On the long official road, two carriages were driving leisurely. There was a bit of cold wind on the road, and the chill was getting stronger. The north seemed to be becoming vast and desolate.
Song Mu felt suffocated in the carriage, so he simply walked on the road at this moment. Although his steps were slow, his steps were steady.
From time to time, some students walking on the official road appeared, each with a tired look on his face, but still not afraid of the cold wind. Sometimes he muttered and recited books, and sometimes expressed his wishes for a safe journey to Changsha.
However, they almost always look up and look ahead from time to time, as if they are full of longing for everything ahead.
Song Mu also raised his head and looked ahead. After the corner of the mountain col, there was Chang'an.
After returning to the Wen Dynasty, Song Mu could only stay in Jinling for a month, and then he took his family to the north. This was indeed due to the reasons mentioned by the governor, but more importantly, it was because of the personal visit of His Majesty's imperial decree.
Song Mu was ordered to choose a day to set off and return to Chang'an.
Although there were not many words, it also showed His Majesty's intention. Song Mu was able to be reactivated. Naturally, he took his family along the way and arrived outside Chang'an in a month.
Walking on this official road at this moment, Song Mu also felt emotional in his heart. Looking at the students walking slowly, the days of rushing for exams in the past were still vivid in his mind.
At that time, I also had longing for the future.
And ahead, there are legends that I have created, and there are also pains that I once did not want to remember.
However, the past is like smoke and the road ahead is long. Song Mu has long been relieved. As the carriage follows the horse and turns to the foot of a mountain, the majestic Great Wall of Baoshan appears in front of him again.
The familiar Gao Qiang and the stern soldiers standing at the top of the city were still there. A solemn atmosphere rushed towards them, and Song Mu also led the crowd forward slowly.
It was still Zhuque Pass. Before Song Mu reached the pass, a person hurriedly landed at the pass, and then immediately came to Song Mu's side, bowing his head and saluting.
"Master Hanlin is here, I am humbled by my humble duty and welcome you from afar!"
The officer spoke solemnly at this moment. The surrounding soldiers and the people waiting to enter the customs were stunned when they heard this, and they all turned around to look at Song Mu.
Many people even gave in unconsciously.
They all heard clearly that the scholar in front of them turned out to be a scholar at the Hanlin level.
And they were even more surprised that this Hanlin master was so young and full of elegance, which was in sharp contrast to themselves and others.
Song Mu experienced many such scenes along the way. At this moment, he just showed a smile, looked at the lieutenant who saluted him, and said with a smile.
"Lieutenant Xu, please don't be cautious. Now, Song will call you General Xu, right?"
After hearing this, Xu Wang immediately raised his head. When he saw Song Mu's face clearly, he was suddenly startled, with a bit of joy on his face.
Just at the top of the city, Xu Wang felt the pressure of the Hanlin realm, so Xu Wang immediately came out to greet him. At this moment, he saw Song Mu's face clearly, and he said in surprise.
"The champion of the Song Dynasty is actually you?"
When the people around him heard this, their expressions changed, especially the scholars among them. They seemed to jump up suddenly when they heard this name. People immediately rushed forward and called Song Mu this time.
It was passed down to ten, and passed down to a hundred, and everyone knew that this was actually the world-famous Number One Scholar of the Song Dynasty, and for a time, everyone was even more respectful.
Song Mu also raised his hands to everyone, then looked at Xu Wang in front of him, nodded and said with a smile.
"General Xu, I haven't seen you for many years. Congratulations on successfully entering the Jinshi realm."
Xu Wang hurriedly handed over his hands and said this with great emotion.
"Thank you so much for the number one scholar of the Song Dynasty. I used to say that the number one scholar will return one day. Although there were rumors in the past, now that I see the number one scholar, I am really excited..."
Song Mu also surrendered.
"The general has given too much praise, but Song and the general both contributed to the Wen Dynasty, and we encourage each other this time."
Xu Wang also quickly handed over his hands, the excitement on his face could not be concealed.
