With the illustrious deeds at the previous Winter Solstice Banquet as the foundation, and with the eldest lady who was very prestigious among them sitting in charge, at this farewell banquet, none of the outstanding figures of the younger generation of the Su family did anything provocative or stupid.
On the contrary, in front of the two Jieyuans of Sishui Prefecture and Yunmeng Prefecture, they had the urge to show off their own strength and win the recognition and praise of the other party.
After three rounds of wine and five dishes, the atmosphere in the place gradually increased. Su Yanyan smiled and said: "Today you are all talented people from my Su family. Today I am honored to be together with Mr. Xia Xia and Mr. Bai from Yunmeng Province in Sishui. You may wish to speak freely. , Conversation and confirmation will definitely be of benefit.”
Everyone nodded in unison, and I don't know who started. From the vast mist of Dongting Lake in front of them, everyone talked about the glory of the Su family, hydrology and geography, the situation of the states and counties, and finally discussed the general trend of the world.
"This Dongting Lake is vast, ethereal and spectacular. Whenever I come here to climb up and look at it, I can't help but feel a lot of pride in my heart."
"I think that the ancestors of my Su family laid the foundation of our family business on the edge of Yueyang City and Dongting Lake. After several generations of development, it has achieved today's glory. It controls Jiangxia in the north, Xiaoxiang in the south, and sits on the rich and prosperous Dongting of 800 miles. It’s truly a model of foresight!”
"This is very true. The lifeblood of Yunmeng Prefecture lies on this big river and this big lake. Whoever can control this river can control the entire Yunmeng Prefecture. The ancestors of my Su family established their clan here. He has the courage to dominate a state."
"More than this, our Yunmeng Prefecture occupies the upper reaches of the river. The navy can go down the river and intimidate the Guangling and Langya prefectures. Going up, you can go upstream and enter the Surabaya River. It is the most convenient access to the naturally dangerous Surabaya River. Heading north Then you can rely on the Four Xiang Prefectures to look at the Central Prefecture in the distance, and to the south there are the Baiyue Prefecture and the barbarian countries as a retreat. If the situation of the court changes, you can calmly deploy the plan without losing ground in advance or retreat!"
"Hey, speaking of it, this court has really reached the stage of decay. The traitors control the government and deceive the saints. Corruption is rampant and ruthless officials are rampant. If this goes on for a long time, the country will not be a country. I am afraid that the world will change. The day is not far away!”
He is worthy of being a core member of a top-notch family. Although his knowledge is a bit shallow and simple, it still has some merits and is not something that ordinary people of this age can compare with.
These words also made Xia Jingyun stunned. He turned to look at Su Yanyan, his questioning eyes seeming to say, "Aren't you afraid of being held accountable by the court for saying these things so openly?"
Su Yanyan smiled and also indicated with his eyes, "It doesn't matter."
Xia Jingyun turned his head and glanced at Bai Yunbian again. As expected, the son of the governor's Shi family just remained silent, but did not open his mouth to refute.
And with the beginning of such talk of troubled times, the young masters of the Su family became even more excited.
"This is true, but what should we fear? Troubled times are exactly the time for us to show our talents!"
"That's right. Heroes are revealed only when the world is in chaos. We are worried that we have no place to show our talents!"
"The powerful traitors in the dynasty will not be destroyed until they are established. It is our duty to restore the prestige of the Su family."
Listening to everyone's words and looking at everyone's excited faces looking forward to the troubled times, Xia Jingyun couldn't help but ask: "You don't seem to be worried about the troubled times?"
Everyone was obviously more excited to attract Xia Jingyun's attention.
A young master of the Su family, wearing a blue brocade robe, said with a hint of pride: "Young Master Xia, our family has a profound foundation, and there is no shortage of money, food, soldiers, and land. Even in troubled times, we can still be able to protect ourselves. Waiting for the opportunity."
Xia Jingyun immediately concluded in his mind: Silly.
Haven't you heard that the inner treasury was burned to ashes, and the bones of the princes were trampled on in the streets?
If the world is really going to be in chaos, even the Jiang family in Zhulin may not be able to sleep peacefully. The Su family is just a local wealthy family. They have food, money, and weapons. They are just like a beautiful lady who walks into a group of rough men. There are at most a few thousand soldiers. Even if you know how to punch and kick, how many sticks can you withstand? Where do you get such confidence?
But in front of Su Yanyan, he didn't say much. He just followed their words and said, "Waiting for an opportunity to make a move? How to wait for an opportunity, and how to make a move?"
