On this day, Wang Zhong was packing his bags in Xiaozhuzhuang, preparing to leave north and return to Tokyo the next day.
After all, my sister-in-law, niece, and "nephew" who is not yet one year old are all in Tokyo now.
Gu Er has been living with Wang Zhong in Xiaozhu Manor these days, and he takes Wang Zhong to compete in martial arts every day. Although it is not as rapid as it was at the beginning, under Wang Zhong's pressure, Gu Er's martial arts still improves. It's slowly improving.
However, the improvement is very limited. With Gu Er's current level, if it is not a life and death fight, it will be too difficult to improve.
Gu Er advised: "Why are you leaving in such a hurry? It will be New Year's Eve in a few days, why not wait until New Year's Eve before setting off?"
"Why are you acting like a little daughter? This is not the Zhong Huai I know!" Wang Chong said with a smile.
"Didn't I just want to have more discussions with you and let you give me more advice?" Gu Er said bluntly.
Wang Zhong smiled and said: "When you return to Tokyo, we will still have a lot of time to learn from each other."
"That's it..." Before Gu Er could finish his words, Old Yu came in leading Chang Bai and Ming Lan.
"Why is the sixth sister here too?" Now Minglan's complexion has returned to normal, and her mood is gradually improving as her biological mother and younger brother are safe and sound.
"I heard from my second brother that brother Wang Zhong is going back to Tokyo?" Minglan asked.
Wang Zhong said: "Yes, we will leave early tomorrow morning!"
"Aunt Cui, who was behind Minglan, took a pair of folded knee pads in her hands. She held them in both hands and walked up to Wang Zhong and said, "These are the knee pads embroidered by my little mother herself. I can't repay the kindness of saving my life," she said. I can only give you this pair of knee pads embroidered by my mother-in-law to express my feelings, I hope brother Wang Zhong won’t dislike it!”
Wang Zhong took the knee pads, looked at the exquisite patterns on them, and said with a smile: "I like these knee pads very much, thank you for me, little girl!"
"We are going to Tokyo with high mountains and long roads. Minglan wishes brother Wang Zhong a safe journey and a smooth return to Tokyo!" Minglan is only eight years old now. Although she is smart, she has no experience or knowledge. Very limited.
"Sister Cheng Liu's good words!" Wang Zhong said: "Since you are here, let's stay and have dinner together before leaving!"
Frozen mutton is sliced into thin slices, and the best pork belly is also sliced into thin slices. There are also winter bamboo shoots, cabbage, radish, rapeseed, soaked fungus, sweet potato and many other vegetables.
The dipping sauce was prepared by Wang Zhong himself, and the bottom of the pot was fried by Wang Zhong himself. Although there was no chili pepper, it still had a unique flavor.
The first time Ming Lan ate hot pot, she was captured by the delicious food. All her unhappiness seemed to be cured by this hot pot meal. When she and Chang Bai left, her cute little face was full of smiles.
Early the next morning, Wang Zhong took Wang Erxi and Yu Chuer, carrying only simple luggage, a simple knife, and a whistle stick, and rode northward.
The road was difficult to travel in winter, especially after entering the border of Gyeonggi Province, the speed became slower and slower. Fortunately, we didn't encounter any bandits and bandits on the road who couldn't expose the pot during the New Year. The simple knives we prepared were not used. The three of them stayed at the inn all the way. It was smooth sailing, but it still took half a month for Wang Zhong and the others to return to Bianliang.
There are only a few days left before the Lantern Festival.
After the Lantern Festival, Wang Zhong should go back to the Yamen.
This trip to Yangzhou was, firstly, to change the fate of Minglan, her biological mother, and her unborn brother; secondly, to cooperate with Sheng Wei; and thirdly, to see Xiaozhuzhuang Hecun Middle School with her own eyes. The current situation of the school is to avoid being messed up by others.
