Chapter Seven Brothers and Sisters Reunited, Old Friends Meet
The three of them were in sync with each other, and they fell in love with each other at first sight and swore a sworn vow in the pear garden. However, they did not burn incense, witness, or take the blood oath.
There are only pear blossoms all over the sky and three beautiful spring days as evidence; a heart-to-heart relationship and a perfect union of love and affection.
"...I, Luoning, Tuo County, named Zhiyuan, am eighteen years old, and would like to become brothers with different surnames, Li Dingguo and Su Xian..."
"...I, Li Dingguo of Min County, named Marquis of Jin, am twenty-two years old. I would like to become brothers with different surnames from Luo Ning and Su Xian..."
"...I am Su Xian of Tuo County, named Mingxuan, and I am twenty-one years old..."
The ceremony was completed in a moment, and the three of them looked at each other and smiled.
"It's a pity that there is no wine!" Su Xian reached out and picked up a pear blossom, "There is only one petal of heart fragrance, like this pear blossom!"
"A single thread cannot make a thread, and a single tree cannot make a forest. Big brother and second brother, today the three of us are united, and if we are brothers together, nothing will be done to our detriment!"
"A real man knows his grudges clearly and acts as he pleases. Even though there are thousands of people, I will leave." Li Dingguo brushed off the pear blossoms falling on his shoulders, "From today on, Li Dingguo is willing to be attached to the eldest brother Fengwei."
Luo Ning said: "We share joys and sorrows, we share weal and woe, we live in wealth and honor, and don't forget each other."
Being a man of two generations, he certainly has good eyesight. Li Dingguo and Su Xian are very worthy of a close friendship, which is not easy in these troubled times.
Li Dingguo said: "Since we are brothers with different surnames and love each other as brothers, I don't need to hide it."
"My ancestor was Cao Guogong, the founder of the Xia Dynasty, and he served as generals for generations. But later he was deprived of his title and the clan was separated. By the time of my grandfather, he was already working as a farmer, and by the time of my father, he had become a refugee."
When he said this, his heroic and heroic face couldn't help but reveal a sigh.
"It's a pity that I have the blood of a general, but I don't have the resources to practice martial arts. I can't rebuild my family business and serve the country."
"Nowadays, the age is too weak and the years are wasted. I am often aggrieved for this."
Luo Ning and Su Xian could not have imagined that Li Dingguo would be the queen of Cao Guogong, who had the blood of a general.
A natural talent, a martial arts wizard!
However, since ancient times, the poor were poor in culture and rich in martial arts. Practicing martial arts and military skills requires a lot of money and resources, and ordinary families cannot afford martial arts training.
But for Li Dingguo, who has the blood of a general, these should not be a problem.
According to the imperial system, he will be directly selected as the famous general Miao Zi and sent directly to the Taiwu Hall in the capital to learn martial arts and military tactics. He will have a bright future.
Why…
Li Dingguo continued: "I know that the eldest brother and the third brother have doubts. In fact, I could have participated in the selection and entered the Taiwu Hall directly."
"What is hateful is that the important matter of selecting national military attachés is actually in the hands of Confucian and Taoist civil servants!"
"Zhou Yayan, the observer who is responsible for selecting generals, wants to accept me as his son-in-law. However, his daughter became pregnant before we were married, and she doesn't know who the adulterer is. How can I, a noble man, agree to it? So I flatly refused."
Su Xian smiled bitterly and said: "I see. Zhou Yayan is the observation envoy of Yizhou. The state pastor even gave him three points, but you offended him to death. How can you get any good results?"
Luo Ning couldn't help but shake his head.
The Yizhou Observer inspected Yizhou on behalf of the Celestial Empire and was very powerful. Li Dingguo offended him. It was good enough to survive, but he still wanted to stand out?
Li Dingguo sneered and said: "Later, although Zhou Yayan left Yizhou and returned to Beijing, before he left, he issued a demotion order and found an excuse to downgrade my Li family from a peasant status to a lowly status."
Su Xian and Luo Ning both understood.
In Daxia, people with low status were not included in the court's selection of candidates.
No matter how talented you are, the imperial court will not select talents from humble backgrounds.
Institutionally, his official career has ended.
Unless he can get rid of his humble status, it would be too difficult for Li Dingguo.
The Confucian cultivators of the Great Xia Dynasty not only shared the same spirit and had officials protecting each other, but they were also famous for their ability to punish people.
Su Xian said: "Second brother, it's not just you? I am not the same."
"Have you ever heard of the Su family in Shu County?"
Li Dingguo said: "The Su family of Shu County is one of the four great families in Yizhou. It has been a famous family for thousands of years. Who knows? Could it be that, third brother, you are from the Su family of Shu County?"
Su Xian looked sad: "Yes. My younger brother is the direct grandson of the Su family. Eight years ago, our brother and sister were still in Shu County, thousands of miles away."
"At that time, my late father was involved in a high-level demon conspiracy case. He was accused of secretly communicating with evil spirits and was arrested and imprisoned by the embroidered dragon guards."
"In order to lose the soldiers and save the car, the family expelled my late father from the clan and was never allowed to return to the clan forever."
