Chen Cao and his group of more than 30 people stayed an extra night in the small town of Qingdian because Xiaochan was bitten by a vicious dog. They started on the road again early on the 17th. The road was snowy and difficult to travel. In the afternoon, when they traveled to the north of Yuji County, they encountered
Clan brother Chen Chang, Chen Chang set out from Chenjiawu yesterday and came to Shanyin to visit Chen Caozhi on the order of the clan leader Chen Xian. After the Chen family’s land occupation case was concluded at the beginning of the month, Chen Xian sent someone to report to Chen Caozhi and let Chen Caozhi
Feeling relieved, Chen Caozhi wrote back saying that he would return to Chenjiawu on the 15th of this month. Chen Xian saw that it was the 16th of the twelfth lunar month and Chen Caozhi had not come back yet, so he ordered Chen Chang to go to Shanyin to inquire. Chen Chang was accompanied by others.
A steward of the Ding family, because Ding Chunqiu returned to Qiantang from Yangzhou at the beginning of the month. The wedding of Ding Chunqiu and Sanqi Changshi Quanli's daughter is on the twentieth of this month. It would be a pity if Chen Caozhi cannot attend.
, Liu Shangzhui has also returned to Qiantang after the review of the Wuxing County Tujuan, and it is said that Xu Miao and Gu Kaizhi will arrive twenty days ago.
Chen Chang learned that Xiaochan had been bitten by a vicious dog, but he didn't take it seriously. He only told Chen Caozhi about the land occupation case. Ni Taibin, a small official in Qiantang County, was exiled to Huainan to work as a soldier, and three farmers of the Chen family were punished for reporting the case.
He worked hard for three years, but the He family and the Lu family who were behind Wen Ji's attack on Yangzhou did not go into details, because the plan sent by the He family to contact Ni Taibin was nowhere to be found, and Wen Ji could not thoroughly investigate it.
Lu Chu was on the head, because this would definitely involve Lu Shi, the Minister of the Five Soldiers.
The news that He Sui, the head of the He family, was sent to Jiankang to be interrogated by Tingwei has spread to Qian and Tang Dynasties. Everyone in the Chen family felt a bad breath. Chen Chang said: "Sixteenth brother, thanks to Mr. Zhu's help this time, otherwise
It can't be handled so cleanly. By the way, the fourth uncle intends to betroth the 19th sister to Mr. Zhu. Did the 16th brother ask about it? What does Mr. Zhu want?"
Chen Caozhi said with a smile: "Brother Yingtai can't be our Chen family's good son-in-law if he has a crush on someone."
Chen Chang shook his head and said with a smile: "What a pity, the fourth uncle is extremely enthusiastic about marrying his daughter to Mr. Zhu, and now he is going to be disappointed."
That night, Chen Caozhi, Chen Chang and their party rested in a small town in the north of Yuji City. Each room in the inn had two beds. Since Zongzhi and Runer came to Shanyin, they were accompanied by Xiaochan and Yuyan at night.
There are two little brothers and sisters, but after Xiao Chan was bitten by a sick dog yesterday, Chen Caozhi asked Xiao Chan to live in the same room with him. In the dead of night, Chen Caozhi pounded the juice of sage leaves to clean the wounds on Xiao Chan's hands and feet, and boiled purple bamboo root soup for Xiao Chan.
Chan takes it.
Xiaochan looked at Chen Caozhi bandaging the wound on her calf and said with shame, "How dare I serve as a young man?"
Chen Cao said: "Sister Xiaochan has been serving me for several years. It doesn't matter how many days I have been serving sister Xiaochan. Now I am a doctor." He then asked Xiaochan carefully if he felt any abnormality in the injured area.
Xiaochan said: "It's just a little painful, no other abnormal feelings."
Chen Caozhi saw that Xiaochan had no symptoms of hydrophobia after taking the Zizhugen decoction, so he felt relieved and went to rest on his own.
The winter night in the town was silent. Occasionally, I heard a "crack" sound under the eaves, as if something fell. Xiao Chan thought to herself, this should be the sound of frozen ice bars on the eaves falling into the snow, right? Xiao Chan in the distance
There were a few barks of dogs at the intersection of the town. Could it be that some night walkers were passing by? I must be rushing on such a cold night, maybe there is something urgent, or maybe my hometown is not far away and I want to return home as soon as possible. Today is already the seventeenth day of the first lunar month.
