Li Qingniu is dead
The blind Taoist priest who had only met Wen Liang once but left an indelible mark on his heart was actually dead
If everyone in the world is immortal, Li Qingniu is naturally no exception, but Wen Liang originally thought that people like him might live longer than anyone else in the world.
But I didn't expect that those few words full of the mysteries of Taoism on the green hills would become the swan song of this life!
Wen Liang was at a loss for a moment. Since his rebirth, everything that had happened in his previous and later lives was so clearly presented before his eyes and in his memory that he could not tell which was illusion and which was reality. The fear and uneasiness hidden deep in his heart could not be explained to outsiders!
It was not until I met Li Qingniu at Huixian Temple that I found a way to get the answer. But I didn't expect that our fate would end that day. After we parted ways, I would never have the chance to pursue the supreme secret behind the mystery!
Ning Huchen didn't care about his loss of composure and sighed, "So you didn't know... No wonder you still have the leisure to do that little stock speculation business in the capital..."
Wen Liang woke up from his trance and was startled. What kind of place was this? Who was that person in front of him? If it were someone else, even if they were extremely careful, they would still be afraid of making mistakes and causing trouble. But he dared to be distracted and have wild thoughts
No matter whether Li Qingniu really ascended to heaven, or died of old age like an ordinary person, or was just an ordinary person in the mortal world with some tricks to be mysterious, it was not something he should consider at this time. Don't forget, he came here today not to discuss the so-called "Tao" that is mysterious and connected with heaven!
With this thought in mind, Wen Liang bit the tip of his tongue lightly to keep his mind in a normal state. He immediately caught the message revealed in Ning Huchen's words. After a brief consideration, he felt that he needed to take back some of the initiative in the conversation. Otherwise, without Ning Xi's presence, there would be no relaxation period for the two-person show. He would be led by Ning Huchen all the time and would be defeated in a few rounds. He deliberately followed his words and said, "I really don't know. He was fine when I saw him last time. He just said that he was leaving and returning to Xianzhen to spend his remaining years in Xichuan... Chairman Ning, did Taoist Li... mention me to you?"
Since Ning Huchen asked what the relationship between him and Li Qingniu was, it must be that Li Qingniu said something to him when he went to Xichuan this time, and it must be related to him!
Wen Liang suddenly became nervous, because he felt that the doubts that had lingered in his mind these days might be about to unveil the mysterious veil and reveal a corner of the truth!
Ning Huchen's eyes, which could hardly see a trace of light, passed lightly across Wen Liang's face. At that moment, Wen Liang suddenly broke through the thick and inseparable black fog on the old man opposite him, and was surprised to catch a glimpse of the hesitation and wavering in his heart!
Although this hesitation and indecision only lasted for a thousandth of a second, Wen Liang saw a different Ning Huchen because of it—
He is also a human being, not a god. As a human being, he has weaknesses!
Wen Liang apologized: "I spoke too much!"
Ning Huchen did not comment, but took out a piece of rice paper from the paper holder beside the table, spread it out, and then picked up the pen to write sixteen large and steady characters on it:
The tiger roars in the mountains, imprisoned by water.
The sun sets and the stars appear, and you will meet Beijing to solve your problems.
“Look at these four sentences. What do you think?”
Wen Liang lost his temper after being rubbed by Ning Huchen. If it were any other person, they would have been involuntarily guided by him in the rhythm of the conversation when they were uneasy just now, even if it was only a few seconds, at least there would be a buffer for thinking and responding. But Ning Huchen did not play by the rules at all, his thoughts jumped widely, not like the agility that an eighty-year-old should have. Not only did he change the topic casually, which made Wen Liang's fighting spirit finally deflated, but he also gave him a huge problem.
The tiger roars in the mountains, and becomes a prisoner because of water. The sun sets and the stars appear, and the trouble is solved when you meet Beijing!
Even if Wen Liang was a god, he would not be able to figure out the deep meaning of these four sentences without any beginning or end. But since Ning Huchen had spoken, he had to think about it and could not help but answer. If his brain had not been accustomed to this high-speed operation since his rebirth, it would probably freeze at that moment!
Tiger roaring in the mountains
As the name suggests, "tiger" refers to Ning Huchen, and "mountains and forests" refers specifically to the turbulent historical period decades ago, when a million-strong army climbed snow-capped mountains, crossed grasslands, dug tunnels and lived in caves, and was armed in the mountains and dense forests. Ning Huchen grew from a cowherd to a founding hero of the Republic, so he deserves the word "xiao"!
