The sun and the night are changing, and the wind is blowing. In this land of the Wu Dynasty, which is thousands of miles away, the border has always been a subtle and sensitive word.
The Liao Kingdom, Xixia, Tubo, and Dali, from Xiongguan in the north to the mountains in the southern Xinjiang, the border is just a thin line. One step is a foreign country and the other is a homeland. However, on such a border, there is always a piece of land.
A piece of land, in a micro
Between the cracks of Miao La, we cannot enjoy the tranquility and peace we deserve. The troops on the border don't care about it, and the people in the country will selectively ignore it. There are many people who don't even know that such a place exists.
existence.
In people's eyes, there are the smoke and clouds of the ancient capital, the splendor of Qinhuai, the prosperity of the capital, the sweet-scented osmanthus of the south of the Yangtze River, and all the way north, there are also battlefields like Shura fields, but there is no concept of this layer of cracks. It is like a war.
The inevitable battle losses on the formation, because of its inevitability, people simply stopped thinking about it. They put it behind them and just fought.
Between the ravines and gaps, the breeding wolves walked through the barren and dangerous mountains. Luliang Mountain was one of the areas that lived in this gap. People in the Wu Dynasty did not regard this place as an enemy country, but they did not regard it as an enemy country.
the people as companions, not many people know what is going on here, not many
Few people understand the ecology here. If it were not for the interest involved, this place in Qingmuzhai in Luliang Mountain would probably not have much to do with the outside world from beginning to end. It would exist here and be annihilated here.
Until it disappears from the memories of very few people...
But even now that there are interests involved, there are still not many people who really understand this place. Located in an inconspicuous small place on the map on the northwest side of Luliang Mountain, is a valley where thousands of people live. The valley is in a short period of time.
It expands rapidly in time, and all developments appear to be rushed and bloated.
In the market located on the outside of the valley, houses and shops are crowded together on the edge of the rugged mountains. The outer market of Qingmuzhai was originally a place for passing merchants to settle down or trade with each other. Because Qingmuzhai maintained its
Basic order can at least protect the sexuality of most people
The safety of life quickly expanded. Now the sewage flows freely here and the crowds are crowded. Heroes and bandits from nearby areas gather. Beggars and cockroaches and mice compete for a place here. And this kind of place is the whole Luliang in the past year or two.
The most peaceful place in the mountains.
In the valley on the inside, the inner village, which is not open to ordinary people, is much more relaxed than the outer village. However, due to the rapid development, there are many new people joining the village. This part of the valley is still busy, with a large number of new buildings.
A simple building was built, and the wood and materials that came in and out every day seemed to be piled up in an unorganized manner at first glance, but in the midst of such development, after all, there was not much in the basket.
This place has never been a place that emphasizes equality and fairness. The chaos and noise are mixed with the atmosphere of primitiveness and savagery. People who are absorbed into the mountains and lack of adjustment will occasionally hate each other, but power and force suppress most impulses.
.The most powerful in martial arts
The most ferocious Blood Bodhisattva does not allow blatant internal strife to exist, nor does it allow people to break a few simple rules in the mountain. Once broken, there is no humane service such as reasoning or enlightenment, and many times, they are not expelled.
Cottage this kind of opportunity.
Making small mistakes means you are bloody, making big mistakes means you deserve to die.
Coordinated with this high-pressure power is a clear and open path to the top. The principle of joining the Shanzhai is very simple. As long as you have skills or are hard-working, you will be quickly absorbed into Qingmuzhai. The scope of skills includes
In all aspects, superb martial arts is of course the most intuitive and simplest. Even if it is making noodles or frying pancakes, it doesn't matter. If you prove that you have the skills you are good at, you can definitely join.
If you don't have any skills, you won't have any martial arts skills. As long as you know the rules and are willing to endure hardships, you can be absorbed by the village. The rules are also very simple. Follow the newcomers in the village to train in the most demanding environment for ten to fifteen days, such as running.
For example, you can simply stand still, work hard, be obedient, and never give up. After being trained until you are half dead, you can join in.
These things are not simple. It does not mean that people who come from places like Luliang Mountain must be able to endure hardships and stand hard work. Just like bandits who are used to robbing with knives in the mountains, they are often unwilling to work in the fields anymore, and it is like in the modern context.
For young people who are involved in the underworld, there are of course environmental reasons and educational reasons, but more importantly, it is because they are too lazy to work. Although it is unstable, it is at least easy and simple. There is no threshold, and there is no need to work overtime for twelve hours in a factory.
.
Of course, such people will not get sympathy. They will be given up and then wander around Luliang, joining groups of other bandits. Then in some cases, they will be squeezed by Qingmuzhai, or they will
Die because of something. If someone is bound to die under certain circumstances, in this cruel world, those who do not want to make progress are naturally the most natural sacrifices.
