That night, after dinner, Ling Yun helped clean up the kitchen and asked Old Man Ling, who was smoking a cigarette at the side: "Grandpa, can I discuss something with you?" "What is it?" Old Man Ling said lightly. .
Ling Yun continued: "Where can I get monkey ginger?" Old Ling was stunned, turned to look at Ling Yun, and asked: "What do you want monkey ginger for? Are you injured?" "No, no!" Ling Yun hurriedly explained.
Old Man Ling asked: "Then what do you want Houjiang for?" Ling Yun thought to himself, since he was going to Jinling City anyway, he couldn't hide it, so he might as well just tell his grandfather directly, so he said: "Brother Yang and I planned to go I went to Jinling City in a few days to see if Uncle Tiezhu’s family was in Jinling City. We went to Uncle Tiezhu to ask for directions. Before we left, Uncle Tiezhu asked me to find some monkey ginger for him. I thought about it. , haven’t you spent your whole life collecting medicine, I’m sure I can’t help you, so I agreed to him!”
After hearing this, Old Man Ling did not respond immediately. He thought for a moment and said: "This monkey ginger is not a rare thing. It can be found on the cliffs of the mountain forest or on the old branches. It looks like a black fern. , you can recognize it at a glance. However, you must pay attention to safety when picking."
Ling Yun nodded in agreement, and Old Man Ling said again: "What did you just say? Are you going to Jinling City?" Ling Yun said, "Yes, yes! Brother Yang and I want to go there and have a look!" He saw that Old Man Ling didn't look good, Then he held Old Man Ling's arm and said, "Grandpa, I heard Brother Yang say that Jinling City, which is the closest to us, has everything there, including flying fish, eight-horse carts, and more than a foot high. The ship and even the city wall are over three feet high. I have never left our Meilin Town in my whole life, so please let me go once!"
Old Man Ling murmured: "Jinling City? I haven't been there for many years!" Ling Yun asked: "Grandpa, will you let me go there just once?" Old Man Ling didn't say anything else. He glanced around and saw Ling Yun. After almost cleaning up, he went back to the house first. Ling Yun caught up two steps and shouted: "Grandpa!"
Old Man Ling didn't look back, he just said: "After cleaning up, go to bed early and talk about anything tomorrow."
The next morning, just after breakfast, Blacksmith Wang was selecting iron blocks at home, probably preparing to make swords for Li Haoyang and Ling Yun.
While he was thinking about it, the courtyard door was gently pushed open, and Old Man Ling walked in from the outside, holding a small cloth bag in his hand. When Blacksmith Wang heard the door open, he raised his head and looked towards the door. When he saw it was Old Man Ling, he hurriedly put down the objects in his hands, lifted up his apron and wiped his hands. He went up to him with a smile on his face and said to Old Man Ling: "Uncle Ling." "Why are you suddenly free to come to my place? Come, sit here!" As he said that, Blacksmith Wang helped Old Ling sit down at the round table.
Then, Blacksmith Wang asked: "Uncle Third, have you eaten?" Old Ling nodded, put the bag in his hand on the table, and said to Blacksmith Wang: "Tiezhu, I heard Yun'er said you were looking for Houjiang, are you injured somewhere? They are the only old men left in our Baiyun Village, why don’t you just come to me and ask Yun’er to look for them for you?”
After hearing this, Blacksmith Wang scratched his head, smiled honestly, and said: "Third Uncle, you are so old, why should I trouble you to pick it in person for such a trivial matter, and..."
When Old Man Ling saw that he was hesitant to speak, he said, "Tie Zhu, I know what you want to say. It has been so many years and I have already given up. It's okay. Don't worry!" After a pause, he asked Said: "I don't think you are injured. Is it Da Miao?"
Blacksmith Wang nodded, and Old Man Ling untied the cloth bag on the table and took out the contents, which was a jar containing plaster. He handed the jar to Blacksmith Wang and said, "I happen to still have some prepared ointment here. You can use it first. If it's not enough, I'll go back and brew some more!"
Blacksmith Wang held the ointment in his hand and said with gratitude: "Uncle, thank you very much for this!" Old Man Ling waved his hand and said: "Hey, it's okay. It should be used on the child quickly. , I have something else to do at the moment, so I’ll go back first!” After saying that, he stood up and prepared to leave.