Imprisoned by water
If the previous sentence is correct, this sentence obviously means that Ning Huchen will become a prisoner because of "water", or be trapped in a certain situation. Prisoner has both chivalrous and broad meanings, but it is ultimately a bad sign!
Before he could think about it, there were three knocks on the door. Ning Huchen snorted coldly, and a middle-aged man wearing glasses pushed the door open and walked in. He walked closer and whispered, "Director Zhuang just called and wanted to come over to report to you. Do you think it's okay..."
Ning Huchen slammed the table hard, and his old body burst out with incredible strength. The middle-aged man and Wen Liang were shocked at the same time.
The power of the tiger's roar shakes the earth
"No, I won't see anyone today!"
The middle-aged man opened his mouth and looked at Wen Liang embarrassedly. Wen Liang must be crazy to interrupt without permission in such an occasion. He smiled at the middle-aged man in a friendly manner and lowered his head, like a sculpture that didn't have time to have a mouth carved on it!
"Why, do I have to say it a few more times? Go tell Zhuang Maoxun what kind of work he came to report to me. Who am I to his grandfather? My words are not worth a fart. Tell him to get out!"
Wen Liang's eyes narrowed quietly. It was not the first time he heard the name Zhuang Maoxun, nor was it the first time he had some degree of interest in him - because Zhuang Shaoxuan, who was hiding in Jiangdong and created Dandelion, was his son!
only son!
The middle-aged man had followed Ning Huchen for decades, so he certainly knew his temper best. He turned around and left without saying a word, waiting quietly outside the door with his hands behind his back. After a minute or two, he didn't hear the familiar "Come in", but the young man who had just been in the room came out and said with a smile, "Chairman Ning said he was not feeling well today. If it's not urgent, please come back tomorrow, Director Zhuang!"
The middle-aged man suppressed the doubts in his heart. Although he was one of Ning Huchen's most trusted people, he didn't know what happened in Xichuan. He didn't understand why this young man was so valued. He smiled and nodded, with an attitude that was neither too close nor too distant, and a sense of distance in his kindness, just right!
Back in the room, Ning Huchen seemed to have calmed down from his previous anger. He pointed to the wet ink on the rice paper and said with a smile, "How is it?"
Cold sweat began to seep out of Wen Liang's back. Just now, he was interrupted by the middle-aged man and mentioned Zhuang Maoxun. Combining what he had seen and heard in the past and present lives, he suddenly guessed the meaning of "being imprisoned by water" and guessed that this must be a prophecy given to Ning Huchen by Li Qingniu before his death. But just like he shouldn't have seen or heard Ning Huchen scolding Zhuang Maoxun just now, he shouldn't have been the one to solve this prophecy!
However, Ning Huchen did not give him time to think about it. Wen Liang took a deep breath and said, "From the literal meaning, it should mean that someone will get into trouble because of "water". This water can be real water, or a word with water as the radical, or water belongs to the north in the five elements, and black is preferred. All of these are possible... As for the last two sentences, I don't understand and can't think of them..."
After hearing Wen Liang's words, Ning Huchen once again remained silent. He cast his eyes on the rice paper, slowly watching the ink turn from wet to dry and gradually solidify!
This feeling of being left empty after making a move made Wen Liang very uncomfortable. It happened again and again, and even a wooden man could hardly bear it. Moreover, in the short ten minutes since he entered the room, Wen Liang had been led by Ning Huchen. He could not see his movements, let alone his intentions. His tense spirit was almost at its limit, and it might break at the next moment.
"Before Qingniu passed away, he told me three things. The first was his funeral arrangements, scattering his ashes on Mount Qingcheng, which I have already done for him. The second thing was that he left me these four seemingly simple sentences, but he didn't say anything. The third thing was that he talked about you..."
Wen Liang knew that the point was coming, and he immediately concentrated and was ready to listen attentively, but Ning Huchen took out a lighter from the drawer, threw it on the table, pointed at the rice paper, and said, "Burn it!"
Wen Liang was going crazy. Could he finish one thing before moving on to the next? Changing lanes suddenly like this could kill someone, you know
However, I dared only to say such things in my heart. I obediently walked to the wastebasket, lit the rice paper, and watched it turn into ashes. The sixteen words written in ink also disappeared in the light blue flame.
In fact, something like this would naturally be completely destroyed by someone in accordance with relevant regulations, but Ning Huchen was still so cautious that he kept it secret and didn't let anyone else know about it!
When the last bit of flame died out in the air, Wen Liang thought of the Taoist priest who had also turned to ashes, and asked in a low voice: "He...what did he say about me?"