He didn't want everyone in the Su family to go too far, so he added another sentence to add insurance for them, "For example, in the last years of the previous dynasty, how would you have acted if you were a big local clan?"
When everyone heard this, they couldn't help but secretly laugh that Mr. Xia, despite his outstanding abilities, was from a low background. As expected, he still didn't understand the level of the Su family, so he was so timid.
"Now that we have a sneak peek of the opportunity, we should make arrangements in advance so that we can respond calmly when the situation changes."
"This statement is too grand and cannot be implemented, and it will inevitably sound like rhetoric. According to my opinion, I should first contact those close to me, or even those who are familiar with the operation, and arrange them at key positions. If I am unable to do so, I cannot place them at key positions. , you need to make arrangements nearby to ensure that your foundation can be preserved and not be restricted by others."
"Yes, at this time, we need to not begrudge the favor, deploy as many people as possible, and seize more power and status. If the world really changes, these status and power can be immediately transformed into local power. And then quickly formed its own power."
"Of course! At the same time, we need to save money and food, secretly recruit soldiers, train clan soldiers, and accumulate strength. When the time comes, we will have powerful soldiers in hand."
"Ahem, cough, cough!" Someone immediately reminded him, and that person realized that his words were a bit too presumptuous, and quickly changed his words, "It might be that we can't use it to protect ourselves, to survive in troubled times, and to preserve our glory and wealth."
"Haha, you dare to think but you dare not say it. How dare you ignore the troubled times with such little courage?"
Bai Yunbian sneered and mocked mercilessly, "You gentlemen are truly worthy of being princes. After saying so much, no one said a word about finding a way to help the building from falling and relieve the people from the fire? They all said that. You have read a lot of poetry and books, so you must be reading a different kind of book than I am, and you are not learning the same kind of sages?"
The faces of the Su family young men suddenly turned red.
When Bai Yunbian said this, they suddenly reacted, as if they hadn't really said anything high-sounding.
But then they were speechless for a while. Today this is a private chat between everyone's peers. The people here are all people who know the ins and outs. Everyone respects you two before speaking from the bottom of their hearts. Now you are going to criticize this kind of situation, right? A bit unkind.
Xia Jingyun couldn't help but applaud Bai Yunbian's words in his heart. He didn't expect that such a high-ranking official's son would still care about the people, and he was even more impressed by Bai Yunbian.
But naturally he would not make the situation embarrassing, and said: "Master Bai, please calm down. I think you all just think this is a matter of course, so you didn't mention it specifically. It's not the kind of person who only cares about his own prosperity and regards the common people as his own." Those who are like grass and dust and have forgotten the teachings of saints and sages, gentlemen, am I right?"
Su Yanyan couldn't help but bow his head and suppress a smile, and the Su family master in the hall had no choice but to nod in agreement.
Then, several of them couldn't help but argue.
"Young Master Xia, Young Master Bai, it is not that we care about the common people in vain, but since troubled times have arisen and wars are raging, how can the people stay in peace? Who can be saved?"
"All we can do is to end the troubled times as soon as possible and return a prosperous world to the people of Li."
"Yes, although we are aware of the suffering of the people, as the saying goes, everyone has his own destiny. We should be like a man of merit and meritorious deeds, and walk towards the stars. How can we be limited by the cold, warmth, hunger and thirst of the world, how can we soar into the clouds and soar upwards! "
After hearing this, Xia Jingyun was somewhat unexpectedly shocked.
He had always known the temperaments of these aristocratic families. After all, he had seen many of them in Sishui Prefecture City, but the remarks of some of the young people from the Su family still shocked him.
What the hell, as soon as you open your mouth, it seems like you have destiny, and it will skyrocket at every turn. Do you have that ability?
Do you know what troubled times are like? Just like this, he is eager to try.
Along with weapons, those family auras around you are nothing, you are still dreaming of making achievements! If you really fall into someone's hands, any soldier will punish you until you can't survive or die.
Everyone has their own destiny. Aren't the extravagant enjoyments you are enjoying now supported by the blood and sweat of countless people who have been ignored by you?
You've been aloof for so long that you don't even want to look down, right?
At this moment, he somewhat understood why Mr. Su would rather have the Su family's reputation be damaged and suffer a lot of actual losses than indulge the Su family's civil strife to teach these people a lesson. But now it seems that it is a pity. These tribesmen did not learn the lesson they should have learned from this lesson.
