Lu Lan took a nap for a while, then went next door to call her third aunt. She had to go to the yard where the wounded soldiers were recuperating in the afternoon.
The door was closed, and Lu Lan, who was also a woman, pushed the door open without hesitation. She saw a white-haired woman sitting alone in front of the window, muttering something. Who else could it be but her Third Aunt? Lu Lan called out carefully.
Then I heard Grandma Bai sobbing and muttering: Why do I take care of him and serve him every day, give birth to a son for him, and take care of all the things inside and outside the house? He said he wanted to go to the mountains to study in peace and quiet. I made three trips every day to bring him cooked meals regardless of the weather. Am I not good to him? What did I do wrong? Why doesn't he even have the slightest attachment to me
Lu Lan was very panicked and upset when she heard this. She stepped forward and hugged Bai Lao's waist sympathetically, and advised her kindly: Third Aunt did nothing wrong, it's just that the man is a piece of shit. You should let go of those things. We can still live without relying on those ungrateful people.
Grandma Bai shook her head vigorously, tears streaming down her face: It's my own fault, Lan'er is right. I am old before my time, if my body wasn't so weak, he wouldn't have despised me.
I was joking with Third Aunt at noon, don't take it to heart. Lu Lan frowned and said, "So Third Aunt should be nicer to yourself and stop mistreating yourself like that. If you don't take care of yourself, how can there be anyone in the world who will cherish you no matter what you look like?"
Grandma Bai was in a bad condition, so Lu Lan had to go to the wounded soldiers' yard by herself to arrange the dosage of the prepared medicine.
In the evening, an elder from the Bai family came and asked Grandma Bai to go to the restaurant on Xianqian Street early the next morning to meet the elders and village elders from various families in Wushan County.
Guo Shao had someone arrange that. The next morning, he opened his eyes and thought about recent events, and then he remembered meeting Bai Lao in Wushan. As usual, Guo Shao got up, washed, dressed, and walked out the door. When he saw Lu Chengyong, the commander of the personal guards, he asked: "Did Dong Zunhui have any news?"
Lu Chengyong replied: In reply to my lord, no.
Guo Shao asked again: Has anyone who went to explore another path through Chijia Mountain returned with any news? Lu Chengyong replied: No, either.
Guo Shao hesitated for a moment: I have only been gone for two days, maybe I am too impatient. But I am really anxious living in this place where I cannot move around.
After breakfast, Zuo You came to remind them, and Guo Shao led his men out of the county government office and met people from Wushan County at a restaurant on the front street. The restaurant was full of soldiers inside and outside, and the place had been cleared. Old men entered the restaurant one after another, and some people in their seventies and eighties needed help to walk. These people seemed to be unable to do anything, but in fact they had great power in the local area. Because of their seniority and reputation, even the government had to consider their wishes.
Guo Shao arrived at the hall and exchanged pleasantries with a group of old men. The county magistrate and several village elders introduced their names one by one. Guo Shao acted very interested and politely said that he could not remember any of them and had no interest in them. He had almost no topics to talk about with the old men and only talked nonsense; but his attitude was still very good.
Soon, the young lady with the masked face and Wushan Bailao also came. Guo Shao greeted them and said: It is a great honor to meet the famous Wushan Master of our county.
Wushan Bailao knelt down and bowed: I pay my respects to Marshal Guo. I have been unwell these two days and am a little late. Please forgive me.
It's okay, it's okay. Guo Shao smiled and said, as long as you come here, it will be a great honor.
A group of people sat down at the square table in the hall, and a middle-aged man said: "The Great Zhou army came to Wushan County without harming anyone. The common people in our county were grateful for the kindness of General Guo, so they prepared some wine to reward the army two days ago, but they knew it was not enough." He turned his head and looked at the old man with white hair and beard sitting at the table. "Grandfather Li meant that people from all villages should get together and prepare some food and money for the Zhou army."
Wait a minute. Guo Shao hurriedly said, "Everyone, the elders and fellow villagers of Wushan County, there may be some misunderstanding. I am not here to blackmail that person today."
Everyone looked at Guo Shao, and the person who was talking stopped talking for a moment.
Guo Shao continued: Wushan County is such a small place, and it is not a particularly prosperous place. What use is the resources of a county to more than 20,000 elite soldiers? It would be too much if I continue to squeeze their bones and marrow. Can we temporarily transport our food and wages from the Yangtze River? We are not short of food.
After hearing this, everyone praised General Guo for his kindness and righteousness. The middle-aged man who had just spoken asked: "What is General Guo doing today?"
Guo Shao said: I have a good friend, Wang Pu, the Privy Councilor of the Great Zhou Dynasty. He is the Privy Councilor and has a say in national military policies. Wang Pu believes that the current Zhou Dynasty's tax system is too heavy. After unifying Shu in the future, if the Great Zhou national policy is copied in the recovered areas, it may make the Shu people feel too burdened. He advocates sympathy for the people of Shu.
After hearing this, all the gentry and village elders praised Wang Pu again and spoke highly of him.