Seeing this, Blacksmith Wang stood up and tried to persuade him to stay: "Uncle Third, why don't you eat some snacks before leaving!" Old Man Ling waved his hand and said: "No, I ate it when I came here. I have to go to the market to buy some eggs. Repair Yun'er's body!" After saying that, he turned around and walked out of the door. Blacksmith Wang put down the plaster in his hand and walked all the way out of the hospital. Old Man Ling signaled him to stop. Blacksmith Wang had no choice but to give up and said to Old Man Ling: "Three Uncle, please walk slowly, I will take Da Miao to see you another day!"
Old Man Ling left Blacksmith Wang's house and headed east towards Liujiacun. Soon, his figure disappeared in the fields.
Li Haoyang and Ling Yun had already told Li Dongming and his wife their plan to go to Jinling City. They were very open-minded and supported them to go out and gain experience instead of staying in this remote mountain village and being a frog in the well. Therefore, they did not ask what they were going to do in the city. They only told them to be careful, keep a low profile outside, and not cause trouble. At the same time, in order to avoid Old Ling from worrying too much, Li Dongming also agreed to comfort Old Ling on behalf of Ling Yun.
In the next few days, Li Haoyang and Ling Yun had nothing to do. They sat on bamboo chairs in the yard of Li Dongming's house every day, closing their eyes slightly and chatting wordlessly.
Li Dongming and his wife were really busy. Aunt Li prepared two large bags of flour cakes for them. They were baked dry and hard, and they ate them with just water. They were very hungry. He also took out a large piece of dried meat stored at home, cut it into strips as thick as his index finger, added pepper, fennel and other spices, put it in a pot and boiled it again, and then hung it in the yard to dry again. Li Dongming found some hay and sat under the eaves to knit a straw hat.
Laifu kept circling around Li Haoyang and Ling Yun, as if expecting them to take it with them. Xiao Hei was lying in a place quietly basking in the sun. After all, he was old and his movements were no longer very flexible. There was also an inexplicable sadness in his eyes.
In a blink of an eye, the time came to make an appointment with Blacksmith Wang to pick up the sword. That morning, just after breakfast, Ling Yun took out the big cloth bag that Aunt Li had sewn for them overnight. This bag had a strap that could be slung over the shoulder. On the top, you can store some small items inside, which will not fall easily.
While Old Man Ling was clearing away the dishes in the kitchen, Ling Yun got under the bed, dug out all the gold and silver items he had picked up from Juelong Ridge, wrapped them in thick cotton cloth, and put them into a cloth bag.
Then, he put the bag aside, lay down again, got under the bed again, and carefully inspected the sword and the sword he hid inside. They were covered tightly with straw to make sure that they would not be exposed by anyone. After realizing it, he stood up again, picked up the bag, slung it over his shoulder, and took out the package full of clothes. After Old Man Ling had packed up, the two of them went to Li Haoyang's home together.
Li Dongming and his wife were also packing Li Haoyang's luggage at this time. They originally planned to say goodbye to his family and secretly went to Blacksmith Wang's house to pick up the sword before setting off. However, they didn't expect that Blacksmith Wang had already arrived at Li Haoyang's home with the sword.
As soon as they met, Blacksmith Wang simply said hello to Old Man Ling and Li Dongming, then took out the sword in his hand and handed it to Li Haoyang and Ling Yun.
These two swords were originally used by the two of them to hide from others, and they didn't want Old Man Ling and Li Dongming to know about them, so they just took them in a hurry without taking a closer look. Unexpectedly, Blacksmith Wang reminded them and said, "Don't you two see if this sword is what you want?" After hearing this, the two had no choice but to take it out and take a look. Li Haoyang took out the big sword in his hand and saw the big sword. The light reflected in the sun was extremely dazzling, and its momentum was not inferior to the nameless sword he brought back from Juelong Ridge.
Li Haoyang's brows were filled with joy and he grinned broadly at Ling Yun. He saw him holding the handle of the knife in his right hand and waving it across his chest.
The thick blade is a bit heavy, but it is still very handy for Li Haoyang's strong body, and his hands dance just right. Seeing this, Ling Yun also drew out the sword in his hand. Although the sword blade was not as crystal clear and the cold light was restrained like the one he brought back from Juelong Ridge, he could still tell at a glance that this was definitely a good sword. The sword had " The words "Longquan" are engraved vigorously and powerfully, which greatly enhances the temperament of this sword.
