Soon after, the two came to the courtyard where Yang Erya lived, and Du Cheng secretly said: Sure enough. The two entered the gate, and several female guards immediately came to greet them. Yang Peng asked with concern: "Is your general feeling better?" A female guard said: "I drank the ginseng soup cooked by King Yan, and I feel much better!" Yang Peng nodded with a smile, pointed at Du Cheng and said, "This is Lord Chang Shi Du." The female guards glanced at him, clasped their fists together and said, "I have met Lord Du!" Du Cheng quickly responded: "Don't you dare!" Yang Peng said to several female guards: "Lead the way ahead! "The female guards agreed and led Yang Peng and Du Cheng towards the backyard.
When they came downstairs, the two female guards guarding the building hurriedly paid their respects. Yang Peng said goodbye and led Du Cheng up. The two female guards followed, while the others stayed outside.
Yang Erya was leaning on the bedside reading a book when he suddenly heard footsteps on the stairs. He couldn't help but look over there and saw Yang Peng coming again. He felt indescribable joy in his heart. Then he noticed Du Cheng following Yang Peng, and couldn't help but feel slightly surprised. He couldn't figure out why the elder brother brought him here? These thoughts were fleeting, and he quickly got out of bed to prepare to meet Yang Peng. Seeing this, Chen Xiao rushed up, helped Yang Erya back to the bed, and complained: "If you are not in good health, please stop moving!" Yang Erya glanced at Yang Peng with a blushing face.
Du Cheng stood in the distance, always lowering his head. Yang Peng turned around and greeted, "Master Du, show General Yang what's wrong with you!" Du Cheng responded respectfully, came to the bed, lowered his head and asked, "General, please stretch out your wrist. "Yang Erya stretched out her wrist as white and flawless as white jade. Du Cheng did not dare to touch Yang Erya's skin directly, so he put his wide sleeves on her wrists and felt her pulse through the sleeves. Yang Peng looked at him nervously. After a while, Du Cheng let go of Yang Erya's wrist, stood up, clasped his fists towards Yang Peng and said, "To the King of Yan, General Yang Erya is not seriously ill, he just feels the cold occasionally!"
Yang Peng frowned, "Several doctors before have said the same thing, but after taking the medicine for a few times, there is no improvement at all. Have you all made the wrong diagnosis?"
Du Cheng said: "I dare you to guarantee the head of Xiang!" He glanced at Yang Erya, and then said: "The reason why it is difficult to cure is because the wind and cold are mixed with worries. With these two factors intersecting, it is naturally difficult to cure. Yes!" Yang Peng looked at Yang Erya in confusion, "Afraid?" Yang Erya lowered his head, his face flushed, and his heart pounding. Yang Peng felt a little baffled when he saw her like this.
Du Cheng continued: "If General Yang is still haunted by worries, then the disease will be difficult to cure. Fortunately, the worries in General Yang's heart have been eliminated. Now he can be cured with just a few decoctions. King Yan does not have to worry!"
Yang Peng asked with a smile: "You can know so many things just by taking your pulse?" Du Cheng said: "Actually, it doesn't matter if you put it bluntly, because no matter what the human body is, whether it is physical or mental, it will... There will be a reaction in the pulse, and the lower official will be able to identify it if he knows the pulse more often."
Yang Peng nodded, "Then please write a prescription quickly." "Yes." Du Cheng responded, turned around and walked behind the desk. At this time, the female guard had prepared pen, ink, paper and inkstone for him. Du Cheng quickly wrote a prescription, handed it to a female guard, and warned: "Take three doses. When boiling the medicine, put ten bowls of water and boil it over low heat to make one bowl." The female guard responded, Ran down.
Du Cheng stood up, walked to Yang Peng, and bowed: "King Yan, I have done everything I can do. If there are no other instructions, I will leave!" Yang Peng nodded, "Thank you for your hard work." Yes!" Du Cheng was flattered and said quickly: "I don't dare, it is my duty to serve the King of Yan!" He bowed to Yang Peng and left.
Du Cheng returned home. His son Du Nan had just returned from having fun outside. As soon as he entered the door, he saw his father sitting in the hall. His heart skipped a beat and he quickly said, "Father!"
