Although he missed Lang Junxia, Duan Ling gradually understood something. Maybe Lang Junxia wouldn't leave if his father didn't come.
Some people come and some people leave - as Lang Junxia himself said, you can't take all the good things in the world, and there will always be regrets of one kind or another.
Many things, just like God arranged for him.
Duan Ling was surprised to find that if he asked Li Jianhong any questions he encountered while studying, Li Jianhong could answer them almost omnipotently. Moreover, the answer is completely different from that of the Master, but it is self-contained, and Duan Ling cannot be dissatisfied.
"Dad, didn't you say you didn't study?" Duan Ling said.
"I was born with a limit, and my knowledge has no limit." Li Jianhong replied, "Who in this world dares to say that he has read a book? It's just a piece of cake. The more you know, the less you know."
Duan Ling seemed to understand but nodded. One day he flipped through the book for a while, and then asked, "Father, what does Confucius mean when he said that a gentleman has three fears?"
"One is afraid of the destiny, the second is afraid of the Lord, and the third is afraid of the words of the sage." Li Jianhong said, "The villain does not know the destiny and is not afraid of it."
"Fear, it's not fear." Li Jianhong faced the courtyard and explained casually, "It's the meaning of respect, honoring the destiny, and then you can find peace."
"What does fate mean?" Duan Ling asked.
"Everyone has something to accomplish in his life." Li Jianhong said, "This is doomed from the moment you were born. Some people live for farming, some people live for war, and some people live for war. There are many people who were born to be emperors, and there are all kinds of people."
"But, how do I know what my destiny is?" Duan Ling asked again.
"I don't know, it's reasonable." Li Jianhong put down the bowl, sighed, and said, "I don't know either, I stand at thirty, I'm not confused at forty, I know the mandate of heaven at fifty, the sage said that people will be fifty. Just know."
"It's been too long." Duan Ling could not laugh or cry.
"Yeah." Li Jianhong said, "The first half of my life was ignorant, bumping around, not knowing where the destiny is. It was a waste of time."
Li Jianhong got up and left, Duan Ling was still thinking about what his father said, thinking that he was more interesting than the gentlemen.
After a while, Li Jianhong passed by the door again. It was raining lightly outside. Li Jianhong changed into a cloak, carrying a burden in his hand, and said, "Are you going to Mingtang today? Are you still studying?"
"Ah!" Duan Ling remembered, today was the day to collect the papers. He received the last article he did at Mingtang, had it stamped by the master, and then handed it to the Biyong Museum. He almost forgot that Li Jianhong actually I remember taking him out on horseback. The two prepared to take the papers, went to the ink room to register for the exam, and then went outside the city to relax.
Shangjing Biyong Pavilion is located on the middle line of Zhenghe Street. People come and go, cars and horses are endless, and there are already queues outside, all of which are dignitaries and dignitaries. Duan Ling and his father were dressed in commoner clothes and stood outside the crowd to watch.
"Do you envy their BMW car?" Li Jianhong asked casually.
Duan Ling shook his head. Many of the students who came to sign up were classmates in Mingtang, who had been studying together for several years. I didn't expect these people's families to be so prominent. Duan Ling said to Li Jianhong: "The Master taught that people should be willing to be poor and be their own kings."
Li Jianhong nodded and said, "Although the Master is full of nonsense, this sentence is correct."
Duan Ling smiled and went to register with the number, while Li Jianhong lowered his cloak, covering half of his face, standing in the shadows to examine the passing pedestrians.
"Duanling!" Cai Yan shouted from a distance, "What are you waiting for! Come to me!"
Although Duan Ling has been studying in Mingtang for three years, he has few friends on weekdays. He is entrusted by Lang Junxia and lives in a secluded courtyard. He has few opportunities to meet his classmates. He Lianbo, who occasionally stands with him, is familiar with him.
Cai Yan was still brought by his brother and waved to Duan Ling, and Li Jianhong went over to say hello and bowed to Cai Wen.
