Huo Qubing said, "My name is Huo Qubing." Immediately, Jiu Ye's wheelchair which had been moving forward stopped, "I have long heard of your great name, today I am lucky to meet you, I feel very honored." But he didn't look away at all.
“He's gone,” said Huo Qubing blandly. I still didn't move, Huo Qubing grabbed me, but I shook his hand away and screamed, "Don't interfere in my business! Who let you go into my house? Get out!"
Huo Qubing's hand suddenly clenched into a fist, then hit Yuanyang Teng's spokes, "Did you forget that you invited me to see flowers? Yuanyang Teng? You just told me that her name was Jinyin Flower."
The bamboo sticks broke, Yuanyang Teng swayed and fell to the ground with a loud noise.
In disbelief I shook my head. Why did they collapse? Two years of hard work, how could it be destroyed so easily? Has a dream disappeared?
I hatefully looked at Huo Qubing, it seemed like he was shocked too, he looked stunnedly at the vines spread out on the ground, his eyes looked confused, “Yu er, do you think these vines that are entangled with each other are like human life?”
Even though I had told the gardener to do his best to save the Jinyin Flower, because the main stem had been injured, the flowers withered one by one, and the leaves turned yellow one by one. I watched them die day by day and felt that the things in my heart that I had always believed in were gradually disappearing.
When Hong Gu saw me just looking at the flowers and not answering his question at all, he called out to me in a low voice. With an expressionless face I said, "Tell them to go home, I don't want to meet guests."
Hong Gu said with annoyance, “They have come three times, this time even Master Wu, who was sick, came. Yu er, if you look at my face, meet them.”
I scooped up some water from the water tank, then carefully poured it on Yuanyang Teng. I'm sorry, the quarrel between us humans has caused you innocent people to suffer.
Hong Gu squatted in front of me, “Mr Wu once helped me, Shi Corporation was my old employer, now the three most important people in Shi Corporation have been waiting all day at the door, in Chang'an nothing like this has ever happened. Yu er, I beg you, quickly meet them.”
It seems like if I don't answer, Hong Gu will keep begging. "Let them come in." I poured the remaining water onto the ground.
I pay respects to Jinyan, Shenxing and Tianchao, as soon as Jinyan was about to speak, Shenxing glanced at him and he immediately closed his mouth.
Tianchao said, “Xiao Yu, do you want to separate yourself from us Shi Corporation, and never want to see us again from now on?”
I really wanted to answer him with a smile, as if nothing had happened, but I couldn't act indifferent. I took a deep breath, then said in a hoarse voice, “Regardless of his financial situation, Jiu Ye wants to immediately return the money he borrowed from me, it seems like Shi Company is the one who wants to separate itself from me.”
Tianchao's lips twitched, but he was unable to provide an explanation. Shiyan exclaimed, “Xiao Yu, what happened to you and Jiu Ye? When Jiu Ye came here he was fine, but why when he came home his face was pale, as if he suddenly fell ill? He has been holed up in his reading room for days and just told us to immediately return your money."
I clenched my fists tightly and scratched my palms with my own nails. After looking at me for a moment, he exchanged glances with Shenxing, “Xiao Yu, we ask for your help.”
Shenxing, who didn't like to talk, suddenly said, "Xiao Yu, give Jiu Ye some more time, there is so much burden in his heart, it can't be removed in just one day."
I shook my head while smiling bitterly, "I have signaled to him many times, but he keeps avoiding me. I try my best to approach him, but every time he feels me approaching him, he always pushes me away. I always asked myself why he did what he did, but I could never understand it. The problem is not as simple as you think, if this is caused by his feet, I have told him that it is not a problem, but he still refuses me. I am a woman, and today I tell you all this frankly, I just want to ask, you grew up with him, do you know why he behaves like that?”
The three of them were silent, finally Shenxing looked at me and in a very serious manner said, “Xiao Yu, we can't answer your question, maybe……” He paused for a moment, then said again, “But we know that Jiu Ye treats you differently, we grew up was with him and could see this. Jiu Ye is really very different from you, please give Jiu Ye time, and give him one more chance.”
I laughed and laughed. When someone can't cry, it seems like they can only laugh, laughter which is more unpleasant to hear than crying. “You three, please go home first! Now I'm very tired, I have to rest." After speaking, I went straight into the room without paying any more attention to them.
In autumn last year, I had collected quite a few Jinyin Flowers, but in autumn this year there was only one plant that had withered.
Huo Qubing saw me slashing the dried branches with the sickle, “It's already dead, what are you chopping it for?”
"The gardener said, if the roots are still there, maybe next spring it will be able to sprout again."
"At that time I should not have vented my anger on them."
In surprise, I looked up at him, then quipped, “Are you apologizing to them? Could Old Master Huo make a mistake? If people hear it, won't the whole city of Chang'an be shocked?"