Du Cheng snorted and said angrily: "Going around again?" Du Nan smiled awkwardly, "Just drinking and chatting with friends!" Du Cheng stood up and lectured: "You fell to the ground and asked me How many times have I told you? Don’t hang out with those bad friends, you just don’t listen! You have to think about your own future!” Du Nan curled his lips, “Now the world is in chaos, you call me today, I will call you tomorrow, your future is It’s really hard to talk about this kind of thing!”
Du Cheng's expression softened and he nodded: "What you said is not unreasonable. But I think we in Shanxi will never experience war again!" Du Nan showed surprise, "Father is so fond of that King Yan. Confidence?" Du Cheng walked to the chair and sat down, thinking: "The King of Yan is definitely a hero! At least he is someone like Cao Cao! I think it would be good to serve him!" Du Nan He snorted, "It doesn't matter who you serve. In the end, it's all about one family. What does it have to do with the people? What does it have to do with us?" Du Cheng glared and said, "Nonsense! What do you mean it has nothing to do with the people? We have nothing to do with it? Isn't assisting a hero a good thing for the people? Isn't it a good thing for the reputation and interests of our Du family? "
Du Nan chuckled and said, "Father, if I tell the truth, don't be angry!" Du Cheng glared, "Fart! Just fart!" Du Nan chuckled, "Father, in fact, even a hero is good. Whether it's a dog or a bear, what's the difference? The so-called "Heaven and Earth are unkind and take all things as a taunt" actually refers not to heaven and earth, but to kings. Good kings and bad kings, who doesn't regard the world as his family's private property, who doesn't? Treat the common people as cattle and sheep? Their purpose of raising the people is the same as our purpose of raising chickens, ducks, cattle and sheep, and they will all be slaughtered in the end!"
"The difference between a wise king and a coward is only in what you do before killing him. The so-called wise man will give you some sweetness to make you grateful and willing to be slaughtered by him. This is just a hypocrite. The so-called coward is actually cuter than the wise man. At least he doesn't hide it. Tucked in, he showed his true nature, just to kill you! Father, what do you mean by serving these kings? I think we should just muddle along, no matter who becomes the emperor, we can keep our family by doing things perfunctorily. That’s all for people’s safety and well-being!”
Du Cheng's expression changed several times, and Du Nan saw that something was wrong, so he quickly curled up his neck and waited for his father's roar. Sure enough, after waiting for a moment, Du Cheng roared angrily: "You little beast, you are talking nonsense!" He scolded and looked for a stick everywhere, as if he wanted to teach an unfilial son a lesson.
Seeing that the situation was not going well, Du Nan quickly knelt down and begged for mercy: "Father, the child has realized his mistake!" Du Cheng found a broom at the door and slapped Du Nan hard on the back, "You little beast, I'll kill you." You!" Dunan screamed in pain. In fact, it didn't hurt that much. He was just exaggerating to prevent his father from lashing out in anger!
After a few blows, Dunan screamed like a pig being killed. At this time, Mrs. Du, accompanied by several maids, hurriedly came to the hall. When she saw the posture in front of her, she was shocked and hurt. She quickly ran forward, hugged her son and shouted to Du Cheng: "Master, are you going to fight?" Are you going to kill our child?" He started to cry. When Du Cheng saw his wife hugging the child, he couldn't beat him anymore. He threw the broom to the ground and said angrily: "This boy is lawless, has no king and no father, and he was spoiled by you!" Mrs. Du cried: "Everyone is a child." It’s my fault, it’s all my fault! Master, just beat us, mother and son, to death!”
Du Cheng was so angry that he puffed out, his beard fluttering at the corner of his mouth, and finally sighed heavily, "Hey, madam, you are actually hurting him by doting on him like this!" Then he glared at Du Nan and shouted : "You are an unfilial son. You did something wrong without saying anything, and you actually made your mother sad. I have to punish you! Go and kneel on the ancestor's memorial tablet!"