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An oil lamp was burning dimly on the small table. This was Cao Zhi's habit. Cao Zhi liked to light a lamp when he slept at night. Xiao Chan remembered that he didn't have this habit when he was young. It was difficult for him to grow up.
Are you more afraid of the dark as you get older?
Xiaochan couldn't sleep, and she didn't dare toss and turn. The bed in the inn made a creaking sound when it was turned slightly. She was afraid of disturbing Mr. Cao, whose bed was only separated from her by a bamboo screen.
You can clearly hear Xiao Langjun's slight and long snoring.
Xiao Chan felt both happy and worried at the same time. Xiao Langjun is so kind. She is just a humble maid. Xiao Langjun treated her so well and truly regarded her as a relative. But it would be terrible if she really got typhoid rabies.
Well, she was only twenty-five years old. It would be too tragic to die like this. A few years ago, she, Qingzhi and other maids accompanied Lady Youwei in the small courtyard of Ding's villa. It was quiet and cold, like a road.
There is no winding river, and the lonely boat on the river just goes with the flow, and ends up so lonely. When I return to Chenjiawu, everything is alive. I feel that this is a meaningful life, even though the deceased is like this.
She loves her husband day and night, but the feeling is completely different. She really wants to see the young man marry Miss Lu, and she will always serve him.
Xiao Chan thought over and over again, but there was still no warmth under the quilt. She huddled up and felt dizzy. The flame of the oil lamp on the table swayed and suddenly went out, but the room was not dark. Xiao Chan thought in a daze.
, there is moonlight, reflecting the snow, like daylight.
A hand suddenly touched her forehead, Xiao Chan was startled, and then she heard Xiao Langjun's familiar and pleasant voice: "What's wrong, sister Xiao Chan? Can't you sleep?"
Xiaochan sat up and said, "I slept enough in the carriage during the day. Did I disturb the young man?"
Chen Caozhi said: "No, I can't sleep either. The moonlight and snow are too bright. Since Sister Xiaochan can't sleep either, why don't you just accompany me for a walk outdoors?"
Xiaochan responded, quickly put on her skirt and coat, and followed Chen Caozhi to the inn courtyard. The moon was still full on the seventeenth day, and the cold light reflected the color of the snow. She looked around brightly. Suddenly, she heard someone knocking on the door, and the shopkeeper went to open the door.
It was Lai Gui who came in. Chen Caozhi was surprised and asked Lai Gui why he was here late at night. Lai Gui saluted and said: "Little Langjun, Miss Lu has arrived at Chenjiawu. The young mistress ordered me to come overnight to report to Little Langjun."
.”
Xiaochan said in surprise: "Why is Miss Lu here? It's great!"
Lai Gui said: "Miss Lu is here with Gu Langjun and his wife, and she is still dressed in men's clothing. Miss Lu can't stay in Chenjiawu for too long, please go and meet her as soon as possible."
Chen Caozhi immediately ordered Lai Gui to wake up the others, and they had to travel all night. Xiao Chan hurried back to the guest room to pack her things. They were all Xiao Langjun's books and pictures, clothes, shoes, utensils, etc. It was quite messy, and she could hear the noise of people outside the door.
Noisy, everyone else was ready to go on the road. She hadn't packed up yet. She was very anxious. She packed up hurriedly and went out with a big baggage. She quickly went downstairs. The courtyard was empty. Xiao Langjun and Ran Sheng were already on their way.
Xiao Chan was so anxious that he ran out to chase her. Suddenly he heard a soft voice behind him saying: "Xiao Chan, Xiao Lang didn't say he wanted to take you to Wu County."
Xiaochan turned around and saw Madam Youwei standing under the corridor of Wubao. She hurriedly walked over and said, "Madam, Xiaochan is used to serving the young man. How could he not take me with him?"
Ding Youwei said: "The young man is going to Wu County to welcome his bride. How many maids are there around Miss Lu? Will the young man be worried about having no one to serve her?"