In fact, in the social structure of the past and present, people may yearn for a harmonious society of freedom and equality, but at the social level, class is not necessarily a matter that needs to be taken care of. In most cases, a stable social structure does not need to care about people.
Whether it is equal or not, and as fair as possible is the core that needs to be maintained.
A country or organization can have huge class differences, but people at the bottom can study, those who study can take the imperial examination, and those who pass the imperial examination can become the privileged class. As long as this system operates well, the organization can be maintained stably. Most of them
The reason for the internal demise of the country is that the path to superiority gradually dies. The privileged class starts to monopolize the path to the upper class in order to maintain its privileges for a long time. When it becomes more and more difficult for the smart people at the lower class to ascend to the top, their dissatisfaction will become more and more serious.
The more piles there are, the more you can choose to rebel in the end.
For this reason, although Qingmuzhai continued to expand, although it also caused various problems, there was no big shock that was really troublesome. When Tan Zhen's "recruitment edict" was issued in the summer of this year, he was able to turn his attention to Lu Liang.
When people with interests nearby gathered around, what they saw was such a confusing and confusing village.
It is completely different from various prosperous or not prosperous cities in the south, and it must also be different from the barbaric and primitive cities in the north. It has developed and become lively because of every business. It is full of blood and barbarity, and the one above
Everything is controlled by arrogant force, and it seems to be full of internal contradictions and unstable factors, but it just happens to be pieced together like a suture monster.
"Mr. Liang, I know that you are a smart man. Unlike people who grew up in the mountains, you have seen the world. How can you manage the village to this extent? How much can Mr. Tan's recruitment edict contain?
You can definitely see the benefits..."
It was a cloudy day. In a small courtyard room on the mountainside of Qingmu Nei Village, a middle-aged man was talking.
"South of Luliang, what we really want to talk about is the territory of our Qi family. After the Zhao'an imperial edict was taken over, not only the status, but also the military equipment. How much of these benefits can be obtained depends entirely on the relationship in the capital... He knew that he was coming this time.
There are a lot of people in Luliang, and what they are interested in is nothing more than the businesses that Qingmuzhai is currently running, but you can see it, old man.
Coming out... In the army, whether it's Wu Shengjun or Dong Pang'er, these soldiers are all cannibals. When it's time to follow the rules, they generally don't do it. When it's time to take advantage,
, but they will not be lenient at all, and the army does not know how to do business. If your village falls into their hands, it will be really ruined..."
"Our He family is a businessman. We don't do unnecessary things. It's only right that we all stick together and make money together. And... we have the power of the Qi family behind us. Now several mountains in the south are willing to cooperate with us.
Together with Luliang's business, you can calculate for yourself how much money we will make by transporting things to the north... Moreover, how many people can officially compete with Dong Pang'er and Wu Shengjun?
…”
He kept talking in a leisurely and unhurried manner. After he finished speaking, a cough sounded in the room. After a moment, the cough suddenly increased in volume, and the old man who was half lying in the room suddenly
As if he was about to die, he coughed for a long time before finally stopping with difficulty. His voice was weak and hoarse.
"He...cough, Yuanwai He, I have thought about what you said. It's just like what I said, things in the village...such big things are always decided by the village owner.
...I am old, my body is not good anymore, and my brain...is confused sometimes. I think what you said
It makes sense, but... I don't know if I have to think clearly, and I need to make more calculations and discuss with people more, so these things still... ahem, I still have to wait until the village leader comes back before I can make a decision, but
I think what you said, Mr. He, makes sense, and I will tell the leader of the village..."
"Well, I know that's the case, but Mr. Liang, Master Lu has been out for so long and has been waiting for too long." Officer He looked embarrassed, "I know Mr. Liang, you are the leader of the village.
The backbone of this. You know, these
The earlier the decision is made, the more beneficial it will be. The Qi family is waiting for my reply... Mr. Liang, let’s not beat around the bush. Please give me an accurate answer. If you nod, this matter will be considered a success.
Okay, okay. Please don’t embarrass me, a junior."
"Hey, what kind of foreign language is there? You old man... cough cough, old man speaks well, every word he speaks from the bottom of his heart, cough cough... cough cough cough cough cough cough..."
The coughing sounded again. After a while, the middle-aged man surnamed He said goodbye reluctantly and led his followers out of the yard, his face gloomy. In such weather, looking down, he could see people coming and going at the bottom of the valley, and various arrangements.
It was chaotic, but a few children in shabby clothes were very happy while running around.
"Damn, you're really working hard, old guy..." He Yuanwai cursed in a low voice, "You still won't let go."
The follower next to me came over: "Commander, why are you angry with these people? It's all business..."
"Damn it, look at these people." He Yuanwai pointed downwards, "You don't know, right? There are a bunch of beggars and bandits who don't have enough to eat on weekdays, in this place where birds don't lay eggs.
