After finding the remains of his parents, Song Mu finally fulfilled his wish and took the remains by boat to the south without stopping.
Returning home this time, Song Mu will escort the remains of his parents back to his hometown, and also make arrangements for the ancestral hall. After all these matters are settled, Song Mu will embark on a new journey with Tao Fengming.
The river boat was swaying. It was still the end of the wet season and the wind direction was good. The boat was sailing very fast. Even if it was sailing against the current, it could travel hundreds of miles in a day.
In addition to completing the study tasks assigned by Tao Fengming, Song Mu spent every day in the cabin, thinking about the desk.
After coming out of that small village, Song Mu had always been deeply impressed by Mr. Tu's family.
One old hunter in particular, whose awe and reluctance to leave the mountains and forests, touched Song Mu's heart.
Recalling what happened in the past, about Taigong Fan in the fishing village in the mountains, and what happened in Shaozhou Prefecture, Song Mu felt even more emotional at this moment.
The world highly respects literati, who represent the trend of the times and everyone's expectations, and subsequently, everything that is famous seems to be connected with literati.
It is a good thing that everyone respects literature, but Song Mu felt somewhat indignant.
In fact, in this world, it is not just the hard work and achievements of scholars that deserve to be remembered.
People need heroic and legendary figures to look up to and rely on, but at the same time they also need some encouragement in real life. Everyone around them is actually worthy of admiration.
This time, Song Mu wanted to write some articles for the common people in this world. In the past, there were three types of officials: charcoal sellers, snake catchers, and wheat harvesters. Today, there are also scholars in fishing villages and hunters in mountain villages.
They were born in Wei Mo, lived in Wei Mo, and lived strong in the Wen Dynasty.
Only this time, there is no need to imitate the lamentations of the rise and fall of the predecessors. This time Song Mu is willing to cheer up everyone's spirit. Even though the times are bitter, he still keeps fighting.
This will be a book in which every citizen will see their own reflection when they open the pages.
The idea slowly took shape in Song Mu's mind, and everything became more and more unstoppable at this moment. Song Mu had already thought of the first story and immediately wrote the first paragraph.
"A certain fishing village is surrounded by mountains on three sides and faces a river on one side. As the saying goes, the green mountains and vast ocean are everywhere when you enter, and the swamps and roads interact with each other every step of the way..."
Song Mu's thoughts were clear at this moment, and his writing was like divine help. A complete story had already appeared on the page.
Only this time, there is no talented scholar to turn the tide, only an old man to protect the rural and deserted village.
At this moment, Song Mu was extremely fascinated. It was not until the sky turned dark and Tao Fengming stepped back from the door that he finally came back to his senses.
In front of Song Mu, a thousand-word article had appeared.
When Tao Fengming saw Song Mu come back to his senses, he glanced at the table again and just said softly.
"I've asked the boatman. We can reach Shiyang County early tomorrow morning."
Song Mu quickly stood up, and now led Tao Fengming to sit down and nodded. Tao Fengming was already looking at the article on Song Mu's desk.
Although he had long known that Song Mu had written a folk book and was very accomplished, he went to the provincial capital to study and never did such things again. When he returned home this time, he did not expect to pick up a pen again.
Song Mu also briefly explained to Tao Fengming. After hearing this intention, Tao Fengming nodded in agreement and said.
"The folk book you wrote is not to entertain the people, but to educate the people. It is very good."
"However, I remember that the original intention of your "Hundred Demons" was very good, but in the end, the folk adaptation seemed to have changed a bit."
Tao Fengming's words made Song Mu grin involuntarily. This was indeed true.
When I first wrote "Hundred Monsters", it was actually a bit too idealistic. Some of the stories were literally too bloody, so they also underwent some magical changes.
Fortunately, most of the stories are still original today, and the only ones that have been adapted so well are a few stories that really resonated with the public.
"But your story above is already in order, so there shouldn't be any big changes."
Tao Fengming added a sentence at this time, but he had already put down Song Mu's article. Song Mu originally wanted to say a few words, but seeing Tao Fengming's expression, he was sitting upright at this moment.
"There are still two years left for the National Examination. Do you want to participate in your weak year?"
When Song Mu heard what Tao Fengming said, his face showed a somewhat thoughtful expression, and he nodded.
However, Song Mu remembered what Liu Jue had said to him before, and said to Tao Fengming.
"Everything is decided by Master, but now, we can finally travel around."
Tao Fengming's expression was calm. He nodded slightly at this moment, but then shook his head slightly.
"It's natural to travel with me this time, but whether you will try it or not is entirely up to you."
Saying this, Tao Fengming seemed to adjust his thoughts and looked at Song Mu.
"Nowadays, the eyes of the world are focused on you. There are some things that you must not make rash decisions."
Song Mu nodded when he heard this, his eyes flickered for a while, and finally he just said calmly.
"Master, Song Mu knows the pros and cons, and will do it consistently as long as everything is done."
Tao Fengming nodded in acquiescence, and the two of them were speechless.
In the early morning of the next day, there was still a light mist on the river. At this moment, the ship owner was already greeting the crew. The big ship was about to arrive at the dock in Shiyang County.
Song Mu and Tao Fengming had already walked out of the cabin. Song Mu was standing on the bow of the ship, hugging the box of remains, looking into the distance.
The city walls of Shiyang County have been revealed under the sunlight, and the whole city seems to have just woken up.
Following the boatman's long whistle, the river boat slowly docked. After a tremor, the sampan had already set up on the dock.
Song Mu and Tao Fengming got off the boat, and beside them there were boatmen and dock workers carrying goods.
Shiyang County felt a bit cold in the early morning, and Song and Mu were slowly walking towards the city.
This is the city wall of Shiyang County that Song Mu has seen again for countless times, but every time at this time, it always evokes some thoughts in Song Mu's heart.
This past experience is still vivid in my mind, but now things have changed.
The soldiers at the city gate were still yawning twice. When they saw two scholars, Song and Mu, walking forward, they immediately cheered up and checked, and after confirming that everything was correct, they let them into the city.
The soldier who was still a little tired just now suddenly frowned and looked at the two figures who had walked away in the cave. At this moment, he scratched his head and said to the other soldier next to him.
"The two young men who just passed by look familiar. The young man holding a box seems to be..."
Suddenly, the soldier's eyes widened suddenly, and he said in surprise.
"That young master seems to be Song Mu and Song Jieyuan?"
The soldier next to him suddenly woke up when he heard this. The look on his face was a bit incredible at the moment. He was about to retort, but he saw the soldier just now pumping his fist in excitement.
"It's definitely true. When we sent students to take the college entrance examination last year, I was on duty next to the county magistrate. I saw it really clearly."
Saying this, the soldier was already excited and hurriedly greeted him towards the top of the city.
"Hurry and tell your lord, our Song Mu and Song Jieyuan from Shiyang County are back!"