"Thank you for your care." Li Jianhong said.
"Don't dare to be." Cai Wen smiled and bowed to Li Jianhong.
Cai Yan leaned on Duan Ling's shoulders and asked him to line up in front of him, and the two teenagers exchanged a few words. Duan Ling rarely saw Cai Wen, and couldn't help but think of Lang Junxia's injury that winter. A few days later, when Duan Ling returned to Mingtang to study, Cai Yan took the initiative to find him. Seeing that his right eye was swollen, he thought he was beaten by the family members, so he comforted him.
Usually, the two of them are rarely in the same class. When Duan Ling opened the door, Cai Yan had already studied the four books and five classics in Shuwen Pavilion in advance to write articles; He was taken home, and his brother invited someone to teach him, so they didn't see each other very often.
However, Duan Ling knew a little about Cai Yan's family affairs. He knew that although Cai Wen was the elder brother, the two were not from the same mother. Cai Wen also managed Cai Yan's daily life and food on weekdays, just like Lang Junxia was waiting for Duan Ling. In general, this will make the two more invisibly close. In addition, Cai Yan and his brother met Duan Ling and Lang Junxia twice outside. Once is the Mid-Autumn Lantern Night, and once is the time of the Shangsi Festival waterside outing.
But Ding Zhi seemed to like Lang Junxia, but not Cai Wen so much, so it was a bit embarrassing for their brothers to meet each other.
The teenagers lined up, and the adults were chatting aside. Duan Ling forgot to introduce Cai Wen to his father. Cai Wen was wearing azure-colored uniforms today. He was very handsome and had a warrior temperament. , is nothing more than two children's studies. Compared with Lang Junxia's respectful attitude, Li Jianhong is more polite.
When referring to Lang Junxia, Li Jianhong just said lightly: "He is my servant, I don't want him to interfere too much. After finishing the work, I will go to Beijing and I will take him back to the south to help with some business."
Cai Wen nodded and said, "I heard that Brother Duan is in business?"
Li Jianhong nodded and said: "It's not easy to do, I was trying to find some other livelihood, and I was very ambitious, but in the chaotic world, cold water was poured everywhere, so I had to sit and eat the mountain and wait until my son became an adult."
Cai Wen smiled and said, "Talking with Brother Duan, I guess you won't be able to sit and eat, be too modest, too modest."
Although Li Jianhong's clothes are not luxurious, but his gestures, his words and deeds have his own temperament, and he does not look like a nouveau riche. In recent years, there has been a lot of confusion in Beijing, and many wealthy families have also dragged their families to take shelter at the feet of Emperor Liao for a while. Although Cai Wen felt that it was unusual, but Duan Ling was in front of him, so he didn't think much about it.
Seeing a young man approaching, Cai Yan said unexpectedly, "Helianbo!"
Duan Ling smiled and said, "Helianbo!"
"You're here too!" Cai Yan greeted, "Come here."
Helianbo has also grown up and often stands with Duan Ling. He has grown very tall at the age of fourteen, with dark skin, wearing a Western Qiang uniform, high eyebrows and deep eyes, and well-defined facial features. He usually stands without anger and pride. , but a stutter.
Helianbo followed the housekeeper behind him, nodded to Duan Ling and Cai Yan, sent the housekeeper back, and stood behind them without saying a word.
"Have you seen Bo'er red gold?" Cai Yan said casually.
Helianbo shook his head and looked at Li Jianhong again, apparently seeing him for the first time.
"My father." Duan Ling finally remembered to introduce.
As soon as Helianbo gave a hand, Li Jianhong nodded and gave a greeting. Duan Ling turned his head and saw a carriage parked on the road. Helianbo pointed over there and explained to Duan Ling: "My mother ."
Helianbo was sent by his mother to sign up. It was customary in Beijing that female relatives were not allowed to show up. Helianbo came to line up by himself, and bowed his hands to Cai Wen and the others in order to indict the crime.
