For the people in western Liaoning, this summer of 341 AD was particularly hot and full of expectations!
Facing the rising sun, the imperial edict from Chang'an City was quickly delivered to the Liaoxi County Governor's Mansion. Mou Yu and Su Ran's requests were fulfilled.
What happened next was very simple. Kill those who deserved to be killed, and sentenced those who deserved to be sentenced. A knife in the execution ground was very satisfying!
This summer, vendors wandered the streets, shouting and drinking, overshadowing the cicadas in midsummer;
Farmers were working in the fields, standing at the head of Yangle City, where you could see the vast expanse of green. Seeing this, Su Ran was very excited, saying that this year was a good harvest year;
Xihua Tower is overcrowded. After being dormant for twelve years, the large market in Lingyuan County has returned to the streets. The items sold by the vendors are even more exotic than those in Lingyuan, attracting outsiders. The eyes light up;
The officials in the county governor's office are busy, as if there are always endless urgent things to do and endless worries;
With this great achievement, Su Ran still stayed in his official position. The imperial edict called him to serve as Bozhou's farewell and assist in the government affairs of the state. Su Ran blamed himself for the escape of the main criminal Ling Xiao and the death of his wife due to the failure to save him, so he was tricked by him. Declined politely, it was only then that Su Ran realized that what he loved was not the official title, but the name;
Su Daoyun pursued day and night, and finally discovered Zhang Shisan's putrid body and the place where Ling Xiao's stolen goods were sold. As boxes of treasures were moved out by the officers and soldiers, the Qiling Gang, which had lasted for two generations, had come to an end. Let it be left to posterity;
In the south of Wuci County, there are shouting and killing formations, and Wuci's new army is practicing day and night. The new Wuci general Sun Hui is full of ambitions and vows to build a strong force of elite troops to avoid the shame of the Wuning army's broken camp that day.
The powerful family background behind Sun Yun is a story for another day!
Liu Yi, who had been strictly disciplined by Liu Quansheng since he was six years old, did not reveal anything in his petition to the emperor, but during this period he received praise from officials in western Liaoning. Although his talents and knowledge are not exquisite, they are very complex. He knows a little bit about astronomy, geography, and ancient and modern events. Moreover, he always has some unexpected methods. He is humble yet funny, and he is rigorous yet humane. If he really asks everyone to pick one. The shortcomings are that his enthusiasm for doing things is not quite there, he is still a bit young, his actions are a bit too resolute, and he also has some incomprehensible thoughts that are unique to teenagers.
Ever since Wu Ciping came up with his plan, Su Ran had paid attention to this young man. In his opinion, if Han Xin was Mou Yu in this battle, then Zhang Liang must be Liu Yi. In the memorial sent to Chang'an City, Su Ran prayed for Liu Yi's merits and specially added the sentence "If this son enters politics, he will be an official and pay homage to the Five Dukes, and I hope your majesty will use it specially."
He originally wanted to use this memorial to flatter Liu Quansheng and Liu Yi in a low-key manner, but the edict sent back from Chang'an did not mention this at all, which made Su Ran very embarrassed.
Afterwards, Su Ran thought carefully about it, maybe His Majesty felt that the child was too young and needed more experience, or maybe the scars from the 'Sky Demon Case' had not yet been revealed!
...
A few days ago, Xia Qing and Shi Shichen sent a letter together, instructing them to meet up with everyone in Buyeo City, the governor's office of Chisong County, after the matter was settled. In the letter, Shi Shichen specifically told them that banditry in Chisong was rampant, so don't be careful.
On the 15th day of the seventh lunar month in the Han calendar, after learning that Liu Quansheng was fine through a red-feathered golden eagle, the old and strong Dongfang Chunsheng took three boys and girls, no, a boy and a bald one, to say goodbye to Su Ran and Mou. Yu just wandered into the jurisdiction of Chisong County.
When everyone said goodbye, Su Ran had a strange look in his eyes and repeatedly told him, "Chisong County's government affairs are complex and complicated, and the poor and remote areas are full of unruly people. If you encounter difficulties, fight if you can't help, and run away if you can't fight. Your life is at stake."
According to the legend of the people in western Liaoning: Compared with the wealth of Zhangwu and the rich resources of western Liaoning, Chisong County, which is connected to Liaoxi County to the south, is absolutely poor. The landscape here is treeless and rocky, the land is yellow and less fertile, and the mountain tops are bare. The stream is mixed with mud and sand, and the people have no livelihood. Looking at the environment alone, there is really no reason to be rich.
Chisong County also has an advantage, that is, everyone is equally poor, so no one needs to laugh at anyone!
The four of them crossed the boundary monument in western Liaoning and headed north. At first, the grass was green and the sky was bright. Dongfang Yu teased two big yellow dogs, holding the red-feathered golden eagle like a hen. Liu Yi talked with Dongfang Chunsheng about the past six months. What I encountered and felt was that the further north I went, the more desolate I became, with mountains and rocks crisscrossing the landscape, withered and yellow weeds, and no human habitation at all.
