In the days after the war, I lay on the bed almost all day. When I was alone in the house, I looked at the beams. I didn't know what I was looking at, I just looked at it. I don't know when my eyes became wet. The front was blurry, and the mimímí doors and windows turned into familiar scenes, with fleeting lights and shadows, as if my body was also rising up and floating in them. I didn't feel the injuries on my body, but the pain in my heart was still so clear and piercing.
Pei was beside me without saying a word, but I hoped she would say something; but I kept telling her the whole story of the battle over and over again, and Pei just listened quietly. Maybe even if she wanted to, she couldn't say anything because I was so controlling of her.
Sometimes I would think of Yinling, and no matter where I was, I would stop abruptly and be in a daze for a while. But no matter how much I thought about her, no matter how much I wanted to keep her, she would disappear quickly. After sighing and feeling lost, I would continue, and sometimes I would forget where I was just talking about, and would just pick a random place to continue.
When Po Liu Han Lie Ya and Hu Sa Lie Nan Guo came in with helmets, I was able to come out of this state a little. I would talk about which teams from the west had returned and when; Nan had grown taller and had a few strands of stubble; Bei Hai had a bit of a general's temperament; and the situation of my goddaughter, etc. Then I would smile a little and let my wife see them off.
Then, very quickly, I was the same again.
After a few more days, people from the west came to see me one after another, and I was able to sit in the hall; but in fact, it was the same whether I sat in the hall or not, because they didn't need me to do anything. They reported things to me but didn't want me to give them a reply.
All I remember doing was to say with a half-smile when I first saw them: "Thank you for your hard work." And when they left, I did the same thing again.
Everyone was alive and well, why did they all die? This is the only question I have collected and summarized in my mind.
We are killed by others. Why do others want to kill us? Because we kill them too. Why do we want to kill them? Because they want to kill us.
I can’t think any further than this.
One day, it was decided that the sacrifice would be held on the Qingming Festival. I suddenly came alive in the hall that day. I asked them to be the main priest, and without waiting for their opinions, I decided directly. I immediately ordered people to prepare for my bathing and fasting.
The day before the sacrifice was the Cold Food Festival, but for me, this day was no different from the previous days. I still sat at my desk, drafting the sacrificial text over and over again, and threw the bamboo slips out of the window again and again in anger, but my wife picked them up again and again, carefully scraped off the writing on them, and asked me to continue writing. I remember that I felt guilty every time, but time and time again, I still forgot myself and became furious, and finally I couldn't bear it anymore and exploded.
But when I really exploded, I just cried.
"I can't write!" I was crying so hard that I put my head on the table and cried. My wife hurriedly dragged me and got between me and the table, holding my face and making me look at her... She was also crying.
That night, I wrote the eulogy.
Later, someone told me that they had never seen such an elegy. Of course, other elegy make people cry, but mine is to make everyone prepare for war to avenge their brothers. In fact, it is better to be a manifesto.
After the sacrifice, I was led to the tomb of Da Ge. On the wooden board that served as the tombstone, there were only a few words "Jie Zhi Tomb", and there was a small space between Jie and Zhi Tomb. I asked them why, and they said that his family was poor, his parents were illiterate, and he didn't know how to read, so he never had a name. In the past, the Yellow Turban brothers all called him Jie Lao Da, or Da Ge. Now they think that writing Jie Lao Da like this seems a bit too casual.
I was silent for a moment, then asked someone to bring me a pen. I wrote a few words at the front, and then another word at the back. Finally, the tombstone read "Tomb of Jie Zhi, the commander of Mingzi."
I still remember that I cut off most of the hair hanging from the back of my head and ordered people to bury me together with my brothers. I took a tombstone like everyone else's and wrote "Jie Zhi's Tomb" on it. After they were buried, the plaque was left there.
On Qingming Festival of the first year of Chuping, the battle in southwest Jing was almost over. That year, I was eighteen years old.
When I walked down from the altar, I suddenly had an illusion, as if I was eighty years old and was about to faint and die. But after burying "myself", I suddenly felt that I was reborn and returned to my eighteen-year-old self.
