The night before leaving home, there was a small dinner at home.
Zhang Shi also invited two soldiers assigned to Zhang Yue by the Yamen, and they would look after him all the way from now on.
Needless to say, Tang Jiu drank as soon as he sat down.
Zhang Yue has gained some experience. What does it mean to drink from beginning to end?
The most serious crime committed by civil servants in the Song Dynasty was exile. For example, Su Shi was exiled to Hainan Island by Zhang Dun. This was almost the most serious punishment for civil servants.
It is very interesting that Hainan is not called Danzhou, Su Shi's courtesy name is Zizhan, so there is a saying that Zhang Dun is purely disgusting.
Similarly, Su Zhe, nicknamed Ziyou, was demoted to Leizhou, and Huang Tingjian, nicknamed Luzhi, was demoted to Yizhou. These derogatory words all use radicals, and they all sound derogatory. I heard that these are all Zhang Dun's handiwork.
As for military attachés, in addition to beheading, the next most important thing was to assassinate their spouses.
For example, Captain Di Qing had his face tattooed when he was young, but he had not yet become an official.
Another soldier named Ma Chang, walking five, met Tang Jiu and respectfully called him "Sir."
Calling Dianzhi does not necessarily mean Dianzhi. This Tang Jiu was a young envoy, and he might have been serving in the Third Class, or even on loan from the Third Class. However, he could be regarded as a serious military attache, but after being assassinated, he could be described as A phoenix on the ground is not as good as a chicken.
It is normal for prisoners who were assassinated by the government to be re-recruited as soldiers. For example, after Yang Zhi in Water Margin killed the gangster and was demoted to Daming Mansion, he was appointed as an officer by Liang Zhongshu and was sent to escort the birthday party. Beijing.
After a few glasses of wine, Ma Wu started to talk loudly.
As for Tang Jiu, he said a few words after drinking.
Zhang Shi personally toasted the two of them, said a lot of words of care, and drank all night. Zhang Shi felt relieved a little when he saw that Tang Jiu had drank more than 20 or 30 bowls of wine and his expression remained unchanged.
Zhang Yue understood what his brother meant. If Tang Jiu was really the one who caused trouble by drinking, then Zhang Shi would not trust his brother and let him go on the road. Drinking at the same time is also a good way to see the character of Tang and Ma.
Tang Jiu is shrewd and experienced, and Ma Wu is loyal and honest. They should be able to be trusted.
After drinking that night, the two of them went home to pack their luggage.
The next day, everyone set off.
Zhang Yue first said goodbye to Mr. Yu, who said, "Uncle, I am going to take the exam. Don't think about your family."
Zhang Yue said goodbye: "From now on, I will rely on my sister-in-law to run the house."
Yu said hurriedly: "Uncle, you're welcome."
Zhang Yue, Zhang Shi and Huang Haoyi walked together for half a day and arrived at Yuliang Post.
Yuliangyi is located in Yuliang Mountain, where Nanpu River originates.
Yuliang Post is also the first post to enter Fujian and the starting point of Jiangpu Post Road.
Since ancient times, officials and scholars traveling to northern Fujian have to stay overnight in a post to recharge their batteries and cross the border in the morning. Otherwise, they will not be able to cross the Xianxia Mountains in one day, and it will be a disaster if they cannot go up or down.
The posthouse was inhabited by officials and scholars who had left Fujian. Zhang Yue had no postcards, so he couldn't live there. However, there were people traveling around the posthouse who had passed on to the posthouse. When Zhang Yue arrived near Yuliang Post, he saw merchants gathering.
From a distance at the foot of the ridge, you can see the clouds rising from the Xianxia ridge and passing over the ridge. Farther away, there is a vast expanse of white that blends in with the sky. I heard people say that the south of Lingnan is pretty good, but it snowed several times in the north of Lingnan, and I didn’t see anyone crossing the ridge from the north yesterday.
It is quite difficult to cross the ridge in this weather, so merchants near Yuliangyi would rather stay here for a day or two longer and wait for good weather to cross the ridge.
