When summer comes to Na'an, the capital of the Qi Dynasty, everyone puts on short shirts, and most women wear Sulu skirts. When walking around, it doesn't seem too hot; there are merchants on the long street who have prepared old ice. A pavilion is set up to invite people passing by who are suffering from the heat to rest, so as not to suffer from heatstroke and delay various trivial or official matters.
In the peaceful atmosphere, two people drove into the city.
"I asked you two, can you please slow down a little, are you in such a hurry?" The city guarding sergeant quickly stopped the carriage, frowned and asked, "I said you busy people always have to wait for a long time on the road, waiting for something urgent to happen. As I drove on, I looked down at the city gate. It was the season when there were many people. Why didn't I want to slow down my car? If I hit someone, these young and powerful soldiers would suffer from soreness in their waists and legs at most. If I bump into an old man in two days, wouldn't he be forced to lie down for ten and a half days?"
The coachman looked like a scholar, with delicate features. Hearing the soldier's words, he looked quite apologetic. He quickly put aside the reins and got off the car, raised his hands and saluted, "I'm sorry, I didn't expect that this horse hasn't had good food for a long time." , I was very empty in my belly, probably because I smelled the smoke, food, and rice in the city, I couldn't control the reins for a moment, so I forced myself to cross the pass, disturbed the people, and asked the military master for your forgiveness."
The car came with great force, but fortunately, the scholar's driving ability was not bad, and he managed to avoid a crowd of people without any collision. The soldier guarding the city didn't want to criticize him, so he just curled his lips and said, "Next time Remember, there is no need to rush like this. It’s just that there are few people walking around at noon. It’s only been an hour since we opened the city. It’s a time when there are a lot of people. But I can’t blame you. Next time, remember to feed the horses before driving on.”
The scholar saluted again, smiled honestly, and then asked again, "May I ask the military master, it's just Chen time, why are there so many people? As usual, we should get up later in summer time, and even later in Xu time." Why is it like this when I go out?"
The sergeant said happily, "You look like a foreigner. At least you have never spent the summer in Na'an. Now that Na'an is peaceful and peaceful, I will tell you what's going on here. I still have to thank you for it. Let's follow the rules established by Prime Minister Qi Xun a few years ago: Na'an is usually hotter than other places. Perhaps it is because there is a spring that is always hot all year round under the feet, leading directly to the imperial garden of the imperial city. During this season, When the summer heat rises, it will become even hotter. We are all afraid that the people will suffer, so every time before and after the summer solstice, we bring out old ice from the ice cellar and ask skilled ice makers to make ice porridge and wine, and distribute it to the people of Na'an to relieve the heat. To relieve boredom. In addition, there are more literati gathering on the pavilions in the city, flying flower orders or talking and playing chess. The leader is giving lotus seed flower ice porridge. I heard that it is the best dessert that only the saints can drink. If If a person with true ability stands out, we, Emperor Qi, may call this person into the palace and promise him an official position."
After speaking, the sergeant calmed down for a while, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and continued, "With such a formation, where do you think anyone can sleep peacefully?" His words were filled with relief.
"Prime Minister Xun of Qi Dynasty knows the public opinion very well. It is indeed a blessing for the people. It is very good. It would be a great blessing for me if I could meet him." The scholar-like young master looked towards the end of the long street. Even so, his eyes were deep. Like a well.
The sergeant raised his water bag and filled his mouth with water. He frowned and said in surprise, "How lucky is this? If you stay in Na'an for a while, you will definitely see an old man with gray hair walking up and down the hall, walking as fast as flying. He doesn't look like a droopy man at all." As an old man in his twilight years, we will go to Qi Xunxiang."
Someone in the car tent stretched his waist and muttered lazily, "That's good. No matter what happens, at least show your face well. This Prime Minister Xun seems to be an unusual person. I might as well get on the road and enter the imperial city." Take a closer look.”
The tone was so loud that the guard sergeant curled his lips repeatedly, and naturally he lost interest in continuing to explain to the young man. After checking the car account, he waved his hand and ordered the two of them to enter the city.
As the carriage and horses were swaying, Mr. Zhou stretched his head out of the carriage tent and said in a rather sleepy voice, "Disciple, I heard the sergeant say that there is a pavilion in the city where you can face the Feihua Order. This is something you are very familiar with." I don’t know how capable the scholars in Shangqi Imperial City are at this job, so why don’t we give it a try, it doesn’t matter whether we win or lose, the main thing is to have fun.”
The young master at the front was dejected, shook his riding whip and sighed, "Master will die of idleness, and apprentice will die of exhaustion. The world is very complicated."
Zhou Kefa blew his beard and glared, slapped the support tree hard and said angrily, "It's nonsense, you can go if you are told. At the worst, you can win two buckets of ice porridge to relieve the heat. It costs so much to travel and have tea and meals along the way." Da, do you really think that you have brought a mountain of silver with you as a teacher? The money saved by being a teacher for so many years will almost be wiped out this time. If you don’t think of ways to make some money, we will have to tell people to earn money to stay, don’t have to Just use your words and go."
The streets in Na'an are extremely wide and can accommodate six horses riding abreast. Therefore, the scholar did not pay attention when driving. He only drove the horses in the street. He did not pay attention to the old man walking alone in front of him. He was almost knocked down by the horse and fell down. Go into the dust.
By the time Xun Yuantuo came to his senses, the old man had already covered his lower back and sat down on the ground, his face turned pale. Mr. Xun was so frightened that he quickly reined in the horse's head, rushed to the old man in three steps and two steps to help him up, and stopped talking. Keep apologizing.
Fortunately, the old man was not seriously injured. He just twisted his waist and legs slightly. He smiled and said, "It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter. Don't worry too much. It's just that I am too old and my ears are a little weak. I thought it was because the car tents were far apart." , that’s why I didn’t hide in advance, I can’t blame the young man.”
Xun Yuantuo still couldn't bear it, and insisted on asking the old man to get in the car and sit down. At least he would give him a ride, which would make him feel better. The old man refused one after another, but he still couldn't handle Mr. Xun. He almost half-pushed and half-helped him. The old man helped him into the tent of the car, then got into the car and turned around and asked, "Where are you going, old man? Maybe we should drop by and take a ride with you."
After the old man sat firmly, he raised his eyebrows and glanced at Zhou Kefa, who was still sleepy, and said softly, "I am going to the Canglang Pavilion not far from the west entrance of the city to listen to the young literati's poem about Feihua Ling, and learn a few words by the way. , show off to the neighbors.”
But before Mr. Xun could challenge him, Zhou Kefa opened one eye and hummed, "Why don't you learn how to do this? It's better to learn how to be a human being first. It's more useful."
The old man chuckled, "At least I won't go around causing trouble, let alone touch the foundation of the country. This is where I'm smarter than you. Don't even think about suppressing and ridiculing the old man. This is in the realm of Na'an. You couldn't afford it ten years ago. The waves, after ten years, still cannot stir.”