In general, the three things were done well, especially at the school. The story of Wang Zhong’s top scorer in high school has already spread back to Yangzhou. Baishui Village has become a star village in Yangzhou Prefecture. Wang Zhong’s success Fan, deliberately changed the school in Baishui Village to Baishui Academy in the name of the number one scholar, and hired several old scholars who had no intention of official career to teach.
In the name of a person, in the shadow of a tree, there is Wang Zhong, the new number one scholar, not to mention all over the country. Many wealthy families in the city are vying to send their children to Baishui Academy, hoping that their children will be the number one scholar. Lang's celestial spirit will come back after he gets a meritorious examination in the future.
Yangzhou
In the land of Huaihe River and Huaihe River, the most indispensable thing is rich people.
Even several wealthy households in the city rushed to contribute money and efforts to help the repair and expansion of Baishui Academy.
Many villagers around Baishui Village even had the idea of dedicating their land to seek the blessing of Xiaozhu Village.
On the Zhuangzi outside Bianliang City, Wang Zhong looked at Brother Xu, who had long grown and was already very cute, rolling around on the kang. A long-lost smile appeared on Wang Zhong's face.
Seeing that the Lantern Festival was approaching, Wang Zhong brought his sister-in-law, Sister Qian, mother and daughter into the city one day in advance. On the Lantern Festival, the city was very lively, with lantern festivals, Aoshan, various juggling, and tricks. , and snacks all over the streets...
Sister Qian kept smiling all night, and Brother Xu, who was in Wang Li's arms, also giggled happily all night.
A few days after the Lantern Festival, a piece of bad news suddenly came from the palace. The youngest son of the official family and the only prince died unexpectedly.
Suddenly the entire Bianjing city was shrouded in a thick layer of sorrow.
From the civil and military officials of the court to the traffickers and pawns, there is no exception.
He was still a kind official in the official family. Although his son died, he couldn't bear to disturb the people and issued an edict. The people in Guizhou still married and the officials also counted the days.
However, the court meeting after the spring was still delayed.
Time soon came to February of the fourth year of Jiayou's reign. Spring was warm and flowers were blooming. Sheng Hong and his family took a boat at Yangzhou Pier and headed north to Bianliang, Tokyo.
Only Minglan's biological mother, Wei Xiaoniang, was left behind. The Sheng family's mansion was also given to Wang Zhong by Sheng Hong. As soon as the title deed to the house was fulfilled, it would be handed over to Wang Zhong after he returned to Tokyo.
In addition to Wei Xiaoniang, Mrs. Sheng also asked Aunt Fang to find a group of people from Zhuangzi to take care of Wei Xiaoniang. She also asked Wang Ruofu to find Wei Xiaoniang's sister Wei Niangzi before leaving. She accompanies and takes care of Wei Xiaoniang.
Wang Zhong got the specific date of Sheng Hong's family's arrival, so he asked for leave and went to the dock to greet them.
The Sheng family moved to Tokyo with their whole family. Sheng Hong was a civil servant and prided himself on being clean, so naturally he shouldn't be too public about it. The belongings of the third and fourth ships were sent to Tokyo in advance by ordering his trusted stewards. Sheng Hong and his colleagues were in this business , and there was only one big two-masted ship left.
"Zi Hou! This way!" Gu Er was very happy to see Wang Zhong and immediately waved his hand towards Wang Zhong.
Chang Bai was also very happy, with a smile on his face and waved to Wang Zhong.
Wang Zhong naturally saw them earlier, and was already approaching them with his people.
After paying homage to Mrs. Sheng, giving gifts to Sheng Hong and Wang, and greeting the younger brothers and sisters of the Sheng family, Wang Zhong, Chang Bai and Gu Er went to the side to talk.
Minglan, who had been beside Mrs. Sheng with two little ones in her hair, turned to look at Wang Zhong, who was chatting happily with her second brother next to her, with a smile on her face, and a hint of gratitude in her clear eyes. and curiosity.