Xiao Chan was stunned for a moment and was speechless for a long time. When he turned around again, he was not in Chenjiawu. Instead, he saw deep grass and dense forests, and low barking dogs could be heard in the darkness. Xiao Chan was shocked. When he looked around him again, he was neither
Ding Youwei was not Run'er, but the beautiful Miss Lu. Xiaochan hurriedly picked up Miss Lu and ran away. As she ran, she saw countless vicious dogs dragging their tails approaching from all directions. There was no way to go.
There was a big tree in the middle of the tree. Xiao Chan asked Miss Lu to climb up the tree quickly. As soon as she was lifted up, she also climbed up the tree. The vicious dog had already bared its fangs and pounced on her, making her scream in fright.
"What's wrong, Sister Xiaochan, are you having a nightmare?" A hand touched Xiaochan's forehead and said, "You're sweating, what are you dreaming about, Sister Xiaochan?"
Xiaochan woke up from the dream and found that she was still lying on the couch in the guest house. The young man was holding a celadon oil lamp in his hand, sitting beside her bed and pressing his hand on her forehead.
Xiaochan calmed down, put on her clothes and sat up, stroking her chest and said, "Fortunately, it's just a dream."
Chen Caozhi put down the celadon lamp and took Xiaochan's pulse. He felt that although the pulse was floating but strong, a floating and weak pulse was a critical sign, and a strong pulse indicated that the body should be fine. However, Xiaochan's current fear and uneasiness were inconsistent with the situation.
The early symptoms of rabies are quite similar, which worries Chen Caozhi.
Xiao Chan looked up at Chen Caozhi. Seeing Chen Caozhi's eyebrows furrowed like an ink painting, with a deep look of worry, she couldn't help but blurt out, "Xiao Langjun, will I die?"
Chen Caozhi said to himself: "Xiao Chan may be uneasy just because he heard about the terrible disease of leopard dogs in Shanyin a few days ago. He is afraid that he will also suffer from this disease, so he has nightmares." He patted the little Chan gently.
Chan put her hand behind her back and said, "Sister Xiao Chan, don't you believe me? I am a disciple of Ge Xianweng. Don't think too much. The wound will be healed in a few days."
Xiaochan said "hmm", lowered her head and put her forehead on Chen Caozhi's chest. Seeing that Chen Caozhi didn't retreat, she put her arms around Chen Caozhi's waist and called softly: "Little Master."
Chen Caozhi felt Xiaochan's plump body trembling slightly, so he comforted her: "It's okay, don't be afraid."
Xiaochan put her arms around Chen Caozhi's waist, hugging her tighter and tighter, and pressed her face against Chen Caozhi's chest. Her body, which was originally covered in cold sweat, gradually became hot, and she murmured: "Little Prince"
, let Xiaochan serve you."
Chen Caozhi has no hidden disease. Although he does not have a strong desire for men and women, he is not a heartless person. Being rubbed by such a mature female body, and someone he is very close to in daily life, is also very exciting, and he exerts his arms hard.
He hugged Xiaochan tightly and said: "Xiaochan, your injury is not healed yet, please lie down and rest."
Xiao Chan propped up her head, her cheeks flushed, and asked: "How about I wait until I recover from my injury before I can serve you?" Without waiting for Chen Caozhi's answer, he quickly hid under the quilt, put his head under the bed, and said in a loud voice: "
Young Master, please go to sleep and don’t catch a cold.” After a pause, he added: “No matter what, Xiao Chan will serve Young Master for the rest of his life. This is what I am willing to do, and Young Master must not give in again.”
I married someone else."
Chen Caozhi was worried that Xiaochan would have a fever, which was most likely due to the rabies virus. Fortunately, Xiaochan did not have a fever. But early on the 18th, Yuyan came to report that Run'er had a fever. This surprised Chen Caozhi and hurriedly
Checking Run'er's body, hands and feet, there were no wounds, and no other symptoms except fever. It was probably caused by being frightened that day and feeling cold, so he added ginseng to the Xiaobupleurum soup and added cinnamon twigs.
After frying it, Run'er was asked to take it, and he wrapped it in a quilt. After breaking out in a thin sweat, Run'er said that he felt much more comfortable. Then everyone set off on the road and headed towards Qiantang. It was difficult to walk because of the snow and they were afraid of the ox cart driving too much.
Kuarun'er couldn't stand the bumps, so he didn't rush back to Chenjiawu until it was completely dark at the end of Youshi.
