On the sixteenth day of the first lunar month of the first year of Longhe, it has been sunny for several days. The weather is so warm that it feels like spring. The snow on the road has long melted. Only in the shade where the sun cannot reach, there is still white snow that attracts children.
Let's go and step on it a few times.
At 1:00 a.m. that morning, five oxcarts drove out from the heavy gate of Chenjiawu's circular dock. Chen Caozhi's trip to Jiankang began, accompanied by Ran Sheng, Lai Zhen, Huang Xiaotong and Xiaochan, and two more
There are two drivers driving an ox cart, one named Tian and the other named Song.
Chen Shang traveled to and from Jiankang many times and was familiar with the customs of the capital. This time he also accompanied Chen Caozhi, bringing with him a servant and a coachman.
Sitting in the other two oxcarts were Ding Youwei, Yuyan, Axiu, Zongzhi and Runer. Ding Youwei took his two children to see Xiaolang off, and went to Ding's villa to wish his uncle Ding Yi the New Year. Now Ding
The Chen family has close ties with each other, and Ding Youwei will no longer have to choose between her husband's family and her mother's family as before.
This is Chen Caozhi's first trip away from home since his mother's death. During the two previous trips to Wu County, his mother took Zongzhi and Run'er to a small pine forest three miles away from Wubao, and then stood by the roadside to watch her son go away.
——
As time passed and the years washed away, the figure of his mother with gray hair and kind expression became more and more vivid in Chen Caozhi's heart. Looking back, Jiuyao Mountain blocked his sight, and he could not see the gloomy short pine planted by his hand in Yuhuang Mountain Cemetery.
, a strong emotion suddenly surged in his heart. He wanted to go to his mother's grave again to say goodbye. Although he had been there yesterday, his mood was particularly urgent at this time. Today was a real trip, and he must tell his mother——
Chen Caozhi said to his sister-in-law Ding Youwei: "Sister-in-law, I'm going to my mother's cemetery again. You guys go slowly, I will catch up soon - Xiao Sheng, let's go." He turned around and left.
Ran Sheng put the baggage he was carrying on his back into Xiaochan's cart and hurried over. The two of them walked very fast. When Ding Youwei and Xiaochan got off the cart, they saw that Xiaolang and Ran Sheng had already turned around.
That's the square dock under construction.
Xiaochan said to Ding Youwei: "Madam, then I will also rush to say goodbye to my old mistress."
Ding Youwei shook his head and said: "Xiao Lang and Ran Sheng have strong feet. We can't catch up. They are sixteen miles away. If we go, we won't be able to cross the river in the morning."
Everyone was waiting on the road. After about half an hour, they saw Chen Caozhi and Ran Sheng rushing back. They were in a hurry. A layer of sweat broke out on Chen Caozhi's fair and handsome face, and he said to everyone: "
Okay, let’s go.”
Xiaochan took out her silk handkerchief and wanted to hand it to Xiaolangjun Cao Zhi to wipe his sweat, but she saw that Madam Youwei had already pinched a clean silk handkerchief in her hand and said: "Xiaolang, wipe your sweat and sit in the car.
, don’t let the cold wind blow again.”
The bullock carts rolled forward. The farmers, tenants, and employees in Chen's large manor all knew that Mr. Cao Zhi was leaving for Jiankang today. They stood in twos and threes on the roadside to see him off. These simple farmers were truly grateful to Chen.
Mr. Cao was grateful to Mr. Cao Zhi. When they saw Chen Caozhi’s ox cart coming, these farmers would bow or salute, and some of them would even say a few words of joy, such as wishing Mr. Cao Zhi that he would be granted the title of Marquis and Prime Minister as soon as possible.
, returning home in rich clothes and so on, Chen Caozhi got out of the car and answered the greetings one by one.
The road from Chenjiawu to Fenglin Ferry has been completely renovated. The road surface has been widened, paved with hard soil, and drainage ditches have been built on both sides. The road will not be muddy and difficult to travel on rainy days.
In front of the blacksmith shop in the pine forest, Laide stood there melancholy. In the past, Mr. Cao Zhi always took him and Xiao Sheng with him when he went out. This time, he was the only one left. The honest, stupid and loyal Laide didn't know what to do.
