The long window was ajar, and Li Hui looked out the window. The residual snow and flowers and trees presented a special look and feel in the sunlight. They seemed to be full of vitality, but also seemed to be harsh and cold. From this angle, it looked like they were in spring, and from that angle, it seemed like they were in spring again. It's severe winter.
Li Hui slowly sat on the futon and waited. The ice and snow on the eaves were melting and dripping down. Everything seemed to be isolated from the world, peaceful and quiet.
At this moment, Li Hui heard a strange sound of "tuk-tuk-tuk" coming from the corridor to the east of the small hall. The sound sounded like someone knocking on a bamboo board, or like someone using a cane. In short, In such a quiet environment, the sound seemed very abrupt.
When Li Huizheng was confused, the beeping sound had already reached the door of the hall. The next moment, the door of the hall was pushed open. A slender man wearing a loose gray robe and his bun simply tied with a cloth appeared. At the door.
The man has a handsome appearance, fair skin, and a long beard under his chin, which is neatly trimmed. Looking at his appearance, he seems to be around forty, but he seems to be more than that. It is difficult to judge his age. The whole person gives people the impression He was casual and comfortable, but a little sleepy, as if he had just woken up.
Li Hui noticed that his clothes were very thin. He only wore a plain undershirt under his robe. In such a harsh winter, he actually only wore a pair of thin socks and a pair of thick-soled clogs. The man walked in quietly. Only then did Li Hui realize that the thumping sound that came from before was the sound of this person's clogs while walking.
"Huh? Who are you? Why are you in the small hall of Sanjin? Do you have anything to report?" The man asked in surprise when he saw Li Hui.
Li Hui was stunned and immediately realized that he was being treated as a servant. Although the man in front of him did not know who he was, but since this man appeared in the back house of the Xie family and behaved casually, he was obviously a member of the Xie family.
Li Hui stood up, bowed his hands and said, "My Excellency, Li Hui...it was Brother Xie Xuan who brought me in."
"Li Hui?" The man squinted his eyes and frowned and thought for a while, then suddenly raised his head and shouted: "Axuan, Axuan, you bastard. Why did you leave the guest alone again? Axuan!"
This sudden voice startled Li Hui. The man looked elegant, but he suddenly shouted in a loud voice, which really surprised Li Hui.
The man smacked his lips and said: "This bastard doesn't know how to treat guests. How can he leave the guest here alone? It seems that it can't be done without giving him some pain."
By this time, Li Hui had almost guessed who the person in front of him was, and his heart began to beat excitedly. No matter how many speculations and descriptions he had about this person before, no matter how many wonderful anecdotes he had read , allusions and stories. Those are all people in imagination and records. But now, the person standing in front of him is the living person.
"I have the audacity to ask you rudely. Are you Xie Anshi or Mr. Xie?" Li Hui asked with a trembling voice.
The man looked at Li Hui and said with a smile: "I am Xie An. You can call me An Shi. Is your name Li Hui? I know you."
Li Hui was excited. He had actually thought before that he should be more reserved and neither humble nor overbearing after meeting Xie An. But at this moment, these thoughts disappeared completely.
Li Hui respectfully knelt down and saluted Xie An. This actually had nothing to do with Xie An's status or any issue of face. It was completely a kind of worship for the top figures of this era who were as bright as stars, and a kind of respect for the younger generation. The heartfelt admiration of the virtuous elders.
"Junior Li Hui, please pay homage to Mr. Xie." Li Hui said loudly.
Xie An's expression did not change. He was used to seeing others being respectful in front of him. He just smiled and said: "Brother Li, there is no need to be so polite."
Li Hui kowtowed and stood up, standing aside respectfully.
Xie An walked to the futon behind the case and sat down, put his long sleeves on his knees, and looked at the scenery outside the window with a calm expression.
Li Hui stood aside and looked at Xie An secretly. According to the time, Xie An should be in his fifties at this time. But the skin on his face and neck is very delicate and fair. In addition, he only wears thin clothes.
Stepping on wooden clogs, he was not afraid of the cold at all. Li Hui could almost conclude that Xie An must have been taking Wu Shi San for a long time.
Wushi Powder can make the skin tender and tender, and those who eat it regularly will feel hot and not afraid of severe cold. However, the side effects are also serious.
"Brother Li just arrived in the capital yesterday, right?" Just as Li Hui was thinking about this, Xie An suddenly asked.
Li Hui hurriedly bowed and said: "Exactly. I was supposed to come to Beijing this year, but my mother needed to settle down, so she was delayed in Shicheng County. Thanks to Brother Xie Xuan for helping me report to the Ministry of Officials... so I was delayed."
Xie An waved his hand and said: "You bastard makes the decision privately and does great harm to others."
Li Hui was stunned for a moment, confused.
Xie An said in a deep voice: "Li Hui, do you know that you originally came to Beijing to serve in the Shangshu Province, but because you delayed it, now the posts in the Shangshu Province are full, and the official position originally planned for you has been appointed to someone else.
