That day, the hunter's eyes lingered on the two of them for a long time, but he still shook his head. No wonder this hunter is like this, Zhao Gao has always been gentle and polite in dealing with others, and his handsome appearance often gives people the illusion that he is weak and can be bullied. As for Wei Liao, given his age and figure, although he was full of momentum, it was still difficult to convince people.
"Forget it, fine iron swords are expensive. I, a broken hunter, can't afford them, and the rough people in the mountains don't understand these things. But I have a lot of bows and arrows here." As he said this, he stood up and took out a straw mat covering the wall. Pulling, a wall full of bows and arrows came into their eyes.
"These...were all made by the strong men themselves?" Zhao Gao looked at the bows and arrows of different shapes on the wall with a rare look of surprise on his face. Orion smiled proudly: "That's right, gentlemen, don't look at the rough polishing of these bows. Some of them are no less powerful than the king bows and arc bows used in war." As he said that, Orion directed Zhao Gao to look to the other side: "This is a clipped bow, used when shooting birds. The crane can be shot down because of it." Zhao Gao tilted his head and asked: "Is it used when shooting?"
The hunter coughed loudly, then raised his hand and said carelessly: "Shooting birds is shooting birds. Sir, he is really a scholar, and he speaks elegantly." Realizing that he had made a mistake, Zhao Gao laughed deeply and immediately apologized: "Sure enough, a strong man. You are bold and right, but I made a mistake." After saying that, he took the bow from the hunter, held it in his hand and looked through it attentively.
Just a moment ago, he was curious about how the crane was shot down without any damage. Now he realized that the arrowheads used in this kind of bow and arrow were very special. There was a small hole at the junction between the arrowhead and the arrow shaft, which was used to tie the crane. The other end of the silk rope is tied to the stone. When shooting the arrow, it is not the key point of the bird, but the arrow is shot in the air and the bird is restrained by the rope. Therefore, most of the birds shot down in this way are well preserved, and the short arrows can be recovered.
Then Zhao Gao picked up a Tang bow and tried it. According to common sense, the Tang bow has moderate power and is not particularly difficult to draw, so it is the type of bow used by beginners. But Zhao Gao didn't feel at all relaxed when he held this bow in his hand. He only pulled the empty string, and he could feel the power of the bow string that shattered gold and cracked stones when it vibrated. As expected, as Orion said, it was as powerful as a battlefield. The king bow and arc bow used in the war. 【1】
"Sir, if you don't mind, you can give it a try." Orion was a little surprised to see that his hands were steady when he opened his bow, so he handed him an arrow to see how good he was. Zhao Gao did not delay, and with a slight light, he drew his bow and shot at a branch that was vaguely visible in the distance. Just listen to the "swish" sound, and the branches snap in response.
Just now, when he was shooting arrows, he was both gentle and elegant as usual, but also a bit heroic and capable. It was very pleasing to the eye. When Orion looked at him, his eyes changed from being optimistic about him to completely appreciating him. "This bow is difficult to draw, but your technique is very neat and accurate. As expected, I underestimated you before."
Wei Liao put the last bite of crane meat into his mouth, clapped his hands, touched his round belly, and hummed softly: "It doesn't matter who taught you?" Zhao Gao suddenly laughed when he heard this, and folded his hands towards him. He gave a courtesy and deliberately said something to irritate him: "Yes, yes, the teacher taught you well." Wei Liao lifted up his sleeve, stretched it out in front of Zhao Gao and waved it again, and then said: "Little friend, please don't call me teacher." Come on, look at the chicken skin on your hands."
The two said goodbye to Orion early the next morning, and three days later, they finally appeared in Lanling County. It was already evening at this time. They found a clean and comfortable place to stay on the reverse side, and it was already dark.
Wei Liao looked at himself, then at Zhao Gao, and suddenly found unwillingly: The words "traveled in the dust" sometimes do not apply to all travelers.
For example, the little friend in front of him, after running around for so many days, has not lost any of the dust that should be stained, and has not lost half of the charm that should be lost. He always maintains that leisurely and calm attitude. Wei Liao couldn't help but ask: "My friend, aren't you tired?" Zhao Gao was a little confused, but he still nodded truthfully: "Tired." Unexpectedly, Wei Liao turned around and slammed the door angrily: "Sleep!"
Zhao Gao, who couldn't react for a moment, stood outside the door in a daze: "..."
The next day, the side entrance of Lanlingling's official residence.
"This little brother, is there a Mr. Zhang Xian inside?" Zhao Gao asked all the way to this point and it went smoothly, but... the boy grabbed his hair and lowered his head to think hard, and then asked uncertainly for a long time. : "Zhang...Mr. Zhang? There is no such person in the government." After receiving such an answer, Zhao Gao was not in a hurry, and asked again: "May I ask if I am still Xun Qing, the county magistrate?"
