They were both stunned, then respectfully said, "We admit that we are guilty, now we will return to Xiyu." Uncle Shi looked at me, looked at Jiu Ye, then without another word drove the carriage.
The train was still rolling lightly on the road, but my heart seemed to be weighed down by a large rock, very heavy. I have never had any contact with people from various countries in Xiyu, how could they be hostile to me? Was Mudaduo careless and leaked the news that I was still alive? Will my current quiet life in Chang'an change?
Jiu Ye gently asked, "Can you guess who ordered them?" I nodded, then shook my head "I don't know, I've always lived among the wolves, of course he's someone who has a grudge against me, they came from the northwest, also fits my expectations, right now most of the area is under the influence of them, but why did that guy deliberately hire people to kill me? He could directly order his top masters to kill me. Was it because he was reluctant to act in Chang'an, that he ordered the Xiyu people to do it?"
Jiu Ye said "You still don't know who it is, but you shouldn't worry about it". I put my head between my knees, thinking about it. He asked, “Yu er, are you afraid?” I shook my head, "Their martial arts are both very good, if I fight, I may not be able to beat them, but they definitely can't kill me, instead I can kill them."
Outside the carriage, Uncle Shi said, "Kungfu for killing and for fighting are different. Jiu Ye, since that person is trying to kill in secret, of course he is worried that Yu Er knows who he is, as long as the Xiyu people don't want to kill for him, he will have to discourage him. Leave this matter to me, you should enjoy the flowers and trees, don't worry for no reason".
With a smile Jiu Ye said, "If he knew you were here, the monkey and the monkey's grandson who was hired from Xiyu wouldn't dare to make trouble." He also said to me, "Even though they say they know the rules, but under this sky there is no ivory that is not cracked, do you want me to help you investigate this?"
The me now is not the me when I was a child who could only run away, I felt challenged, while smiling broadly I said, "No need, if it's someone else, I don't mind this kind of developmental move, but if it's really that person, there's no worth investigating. If he wants to pressure me, I'm not afraid of him at all." Jiu Ye nodded and smiled, Uncle Shi chuckled, “That's right, a girl raised by a pack of wolves is timid?”
Jiu Ye's resting place was indeed a farm like she said, the orchards were large, while the houses were just simple houses made of bricks, black tiles, and scattered among orchards, not to mention beautiful, but made of black earth that fertile beneath our feet.
On the train, Uncle Shi's expression told me that I shouldn't meet those guests, so when I got off the train, I took the initiative to tell Jiu Ye that I was going to play in the garden with the peasant women of the farm, Jiu Ye's face appeared bland, he just advised the peasant women, Uncle Shi nodded at me with a smile.
Even though on the road something happened that made me worried and irritated, but the bright sunshine, the fresh green vegetable garden and the farmers who worked diligently in the fields made my heart slowly calm down. My life is in my own hands, I feel that no one can snatch it away.
When my eyes swept across Uncle Shi's figure, I immediately said to the peasant woman by my side, "Auntie, the sun is really hot, help me look for a straw hat". The peasant woman immediately smiled and said, "I forgot, you guys wait, I'll go look for him soon". As soon as he left, I immediately ran after Uncle Shi, "Uncle Shi, you weren't waiting for Jiu Ye?"
Uncle Shi turned and looked at me without saying anything, I said "Let them go, you won't be able to hide them from Jiu Ye". Uncle Shi coldly said "I did it for Jiu Ye's own good, Old Master must also approve of this action of mine". I said, "If this action of yours displeased him, you're not doing it for his good, but only out of self-righteousness! After all, your master now is Jiu Ye, not Old Master".
Uncle Shi was a little irritated, "Didn't you grow up among the wolves? Why are you so faint of heart?" I smiled and said, "Do you want to fight with me? Let's see who killed who? Uncle Shi, Jiu Ye doesn't like killing for no reason, if you really love him, don't make him bleed. You don't care, but if he know, he will be grieved. Everyone's way of solving problems is different, since Jiu Ye is willing to do this, he must have thought of the consequences".
The peasant woman who took the straw hat is back. "I want to go play, Uncle Shi you better wait for us or go with us!" I saluted him, then ran back to the fields.