I saw the teenagers chatting for a while. When it was their turn, Duan Ling wanted them to go first, but Helianbo made a "please" gesture and let the youngest Duan Ling with Cai Yan.
"If you have time, you can ask Duan Ling to come to the mansion." Cai Wen said, "I have invited a gentleman from the south, and you can choose an easy-to-read one to teach first."
"Then it's better to be respectful than to obey." Li Jianhong said.
Cai Wen gestured to be polite, Duan Ling had already brought in the answer sheet, handed in the paper, and stamped it out. Li Jianhong did not pass Cai Wen and went with Duan Ling to pay the examination fee.
When Duan Ling left, his friends didn't know where they went. Seeing him, he couldn't help looking back. Li Jianhong asked, "Any friends who haven't come yet?"
"I didn't even come." Duan Ling replied, "I agreed to sign up for the exam today."
Li Jianhong pondered for a moment and asked Duan Ling, "Have you met any other friends?"
"It's them who treat me well." Duan Ling said, "But for some reason, their family is very strict."
Li Jianhong: "I forgot to ask, what does Lang Junxia care about you?"
Duan Ling shook his head. It had been a while since he separated from Lang Junxia. Thinking of the past, he still cherished the comfortable time with Lang Junxia very much. It was not because he did not want to play, but because he was afraid of disappointing him. Helianbo and the rest of his classmates seemed to be unhappy, as if a haze was hanging over their heads.
"Helianbo and the others..." Duan Ling said, "I won't say it, but they all have a... a pair... um..."
Li Jianhong said: "Like a ghost, following behind them, forcing them to study, they can't even laugh out loud."
Duan Ling smiled and said, "Yes."
"They are all young and mature." Li Jianhong said, "They are not the same as you."
Duan Ling said, "Alas."
Li Jianhong said: "After they are all protons, they naturally understand more than other people since they were young."
"I know that, but is it so scary?" Duan Ling asked.
Li Jianhong walked down the street holding Duan Ling's hand and replied, "Helianbo is the son of Helian Luan of the Western Qiang royal family, and Buerchijin is the descendant of Yuanqiwowen. The two brothers Cai Wen and Cai Yan. , it is the Cai family from the north who is an official in Shangjing, and the son born to the Liao daughter."
"In other words," Li Jianhong explained again, "their fathers are all foreigners, mostly royals, who are here as hostages in exchange for peace between the two countries. Once the two countries go to war, they will be killed."
Duan Ling: "..."
"Who is Nan Chen's hostage?" Duan Ling asked.
Li Jianhong said: "The Nanchen royal family has no hostages because the Han people are tough."
"In the famous hall, there are many people studying with you, and there are many descendants of officials in the south of the Liao Kingdom. If they want to rebel and surrender to the enemy, the Liao Emperor will kill their sons." Li Jianhong added, "You know a child surnamed Han. No?"
"Yes!" Duan Ling immediately thought of that Young Master Han.
Li Jianhong: "He is actually from Liao, and his father is the Grand Master of the Southern Academy."
Duan Ling nodded, and stood at the intersection with Li Jianhong, next to Dayu'er Lane. Duan Ling stood and looked around for a while, and said, "I want to go to Batu's house."
Li Jianhong and Duan Ling entered Dayu'er Alley, but found that there were many soldiers from the Liao State checking the alley.
"Who?" The other party was immediately alert.
"I'm..." Duan Ling just opened his mouth, but Li Jianhong's hand pressed lightly on his shoulder.
"Just now when I brought my son to sign up, I met General Cai outside the Biyong Hall." Li Jianhong said calmly, "Seeing that the Buer Chijin family was absent, the general asked me to come over and ask."
"It has nothing to do with Cai Wen." The general said, "Go back and tell him, let him mind his own business."
Li Jianhong nodded and took Duan Ling away, his brows slightly furrowed.
"Why did they..."
