In June of the fourth year of Zhang Wu, Liu Bei and his party left Pingcheng and continued their journey south. He walked through the vast grasslands around Pingcheng and followed the mountain roads to the foot of Mayi City. At that time, he was stationed at the foot of Loufan Mountain. The early autumn wind made the Pingcheng Basin feel chilly all night. Just after dawn, Liu Bei put on his clothes and went out of the tent, looking at the vast sky in the twilight around him.
Under the thick clouds that were turned golden by the sun, groups of blue mountain tops gradually revealed their majestic appearance. They are the Yanmen Mountains, the most dangerous in the world. In the past few decades, how many times have I passed by here? Liu Bei could not remember it for a long time. Yanmen Mountain is like a deep giant, silently looking north at dawn. The only thing accompanying him is a small strip of Fenshui at his feet. The water surface reflects the sparkling waves and flows silently south. Apart from this, there are only endless flowing clouds and strong winds between heaven and earth.
The majestic scenery of Yanmen made Liu Bei, the son of Youyan, feel a bit like returning to his hometown. He stared at Yanmen Mountain in the sky for a long time until his hands and feet were cold.
Although Zhao Yun and others came to dissuade him, he still insisted on riding over Yanmen by himself.
Since leaving Linzi, horses have died of illness three to four times out of ten. In Zhuoxian County, Chen Deng and Tuoba Liwei sent thousands of horses, and the size of the cavalry team is still considerable. The Huns from Meiji sent another 300 sheep, and local people served as guides. However, Liu Bei still remembered the road, and soon the group climbed over the mountain. The mountain road was not steep. But when Liu Bei was riding on the road, the soldiers around him jumped down and walked around the horse, and Huang Zhong personally held the reins. After entering the Fenshui Valley, Zhao Yun quickly took him to the tent to rest. Liu Bei looked at the distant Yanmen Mountain and sighed for a long time. He said: "It is looking at me. Unfortunately, I have to say goodbye to it."
The brigade set up military tents for the night. On the second day, the entire army hunted around Fenyang. It was noon, and there was a strong wind howling from the west. Sand and dust covered the sky and the sun, and it was difficult to tell the direction in the darkness. Due to the sudden wind, the military flag could not be put away in time, and the strong wind actually broke one of the military flags in the center. After the wind stopped, the knights all changed their colors when they saw the Chinese army flag covered by yellow sand. They didn't dare to speak, just waiting for Liu Bei to give the order.
Liu Bei remained calm and silent, and then everyone realized that the strong wind had blown off his fur hat, revealing his gray beard and hair. Zhao Yun was on the side, and when he saw this scene, he couldn't help but shed tears on his cheeks. At this time, Liu Bei relied on people to carry him when he got in and out of the car. But the next day, he still ordered the soldiers to hunt.
In mid-July, Liu Bei arrived in Jinyang and returned to the Qianlong Mansion. Liu Bei did not stay much. He just asked people to go to Longshan to hold sacrifices, and then watched from a distance at the foot of the mountain, seeming to recall the first time in his mind. Once when I climbed Longshan Mountain, I saw the scene below being surrounded by more than 100,000 Huns. But he no longer joked with his followers. After simply packing up, he continued southward with a very clear purpose. He wanted to go to Chang'an, where Chen Chong was waiting for him.
At this time, Liu Bei could only eat a little porridge every day and still vomited frequently. He could no longer ride a horse, but lay on a high-wheeled cart pulled by six packhorses. As he walked, the bell on the horse's neck jingled. When the weather is nice, he will ask people to open the roof of the car and look up at the sky with flowing white clouds. The cool autumn wind from Hedong blew, and he sniffed his nose vigorously to capture the remaining warm smell in the world.
Finally, they saw Dahe again on the Puban side. The cavalry stopped to rest, and Liu Bei asked someone to call Zhao Yun. He stared at the surging river not far away for a long time, and then slowly said to Zhao Yun: "I want to go to Chang'an as soon as possible. After meeting the prime minister, I hope I can return to Luoyang. I have some words to tell the prince in person." Zhao Yun hurriedly said swear. After half a moment, Liu Bei turned to look at Zhao Yun and said: "Zilong, although it is not too early for you to follow me, it is not too late. You are impartial in your work. I am very relieved. After I die, you will work for the prince." This is how it should be." When Zhao Yun heard this, he cried and swore: "Yun swears to be loyal to the prince to the death. If he violates it, he will be punished by heaven and earth!"
The next day, the cavalry began to cross the river. Huang Zhu, the former governor of Hedong, heard that Liu Bei was seriously ill, so he urgently recruited ships on both sides of the river and planned to build a pontoon bridge on the river. When they learned that the emperor was going to cross the river, the people eagerly donated boats and actively participated in building a pontoon bridge, which was wide enough for the emperor to drive across the river. On the day of crossing the river, the people gathered by the river and watched Liu Bei crossing the river from a distance. Unfortunately, Liu Bei was lying in the car and was tired even waving to them.
After crossing the Yellow River, Guanzhong's fertile fields stretch out into flat plains. Walking westward along the Wei River, the official road becomes wider and wider, and you will soon see the city of Chang'an. In front of Chang'an City, Chen Chong, who had just returned to Chang'an from Lintao, was waiting with the crowd. Strangely enough, Liu Bei's energy improved as soon as the two met. After entering Weiyang Palace, he drank some water, showed a weak and pale smile to Chen Chong, and said: "The last time we met, we were lying on the couch. It was you who was on the bed, but unexpectedly, this time we met, it was me who was lying on the couch."