"What's this?" "Soya bean". "What about that?" "Mung beans". ". This
cucumber, I recognize it". Finally something I recognized, I pointed at the spoke where a vine was vines and spoke excitedly. The farmer woman at my side couldn't help but laugh, "That's a cucumber, it's ripening". I jumped into the cucumber garden and picked a cucumber, wiped it with my sleeve, then took a bite, it was really much tastier than the one at home!
While carrying a basket I went in and out of the spokes where the cucumber vines were, then chose a slightly bigger cucumber and picked it, when I looked up, I accidentally saw Jiu Ye looking at me smiling, behind the dark green tendrils and cucumber leaves, I smiled while waving my hand, then ran to him, along the way I picked two more cucumbers, "Why did you come here? Has your guest left already?"
She nodded, looked me up and down, then pointed at the straw hat on my head and the basket I slung over my shoulder, "Change your clothes, you really look like a peasant woman". I showed him my basket "Here are cucumbers, these are soybeans, and these are spring onions". He smiled and said, "We have dinner here and then come home, eat these vegetables you picked." I was excited and clapped my hands while jumping up and down.
Jiu Ye and I walked slowly beside the fields, the sun was already leaning to the west, the evening mist was floating in the fields. Smoke billowed upwards, reluctant to leave the earth, occasionally heard the sound of dogs barking and cocks crowing. When the farmers returning from the fields passed by our side, even though their faces looked exhausted, they looked peaceful and satisfied, lightly walking home.
In my mind suddenly appeared the words 'men plow and women weave', not necessarily the man really has to plow the field and the woman has to weave, as long as they can be just like them, protect each other, live in harmony and calm. I stole a glance at Jiu Ye, unexpectedly he was also looking at me, our eyes suddenly met, we were both stunned, unexpectedly, his face was red, and he immediately averted his eyes.
For the first time I saw her blushing face, I couldn't help but think about what she was thinking just now, I also stared at her intently, kept looking at her, Jiu Ye's wheelchair slid faster and faster, but she suddenly turned around and asked with an expressionless face, "You what are you looking at?" My brain was still full of thoughts, laughing I said, "See you!"
"You.......", it seems like he didn't expect that I would be so 'shameless', he was about to say something, but the words caught in his throat and couldn't be finished. Looking at his face, I realized that I had spoken carelessly, I felt irritated, what am I doing today? Why do you keep talking the wrong way?
I wanted to apologize but didn't know where to start, so I just continued walking without saying anything, Jiu Ye suddenly shook his head with a smile, "You sure are big in Xiyu". My heart was relieved and I said with a smile, “It's much better now, I used to say whatever I wanted to say right away.”
***
Since returning from the farm outside the city walls, I have always thought about it, but my mind was always confused, hard to control, I looked for a handkerchief that had been prepared beforehand, then while thinking I wrote, 'First, you don't like Confucianism at all, only the book of Shi Jing is what you often read. Therefore, you completely disapprove of imperial power being gradually concentrated in one person, and also do not support the existence of a Son of Heaven who is mandated by Heaven, and other nonsense that says that we should be loyal to him as well as to the people. Second, you clearly really like Lao Zi and Zhuang Zi. As for Huang Lao's teachings, I've only heard A Die briefly explain them. I haven't read them in detail at all, but I know a little more about them. If you like Lao Zi and Zhuang Zi, isn't everything for you now painful? Third, you worship Mo Zi the most. Mo Zi has always put commoners first in his life, always tried hard to convince the kings to abandon war, and helped small countries fight big countries. For you, that great country is the Han Dynasty? And those small countries are countries in Xiyu? Are you willing to be Mo Zi? But isn't that action going against the teachings of Lao Zi and Zhuang Zi?' I took a deep breath, then put down the writing brush beside the inkstone, are those contradictions only in my mind, or are you the one full of contradictions? I don't care about your past or your current identity, I just want to know what's in your heart.
After putting away the handkerchief, I quickly looked for Hong Gu, “Help me invite master, he must understand the teachings of Huang Lao and Mo Zi, and understand the Hundred Schools of Thoughts.” Hong Gu looked at me in confusion, “Do any of the ladies in this house learn it? Being able to recognize letters and reading a few poems from Shi Jing's books is enough.” I smiled and said, “Not for them, I'm the one who wants to learn it.” Hong Gu smiled and replied, “Okay! I'll have people find out who we can invite, if you keep studying like this, you'll be able to open a school and accept students.”