"Zihou, I have learned a lot in the past few months. I will come to see you tomorrow. We must have a good discussion."
Wang Zhong laughed dumbly, but without any reluctance, he cupped his hands and said, "Then I'll be waiting for Zhong Huai in Tianshui Lane!"
"Second brother!" As soon as Wang Zhong finished speaking, a clear child's voice came from the avenue beside the pier.
In front of a rather luxurious carriage, stood a woman dressed in plain brocade, with only a touch of pink and white, but with an air of luxury. The woman was also holding in her hand a man who was about the same age as Chang Feng and had a face like a crown jewel. Xiaolangjun.
The one shouting here is the young man.
"It's my mother and third brother. You two, I'll go ahead. Let's meet another day!"
"See you another day!" The three of them said goodbye, and Gu Er ran over with his luggage.
The next day, Tianshui Lane, Wang's house.
Early in the morning, Gu Er and Chang Bai came over one after another. Gu Er came very early, just in time to catch up with Wang Zhong practicing swordsmanship in the courtyard. Even if he took Wang Zhong to spar, it would be difficult for Wang Zhong to return to his current situation. The martial arts has reached a state of perfection. Otherwise, Gu Er would have been bruised and swollen long ago.
After being tortured severely by Wang Zhong again, Gu Er lay on his back on the ground paved with blue bricks, his chest and abdomen rising and falling, breathing heavily, his face and forehead full of
There are big beads of sweat.
"Weapons are an extension of the limbs, and martial arts have no limits. Although your talent is good, you still have a long way to go!"
Gu Er's martial arts skills are actually not bad, and his overall strength is at least level three. This is because Gu Er is young and his body has not yet fully grown.
"I really don't know how you practice martial arts. You're not much older than me, but your strength is infinitely higher! I'm afraid even my father is no match for you!" Gu Er said with emotion, looking at Wang Zhong , feeling frustrated for the first time.
Gu Er has always been a very arrogant person. When he was in Tokyo in the past, few of the well-educated students in Tokyo could be looked down upon by Gu Er, let alone feel ashamed of himself. Even if he met the talented Chang Bai , it’s just a matter of sympathy and becoming a close friend.
Only Wang Zhong, the 18-year-old champion with excellent martial arts and medical skills, made Gu Er feel powerless when he was completely crushed in front of his peers for the first time.
Regardless of Wang Zhong's miraculous medical skills of resurrecting people, dead people, flesh and bones, or his knowledge and martial arts that were as vast as the sea of smoke and dust, Gu Ersheng felt a sense of frustration that was beyond his reach.
Wang Zhong smiled and did not answer.
Gu Er looked at the calm and composed Wang Zhong and couldn't help but sigh. However, Gu Er was not someone who would give in easily. Since he couldn't compare to Wang Zhong now, he would wait a few years.
Gu Er has been a person who can learn anything and become good at it since he was a child. He is only fifteen years old and has martial arts passed down from his family. He has already practiced to a high level. He can wait for more than ten idle men, but Gu Er doesn't care. In my eyes, if I wait a few more years, when I am fully grown up and my body has reached its peak, it is not impossible to be like Zhao Zilong in Changshan. On the slope of Changban, thousands of troops are entering and exiting seven times. It is not impossible to enter an uninhabited land. .
Looking at Wang Zhong, Gu Er made a secret decision in his heart. From now on, he must study hard and study hard. One day, he will catch up with Wang Zhong or even surpass him...
Gu Er came here early in the morning without even eating breakfast. After briefly washing up in the guest room and accompanying Wang Zhong to have breakfast, Chang Bai also came.
"Zhong Huai?" Seeing Gu Er, Chang Bai was surprised for a moment, and then he realized that he must have come to Wang Zhong to learn martial arts.
"Zecheng, you're late!" Gu Er said with a half-smile.