"Master..." Mrs. Du still wanted to plead. Du Cheng said angrily: "Madam, you don't let me hit him. I don't have to hit him, but I can't let him go without discipline! What will he do if you and I are no longer here in the future?" Mrs. Du listened. After hearing this, it was no longer easy to protect his son. Du Nan tugged on his mother's sleeves and said, "Mom, father did the right thing. I'm going to kneel in front of the ancestor's memorial tablet!" After saying that, he stood up and helped his mother up. He turned around, bowed to his father, and left.
Du Cheng sat down and said worriedly: "This boy is very smart! I'm afraid that his cleverness will be mistaken for him in the future!" Mrs. Du asked in confusion: "Why did you father and son quarrel? "Du Cheng sighed and briefly recounted the conversation just now. Mrs. Du muttered: "Nan'er is right." Du Cheng stared, "What?" Mrs. Lu quickly smiled and said: "Isn't that what I said? Why is the master so angry?"
Du Cheng frowned and said: "Why don't I understand that what Nan'er said is correct! It's just that truth and everything else must give way to survival. Such remarks are a treasonous crime under the rule of any emperor. Not only his own life is in danger, but the entire The family will also be implicated! What’s the use of being right? If you can’t change, it’s better to hide in your heart and go with the flow. This way, you can at least keep the safety and well-being of your family!”
Mrs. Du nodded with deep sympathy, "What the master said is absolutely true!" Then she smiled and said: "Nan'er is a child after all, not as scheming as the master!" At dinner that day, Mrs. Du looked at the delicacies packed with people, and said, He couldn't help but think of his son Du Nan, who was kneeling in front of the ancestral tablet and suffering, and said to Du Cheng: "Master, can I deliver the food to Nan'er?" Du Cheng was about to answer, but a servant rushed in anxiously and excitedly, saying anxiously : "Master, madam, His Highness Prince Yan is here!"
The couple was stunned and quickly stood up to greet them. Seeing Yang Peng striding towards him surrounded by all the guards, he quickly knelt down and said, "I didn't know that His Highness King Yan was arriving and I was not welcomed from afar. Please forgive me!" Yang Peng stepped forward to help him and his wife, and smiled. He said: "This is an informal occasion, so there is no need to be so polite." Then he saw steaming meals being placed in the hall behind them, and he couldn't help but apologized: "I came at a bad time, and I disturbed your meal!" Du Cheng said quickly: "His Royal Highness the King of Yan has arrived. The place in Xiaguan is blooming. How can I disturb you! If His Highness the King of Yan doesn't mind, please have a simple meal here!"
Yang Peng smiled and said: "Then I'll trouble you!" Du Cheng said quickly: "This is my honor, this is your honor!" Then he and his wife invited Yang Peng in and followed Yang Peng. The other guards stayed outside the hall, and only Wang Kai stayed with Yang Peng.
Du Cheng and his wife asked Yang Peng to sit on the throne in the north. Yang Peng walked over and sat down. Wang Kai followed Yang Peng and stood with his sword behind him. Seeing that both Du Cheng and his wife were still standing, Yang Peng said, "No need to be polite, just sit down!" The couple thanked them, and then sat down one on the left and the other on the right. Du Chengchong said to the bewildered maid standing nearby: "Go and tell the kitchen to cook the best and most expert dishes!..." Yang Peng smiled and said: "No need, the ones here are very good!" Du Cheng said with a smile. Cheng looked at the home-cooked meals on the table and said with a confused look on his face: "But..."
Yang Peng picked up his chopsticks and ate a piece of meat and nodded, "Very good!" He put down his chopsticks and said to Du Cheng and his wife, "You may not know that this is what I usually eat. Sometimes I even eat just like this." Just eat some steamed buns and some pickles!" The couple was very surprised.
Seeing the maid standing there in a dilemma, Yang Peng smiled and said, "You don't have to be in embarrassment. Just step aside." The maid was flattered and quickly responded and stepped aside. She couldn't help but have some delusional thoughts in her heart: King Yan Talking to me like this, could it be that you are interested in me? Thinking of this, the whole person couldn't help but feel angry. He glanced at Yang Peng secretly and was very disappointed when he saw that he didn't look at him.