Xiao Langjun said something and just held Ran Sheng's hand tightly——
Ran Sheng said with a smile: "Brother Lai De, do you want to go to Jiankang with Xiao Langjun? Then go back quickly and ask Sister Qingzhi for instructions. Let's walk slowly and wait for you -"
Ding Youwei lifted the car curtains and said angrily: "Xiao Sheng, don't make fun of Laide!"
Chen Cao said: "Come to Germany and follow me next year to replace your second brother."
Laide nodded vigorously and followed Chen Shang, Chen Mo, Jing Nu and others who were seeing him off to the Fenglin Ferry. He saw hundreds of people gathered at the ferry. Ran Sheng was surprised: "There are so many people crossing the river today!"
Chen Shang said with a smile: "These are all the heads of the Nan'an family who came to see off the sixteenth brother. I'm just wondering why Chenjiawu is so deserted today. It turned out that they gathered here first."
Almost all the heads of the common people on the south bank of the Qiantang River, headed by Patriarch Liu, the father of Liu Shangzhi, had arrived. They had been waiting for more than an hour. When they saw Chen Caozhi arriving, they all greeted him together, and their words of blessing for Zhuang Xing filled his ears.
Patriarch Liu asked Chen Caozhi to take two large burdens to Jiankang and give them to Liu Shangzhi. Due to the long journey, Liu Shangzhi did not come back during the New Year.
Chen Caozhi agreed to see everyone off, and then boarded the ferry. Since last year, a large four-foot-six-foot boat has been added to Fenglin Ferry to facilitate travel between the north and south. Now there are three boats, two large and one small. Chen Caozhi
A group of five oxcarts and more than ten people can ferry across the river at one time.
The one-armed Jingnu told Ran Sheng something, and Ran Sheng couldn't help but nod.
After the ferry left the south bank, Chen Caozhi stood at the head of the boat and bowed to his tribe and fellow villagers to say goodbye. When he landed on the north bank, he still saw that the crowd on the other side had not dispersed.
The clear and handsome Zongzhi suddenly said: "Uncle Chou, we are reluctant to let you go."
Zongzhi had long known that Chen Caozhi was going to travel far, and Jiankang was further away than Wu County. Although the twelve-year-old boy said nothing, his attachment was always revealed.
Run'er was silent all the way, but when she heard what her brother said, she flattened her mouth and shed tears, but she held back her tears and said, "Brother, let's recite that poem."
——”
The two little brothers and sisters understood each other and chanted together:
"There are strange trees in the garden with lush green leaves.
Climb the bar and break off the glory, leaving behind the thoughts.
The sweet fragrance fills the sleeves, but the road is far away.
Classic objects are not valuable, but they are different from time to time."
…
On the north bank of Fenglin Ferry, Chen Caozhi hugged his nephew and niece in his arms and said: "Uncle Chou will be out for a long time this time. You two must listen to your mother and study hard every day."
,Be careful not to fall when climbing——"
The two children nodded with tears in their eyes.
Chen Caozhi added: "I have finished reading "Laozi Commentary" by Zongzhi and Runer, and I understand it well. This year I started reading "Zhuangzi" and "Zuo Shi Chunqiu". Uncle Chou's reading notes are all left there. If you encounter any problems, go there
After reading through it, I can basically find the answer. Zongzhi can go to Wu County with Uncle Tan next year to seek advice from Dr. Xu——"
After a pause, Chen Caozhi continued: "I have been copying Run'er's "Cao Quan Stele" for two years. There is no need to practice this post anymore. It is easy to wear out the spirit of this post after practicing it for a long time. In the future, I will change it to "Xiyue Huashan Temple".
"Stele" and "Huashan Stele" can improve writing skills, Zongzhi also practices together. As for running script, Lian Chou Shu's calligraphy style, and Wang Youjun's "Preface to the Lanting Anthology" are all fine, Xie Anshi's is also excellent, it depends on your interest
, Zhang Cao won’t practice for the time being until Uncle Chou comes back to see you entering the country.”
The two children kept nodding, tears streaming down their faces.