Because no matter how much the teachers were paid they didn't want to teach at the entertainment house, I had to act like the adage 'if the mountains won't come to me, I will come to the mountains', and came to where the teachers taught. Today after listening to a study on the book of Xiaoyao You by Zhuang Zi, various thoughts came to mind. After getting off the train I walked while still thinking.
When I just entered the house, Hong Gu suddenly rushed out of the room, then excitedly said, "Guess what good news there is?" Deliberately pretending to be surprised, I looked at Hong Gu, “Does Hong Gu have a girlfriend and want to get married?” Hong Gu reached out his hand to catch me, “Your mouth is really nosy!” I avoided him, "Who told you not to say it straight away?"
When Hong Gu saw that he couldn't catch me, he looked helplessly at me, “The princess sent people here to deliver lots of gifts, you weren't around, so I'll accept it on your behalf. But tomorrow you should come to the princess's place to thank her. That person said, Li……Li has already been appointed as a mistress, today's gold silver and gemstones were gifts from the princess, lest Madam Li will send people to deliver gifts in a few days.”
I smiled but didn't say anything, Hong Gu smiled and said, "No wonder everyone is trying to become imperial relatives, take a look at the things that the princess gifted you one by one, even if you have money you may not be able to buy them". She looked at the courtyard, then whispered, "Li Yan really worked hard, last fall she just entered the palace, but now at the beginning of summer she has been appointed mistress, the position is only under Empress Wei alone."
A thought seemed to come to my mind, I couldn't help but tilt my head and think, when I saw Yuanyang Teng vines on the spire, and saw the white and tiny flower buds, I suddenly patted myself on the forehead, “All this time I have been busy with Lao Zi. , Zhuang Zi, Peng Bird, and just butterflies, will the emperor send troops to fight?” Hong Gu asked in confusion, “What?”
My heart became relieved, "I don't think so, according to the old custom, record every gift from the princess carefully, see which ones can be used, keep the ones you really like, the ones that aren't suitable for us to use, find a way to sell them, things- things that are worthless, slowly sell them at a good price, otherwise, later when we need money we will be forced to sell them at a low price. Madam Li knows what I like, she won't give me troublesome gifts, she will definitely give me gold and silver right away.”
Hong Gu repeatedly nodded, happily he said, “We are all commoners, we think of these things as very luxurious, but they are still not real gold and silver.”
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Shuo Fang is a prefecture created by Qin Shihuang, located in Henan Province, on the banks of the Yellow River. After the Qin Dynasty collapsed, during a power struggle in Zhongyuan, the Xiongnu Nation used the opportunity to seize it. Recently, the Xiongnu's foremost army in Shuo Fang was only seven hundred li from Chang'an. A troop of light cavalry could cover that distance in a day and a night. Every time the Xiongnu Nation attacked from Shuo Fang, Chang'an had to defend.
After Liu Che, who had the title Han Wudi, ascended the throne, he was determined to eliminate this thorn in the flesh of the Great Han State. In the second Yuanshuo year, Great General Wei Qing came out of the Great Wall via Yunzhong, then moved westward, while cutting off the Xiongnu's retreat in Henan, he turned around and attacked them from behind, driving away the Xiongnu troops led by King Baiyang and King Loufan, and with in one fell swoop retake Henan.
Liu Che immediately ordered a hundred thousand people to move to Henan and build Shuo Fang City, but the Xiongnu Nation did not want to lose their strategically important territory in Henan and continuously attacked Shuo Fang City. In order to protect Henan, Liu Che strengthened the defenses of Shuo Fang City. In the summer of the sixth year of Yuanshuo, he made Wei Qing Grand General and Duke Gongsun Ao in command of the cavalry troops to be Vice General, Grand Minister Gongsun He to be General of the Left, Duke of Xi, Zhou Xin, became General of the Front, chief of the imperial guard Su Jian became General of the Right, Li Guang became General of the Rear, and Li Ju became general of the archers. Leading six armies, Great General Wei Qing set out from Dingxiang to attack the Xiongnu. Eighteen year old Huo Qubing was made a Cavalry Officer who commanded eight hundred young imperial guards of the same age as him, fighting alongside his two uncles, Wei Qing and Gongsun He.
