Aspirations

Chapter 69
"Sister doesn't have to be like this, it's really only a journey of more than [-] miles, or more than ten days. Xia Langjun will return to Beijing at most once in half a year, and then you can meet him." Cao Shujun didn't want Cao Shuli and Xia Xiang's goodbye interrupted the farewell mood he deliberately created. He just sang wildly and felt good about himself, "Xia Langjun, Zhang brother, Teng brother, Zheng brother, Shen brother, yes, and Wu... brother, just now Can the next song "Three Layers of Yangguan Pass" be sublime?"

Cao Shujun saw Wu Yongwang's vicissitudes of life, and he was about the same age as his father, so it was inappropriate to call him Brother Wu.

Wu Yongwang didn't take it seriously, he nodded and smiled: "Just call me Brother Wu, Jinshi in the same year, not based on age, but on classmates based on knowledge."

Zhang Hou snorted, turned his face away, and ignored Cao Shujun.Teng Zhengyuan said solemnly: "There is more than wildness, but not enough restraint. A little less tragic and solemn, and a little more ridiculous..."

Xia Xiang, Shen Bao and Zheng Hao just smiled and didn't respond.

Cao Yongguo shook his head helplessly, he was too lazy to discipline Cao Shujun any more, it would be better to let him do whatever he wanted. Fortunately, now Cao Shujun and Haojing are always forming an alliance and become Haojing's regular guest. After becoming a master craftsman for Haojingchang, he became a lot more at ease. As long as Cao Shujuan had something to do, he no longer always thought about running away from home to seek immortals, and he no longer forced him to take the exam.

Cao Yongguo said indifferently: "It's getting late, Xia Langjun should set off earlier, don't delay the trip."

"Yes, thank you Cao Gong for sending you off." Xia Xiang thought that he had met Cao Yongguo when he first came to Beijing. Now that Cao Yongguo is in good health and looks good, he is also very relieved, "I must have done good things for Cao Gong, and he will be promoted. "

Cao Yongguo was stunned for a moment, thinking that Xia Xiang was young, how could he think that he was expected to be promoted?He has been idle for many years, not only has the emperor forgotten his name for a long time, but no one even thought of his existence when the Ministry of Personnel selected officials.If Li Dingshan was still above the court, and if Song Chaodu was still the minister of officials, it would not be impossible for him to rise a step higher, but now...no one speaks for him in the court, how can he enter the emperor's ear again?
Cao Yongguo shook his head and smiled sadly: "The old man is dedicated to serving the imperial court, but now the powerful ministers are in power, and the emperor is not in good spirits and has no intention to govern. Even if he is promoted, what is the use? However, it is still necessary to rely on the powerful ministers to be used by the chaotic ministers and thieves."

"Having said that, we can't just give in. The new law of Mr. Hou Xianggong is not popular among the people, and people of insight are all opposed to it. Although there are countless ministers who have been deposed or demoted, if they are in the court and the opposition, they are all flattering to the new law. I can't hear the suffering of the people, no one will uphold justice for the people, the Daxia Dynasty will not be able to stand up, and the world will inevitably be in chaos." Xia Xiang urged earnestly, "Duke Cao should share the worries of the saints and ask for the people's orders, and concessions and tolerance will only make powerful ministers, treacherous ministers, and chaotic ministers. The arrogance is even more arrogant. The dark clouds are in the sky, and the wind is even more necessary to clear the clouds and see the sun, and to blow the yellow sand before reaching the gold.”

Cao Yongguo's expression was awe-inspiring, and his heart suddenly rose with pride, thinking that he was an official throughout his life, and the officialdom went up and down for half his life. Although he did not bully the weak, he never fought against the powerful ministers to the end. Guan Ji, even if the feelings are not in line with the law, he will turn a blind eye and ignore it.

"What Xia Langjun said is very true, the old man has been taught." Cao Yongguo gave Xia Xiang a deep salute, thinking that Xia Xiang, who was in white clothes, dared to pull Wen Changju, who is the minister of rites, from his horse. Reckless, but strategizing and daring to act.

Cao Yongguo didn't wait for Xia Xiang to return the salute, he laughed, turned and walked away: "From today onwards, this old man will report your favor on the golden stage, and help Yulong die for the king..."

As soon as Cao Yongguo left, Cao Shuli and Cao Shujun also left.Compared with Cao Shuli's reluctance to give up, Cao Shujun's reluctance has more complicated emotions with unclear meaning. He glanced at Lian Ruohan, who was standing under the shade of a tree not far away, and swallowed what he wanted to say. When he went back, he gave a scribbled salute to Xia Xiang: "Xia Langjun, I am waiting for you to return to Beijing in Guanxin Pavilion."

"To serve the country with one's body will die, and the temples will never be green again!" Teng Zhengyuan clasped his fists in a salute, and also left.