The boy nodded this time: "Sir, you are right." Zhao Gao added, "The person I'm looking for is Xun Qing's student." The boy saw that the young man in front of him was only in his weak years, and he behaved well. Fang was gentle and polite. Thinking of the old county magistrate's daily teachings, he did not dare to despise him. He immediately said patiently: "My old county magistrate has a student with a surname of 'Zhang', not Zhang Xian, but a single name of 'Cang'." 'Character."
Zhao Gao frowned slightly, vaguely feeling that the name sounded familiar, but he couldn't remember where he had heard it before, so he had to put it aside for the time being and asked again: "I'm sorry, do you dare to ask if this person is as white as a gourd? "This time the boy clapped his hands and said with a smile: "That's him." Zhao Gao also smiled back and said: "Then I can't be wrong. I'm afraid I have to trouble my little brother to report on my behalf and say that my old friend Zhao Gao wants to see him."
Not long after, the boy respectfully brought Zhang Xian, whom he had not seen for a long time, oh no, his name had been changed to Zhang Cang. The boy came out with Zhang Cang, whom he had not seen for a long time. They were both very happy to see him again after more than two years. However, because one had a simple temper and the other had a calm temper, they both just looked at each other and did not show too much excitement. .
Zhao Gao did not forget the boy who had spoken for him, and immediately nodded slightly to him to express his gratitude. After Zhang Cang let the boy go, he pulled Zhao Gao inside. Before he could speak, Zhao Gao said: "Xun Qing is so well-mannered. Even the boy in the mansion knows the general situation like this. He really is Lanling." Blessings to the people.”
Not only was Zhang Cang not overjoyed when he heard this, but he had a look of dissatisfaction on his face: "It's a pity that the teacher is so talented when he only treats a small Lanling." However, after he finished speaking, he felt that it was inappropriate. The two of them had just met and talked about these unpleasant topics. "I'm sorry, you and I have not seen each other for two years, but I am complaining to you..." Zhao Gao shook his head and said in relief: "Brother, this shows that you sincerely treat me as a friend, how can I mind this."
Zhang Cang was not a clingy person, so he was relieved after hearing what Zhao Gao said, and with a faint "hmm", he ignored the matter and turned to talk about something else: "Why did you come to Lanling? "Remembering how eager Wei Liao was when he mentioned Xun Qing to him, Zhao Gao smiled helplessly and said, "I came here because I had something to do to trouble my brother. Unexpectedly, my brother changed his name and I almost missed it."
"What's the matter?" Zhang Cang had known Zhao Gao's temperament for many years in the Taishi Mansion. Hearing what he said, he thought he was in trouble and immediately became worried about him. Therefore, Duan Su, who had swept away his former self, asked a question a little anxiously. . Zhao Gao noticed this, felt warm in his heart, and hurriedly comforted: "Brother, don't worry, it's not that I encountered any difficulties." However, after saying this, seeing little effect, Zhang Cang's expression still did not ease, so he hurriedly He told Zhang Cang the cause and effect.
"I see, the teacher has admired the old gentleman's name for a long time. He said before that he would definitely meet him if he had a chance, but unexpectedly it was the old gentleman who came to the door first. I will report this to the teacher later." After finishing speaking, Zhang Cang softened his expression and said: "I was too worried before and forgot about things that you can't solve even with your power. Isn't it unnecessary to come all the way to find me?"
Zhang Cang is an upright person. He said this not to criticize Zhao Gao or anything, but to discuss the matter. Zhao Gao knew who he was, so he didn't think much about it. He immediately teased: "After several years, my brother's temperament has not changed at all." At this point, Zhang Cang had already led Zhao Gao to the side hall and gave instructions. The boy on the side brought Zhao Gao Gao a bowl of water and said, "Wait here, let me report to Teacher Ming." Zhao Gao nodded and said, "Brother Lao."
After Zhang Cang left, Zhao Gao took a cup and drank water leisurely. The maid on the side had already noticed Zhang Cang when he led Zhao Gao in. Zhang Cang has a cold temperament and rarely pays attention to people other than the old county magistrate. He has always been in charge of all matters in the government, so the servants are more or less afraid of him. It was rare to see him treat people like this, so the maid was naturally curious about what kind of person he was. But at that time, he didn't dare to make any mistakes because of the cold-faced Zhang Cang. Now, as soon as the person left, his eyes were completely glued to Zhao Gao and could not move away.
Zhao Gao drank water in a leisurely and elegant manner. After drinking, he put the cup on the table, but his slender fingers did not leave in a hurry. His fingertips kept turning the cup body, his clear and clear eyes The light fell naturally on it, and his focused expression actually gave the maid the illusion that he was concentrating on reading a book.
But what attracted the maid the most was his appearance. In fact, looking at looks alone, Zhao Gao can never be said to be unparalleled in appearance. In terms of handsomeness, Zhang Cang, a cold-faced gourd melon, can be equally matched with him. So rather than saying that he is better than his appearance, it is better to say that he is better than his demeanor. A unique demeanor that others cannot imitate. Just because the aura of "lightness, simplicity, gentleness and rationality" exuded from him is really hard to ignore, so it often makes people feel very amazing.