Li Jianhong pressed a finger on Duan Ling's lips, telling him not to ask more questions. When he got home, Duan Ling had forgotten about it and planted flowers in the garden. After a while, Duan Ling saw Li Jianhong lying on the couches in the courtyard basking in the sun, squinting, as if thinking about something.
"Father." Duan Ling wanted him to go in and sleep, but Li Jianhong opened his eyes and beckoned to him.
Duan Ling went over and lay on top of Li Jianhong. Li Jianhong put his arm around Duan Ling and held his hand with the other.
"What is this?" Li Jianhong said, "It's full of mud, and it's like rubbing on your father's face."
Duan Ling wiped Li Jianhong's body with both hands and said, "I'm hungry."
"What do you want to eat?" Li Jianhong said, "Let's go out to eat..."
Duan Ling was about to wash his hands, but Li Jianhong didn't let him go. He looked at his face, looked into his eyes, and said, "Let's talk first before leaving. Are you and Buerchijinba good friends?"
Li Jianhong's expression was a little dignified at this time, Duan Ling was a little worried, thinking that Li Jianhong didn't want him to be friends with Batu, so he thought about how to answer, but after a pause, Li Jianhong said: "That's right. If you say yes, then say no if you don't, can you still eat it?"
Duan Ling replied, "Yes."
Li Jianhong said: "In one's life, there will always be a few friends, so just wash your hands."
In the afternoon, Li Jianhong took Duan Ling to the best restaurant in Liao to add a meal, Duan Ling leaned against the building to watch, and said, "Father, I heard that Batu's father often beats him, and he doesn't come to me anymore. "
"He didn't come to you because he was imprisoned." Li Jianhong said casually, "His father, Qi Chi, had a violent temper. He was sent to Beijing as a hostage, and he was treated coldly by others, so he had to beat his children to play."
"Then, why is someone guarding outside and not letting you in?" Duan Ling asked again.
"I'm afraid he will escape." Li Jianhong looked across the street, which happened to be Boer Chijin's mansion, where a lot of troops and horses were assembled and heavily guarded.
"The border between Yuan and Liao is increasingly tense." Li Jianhong explained, "Maybe there will be a war this month."
"How?" Duan Ling asked again.
Li Jianhong replied: "Guess, north of Altun Mountain, this is the time when spring returns to the earth. The Yuan people have spent a winter, and they must use troops in the spring, otherwise they are afraid that they will not be able to eat."
"What should we do if we start a war?" Duan Ling asked, "Is there any danger in Badu?"
Li Jianhong said: "The Liao Emperor is young, the queen mother supervises the country, and the military power is in the hands of Yelu Dashi, the king of the northern courtyard. It all depends on his mood. If he is in a bad mood, he has suffered a defeat. He came back to trouble the Buerchijin family, and they all escorted them out to cut. head, it's also possible."
Duan Ling immediately became nervous and worried all the way. After returning home, Li Jianhong thought about it and said, "Do you want to save him?"
Duan Ling asked, "How to save him? Dad, can you save him?"
Li Jianhong bowed and washed his face in the yard, and said without raising his head, "I didn't save him, it was you who saved him."
Duan Ling: "But how can I save it?"
"That's right." Li Jianhong washed his face, walked down the porch to wipe his hands, and said, "How to save it? You have to think about it."
Duan Ling: "..."
Duan Ling said: "If only Lang Junxia was here, three people are better than two people..."
Li Jianhong said seriously: "Don't mention Lang Junxia at this time. Your father is also the number one swordsman in Nanchen. He has been compared by my son with a killer all the time. It's really sad."
Duan Ling: "..."
"Then..." Duan Ling said.
"Well, you just have to think of a way." Li Jianhong said, "Have you seen the art of war? Have you heard of storytelling? I'll send a hero to your subordinates. How to use it, be a donkey or a dog, you can find your own way."
