Three Philosophical Questions for Travelers

A tree of pear blossoms pressed crabapple.Haiwen thought of Su Dongpo's poems teasing Zhang Xian back then. "Master Tang De'en is always strong and strong, I admire you."

"Oh! Each other!"

So the next day they set off with Master Tang Deen to the Earl's territory.They bypassed Hessen Mountain along the northeast path, and then went straight to Grizzly City on the main road.Along the way, Haiwen saw a lot of refugees with their families, and many of them blocked the city gates and checkpoints.At this moment they are waiting to clear the customs, but there is a long line of people in front of them.

Hai Wen asked Tang De'en, "What's the matter?"

"There's a war going on in the east, don't you know?"

Author's message:

ps: Sorry, the chapter is wrong again.

Chapter 130 Six: The Battle of Three Rivers

Chapter 130 Six: The Battle of Three Rivers

Hai Wen was taken aback, and asked, "Is there a war in the east? Who?"

Tang Deen said: "In the southeast river bend, the two earls and the three viscounts had a great time fighting together. Hi! When does the river bend stop fighting?"

Yes, the Reach is the most chaotic place in the Bayland.Haiwen thought to himself, that's where the mouths of the Sancha Rivers meet, and there's also the sea and lake that runs through the north and south.This is the throat of the bay, no matter where the boat goes, it must go to the bay.Moreover, the climate here is humid and the land is fertile. If you dig a hole and bury some soil, the crops can grow very tall.All nobles want to control the center of the Reach, because it means continuous wealth.

The line is still very long, and Tang Deen talked about it:

"A few days ago, Earl Emina Dern of Shrimp Bay passed away. Logically speaking, the eldest son should inherit the fief and become the new Earl Dern. But after his father died, his second son accused his elder brother of being a bastard. He accused His mother had an adulterous relationship with the singer and gave birth to his brother, so he has no legal right to inherit - honestly, the two brothers really don't look like the same parents, but who is the illegitimate child? Ha, who knows.

"I think this is just a false excuse." Haven said.

Tang Deen nodded slowly, and said: "But with this excuse, the earl's son is enough to start. The second son of Xiawan called on the vassals of the family to fight for orthodoxy. At first it was just a civil war in Xiawan, and the exhibitors included two viscounts and The three barons each chose different teams; later, the eldest son Krummons got the help of the Green family on the Second Fourth Road on the condition of renting out the territory. Nasri Green personally led an army of five thousand from Gray Rock Castle Going out to crusade against the second son of Xiawan, Adrian, the addition of another earl should have immediately quelled the war, but the cunning Adrian used a trick."

"what?"

"Adrien said that his elder brother joined forces with foreign enemies to attack the Xiawan people and promised to cede the territory. He is a traitor in Xiawan. This further confirms that the eldest son Krummond is a wild species. So the three vassals under the eldest son have Turning back, this war has changed from the civil war at Shrimp Bay to the war between Shrimp Bay and Gray Rock City, the Durn family vs. the Green family." Tang Deen sneered, "The River Bend has never been peaceful since ancient times. The Earl of Gray Rock City joined the war Afterwards, his vassals also joined the battle, so the six nobles on Ersicha Road joined the war one after another. The current form is Ersicha Road fighting against the entire Xiawan."

Haiwen expressed disbelief at this kind of civil war among minor nobles, and asked, "Ersichalu and Xiawan are both the territory of the Marquis of the White Bird, does the Marquis of the White Bird not care?"

"First of all, you need to know that the current Marquis of White Bird is a 16-year-old doll. The huge territory of White Bird Bay, tidal flats, southeast plains, and Torun Valley can't even be taken care of by the old Marquis, let alone the little Marquis? And, Now the power of the Marquis of the White Bird is emptied by his godfather Yerevan, and the vassals under his command are also doing their own thing, pursuing their own interests. In fact, it is better to fight a dozen, to consume the strength of the Marquis of the White Bird and the River Bend. This will be more conducive to the peace of the Gulf. There are one duke and two marquises in the Gulf. Among them, the Marquis of White Bird who occupies the Reach is the richest. If the Reach is peaceful, his strength will skyrocket. In the end, it may be The war between the Grand Duke of the Trident and the Marquis of the White Bird is truly a nightmare in the Gulf."