When Zhang Yuezhang came here, he saw such a lively scene. Outside Chuanshe Nili in Yuliangyi, there are donkeys and mules everywhere. The merchants were waiting here with tribute tea from Beiyuan, books from Jianyang, and seafood from Fujian, and left across the mountains when the weather cleared.
When Zhang Yue and Huang Haoyi asked, everything was full and there were no spare rooms. The store clerk suggested to Zhang Yue and others that if they didn't bring the goods, they might as well go to Man'yoji Temple to stay overnight.
After everyone discussed it, they headed to Man'ye Temple.
There is a clear stream under the temple. When you get closer, the stream makes a sound, and the tops of the big trees beside the stream are covered with white frost. The reason why it is called Manyoji Temple is because maple trees are planted all around the temple. In autumn, the maple leaves turn red, and the thousands of red leaves are really beautiful.
The creek is named Maple Creek, and a stone step among the trees leads from bottom to top to the deep mountain.
There is a poem from the Song Dynasty describing this scene: thousands of red leaves in front of thousands of stone steps, and flowing wine glasses riding on the maple trees in the stream.
Everyone walked through the long stone steps and arrived in front of the temple. They saw seven tall and ancient pines in front of the temple. At this moment, they could hear the waves of pine trees, as if they were going out to welcome guests for the monks.
Zhang Shi told Zhike Tongzhi about the difficulty, and the monk arranged two dormitories for them to stay. Zhang Yue and Huang Haoyi were very grateful, and the two of them added some sesame oil money.
Zhang Yue arrived at the dormitory and stayed there. There were more than twenty dormitory rooms in Manye Temple, and they were separated by men and women. Everyone also obeyed the rules, stayed silent, did not speak easily, and did not dare to wander around.
A few people packed their luggage, and a monk presented them with mountain tea.
Huang Haoyi asked the monk: "I heard that there is a waterfall in Man'ye Temple, which is said to be the third in the world. I wonder if it can be seen?"
The monk said: "That's natural. It's just a few dozen steps behind the temple. In early spring, the water is still small. In summer, the roar of the waterfall can be heard in the temple."
Zhang Yuehuang Haoyi couldn't help but look forward to this scene, and immediately asked: "Can I go and watch it?"
The monk smiled and said, "It's up to you, lay people."
"Brother, are you willing to go with us?" Zhang Yue greeted.
Zhang Shize waved his hand and said: "Sanlang has to go to Xianxia Ridge early tomorrow morning, so don't wander around."
Zhang Yue said: "I'll go take a look and then come back."
Zhang Yue and Huang Haoyi went to the back of the temple together. After walking a few steps, they saw a silver chain hanging on the cliff in the distance, and the sound of rumbling water came from the distance.
Zhang Yue and Huang Haoyi both said "good" and then walked forward quickly.
After walking a few dozen feet, I saw the water from the waterfall drifting diagonally and hitting my face, which made me feel a little bit cold.
The air is as fresh as after a heavy rain.
The two walked to the front of the mountain and saw a waterfall. At this time, water drops splashed on their faces.
Huang Haoyi frowned and said, "I had known that I had brought my umbrella and raincoat. What if I had gotten my clothes wet and caught the wind and cold? It would have been better to go back to the temple."
Zhang Yue said: "It's here. It's ridiculous to turn back like this. If Shiro is concerned, I'll go and have a look."
Huang Haoyi said: "That's okay, it's not that I don't dare, I just don't want to get my clothes wet and the rocks are slippery. Sanlang should be more careful."
Zhang Yue said: "I don't have to."
Zhang Yue took the bamboo stick in his hand and moved forward. Looking at the waterfall from a close distance, it looked like a bead curtain. The water curtain separated from the top of the rock and poured on the rocks of the rock wall and pool like snow.
Zhang Yue was here, but he heard the sound of wind and water beside the pond, which shook the mountains and valleys.
Zhang Yue originally thought that he was the only one who came to see the waterfall in such bad weather, but when he turned around, he saw a woman wearing a white curtain hat and goose-yellow clothes, also holding an umbrella by the pool to watch the scenery. There are two maids further away.