Du Cheng and his wife thought that Yang Peng's sudden visit must be important, but they didn't expect that he was just chatting. Unknowingly, dinner was over. Mrs. Du was worried about Du Nan and whispered to Du Cheng: "Master, I want to go to Nan'er to deliver food..." Du Cheng frowned and whispered: "His Royal Highness, King Yan, is here. How can it be so good?" I'm rude?" Mrs. Du was very depressed.
Yang Peng asked with a smile: "Mr. Du, Mrs. Du, is there any inconvenience?" Du Cheng said quickly: "No, no, it's just some trivial matters in Zhuojing. It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter!" Yang Peng said: "I I just heard Mrs. Du talking about Nan'er, but is Mr. Du's son, Du Nan?"
Du Cheng nodded, "It's my worthless son!" When Mrs. Du heard Yang Peng talking about her son, she took the opportunity to say: "Your Highness, King Yan, forgive me, it's just because Nan'er did something wrong, and now he is I am forced to kneel in front of the ancestral memorial tablet and cannot come to see His Highness King Yan!" Yang Peng chuckled, "It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter!" After a pause, "I'm afraid Mr. Du hasn't had dinner yet, right?" Mrs. Du nodded quickly, "Exactly! "Then Mrs. Du doesn't need to stay with me here. Go and deliver dinner to your child. Don't make him hungry!" Mrs. Du thanked her quickly, got up, called two maids, and left quickly. .
Du Cheng said apologetically: "As a woman, I don't know etiquette. Please forgive me, King Yan!" Yang Peng waved his hand and said with a smile: "What a sin this is!" Du Cheng quickly thanked him. Looking at the leftovers in front of him, he cupped his fists and said, "Your Highness, King Yan, why don't we go for a walk in the backyard?" Yang Peng nodded and said, "That's exactly what I meant!" The two stood up, Du Cheng He quickly led the way, leading Yang Peng and Wang Kai out of the hall through the side door and towards the backyard.
After walking through the tree-lined corridor for a while, my eyes suddenly opened up. I saw a small lake in front of me, with rippling blue waves, surrounded by rockeries shaded by green willows. A water pavilion was looming next to the lake, pillowed by green willows.
Yang Peng smiled and said: "You have a pretty good place here!" Du Cheng's heart moved and he quickly clasped his fists and said: "If His Highness likes it, I will give it to His Highness!" Yang Peng was stunned and waved his hand, "Master Du misunderstood Oh, that’s not what I meant! There are thousands of buildings, but you can’t sleep in a place three feet high, so why pursue these!”
Du Cheng couldn't help but be in awe, clasped his fists and bowed: "It is really a blessing for all people that King Yan has such a simple mind!" Yang Peng laughed loudly, "Don't take it seriously, don't take it seriously, Sir Du is serious!" The two left. When he arrived at the lake and took a stroll, Wang Kai followed Chen Xiao with his sword in hand. Yang Peng said: "I am here this time to express my gratitude to Master Du. General Yang has taken the medicine prescribed by Master Du and is much better!" Du Cheng said quickly: "I don't dare to take this! In fact, General Yang's illness mainly lies in his heart. , Now that the knot in my heart has been resolved, I can recover even without taking medicine, so I really don’t have any merit at all!" Chen Xiao said with a smile: "Master Du, there is no need to be humble. If it were not for the decoction prescribed by Master Du, at least General Yang would not be able to do it. It's so good so quickly!" Du Cheng obeyed.
Yang Peng asked: "I heard that Mr. Du is a rare and good official. It is said that some people have built a shrine for Mr. Du!" Du Cheng quickly said modestly: "The King of Yan has given me a reward. I don't deserve to be dismissed from the official position." ! As for the shrine, the people love it wrongly!" Yang Peng said with a smile: "The people are not confused, they naturally know who is really good to them! Since they spontaneously built a shrine for Mr. Du, it can be seen that Mr. Du is indeed a rare person. What an excellent official!"
Then he asked: "Master Du is still doing business after being an official?" Du Cheng thought, but he really couldn't figure out what King Yan meant by asking, so he said cautiously: "That's true! If King Yan thinks it's inappropriate, you can lower the official position." , you can resign!" Yang Peng waved his hand and said with a smile: "Master Du, you are too worried! I am not asking you because I have any opinion on you, but I want to discuss business matters with you!" Du Cheng heard this After saying this, he couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. As the saying goes, accompanying a king is like accompanying a tiger. He was really worried that Yang Peng was blaming him just now!