There are few people in this clan who know that they should look down, take root among the most real people, and make a serious contribution to the world. Now they are lying at home numbly and dejectedly, in a state of confusion.
The two sides of the drama, the high-spirited fool and the desperate genius, truly presented the Su family in front of Xia Jingyun from a certain angle.
"Mr. Xia, you always ask us, what do you think?"
Xia Jingyun, who was worried about how to find a suitable opportunity to scold these inhuman things, glanced at the guy who took the initiative to set up a fort for him, and said: "I want to ask you, do you really Do you know what troubled times are?"
"Chaos is mainly a word for chaos. Chaos means the breakdown of rules and order."
"Everyone has returned to the primitive jungle, where the halo of identity has disappeared. The jungle eats the strong, and life and death depend only on strength and mood. Humans? They are just two-legged sheep. Is this a chaotic world what you expect?"
He looked around and looked at the young masters of the Su family whose expressions changed slightly, "At that time, the family background that you were proud of was no longer your talisman, but your talisman. A behemoth like the Su family would definitely There are countless people who want to stare at it, tear a piece of flesh from it, or simply kill you, take your things away, and keep them as their own."
"You will think, I am not stupid, and we will not stand there waiting for others to kill us. We will also find ways to develop and grow. At this time, the Su family wants money, food, and food. We have soldiers, and we are so much ahead of others. If we take one step quickly and step by step, maybe we can still... right?"
Xia Jingyun pointed to the sky, and then sneered: "But haven't you ever thought about failure? There are not only seven or eight families in the world that are as powerful as the Su family, but there are always three or five families, right? In addition, they hold military power. The military leader, the lucky one who received the political legacy of the previous dynasty, so many people want to fight for the only one, the Su family, a civil servant family, where do they get the confidence?"
"In the previous dynasty, the Han family was so illustrious that they had the final say in the appointment and dismissal of the emperor. How does it compare to the Su family? But what about now? In the past three hundred years of the Great Xia, how many powerful Han families are there? Why do you think that in this troubled world? , is a great stage for you to make achievements, instead of being reduced to a slaughterhouse for lambs to be slaughtered? Who gave you the courage to even be here expecting troubled times to come?"
"It's not wrong to plan ahead and plan ahead. This is what a smart person should prepare for, but he shouldn't look forward to troubled times because of this, so that his preparations can come in handy. Anyone who thinks like this is neither stupid nor bad! "
"Okay!" Bai Yunbian couldn't help but praise.
Xia Jingyun paused, "You all have great ambitions and want to make achievements in troubled times, but do you have the necessary preparations? Do you know the methods of calculating, collecting, and transferring money and taxes? Do you know the techniques of conveying, managing, and filing documents? ? Do you know how to govern the people of any place?"
He looked at the stunned and speechless young masters of the Su family, "You don't even know these, how can you talk about making contributions in troubled times? With your talents, is it possible for the Su family to rely on you to achieve great success? If it were not for the Su family, with your ability , and can he be valued by any big shot, so that he can make contributions in troubled times? Can he rely on reciting poems and boasting? "
"All you know is the teachings of the sages in those books, but you have completely forgotten these teachings."
"The people of Limin are not an illusory concept, nor are they a group that should be ignored by those in power. They are the foundation that supports families like you, and they hold up the foundation of our world. Don't think that you are falling when you lean down. The common people are the foundation of the world. How can you sweep the world if you don't sweep one house? If you leave a county, you must first understand the governance of your county and then think about other things. Otherwise, even if troubled times really come, you It’s just an ant under the blade.”
"The world is not a grand and broad word, but is related to the life and situation of each of us. I only hope that this peace will last longer, so that I can enjoy this peaceful world and feel the orderly world. I only wish that this troubled world would be delayed a little longer, so that I can face the sword without panic, so that I can learn and strengthen myself more eagerly."
"Being concerned about the world is not only the conduct that sages have taught our generation of scholars, but it is also a principle that we should uphold even if we are motivated by our own interests."
"Don't look forward to troubled times. Then a soldier you despise will be able to capture and kill you all. Where will there be leisurely romance here? Go out more and have a real look at the real life of the people of Li, and know where they are. Only by seeking and understanding the difficulties can we truly know where the world will turn."
After saying this, he cupped his hands and said, "Speaking briefly and speaking deeply is not something that a wise person would do, but there is a block in my heart. If I don't express my feelings, I will offend you. Please forgive me."