I sat at the top of a large tree, looking at the highway from afar. Under the golden sunlight, the armor and helmet gleamed silver, so dazzling that I had to squint. Huo Qubing was wearing black armor, he was galloping his horse. With no flowing robes and sleeves, the armored Huo Qubing didn't seem as relaxed as usual but instead looked dignified, a spirit of heroism truly radiating from him.
After a month of not seeing each other, his skin color had changed to copper, apparently because he was exposed to the sun every day. We are far apart, but I can still feel the determination in his heart, I suddenly feel that he is very similar to my kind, very similar to Lang Xiong when he appears among the wolves, back then, when Lang Xiong was facing a heavy attack, he calmly continue to move forward with determination, without ever looking back.
Huo Qubing often looked to the side, I stood up straight, standing on a protruding branch looking at him. Finally his eyes met mine, smiling I waved at him, then pointed to Yipin Ju in Chang'an. He sat straight on the horse's back without moving, the horse didn't slow down at all, his cold expression didn't change at all, when our eyes met, his horse had passed the tree I was in, I turned my head and saw his figure quickly disappearing between the clouds. smoke and dust in the distance.
Entering the city gate, I ran into Shi Shenxing and Shi Feng. Shi Feng poked his head out from the carriage and called out to me, “Yu Jiejie”, to stop me. I said to Shenxing, “Shi Erge, why isn't your disciple at all calm like you?”
Shenxing smiled faintly, he looked at Shi Feng but did not answer my question. Shi Feng snorted, “Jiu Ye said that people should act according to their nature, people who like to talk, talk, people who don't like to talk, don't talk, why like to talk but force yourself to be quiet? I remember before how I was poor across by relying on my mouth, I……”
I happily said, “Exactly what are you stopping me for? Why would you like to chat here?” Shi Feng looked at me, “It seems like Jiu Ye sent someone to look for you!” I ended the conversation and thanked him profusely, then turned and left.
In the Bamboo Hut the sun was shining warmly and the breeze was blowing, the bamboo trees were lush green, Jiu Ye who was wearing a water blue robe was feeding the pigeons, as soon as I entered the yard, the pigeons perched on the ground were flying around noisily low, but in the middle of the white I saw only the soft blue.
He called me to sit down, smiling I asked, "What are you looking for me for?" He poured me a cup of tea, for a few moments he thought without saying anything, I wiped my smile, then said quietly, "Don't hesitate to talk to me." He looked at me and said, "This is a bit difficult to explain, I want to borrow money from you, it's not a small amount, according to custom, I should tell you what the money is for, and let you decide whether you are willing to lend me the money, but I can't tell you what it will be used for." what is the money for. If business matters go well, next year Shi Corporation will be able to return it to you".
I smiled and said, "No problem, Shi Company is so big, shouldn't I be worried? How much money do you have?"
He dipped his finger in tea water, then wrote a number on the table, I took a breath in surprise, then looked up at him, saw the look on my face, he suddenly shook his head and smiled, "Don't be afraid, I already have more than half of it, as for the rest, lend me I don't mind whatever you can lend me, don't force yourself."
I wrinkled my nose "Who's afraid? I only need a little time, I can have the rest".
Jiu Ye was taken aback, while teasing me he said, "Couldn't you ask the ladies in your entertainment house to lend it?"
I was half annoyed and half smiling, "Why are you looking down on me like this? Now half of the entertainment houses in Chang'an are mine, if business is not good then other entertainment houses will be jealous? Although this spring business is not as good as last year, but because of Luoyu Fang, someone emerged the court musician and the beauty who can bring down the country, we are not too affected, even ordinary people in dreams cannot enter our doors, apart from us now only Tianxiang Fang is left whose business is still quite good."
Jiu Ye smiled and said, "Your business is indeed good, but you have already spent a lot of money before, I already know the general calculations, two years from now, it's not at all strange that you can collect that amount of money, but it's a bit strange if You can do it now." I snorted "Now I don't want to tell you, I will give the money to you right away, you don't have to say much".