"My late father was abandoned by our sect and was treated as a scapegoat and executed."
"My late mother took my little sister and me away from our sect, came to this county, and settled in Tuo County. She died of grief and anger, leaving only us, brother and sister..."
"The high-ranking families are the most ruthless and have nothing to cherish. The Su family of Shu County has nothing but hatred for me."
Luo Ning sighed: "In this way, although my family has no origin, it is also simple, unlike the two brothers."
He had already noticed that the two of them had good backgrounds and were not from real grassroots backgrounds at all.
Li Dingguo was heroic but not vulgar, and Su Xian was elegant and knowledgeable but not snarky. They must have a solid foundation.
After everyone said this, they felt closer and knew a lot more.
The three of them left Lihuayuan and continued on their way. There were more and more refugees along the way.
Most of the refugees are in this county. They are homeless in this county and rarely leave this county.
They ranged from small families to more than a dozen large families, traveling through villages and countryside in groups.
“Twenty percent of people registered as refugees in the world” is definitely not an exaggeration.
However, the reason why farmers become refugees is not only because of loss of land, disasters, and excessive taxes. Many of them do so to avoid thieves, plagues, and ghosts.
Often when thieves, plagues, demons and ghosts are causing serious trouble in a certain place, the people there drag their families and leave and become refugees.
After his hometown became peaceful, he ended his wandering and returned home.
This kind of homeless people make up the majority. However, there are not many people who really have trouble eating and are homeless.
Today's situation is that cities and towns are still peaceful and prosperous, but remote villages are becoming increasingly restless.
Su Xian looked at the endless stream of refugees on the roadside, and he couldn't help frowning and asked: "Where has the disaster happened?"
Li Dingguo pointed at the refugees: "At first glance, they are refugees hiding from thieves and monsters. They also bring furniture, livestock, and food. It's not like they don't have food to eat."
Luo Ning rotated the Lingdao Pearl, sensed the expressions and breaths of the refugees, and said: "It is to avoid the plague, and the god of plague is causing trouble. Hum, the god of plague is causing trouble, but the city god and the land do not care, and the incense is in vain."
Logically, he should find out about it and see if he can use it to help the refugees and collect will power.
But he was thinking about his sister at home and didn't want to worry about it for the time being.
"It's really strange that the government turns a blind eye to these matters." Su Xian said thoughtfully, "If the government had properly rectified the situation, it would never be like this."
Li Dingguo snorted coldly: "What's so strange about this? It's nothing more than corruption in officialdom, leaving the dead to eat nothing, slacking off in government, and only knowing how to dominate and do good things."
"That's not right." Su Xian shook his head, "Second brother, I think there must be something fishy. Although the government's neglect of government is common, it is not close to indulgence."
Li Dingguo shook his head: "Let's go, eldest brother has something urgent at home."
The three people and the dog ate a few mouthfuls of dry food and drank a few mouthfuls of mountain spring water on the roadside, and then continued on their way.
In the afternoon, we finally crossed Qinghe Kuan and arrived at Maple Leaf Village.
Turning around a hill, I saw maple forest like fire and as bright as smoke. A village of two to three hundred households was located surrounded by maple forest.
Beautiful and picturesque.
The smell of fireworks and human beings hits your face, making you feel peaceful.
The bluestone archway at the entrance of the village was so familiar that Luo Ning felt particularly cordial even if it was his first time back.
Several half-grown cowherds were riding on the backs of the cows. When they saw Luo Ning entering the village, they couldn't help but whistle.
"Hey! The husband-in-law of the Xue family has returned to his parents' house. It's a rare visitor! Let the village elder come out to greet him."
"Don't talk nonsense! He is not a son-in-law!"
"What is he if he's not a son-in-law?"
"You barged in the door upside down!"
"Ms. Ganlin, isn't that the same? Haha!"
"No, it's Jinshi's brother-in-law who's back! Be careful, Jinshi's brother-in-law will treat you like shit!"
Several young boys started laughing strangely.
"Wow!" The little black dog suddenly barked at the sounds of the cowherds, as if he understood their ridicule to his master.
"Haha! Look at that bitch, as long as I kick him down..."
When they saw the burly Li Dingguo's eyes that were as cold as lightning, they all shuddered and fell into silence.
Luo Ning walked by as if nothing had happened, turning a blind eye to these mountain village boys who were neither simple nor kind.
But when he heard the words Jinshi brother-in-law, his red and phoenix eyes became even colder.
When the villagers saw Luo Ning coming back, many people wanted to strike up a conversation, but Luo Ning looked like he didn't recognize his relatives, and no one came forward.
No one dared to point fingers behind his back, because everyone in the village knew that he would soon be Master Jinshi's brother-in-law.
Even if his sister is just a concubine, she can still be regarded as the brother-in-law of the Jinshi Master.
Luo Ning was familiar with the road and made twists and turns in the village, passing by farmyards one after another, and soon came to a simple courtyard with a loquat tree in front of the door.
A naive girl about twelve or thirteen years old, wearing a moon-white skirt and two corner buns on her head, was sitting under the grape trellis in the small courtyard, collecting the soles of her shoes.
