"There are many things in this world that we have to do, and there are too many people who are helpless." Xue Lanyi murmured.
At this time, a report came from outside the door, it was the voice of Tian Zhangyi. Xue Lanyi said: "Come in." Tian Zhangyi did not bother to brush the snowflakes off his head, frowning and said: "Xue Palace Master, something serious has happened. Many disciples are clamoring to go down the mountain." Xue Lanyi said with a smile: "This is a good thing." Tian Zhangyi raised his head and asked, "Did I hear you correctly?"
Xue Lanyi said: "You heard it right. Those who are willing to stay on the mountain will be the foundation of our sect in the future, and don't stop those who are willing to go. All you have to do is say ugly words up front and tell them that once they leave Xuannv Palace, they will not be stopped in the future. Regardless of life, old age, illness or death, I have nothing to do with Xuannv Palace." Tian Zhangyi nodded in agreement. Xue Lanyi added: "They are leaving. Leave the tokens, secret books and other items that each person brought with them. After the other items have been verified to be reliable, let them go down the mountain immediately. Tell them that after going down the mountain, they cannot claim to be disciples of Xuannv Palace. The signatures and drawings will be put into the warehouse together with the inspection booklet."
It turns out that many disciples from the five divisions of Begonia, Furong, Pear Blossom, Narcissus, and Wintersweet asked to resign because they were worried that Master's sin would bring harm to them. These people were eager to leave as soon as possible, and they agreed to the terms proposed by Xuelanyi without even thinking about it.
Five disciples in the Orchid Courtyard were talking in the room. Shui Hanyan said: "Senior Sister Jiang, why did the palace master let the disciples go down the mountain? And our Xuannv Palace is now alone. What should we do if a powerful enemy invades?" Jiang Hanyue looked at them slowly. He said: "Junior sisters, think about it. What does the palace master's mother-in-law need now?" The other three disciples were only fourteen or fifteen years old, so naturally they couldn't guess.
Shui Hanyan said: "The palace master wants everyone to unite? Does she need everyone to be loyal?" Jiang Hanyue smiled and said: "Sister Yan, you are right. Think about it, rather than letting unloyal people stay on the mountain, it will sooner or later be a disaster. , then it is better to let them go down the mountain. Only when everyone has the same heart for Xuannv Palace can we unite people."
A few days later, there was another meeting on the mountain. Xue Lanyi was already sitting on the sleeping couch, covering her legs with a white fox fur. She glanced at the disciples and said with a smile: "Where are you all here today? I won't test your martial arts and I won't test your literary talents. Let's just talk about how to revive our great cause? You can speak freely and don't need to be detained."
Most of the thirty or so people were relatively young and had never thought about running a sect, so how could they dare to speak nonsense. They looked at each other for a while, not knowing how to answer. Only Jiang Hanyue was well prepared and had already prepared. She walked forward slowly, raised her hands and said, "Disciple, I have a few thoughts to say." Xuelanyi looked her over, and secretly approved in her heart: "This girl's gestures are quite similar to my demeanor when I was young. Very similar." He immediately smiled and said, "Speak boldly, child. No one here will blame you."
Jiang Hanyue was wearing a pomegranate satin jacket, a fragrant concubine on her head, and a golden hairpin stuck in the bun on the back of her head, which was particularly eye-catching. Her voice was sonorous and she said slowly: "The plan for the rejuvenation of our sect depends on people first, still on people for the second, and still on people for the third." All the girls smiled when they heard what she said. Xuelanyi's eyes flashed and she said with a smile, "Then tell me about these three people."
Jiang Hanyue glanced at the faces of the women, stretched out her finger, and said loudly: "Since ancient times, great achievements cannot be separated from people. From high-ranking officials to ordinary people, only if these people are prosperous can we Nobility is here." Xue Lanyi smiled and said: "These are the only people left in our Xuannv Palace now, so it is impossible to talk about a prosperous population."
Jiang Hanyue stretched out two fingers and said: "Palace Master, please don't worry, please listen to the disciple. The second character is talent. Didn't Jiang Shang's plan in the Zhou Dynasty defeat the Yin and Shang Dynasties? There was no Xiao in the Han Dynasty, how could Zhang Liang's plan be so difficult? If Xuannv Palace is to be revived, it will naturally need talents. What is talent? Mr. Linchuan said, "Only when they encounter problems, they manage them, draw strategies to gain benefits, and govern the country to ensure the country's security. This is why they are different from others." For rejuvenation, recruiting and cultivating talents is the top priority.”
To Xue Lanyi, her grand remarks were just the opinions of a child, but the fact that she could speak out among many children showed that she had some wisdom. Xue Lanyi asked: "You just said three characters, what do you mean by this third person?" Jiang Hanyue said: "The saying is that the weather is not as good as the right place, and the right place is not as good as the people. Even if our sect has many talents, we will not Harmony is of no use. But for the great plan of reviving our sect, harmony is absolutely indispensable."
