperial Guards campaigning against the Xiongnu, then earned further merit fighting alongside Huo Qubing.
When the court established Shuo Fang Commandery in Henan Land, his marquisate in Lingnan had been abolished. Liu Che granted him another twelve hundred households and transferred his fief to Linhe County in Shuo Fang Commandery, making him the High-ranking Marquis guarding the region. His fief of thirty-five hundred households accounted for almost a tenth of the entire commandery's population.
The Marquis of Linhe pulled his thick clothing tighter and gazed at the snow filling the sky. "Governor Sang, will this heavy snowfall cause losses among Great Han's warhorses?
"As you know, viewed on the larger scale, this military horse ranch concerns the war between Great Han and the Xiongnu, the fate of Great Han's Altars of State.
"On the smaller scale, His Majesty watches this place at every moment. Both our futures rest here. Whether we gain promotion and wealth and go to Chang'an to become one of the Three Excellencies and Nine Ministers, or remain in desolate Shuo Fang on the Northern Frontier facing the Xiongnu every day, all depends on this horse ranch.
"It will soon be three years. I came from Lingnan to Shuo Fang, leaving behind the marquisate I had managed for over thirty years. Having paid such a price, I do not want all our efforts to fall short at the final hurdle."
The Marquis of Linhe's tone was rather discourteous.