Huo Qubing felt a little annoyed, "You have a sour face all day, you must think I have done something wrong."
I lowered my head again and slashed the dry branches again, "The sun rises from the west, I don't know what to do."
“Yu er!” But after calling me, Huo Qubing didn't say anything for a while, I put the sickle in my hand and looked at him.
"Next year, come with me to Xiyu, if you are not happy in Chang'an, you better come with me to Xiyu."
His eyes were dark, like the dark night, I don't know how many thoughts were in his mind, I couldn't remember, my heart felt a little sore, whether because of myself or because of him. I haven't seen Lang Xiong for almost three years, is he okay? It's good if I can visit him. Now I have to consider what to do, even though I am still grieving, life goes on.
"Now I can't promise you, there are still things I have to do, if everything can be resolved well, maybe I will go back to Xiyu."
Huo Qubing nodded with a smile, “At least it's better than your rejection last year.”
In class, the lessons given by the teacher were really good, his perspective was extraordinary, his explanations were detailed, every question made the students think seriously about the principles of war science. The most difficult thing is to make students dare to express their opinions, and not force them to have the same views as themselves.
“Should Bai Qi bury the forty thousand soldiers of the State of Zhao or not?” After finishing speaking, the teacher smiled and sipped tea, while watching the students who looked down.
"Bai Qi was the great general of the State of Qin, commander of all the armed forces, but he did not keep his own promise, he promised to provide a way out for the Zhao soldiers, but after succeeding in persuading them to surrender, he broke his word and buried alive forty thousand Zhao soldiers. This action made him laugh at the people. As the saying goes, 'Military order is as solid as a mountain, in the army there is no place for jokes', but in front of the whole army he broke his own promise, after that, how can he convince the people to believe in him ? That's the first thing. The second thing, Bai Qi's actions made the State of Qin experience difficulties in fighting because none of the enemies wanted to surrender, they were worried that after surrendering they would be buried alive, so they preferred to fight to the death. Bai Qi and the other makes it more difficult for the State of Qin to conquer other countries, and makes every battle a battle of life and death."
"Disciple even felt that Bai Qi's actions were right, because he buried the forty thousand soldiers alive, the population of the State of Zhao was reduced, lacked manpower to cultivate the fields, and did not have the ability to fight for power. The State of Qin would not necessarily be able to unite all under heaven , perhaps the fight for power between the seven countries will drag on and result in more casualties, making the common people suffer. Looking at it in the long term, although Bai Qi buried alive forty thousand people, by killing them he stopped the killing others, and perhaps save even more people. From the perspective of that time, if Bai Qi did not destroy the State of Zhao, the people of the State of Qin would be the ones to perish. He was the warlord of the State of Qin, protecting the people of Qin was his duty."
"Nonsense! It's surprising that there are still people who support such cruel actions, according to the students."
I saw Li Guangli who was sleeping soundly on the study table. The teacher shook his head helplessly. studying really doesn't disappoint me. The success story of Great General Wei Qing made young people from poor families dream of becoming officials, they took the opportunity I gave them seriously. But would I have the chance to use these carefully prepared chess pieces?
The sound of intermittent footsteps was heard, I turned to look, Fang Ru came into the room carrying a food box, when he saw me, he saluted somewhat embarrassedly. I smiled and said,
"This brother-in-law is really diligent." Fang Ru's face turned bright red.
After class broke up, the students were still clamoring noisily, arguing with Bai Qi. I laughed and said, "Come on in quickly, or the food will get cold!" Lowering his head, Fang Ru walked quickly by my side.
When the young men saw me, they surrounded me with smiles.
"Yu Jiejie".
"Yu Jiejie hasn't seen us for a long time."
"Yu Jiejie, my mother told me to ask, do the shoes she gave you fit? She said that once she is no longer busy farming, she will make you another pair."
They were scrambling to talk, making my head dizzy, I laughed and said, "Seeing that you guys are studying so hard, today I told the kitchen to make a chicken team, eat a little more. Xiao Wu, I have told the kitchen to leave a little chicken, take it home and give it to me." to your mother. Changqing, your sister-in-law just gave birth, bring some home too."
Those who were acting like adults just now when arguing about Bai Qi, once they heard that there was chicken to eat, showed their childishness and immediately jumped up and down.
Li Guangli stroked his robe sleeves as he exclaimed, "Tomorrow I will invite you to eat chicken at Yipin Ju, the taste will definitely make you swallow your own tongue." The youths clapped and shouted, "Thank you, Li Erge!"
Li Guangli looked at me with satisfaction, I also looked at him with a smile, although this person was not intelligent, he liked to joke and liked to be busy. He admires dignitaries but doesn't look down on the poor, someone who is hard to find, if his older brother wasn't Li Yan, maybe his life would be more relaxed.
