The greatest pain in life is separation in life and death.
Six years ago, Xiao Shaofei watched his father die helplessly, and the pain of being powerless. Once he thinks of it, his heart still aches...
But now, although Zhang Shaofei has grown to nine years old, facing the impending separation from Lu Huilan, who has passed away, the inexplicable and confusing emotions are so worrying and painful...
Zhang Shaofei looked up at the boundless space and for the first time felt that between the world and the world in life, he was the most insignificant, powerless and fragile;
For the first time, I felt that the most powerless thing in the world is separation between life and death, and the most touching thing is the dependence between life and death!
But no one can control the life and death of himself and others, he can only obey his fate!
At that time, Xiao Shaofei felt vaguely: Although people cannot change their own destiny and that of others, they can choose to live and die together with those who depend on each other and depend on each other for life...
Is there anything more touching, shocking and moving than this?
In this context, although Xiao Shaofei was very reluctant to leave his hometown, he left Lu Huilan. But it was hard to disobey her mother's fate, so she had no choice but to leave her hometown with her mother and seek refuge with Lord Pei Zhong...
Zhang Shaofei and his son traveled day and night, slept in the open air, and trudged all the way until they finally reached the West Sea.
Xihai County is a metropolis where business travels and celebrities gather.
Chinese silk and porcelain traveled across the ocean from here and spread to the countries in the West Sea; overseas spices and treasures were also imported into the mainland from here.
Not only that, when Master Bodhidharma came to China from distant India, he passed through the West Sea and set foot on the land south of the Pearl River and Lingnan to sow the seeds of Zen.
When Zhang Shaofei and his son entered the city, it was already sunset. Xihai, the city that never sleeps, has entered another kind of prosperity.
Above the Xijiang River, the mist is like smoke, the sunset is blurry, the fine lines are like scales, and the microwaves are golden. There are rows of high-rise boats, painted boats, and flower boats on the river, and small boats are passing through. Shake the oar lightly with your wrist.
At the beginning of the moonlight, the river breeze is slightly smoked, bringing in the symphony of sheng, flute, silk and bamboo, sometimes light and sometimes heavy, if there is no, the silk strands are ethereal, just like fairy music falling into the world; it attracts the lights of the boats, The light is overflowing, the beauty is graceful, hazy and trance-like, as if you are in a heavenly palace...
The buildings on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are scattered at random, covered with thousands of willow silks, every house is decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, and every household is laughing and laughing...
As soon as Xiao Shaofei set foot in Xihai City, he looked around with blurry eyes, as if his eyes were not enough.
Suddenly, a horse-drawn carriage sped rapidly, heading straight towards Xiao Shaofei...
Wang Shaoxiang hurriedly pulled Xiao Shaofei to the side of the road. The strong wind brought by the carriage lifted her clothes.
Wang Shaoxiang's soul was frightened, his whole body was shaking, angry and angry. He couldn't help but slap Xiao Shaofei and lectured him: "What are you looking at? There is nothing good to see in those places! Where is your soul? You were seduced by those fairies. Leaving?"
Xiao Shaofei looked aggrieved and pouted and said: "Mom, I'm looking for ruined temples on both sides of the street! Otherwise, we would have to sleep on the street again tonight." When Wang Shaoxiang heard this, his eyes were hot, his heart was sour, and he almost The child shed tears.
Xiao Shaofei didn't notice the change in his aunt's mood and continued: "What's so good about this place? Apart from the courtyard, shops, and terraces, there's not even a ruined temple!"
Wang Shaoxiang said: "If you can't find it, forget it. We and I will stay in the hotel tonight."
Xiao Shaofei said: "No, grandma, it's too expensive to stay in a hotel! It's good to just sleep on the street and watch the shooting stars. Really, I'm not afraid at all."
Wang Shaoxiang said: "Tonight's shop money can no longer be saved no matter what. These days, my mother and I have lived in caves and dilapidated temples, exposed to wind and rain, sweating and dust, and have never seriously washed our faces. I haven't even taken a bath, and my body is sour and smelly, almost like a beggar. With this look, how can I go to the Yamen to see Lord Pei Zhong tomorrow!"
"Aunt..." Xiao Shaofei called out, but suddenly there was nothing more to say.
Wang Shaoxiang asked: "Fei'er, what's the matter?"
