Half an hour later, everyone had eaten their fill.
Lucas sat at the head of the table, his face full of warm affection. He chuckled and said, "From now on, this day in Sedona City will be designated as New Year's Eve. It is the last day of the old year. Starting today, the entire city will have a four-day paid holiday, and work will only resume on the fourth day of the new year."
A New Year holiday would create a sense of anticipation, a reward for a year of hard work with a few days of rest. Paid leave would allow everyone to enjoy themselves happily. It was a combination of work and rest, meant to once again unite the hearts of the people.
In the future, people who left Sedona City would probably think of the Sedona City New Year whenever this time came around, just like the Earth.
"Huh?" Annie's mouth dropped open. The entire city gets a holiday? How could that be?
"Of course, the Military and Political Department, the Security Department, the Guard Department, and the shops will all have to work hard. They won't get a holiday these few days. We will arrange for them to take leave later and compensate them with triple pay," Lucas said with a smile.
"Phew..." Annie only breathed a sigh of relief after hearing this. If the entire city really went on holiday, it would truly cause problems.
"Annie, arrange for people to build a stage in the square," Lucas turned his head to instruct. If there was no Spring Festival Gala, he would create one.
"Understood," Annie quickly replied. She didn't know what the Master was planning, but she knew he never did anything pointless.
"Freya, bring Emma to see me." Lucas turned to the wolf-eared girl who was picking her teeth and said, "Pause Gaba's training for a few days and let her come back to accompany Emma."
These past few days, Emma had been working at the newspaper office, learning all the processes. Gaba, on the other hand, had been taken to the elven sniper squad to train with the elves.
"Yes." Freya quickly put down her toothpick, her cheeks slightly red as she turned and ran out.
"Elisa, transfer the elven squad to the Guard Department to help out for a few days. They can rest after the Spring Festival," Lucas instructed the elf.
"Understood." Elisa nodded seriously, stood up, and walked outside.
"Ayesha, pass a message to Ryan. For the four days of the Spring Festival, Sedona City will enter a level-two alert state," Lucas said with a serious face. Sedona City had three levels of alert. Level one meant war was imminent. Levels two and three were for when there was some chaos or a major festival in Sedona City, a precaution to prevent accidents.
"Yes," The cow-horned girl replied seriously.
"..."
After spending half an hour arranging everything he could, Lucas finally led Amelia and Nicole to the study.
"Master, what should I do next?" Nicole asked as they walked.
"Next, hmm." Lucas raised an eyebrow; there was a program for tonight. A smile played on his lips. "Go and prepare a new set of clothes for everyone, to be worn after their baths tonight."
"Prepare new clothes?" Nicole paused, then her gray eyes lit up as she asked expectantly, "Master, can we take out the clothes stored in the inner treasury to wear?"
"Those clothes were prepared for today," Lucas chuckled. He had been preparing for the Spring Festival for a long time.
He imagined what it would be like in the future when Sedona City developed and grew. How lively would the Spring Festival celebration become? Back on Earth, the New Year no longer had the same festive atmosphere as before.
"That's wonderful! I'll go prepare them now." Nicole's face beamed with joy as she turned and ran off. Those clothes were truly beautiful.
Lucas chuckled and shook his head. Girls could never resist the temptation of beautiful clothes. Once Sedona City developed, he would introduce fashion shows and invite some noble ladies to attend. He feared it would entice them to part with another pile of gold coins.
"Lord Lucas, when will we fly?" Amelia tugged on Lucas's sleeve, her green eyes shimmering with anticipation.
"After the Spring Festival is over." Lucas raised his hand and rubbed the young girl's head, knowing she was talking about flying with the hang glider.
Ever since Mira had brought news of the girl's older sister, Amelia's reclusiveness had loosened somewhat. She wasn't as cold and silent as before.
"Oh." Amelia nodded. Her wings had already grown to be the length of a palm. It would probably take another half a year for them to fully grow out.
"Amelia, when will your sister come over?" Lucas asked curiously. He was very curious about the girl's mysterious sister.
"It will take Mira two months to return to Stone Mountain," Amelia said faintly, her green eyes flickering. She, too, was looking forward to her older sister's arrival.
"Two months, huh." Lucas nodded. Only about a month had passed, so she would probably arrive at the end of January.
Creak...
Lucas led Amelia into the study and began to get busy. For example, making Spring Festival couplets. If he was going to do it, he might as well do the whole set: couplets, New Year's Eve dinner, a Spring Festival Gala, and so on.
Knock, knock, knock...
There was a knock on the study door, and Freya's voice came from outside, "Lord Lucas, Emma is here."
"Come in," Lucas replied without raising his head, continuing to write with a pen in his hand.
Squeak...
Freya pushed Emma into the study. Seeing Lucas writing, she didn't disturb him and waited quietly. "Phew... done." Lucas let out a light breath, put down the pen. For some reason, it looked so good.
"City Lord, what are you doing?" Emma asked cautiously, her brown eyes looking curiously at the text on the red paper.
"These are door couplets, to be pasted on both sides of a door," Lucas chuckled. He decided to write a few couplets in English later to put on both sides of his study door.
"Huh? Is there any special meaning to pasting this on both sides of the main door?" Emma asked, astonished. "Isn't it strange to stick things on both sides of a door?"
"In my hometown, pasting couplets on the door creates a more festive and lively atmosphere for the New Year." Lucas explained simply with a smile.
"So that's how it is." Emma had a flash of understanding and took out her notebook to write it down. She felt she had found a topic for the interesting tidbits section of tomorrow's newspaper.
"Emma, I asked you to come today because I have something for you to do," Lucas said, sitting back in his chair.
"Please give your orders, City Lord," Emma said, sitting up straight.
"For tomorrow's political news, write it like this..." Lucas handed her a document that contained his arrangements and a draft.
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