The two looked at each other happily, sheathed their swords again, and both looked towards Blacksmith Wang. Li Haoyang said: "Uncle Tiezhu, your craftsmanship is really amazing. This is exactly what we both wanted. Thank you Tie Zhu." Uncle Zhu, I will definitely find you what you want!" Ling Yun also agreed: "Yes, when we come back from Jinling City, we will go find monkey ginger for you!"
Blacksmith Wang waved his hands and said: "Hey, you two little kids, when did you become so polite? However, I am here this time, and there is one more thing I want to ask you for help with!"
Li Dongming said from the side: "Zhuzi, if you have something to say, just say it directly. Why are you being polite with these two children? If they dare to say no, I will kick their butts!" Li Haoyang turned around and gave Li Dongming a resentful look.
Blacksmith Wang took out a cloth bag from his arms, handed it to Ling Yun, and said: "This is the ointment sent by your grandfather. I heard that you two were going to Jinling City, so I brought it together. After you arrive in the city, Wuliting in the north of the city gave it to Da Miao’s grandfather for me, saying it was for Da Miao!”
Speaking of Wang Damiao, both Li Haoyang and Ling Yun had some impressions. They often played together when they were children. Since her mother passed away, she has been living with her grandfather in Jinling City and has not seen her for many years. Ling Yun carefully put the cloth bag into his arms and said to Blacksmith Wang: "Don't worry, I will definitely deliver it!"
At this time, Old Man Ling came over and said to Ling Yun with a slight reproach: "What are you doing with these swords when you go to Jinling City?" Ling Yun was dumb and murmured not knowing how to answer. Li Dongming walked a few steps and said: "Hey, third uncle, you see, the mountains are high and the roads are far away, and the world is not peaceful. Jinling City is hundreds of miles away from here. They are carrying swords, and there is also someone beside them along the way. Things, just let them be."
Old man Ling seemed to think it made sense, so he said to Li Haoyang and Ling Yun together: "You two have grown up, and grandpa no longer interferes too much, but you two have never traveled far away since you were young. This time you go together." In Jinling City, you must pay attention to safety and don't cause trouble, you know?" Ling Yun replied: "I know, Grandpa!" Li Haoyang said: "Don't worry, Third Grandpa, I will protect Ling Yun."
Old Man Ling nodded, worried, but helpless. The child is so old, he can't stay in this deserted mountain village forever. Sooner or later he will have to go out and make a living.
Old Man Ling took out an object from his arms. It was a hairpin, made of silver, with flowers carved on it, and a pearl as big as a little finger inlaid at the end. He handed the hairpin to Ling Yun's hand and said, "Yun'er, you If you want to go outside to take a look, grandpa won't stop you, but grandpa has never saved anything valuable in his life. This is what your father gave to your mother back then. You can take it. You have to go to high mountains and long distances. , I don’t know how long it will take to come back, if you need it, just pawn it in exchange for some expenses!”
Ling Yun has more than ten pieces of various jewelry hidden on his body, which are estimated to be worth a lot of silver. There are also several boxes of gold and silver hidden in Juelong Ridge. Even in Jinling City, that is considered a huge sum of money. But he couldn't say it, so he had to evade: "Grandpa, how can I pawn the things that mother left behind? You'd better put them away quickly!"
Old Man Ling said: "Hey, you are going to a high mountain and a long road. I don't know how long it will take you to come back. You always have to spend money on the way. Besides, there are many delicious and fun things in Jinling City. You can exchange some silver coins. Buy some decent clothes and some food, don’t go hungry or cold!”
Ling Yun still resisted and said: "Uncle Ming gave us some money, and we also brought enough dry food. This time we are going to Jinling City. We will go shopping for a few days and then come back. It won't cost much silver!" Old Ling's face changed and he pretended to be angry. : "I said take it, take it!"
Ling Yun couldn't resist, but how could he be willing to pawn his mother's belongings? Besides, he didn't lack money at all. Ling Yun had no choice but to take it first and put it carefully in his arms.