Xiao Shaofei opened his mouth but stopped talking.
Wang Shaoxiang said: "You child, you have been worried about everything since you were a child. What do you want to say?"
Xiao Shaofei thought for a while and said worriedly: "Uncle Pei, will he really be kind to us two? What if..."
Wang Shaoxiang looked up at the sky and said slowly: "Sir Pei Zhong, like your father, is a well-educated and sensible person. He and your father are sworn friends. He will definitely treat you and train you like his own son. My son, You have to study hard. Firstly, don’t let Master Pei down. Secondly, your Zhang family has been a scholarly family for generations, so you can’t embarrass your ancestors.”
Xiao Shaofei nodded, with a determined look on his face: "Mom, don't worry."
Wang Shaoxiang smiled happily and said, "Of course I am relieved! You will be famous and respected for generations to come."
Xiao Shaofei asked: "Mom, how can I be respected from generation to generation?"
Wang Shaoxiang said: "You will understand when you grow up."
"..."
While Xiao Shaofei and his son were talking, they came to a small and simple inn. They asked about it and found that the price was quite cheap, so they checked in.
When they got up the next morning, Xiao Shaofei and his son temporarily stored their luggage in a small inn and arrived at Xihai Yamen early.
Today, it seems that some major event is going to be held in the Yamen: the majestic gate is repainted, colorful flags are fluttering on the tall flagpole in front of the door, water is sprinkled on the street, the road is paved with loess, and soldiers with swords line up along both sides of the street, as if waiting for Welcome the arrival of some distinguished person.
Wang Shaoxiang pulled Xiao Shaofei, leaning against the wall, and cautiously walked towards the yamen door.
"What are you doing?" A government servant stood in front of Xiao Shaofei and his son.
Wang Shaoxiang was trembling all over, grunting, and was about to explain something. On the high steps at the entrance of Xihai Yamen, a man who looked like a master who was watching turned his head when he heard the sound, and scolded: "Go, go, beg for food without even looking at it." A time and a place! Is this Yamen a place for you to beg?"
When Xiao Shaofei heard this, he puffed out his chest and said, "We are not beggars!"
"They are either beggars, or they are here to file a lawsuit. Let's go, let's go. There are important matters in the yamen today and we will not accept the case." The master waved his hand and said.
Wang Shaoxiang said politely: "Please let me know that Zhang Jinzhao's family has arrived."
"Zhang Jinzhao? What Zhang Jinzhao? What is Zhang Jinzhao?"
Xiao Shaofei said sternly: "Who are you! You are not allowed to call my father!"
The master narrowed his eyes and said, "Okay, okay, your father is not a thing, okay? Now, put your hands on your head and turn it into a ball - get out of here right now!" After the master finished speaking, he gave the order to the government officials, "Drive them away immediately Walk!"
Xiao Shaofei pushed away the yamen servant's hand and shouted: "We are the guests invited by your governor, why don't you let us in?"
When the master heard this, he couldn't help but laugh: "These days, there are all kinds of strange things. Before the governor arrived, liars pretending to be relatives and friends came to our door!"
When Wang Shaoxiang heard what his master said, he couldn't help being stunned and asked: "What did you say? The governor has not taken office yet?"
The master glared at Wang Shaoxiang and said majestically: "Today's grand arrogance is just to welcome the governor Gu."
"Gu Governor?" Wang Shaoxiang looked confused.
Wang Shaoxiang was very anxious: "Now that Governor Gu has come to take office, what about Governor Wen? Has he been dismissed from office?"
The corner of the master's mouth twitched a few times, and he said coldly: "If you are dismissed from office, it's okay to say..."
Wang Shaoxiang looked at the master blankly, "Is Master Wen also exiled?"
"He was exiled to the gate of hell by the Lord of Hell, and he died." Master said without a breath.
"What, Lord Pei Zhong is dead?" Wang Shaoxiang hoped that he heard wrong.
"He is a foreigner and is not accustomed to the climate and soil of our West Sea. He died of illness two months ago. Alas, although Mr. Pei became a high-ranking official and enjoyed great glory, he put his little life on the line. This place is far away from home..."
Before the master could finish speaking, Wang Shaoxiang's legs went weak and he collapsed to the ground...
Xiao Shaofei hurriedly walked up and helped his mother who collapsed on the ground.