Then Wu Yongwang and Zheng Hao also turned and left.

Shen Bao's expression was solemn, as if he had a thousand words, but in the end it turned into only two words: "Take care."

Zhang Hou just cupped his hands, and left with Shen Bao without saying a word.

"Xia Langjun, it's time to set off."

Seeing that everyone was gone, Xia Xiang was still standing still, and Lian Ruohan reminded Xia Xiang, "If it's too late, we won't be able to reach Zhuozhou before dark."

"Wait a little longer, there is still one person who hasn't arrived." Xia Xiang put a awning in his hand and looked at the road from afar. The road was crowded with traffic, and even if someone came to see him off, he could not tell whether he was among the crowd.

"Who else will come?" Lian Ruohan walked gently to Xia Xiang's side, just now everyone saw Xia Xiang off, she stood aside and did not approach, "If you have the heart to see off, it should be here long ago. When you arrive, you are careless.”

"No, no." Xia Xiang shook his head and smiled mysteriously, "Even the little lady doesn't know, this friend came to see him off, but he won't show up when there are many people, and he will only dare to show up when there are few people."

"Why don't people dare to show up for a long time?" Lian Ruohan smiled quietly and asked loudly, "Is he too ugly or is he stuttering and shameless?"

"Cough cough... Even the little lady, speaking ill of people behind her back, is not what a decent gentleman does."

As soon as Lian Ruohan finished speaking, an old voice came from behind the mound, and one person walked around the mound and appeared in front of several people.A long beard and a long gown are the golden armor.

Jin Jia looked around for a few moments, and saw that there was indeed no one other than Xia Xiang, Lian Ruohan, Mantuo, and Xiao Wu, he breathed a sigh of relief and sighed: "The literati are long-winded, talk more politely, do more things, and see you off. I will see you off, say some rhetoric, then burn incense and play the piano, and break the willows to send each other off.

Lian Ruohan was astonished and surprised: "What dialect did the teacher say just now?"

"It should be in Shu dialect." Xia Xiang smiled, "Since Mr. Jinjia arrived early, why did he hide behind the mound and refuse to show up? Is he afraid of seeing Cao Sanlang or Zhang Hou and Zhang Langjun?"

"Neither, the old man is too lazy to talk to them." Jin Jia's eyes turned a few times, Xia Xiang in his left hand and Lian Ruohan in his right hand, pulled the two away from Mantuo and Xiao, and then whispered, "The third prince is very annoyed by Wen Changju's dismissal from office. You must go and act carefully, and don't follow the way of the third prince."

Xia Xiang knew that the third prince would not give up, nodded and said, "Remember the teachings of Mr.

"What's the use of remembering the old man's teachings? The old man is not a member of the official circle, and the old man does not understand the doorway of the court. However, in the old man's opinion, although the third prince is powerful, he wants to play with you. It's not that easy, and you're not a good character, hehe." Jin Jia laughed together, full of confidence, "The third prince has been very troubled recently, I'm afraid he won't be able to care about you for a while."

"What's the trouble with the third prince?" Lian Ruohan and Jin Jia knew each other and knew that Jin Jia was a man, so he was not restrained in front of Jin Jia, "Sir, don't betray you, tell me quickly."

Xia Xiang smiled slightly: "The distress of the third prince is due to the fact that the emperor's condition has become less severe and the establishment of the heir has been postponed."

Jin Jia patted a big tree beside him and grinned: "As expected, the old man knows that you can guess the reason, and I live up to the honest teaching I have given to you. Thanks to your medicine bed medicine Chair, the emperor's condition has greatly improved, so the emperor personally presided over the palace examination. It was originally scheduled that the third prince would preside over the palace examination on his behalf, but the third prince was very annoyed. I was sick, and after doing everything possible to inquire about it, I finally learned that the medicine bed and medicine chair are your whimsy. Xia Langjun, the third prince is very rare to you now. The third prince finally managed to control the Ministry of Rites and let Wen Changju depend When you came to his door, you brought down Wen Changju. The emperor was seriously ill, and the third prince thought he had a good chance of succeeding the throne, and it was your appearance that made the emperor turn the corner, and the third prince's dream of succession came to nothing..."

Xia Xiang spread his hands innocently: "What's up with me? Overthrowing Wen Changju is just for the sake of justice for the world's students. The purpose of making medicine beds and medicine chairs is to cure diseases and save people. Neither of the two things is for the sake of The third prince, if the third prince insists on me, I have no choice but to do so."

Being regarded as a thorn in the eye by the powerful third prince, it is rare for Xia Xiang to face it so easily. Xia Xiang's temperament is as mighty as the wind and broad as the sea, and he does not worry about failure. Lian Ruohan can't help but admire secretly.