Xue Lanyi was filled with emotion: "It's amazing that this child can have this insight. It seems that Fengying has trained him well. After a hundred years of my life, this child is the only one who can pass on my mantle." At that moment, she said to Tian Zhangyi After giving a few instructions, Master Tian said: "Disciples disperse." Jiang Hanyue still had many important things to say in front of the palace master. Seeing Master Tian announce the dismissal of the meeting at this time, Jiang Hanyue couldn't help but feel disappointed. As soon as she walked out of the door, Master Tian walked up to her and whispered: "Come and see the palace master later."
Jiang Hanyue felt warm in her heart and thought: "It turns out that the palace master's mother-in-law knows my painstaking efforts, so I will definitely tell her what I am thinking." When it was time to apply for the sect, Xue Lanyi summoned her in the pavilion at Sunu Cliff in the back mountain. she. Xue Lanyi saw that her cheeks were red and she was obviously very cold. She poured a glass of wine herself and handed it to her and said, "Come on, child, have a glass of wine to warm yourself up first."
Jiang Hanyue took the white jade wine glass and took a sip. It was rose water. She said slowly: "Thank you, Palace Master, for giving me wine." Xue Lan responded: "Hanyue, do you know why I met you at Su Nu Peak?" Jiang Hanyue shook her head. Xue Lanyi smiled and said: "I plan to entrust my mantle to you." Jiang Hanyue was startled, and immediately knelt down and said: "This disciple has little talent, virtue and knowledge, how can he shoulder such a big responsibility?"
Xue Lanyi raised her head and laughed loudly: "Who is talking loudly in the hall today? Is it possible that you only use your words but don't have such talent?" Jiang Hanyue raised her head, her eyes flashed, and said loudly: "Disciple said It can be done. One day cannot do it in two days, and two days cannot do it in three days. In short, the great plan of reviving our sect is more important in Han Yue's heart than anything else?"
Xuelanyi stood up, pulled her to her feet and said: "My child, if you want to revive our sect, the first priority is naturally the palace master. I choose you, mother-in-law, so don't get too proud too early. Regardless of martial arts, talent, virtue, I still have to be careful. Careful examination will teach you. At present, the talents in our sect are withering, and many matters need to be discussed in the long term. Let me ask you, if you are given half a year, how can you make our sect prosperous? "
Jiang Hanyue said slowly: "Disciple is willing to go down the mountain and go to various states and governments to find suitable candidates and bring them up." Xue Lanyi smiled and said: "In this case, Hanyue, you and I will go down the mountain to complete this matter. ." Jiang Hanyue said: "With the palace master's mother-in-law accompanying me, I will get twice the result with half the effort. But my disciple is worried that once you leave the palace, those with evil intentions will go up the mountain to cause trouble and seek to seize the foundation of our sect."
Xue Lanyi nodded and said: "Well, you are very considerate, but my mother-in-law has already made arrangements. A few months ago, someone from the Tianshi Mansion met with me. Out of justice, the Tianshi Mansion will send disciples to take care of us secretly. Regardless of others, I have some old acquaintances with this person from Tianshi Mansion and my mother-in-law, so I can still trust his words."
Jiang Hanyue said: "There is one more thing that I also want to ask my mother-in-law about?" Are you treasoning?" Xue Lanyi's eyes flashed with a sharp look, and she snorted coldly: "Everyone has seen this with their own eyes, is it possible that you still doubt it?" Jiang Hanyue's expression changed and she said hurriedly: "Disciple doesn't dare." Xue Lanyi drank another drink, exhaled and said, "My child, that matter has become a thing of the past. You should think carefully about the future of our Xuannv Palace."
Snow was falling heavily outside the pavilion, and the sky and the earth were completely white. Xue Lanyi stood up and turned her back to Jiang Hanyue, and said slowly: "You will be the master of the palace in the future, but you have to understand something now. If you want to establish a foundation that will last forever, you are destined to suffer a lot in this life. ." Jiang Hanyue said respectfully: "Disciple understands."
Xue Lanyi said nothing, walked out of the pavilion, reached out and broke off a plum blossom, and walked slowly away. Jiang Hanyue said in her mouth: "To establish a career that will last forever, I will endure it no matter how hard it is."
But it was said that Xiao Yunfan and his party descended from Zhongnan Mountain and came to Lantian. After working hard all the way, I finally stayed at an inn in Huaxu Town at sunset. He took a hot bath and changed into clean clothes. Then he went downstairs and asked the store owner for half a catty of Xifeng wine, a bowl of plain noodles, a plate of peanuts, and half a catty of cooked beef.
After being drunk and full, he fell asleep. When I woke up, it was already three o'clock in the morning. Thinking of the big things to do, the first thing is to fulfill the master's last wish, and the second thing is to find out about the Beggar Clan's human smuggling.