After packing their bags, the two of them slung the packages containing clothes and dry food on their shoulders. They also put the straw hats knitted by Li Dongming on their heads. They also carried the cloth bags sewn by Aunt Li and hung them around their waists. They were wearing bamboo tubes filled with water and each held a sword in their hands. They looked so majestic and looked a bit like a knight-errant, which made Blacksmith Wang praise them for their talents.
After preparations were completed, the two waved goodbye to everyone on the field and set off on the road away from home. They walked all the way to the entrance of the village before reluctantly returning to Li Dongming's home.
Since there was only one road in the southeast that could leave the town and lead to the outside, the two of them walked along the south bank of Taojiang River, passing through Lujia Village, and headed southeast toward the valley outside the town. When passing through Lujiacun, they happened to meet Mengyao selling dried fish with her parents. Seeing that Ling Yun was fine, her family was surprised and happy.
Mengyao heard that they were going to Jinling City, and although she wanted to go with them, her parents didn't agree, so she had to give up. They picked some dried fish from the basket in front of them, tied them with hemp rope, and gave them to the two of them to make dry food.
In order to appease Mengyao's emotions, Li Haoyang and Ling Yun promised her that when they got familiar with Jinling City, they would take her to see it together.
After leaving Lujiacun, they walked southeast for about an hour. It was already noon, and they came to a plum forest.
It is said that this was a fruit forest planted by our ancestors hundreds of years ago for passers-by to rest and quench their thirst. This is how Meilin Town got its name. However, in this season, the plums are not yet ripe, but the sun is shining brightly. The two found a place covered with weeds in the forest and prepared to rest for a while.
Ling Yun breathed a long sigh of relief, took off the baggage on his body, threw it on the grass beside him, sat down on the ground, took off the bamboo tube from his waist, took a sip of water, and said to Li Haoyang: "Brother Yang, this is all gone. How many hours have it taken to get here? How long will it take to reach Jinling City?"
Li Haoyang also sat down on a piece of grass that looked relatively clean. He took off his package and said, "I don't know, but I heard that it is hundreds of miles away from Jinling City. We will travel during the day and rest at night. It takes more than ten days to get there!"
Ling Yun asked again: "You said it's so far away, we won't get lost, right?" Li Haoyang also took off the bamboo tube from his waist and took a sip of water, and said: "No, there is only one way out of this mountain pass. , keep walking along that road to the east, and you can reach Jinling City."
The two ate some more dry food, lay on the grass, squinted their eyes, and chatted wordlessly for a while. Li Haoyang stood up and put the package on his shoulders again, stretched out his hand to pull Ling Yun up, and said: "Ling Yun , come, pack your things, let’s continue on our way, we must find the next village before the sun goes down, otherwise there will be no place to sleep tonight.” Ling Yun was held by Li Haoyang’s hand and stood up, packed his bags, and continued towards Go east.
I walked and walked on the road for three hours. I saw the sun had set on the top of the mountain, but I still didn't see any village, let alone a house, not even a human figure.
At this time, looking at the darkening sky, even Li Haoyang, who had always been bold, began to become a little nervous in this unfamiliar wilderness. He wasn't so uneasy at Juelong Ridge back then. On the contrary, Ling Yun looked calm, as if everything had nothing to do with him.
Li Haoyang stopped and looked around. When Ling Yun saw this, he said to him: "Brother Yang, what's wrong?" Li Haoyang glanced into the distance and said with some disappointment: "Oh, my father is right. This time There’s not even a village on the road, so it looks like we’ll have to camp out in the wilderness tonight!”
On the contrary, Ling Yun said calmly: "It's okay, let's just go outdoors. It's not like we haven't spent the night outdoors!" Li Haoyang shook his head and said with a smile: "You can think about it, okay, let's just sleep on the grass. Get ready, but you have to find a dry and open place to sleep on the grass, because you won’t be able to see the ground clearly when it gets dark!” After saying that, the two of them continued walking forward side by side.
Walk along, looking for open high ground all around. While walking, suddenly, Ling Yun pointed to the foot of a mountain in front of him and said, "Brother Yang, look, we have a place to stay!"
At this time, the sun had gone down, and the outline of the road could still be seen clearly only by the light reflected by the sun. Li Haoyang looked in the direction of Ling Yun's finger. He could vaguely see a large cave at the foot of the mountain on the right side of the road ahead, which allowed him to The two were overjoyed and hurried over.