, if we hadn’t given them a way to make money, they would still be hungry now. You know what hunger means
What does it look like? I asked him to eat shit and he ate it! After eating a little bit of what we had left, he started to take care of it. Now I see several people coming to look for them, and the leader of the village doesn't even show up... By the way, I arrived yesterday
That group of people, the group that looks very fierce, have you heard about their origins..."
"Not yet, I'm asking."
"Go and find out." Officer He glared at the follower and then looked down, "Although birds don't lay eggs in this place, if this business falls into my hands, it can be doubled several times at any time, and now it will be given to a bunch of poor beggars.
Controlling, it’s really...fuck you, let’s see how I deal with them after the matter is settled, and I’ll take their village leader home and give it away when I’m tired of it...fuck you! Old thing..."
He left here in a low voice and cursed. In the room in the courtyard, the old man coughed for a while and drank some tea to soothe his throat before he calmed down a little. He was the old man Liang Bingfu who had been in charge of Qingmuzhai.
I have spent half my life taking care of things in Qingmuzhai. I also brought up and taught
The old man's health is getting worse now, but he still manages most of the affairs inside and outside the village. After sending He Yuanwai away, he lay there, wrapped in a quilt, closed his eyes and rested for a while. About half an hour passed.
.Suddenly someone came in from outside and said something in his ear.
Liang Bingfu opened his eyes. At that moment, his eyes had a bright look that he hadn't seen for a long time. After a while, he held the crutch with one hand and was about to get up from the recliner.
The person responsible for taking care of him was a thin black boy who came over to help him. Liang Bingfu’s movements were shaky, but there was a sense of hardness in them. He walked out with a cane and his pace seemed a bit fast. This courtyard is
It was just built this year, there were not many decorations, and the yard itself was not big. A man approached and said, "Grandpa Liang, why are you out here?"
Liang Bingfu said: "I pick up people... one after another!"
Seemingly confused, the man who had just come in to report the news went over and whispered, explaining the matter.
Holding the crutches, the old man walked outside the courtyard door. The thin black boy next to him was still helping him, but he pushed him away with one hand: "Go away." Then he found that there was a blanket on his shoulders, "
"Wow!" he threw it to the young man: "Take it away!"
At this time, he had already put his hands on the crutches, tapped the ground a few times, and then stood there majestically. His face was already full of wrinkles and age spots, and he pursed his lips, making them look thin and full of age spots.
A solemn and severe feeling. The mountain road ahead is still empty. Looking down from the mountainside, the village is getting bigger and bigger. It is also becoming crowded. There are more people. In the past two years, I am no longer hungry.
Many people have died...
He is not a talented person with great talents and great plans. In terms of talent and learning, he may not even be considered a middle-aged man back then. He was rescued by Hongti's master and went to the former mountain village and then to the former stockade. That woman
He said to him: "Please help me take care of this place."
." He still remembered what that woman looked like at that time. Although the appearance may have been imagined, he remembered the expression at that moment more and more clearly, so he lived here, supported the village, taught his disciples, and enabled them to
Survived. But many people still died.
From the clumsiness he once had to the majesty of his standing figure, what weighs heavily on him is responsibility, a mountain-like responsibility. Some people have their backs broken because of responsibility, and some people will die because of responsibility.
Get the same powerful power.
At the other end of the road, it seemed as if the wind was blowing from the sky. He went out just to pick up the man Hongti brought back, but for some reason, while standing there with his cane, he suddenly thought of the woman from before, many years ago.
The scene when she was riding away with her sword on her back, what things she left behind, now, these things may be able to go down...
Not long after, several figures came over from the other end of the road. Hongti was still wearing a cloak, but her hair was slightly rolled up by the wind. Her face only had the usual smile and indifferent expression, but her pace was no longer as usual.
It was so heavy, and the old man could tell it at a glance. After all, he had been watching her grow up since she was a girl.
The scholar who was following her was also walking towards this side. The old man was leaning on crutches and looked at him on the steps at the door. He tilted his head, and then raised his head to look at the old man. His eyes were complex and steady.
Unlike the younger generation, he was not proud either. Until he came to him, the scholar lowered his head, cupped his hands, and bowed deeply.
This is not like the way a son-in-law looks when he meets his father-in-law... The old man thought to himself, but his serious eyes did not change. After a while, he asked: "Why do you worship me?"
The scholar had already stood up: "I want to thank you for what you have done here."
"Yeah." Liang Bingfu nodded, his eyes stopped somewhere in the air for a moment, and then as if he had reacted, he turned sideways again and nodded, "Well, come in, you all... come in."
He held the crutch with one hand, turned around and walked inside. Hongti came over to help him. (To be continued...)
ps: Maybe not tomorrow, because I have to go out to do some errands, and then I will continue.