The sky and earth were still gray and white, and the atmosphere was very depressing. The only thing that caught my attention was a beautiful red carriage in the distance, which entered Mingzi very lightly from the east. Looking at it, I had a very strange feeling in my heart, which was hard to grasp. I always felt that it was related to me, but also to Dong Zhuo in Sichuan. I couldn't understand it, so I put aside the trivial thoughts in my heart, walked down, tapped my cheek with my hand, and reminded myself not to be as depressed as I was a few days ago.
He pulled himself together and immediately called out to the messengers, ordering them to inform the generals to go to the county government office for a meeting. Then he mounted his horse and rushed back to his residence.
There are still not many people in Mingzi. Many people here have not returned. In fact, it might be better if they don't return. I have planned to build a pass at the dangerous place in Wuling Mountain to prevent Dong Zhuo from leaking in again. However, this is another difficult project. Mingzi may become a large barracks for garrison troops in the future. The surrounding area can be used as a place for farming. After thinking about these things in my mind, I also arrived at the gate of the government office. I thought that Mingzi was indeed unable to withstand the attack of the army.
And the red car was indeed at the door.
"Who is this?" I was a little curious, so I asked the person at the door when I got off the horse.
"Princess." A middle-aged man with an unfamiliar face came with a silly smile. I have never seen this person before. The one before should have stayed on the hillside. Thinking of this, I couldn't help but sigh.
But this time he came to his senses immediately.
"Sister Qi? Oh... Yi Yue!" He felt gloomy in his heart. As expected, she was not his own flesh and blood. He had been so busy for so long that he had forgotten about this girl. But he didn't know who brought her here this time.
But when I thought about seeing this girl, I suddenly felt happy and excited.
The girl has gained some weight. Nalan has taken good care of her, so she should be fine. And this thing has obviously been spoiled by Nalan, and has developed a disease. When she opened her eyes and saw me in front of her, she burst into tears and made a fuss regardless of anything I could do. But as soon as Nalan picked her up, this little ball of meat immediately shrank into Nalan's arms without a word, and soon fell asleep. I spread my hands helplessly, but watching this thing fall asleep like this, my heart really calmed down slowly.
"You are the one who brought her here." I looked at Nalan who was looking at the child with concern, and asked with a smile.
"Yeah." She replied to me with a smile, but she didn't want to talk.
"So you asked them to come?" I turned to Guo Pei with a weird smile on my face that I couldn't even guess.
"Yeah." She smiled faintly and nodded.
I turned around again and asked, "How was your journey?"
"Well, everything went well." I really want to know who taught this "well", this kind of language always makes people feel that these women are absent-minded. If this continues, Yi Yue may be taught badly by this group of people. Thinking about the possible future situation in her heart, she couldn't help laughing.
Just when I was able to relax for a moment, someone came to inform me that all the generals had gathered and sat down in the hall, waiting for me. I had no choice but to straighten my clothes, say hello, and leave. But this time, Guo Pei didn't come to help me.
When I sat down in the hall, I heaved a sigh of relief because I suddenly realized that I had been thinking about my wife and Yiyue all the way, but not about politics. I didn't know where to start, but I kept thinking.
"You've worked hard these past few days. Do you think I'm a little scared? Haha! This is the first time I find it so hard to laugh." After saying that, he sighed again, causing everyone to come and persuade me to be relieved. I really needed them to persuade me to be cheerful, because I didn't feel it before, but my nose was sore after I came out.
"Okay, I'm fine!" I shouted loudly, asking everyone to return to their seats. At the same time, I frowned and tried my best not to let these useless tears flow out.
"We suffered a great loss this time. Fortunately, Brother Chen noticed something was wrong and sent reinforcements. Otherwise, we would have had a hard time getting away with this. I felt uneasy when E Huan came, but I let him go. I thought these people would not come to this place, but I didn't expect that Xiliangzi would actually lead his troops to come here. As a result, we are in such a situation. The loss of this battle is all my fault." After I finished this paragraph, I immediately raised my hand to stop everyone's desire and added a request: "This time, it's just me. Brothers, listen carefully."
"We finally won the battle after all." I forced a smile on my face. "In this battle, Brother E Huan deserves the most credit for defeating Liu Han Lie Ya, and Hu Sa Lie Nan Kingdom is slightly behind. I will record the contributions of the other brothers as well, but things are not over yet, we still have things to do."