Chen Caozhi wiped away the tears of Zongzhi and Run'er and comforted him: "Don't cry. Come, Uncle Chou will teach you a song -"
"Okay." The two children were a little happier.
Chen Caozhi sang: "Outside the long pavilion, beside the ancient road, the green grass reaches the sky, the evening wind blows the willow flute, and the sunset is outside the mountain..."
At the pavilion outside the east gate of Qiantang County, Zongzhi and Run'er sang this song to see Uncle Chou off. Ding Youwei's beautiful eyes were filled with tears as she watched Xiao Lang saying goodbye to Magistrate Feng, uncle Ding Yi and others with a smile.
There were throbbing pains.
Xiaochan also came over to say goodbye, but Ding Youwei only said: "Xiaochan, take good care of him -" and couldn't continue.
But Run'er said to Ran Sheng: "Xiao Sheng, protect my ugly uncle. Don't let anyone hurt my ugly uncle."
Ran Sheng, who is sixteen years old this year, eight feet tall and carrying a short sword at his waist, bows and agrees: "Yes."
Run'er said again: "Oh, Xiao Sheng, your beard has still grown!"
Ran Sheng touched the stubble on his temples, feeling frightened.
…
Chen Caozhi, Chen Shang and a group of ten people in three ox carts arrived at Yuhang County to stay at night. The inn owner recognized Chen Caozhi. Three years ago, Chen Caozhi and Liu Shangzhi went to Wu County together and passed through Yuhang.
When the inn was resting for the night, a fire broke out in the thatched hut outside the courtyard wall. Liu Shangzhi quickly took out the half-dressed Gillian——
Chen Caozhi is now famous in Jiangzuo, and is a household name in the twelve counties of Wu County. The innkeeper respects him so much that he quickly orders the innkeeper to prepare food and wine, put clean bedding on the bed, finish dinner, and prepare hot water for Chen Caozhi.
Cao Zhi and others took a bath.
When Chen Caozhi was bathing, Xiao Chan was waiting beside him. Chen Caozhi felt a little uncomfortable and said, "Sister Xiaochan, I'm used to bathing by myself. I don't need you to serve me. Just go and wash yourself."
Xiao Chan pursed her lips and said with a smile: "My wife ordered me and the young man to come out to serve the young man, and this is not the first time that I have served the young man to bathe."
Chen Caozhi said no more and let Xiao Chan help him untie his bun and undress him. When dressing, Xiao Chan would blush and avoid it for a while.
The inn room was arranged by Chen Shang. Xiaochan and Chen Caozhi shared a room. Chen Caozhi didn't say anything at the time. In the eyes of Chen Shang and others, Xiaochan was his personal maid, and it was normal for her to share the same room with him.
thing, and the superior guest rooms are divided into inner and outer rooms, with two beds.
Although he was traveling, Chen Caozhi's long-term habit of reading at night did not change. After bathing, he sat in front of a small desk to polish his ink and copy books. He wanted to copy his "Laozi Xinyi" and "Mingshenghu Lunxuanji" again.
, the original manuscript was given to Xie Xuan. The two books in hand were copied by the scribes of Qiantang County. The handwriting is not very good. After arriving in Jiankang, these two books will be used as stepping stones, so they must be copied again.
Xiao Chan was washing herself outside, listening to the sound of Xiao Langjun grinding ink and laying paper inside. She gently scrubbed her plump porcelain body. The happiness in her heart was like water droplets on a lotus cap, spinning unsteadily, and she felt like she was sitting on a bed.
The bullock cart cannot stop. Sadness is calm, but happiness is impetuous.
After Xiaochan finished bathing, she opened the door and asked the store clerk to carry away the bathtub. She put the clothes that Xiaochan and herself had changed into in a wooden basin and took them to the well in the backyard of the inn for washing. The inn originally had a laundry for guests.
Wife, I had to pay extra, so Xiaochan was willing to wash it by herself. After washing for half an hour, her racing heart calmed down. She straightened up and stood by the well railing and took a look. There was a moon shaking slightly in the well. She looked up.
The bright moon like a silver plate is already in the center of the sky. It is already the end of Haishi and the beginning of Haishi. It is time to serve the young man and rest. He has to go on the road tomorrow morning.