Liu Yi had doubts about today's emperor's national policy of "cutting down the rich clans to stabilize the world", so he communicated with Dongfang Chunsheng during the trip. According to Liu Yi's words: The king should be upright, make use of things, maintain good health, be harmonious, and support the government. The people, the people, the people, the people, the warmth and security of the people, can only achieve the peace of the world. Don't ignore the people because of temporary short-term benefits. This is an act that undermines the prosperity of the country. The same is true for weakening the powerful clans. The clans are also common people. No matter whether it is a soft or hard knife, if it is touched, it will damage the country's foundation. It is better to let nature take its course and let it fend for itself.
Dongfang Chunsheng has a different view on this.
As he walked, this old stubborn man, who had lived a life of ups and downs, gently shook the three copper coins tied with a red rope around his waist, and said softly, "Xunzi once said, 'Everyone has something in common. When they are hungry, they want to eat, and when they are cold, they want to eat. They want warmth, they want to rest while working, they love benefits but hate harm.' It can be seen that since ancient times, it is human nature to be greedy. Farmers who are poor have one acre of land but want to take two acres, and merchants have one baht but want ten baht. , Looking back at Shu, no one can avoid vulgarity. However, everything should be taken in moderation. If it is excessive, it will destroy its own path. Today's aristocratic families just have too much appetite. Some want to control local military affairs, and some want to control local military affairs. They are obsessed with amassing all the wealth and honor in the world, some collaborate with the enemy and betray the country, some are both leaders, and some even want to tear apart the earth and make a king. Oh, the human heart is not enough for a snake to swallow an elephant!"
At this point, Dongfang Chunsheng couldn't control his temper and began to be filled with righteous indignation. The old man said solemnly, "Humph! These aristocratic families don't think about it with their rusty heads. If it weren't for the Liu family and the princes who didn't respect the king, Your Majesty, where will it be the family's turn to rise? As a master who never forgets the past and the future, it is now known to the whole world that His Majesty cuts off the family's heart. If the family does not know how to restrain it, humph, those who forty years ago have different bodies and heads. The princes and kings, this is their fate. Besides, internal fighting in the royal family will lead to bloodshed, let alone outsiders? In my opinion, the world will be cleaner and more peaceful without such evils!"
Liu Yi bowed his head and said, "But, Grandpa, I heard from you and my father that the empire is now plagued by foreign threats. The Qin Empire has a vast territory in the north. The monarch and ministers work together, and the national power is growing day by day. It is almost the same as our Han Empire; the Qin Empire in the southwest is bordering Yizhou. The Piao Yue alliance with the Qin Dynasty is eyeing our country; the countries in the north and south of the Western Region each have their own evil intentions. Today they are Qin and tomorrow they are Han, and the going back and forth is uncertain. From this point of view, the country is already in a state of turmoil. If we forcibly cut off the family at this moment , I’m afraid it will cause the country to overturn!”
Dongfang Chunsheng admired little Liu Yi's thinking, but did not agree with him. He touched Liu Yi's little head and said earnestly, "The empire's foreign invasion is certainly terrible. It has taken over all dynasties. Xia and Shang perished due to tyranny, and Zhou died. Rites collapsed, music collapsed, Qin fell due to harsh government, and which family perished due to barbarians and foreign invaders? Disasters often start from Xiao Qiang. Compared with foreign invaders, internal worries are the internal causes of overthrowing a dynasty. Moreover, noble families should never You shouldn’t, hey!”
Liu Yi looked at Dongfang Chunsheng who was hesitant to speak, then stepped forward and asked, "Grandpa Dongfang, how are the families?"
Dongfang Chunsheng suddenly looked at Liu Yi with very complicated eyes, as if looking at a monster. It wasn't until Liu Yi was alerted that Dongfang Chunsheng calmed his eyes. The old man smiled kindly and said, "I'm distracted! This world's family is distracted." We should never, absolutely should not, and should not do three things wrong."
Liu Yi raised his eyes and asked, "Which three?"
Dongfang Chunsheng waved his hand and said, "First, relying on the late emperor Yu En, he was arrogant and cruel, causing harm to one party, which caused the people to lose heart and everyone hated the family; second, he interfered in the internal affairs of the royal family and triggered the military rebellion in Gyeonggi twelve years ago. It is a national disgrace; thirdly, the treacherous owl does not know how to give up when it is easy, but instead interacts with others, colludes with each other, and tries to break up the soil and seal the king. This is a treasonous and unethical act. With these three things, these noble families should destruction."
