Chapter 23: Building an Igloo

"Fourth brother, why are you shoveling snow?"

Tang Jianbing responded from inside the house. The weather was dreadfully cold, and he wished he could stay huddled indoors all day.

"It's started snowing again, and it’s getting heavier. The snow on the roof is getting too thick; we have to clear it off immediately. If we wait until this storm passes, the roof might collapse under the weight," Tang Jiancheng said loudly.

Hearing this, Tang Genshui quickly pulled Tang Jianbing out and instructed, "Jianbing, go tell your eldest, second, third, and fifth brothers to clear the snow off their roofs too."

"Got it."

Tang Jianbing hunched his shoulders and headed out into the heavy snow.

Tang Jiancheng climbed onto his own roof and began to clear the snow. It was too deep to remove all at once; it had to be cleared layer by layer. If he tried to do too much, the snow might slide off all at once. If he were lucky, it would just block the doors and windows, but if he were unlucky, it could crush the walls and window frames entirely. Although individual snowflakes are light, a thick accumulation of snow is heavy and can easily lead to unpredictable consequences.

As Tang Jiancheng worked, he occasionally looked up. Most of the houses in the village were blanketed in thick snow, yet only a few families were out clearing it like he was. Most remained indifferent.

"I hope no disasters happen," he thought.

He wanted to tell the whole village to clear their roofs, but he wasn't a village official, nor did he have the influence. Even if he said something, no one would listen; they might even mock him for meddling in other people's business, suggesting he should just mind his own house.

The snow was indeed too thick. It took over an hour of shoveling to clear the roof entirely. However, the piles of snow around the house made it difficult to get around, especially in front of the entrance.

What to do? Build a giant snowman? Or perhaps construct a tall igloo?

Tang Jiancheng pondered for a moment and realized that on such a snowy day, there wasn't much else to do. It would be a good way for the children to get some exercise. He went back inside and asked, "I’m going to build an igloo with the snow outside. Anyone want to help?"

"I do!"
"Me too!"
"Papa, I want to go too!"

The children immediately raised their hands, scrambling and shouting in excitement.

"Go where? It's snowing hard out there! What if you get frostbite? What if you catch a cold?" Liu Fangfang scolded. She glared at Tang Jiancheng and complained, "And you, you’re an adult, why are you trying to build an igloo? Don't you know how cold it is?"

Tang Jiancheng chuckled, "It’s fine. It’s not cold while it’s snowing; it only gets cold when the snow starts to melt. Besides, I’ll keep an eye on them and won't let them get cold."

He turned to the kids, "Anyone who wants to help, grab your tools, put on gloves, warm clothes, and rain boots. If you feel cold, get back inside and warm up by the fire. Can you do that?"

"Yes!"

To get to play, the children were determined. Regardless of whether they could actually follow the rules, they agreed immediately.

As the children prepared, Tang Jiancheng realized they didn't have enough shovels, rain boots, or gloves. It seemed a major shopping trip was in order.

"Papa, I don't have rain boots!"
"Papa, I don't have gloves!"
"Papa, my gloves have holes in them!"
"Papa, I got this one first, but Sixth Sister snatched it! I don't like her anymore!"

The children chirped incessantly. Tang Jiancheng just laughed and ignored them. With so many children, one couldn't easily get drawn into their "disputes," or there would never be peace. In truth, healthy competition helped them grow and gave them an early lesson in the harshness of reality.

"Once you're ready, come on out!" Tang Jiancheng said and headed out.

Next to their house was a spacious patch of land. It wasn't planted with anything, waiting for the spring plowing. Now, covered in white, it was a vast "white field," perfect for building an igloo.

Tang Jiancheng mapped out the area, then began hauling snow. The children soon joined in, laughing and having a great time.

"Fifth Sister, wait for me!"
"You're too slow, I'm not waiting!"
"Third Sister, let's build our own igloo."
"Okay, we'll build a bigger one!"
"Sixth Uncle, come build with us!"
"I don't know how, how about we build a snowman instead?"
"Sure, sure!"

The children started off following Tang Jiancheng’s plan to build the igloo, but soon they were all doing their own thing, having a wonderful time.

"They really have nothing better to do! On a day like this, they aren't even afraid of freezing to death!" Yuan Yuezhu remarked, unable to help but scold them.

"Sitting around isn't any better; might as well move around, and it clears the snow at the same time," Tang Jiancheng said with a laugh. "Dad, Mom, do you want to come play too?"

"We aren't that bored!" Yuan Yuezhu watched for a bit and went back inside.

Tang Genshui, however, couldn't resist joining in, even discussing with Tang Jiancheng how to make the igloo sturdier.

Half an hour later, the massive igloo began to take shape. But they hit a snag when it came to the roof.

"For an igloo this wide, we can't build the roof without a support frame," Tang Genshui said. "I'll go get some wood."

Seeing the children’s hands were bright red from the cold, Tang Jiancheng quickly shouted, "Everyone back inside! Warm your hands before you come out again!"

The children still wanted to play, but Tang Jiancheng ushered them all inside. Back in the house, Liu Fangfang saw their red faces and hands, yet they were still excitedly chattering away. She couldn't help but snap, "Are you all out of your minds? You'd rather freeze? Are your brains full of mush?!"

"Get by the fire! If anyone dares to go back out into the snow, I'll tan your hides!"

At Liu Fangfang’s roar, the children fell silent and sat obediently by the fire. Tang Jiancheng joined them. It was indeed freezing; he hadn't noticed while busy, but now that he was sitting down, he felt the cold seeping through his bones.

*Achoo!*

Suddenly, Little Seven sneezed repeatedly, her nose running. She had been the most energetic one out there, and her shoes and socks were soaked.

"Look at that, caught a cold!" Liu Fangfang scolded. "I told you all not to, but you wouldn't listen. Now you're sick, see what you've done!"

Tang Jiancheng worried about the children catching a fever, so he quickly boiled a large pot of ginger soup. He forced them all to drink a large bowl. Little Six, Little Seven, and Little Eight were crying out from the spiciness, but Tang Jiancheng remained firm, insisting they finish it.

After drinking it, they felt much better. It had to be said that although children in this era were poorly clothed and fed, their constitution was truly robust. A minor cold was easily cured with a bowl of ginger soup.

Still, Tang Jiancheng felt a bit uneasy. Seeing that it was still early, he got up and headed to the township.