Without making a sound, Fang Ru walked past me quickly, I told the young men to quickly eat, then turned around and chased him, after that, we walked shoulder to shoulder without saying anything.
I took a deep breath and said, "Time really flies very quickly, in the blink of an eye we have known each other for three years."
Fang Ru smiled sweetly, "I'm not a person with a bright future, I just laze around every day. But in three years, Xiao Yu has been completely different from before, from a weak woman alone to an influential figure in Chang'an , but extraordinary, you are always kind and considerate of people."
I shook my head and smiled, "Don't think too highly of me, I'm lazy by nature, I'm lazy about doing things that don't bring profit. You're a friend I first met in Chang'an. I wanted to say something that might not be pleasant to hear, but Today I want to talk to you."
Fang Ru looked at me, "Please speak."
I was silent for a moment, "Do you want to marry Li Yannian?"
Fang Ru looked down, his face looked embarrassed, even though he didn't answer at all, his intentions were clearly visible.
I sighed, "Li Yannian is a good person, marrying him is a good thing, it's a shame that he now has a younger sibling in a high position."
"Brother Li is not that kind of person, he couldn't have dumped me," Fang Ru quickly defended him.
I softly said, "I know she won't dump you, I mean......I mean, now Mrs. Li already has a prince. Since the time of Emperor Taizu, the emperor's brother-in-law's Lu family has been in power, then the Dou family, and the Wang family , but after that what happened to them? A Ru, I don't want you to enter a world where people can be killed without the flash of a sword and blood flowing, other than that I can't say anything further, do you understand?"
Fang Ru shook his head with a smile, "Xiao Yu, you worry too much. Brother Li is not that ambitious, he can't possibly fight for power, something like that won't happen."
"A Ru, you know letters anyway, why can you talk like this? Li Yannian is not that kind of person, but members of the same family will prosper or fall together, if there really is a problem, how can Li Yannian avoid it?"
Fang Ru stopped walking, thought silently for a while, then took my hand, he looked at me and said solemnly, “Many thanks, it was my thoughts that were too simple, now I more or less understand what you mean, but, Xiao Yu, I am willing "I don't care what happens in the future, I just know that I'm willing to live with him."
I smiled, "Actually I already know your answer, according to your stubborn character, as long as you are willing to do something, you are willing to bear all the consequences. I have said everything I have to say as your friend."
Fang Ru smiled and said, "I am very grateful, very grateful for meeting you, grateful for you making me aware, grateful for you inviting Brother Li to our house, and grateful for your warning today. Because of your warning, I and Brother Li will be more grateful for everything we have, after this, whatever happens, I will have no regrets."
I nodded and smiled, "Then I will signal Li Yannian to propose, the wedding gold will not be small." Fang Ru was both excited and embarrassed, "Ah, you're just teasing us."
"What did you say?" My heart felt very painful, I don't know what I was thinking, my mouth automatically asked again.
Xiao Feng shouted angrily, “I said Jiu Ye fell ill, Jiu Ye fell ill, actually how many times do I have to repeat it?”
“Oh! Jiu Ye falls ill, if Jiu Ye falls ill you have to call a doctor, have you done that? Why tell me on purpose?”
Xiao Feng rolled his eyes, then looked up and shouted, “Yu Jiejie, are you really stupid or pretending to be stupid? Since I have conveyed this message, think for yourself what you want to do!” After saying, “Duk, duk!”, he ran out while stomping hard on the floorboards.
What should I do? I always ask myself this question. Since Yuanyang Teng's pillar collapsed until now, I have always asked this question.
I knocked on the door, but the one who opened the door was not Uncle Shi but Tianchao. With an expressionless face I said, “I heard that Jiu Ye fell ill, I came to see him, is he willing to see me?”
With a smile Tianchao said, "Of course he is willing to meet you, these few months during which you did not want to set foot in the Shi House, the Bamboo Cottage has become cold and gloomy."
"What pain?"
“He said he had a cold, Jiu Ye had already made a prescription for himself. When taking the medicine we asked the doctor who kept the medicine shop, the doctor's words were a bit different from Jiu Ye's words, he said the medicine was to improve the flow of qi, he felt that Jiu Ye's illness was definitely caused by emotions, in a whisper he said, 'Because of emotions, his vessels become clogged. Because the vessels are blocked, blood cannot flow, because blood cannot flow……and so on’. We don't really understand, only know that the doctor meant to say that Jiu Ye's heart is a bit troubled.”
Along the way Tianchao kept talking, but along the way I was silent a thousand words, when he arrived at the Bamboo Hut, Tianchao stopped in his tracks, "You go in yourself!" Without waiting for me to speak, he immediately turned around and left, carrying a lantern.