Liu Yi nodded, and then asked curiously, "Interfering in the internal affairs of the royal family? Grandpa Dongfang, what kind of internal affairs did the noble families interfere in the internal affairs of the royal family twelve years ago? Why is it never mentioned in the book?"
Grandpa Dongfang moved his lips, but swallowed the words in his throat. The old man laughed and said with a smile, "Oh, look at me, an old fool. I have forgotten what happened back then! But, kid, you You must know that if the superiors do not care for the people, the people will become angry; if the superiors do not care for the people, the people will become sparse. The family is no longer the family that was supported by all the people a few decades ago! If this continues, in a few years, the world will return to peace. La!"
After listening to Dongfang Chunsheng's prevarications and opinions, Liu Yi lowered his head and remained silent. He always felt that something was wrong, but he couldn't pinpoint what was wrong, so he simply changed the subject and asked, "Grandpa Dongfang, why is Chisong County so desolate? I’m afraid it’s not suitable for human habitation.”
In the past year of getting along with each other, Dongfang Chunsheng had a rough understanding of the young Liu Yi's character, and knew that he did not agree with his views. In order to avoid embarrassment, he changed the topic. Therefore, Mr. Dongfang smiled "hehe" in his heart and said: I will be in the future We have passed here, so various legends are only known from other people's mouths. Whether they are true or false needs to be verified in person. By the way….
After saying this, there was nothing to say. The two of them suddenly saw twenty or thirty people coming out of the rocks on both sides of the trail. They were old, young, male, and female. Their clothes were all patched. , holding sticks of different lengths in their hands, they all ran towards Liu Yi and the four of them. These people had no formation or order when they marched. Dongfang Chunsheng and Liu Yi looked at each other in confusion.
The leader, an elder whose clothes were still neat, saw him shakily walking out of the crowd, coughed twice, cleared his throat, and was about to speak.
A young man standing next to him suddenly rushed in front of the elder. After swallowing, he turned back and said to the elder, "Master Wang, there is dog meat and bird meat to eat today! What good luck!"
The second master Wang was obviously dissatisfied with the young man interrupting his speech rashly, and kicked the young man hard with his left foot. The young man was extremely alert, and immediately jumped back and dodged out, but he was also afraid that the second master Wang would kick his body empty. When he missed something, he immediately turned around and gently lifted Mr. Wang's left foot with his hands. The elder named Mr. Wang did not miss the step and stood safely on the spot.
The old man wanted to speak again, but he might have been distracted by the young man next to him, so he held it in for a long time. Finally, he tapped the rock under his feet with his cane several times, said "Ouch, ouch, ouch" twice, and made a withdrawal gesture. They rushed towards Liu Yi and others who were confused. The older ones quarreled with the older ones, and the younger ones looked at the younger ones. The young man who spoke just now unceremoniously snatched the 'big bird' from Yi Xian's hand, and then pulled, pushed, and walked away. Go up a mountain path.
Along the way, Dongfang Chunsheng and the others were a little confused. They said they were being kidnapped by bandits at the moment. It didn't seem like it! It doesn't seem like they were kidnapped! A group of people walked through the chaotic mountains and green curtains, and brought Dongfang Chunsheng and four others to a small village located on a rocky mountain.
The small village is built along the cliff and is quite antique. Outside the stockade, there is a seven-foot wooden fence, supplemented by a few simple bamboo poles, which forms the city wall. The three cursive characters "Houlonggang" stand on the gate of the stockade. The stockade can be seen east, west, north and south at a glance, and there are only a dozen or so families inside. The houses are all wooden houses and not fenced. A few salted fish are hung at the door of each house. As soon as you enter the village gate, you can smell a strong fishy smell. Behind the village gate, there is a piece of yellow land that is more than twenty feet long and wide. It is crookedly planted with buckwheat. Compared with the growth of crops in the fertile soil of Zhangwu and western Liaoning, it is not even a bit worse.
There is an open space in the middle of the village, with four sets of stone tables and stone benches placed. The stone table only has a smooth surface, and the stone benches are just a few pieces of granite that look round and rough, and the workmanship is rough and tight. These things are placed in Huaxing County or It's Zhangwu County, and I'm afraid even ordinary households won't take a serious look at it.
Two and a half-year-old children were sitting on the stone table knitting straw sandals leisurely. When they saw everyone returning, they immediately came forward to look for their mother and cheered.
After entering the village, the 20 or 30 people who were waiting for Dongfang Chunsheng and others to return immediately dispersed. Some were boiling water, cutting wood, seasoning, and "bathing" the big yellow dog and the red-feathered golden eagle. Wang The second master and another old man named Uncle Li immediately changed their expressions and respectfully invited Dongfang Chunsheng and the four of them to sit at the stone table.
Dongfang Chunsheng was very angry because of the unreasonable behavior of Mr. Wang and others just now. No, the old man's stubbornness came up again. He sat there with his head tilted and said nothing, like an old monk sitting still, not even looking. Look at Mr. Wang and Mr. Li.