Master Tang De'en said a lot, but the customs clearance team didn't move forward, and there was a lot of noise at the front.The master frowned and asked someone to check in front.Then he went on to say: "The Grand Duke is seriously ill, and I don't think there is much time left." He sighed, his face turned sad, "It's a pity that the Grand Duke Trident is such a hero. He and Admiral Hope are from the Gulf. Two long guns, it was they who were in the north that dared not make mistakes. Now the Grand Duke is bedridden, and Admiral Hope is old and weak... If the Gulf continues to fight like this, I am really worried about the northerners and southerners Come back..." At this moment, Tang De'en's servant ran back from the front, and the servant said excitedly: "Master! The people at the door and I reported our family's name, and they said let's go first."

Tang De'en sneered and said, "It will work if you register your name? Did you spend money?"

The servant laughed and said, "It didn't cost much!"

Master Tang Deen nodded, and said: "Well, very good, I will replenish you when I come back—groom, let's go!" After saying this, the groom raised his whip, and then the whip was not for horses, but for the crowd in line .The groom yelled, "Get out of the way! Get out of the way!" and cracked the whip in the air.However, the people who lined up were very tired, some were lying on the bedding, some were sitting on the side of the road, and they were all slow and unwilling to move.So the servants who accompanied him got off their horses and went up to punch and kick, which is considered to be a road.

In this way, their carriage passed from the middle of the long queue, and people looked surprised, astonished and even angry along the way.Haiwen saw a child who wanted to throw stones at them, but was immediately slapped by an adult, and then burst into tears; many people were sallow and thin, with tired faces. They were refugees from the war, and I don’t know how long they had been waiting here.But the city gate was built with the money raised by the nobles. The gate of the nobles is only responsible to the nobles, and it is not open to the common people.

The master was still talking endlessly about the war, but Haiwen's mind was no longer here.

After passing the checkpoint, they walked for more than half a day before arriving at Fort Grizzly.The Grizzly Castle is built on the mountain at the end of the Little Bear Mountain. It consists of the Little Bear Castle and the Big Bear Castle. The main body and the auxiliary body are built on two peaks, one high and one low, connected by a suspension bridge.The castle is surrounded by Bear City, which is the most prosperous place in Bear Mountain Earldom.

This city is not as flat as usual towns - it is surrounded by mountains.The houses on the outside were built on flat ground, and the houses on the inside got higher and higher, gradually spreading upwards around the Grizzly Castle.Most of the houses here are made of local materials, and they are all black pine or ash wood houses.The wood was already gray and black, but with the passage of time, it is now even more old and bleak.Coupled with the cloudy day today, it looks as if the whole city is buried in ashes from a distance.When they passed through the gate, Haiwen smelled a stench. He looked up and saw that the sewer had been blocked, and the pickle and sewage had overflowed into the street.

"Bear collars were not like this in the past." Tang De'en said to him, "Our lord was also a hardworking man in the past. He would regularly organize people to dig wells and renovate houses, pave roads and ditches... But later he got sick and lost his mind Don't worry about it. Now Xiongshan's affairs are being taken care of by his two 'bear children' - you see what has become of this!" The old man said angrily, "I think Xiongshan will become the next shrimp sooner or later. Bay!"

Hai Wen echoed Tang De'en's words, but his mind was not here.After walking for about ten minutes, they saw the gate of the castle.The gate was built at the top of a ramp, and the steps here were very steep. Halfway through, Haiwen felt his legs and feet ached; but he turned his head and saw that Master Tang Deen was refreshed and walking like flying.

This old man must be 90 or 20 years old, right?Haiwen thought to himself, no wonder he was able to marry a [-]-year-old girl, his body is really amazing.