Yang Peng asked: "Since Mr. Du's business is doing well, I would like to hear your suggestions on developing business to increase people's income?" Du Cheng thought for a while, cupped his fists and said: "The most important factors that affect business are actually two , Firstly, there must be smooth circulation channels, and secondly, there must be a fair trade environment. ..." Yang Peng smiled and said: "Your views are exactly the same as Li Mubai's, which is great!" Du Cheng asked quickly: "Who is the Governor of Shanxi? Li Mubai Lord Li? Yang Peng nodded. Du Cheng said quickly: "Xiaguan, I don't dare to compare with Lord Li! "
Yang Peng was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked: "What do you think of Zhang Xiaochun?" Du Cheng hesitated for a moment, "It's really hard for me to tell you this!" "To be honest, do you have to hide anything in front of me?" Du Cheng responded quickly, thought for a moment, and said, "Master Zhang is capable, but he is too speculative! I'm afraid, I'm afraid he won't be able to take on big responsibilities!" Yang Peng asked with a smile, "Du As a big businessman, don't you never speculate?"
Du Cheng said quickly: "Xiaguan never speculates. He believes that although speculation can make huge profits in the moment, it will be detrimental in the long run! Whether it is business or officialdom, trust is actually the most important thing. Only when the people and the monarch trust you, can you get a steady stream of benefits! On the contrary, if trust disappears, you will lose everything in business, and it will be difficult for you to be an official!"
Yang Peng smiled and nodded, "You have such understanding, you can be regarded as a real villain, but you are far better than those hypocrites!" Du Cheng didn't know whether King Yan was praising him or mocking him, and said with some embarrassment: "King Yan, King Yan has given you the award!" Yang Peng thought, "I want to appoint you as Shanxi's envoy to take charge of Shanxi's government affairs."
Du Cheng had never expected to become Shanxi's envoy. After hearing Yang Peng's words, he was immediately dumbfounded. Then he came back to his senses and said quickly: "I'm a low-ranking official. I'm afraid I don't have enough qualifications to convince the public!" Yang Peng waved his hand. , "I have already inspected you. You have a very good reputation in Shanxi, whether it is official or business reputation. Although it cannot be said to be universally praised, it can be regarded as remarkable. And after the conversation just now, your views and character made me I am very satisfied, you are qualified to be the governor!" "Xiaguan, I am really..."
"Okay, don't refuse! Mr. Du is not a person without ambition, right? Since I gave you this opportunity, why don't you take advantage of it?" Du Cheng knelt down and bowed gratefully: "Thank you very much. King Yan trusts his subordinates!"
Yang Peng helped Du Cheng up, looked at him and said, "I would not reuse you originally because you have taken refuge with the Khitan people. For a person who has no faith, what achievements can I expect him to make? However, I heard that although you took refuge with the Khitans, you advised them not to kill anyone rashly. You also bribed senior Khitan officials and used your power to protect many people, especially young women. Therefore, I know that what you did was nothing but It's about enduring humiliation and bearing a heavy burden. You are not very loyal to any king, but you love this land and your compatriots very much. A little is enough!"
Du Cheng was shocked and said excitedly: "King Yan, I..." Yang Peng patted Du Cheng on the shoulder, "There is no need to say anything! In fact, many times it is very easy to 'lead the sword to achieve success', but you have to endure the humiliation and bear the heavy burden. But it is even more difficult! What you have done is really commendable!"
Du Cheng couldn't help but feel the urge to die for his confidant. He clasped his fists and bowed: "I am willing to follow His Highness King Yan to the death, and I will not hesitate to walk through fire and water!"
Yang Peng smiled. Suddenly remembering something, he asked: "I want to meet Mr. Du's young master, is it okay?" Du Cheng said quickly: "Of course, it's just that I am a prodigal son. I'm afraid that I will make King Yan laugh. !" Chen Xiao said with a smile: "With Master Du as a father, I think this Mr. Du can't be any worse no matter how bad he is!" "King Yan thanks you. King Yan invites you here." Du Cheng led the way. Chen Xiao and Wang Kai walked towards the northwest, passed through an archway among the trees, and saw a solemn palace-like building in front of them.