"
"Ah?" Li Hui said in shock.
Xie An's slender eyes seemed to be smiling but not smiling, with a hint of joking in his eyes.
"Xie Xuan hasn't told you yet. He doesn't dare to tell you either. Oh, it's a pity. Originally, this was an opportunity for you. Serving in the Shangshu Province is what many people dream of. But the opportunity is like heaven.
The clouds dispersed in the blink of an eye. What a pity." Xie An sighed softly.
Li Hui's mind was racing. He didn't understand what Xie An meant when he told him this. But one thing is certain, Xie Xuan would not cheat him, and he would not hide it from him.
Moreover, the strange thing is that Xie An could not have said these things. Anyway, he didn’t know. What was his intention in saying it?
"Thank you, Mr. Lord, it doesn't matter. If I lose my original official position because of my filial piety at home, I will have no choice but to accept it. This means that I have no such luck in officialdom. Besides, filial piety comes first. My mother is much more important than any official position.
I don’t feel it’s a pity.” Li Hui said in a deep voice.
Xie An looked sideways at Li Hui and laughed: "Are people nowadays so duplicitous? Even young people are like this. I don't believe you don't have any regrets in your heart."
Li Hui bowed and said: "I do feel sorry for you, but these things are beyond my control, so that's all I can do. Any official position is acceptable to me."
Xie An smacked his lips and said, "Then things are a bit troublesome now. You have come to the capital to work, but you don't know what position you want to take. There are no vacancies for good positions, and I am afraid that you will not be satisfied with bad positions. What should we do?"
Li Hui scratched his head and said: "Li Hui will take any official position arranged by the imperial court. Even if there is no official position available, there is nothing I can do. I will just wait for a replacement."
Xie An chuckled and said: "Are you so peaceful? This surprises me. Brother Li, you saved Xie Xuan's life. I should thank you very much. But I can't show favoritism because of this matter. Isn't that right?
Being looked down upon by others? However, if the official position is not what you want, I am afraid that you will be dissatisfied and say that my Xie family is unkind and will not take care of you, Xie Xuan's savior, at all. What do you think we should do?"
Li Hui hurriedly said seriously: "Mr.
So there is no need to mention this matter. Besides, isn’t it because of the importance of the imperial court that he came to serve in the capital? If he got the official position for other reasons, it would be a humiliation for his subordinates. Li Hui is not talented, so there is no need to use this method to obtain it.
The official position has been reused. Mr. Xie, if I wanted to do this, I would have been able to do it long ago."
Xie An looked at Li Hui with a smile, his eyes seemed to penetrate Li Hui's heart.
"Hehehe. Young people have a bit of a temper. Li Hui, I have heard about you and know that you have done a good job in Juchao County and have a good reputation. However, you really don't think that you are just because you are in Juchao County.
Chao County made some achievements and was transferred to the capital as an official, right?"
Li Hui heard something was wrong and bowed and said: "I believe that the imperial court has its own considerations when selecting and appointing officials, which cannot be guessed by me. Besides, I have not made any achievements."
Xie An smiled and said: "As long as you understand. What I'm worried about is that many people think of themselves as talented people and think too highly of themselves. Many people in this world are like this. They often feel depressed and frustrated.
If you fail to recognize your talents, you will inevitably develop anger or decadence, which will affect your life."
Li Hui heard these words sincerely and said hurriedly: "Thank you so much for your teachings. I have never thought so. I come from a poor family and cherish every opportunity. I also know that there are as many talented people in this world as crucian carp crossing the river, which can make people climb high."
There are also many great sages and wise men who look up to me. What I did was just fulfilling my duty. It is not a meritorious achievement, and it is not worth feeling proud of."
Xie An looked at Li Hui and smiled and said: "Well, it seems that you are very sober. It is rare for you to be able to say these words at your age. I just wonder if you don't mean what you say? I have seen many people speak so eloquently.
There are many people who say things like that, but most of them don’t mean what they say. I don’t know if you are that kind of person.”
Li Hui bowed and said: "Sit down and speak, then act. Words and deeds should be integrated. Mr. Xie doesn't have to listen to what I say, but wants to see what I do. I don't need to explain too much. It's useless to explain."
Xie An laughed and said: "Interesting, interesting, I was taught a lesson by you."
Li Hui said hurriedly: "I don't dare. I don't mean this. I just spoke from the bottom of my heart to answer what Mr. Xie said. I have no disrespect at all."
Xie An smiled and nodded, slowly stood up and walked to the window, standing with his hands behind his hands. The sunlight filtered in through the long window, illuminating his handsome face with a bright light.
Xie An took a deep breath of the cold air outside the window and said in a deep voice: "Li Hui, since you said that you come from a poor family and cherish every opportunity, I believe this. You need to have great ability to take up a post in Juchao County.
Courage and determination. I heard Wang Muzhi say that you once told him that you were gambling with your life on that one chance. Isn't it a bit extreme to gamble with your life?"