The bones were quite important to him, and there was a risk that something might be lost if he kept them with him. The day after he succeeded, he sent the remains to Zhejiang and stored them at a friend's home. Judging by the time, the items have already been delivered.
The affairs of the Beggar Clan need to be investigated secretly. If they are together with Yu Shura and Ying'er, they will inevitably attract attention. After much deliberation, I can only act alone. Xiao Yunfan made up his mind and pushed the door open. He went to the market and bought some items.
As soon as Yinger saw Xiao Yunfan entering the house, she ran to him. He raised his little face and said, "Uncle Monk said not to disturb you. You drank a lot last night and you need to have a good rest. Are you okay now?"
Xiao Yunfan stretched out his hand to pick up Ying'er, held her in his arms and said, "Thank you for your concern, I'm much better." Ying'er stretched out her little finger and scratched her face and said, "Uncle Xiao is a lazy guy, he doesn't get up as early as Ying'er." Xiao Yunfan said. : "Yes, our Ying'er is a diligent child."
Jade Shura saw Xiao Yunfan carrying a baggage on his shoulder and asked doubtfully: "Brother Xiao, what are you?" Xiao Yunfan put Ying'er down, opened the bag, took out a rattle and cloth tiger and handed them to Ying'er. Ying'er was naturally extremely happy to get such a toy.
Xiao Yunfan looked at Ying'er's smiling face and sighed: "Brother Shura, I came here today to say goodbye to you and Ying'er!" Ying'er was very happy at first, but when she heard Xiao Yunfan said she was leaving, she hurriedly pouted and said: " Uncle Xiao, do you want to leave?"
Xiao Yunfan nodded and said with a smile: "Brother Shura, these are some clothes I bought for you and Ying'er, as well as some expenses. Think of it as a token of friendship. To avoid provocation from your enemies, you and Ying'er I'm afraid I'll have to make some modifications along the way...
There is always a banquet in the world that must come to an end. I still have something very important to do. I have no choice but to leave it alone! "
Ying'er burst into tears, hugged Xiao Yunfan's leg and sobbed: "Ying'er... Ying'er won't let Uncle Xiao go." Yu Shura touched Ying'er's head and said, "Good boy, let go quickly. Uncle Xiao just has something important to do, it’s not like he won’t meet with us in the future.”
Xiao Yunfan stretched out his hand to wipe away the tears on Ying'er's face and said, "My Roaring Sky Dog likes to eat children's noses the most. The more you cry, the more delicious it tastes." He snorted twice more. Ying'er recalled what he said when they met that day, and said with tears in her eyes: "Xiao...Uncle Xiao said that he is a barking dog, but the barking of a puppy is barking, barking, barking, and only pigs can hum." The child's words flew into Xiao Yunfan's ears. Even though he was a loyal person, he couldn't help but feel sad and almost shed tears.
Although the time the three of them got together was short, their friendship with each other was long-lasting. Xiao Yunfan waved to the two of them, then turned his horse's head and ran towards the distance. He originally wanted to return to Zhejiang first, fulfill his master's last wish, and then investigate the Beggar Clan.
However, he missed Sutou that night and had to stay at a farmhouse. The next morning, Xiao Yunfan saw the old woman sweeping snow in the courtyard. He quickly took the big broom and said, "Old man, I'll do it." The old woman declined and went to the kitchen to get busy.
He finished sweeping the snow and leaned the broom against the wall. He rubbed his red ears with both hands, then rolled up his sleeves and looked around. I saw a row of bare willow trees outside the fence extending along the river bank into the distance, and there was a stone arch bridge to the west of the willow trees. Xiao Yunfan said: "It's time to ask the mother-in-law how to go." Then he opened the tattered cotton curtain and walked into the kitchen.
The old woman picked up a handful of dried corn husks, put it into the furnace, and pulled the bellows. The fire in the furnace suddenly became brighter, illuminating her wrinkled cheeks with a bright red color. Xiao Yunfan stood aside and said: "How are you, old man? May I ask what our village is called? Which road should we take to Sichuan?"
The old woman said: "Your distinguished guest is not busy. Let's eat before leaving." Xiao Yunfan cupped his hands and said: "Thank you for your kindness, old man. Why don't you let the younger generation pull the bellows for you?" The old woman waved her hand and said: "No, you are very clean. She is the daughter of the Caidong family, so the old woman should do all the rough work." Xiao Yunfan scratched the back of his head and said with a smile, "Old man, you are out of sight. Why do you live alone at such an old age?" The old woman said: " My wife and son are both in the county, and I’m used to living in places like the countryside. It’s not nice to go to their place.”
It turns out that this old woman's surname was Cui, and her husband died the year before last. The fields in the village did not produce much food, and the officials imposed heavy taxes. The wife and son had no choice but to abandon the fields and go to the county to make a living. The two of them did odd jobs for some silk weaving merchants, but they had a lot of surplus on hand. Check out the old man every now and then.