I stood up, walked to the painting on the wall, pointed at the southwest foot of Wuling Mountain, and said, "Tomorrow, I will ask a few of you brothers to go there to survey, choose a good terrain, and build a pass for defense. It doesn't need to be too high. Now the people are exhausted and unable to complete such a large project. Even if Dong Zhuo sends people, it is estimated that there will be several thousand people. Brother E and I will not be able to follow the baggage and food with us. If we bring more food, we still need to eat wild fruits and hunt along the way to make up for it. The enemy is unlikely to attack with a large army. If they come, they will have to send as many people as this time. I plan to let the Yizhou army come to guard. What do you think?"
"Marquis Fengyun has taken this matter very seriously. In fact, we can just build a little framework and let the people of Yizhou complete it." Chen Ying's idea is good, but I don't think it is appropriate at this time.
"Let's repair it all." I finally decided, "We still have thousands of civilians on hand, so don't treat the guests so harshly."
I paused and continued: "Build beacon towers between the pass and Mingzi, and build some from Mingzi to Guiyang and Lingling. Let the people of Yizhou prepare to cultivate land here, draw some water from the upper reaches of the moat, and make up for the summer rice in April. There will be a good harvest in late autumn. Let them arrange their own shifts, guard the pass and cultivate land at the same time, and be self-sufficient. We in Jingzhou have also encountered many difficulties this year and cannot afford so much food and grass. You will work hard for a few more days. Before the project starts, the new army of Po Liu Han will leave first. Two thousand people will be stationed here temporarily, and General Chen Ying will coordinate and prepare for defense before the Yizhou people come. The other brothers will take the soldiers and horses of each county to rest for a few days, and then prepare to go back. When the Yizhou people come, Chen Ying will lead most of the troops to leave. You will go to Xiangyang to station there, and you will have things to do. The defense here will be completely handed over to the Yizhou people. I will discuss with Brother Chen about the relief of the people of Mingzi, and the position of county governor here will be filled by Chen Ying."
"Yes." Chen Ying agreed, and when everyone saw me finish, they also bowed.
"Zi Yu, help me draft a letter to Brother Chen." If there is something I can arrange for my brothers to do, therefore, I think being the boss is a very good thing.
"Why... why... what am I?" But the brother obviously had some opinions
"Well, I let your son write it, and you still have objections, right?" I looked fierce.
"Then it's me." It was obvious that Chen Ou was not confident enough.
These last few sentences really comforted me. Everything will eventually pass, and I still have to live. I haven't married Yinling yet.
Now he talked a lot with his brothers, asking about the battle they had fought against the mountain bandits more than ten days ago. There were many jokes in the conversation, including one about how Su Fei was so mesmerized by the beautiful scenery of the mountains when he was surveying the terrain that he wandered around in it until dusk, and because he didn't remember the way, he didn't know how to get back. Everyone said that it was fortunate that Su Fei went there in the costume of a middle-aged bumpkin. If Sun Yuhai had gone in dressed as a cute mountain girl, there would have been a grand wedding banquet for the village's new wife.
While chatting with his brothers, he thought of something in his mind, and dragged out Po Liu Han Lie Ya from the crowd: "Long Xing, come out with me." Before leaving, he turned back and reminded Chen Yingduo: "Remember, bring the person you recommended to meet me."
When he got out of the door and went to a secluded place, he began to interrogate: "Where did you put the captives from Xiliang?"
"Don't worry, big brother. More than 300 prisoners are locked up in the soldier cave of the beacon tower outside the city. I have sent heavy troops to guard it. I am waiting for your words. When will you take action? Do you want to do it yourself?" He asked excitedly.
"You...what do you mean?" For a moment I really didn't understand why this guy was jumping around so happily.
"Kill these bastards?" He felt strange. "Everyone in our city died. Aren't you thinking of revenge? That's why I kept them alive."
"Nonsense, nonsense, if I die, will you really kill all the prisoners?" I was a little exasperated, but looking at my brother's innocent and surprised expression, I could only laugh and cry.
"Of course..."
"Alright, alright, is their leader dead? If he's not dead, bring him to me. Don't tie him up. Just bring him to me. If he resists, you can beat him." I knew there was nothing to teach this barbarian, so I quickly stopped him from talking and let him do his job.
Half an hour later, I saw this young man in the hall with fresh wounds on his face. I knew that this was what Long Xing did on the road, regardless of whether he had any so-called "resistance". When I finished speaking, I felt a little scared. I should have let Sun Yuhai go earlier.