The portcullis of the castle was open, and the great needle-punched iron bars hung eerily overhead; the old doorman dozed beside the huge rusty winch, and so they went in.After walking about a dozen steps, someone came out to greet him.The person who came was an unsmiling middle-aged maid. She saluted rigidly, and then led Haiwen and others inside without saying a word.Everyone walked across the suspension bridge inside the castle and came to the Big Bear Castle behind.The light in Big Bear Castle is dim, the walls are faded, and the surface is full of scars eroded by rain.

Finally, they went all the way up the spiral staircase and walked more than 100 steps before finally reaching the hall.The door of the hall was open, and there was red fire light and warm heat coming from inside.Master Tang De'en walked in first, Hai Wen straightened his collar, and followed closely behind.Hyacinth followed him, while Fassnut stood guard at the door.

As soon as they entered the door, they heard someone laughing.

"Huhahaha! Look who is here!" There was a strong middle-aged man sitting at the end of the long table. He was wearing a loose cotton jacket. Breathless.

He patted the table and shouted: "My mentor! Please sit down!"

Tang Deen looked at him with his nostrils, and said, "Why don't you go out to greet me when you know I'm coming? Have you forgotten everything I taught you?"

"Don't dare, teacher! I'm sick, so it's really inconvenient." As he spoke, the man turned the armrest of the chair and turned his whole body around.It was only then that Haven noticed that what he was making was a wheelchair.Then he came to Tang Deen in a wheelchair, bowed to him, and said, "Teacher, you can see me like this. I really can't walk." He lifted up the wide plush trouser legs and showed Tang Deen his difficulty.

I saw that the man's legs were swollen, and they were full of tumor-shaped bumps like old tree roots—is this gout?Haven thought to himself.

Tang De'en took a look, gasped, and said, "Why is it so serious? I remember last time..."

"How long has it been since you were last here?" said the count, putting down his trousers, and then heaved a long sigh.At this time, he looked at Hai Wen and the others who were still standing at the door, and asked, "Who are these people?"

Tang Deen stretched out his hand to ask Haiwen out, and said, "This is the former mayor of Mustang Town——Haven Ambleside, and now he has come to join you and work for you."

"Oh, like this."

The man's expression turned serious.He turned the wheelchair back to the previous position, straightened his body and sat on the back of the chair, with his hands flat on the armrests——sitting and holding in this way, the majesty of the superior came out all at once.Haiwen couldn't help becoming nervous, and Hyacinth next to him even quietly grabbed his sleeve.

"I am the Earl of Bear Mountain - Mani Chris." He said in a deep voice.

"I've met my lord." Haven saluted, "I'm Haven Ambleside, the former mayor of Mustang Town."

The lord nodded, grabbed a handful of sea melon seeds from the large bowl in front of the table (Note ①), and asked while nibbling: "So, Mr. Ambleside, what are you here for today? Looking for a job?" Is it? I don't have a mayor for you." He laughed jokingly.

(Note ① Sea melon seeds, that is, Xunshi muscle clam, is a small clam slightly larger than a fingernail. It is produced along the southeast coast of my country. It is shaped like a melon seed and can be eaten as a snack, so it is named 'sea melon seeds. '.)

Hai Wen still stood and said, "You should first listen to what I will do, and then decide to find a job for me."

Lord Mani skillfully sucked out the clam meat with his tongue, and asked, "Then what can you do?"

"I can make money." Haven said.

The lord laughed a few times, then ate another sea melon seed, and spat out the shell on the table with a bah. "How much can I earn? Is it enough for me to buy seafood?"

"I can make a lot of money, which is enough for you to eat all over the bay." I guess your gout is caused by eating seafood, Haiwen thought to himself.

"Hahaha! This is terrible! Teacher, did you hear that? This lord is going to invite me to eat seafood!" He slapped the table and laughed loudly, the melon shells shook to the ground, but Tang Deen was serious and said: "Mani, you should listen to what he has to say. Bear Mountain is in need of talent right now."

"What I want is not talent, what I want is gold coins!"

"Then he just said that he can make money." Tang De'en said blankly, "Mani, what's wrong with you? Your mind is not here, don't you care about your people?"