Chen Caozhi sent two private soldiers of the Chen family to rush back the message first. Chen Xian, Chen Man, Ding Youwei and others came out three miles away to welcome him. They were very happy to see each other and went back to Chenjiawu in a lively manner. Ding Youwei felt so happy when he saw him.
When the wind and cold hit, Xiaochan was bitten by a dog. She couldn't help but worry, and said to Chen Cao: "Qingzhi is about to give birth, and Laide has not returned from Xifu yet."
Liu Shangzhui sent a servant here to wait for Chen Caozhi's return. He rushed back to Liujiapu ten miles away overnight to report to Liu Shangzhui. The next morning, Liu Shangzhui rushed over and said with a smile as soon as they met. : "Zizhong is now powerful in the three Wu states. Kuaiji's performance is the most remarkable among the counties in this Tuduan. Zizhong's hard work has made great achievements."
The conversation was very pleasant, but suddenly Ding Yi, Ding Chunqiu and his son, Xu Zao, Xu Miao and his son, Gu Kaizhi and Zhang Tongyun arrived. Chen Caozhi and Liu Shangzhi rushed out to greet them, only to see Laide with two Chens. The private soldiers also came back and were overjoyed to see each other. They asked that Xu Miao had arrived in Wu County to meet his old father at the beginning of this month, and then came to Qiantang together. They arrived three days ago; Gu Kaizhi and his wife and Zhang Mo returned to Zhang's house in Wu County at the beginning of this month. A few days ago, I set out from Wujun to Qiantang. In Jiaxing, I met three people from Laide who were rushing through the snow, so they came together. They arrived yesterday evening.
Lai De presented Chen Caozhi with an autographed letter from Huan Da Sima. When Huan Wen wrote this letter, he had already learned the results of Kuaiji Tujue, and punished Chen Caozhi for persuading the Yu family and the Wei family to make friends with the Kong family and the Xie family. He's move was greatly appreciated. It was Huan Wen's usual strategy to win over or exclude the Jiangzuo gentry. Chen Caozhi used this strategy brilliantly in Kuaiji. This would not have been wrong at all. If it hadn't been for Chen Caozhi, With extraordinary talent and determination, who can reach this point!
Huan Wen said in the letter that the first batch of iron ore had been mined from the Mufu Mountain Iron Mine, and the mineral quality was excellent. He was currently stepping up efforts to forge weapons with new bellows, and was about to exchange weapons for war horses with Di Qin, so that Chen Cao could do it. I will definitely rush to Gushuxi Prefecture in early February next year to discuss important matters. As for the merits of this soil destruction, I will be rewarded by the court in the first month of next year.
Chen Caozhi expressed his congratulations to Ding Yi, and Ding Chunqiu congratulated him. Ding Yi was overjoyed. The Ding family was able to marry into the Quan family, the largest family in Qiantang. This showed that the status of the Ding family had been improved. It was the same as the Ding family's ranking among the eight surnames in Qiantang three years ago. There is a big difference compared to being at the bottom of the family. Ding Yi of Ding Chunqiu understands that the family status has improved not because the Ding family has outstanding children who have been promoted to high positions, but because they are related by marriage to the Chen family of Qiantang. Now Ding Yi is I am very glad that Ding Youwei and Chen Qingzhi got married. Of course, the Chen family's land occupation case also made Ding Yi anxious for several days. Ding Yi knew how powerful the He family and the Lu family were, and was afraid that the Chen family would collapse. Unexpectedly, Chen Cao They had prepared well in advance, and the land occupation case did not harm the Chen family at all. The reputation of the Chen family in Qiantang for being kind and beneficial to the people spread. The Chen family did not take advantage of this revision of the customs system for food, clothing, and food to expand the Chen family's family, which was also well received by the public. Ji praised him and believed that Mr. Chen was content with what he had and would not be in danger, and could last for a long time.
Ding Yi not only accompanied Xu Zao and his son and Gu Kaizhi to meet Chen Caozhi this time, he also had another important matter, which was to discuss with Chen Xian that the young daughter Ding Huilan should be betrothed to Chen Xian's youngest son Chen Tan. In this way, the Ding family and the Chen family The in-law relationship becomes even closer.