When the master saw this, he thought to himself: Mr. Pei was not kind to him when he was in power. Since his relatives and friends are in trouble, he should help him...
So, the master ordered the yamen to help Xiao Shaofei find the doctor.
After taking the medicine, the yamen sent Wang Shaoxiang back to the inn where he was staying, and then returned to the yamen.
Xiao Shaofei cooked Chinese herbal medicine in a small inn and served him day and night. It was really difficult for a nine-year-old child.
Perhaps it was Xiao Shaofei's sincerity and filial piety that brought his mother back after wandering in front of the gate of hell for three days and three nights.
Wang Shaoxiang slowly opened his eyes. For a moment, he didn't know where he was or where he was, and he felt like he was in another world.
As the saying goes: Disease comes like a mountain falling, and disease goes away like a thread spinning. Although Wang Shaoxiang survived, his body would not recover for a while, so he still could not get out of bed and needed to take medicine to slowly recover.
However, ten days and a half later, although the little Shaofei was not ruined, their money bag was withered first - they almost spent all the money they had from selling their land to settle down in Xihai for medical treatment and medicine.
Fortunately, the owner of the inn was kind-hearted and did not kick the mother and son out of the hotel because they were in arrears with money and food, so Xiao Shaofei and his son did not end up on the street.
Xiao Shaofei felt so sorry that he helped the store clean tables, sweep floors, and serve dishes whenever he had free time.
One day, when Xiao Shaofei was cleaning the backyard, a boy brought in firewood.
Just as Xiao Shaofei was about to help him unload the firewood, the innkeeper hurriedly shouted in the lobby: "Wait a minute, wait a minute, don't unload it."
The boss came to the backyard and said to the boy: "From now on, don't bring firewood." The boy asked confusedly: "Why?"
"Because the firewood you beat at home emits black smoke and does not produce flames. Especially when cooking, the fire is too low. The vegetables that should be stir-fried can only be boiled when put into the pot. It will be as unpalatable as it is Eat! Since I started using your wild firewood, many of my old customers stopped coming to eat."
"These wild firewoods were cut from the mountains by my father and I at great risk. They are all the best firewood." The boy looked aggrieved.
Xiao Shaofei grew up in the mountains. He knew that what the boy sent was indeed the best firewood that was the hardest and most resistant to burning. However, the boss insisted: "I am an adult, how can I deceive you, a child? The firewood you sent is not easy to burn! If you don't believe me, you can go to the stove and see for yourself."
Xiao Shaofei also felt very strange, so he followed him to the stove fire.
No wonder these fine firewoods are not easy to burn. It turns out that the firemen are trying to save trouble by stuffing whole sticks into the furnace. These wildfirewoods are hard in texture and cannot be fully burned, so they only produce smoke but no flames.
Xiao Shaofei picked up a hatchet and split the firewood, and the fire in the furnace immediately burned brightly.
The innkeeper and the boy who delivered the firewood were both happy. While happy, the boss looked at the sharp ax in Xiao Shaofei's hand and was very surprised. He asked: "A Fei, it's hundreds of miles from Qiu County to here. Why did you bring a heavy ax here? Do you know Will there be firewood when you come to Xihai?"
Before leaving, when Wang Shaoxiang saw Xiao Shaofei stuffing the ax into his luggage, he also said: "Fei'er, you are going to Xihai to study, why are you bringing such an ax for cutting wood?"
Xiao Shaofei said: "Mom, take it with you, it will always be useful."
Wang Shaoxiang said caringly: "But the road is far from light. Carrying this useless thing is too cumbersome!"
Xiao Shaofei insisted: "Mom, I'll just carry it on my back."
Unexpectedly, the ax Xiao Shaofei insisted on bringing actually came in handy.
From then on, he used this sharp ax to break the wild firewood sent by the little boy into firewood that was easy to burn and economical every day.
Xiao Shaofei worked hard from dawn to dusk, and although his mother and son were saved from becoming beggars, with his young hands, he could not earn the medical expenses needed for his mother's medical treatment.
After stopping the medication, Wang Shaoxiang's illness became worse day by day. If this continues, it will just be a matter of waiting to die.
Xiao Shaofei was heartbroken, but he had no choice but to go to the drug store, kowtow, and ask the shopkeeper to give him some medicine on credit.