But despite this, I didn't blame Long Xing, nor did I feel sorry for him. I just asked the questions I had thought of long ago, one by one.
"Do your people still have enough to eat?"
"Don't be so fucking hypocritical." This was said quite unnaturally.
"You are not a rough person. I knew it when we were fighting that day. I guess you learned it from being locked up with your brothers these days." I didn't want to laugh, and continued: "I was afraid that my brothers would do something immoral, so I asked you."
"Yes, you won't starve to death. But don't count on it. We will treat you like this in the future. We will take extra care of you!" The guy was very ferocious. He asked the guards below to come up and hit him on the head with weapons. He just looked at me and didn't dare to move.
"Your name should be Guo Xu, right?" I remember that he called himself Xu at that time, so he said directly: "It's great that Xiliang has a young general like you. Fortunately, you came to us on your own, otherwise I would have a lot of trouble when I entered Xichuan."
"You will die if you go in. The lord has many capable generals under his command..." But he did not come out. Perhaps he was thinking of the Battle of Hanzhong that year. His words actually aroused my repressed teenage nature, and I boasted on the spot: "Didn't I drive you into Xichuan? And I took all of your Xiliang land."
"You have all the land of Tianshui?" He seemed to have always been in a corner, not knowing the situation outside, but he thought about it and said sarcastically: "Ding Yuan has caused you heavy casualties, right?"
"No, if we fight with you, Ding Yuan will not be allowed to come. But we didn't suffer any damage in the Battle of Hanzhong. Ding Yuan didn't know the situation and didn't dare to move at all." To be honest, until now I still don't understand how Zisheng and Zishe could convince that old fox Ding Yuan to stay still.
"Then why don't you kill me? Why do you ask me? You want to get words out of me and persuade you to give up this idea? It's impossible." He sneered, his face was very firm, and his body was sitting upright. If he hadn't stood on the opposite side of me, I would think that this person has his respect and worth making friends with. However, for the sake of all the brothers in the underground, I will never make friends with him. Maybe the talkative people in the future will think that I am narrow-minded, but if I am broad-minded, I think everyone can make friends, regardless of old friends and enemies. I would rather be a narrow-minded person. I think I should not have this right. Behind me lie the bodies of so many brothers who died tragically at their hands. I don't have this right to make friends so unprincipled.
"I'm going to send you back to your home in Xiliang, but it has been rebuilt. Your original home has been destroyed by you yourselves."
"You what?" he suddenly asked doubtfully.
"You and the soldiers should return to your hometowns and farm the land, but do not leave your hometown. I will not let you leave. You should live a stable life for a few years and live with the common people." This was my idea which was later considered "quite naive", and I had no idea what effect it would have in the future.
After that, I waved goodbye and let him leave without asking about Xichuan's situation. I think this might be the reason why people later called me childish.
Finally, he showed some of his manners and bowed to me. I didn't return the greeting, but just turned away and waved to let someone take him away.
The next few days were quite lively, but it was nothing more than various arrangements. However, Song never showed up, which might have hurt my military advisor's self-esteem. It was indeed my fault, so after making all the arrangements and putting a stone down in my heart, I held Yi Yue and took my wife with me, and finally looked at the northern slope for a while, and then left silently.
These past few days, Yi Yue finally accepted me, but I stayed by her side in my free time every day. Sometimes she even needed me to change her diapers. I think she should have me in her dreams.
I have started calling her a bad girl, a name we have all agreed on. Bad girl always makes noises at night, causing me and Pei Chang to go to her room in dishevel and restless. Usually it is not because her milk is wet, but because she is hungry. But the annoying thing about this thing is that although she has stopped breastfeeding, she will vomit if she is asked to eat porridge with egg white. She can only sleep peacefully if her grandmother feeds her milk. When we go back home, we always have a hard time falling asleep, listening to this bad girl babbling like a learner, while discussing why Yi Yue has stopped breastfeeding, and refuses to eat things that can be eaten during the day at night, and is more energetic at night. Finally, I gave her an explanation that she thought was credible, but I was sure I was talking nonsense when I said it myself: "She must have dreamed about her own changes in her sleep. I think that was when she was eating milk. As for the situation before that, I'm not sure. She must have remembered the sweetness of breast juice and couldn't help it anymore. And she slept like a dead pig all day, how could she not have energy at night?" The person in my arms laughed constantly, and I had to deal with many inconveniences from then on, which was a bit hard for me, as I had many big things to do the next day.