Although she is still young, like a flower in bud, she has already begun to show her peerless charm.
That kind of natural beauty that is difficult to conceal comes out from the childish and exquisite face, like a painting.
She is truly a beautiful woman with all her makeup.
"Li'er..." Luo Ning saw the girl at the entrance of the hospital and couldn't help but smile like a spring breeze.
He was raised in a mountain village with a hidden jasper, and his sister's name is Luo Li.
Luo Ning was anxious all the way, but when he saw that his little sister Luo Li was fine, Luo Ning was temporarily relieved.
Feeling relieved.
"Brother!" Luo Li looked up and saw Luo Ning, his petal-like mouth opened slightly, and then he showed a look of surprise.
She dropped the needle and thread in her hand, stood up suddenly, and threw herself into Luo Ning's arms.
"Brother! Wuwu..." The little girl hugged Luoning and cried loudly, "Mom is missing! Missing!"
What?!
Luo Ning trembled, "What did you say! Mom is missing?"
Luo Li's little hand tightly grasped Luo Ning's arm, Rumu's little face was full of tears and nodded, "Mom has been missing for seven days, and a note was found in the room..."
Luo Li took out a carefully folded note from his arms.
Luo Ning opened it and took a look, but there was a line of handwriting as powerful as a silver hook and iron painting: "My mother has gone away temporarily. You brothers and sisters, take care. We are destined to meet again, so don't miss her."
"This is not my mother's handwriting!" Luo Ning's face was as gloomy as water, "The owner of the handwriting took my mother away!"
Luo Li lifted his arms from his arms with tears in his eyes, "I also saw that it was not my mother's handwriting. Brother, who took my mother away?"
Luo Ning shook his head: "I don't know. Li'er..."
He could only comfort his little sister, "My mother will be fine. She will definitely come back. Don't worry. The person who took my mother away probably didn't have any malicious intentions."
Luo Li nodded: "Brother, I know that my mother must be safe and sound..."
When Li Dingguo and Su Xian saw this scene, they couldn't help but sigh.
The son comes back, but the mother is missing!
It's really easy to say goodbye but hard to reunite.
Luo Ning comforted Luo Li for a while, and suddenly saw the soles of the shoes she was wearing. They were clearly a pair of men's shoes.
Whose shoes are these? Li'er is only twelve years old!
"Li'er, whose shoes are these?" Luo Ning asked gently, touching her sister's head.
Luo Li was about to cry. Looking at the unfamiliar Li Dingguo and Su Xian, he hesitated to speak.
"They are all Brother's brothers and sisters, just say it." Luo Ning frowned slightly.
Luo Li lowered his cute little head and whispered: "It belongs to brother Cai family, brother Cai family..."
Brother Cai...!
When Luo Ning heard this, he almost had a fit on the spot.
If someone forces you to be a concubine, why don't you return the favor to Cai's brother?
Sister, do you know the severity?
Your brother didn't even wear the shoes you made, but you made shoes for Cai Ji.
Sister!
Luo Ning didn't know what to say for a moment.
"Little sister." Luo Ning took a deep breath, "I heard that Cai Ji wants to take you in...are you willing?"
He took the initiative to make shoes for Cai Ji and kept calling him brother of the Cai family!
Luo Ning's heart seemed to have been stabbed by something suddenly.
If she is not innocent, then does she really want to be Cai Ji's concubine?
Luo Ning found it difficult to accept.
At this moment, a hearty laughter suddenly came: "Oh, Zhiyuan is back! I miss you so much!"
This voice is so familiar, so kind, and so trustworthy to the original owner.
But when he heard this voice, Luo Ning could only feel chilled.
Heartbroken for the original owner!
While Luo Ning calmed down his emotions, he turned around and saw a familiar figure with an elegant demeanor.
Cai Ji!
At this time, Cai Ji was no longer the shabby young man he once was. Instead, he was dressed in fine clothes, wearing a crown, and had a noble demeanor.
His whole body was filled with the noble and elegant temperament of a Confucian and Taoist monk.
Behind him was a sixteen or seventeen-year-old girl with an outstanding appearance in a blue dress.
This girl who looks like a rich lady is also very familiar.
It was Cai Quan'er who followed the original owner, Ning Ge eldest and Ning Ge eldest, and vowed not to marry anyone other than Luo Ning when she grew up!
But at this time, she was looking at Luo Ning with a dull expression, with a cold smile.
"Brother Cai family." When Luo Li saw Cai Ji, he smiled brightly and shyly, and even bowed awkwardly.
Luo Ning, Li Dingguo, and Su Xian couldn't help but show displeasure when they saw this scene.
this…
"Zhiyuan, you're back." Cai Ji walked up to Luo Ning with a square step and raised his head, "You look a lot better. At least the food in Xue Mansion is good."
"I originally wanted to go to Xue Mansion to tell you about Li'er in person. But if you come back just in time, that's just in time."
Luo Ning looked at the Jinshi master who was once as close to the original owner as a brother, and said in a neither humble nor arrogant tone: "Brother Cai speaks clearly."
Right now, we must not confront Cai Ji head-on. That would be courting death.