Zhao Gao raised his head unexpectedly, and his eyes met the maid's eyes unexpectedly. The maid's face immediately turned red. She realized that she had lost her composure and became even more embarrassed: "My maid... My maid did not mean to offend you sir..." Zhao Gao gave a comforting smile and said softly: "It's okay, Shuzi, you don't have to. I'm concerned about you." Somehow, Zhao Gao smiled like this, and under his influence, the maid's mood quickly calmed down.
At this time, Zhang Cang happened to come out with Xun Qing. Seeing this, Zhao Gao calmed down and immediately stood up to salute. Although Xunzi was already seventy years old and had a faint appearance of a dragon, he was still in good spirits. He walked more slowly like this, but he didn't want Zhang Cang to help him. When he saw Zhao Gao, he asked: "Where is Wei Liao? Take me with you." Go." Zhao Gao laughed in his heart, thinking: This temperament is indeed similar to Wei Liao's, and he did not dare to neglect him. He raised his hand and made an invitation gesture without any courtesy and said: "Sir, please come with this junior."
Zhao Gao did not address Xunzi's official position according to common sense, nor did he include the word "老", but it suited his taste very well. Xunzi glanced at Zhao Gao with satisfaction, then put his hands behind his back and said: "You are quite interesting in this life. When I met you in the past, your magnanimity was much better than that of ordinary people before you were weak. Now that you are weak, it is even more so. Just like changing the muscles and cleansing the marrow, if one day you become a god, don't forget to take care of my cold-faced disciple."
"Senior, I'm joking, please come here." Zhao Gao was teased by a figure like Xunzi, but he could still maintain a normal heart from the inside out. With this calmness, he knew that what Xunzi said was not exaggerated. Xunzi withdrew his gaze from him and said to Zhang Cang: "If you tell me to go down, say that the seal will be sealed today [1]."
"Wei." Zhang Cang accepted his order, turned around and gave a few instructions to the people on the side. Soon the mansion began to move in an orderly manner, and the work was really done after a while. Zhao Gao sighed again: "Junior just now, I have seen peace and tranquility along the way. Now that you can seal seals without any scruples, it shows that you are not just showing up. I can only govern the county, and I really admire you."
The three of them just talked to each other. Many people on the road would greet Xunzi politely when they saw him. However, they did not put down their work and came up to greet him. After saying hello, they should Keep doing whatever you are doing. But there are some differences between today and the past.
Unexpectedly, two beautiful young men, Zhao Gao and Zhang Cang, stopped behind Xunzi. They started to attract women to watch them one after another as they walked on foot. In the past, when Zhang Cang accompanied his teacher, he had encountered girls pointing at him and whispering, but most of those girls did not dare to approach because of his serious look. Today, there was another Zhao Gao, and the scene gradually became a bit sensational. .
It wasn't until the three of them reached Lanling Pavilion that the girls couldn't follow them anymore. Zhao Gao looked down at himself and couldn't help but smile bitterly. He had also encountered this kind of situation when he went to the streets with Wang Chong and Zhang Cang in the past, but at that time he was "still young" and the protagonist was not him. This time it was his turn, and he really felt that it was a bit too much.
On the other side, when Wei Liao and Xunzi met, they were like friends meeting again for many years, and they became familiar with each other in just a few words. Both of them are famous people who can argue with great ability. Although their opinions are different, they both admire each other's knowledge and have similar interests, so this conversation lasts a whole day. Zhao Gao and Zhang Cang sat beside them and also gained a lot.
Seeing that the two old men were still red-faced after debating for a day, Zhao Gao suddenly remembered the scene of a sutra debate he had seen in the Sera Monastery in Lhasa in his previous life, and felt a little dazed for a moment.
I remember that the monks all spoke Tibetan during the debate. Although he could not understand a single word, the scenes of the monks clapping their hands, lifting their robes, waving rosary beads, and shouting loudly during the debate were really vivid, and it did not prevent him from continuing. Look down.
That day, he braved the scorching sun and chose a place that could barely block the scorching sunshine. He sat patiently on the ground covered with white gravel and listened to their debate with great interest for an entire afternoon. The sightseeing tourists behind him left one after another, and the people sitting next to him changed one after another. Only he persisted until the end. After the monks dispersed and the debate room closed, he left with unfulfilled feelings.
At this time, he could hear every word of the debate between Xunzi and Wei Liao clearly, and he could understand every sentence thoroughly, and he was even more happy to sit beside it.
As the sunset slowly set, both Xunzi and Wei Liao felt that their excitement was still lingering. The two old men seemed to have become dozens of years younger all of a sudden. That night Xunzi personally arranged for Wei Liao and Zhao Gao to move from Nilv to the county magistrate's residence.
After that, Zhao Gao harassed Xunzi for another half month. He just said goodbye to Xunzi and Wei Liao, who was unwilling to let him go. He also said goodbye to his old friend Zhang Cang, and set foot on the road to the Lower Academy in Linziji, Qi State alone...