Chen Chong was surprised when he looked at him. Liu Bei had grown so old after not seeing him for two years. It was like a dream. He held Liu Bei's cold palm, feeling sad and pitiful in his heart. He couldn't help but blame him: "The son of a rich man cannot sit down in the hall, but you ended up falling here."
Unexpectedly, Liu Bei was even more relieved. He said: "So what? Now that I think about it, life is a happy life. I have no regrets in this life."
After coming all the way to meet Chen Chong, Liu Bei did not say anything about state affairs, but lamented life with him. Liu Bei said: "I originally wanted to go hunting with you in Longshang after the war, and then go to Bashu to watch, but unfortunately, we can't make the trip. If possible, I also want to see the giant elephants in Nanzhong and the camels in Shazhou." As he said this, he actually fell asleep for a while.
But Chen Chong did not dare to leave, so he stayed in the palace. As a result, at the end of the afternoon, Liu Bei suddenly woke up with a loud shout. Chen Chong was also taking a nap, but he woke up quickly when he heard the sound. The people in the outer palace also heard it and did not dare to move. They waited outside with bated breath.
Chen Chong slowly walked to Liu Bei's bedside and called in a low voice: "Xuande, Xuande."
But Liu Bei let his hair down, grabbed the hand handed over by Chen Chong, and shouted hoarsely: "The king is unjust and the foreign invaders are strong. Why can't we get rid of them? Replace them with capable people?" He didn't know where the strength came from, and he held on tightly. Chen Chong's hand said: "Your Majesty, I'm sorry for not teaching King Chenliu well."
Chen Chong was stunned and knew that Xuande thought he was Emperor Xiaoling. He never knew that Xuande was so worried about this matter in his heart, so he gently patted Liu Bei's side and said to him: "It's okay, it's okay, Xuande, it's me, Ting Jian!"
There was no response for a long time. When Chen Chong looked again, he found that Liu Bei had fallen asleep again.
It wasn't until midnight that Liu Bei really woke up. At this time, Chen Chong had returned to the palace, and the palace servants were waiting on him. After hearing his nonsense during the day, Liu Bei was silent. When Chen Chong came back the next day, Liu Bei said, "I actually have something on my mind, Ting Jian, I want to ask you."
Chen Chong was stunned for a moment, then said: "But it doesn't matter."
"When I forced you to choose between me and Liu Xie, did you ever blame me?"
Chen Chong said: "I was really embarrassed and angry at the time, but I have long forgotten it now."
"I know, you must have blamed me." Liu Bei sighed, and then said: "I dreamed that Liu Xie begged me with blood on his face to let his family go. Gong Lin still did too much. Absolutely amazing!"
Chen Chong did not respond.
He added: "It is said that he has a son who was sent to the Great Wall by Jia Xu. Only Gong Lin and I know this news. Now that I think about it, there is no need to let this child suffer. After I die, please advise Gong Lin Lin, take this child back and let him continue to be King Chenliu."
At this point, Liu Bei finally began to explain his political last words to Chen Chong. He said: "The only thing I can't worry about is that Gong Lin is too eager for quick success and quick gain in doing things. He is like me in this way. But he is a mean person and cannot learn to be kind. To accommodate people. And you have insufficient qualifications and no friendship with the ministers. You may cause a lot of chaos in the future. Even Ting Jian, I'm afraid you may not be tolerated by him."
Hearing Liu Bei talk about this, Chen Chong smiled bitterly. He understood Liu Bei's worries and made plans not to engage in politics again. Unexpectedly, Liu Bei continued: "But even if you are not in the court, you must help him. Apart from me, I am afraid that you are the only one who can persuade him. Otherwise, chaos will happen and it will be out of control."
Then Liu Bei grabbed Chen Chong's wrist and said: "If he is really useless, Ting Jian, I will leave you a testament. You have the right to depose Gong Lin. No matter which of my sons becomes emperor, as long as you are willing to assist him." Zuo, I believe that the country will be safe and sound!" Chen Chong was shocked when he heard this. He was about to wave his hands to refuse, but was quickly grabbed by Liu Bei. He said: "This is the last thing I ask you, please You must agree."
Chen Chong could only reply: "Xuande, I promise you. I will definitely assist your descendants and protect the Han family."
After receiving Chen Chong's affirmative answer, Liu Bei finally smiled and said to himself: "Then I have nothing to worry about anymore." Then he breathed a long sigh of relief. He closed his eyes on the couch for a long time, and suddenly looked at Chen Chong said: "Cao Cao's desperate poems are really good, but I can't write poems. Fortunately, I have you. Ting Jian, you have poetic talent, please write a poem for me at last."
Chen Chong meditated for a moment, feeling no interest in poetry. He looked around and found that the yellow flowers in the palace were already blooming. He couldn't help but think of the scene during the decisive battle in Pingcheng. He finally had an idea and chanted to Liu Bei: "After the battle, the autumn wind laughs at the beauty of things, and the savages prefer to live alone." Present yellow flowers. I have seen that the iron bones have aged with frost, so do not send the golden heart to be slanted by the rain."
This poem was naturally not as good as Cao Cao's desperate poem, but Liu Bei was applauded after hearing it. He said to Chen Chong: "Ting Jian, everything from now on will be left to you. It is my great fortune to get to know you." .”
On August 15th, Liu Bei's cavalry set off again. His journey was about to reach the final destination and the initial starting point - Luoyang.