"Qingniu said that you are his last concern in this world..."
In the unknown and shabby tile-roofed house at the foot of Mount Qingcheng, Li Qingniu washed the stains off his Taoist robe, re-arranged his Taoist bun, and repaired the tattered cuffs with coarse cloth. The outline of his face vaguely showed his former handsomeness and clarity. Facing one of the most powerful men today, he was still the Taoist Li when they first met thirty years ago. The only difference was that he no longer had that cynical air and had become calm and solemn.
"It is such a joy to see old friends before I leave. It is also a good opportunity to entrust the trivial matters behind me..."
"I know why you came, but I don't have the answer to your confusion! However, since we have known each other for a while, I will give you a few words. You can use them as a small toy to relieve your boredom when you are free. Don't take them seriously. Please remember them. Once they come out of my mouth and enter your ears, don't let anyone else know except those who can understand them. Do you understand? A tiger roars in the mountains and becomes a prisoner because of water..."
"Speaking of which, there is an interesting story. I met a young man a few days ago. Maybe because I have been lonely for too long, we actually got along quite well after talking. Gouzi, my time is up and I don't have many concerns. This young man is my only concern. If there is a chance in the future, I hope you can take care of me..."
Ning Huchen agreed to all of his requests. Li Qingniu straightened his clothes and bowed to see the guest off. When the wooden door closed, a clear voice was heard from inside the house. There was no trace of the dying air at all:
"What is Tao? It is the root of nothingness, the origin of creation, the source of gods and spirits, the origin of heaven and earth. It is so great that it has no outside, and so small that it has no inside. It is vast and boundless, and has no limit. It is so dark that it cannot be observed, and yet it shines brightly. It is so quiet that it has no mind, and yet it has its own rules for things. It is in the midst of chaos and formless, and it is so silent and silent. All things are born from it, and the five elements are formed from it. Life is infinite, and formation is clouded. Life is born and formation is formed, and it has never changed since ancient times. This is called Tao!"
This is what is called the Tao!
Ning Huchen sat outside the room all night. When he woke up the next morning, he saw a bright light in the mountains and Li Qingniu had passed away at the foot of Qingcheng Mountain!
Wen Liang suddenly realized what was going on. Ning Huchen seemed to have guessed what he was thinking. He smiled and said, "If Qingniu hadn't said so beforehand, it wouldn't be that easy to meet an old man like me!"
No wonder Ning Huchen approved it immediately when Ning Xi reported it. It turned out that the face did not lie with Ning Xi, but with Li Qingniu.
"I heard your name from Qingniu, and later I found out that you were the young man who did business with Xiaoxi in Qingzhou. It was a coincidence..."
This is more than just a coincidence, it is simply destined to be evil! Ning Huchen had received a great favor from Li Qingniu, which was greater than saving his life. He had always believed in his ability, so he put aside many national affairs and traveled thousands of miles to Qingcheng. Unexpectedly, he only talked about three things when he passed away, and the third thing about Wen Liang was obviously more important to him.
why is that
Li Qingniu is not a secular person, so why would he have concerns and even ask for help from him for the first time in thirty years, and it was for a young man who had nothing to do with him
Ning Huchen was a first-rate figure in the world after all, and he keenly realized that Wen Liang should be one of the key nodes, but he was still waiting, waiting for the young man to walk into the yard by himself!
This has to start with Ning Xi's marriage. Since last year, in order to deal with the Taiwan Strait crisis, the Ning family has been playing many games, and it is in a very unfavorable position. At the beginning of this year, seeing that the military had been breached, Ning Huchen had the idea of taking a step back to avoid the sharp edge, and the alliance with the Lei family was put on the agenda. At that time, the opinion was not to form a marriage, but to make some interest exchanges at the 15th National Congress next year. However, Ning Chengren, the eldest son of Ning Huchen and the leader of the second generation of the Ning family, proposed the idea of forming an alliance through marriage. Ning Chengyi (Ning Xi's father) and Ning Chengli (Ning Lao San) both strongly opposed it, believing that the marriage would undoubtedly sell their daughter, and there was no need for it at all. Moreover, with Ning Huchen's temper, he would never agree.
But in the end, to everyone's surprise, Ning Huchen finally decided on the marriage, and after screening, he chose Yang Zong and met him in person three times. In the eyes of everyone, they thought that the old man was determined and Ning Xi had to marry him no matter what.
But no one expected that this was not Ning Huchen's original intention! (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets at qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation.) (To be continued)