He suddenly yelled loudly: "I only care about when my legs will feel better!" After he finished speaking, he slammed his thigh with his hand, and then screamed loudly in pain.He lay on the table in pain, panting heavily.Hyacinth shrank behind Haiwen in fright. Haiwen and Tang De'en looked at each other and chose to remain silent.

"It hurts from morning to night, and then from night to morning. It's really boring for me to be an earl. It's better to die." He panted heavily, "At this time, don't talk about the people with me! The people Are you all suffering from gout? Isn’t that right? Isn’t that good? They all live better than me! Better than me!”

It seems that the most important thing now is not how to make money, but how to relieve his gout.After thinking for a while, Hai Wen said, "First of all, you need to change your eating habits—no alcohol, seafood and meat."

"Come on! I'm already in so much pain, do you still want to deprive me of the only fun I have?" The count grabbed a handful of sea melon seeds and threw them at Haven, "You liars! I don't want to see you, get out of here !roll!"

It seems that the earl's way is dead.Haiwen had no choice but to salute and leave.At this moment, Master Tang De'en suddenly stood up and shouted at the Earl: "Did you ignore what I just said? You bastard!"

Haiwen didn't expect that Tang De'en would dare to talk to the Earl like this.Even if Tang De'en is his teacher, but after all, one is a commoner and the other is an aristocrat, pointing his nose and cursing the streets like this is too much.As he expected, the count's face became very ugly, and he pointed at Tang De'en and shouted: "What did you say about me just now?"

"I said you're an asshole!" The old man blushed, picked up a plate and threw it on the ground, "I never taught you that way! I taught you benevolence and morality, noble etiquette, how about your hospitality? "

"I am the count! This is my castle! I can do as I please!"

"You can do whatever you want? When the old earl was still there, he asked me to discipline you strictly! I followed you until you got married. I thought you were a teacher. How could I know..." He actually walked over and grabbed you. took off the earl's collar, "You wretch have forgotten everything you have learned!"

The count grabbed Tang De'en's wrist, every inch of his body trembled with anger, "I will hang you!" he growled.

However, the old man was not afraid, his eyes were wide open.

"Then come! Hang me! Then everyone in the bay will know that you hanged your teacher, and then I will go to the underworld and tell your father that you sent me!"

Chapter 130 Seven: The White Clothes Society and the Orphanage

Chapter 130 Seven: The White Clothes Society and the Orphanage

Master Tang Deen acted like a warrior.The fiery old man didn't seem to know what fear was.He just grabbed the earl by the collar and taught him as harshly as he used to teach the young apprentice.Hai Wen didn't know whether he should continue watching, or whether he should stay here.

Tang Deen reprimanded the Earl of Bear Mountain and reprimanded him for his disqualification-such as laziness, such as negativity, such as disrespect, gluttony, drinking, letting his son and so on.He spoke righteously, every word he said was reasonable, and he couldn't find any faults.So much so that although the Earl was angry and ashamed, there was really nothing he could do.

"Teacher, I'm sorry for what I've done." Earl Xiongshan seemed to have calmed down, "But, I really became like this because of this disease. If it wasn't for this gout, I would never be like this. I have already I haven't been out of the castle for three years, and I want to see my people too, but it hurts too much and I can't."

"It's not too late to repent now, I will find the best doctor to help you." Tang De'en looked at Haiwen, "Now listen to what the guests have to say."

"Yes, this...uh..."

"Haven? Ambleside." Haven reminded.

"Oh, yes, Lord Ambleside, please sit down."

So Haiwen sat down, and it was only then that the earl noticed the hyacinth behind him, and asked, "This is...yours..."

"Fiancee." Hai Wen said before that word.

"It's nothing strange, Lord Earl." Tang Deen said at this time, "Now let's get down to business."

"Yep."

At this moment, Haven cleared his throat and said to the Earl:

"My lord, it is not nonsense that I advised you to avoid alcohol and meat. There is a nun named Laya who came with me. She is a very powerful doctor. We once talked about this disease. , her suggestion is not to eat meat, not to drink."