"There was a delay before leaving!" Changbai took a brocade box from Zihanniu and handed it to Wang Zhong: "This is what my father specially asked me to teach Zihou!"
"What?" Gu Er next to him was even more curious.
Wang Zhong didn't mean to hide it and opened the brocade box directly in front of the two of them. Inside was a stack of deeds.
Changbai explained: "These are the house deeds and land deeds of my original house in Yangzhou, as well as the house deeds and land deeds of Wangjiang Tower. Before leaving Yangzhou, my father had already changed the head of the household to Zihou's name!"
"Thanks to Zihou, Wei Xiaoniang and my seventh brother are safe and sound this time. Father said that there is no way to repay the kindness of saving lives. These things are just a show of affection. I hope Zihou should not refuse."
Wang Zhongdao: "The elder gave it to me and I dare not refuse it. Since it is a gift from my uncle, I will accept it shamelessly!"
"How is Shichiro now?"
Changbai said, "Grandma is taking care of me personally. Everything is fine for my seventh brother."
Wang Zhong smiled and said, "That's good. As long as you are fine and healthy, that's better than anything else!"
"One more thing!" Changbai said again.
"What's the matter?"
Changbai said: "It's Wei Xiaoniang, the biological mother of my sixth sister and seventh brother. She is still living in this house in Yangzhou for the time being. My grandmother sent someone to take care of her..."
"Hey! What's the point? This house belongs to the Sheng family. Besides, Miss Wei's vitality is greatly damaged now and her body has not yet recovered. It's difficult to move, so it's okay to live in it!"
"Thank you Zihou for your understanding!" Changbai said sincerely, bowing his hands.
"It's me who should thank uncle He Zicheng!" Wang Zhong laughed loudly.
"We're not outsiders, so you two shouldn't be here thanking each other!" Gu Er next to him suddenly said.
Wang Zhong asked for three days' leave, just in time to have a good time with the two of them. It was early spring and everything was recovering. Gu Er was a native of Tokyo, so he was naturally the host. He immediately invited the two of them to travel together in Tokyo.
In early spring, it is the time when all the talented ladies go out for travel, and rows of carriages flock to the outside of the city in unison.
The scenery along the way is not much different from that of Yangzhou, but the prosperity is far better than that of Yangzhou. Along the way, Gu Er acted as a tour guide, introducing and explaining to the two of them.
Our dynasty was not as harsh as the Ming and Qing dynasties. Although we also valued honor and integrity, we were not as harsh on women. In the fields and meadows, beside the newly blooming plum trees, you can see ladies from various families traveling everywhere.
By the Jinming Pond, the green grass had just begun to sprout, and someone started to hold a polo club. It was very lively with noble families, princes, nobles, children of aristocratic families, and ladies.
Although Gu Er has a bad reputation in Tokyo, he is very popular among the group of disciples.
It was night, Gu Erxian led the two of them to have a drink at Fan Lou. After tasting Fan Lou's delicacies, he took the two of them to visit the night market...
Unfortunately, Wang Zhong only took three days' leave, and Chang Bai was about to go home to study.
Tianshui Lane, Wang Zhong’s residence.
The three of them gathered in the pavilion in the courtyard, with rice wine warming on the stove and a layer of meat brushed on the iron plate, grilling freshly cut mutton. Yu Chuer was grilling two pieces of meat weighing nearly a kilogram on an iron grill outside the pavilion. Crucian carp.
"Time flies so fast, doesn't it?" Gu Er said with emotion as he sat in a very casual posture, with one hand supporting his back and the other resting on his knees, leaning back slightly.
Changbai also felt it and said: "It's like morning dew, it will be more painful in the future!"
"Life is short, and an inch of time is worth an inch of gold. An inch of gold cannot buy an inch of time. We have wasted a few days, so we should correct our mentality and get down to business."
"An inch of time is worth an inch of gold, but an inch of gold cannot buy an inch of time?" Gu Er murmured in confusion.