That evening I went home to Luoyu Fang, after dinner, by the light of the lantern Hong Gu and I examined the books, and after examining them carefully so as not to forget a single penny, we found that we could only withdraw one-third of our cash.
I gloomily tapped the bamboo blades, "It turns out we have very little money to spend! If I had known earlier I would have been a little more greedy!"
Frowning, Hong Gu said, "You still call this much a little? How much do you actually consider a lot? What do you need so much money for?"
I chuckled and said, “As for venture capital, before success I won't tell you. Hmm……where is the record of the gift from the princess?” Hong Gu took out a scroll and gave it to me, "I just found out your purpose for making it."
Looking down to examine her, I whispered, "She said Mrs. Li was about to give me a present, why couldn't she be seen? That girl has already worn so many pearls and accepted our help, but isn't quick to pay the interest on the loan, I think we should talk to music master Li." .
Hong Gu chewed, then yawned while covering his mouth, "You mercenary! You count slowly. Tomorrow morning I have to go around to other houses, can't stand to accompany you to talk". He then wanted to leave, but I quickly held him back, "Don't worry, I will make a written statement for you, then leave."
"Declaration letter? What statement letter?", asked Hong Gu as I looked down at the scroll, "Debt statement letter!", I said.
Hong Gu pretended to scold me, "Are you already in a daze from counting money? This money is basically yours, if you want to use it, why give me a bill of lading?" I pulled him until he sat down, "This money is half mine and half yours."
Hong Gu looked at me in surprise for a while, then finally said, "Everyday you've given me quite a bit of money, and if something looks interesting or usable you always make me choose first".
Shaking my head I said, "Where do I ever take care of trivial matters in this house? Everyday from morning to night, if there are ladies who act up, fight or secretly knock each other out, you're the one who takes care of everything. I very rarely come to our other house of entertainment, but I know very well everything that happened there, thanks to whom?The gift given by the princess is because of Mrs. Li, since we managed to get her into the palace, in this case you put in more effort than me, therefore, We will divide this money equally and fairly."
Hong Gu muttered, "That's part of my job, just find a capable person and he'll be able to do it." I smiled, “When did you learn to be humble like this? Find someone capable and he will be able to do it? I've been looking for people to help you for so long, but none of them are suitable. learn to follow you, see if in two or three years he will be able to do it."
While starting to write I said, "Don't refuse again, otherwise my heart won't feel good, after all, between the two of us, why should you be shy?" Hong Gu sat silent for a while, then smiled and said, "I'm already so sleepy I can't even think, that the money arrived at the door instead I refused. Hurry up and write a little, when I'm done, I'll take a look and sleep well ".
With a smile I handed the scroll to Hong Gu, Hong Gu lightly folded it, put it in his breast pocket, then quickly took it out.
After counting the money, seeing that the lantern's flame was about to go out, I took out a piece of silk cloth and wrote on it.
'Today you asked me to lend money, I am very happy. If the Shi Company wants to borrow money, actually it is not difficult to get a loan in Chang'an, but you are looking for me, at least you trust me. The Shi Company's businesses, except for the kumala stone and medicinal ingredients businesses, had experienced setbacks. Even though it had recently opened a jade stone factory, there was no reason for the Shi Corporation to need so much money. Even though it's a large amount of money, after dozens of years of managing the Shi Company, how come you can't get it? Where did Shi Company's previous money go? What would you like to do with that money? It is said that in Xiyu there was hail that only occurs once in a hundred years. The hail destroyed six to seven parts of the fields and pastures, and killed many small livestock that were just born. In addition, the Han Dynasty and Xiongnu were at war, amidst natural disasters. and war, quite a few people died of hunger, are you a person who sympathizes with the Xiyu countries? Then I will help you with all my might…..' I bit the bamboo stalk of my writing brush while pondering, all signs indicated that all my assumptions about him were correct, Jiu Ye and Li Yan's goals were the same; Li Yan tried to restrain the Han Dynasty's westward expansion with all his might, and Jiu Ye seemed to want to protect the Xiyu states. It seems that the help I gave Li Yan was not at all wrong.