So, when I got on the car and left Mingzi, I quickly fell asleep with the bad guy in my arms. I was afraid that the vibration would hurt the bad guy, so I asked him to put a lot of felt under it. But I didn't expect that my long-cherished wish of having a good sleep would be fulfilled.
When I opened my eyes again, it was already night. I stretched out my body and pulled back the quilt. Suddenly, I realized my hands were empty. I was so scared that I quickly searched around and shouted, "Pei, Pei!"
"Zirui, what's wrong with you?" Guo Pei's voice immediately approached me nervously.
"Where is the bad guy?" My hand was still searching, but it fell on my wife's legs where she was sitting cross-legged.
"She's in my arms, you fell asleep, and, be quiet, don't wake her up." She didn't realize it at first, but halfway through, her voice really became much louder.
"Oh, that's good." I breathed a sigh of relief.
"Well... what are you doing with your hands?" the wife asked, unable to help laughing.
"Mō my wife." I said in a serious voice.
"You are a frivolous person." My wife couldn't help laughing. But she couldn't separate her hands, and she couldn't yell at me. She could only try to dodge, but there was not much space in the car. In the end, I put both hands up, and kept saying, "What should we do tonight?"
There is a reason why the bad guy is called a bad guy. Because just when her father's "harassment" of her mother was about to end successfully, she suddenly burst into tears.
I don't want to describe the "tragic scene" of that night. She rarely needed to change the diaper at night, but that night, she came three times, twice had sex, once had a shit, and even stained our felt, making the car smell a bit like a toilet. It was dark and the wind was strong outside, so we had to light a torch. When we changed the diaper in the car, we caught the shed on fire in our haste. When I hurriedly put out the fire, the bad guy who had just changed the diaper actually laughed very happily, which made the two of us look at each other helplessly.
After being tossed around by her two or three times, she had no choice but to ask Nalan to come over and take care of it, and also asked someone to remove the felt, so that she finally managed to get through the night. However, since Nalan was in the car, some things could not be done.
On the second day, at dawn, we arrived in Guiyang. The mountains still looked like mid-spring, but outside the mountains, it was already late spring and early summer. The hazy surroundings could already show a thick green. The green rice seedlings in the fields that were originally barren when we left had grown quite tall. The thick clouds in the sky brought a sultry heat. As soon as I got off the car, I quickly took off my thick coat and breathed a long sigh of relief: "Oh, it's getting hot. Summer is coming."
Before entering the city, I saw farmers working in the fields in groups of three or four. I thought to myself, these farmers are really hard-working. I hope there will be no disasters this year so that the people can look forward to a good harvest. But thinking of the natural disasters I had talked about with my brothers, I couldn't help but feel a little worried. Thinking that the discussion in Beijing has not yet come to a conclusion this year, I feel uneasy. The news from all over the country is that nothing has happened. Instead, it is more like the silence I felt on the city wall before the Battle of Hanzhong. But everyone knows that everything will happen in the end. The only difference is that last time everyone knew what would happen, but this time no one knows.
There are all kinds of rumors among the people. Just like today, when I was holding Yi Yue in the car, I heard that the court was in a dilemma and wanted to call me back to make the final plan, and "I" might lead troops to Beijing. When Zi Yue greeted me, he also asked if I should be controlled a little. I agreed to this. Otherwise, it would make people all over the country so panicked, which is not a solution. And if this spreads, it seems like I am trying to usurp power. As the saying goes, three people make a tiger. Although I am nominally a commoner, everyone knows that I will rise again. Although I know this is inevitable, it will definitely be very disadvantageous to me if it spreads.
After settling down, the second thing was to find out where Song lived, and then come to apologize in person. I also asked about the situation during this period, and it really hurt this stubborn gentleman. He has been drinking in his house these days and has not come out. The two musicians kept trying to persuade him to relax and not be so depressed.
On the way from my residence to his place, I kept thinking about what I should say, but I couldn't think of anything. I felt that I had done nothing wrong, I just gave him a little too much lip service. After all, he was young and courageous, and I seemed to be a little disrespectful to him. But at that moment, I just didn't want anything to happen to him.