Bai Yunbian snorted coldly, "Such words are worth a lot of money. If Brother Gao Yang is willing to say it to wake up these world heroes, they should be grateful. If anyone feels offended, they should not even think about their future!"
A group of young masters from the Su family looked ugly, but they really didn't dare to say anything to refute.
Su Yanyan spoke slowly, "Since ancient times, good words have been hard to hear. I think Mr. Xia's words today are very good. I hope you cousins will take a good look at them. If they can be of benefit in the future, Mr. Xia's hard work will not be wasted."
She stood up directly and bowed deeply to Xia Jingyun, "On behalf of the Su family, I would like to thank Mr. Xia for his warning."
Xia Jingyun quickly avoided the table and stood up, "Miss Su is serious."
The rest of the Su family didn't dare to neglect, and stood up quickly. No matter what they thought, they all listened to it and thanked them one after another.
A banquet just returned to joy and ended successfully.
Everyone stood up and dispersed, "Mr. Xia, please stay."
Xia Jingyun turned to look at Su Yanyan and stopped.
Bai Yunbian also followed suit and was dragged away by his cousins from the Su family.
The hustle and bustle faded away, and in the space on the top floor, only the young man and woman were left looking at each other.
Su Yanyan stepped forward slowly and said softly: "Thank you."
Since the Su family decided to place a bet, they naturally informed the head of the family reserve about the situation.
Today's conversation was discussed in advance by the two of them, hoping to wake up these pretentious Su family children to avoid causing catastrophe in the future.
Xia Jingyun smiled slightly and said in a warm voice, "Yanyan."
As soon as these two words came out, a smile appeared in Su Yanyan's eyebrows, just like the soft waves of Dongting Lake rippling slightly in his eyes.
There is a kind of beauty in this world, that is, the person you like also happens to like you.
Although she was not completely moved, she was already moved by his attraction.
She looked at the man in front of her with a smile, with a bit of generous teasing in her eyes, "Isn't it a little abrupt to call him that?"
Xia Jingyun smiled and said: "My father-in-law has already agreed. If I win the first prize and you don't object, we can get married."
Su Yanyan's cheeks turned slightly red when her father-in-law called her, and she turned away slightly, "You certainly got the first grade in the exam."
Xia Jingyun's eyes burned brightly, "Then will you object?"
Su Yanyan said softly: "How do you know what will happen in the future today?"
Xia Jingyun stretched out his hand, and Su Yanyan's eyes widened slightly, seeming a little surprised by Xia Jingyun's boldness.
Xia Jingyun retracted his hand angrily, "Take care."
Su Yanyan breathed a sigh of relief, "Yes, you too."
The night slowly rose.
The last night in Sujiawu arrived as scheduled.
Xia Jingyun was sitting in the room. Without Xie Yanzhi's service, he felt like he had nowhere to go.
After thinking about it, he stood up and stood by the window, looking at the dark night in front of him.
Today we talked a lot in Yueyang Tower.
This was not his original intention, but since he had formed an alliance with the Su family, he still hoped that the Su family would be less ambitious, arrogant, and short-sighted losers.
But he could see that how many children of the Su family really listened to those words?
What's more, the Su family is easy to say. How many forces are like the Su family in this night world, and how many people are like these young masters of the Su family?
How many ignorant people are still sleeping at this moment, unaware that the pace of troubled times is gradually approaching, fueled by such careerists and heroes.
How long can there be peace in this world?
He couldn't help but think of Su Yuanshang again. The long rainy night conversation in Qingshan County that day left a deep impression on him. Such a rare official had become depressed and wasted his life.
How many people in this world still have a heart for the country and the people?
In the struggle between careerists and people with lofty ideals, where will it go in this devastated summer?
The night wind blew, causing my heart to surge.
Xia Jingyun turned around and walked to the table, spread out the pen and paper, and began to write:
[In the winter of the 23rd year of Chongning, I passed through Yueyang County and met with the generals of the Su family at Yueyang Tower. I admired its beautiful scenery and discussed the world. I had many feelings and wrote a composition to record them. 】
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PS: I have two Yangs. Not only do I feel uncomfortable physically, but my mind is completely confused. I sat at the desk for a long time and couldn't hold back a single word.
For this chapter, I deleted three or four pages. I always felt that the mood was wrong and the plot was not good, so I finally decided on this draft.
I originally wanted to take a leave of absence, but after thinking about it I decided to write one more chapter, as I can’t let the readers down.
Try to recover a little tomorrow and maintain the standard.
or2
(End of chapter)