After a few words of greeting, Xu Wang also arranged for Song Mu to enter the pass, and Song Mu also passed through Zhuque Pass with everyone around him.
After entering the Baoshan Great Wall, it seemed that the biting cold wind had dissipated a bit. The two little guys on the carriage could no longer hold themselves back and begged Gu Qingqing. At this moment, they got off the carriage and were on the road with Song Mu.
walk.
"Dad, is Chang'an ahead?"
Song Huaitong dressed up as a Confucian scholar and asked Song Mu. Song Mu nodded, looked up and said with a smile.
"Yes, Chang'an is coming soon."
Song Chengming also followed, speaking to Song Mu with flashing eyes.
"Dad, are there really as many delicious foods in Chang'an as there are at home?"
Song Mu looked at the greedy little son, patted his head dotingly, and said with a smile.
"Of course that is, but the so-called self-reliance, if Chengming doesn't recite the book, your mother won't do it."
The little guy immediately pouted after hearing this, seeming a little embarrassed, but he nodded.
Gu Qingqing, who was on the carriage behind him, also smiled slightly when he saw this scene.
Seeing this, Song Mu also smiled and picked up Song Chengming, and now walked forward with Song Huaitong.
This section of the road seemed a bit long, but at noon, everyone arrived at the foot of Chang'an.
Chang'an was right in front of them. Song Mu's family got off the carriage and looked at the capital in front of them. Looking at this largest city in the Wen Dynasty, they couldn't help but feel a little surprised on their faces.
After everyone had their blood tests and entered the customs, as the bustling crowd went in, a surprise call suddenly came from the front.
"Brother Song, you are finally here."
While talking, Song Mu looked forward and saw Xu Yuncai. Xu Yuncai was now in his thirties and looked much older. Seeing Song Mu coming, he hurriedly took a few steps forward, but there was a reserved look on his face.
look.
Song Mu stepped forward with a smile, cupped his hands, and said with a smile.
"I haven't seen you for a long time, Brother Xu. Why are you still a little unfamiliar?"
Xu Yuncai then slowed down his excitement a little, but at this moment he looked behind Song Mu, and Song Mu also introduced him. Xu Yuncai was also happy when he saw the two boys, and forcefully stuffed the two dolls and two jade pendants, and then
Ask the servants to help take the carriage all the way to Chang'an.
"After receiving Brother Song's letter, I estimate that Brother Song will arrive in the next few days. The city has already made arrangements."
Song Mu had already written a letter before coming to Chang'an. Xu Yuncai paid so much attention to it and even waited here every day. Song Mu was also quite touched by this.
The two walked along and talked about some old things in the past. Song Mu also learned about some new things in the Wen Dynasty in the past few years, as well as some anecdotes about Chang'an.
"There haven't been many changes in Chang'an in recent years, and the people are living and working in peace and contentment, but there are indeed some rumors about it."
"First, there is a rift between the left prime minister and the right prime minister, and there are some rumors in the city."
"In addition, the Du Mu Poetry Sect was re-established and became famous in the capital. His musical method is rare in the world and is now talked about by many literati."
Saying this, Xu Yuncai approached Song Mu and whispered.
"It's just that Brother Song is willing to write more folk books. Now it can be said to be famous all over the world. The second part of your "Haishishiji" was also popular all over the world."
Song Mu smiled when he heard this. He didn't pay much attention to the folk books, but it seems that he relied on these folk books to make his wife and children at home wealthy.
But under the current situation, Song Mu has no such plan yet.
After everyone arrived at the residence in Chang'an and settled down, Song Mu chatted with Xu Yuncai for a few words.
Hearing that Song Mu was in a hurry to return to the palace, Xu Yun did not dare to be reckless and arranged carriages and horses. However, he remembered something and spoke to Song Mu.
"Brother Song, you must have heard a lot about the situation in Chang'an. You should be more cautious this time."
Seeing Xu Yunfei's serious face, Song Mu smiled and nodded.
The carriage traveled leisurely, and Song Mu stood in front of the Imperial City Square again, looking up, with thoughts swirling in his heart.