A maid saw Zhang Yue and said hurriedly: "Girl, someone is coming."
When the woman heard someone coming, she put down the gauze hanging from the brim of her hat and looked at her.
Although it was a bit sudden, Zhang Yue saluted the woman.
This curtain hat is called Mi Li, and it was originally a Hufu, worn by women in the Western Regions to protect themselves from wind and sand. However, it was introduced to the Central Plains, and in the Tang and Song Dynasties, it became what women wore when going out, and gradually became fashionable.
Many women in the "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" wear this hat when traveling.
However, generally only women from wealthy families wear them, while those from small families don't want to wear them, but they just can't afford them.
"I originally came to see this waterfall, but I didn't expect the girl to be here. It's really rude. Farewell!"
Zhang Yue turned and left.
"Brother Zhang, why don't you always hold an umbrella?"
"Ah?" Zhang Yue was shocked. He turned around and suddenly said after hearing the voice, "Yes, the girl is from Wu Mansion Library... Nice to meet you, nice to meet you."
Zhang Yue said: "I haven't thanked the girl for borrowing the book that day. It's convenient for me."
The woman smiled and said: "It's a trivial matter, it's not worth mentioning. Brother Zhang lives here at Wanyou Temple, but will he go over there tomorrow?"
The maid picked up an extra umbrella and handed it to Zhang Yue. Zhang Yue said, "That's true. I'll go to Beijing and go to the Imperial Academy for the exam."
Because they were separated by the waterfall, the two of them struggled to speak every word, so Zhang Yue had to take a few steps closer.
The sound of rumbling water could be heard in the ears, and the woman said: "Brother Zhang, since you have this opportunity, you should cherish it. It's a long way to go to the capital. In the spring cold in the mountains, how will you travel if your body is soaked? If you are delayed, It’s exam time, isn’t it a big deal?”
Zhang Yue said: "The girl is right, but if you want to enjoy this scene, you have to pay attention."
The woman glanced at it, and a scholar in the distance smiled and said, "Is that your companion?"
Zhang Yue looked back and said with a smile: "Exactly."
The woman said: "It's commendable to come here in the snow to ask for books, but it's not necessary to see the waterfall."
Zhang Yue smiled heartily and said, "What the girl said is that I was reckless at the moment."
The woman said apologetically: "Brother Zhang, it's not me. Brother often says that I have a natural tendency to criticize others."
Zhang Yue couldn't help but feel something in his heart when he heard the woman's soft apology. He couldn't help but think, I'm not your husband, so with your tendency to scold others, it won't be my turn to be the one who has a headache in the future.
Zhang Yue said sternly: "The fact that a girl can give me honest advice shows that she cares about me, not to mention scolding."
The woman smiled upon hearing this.
Zhang Yue heard the beautiful laughter of the woman, and couldn't help but secretly thought that it was a pity that he couldn't turn sideways to see the woman's smile, but he couldn't see clearly even though it was covered by a hanging gauze.
Zhang Yue composed himself and said: "Girl, I'm going to leave first, otherwise my companion will be impatient with waiting. Return this umbrella to girl."
"Brother Zhang, this is a success. Just hold on to this umbrella and leave it on the side of the road."
Zhang Yue thanked him and left with his umbrella. He walked to Huang Haoyi and placed the umbrella on the stone beside the road. When he looked back, he saw the woman still standing by the pool, holding the umbrella and looking up at the waterfall.
Huang Haoyi immediately inquired upon seeing her: "Brother Zhang, which girl is this? Are you familiar with her? I will lend you my umbrella."
Zhang Yue said: "We meet each other on the road, but we can't call it acquaintance. I've been waiting for a long time, Shiro."
Huang Haoyi continued the gossip: "It doesn't matter, it's just that the woman met you on the wrong side, how could she talk to you so much? Judging from the woman's travel outfit, she must be a rich man. Brother Zhang, have you seen her appearance clearly? ? Are you going to cross the ridge with us tomorrow?"