"That's right!" Changbai nodded with a solemn expression: "Now that the border is not peaceful and the Yanyun has not recovered, we men should work hard to study and practice martial arts. How can we be drunk with love and sex."
Gu Er's expression also became serious, he straightened his posture, cupped his hands at the two of them and said, "It's Gu Er who's a prodigal!"
Naturally, Wang Zhong and Chang Bai wouldn't mind. They met Gu Er because they had similar temperaments and the same ambitions. They were like-minded people, so they wouldn't care about these details.
Changbai said, "Zhuang Xuexue, whom I mentioned to Zhong Huai last time in Yangzhou, will officially start classes tomorrow. Is Zhong Huai interested in studying with me under Zhuang Xuexue?"
Gu Er wanted to agree, but before he could say anything, he remembered his temper and shook his head with a wry smile: "Forget it, Tokyo is prosperous and there are too many temptations. I'm afraid I won't be able to resist the temptation."
"Zhong Huai wants to leave Tokyo?" Chang Bai asked in surprise.
Gu Er nodded and said, "With my temper, I might not be able to withstand all kinds of temptations in this prosperous place. I would rather find a quiet and secluded place to study hard and hone my martial arts."
As he spoke, he glanced at Wang Zhong subconsciously, with a bit of eagerness to fight in his eyes.
Today's Gu Er is just like the young knight who encountered a high mountain when he first came out of the world, and Wang Zhong is the one who made Gu Er see that he claims to be a genius and thinks he is the best in the world, but in fact he gives Gu Er a slap in the face. A slap in the face of the mountain.
Gu Er realized that the once arrogant self was just a frog sitting in a well and looking at the sky. The world was bustling with people and there were so many talented people. Just one trip to Yangzhou already surprised Gu Er. There is a Wang Zhong.
Except for his background, everything else was beyond Wang Zhong's reach.
Gu Er was very lucky that he could meet a friend like Wang Zhong, but at the same time he was unwilling to admit defeat.
It should be noted that when he was young, he had great ambitions and was once considered to be the best in the world.
Since I, Gu Er, am lucky enough to come to this world, how can I let Wang Zihou be the only one to be beautiful?
If it weren't for Wang Zihou, I'm afraid I would have to hesitate for a long time before making a decision!
Gu Er couldn't help but think in his heart.
"Can Zhong Huai think so? It seems he has made up his mind?" Wang Zhong said.
Gu Er said: "My men,
If you can't serve the country and make contributions, wouldn't your journey in this world be in vain? "
"Have you thought about where to go?" Changbai asked.
Gu Er thought for a while and said, "I heard that Bailudong Academy is a rare and quiet place. The mountain chief, the masters and teachers in the academy are all talented people. I plan to go to Bailudong Academy to have a look."
Changbai said: "My father also admires Bailudong Academy quite a lot. Shanzhang Chongshan, a layman, is a great Confucian. However, Bailudong Academy is far away in Jiangzhou. Is it...?"
Before Chang Bian finished speaking, he was interrupted by Gu Er raising his hand: "Wouldn't it be good to be farther away!"
Changbai was silent.
Wang Zhong picked up the wine glass and asked, "When will we leave?"
After Gu Er was silent for a moment, he also picked up his wine glass and said, "Tomorrow!"
"In such a hurry? You have only been back to Tokyo for a few days!" Changbai said.
"The situation waits for no one, and the old man's hair grows into silk!" Gu Er replied to a poem by Li Bai.
Wang Zhongdao: "This wine will be used to practice Zhonghuai!"
"Bon voyage, when Zhong Huai succeeds in his studies, the two of us will drink for Zhong Huai again!"
Gu Er shouted loudly: "Do it!"
"Dry!"