Du Cheng introduced: "This is the ancestral hall of the Xiaguan family."
Yang Peng looked at the hall in front and nodded, "I heard that your Du family has produced numerous talents throughout the generations. It is really an amazing family!" Du Cheng's face showed pride, "My lord, I am so impressed!" He then led the way. Following Yang Peng and Wang Kai, they walked into the Ancestor Hall. I saw Du Nan kneeling on the ground eating, and Mrs. Du squatting next to her with a jar of water, her eyes full of love. Seeing the master and King Yan come in, she quickly stood up to greet them. When Dunan heard the sound, he quickly stopped eating and drinking, turned around, and saw a very heroic and imposing young man following his father. He couldn't help but feel heartbroken and thought to himself: Is he the legendary King Yan? So young!
When Du Cheng saw that his son was disrespectful in front of King Yan, he was very angry and shouted: "You little beast, when you see King Yan, you still don't pay respects!" , Your Highness is a thousand years old!" The greeting was very artificial, and Mrs. Du couldn't help but worry. Du Cheng was livid with anger, but Yang Peng felt very interesting, and was even more interested in this legendary guy who always wins in gambling. Interested.
"No need to be polite, get up." Yang Peng said with a smile. Du Nan caught a glimpse of Yang Peng who was not angry at all and looked very interesting. This was a bit unexpected and he felt that this King Yan was a bit unpredictable. He straightened up, clasped his fists and said: "Your Majesty, please forgive me. The common people are being punished by the family law, so I can only kneel here. If you are disrespectful, please forgive me, Lord Yan!"
Du Cheng shouted: "His Royal Highness Yan is here, why are you still kneeling? Get up quickly!" Yang Peng waved his hand and said with a smile: "No need!" Looking at the rows of ancestor tablets in front, his eyes were on Du Fu He paused for a moment and said: "This is the ancestral hall of the Du family. The deceased is the greatest, and I must abide by the Du family's family rules."
Du Nan looked at Yang Peng in surprise and said to himself: I'm afraid you are pretending on purpose! Yang Peng said to Du Cheng and his wife: "I want to chat with Mr. Du alone." Du Cheng said quickly: "This is my honor!" Then he glared at Du Nan and said pointedly: "Speak carefully and don't talk nonsense. Talk!" "Yes, you don't know how to talk nonsense!" Du Cheng and his wife bowed to Yang Peng and left the ancestral hall.
Yang Peng said to Wang Kai: "You go outside and wait." Wang Kai clasped his fists in agreement and went out. Yang Peng walked up to Du Nan, sat on the ground, and looked him up and down. He saw that this legendary exclusive young master was a fat man with an ordinary appearance, but there seemed to be countless things hidden in his eyes.
"Master Du, I have admired your name for a long time!" Du Nan clasped his fists and bowed: "I dare not! If the name of the next prodigal son reaches the ears of the powerful King Yan, I'm afraid he will be dirty!" Yang Peng He smiled and said, "Master Du, these words sound like sarcasm." Du Nan said quickly: "Don't dare, how dare you, the common people, have such thoughts!" Then he bowed and said, "If His Highness, King Yan, really has such thoughts, In my opinion, I don’t dare to defend myself, so I can only apologize and ask His Highness King Yan to forgive me!”
Outside the ancestral hall, Mrs. Du asked Du Cheng very worriedly: "Master, Nan'er won't talk nonsense in front of King Yan, right?" Du Cheng frowned and said: "That boy is not afraid of anything and thinks very highly of himself. I'm afraid I won't be afraid of King Yan's name! I just hope he can remember my father's warning! Hey, my son is actually a great talent, but there are not many others who can really use him!" Mrs. Du turned around to look. She glanced at the Ancestor Hall, her eyes full of worry, she clasped her hands together and muttered something, and it turned out to be the Guanyin Sutra. She was asking the Bodhisattva to bless her son. In the mother's heart, nothing was as important as this precious son.
What happened after all, let’s see what happens next.