Duan Ling laughed, Li Jianhong's face sank, and he said, "What are you laughing at? Heroes are not dispatched so easily. In the whole world, this master only listens to you alone. You have to pay some favors when you come back. "
Li Jianhong stretched out his finger and rubbed it towards Duan Ling as he spoke, indicating that it would be good after the fact. Duan Ling was shocked, Li Jianhong walked away, and went to the backyard to wash Duan Ling's clothes again. Duan Ling was stunned for a while, understood what Li Jianhong meant, and immediately felt a strong sense of excitement in his heart, and ran back to the room to get a pen and paper.
"father!"
"Ai, my son." Li Jianhong replied casually as he washed his clothes.
Duan Ling ran out, holding a map in his hand, the route was drawn on it, and there were many villains, symbolizing the guards outside the Boer Chijin Mansion.
"A marching map." Li Jianhong said, "Why do you draw so beautifully? Just make a few triangles."
Duan Ling nodded and explained: "We have to bring people out first, and then find a way to send them out of the city after the city gate is opened tomorrow morning. This is their house. Aren't we drinking tea upstairs in the afternoon?"
"Well, where will we hide after we are rescued?" Li Jianhong asked, "Our house?"
"Our house is too far from the city gate." Duan Ling said, "and we don't even have a cellar, so it's not good to hide people. If the other party finds out that they have escaped, they must go door-to-door. ."
"Well, that's very smart." Li Jianhong laughed casually.
Duan Ling said: "I'm afraid that the city will be closed tomorrow morning, so I hide it here! It's close to the city gate, and it can be sent out without knowing it!"
"Okay!" Li Jianhong said, "That's it, I'll go save people when Dad takes out the garbage."
Duan Ling chased after him: "You haven't seen where it is! Mingtang!"
Li Jianhong finished drying his clothes, threw away the garbage, and said, "Mingtang, you are familiar with the terrain, it is naturally the most suitable place, go."
Duan Ling said: "Hey? Don't you have a mask? Don't all assassins have masks?"
Li Jianhong said: "It is only the trash that masks its face."
"Then..." Duan Ling knew that he could not drag Li Jianhong's back, so he handed him the map and said, "Along this road..."
"I can't remember." Li Jianhong carried Duan Ling on his shoulders, climbed the wall in two steps, climbed to the roof in the third step, crossed the roof, and sneaked into the night like walking on the ground.
Duan Ling almost cried out, but fortunately held back, he ran a few steps, Li Jianhong landed again, carried him, flew through several alleys, took a shortcut, fell into the courtyard of someone else's house, startled the courtyard barking.
"Yo." Li Jianhong said, "What a big dog, it's really more fierce than Kublai Khan."
Duan Ling: "..."
"Come down." Li Jianhong said.
In the blink of an eye, he had reached the side lane of Buerchijin Mansion. Li Jianhong knelt down on one knee and wrapped one arm around Duan Ling's waist, signaling him to stand firmly on the tile.
"Father, I forgot to bring my sword." Duan Ling said, "Go back and get it?"
"No need." Li Jianhong looked up at the moonlight. Tonight is exactly fifteen, and a bright moon shines on the earth.
"Such a bright night." Li Jianhong said to himself.
"There is a shadow over there, which can cover the action." Duan Ling pointed to another place in the mansion, and Li Jianhong said "um".
There were Liao soldiers passing by in the alley, Duan Ling pointed to his feet, signaling Li Jianhong to be careful.
Li Jianhong said in a low voice, "Wait here." Then he stuffed Duan Ling with a packet of snacks, indicating that he could have something to eat when he was bored. Where can Duanling eat? Stuffing the dim sum into his arms, Li Jianhong disappeared in the blink of an eye.
When the Liao soldiers passed the corner, the last soldier was slapped on the back of the neck and dragged back by Li Jianhong who was standing in the shadows. , casually weighed it, and threw it towards the top of his head. Duan Ling was so nervous that he reached out to catch it, but he didn't catch it.
Li Jianhong threw it up again, but he didn't catch it.
The third time, I finally caught it.
Li Jianhong gave him a thumbs up, indicating that he did a good job.
Duan Ling was ashamed.