······
Early the next morning, Gu Er boarded the ship at Yangzhou Pier and headed south. Wang Zhong went to the Yamen. Only Changbai and his boy saw him off. The two had just said goodbye and Gu Er was about to board the ship when suddenly a familiar voice came from a distance. the sound of.
"Second Young Master Gu!"
"Second Young Master Gu!"
"·······"
Several people followed the sound and saw Wang Zhong's eldest follower, Yu Chuer, speeding towards this side.
"Young Master Gu, this is...my...my...my...the third master ordered me to give it to you!" Panting, Yu Chuer took out two volumes of books from his arms and bowed and handed them to him. Gu Er.
"Thank you, Third Master, for me!" Gu Er took the book and looked at Yu Chuer, who was panting and sweating profusely, with some emotion.
Yu Chuer said: "My third master asked me to bring a message to the young master!"
"What words?"
"Third Master said that we are all mortals with naked eyes and do not have the ability to see through fire. What we see on ordinary days is just what others want us to see. Who can tell the truth of the matter?"
Not to mention Gu Er, even Changbai was a little confused and confused.
However, the two of them were familiar with Wang Zhong, and they knew that Wang Zhong's temperament was by no means a person who was let go without any reason. Especially Chang Bai, who had known Wang Zhong since he was young. It had been several years since then, and he knew Wang Zhong better.
But precisely because of this, the two of them became increasingly confused.
Wang Zhong has always been the kind of person who says what he says. In front of friends, he never hides it or makes a secret. But this time, Wang Zhong did not say these words to Gu Erjian yesterday, but now he let those around him The cronies came to deliver the message, but the key points were still vague and confusing.
"That's all? Nothing else?" Gu Er asked in confusion.
Yu Chuer said respectfully: "The third master also said: The young master is going far away, and the date of his return has not yet been determined. I hope you will take it seriously and think about everything before you act!"
"Gone?"
"Gone!"
"Sure?"
"Sure!"
Looking at Yu Chuer with a serious look on his face, Gu Er and Chang Bai looked at each other and saw the confusion in each other's eyes.
"What does Zihou mean by this?" Gu Er couldn't help but ask Chang Baidao.
Changbai shook his head and said, "I don't know either!"
"That's all!" Gu Er is not the one who insists on getting to the bottom of things: "The boat will naturally straighten when it reaches the bridge. Maybe the time has not come yet, so I still can't understand what Zihou said!"
Changbai didn't know what to say.
Gu Er cupped his hands and said, "Take care!"
"Cherish it!" Chang Bai also said with cupped hands, with a vague look of reluctance on his face, and added: "Zi Hou and I are waiting for your return in Tokyo!"
Gu Er smiled and said, "You and I will take part in the examination together!"
Changbai nodded and said firmly: "Join us together!"
"Let's go!" Gu Er turned around and strode away, not forgetting to wave his hand and say goodbye to Chang Bai.
Looking at this person whom he has known for only a few months, but who is his most sympathetic friend besides Wang Zhong, he watched the big ship sailing away, watching the water and sky become the same color, and the waves shimmering, watching the big ship getting farther and farther away, watching Gu Er on the deck became smaller and smaller, and for a moment, Changbai felt mixed emotions in his heart.
Changbai suddenly understood why poets such as Li Taibai and Wang Mojie were able to write such popular poems.
In addition to their own extraordinary literary talent, it is also inseparable from the personal experience and the sour feeling of parting that goes straight into their hearts.
It is precisely because of feelings that it is so expressive and touching.
The shadow of the lone sail in the distance is gone in the blue sky, and only the Yangtze River can be seen flowing in the sky!
Looking at the smaller and smaller ship, and at Gu Er who had turned into black spots on the ship, Changbai couldn't help but think of the two lines of the previous poem by Gaofu:
Don’t worry, there will be no friends in the future. No one in the world will know you!
At the same time, thinking of the three people's lofty ideals, a sense of determination could not help but arise in my heart, turning into a rolling tide of motivation that filled the body and mind.