However, after I thought a lot, prepared a lot, and even tidied my clothes, I found that Song took the initiative to come out to greet me. He had obviously tidied his clothes. Although his face was obviously drunk, he had done all the etiquette. He came to my horse and saluted. I hurriedly dismounted and supported him, saying only one sentence in a heavy voice: "Brother, I am a little sorry for you, but I have no choice. If this happens again, I will do the same. Mingzi is the only one who survived."
He didn't say anything. He was obviously too excited after drinking too much. He hugged me and cried for a long time. He couldn't control himself until two musicians helped him up. Maybe he felt that he didn't do what he should do. I know that this person is worth sending away because I may have to ask him to assist me for the rest of my life.
I have always been drastic and resolute in doing things. As soon as the matter in Guiyang was settled, I left with my family.
This is something I have wanted to do for a long time, but it is a small matter. Guo Pei and I have discussed everything, and she also agreed that I should go. So when Yunmeng was about to reach the north bank, I left first. I don't think it is necessary, but she wants to go home first. I think she still has some concerns in her heart.
When we boarded the speedboat to Zigui, the sky and earth were hazy with mist and rain, and there was a gentle warm breeze. It was a rare good and continuous spring rain. The surrounding sails competed on the water, riding the wind all the way. Although we were under the blue-gray tent, we could still feel comfortable and praise: What a majestic scene.
"How is it, Brother Zirui, how is our navy?" Chen Ou paced on the deck, feeling quite proud.
"Well, it's pretty good. I haven't seen it for a few months. It's a new look." I leaned against the battlement on the boat and watched quietly. I felt quite emotional. However, I was still a little worried. I shouted to the people below, "Nalan! How is Yiyue?"
"Fortunately, the princess is sleeping soundly." There was a hint of incredible surprise on her face.
I was also surprised, but this seemed to indicate that this bad guy was in very good health, which made me feel relieved.
"This girl is in good health... Are you really going to recognize her? She is the daughter of your enemy." Chen Ou smiled awkwardly and said this with a little hesitation.
“Well, it's pitiful that the girl's mother was cheated, and the girl did nothing wrong, and she's very cute,” I laughed, then curled my lips: “It's not like I can't afford to raise her, so just raise her when she grows up... If she is a brother, when she grows up, remember that she is my child and treat her as my child. Her father is me, and her mother's name is Huang Xin... Huang Xin... Yes Huang Xin.” I sighed, thinking about something in my heart.
Zi Yu said nothing more, but nodded and went to inspect the rowers under the warehouse. I still held the battlement with my hands, looking at the scene in front of me. Indistinctly, the cliffs on both sides of the Xiling Gorge were already in front of me. The surging waves from the gorge were difficult to cause waves here. Occasionally, ripples appeared in the distance, and then disappeared between the water and the sky. Seeing this scene, I couldn't help but stretch my body and let out a long breath.
Ziyu came out of the cabin again, greeted me, pointed at the river, and asked me with a smile if I felt like writing a poem. I was silent for a moment, not shy, and actually quoted a passage: "In the west of Jingxiang, it opens in the mountains of Shu, and the river is rushing and surging. Above Yunmeng, the smoke is vast, have you ever seen it? It is a line of water and clouds."
He strolled over, facing the vast water on all sides, took off his bamboo hat, and howled to the sky, feeling very happy, and then continued: "I started singing by the lake, where does the water come from? This Milky Way, mistakenly entered Xichuan. The mountains are getting higher, the water is getting farther, have you ever seen it? The fog is blocking the horizon."
Chen Ou listened and smiled at first, but when I finished, his expression changed slightly, knowing that I couldn't get rid of these thoughts in my heart, so he wanted to interrupt. I was already looking at the water and continued: "The boat trip, across the fields and paths, now on it, my heart is at a loss, like a slight ripple on the water, like a slight splash on the water, have you ever thought about it? The mountains are endless." After finishing this paragraph, I jumped onto the parapet, pointed to the west and chanted: "A journey of a thousand miles, I am not afraid of its difficulties. A deep abyss, I am not afraid of its dangers. I only worry about the people, their situation is pitiful. Have you ever thought about it? The days are like years!"
After finishing reading it, I breathed a sigh of relief. When I turned around, I saw Chen Ou sighing and shaking his head.