Zhang Yue heard Huang Haoyi's words and thought, yes, will the Wu family also return to Beijing?
The two walked to the dormitory, but saw a group of people walking towards them.
Zhang Yue couldn't help but said: "Isn't this Mr. Wu Dalang?"
"Sanlang, it's really Sanlang! Sanlang is going to go to Beijing via Xianxia Ridge tomorrow? He happens to be on the same journey as me." Wu Anshi smiled.
"Exactly," Zhang Yue said, "On the day I went to the county school to say goodbye, I didn't see Da Langjun saying that he wanted to go to Beijing. Why are you in such a hurry?"
Wu Anshi looked a little sad when he heard this. He suddenly came to Beijing because his uncle Wu Yu was unwell, so he came to Beijing earlier than expected.
Wu Anshi smiled and said: "I had this intention for a long time, but I didn't have time to tell Sanlang that day. Haha, meeting here shows that you and I have a very deep fate. We will cross the ridge together tomorrow and take a boat to Beijing. I heard that the boundary between Zhejiang and Zhejiang is not the same. Taiping, this time I am bringing dozens of servants to protect the hospital, and most thieves are not afraid of me."
Zhang Yue said happily: "I am so thankful for Wu Dalangjun's taking care of me."
Zhang Yue introduced Huang Haoyi to Wu Anshi and said: "This is Huang Haoyi who recommended Taixue to enter the imperial examination in the state. He is on the same path as me."
Wu Anshi's eyes lit up and she thought to herself, she was worried about having nowhere to make friends with talented people, but now she has one more person to make friends with.
"Very good, very good."
Of course, Huang Haoyi had also heard of Wu Anshi's reputation. He was extremely happy to hear that he was willing to take him to Beijing, and he also wanted to get acquainted with him.
Zhang Yue returned to his room and told Zhang Shi that Wu Anshi was willing to go to Beijing with him. Zhang Shi felt relieved after hearing this.
The next day, everyone got up early.
Zhang Shi packed Zhang Yue's luggage, and before leaving, he repeatedly told him what to pay attention to on the road, such as where to put big money and where to put small money. Zhang Yue's ears were calloused after hearing these.
"Brother, okay, I...I've heard you say the same thing a dozen times."
Zhang Yue couldn't help but spoke more harshly, but when he saw Zhang Shi looking at him for a long time, he couldn't say a word in the end, and then lowered his head to pack Zhang Yue's luggage.
Zhang Yue also suddenly regretted, why was he so angry? Zhang Shi carried Zhang Yue's luggage all the way out of Man'ye Temple without saying a word.
It was still dark at this time.
The two brothers walked in silence until they reached Xianxia Ridge.
Zhang Yue took the luggage from Zhang Shi.
"Third brother, when you asked me if I had crossed Xianxia Ridge that day, I knew you were definitely going to leave, but I didn't expect you to go so fast."
Zhang Yue said: "Brother, don't worry. If I study hard and study hard after entering the Imperial Academy, I will take you, my sister-in-law, and Xi'er to Beijing as soon as possible, and we can reunite our family."
Zhang Shi said: "I thought you just said it casually that day. What will happen to the shop?"
Zhang Yue said: "Let's drive to Beijing, or it won't matter if we don't. The most important thing is that our family is together."
Zhang Shi nodded and said: "Yes, Xi'er will go to the capital when he studies in the future, not to mention the second brother is also in the capital now. You are right... let me think about it again!"
"elder brother!"
Zhang Shi shook his head and said: "No need to say anything more. Don't miss your family, but you should send them more messages. You don't have to say anything, just talk about the current situation. If you are busy with schoolwork, you can just write a few words to say that you are safe. OK, your second brother is too busy with homework and has no time to do this. Remember not to imitate him and always write letters home."
Zhang Yue's eyes turned red and he said, "I understand. If something happens, I will be the first to write and tell my family. Brother, take care!"
"Okay, third brother, take care too!"
Zhang Yue said goodbye to Zhang Shi.