"Ignore the third prince for now, no matter how much the third prince takes care of you, you will have to have a handle on him. If you are an official, stick to the gentleman's way of trembling, like walking on the abyss, like walking on thin ice, and you will be careful three times a day. The third prince can't help you." Jin Jia didn't seem to care about Xia Xiang's situation, but he repeatedly warned him to be careful, and the concern was implied, he gently stroked Xia Xiang's shoulder, "It's a pity , you failed to be my teacher as I wished, but the old man's unique skills cannot be lost because of this. I will give you a special book. Remember to read it often. After returning to Beijing, the old man will test you. If you fail the test, you will be punished. you."

Jin Jia took out a medical book and handed it to Xia Xiang. Xia Xiang took the book in his hand. There were three big characters on the book: Jin Jia Biography. He couldn't help laughing: "Is the book of Mr.

"Stop talking nonsense, just read it." Jin Jia's face turned slightly red, he pulled Xia Xiang aside, and said in a low voice, "Xia Langjun, if mass production of medicine beds and medicine chairs can be made, it will be able to save thousands of people. When you are in pain, remember to improve the medicine bed and medicine chair in your spare time. There are two main points. One is how to use charcoal instead of firewood to heat moxa, so as to avoid smoke and smoke, and the other is the medicine bed. The medicine chair should be easy to move... The above two points should be kept in mind."

Xia Xiang also has the heart to promote the medicine bed and medicine chair to the world, and it is beneficial to the people. It can not only help the world, but also strengthen its strength, killing two birds with one stone, why not do it?Immediately agreed.

The chariot, the horse Xiaoxiao, the pedestrians and the swords are all on their waists... Xia Xiang and Lian Ruohan rode in the same car, heading south all the way to Zhending.The morning sun is rising, the golden light is bright, and the sky is high and the wind is clear. Along the way, it is the busy autumn season for harvesting and planting. Looking around, farmers are working in the fields, and there are songs coming from time to time, which makes people forget their worries.

"The fragrance of grass and flowers in the desert, the soft green and long mulberries. The pond is full of frogs and the city is full of frogs, and writers are swallowed in spring in the alleys."

The singing is soft and melodious, floating in the fields.

Xia Xiang glanced at the book given by Jin Jia. The book contained Jin Jia's autobiography, but most of the text was obtained from Jin Jia's life-long medical experience.He was moved and delighted that Mr. Jin Jia wanted to accept him as his apprentice, but he did not agree.However, the master gave all his life lessons to him by donating books. Although he did not have the name of a master and a disciple, he already had the reality of a master and an apprentice.

Xia Xiang closed the book and looked up at Lian Ruohan who was leaning against the window: "Little lady Lian, thank you for letting me ride with you..."

"There are no outsiders in the car, why is it so polite to alienate you and me?" Lian Ruohan's expression was rather lazy, her eyebrows moved slightly, and she glanced at Xia Xiang casually, "Just now I asked you to ride in the same car with me. , you are quite reluctant, could it be that I am a tiger?"

Xia Xiang smiled and said, "How dare you, how dare you, because you are afraid of provoking gossip and humiliating the reputation of even the little lady."

Lian Ruohan said angrily, "You...you insisted on recognizing my engagement with you before, and made fun of me again and again, but now it's okay, and you're afraid of humiliating my reputation. Are you absurd or decent?"

Xia Xiang was indeed worried from the bottom of his heart that he would ride in the same car with Lian Ruohan and spread the word, which would damage her reputation.It was also that he wanted to ride on horseback, talk to Xiao Wu and Mantuo, and see the scenery along the way, which was also a delight to the eye.But he also knew that Lian Ruohan did not avoid suspicion. If he insisted on asking him to ride in the same car, he must have something to say.

With Xia Xiang's rank and salary, he would definitely take the post here, either on foot or with a donkey cart, but at this time it was a fragrant cart, and several tall horses were all helped by Lian Ruohan, not him. financial resources.

Mantuo and Xiao Wu followed behind on horseback, one left and one right, Xiao Wu was equipped with a sword, and Mantuo held a sword, like two great guardians.Behind the two, there was a carriage, and inside the carriage was Lian Ruohan's maid.In the back of the car, there are some soft clothes and a change of clothes, and there is not much luggage.Lian Ruohan really has a house and an estate.

Usually people's maids follow the lady's car and walk, only Lian Ruohan's maid can take a car alone, which is not only Lian Ruohan's sympathy for the servants, but also a manifestation of her strength.

Lian Ruohan is not a child of Jianghu, and he abides by the virtues of women. Letting Xia Xiang ride in the same car with her, he really has something important to tell Xia Xiang.