The earl nodded calmly this time, but Master Tang Deen next to him asked, "Laya? Chairman of the White Clothes Society? Is she coming with you?"

"She was a member of my team and used to open a clinic in Mustang Town." Haven said.

Tang De'en nodded thoughtfully, and said, "This kind of person can't be hired with money."

"We share the same temper, and she followed me."

"You mean she followed you here from Mustang Town?" Tang Deen asked.

"Yes."

At this time, the earl slapped his hands and said, "Ha! If the chairman of the White Clothes Club is willing to follow you, it is enough to show that you are not a liar who eats and drinks! I saw her in Fengleibao five years ago, and the Marquis of Eston even It is an honor to invite her to dinner. According to legend, she is the goddess of the southern star who eliminates suffering. If this lucky star can patronize Xiongbao, I might be lucky, haha!"

"That's right, Lord Earl." Tang Deen and Earl Mani said, "I suggest that Lord Ambleside and his party be invited to the castle, and let's treat them well."

"Why not? I, Bear Mountain, may be poor, but it's okay to entertain guests—Lord Ambside..."

"Just call me Haven."

"Well, Haven, how many people did you bring?"

Hai Wen said: "Nearly 50 people."

"so much?"

Hai Wen explained: "There are my family, friends, cadres under me, and ordinary farmers who followed me from the wild horse land."

The count frowned and asked, "Peasant? Isn't it the serf you brought yourself?"

"I have no serfs, these people are free men."

Tang De'en asked at this time: "Will the free man sell the land and drag his family to wander with you?"

Haiwen said: "Yes, I am very grateful to them." Hearing this, the master nodded thoughtfully.

The count said: "Well, how many people are coming to the banquet?"

"Fifty people are coming."

The count narrowed his eyes and asked, "You want to let the mud legs into my castle and eat my feast?"

Haiwen looked into his eyes and said: "Although those poor people are humble, they have shared weal and woe with me all the way. I don't want to treat them badly. Besides, I heard that the Earl of Xiongbao has invited soldiers to the castle for dinner many times. Come to the feast. These peasants of mine who have fought with me, who fought off bandits with me, and suppressed mutiny of the farmers, I think they are worthy to enter your gate."

"Okay, after those three days, you can bring your people. My two sons and I will welcome you in the castle hall. At that time, let's talk about making money."

"Thank you sir."

So the conversation ended happily.Afterwards, the earl arranged for Tang Deen, Haven and others to live in the guest room in the castle, and Haven lived next door to Tang Deen.He shares a house with Hyacinth, and Fasnat lives with Tondane's servants.After putting away the luggage, Hai Wen went to the church in the city with Hyacinth.According to the previous agreement, Laya should be there.

The church of the White Clothes Church is a white dome building, which is next to the evergreen pine and forest at the foot of the mountain. The air is very fresh, and there are brown-feathered and white-crowned pinebirds circling in the air.As soon as he got closer, Haiwen heard the sound of people chanting from inside.He looked through the gate, and the butler was instructing people to move things.And next to Laya was arguing with an old nun.

Haven has never seen the gentle angel in white lose her temper—maybe she wasn't losing her temper, but just defending something emotionally.However, the old nun really lost her temper again—it was a black and fat middle-aged woman, and she was spitting and saying things like "you can't live here" and "you are usurping private property" .

Clearly something is wrong here.

Haiwen and Hyacinth walked into the gate and were stopped by someone as soon as they entered.

They were stopped by a group of ragged little beggars.

These children are four or five years old and ten years old, all of them are sallow and emaciated.They stretched out their hands and opened their mouths to Haven, begging for money and food.Haiwen didn't have much money on him, so he was a little embarrassed, at this moment Laya shouted: "My lord, you are here!" She walked over, and then the little beggars dispersed.

Haven asked, "What happened?"

"The nuns of the local White Clothes Church don't know me." Laya said helplessly, "I showed my identity certificate, demonstrated my medical skills, recited the rules of the church and took chapel lessons... I used all the methods to prove myself, But they still don't recognize me. As a result..." She looked at Dreyer, "Master Steward decided to force it."