Guo Shaodao: Not everyone in the Zhou Dynasty agrees with Wang Pu. You should understand that when our dynasty established the Central Plains, we not only had to clean up the broken mountains and rivers, but also had to face the nomadic cavalry in the north and bear the burden of the northern national defense line. The consumption was very large. Only Wang Pu had a long-term vision.
Now Wang Pu is seriously ill and treatment is ineffective. If there is no miracle doctor to help, I am afraid
The oldest grandfather said: Isn't Wushan Bailao the most skilled doctor in this county? Why not let her go and give Wang Shumishi a try
Guo Shao was very pleased when he heard this, and he said: "I am here today to ask for help from the Wushan Saint Hand, because Wang Pu is thousands of miles away from Tokyo, seriously ill and can't stand the bumpy ride, so I want to ask the Wushan Saint Hand to come. If Wang Pu's illness can be cured in the future, there will be a great reward. Of course, the more important thing is the long-term plan. If Wang Pu can recover, it will be of great benefit to the people of Wushan and even the entire Shu in the future; Wang Pu's proposal is beneficial to the people of Shu.
At this moment, the young woman suddenly said eloquently: Marshal Guo is really good at making such a big scene just to force us to go to Tokyo, which is thousands of miles away. You are putting such a big hat on me. If Third Aunt doesn't go, it will be a shame to the people of the entire Shu Kingdom. Who can bear it? She said angrily, Third Aunt is like this, and you still force her and use her. You men
Guo Shao was confused. It was indeed hard to rescue people in Tokyo, but he didn't want her to work in vain. He said that she was taking advantage of him too much. Although he was suspected of forcing her to win, he was not lying. Wang Pu's proposal in the letter was similar to that. If we follow the political ideas of most people in the Political Affairs Hall and mainly plunder the resources of Shu, you people who have been peaceful and relaxed for decades can bear the Zhou Dynasty's approach all of a sudden.
At this time, the great grandfather poked the ground with his cane and said angrily: Whose little girl is so disrespectful and has no manners. She has lost the etiquette of the people of Wushan. Marshal Guo’s words make sense. It’s just that he asked the Bai family to send someone to go and treat the disease. Can’t you tell who is older and who is younger
An old man said: Grandpa Li, please calm down. It’s all the fault of the younger generation for not disciplining the children properly.
Great grandfather said: If Wushan Bai Lao does not go, it will put all the people of Wushan in an unjust position, and we will not be able to face the people of Shu in the future.
"Go, even if I have to tie her up, I will let her see a doctor," said the gray-haired old man who called himself "younger generation."
At this time, the young lady spoke again: "If you want to tie me up, tie me up. The real Wushan White Lady is me, not the Third Aunt. If you don't believe me, ask the people from the Bai family. People mistakenly think it's my Third Aunt, just because her hair is white, and it's a rumor."
After hearing this, Guo Shao looked at the girl. He couldn't see what she looked like with her face covered. Her face was swollen. He was immediately puzzled and blurted out: You are so young, how could you be the Wushan Saint
If you don't believe me, ask the elders of the Bai family. The young lady said, don't judge people by their age.
Sure enough, someone came out to prove that the person who made Wushan Bailao famous as the Wushan Holy Hand was this Lu Xiaoniang.
Bai Lao, who was called Third Aunt, suddenly asked: Marshal Guo is going to Chengdu
Guo Shaozheng couldn't figure out who was who, so he replied: Of course we have to go to Chengdu. My Great Zhou army is attacking Shu from two directions. Our goal is to destroy Meng Chang's regime and unify it into one country.
Bai Lao hurriedly said: Take me to Chengdu, and Lan'er and I will go to Tokyo with you to meet your friend.
Guo Shao asked, "What you said is true."
Bai Lao said: Let me go to Chengdu to find my husband, and I will help you with anything.
Upon hearing this, Guo Shao roughly understood what was going on and said, "Good deal. If I had known this, why would I have bothered all the village elders?" He clasped his fists and said to the people around him, "My friend Wang Pu is truly a rare talent and a benevolent gentleman who cares about the people. I just wanted to save his life. Sorry for bothering him."
Guo Shao was just dealing with a matter, and since it was done, he would not stay any longer. It was originally a meaningless occasion. Unexpectedly, Bai Lao followed him and refused to leave. Previously, Guo Shao was afraid that it would be difficult to find her, so he sent his personal soldiers to watch her; now, she took the initiative to follow him and refused to let go.
After leaving the restaurant, Guo Shao advised: We have to conquer cities along the way to Chengdu, and I don’t know how long it will take. Bai Shengshou, help me treat the wounded first, and I will send someone to call you when we are ready to go.
Bai Lao said: You really want to help me find a husband
Guo Shao said: A man of honor should stick to his word. I will do my best. Otherwise, I will send someone to send you to Tokyo for treatment first. When I take Chengdu, I will bring your husband back to Tokyo and present him to you. It is said that he passed the imperial examination and became a Jinshi in Shu State. It will be easy to find an official there. Just give me your name.
Grandma Bai shook her head and said: I don't trust anyone. I won't see my husband. Don't blame me and Lan'er for not treating your friend. You should seek help from someone else.
Guo Shao touched the back of his head. In fact, even if you find him, what's the use