At this time, the water level in the gorge was rising. For safety reasons, they did not allow me to go in and out by boat. Fortunately, I did not care. I got on the horse as soon as I got ashore and led Yi Yue's carriage, driving slowly on the plank road, thinking that it might be faster to go by land. I said goodbye to Zi Yu, who told me not to think too much and to have a good trip. I smiled and said I would see him again in a few days.
Chen Ou was still coordinating the navy outside, and Zigui was handed over to Zitong when he left for Mingzi. Thinking of this, I thought of his wife's name, and I even thought that maybe it was because of her that the flood did not recede.
I haven't met He Bo's wife yet, but her name is something I can't forget as long as I look at the flood: "Huang Zexiang." I didn't attend their wedding. It might be impolite to go empty-handed this time, but I really can't think of what to give. When I heard about their marriage, I remembered that the current Mingzi garrison commander was forced out of the middle of the wedding venue in the neighboring mountain village by Chen Ying. Their two families are old friends, and this man married someone from the Chen family. However, the bride doesn't look like Chen Ying at all, which is the only thing that makes me breathe a sigh of relief. Because the bride's family came to make trouble, nothing serious happened. The groom was originally from Yizhou. When his ancestors came out to avoid the plague in the early years, they settled in a nearby village and lived in seclusion. The groom's surname is Xiang. He is tall, very energetic, and has some talent in conversation. After listening to a few words of casual conversation, I saw that he was wearing a red robe, so I quickly decided on this matter and asked him to take the bride back first.
Later, I forgot the man's name, but because of the red robe that day, I always called him Hong when talking to others. Frankly, every time I think of this incident, I want to laugh, and everyone else just laughs when they mention this incident.
After some random thoughts, I came out of the city again. I could no longer hold back the thoughts that I had avoided for half a day and let them spread everywhere. I said to myself, "The breaking of the flags and burning of the banners seems to have happened only yesterday." And in my heart I thought of the hug in the city. It was the first time I did that with another girl.
I tried to put this matter aside, after all, I had a wife, so I tried my best to recall how I had exposed my right arm in front of everyone, muttering to myself, but in my memory I saw Huang Yi's tearful eyes in the crowd in front of me. I shook my head desperately, not knowing what to do.
"Big guy, what are you doing?" I knew it was Zitong, he wouldn't call me big brother, he would definitely call me big guy. I looked up and saw this devil, lying on the top of the city wall, looking at me with a smirk on his face.
"Long time no see. I've been to your house for a while to visit you and your sister-in-law." I tried my best to keep my voice calm when talking to him.
"Oh, are we going there?" He said with a frown on his face and a forced smile.
"So what?" I tilted my head without avoiding the question.
"Go, she's here, the whole family is here." When I was in the city gate, I could still hear his voice, and at this time, he had regained some seriousness.
"Thank you." I just whispered to myself. I turned around and asked the coachman behind me to let their carriage continue to follow me, and then I continued to drive on.
The scenery was still the same, the dusk was still the same, but the black paint on the door was more mottled, and there were more sad people in the mist and rain. I took my daughter down from the car and told her not to cry, and went with my father to see my grandfather and aunt.
I waited in front of the door for a while, and when I calmed down, I knocked on it. The door made an old sound, like the groan of a thirsty old man. I stopped, but my heart started beating faster and faster, like a swing that could not stop.
There were footsteps at the door, so soft and familiar. My heart beat faster and faster. I put my hand on the door, as if I was about to touch her.
My footsteps stopped behind the door, but there was no sound of the gate being opened. It seemed that she knew of my arrival and was at a loss as to what to do.
In an instant, I seemed to be able to see through this old door that was old and decayed, and saw the fresh and beautiful woman, whose hand joined mine. However, when I tried to move forward, I was still blocked by this dark door.
The rain was still falling, and water dripped from the eaves onto the stone steps, slowly shattering the illusion before my eyes, washing it away until there was only depressing darkness before my eyes.
The gate was finally pulled open, slowly moving away from the crack in the door. His hand left the door and he unconsciously took two steps back.
The heavy door was finally pushed open, but the heavy door in my heart was closing.
Yiren was still elegant and refined, but a little haggard. When she saw me, she was overjoyed at first, but eventually she bowed with a smile on her face and called me politely, "Brother-in-law."
I completely closed the door, looked at the little girl in my arms with a warm smile, and said, "Yi Yue, come to see your aunt."