The sky was gradually getting brighter, the courtyard was filled with the rustling sound of falling snow, the study room with its charcoal fire was warm, and Lu Liangsheng fell silent again as he listened to the old man's words.
"… I remember the first time I met Duke Yue, it was at the inn of my apprentice's aunt. I had also met that apprentice, Duke Yue. He was a lively person, often went out without any news, mostly because I was worried about him. When I came here, I actually thought about a lot of things. I first met Duke Yue, and later met him many times during the Northern Zhou Dynasty. Haha, and the late emperor. At that time, I never thought that the situation today would come."
Yang Su had lived to such an age, how could he not hear the scholar suddenly talking about the past? He smiled and looked kind, "In fact, I never expected it, especially since the late emperor passed away so early. Forget it, let's not talk about the past."
Waving his hand, the old man changed the subject and said with a smile: "Is that disciple of Fellow Daoist Lu the one who gave me the chin bean? Haha, I remember that he was smart and chivalrous. I envy you for that. At least you have four disciples who inherit your legacy. If you really ascend to the immortal pavilion in the future, there will be people to offer sacrifices and pray for you."
"Haha, Duke Yue is starting to regret not having accepted a proud disciple during those years?"
"That's true. When people get old, they have more things to regret. Just wait a minute." Yang Su stood up and walked to the desk. He took the book he had written before and flipped through it. It was filled with words and sentences.
"This is the result of most of my life's hard work. It talks about the art of using troops and the art of battle. Fellow Daoist Lu, if you see a Li Jing in the future, please teach him on my behalf, but don't mention my name."
Lu Liangsheng took the unsigned military book, sighed in his heart, and gently stroked the blue cover with his fingertips, "Why don't you mention the name of Duke Yue?"
"Old Han's nephew is a man of both literary and martial talents, with admirable ambitions and rare talents. But in his eyes, I have a bad reputation and am a notorious villain, haha..."
Lu Liangsheng actually knew a little about the so-called villains, but they were just old news from the Chen Dynasty and the abduction of other people's wives and daughters. However, that was a reward from the emperor, and as a minister, Yang Su had no choice but to accept it. Later, he returned them to their original wives one by one.
Lu Liangsheng, who was leaning against the stove, laughed and put the book into his sleeve. However, he was also curious and couldn't help asking, "Why didn't the Duke of Yue pass on the Art of War to his children and grandchildren?"
"I won't pass it on."
The old man who had already sat down on the chair smiled, waved his hand, and looked at the flames rising from the stove, his face flushed.
"In the future, I'd better not let them follow my path. The remaining wealth in my family is enough for three generations to live comfortably. After that, I won't be able to take care of them anymore. I just hope that they can have some success, produce more scholars, teach and educate people, or pass the imperial examinations. That will depend on their abilities."
Having said that, Yang Su stood up and looked at Lu Liangsheng, pursing his lips tightly. This made Lu Liangsheng a little confused, and he also stood up.
Just as the question "Duke Yue, what are you doing?" was being raised, the old man opposite suddenly raised his hands, clasped his fists with his left and right hands, and bowed to the scholar.
"Daoyou Lu, I hope you can take care of my children and grandchildren. I don't ask for wealth, but I hope they can have a chance to survive in the future."
"Duke Yue, get up quickly."
For a moment, Lu Liangsheng was so shocked that he couldn't find the right words, and hurriedly supported the old man's arms, "Duke Yue may not die."
Hehehe…
After Yang Su was helped up, he chuckled for a long while and slowly sat back in his chair. "Friend Lu, you don't understand, but you should understand my heart. The new emperor needs to grow up and needs a whetstone. I am willing to be that stone. Once the knife is sharpened, I can better protect the mountains and rivers that my brother and I have built."
… Look again, I am now a man who has lived a fulfilled life no matter where I am. I have also made some achievements in the way of cultivation. In the court, I am second to none and above ten thousand people. I have been a loyal minister for two generations. There are few in the world… I should be content. After my brother is gone, I will have no one to talk to. In the future, when I go to the underworld, I can still meet my brother, drink a glass of wine, and talk for a few days and nights, and talk about how wise and brave his son is, and how he is as powerful as a tiger! ”
Lu Liangsheng closed his eyes, suppressed his emotions, and shook his head with difficulty.
"… Duke Yue could have faked his own death, escaped, and lived in seclusion in the mountains. Why did he have to die to do something? This is not what a wise man would do."
The old man opposite the stove laughed again. When the scholar looked over, he stretched out his finger to indicate, "This is the Tao. The Tao is different. Your master, Uncle Hua, died for the Tao, fulfilling the path in his heart. I am basically the same, but I am just taking a different path, Liangsheng."
When the old man said this, he no longer addressed him as "Daoyou Lu", but instead called him "Liangsheng", which almost made the scholar's suppressed emotions burst out.
"Liangsheng... who doesn't fear death? Otherwise, why do those who practice Taoism pursue immortality so tirelessly? But in this life, there are always one or two things that require you to stand up for yourself. Not for anything else, but for the Tao in your heart. No matter good or bad, stick to this path. Only then can you see the road ahead clearly. When the end comes, you can also look back and see the ups and downs along the way."
Outside the window, the winter night came quickly and there was little light left. The light from the lanterns lit by the servants in the mansion shone in obliquely, and the study was completely quiet.
Lu Liangsheng sat on the chair, holding the armrest tightly, with his lips tightly pursed. The image of his mentor who died for his faith gradually overlapped with the image of the old man in front of him with a calm look.
After a while, the scholar stood up, bowed to the gray-haired old man, walked silently to the wall, and disappeared in the study. He walked through the snowy courtyard and the red swaying lanterns. Soon, he came to the long street. The New Year was approaching, and there were figures strolling around the night market everywhere. Children carrying lanterns chased and played; drunk men walked out of the brothel with their arms around each other and laughed; the woman accompanying her husband spat at the building...
Lu Liangsheng looked at the crowd, it seemed like two different worlds.
…
In the West Market of Chang'an, a restaurant has been occupied by a group of "little monkeys". It is full of little Taoist priests in light blue Taoist robes sitting at the dining tables, chatting and talking with their good friends, and playingfully jumping off the stools to chase each other in the corridor. Sun Yingxian wiped the sweat off her face, scolded a few naughty ones, turned around and walked to the second-floor fence, and looked out.
"Why hasn't this great scholar Lu come back yet? If he doesn't come back, I will have to pay for it."
Subconsciously, he reached out to touch the yellow cloth bag. Looking at the group of more than 200 children, he was a little worried that the private money he had secretly saved in the past two years would not be enough.
Hong Lian tapped a naughty boy with chopsticks, and heard the Taoist muttering. She followed and looked over at the imperial city. After a moment, a dimple suddenly appeared on her face, and she pointed at the long street below.
"Look, isn't the young master here?"
On the noisy long street, under the intertwined lanterns, the red candlelight illuminated a scholar walking among the passers-by. He looked up and saw the woman waving at the restaurant and calling out, "Young Master—"
"Mr. Lu!" This was the Taoist's voice.
After a while, little heads popped out from behind the fence and raised their hands: "Sir! Come up quickly! There are delicious foods!"
"Yes, the Taoist priest said he would treat us..."
"Hey, when did I say that? You want to be beaten, don't you?"
Seeing Old Sun taking off his shoes and knocking one of the kids into a fight, Lu Liangsheng below smiled, walked briskly into the restaurant.