Second Master Wang and Uncle Li, who are the same age as them, have good tempers and always greet each other with smiles. Uncle Li stroked his beard, smiled, and said to Dongfang Chunsheng, "Old man, as the saying goes, if a friend comes from afar, it's a good thing." Just good meat and hospitality. We acted recklessly just now because we were afraid that the guests would be disrespectful and did not want to come to this humble house. Everyone, please forgive me, please forgive me! Hahaha!"
After saying this, Mr. Wang and Mr. Li kept smiling, hoping that Dongfang Chunsheng could dispel his anger.
Dongfang Yu stood next to Dongfang Chunsheng, tugging at Dongfang Chunsheng's sleeves while whispering, "Grandpa, we are almost done with this on someone else's territory!"
Since they gave him the steps and it was out of good intentions, Dongfang Chunsheng naturally borrowed the donkey from the slope and said tepidly, "The way of hospitality in Guizhai is quite novel! If you don't know why, you will definitely know it." I think my brother, you and others are doing this to stop the robbers, so you must not do this."
Mr. Wang chuckled and said, "Let's not do this next time. Let's not do this next time! The sheep here are warm in nature and sweet in taste. They can nourish the spleen, warm the stomach, warm the kidneys and strengthen the yang. It also needs to be simmered over low heat until crispy. It is supplemented with salt, minced garlic, and garlic." One bite of ginseng will fill your mouth with fragrant and tender taste, leaving you with endless aftertaste! Please wait a moment, the delicacies will be here soon."
When Mr. Wang said this, Dongfang Yu swallowed his saliva, and Liu Yi also looked a little eager to see what was going on. He meditated with his eyes closed, and his chest was heaving. It seemed that he was greedy.
Dongfang Chunsheng was a little flattered by the two hospitable old men. He smiled sheepishly and said warmly, "Thank you, brother!"
While they were chatting, the young man who had just interrupted Mr. Wang's speech and was called Beihai ran over with two big yellow dogs by their necks in his left and right hands. The two yellow dogs in Bei Hai's hands were obviously treasures. At this moment, they were being rocked back and forth listlessly by Bei Hai.
I saw Bei Hai running towards everyone excitedly, "Uncle, look, it's washed, it's white and clean. Auntie has already lit the fire, and it's just waiting to be put into the pot."
"What's the fuss about? Get off the pot?" He was obviously not a fool. After hearing this, he stood up immediately and said in surprise, "You want to kill my rhubarb?"
"Yes, if I remember correctly, you never said you disagreed!" He was speechless after saying this. Beihai didn't care about east and west, north and south, and ran towards a house with two big yellow dogs. Go, the inspection is about to put the two big yellow dogs into the pot to stew.
Yi Xian was not willing to agree. He didn't even bother to make gestures. He ran over in a hurry and knocked Bei Hai down with a trip. The two big yellow dogs ran far away after landing. They looked back at Yi Xian sitting on the ground and ran again. When he came back, Hu stood around and bared his teeth at Beihai.
Dongfang Chunsheng couldn't stand it anymore. The old man stood up angrily, pointed at Mr. Wang and Mr. Li, and cursed, "To be too old to die is to be a thief. Two disrespectful old guys, for one thing." A little bit of taste and taste, don't you even give up on etiquette, justice and integrity? Fortunately, you are still the leader of the same place, and the ups and downs are effective. What kind of crooked melons and jujubes can such a man produce? "
Mr. Wang and Mr. Li slowly stood up and looked at each other. They knew they were in the wrong and could only smile awkwardly.
"Hey, hey, hey, old man, you can't say that. We have already provided the fire, materials and people, so of course you have to provide the ingredients. Who would do it? In this world, you are still thinking about it. You don’t close your door at night and don’t pick up things on the road? Do you still think that someone can treat you to dinner on the road for no reason? Is it too much to think about? "
Seeing that the two old men were humiliated, Beihai did not agree. He loudly refuted Dongfang Chunsheng. Everyone saw that Beihai was another unreasonable master like Dongfang Yu.
Seeing this scene, Liu Yi murmured in a low voice, "That makes some sense!"
Dongfang Yufeng glanced at him, pursed his peach lips, and stretched out his voice, saying "Brother Yi", and then stepped forward to argue with Beihai. Yixian sat on the ground, hugged the two dogs, and cried bitterly, as if he had experienced It's like parting after life and death.
Seeing this, Mr. Wang gently shook his head, then helplessly said to Dongfang Chunsheng, who was glaring angrily, "Don't blame me, there is nothing we can do about it!"
Dongfang Chunsheng looked at the skinny people and seemed to notice something, so he said to Mr. Wang in a deep voice, "Speak clearly!"
Mr. Wang grinned bitterly, "It's all the past! It's as old as you and me!"