Xia Xiang sat opposite Lian Ruohan, no more than three feet away from Lian Ruohan. The car was shaking, the breeze was moving, and the fragrance was coming, which made him feel uneasy.The sun shines through the car window and falls on Lian Ruohan's neck. The skin can be broken by blowing bullets, the pink is softer than snow, and it is as warm as jade.

Xia Xiang is not a saint, and Lian Ruohan is a beautiful person in the world. He is afraid that he will lose his decency in front of the little lady Lian, so he is busy holding his breath and pondering in his heart: "The whispers in the world are like thunder. Eyes like electricity..."

"You're talking, are you absurd or decent?" Lian Ruohan saw Xia Xiang's restrained appearance, with nowhere to put his hands and feet. "Xia Langjun, are you endorsing or chanting?"

Xia Xiang's thoughts calmed down a little, and he dared not look at Lian Ruohan's flowery smile again, and asked, "What is the order of Miss Lian? I will listen carefully."

"Returning to Xianzun, little girls dare not." Lian Ruohan smiled brightly, "Xiaxianzun already has an official body, so he should be called this official."

Xia Xiang raised his face, stretched out his hand to caress the still-grown beard, and coughed, "Little lady, what do you need this official to do?"

Lian Ruohan smiled, and immediately said with a straight face: "The county honored you, the little girl has something to ask for, and I hope the county honorable person will be the master of the people."

"Speak." Xia Xiang had a majestic look on his face. Although he did it deliberately, he still had a bit of authority.

"Yes." Lian Ruohan lowered her eyebrows and pleasing her eyes, with a small and gentle look, she really looked like a weak woman who was eager to get the grievances of the Qingtian Master, "The county honorable is here to go to the real decision, I am not familiar with the place of life, small The woman is quite familiar with Zhending, and she is willing to lead the way for the county esteemed, and she is willing to introduce the county gentry to the county esteemed."

that's it?Xia Xiang didn't believe that Lian Ruohan not only offered to go with him all the way to Zhending, but also rode the same car with him. Just for such a trivial matter, he coughed: "Thank you, Miss Lian, for your kindness, this official will take it."

Lian Ruohan gently curled his forehead and hair: "Such a trivial matter should not be said face to face, but a small matter is the source of a major event... Presumably the county magistrate has heard the statement that it is really Longtan Tiger's Den?"

Xia Xiang nodded: "I heard this from His Royal Highness King Qing last time."

"I don't know why the county magistrate knows why Zhending is called Longtan Tiger Cave?"

Xia Xiang shook his head: "It is really the land of Longxing, now the country is peaceful and the people are safe, the people are simple and simple, and the people live and work in peace and contentment. How can you talk about Longtan Tiger Cave?"

Taizu originally started his army in Henan Prefecture. In his lifetime, Taizu never crossed the Yellow River.When he arrived at Taizong Dynasty, Taizong's imperial drive personally conquered the Kingdom of Jin, crossed the Yellow River in the north, and advanced all the way to Zhending.The army led by Taizong stood by the Hutuo River in Zhending, and faced off against the army of the Jin Kingdom for several months.

At that time, the pioneer general Cao Wen offered a plan to Taizong to resolve the flooding of the Jin army on the embankment of the Hutuo River.It is the cold winter and the twelfth lunar month. Once the breach breaks, there will be countless people who drown and freeze to death.Taizong had already made up his mind. When he went to the Great Buddha Temple to talk with Master Shanjian, Master Shanjian heard about the plan of flooding the Jin Army.

"Since ancient times, the benevolence of emperors has led to the benevolence of the world, and the righteousness of emperors has led to the righteousness of the world. The Han Dynasty began in Caomang, and the great ancestors killed the python to rejuvenate the Han family, but it was interrupted in Wangmang, and finally perished in Caomang. With the heart of an emperor, a thought of kindness will bring peace to the world, A single thought of killing will ruin life."

Taizong took back his order and re-arranged his troops to confront the Jin army head-on.The Jin army forcibly crossed the river, and the army marched into the river.The Xia army took the opportunity to pursue and kill, but the Jin army was defeated, and the Hutuo River rose three feet, and all three feet were covered with blood.

In this battle, the Jin army's vitality was severely damaged, and all the elites were lost.

From then on, Taizong enshrined the Great Buddha Temple as his imperial temple, and he came to Zhending dozens of times. House."

Therefore, Zhending is called the Land of Longxing.

"When the Hutuo River is not flooded, the wind is calm and the waves are calm, raising the people on both sides." Lian Ruohan said seriously, "Tiger dens are hidden in the deep mountains and old forests. If there are no tigers, no one will know."

Xia Xiang understood the implication of Lian Ruohan's words. On the surface, the folk customs are simple and the people live and work in peace and contentment. In fact, it is like the seemingly calm Hutuo River, but the undercurrent below is hidden under the surface calm.

(End of this chapter)