I stood for a while at the door, then asked myself with a bitter smile, “What are you afraid of? How could things get worse than now?”
The living room is dim, there is very little furniture, during the day it looks spacious, but at night it looks cold
and gloomy. The window shutters were half open, the cold wind blew in, blowing a piece of pale blue mosquito net to wave, but the person lying on the bed did not move at all. I stood in front of the window for a while, but he didn't move at all, it seemed like he was sleeping very soundly.
I opened the window and jumped in, then gently closed the mosquito net. Even though my body movements made no sound at all, the person lying on the bed immediately called out, “Yu er?” His voice sounded very tired.
Due to the constant cold wind blowing, the entire room was as cold as an ice house. Without saying anything, I knelt in front of the bed, then put my hand under the blanket and felt it, luckily the bed was warm, it wasn't cold under the blanket.
He took out a silver ball with holes in it from under the blanket, but I rejected it, "I'm not cold."
However, he ignored it and stubbornly continued to throw it at me, so I was forced to accept it and put it on top of my dress. It turned out that the ball was indeed effective. Not long after, the floorboards which had been cold became warm.
In the midst of the darkness, we were both silent in a thousand words. A long, long time, as if until the end of the world. If it could really be like this until the end of the world, that would actually be great.
“Jiu Ye, I want to tell you something. You don't have to talk, I'm afraid that once you open your mouth, I won't dare finish what I'm saying. It doesn't matter whether you are willing to listen or not, I beg you, I beg you to let me finish what I'm saying, once I'm done I'll leave straight away.”
Jiu Ye lay down without saying anything, unmoving. I took a deep breath, finally he didn't reject my request.
“I don't know when I started liking you, maybe when I saw your warm figure under the light of the lantern, maybe when you wiped my ears, or maybe when you smiled but still frowned. I just know that I really want to be with you, so I carefully find out whether you like me or not. Jiu Ye, I always say that my throat hurts, my shoulders hurt, or I can't eat rice, basically I'm sick almost every day.”
I lowered my head and moved the silver ball, “Actually, I deceived you, I don't suffer from those diseases at all, my body is very healthy. I just want that every day you think about me for a moment, and think hard, 'what medicine should I prescribe for Yu er?' ‘Yu er apparently doesn’t like bitter, what should I do?’ I feel that
If you think about me every day, I will secretly creep into your heart."
While speaking, I turned and smiled, “Am I very cunning?”
“Jiu Ye, do you still remember when I read books in your reading room? Actually I want to see what books you read. A person's character can be known from what books he reads. I know you like Huang Lao and Mo Zi. You like Mo Zi. Maybe because in the Book of Mo Zi there are ways to make various weapons which are very useful. Apart from that, I suspect it's also because of Mo's attitude. Zi on war and relations between large and small countries.”
I hesitated for a moment, should I continue my words?
“Jiu Ye, you guys raise so many carrier pigeons. Last year when the Great Han attacked the Xiongnu, Xiyu happened to be hit by a natural disaster and you immediately needed a lot of money. You understand a lot of Xiyu language, and also strongly support Mo Zi's views. I don't think these things have anything to do with trade matters, perhaps you are from Xiyu, and everything you do is to help your country.”
While speaking, I tried not to look at Jiu Ye, but at this moment I couldn't hold back any longer and stealthily stole glances at him, but his eyes were fixed on the top of the mosquito net, his expression was like water, clear and calm.
“You also really like reading the books of Lao Zi and Zhuang Zi, so I listened carefully to teacher's explanation of their books. I can't guess what you want to do in the future. Mo Zi spent his entire life trying as hard as he could to make his dreams come true, but according to Lao Zi and Zhuang Zi, if we can't fight against circumstances, people should let things happen naturally. But, Jiu Ye, I don't care about all this, I don't care if you are Xiyu or Great Han, you are you, if you want freedom, I am willing to accompany you to leave Chang'an and wander in the desert. If you…….if you want to stop the expansion of the Great Han and seize their territory, I can't do it, but I can help you disrupt the Han state, so that as long as you and I are alive, they cannot expand westward.”
Jiu Ye's face turned to look at me, his eyes seemed surprised, but contained more sadness and warmth. I still couldn't understand what was in his heart, in my heart I took a deep breath, then looked down.
“Yu er, what have you been secretly doing? Is the brothel and pawnshop business you secretly opened to gather information about the ministers in the palace?”
I nodded while biting my lips, Jiu Ye's face looked sad, “You stupid girl! Quickly close all those businesses. The Shi Company has been established in Chang'an City for almost a hundred years and has all kinds of businesses.
If I want to know about dark affairs, financial transactions or crimes of the ministers in the palace, I can find out very easily.” Suddenly his expression changed, “Have you promised Mrs. Li anything?”