To go north from Chengdu to Chang'an, you need to cross the Qinling Mountains. The road used to be very difficult to walk, but after years of repairs and widening, it has become better than before. As long as you don't encounter heavy snow or heavy rain, the winding mountain road with twists and turns is very beautiful.
Su Ren sat in the car, raising the curtains high, admiring the beautiful scenery with a tea cup in his hand, while chatting with Han Qing beside him: "This road still has to be walked in the summer. Not only will the weather be good then, but the scenery will also be better."
Well, it’s autumn now, the weather is much colder, and there isn’t as much green as you can see, so it looks a bit desolate.”
Han Qing nodded: "Yes! The mountain is majestic and the road winds left and right. It can be said that every step of the way offers a view. Compared with the royal gardens, it might as well be more generous."
"Hahaha, no matter how big or exquisite the royal garden is, even if Shanglinyuan is still petty compared to here, I still like this kind of natural beauty." Su Ren put down the teacup in his hand: "I heard that Chang'an is no longer visible now?
There is smoke every day. If you wear white clothes, you will turn into black clothes in a short time?"
Han Qing smiled: "It's not that exaggerated, but I always feel dirty. If I don't clean it for a day, it will be covered with dust, which makes people uncomfortable. Some people say it's because of the black smoke from the workshops in Dongyuan, while others say it's because of it.
It’s the dust raised by the large population and the traffic of people and cars every day.”
"Hey!" Su Ren sighed: "This is a dilemma! I can tell you that the culprits are those workshops, but no one wants to close those workshops."
Han Qing nodded: "Yes! Those workshops support half of the Chang'an people, and the Han Dynasty is becoming stronger and stronger because of those workshops. Not to mention that the court is not willing, I am afraid that the Chang'an people themselves are not willing either."
"I once told the then Prime Minister Gongsun Hong that I hoped to move those workshops to Sanyuan or somewhere else, but no one paid attention to me! It's too late to regret now. If you can't move, just live with it. Maybe you can do it again.
Wait thirty to fifty years until there is really no way for people to live in Chang'an anymore, and they will probably move away!"
"I'm afraid the emperor won't let those things out of his sight."
Su Ren smiled: "Then he will suffer by himself!"
Han Qing did not smile. He pondered for a moment, then raised his head and asked Su Ren: "Sir, do you think you can leave after returning to Chang'an this time?"
Su Ren sighed: "I'm afraid I won't be able to come back soon! This is why I want to take my entire family to Chang'an."
"Sir, you are not afraid..."
"Afraid! How can I not be afraid!" Su Ren said helplessly: "Didn't I receive news a few days ago that the emperor sent a prison car to pick me up, and issued several imperial edicts to bring back Qu Bing, Xiao Jinzi, and Li Gan?
After arriving in Chang'an, Shangguan Jie has also changed from a guard to a senior official. You see, there will be changes before we arrive in Chang'an."
Huo Guang had been sitting in the car silently, and he could clearly hear the conversation between Su and Ren. In the past five years, Huo Guang has been no longer the young man who wanted to get in. His vision has already surpassed
Because he knew a lot from Su Ren's mouth, I am afraid that no one knows more about this world than Su Ren. It can be said that Huo Guang has not been regarded as Su Ren's disciple until now, and he is the only disciple.
Even surpassed Su Jian and Su Kang.
"Sir, what you are saying is that the emperor wants to take action against the Chamber of Commerce?"
Su Ren nodded: "This is the worst approach and the most dangerous approach! Today's Dahan Chamber of Commerce is no longer regarded by them as the most humble merchants. It's a pity that when I left, the determination of business tax had not been completed. Even so
Three years ago, the national commercial tax accounted for 60% of the country. Last year, I heard that it had reached 70%. Merchants are already the biggest contributors to this country! If His Majesty is too harsh, I am afraid it will be turned upside down."
"So scary?" Han Qing didn't believe it.
Su Ren glanced at Han Qing and did not answer Han Qing, but looked at Huo Guang: "Do you still remember the French Revolution I told you?"
Huo Guang nodded. Su Ren said: "The merchants at that time were not as important as my Han merchants. You know how terrifying the power of merchants is! I have always suggested that the status of merchants be raised a little, but there is great resistance. I hope your majesty will not do it.
It’s too much! Hey, I regret letting go too early. If I had fought harder, maybe I wouldn’t have to worry about this.”
Han Qing could tell that Su Ren didn't pay attention to the emperor's accusations against him, but was worried about the unrest of the entire society. This may be what people often call justice. Therefore, Han Qing quickly advised: "Shopkeeper Cui will
Be sensible, shopkeeper Cui has sent news a few days ago, sir, don’t worry."
Su Ren nodded and suddenly lost interest in the conversation. He leaned on the carriage and stared blankly at the scenery outside. A group of soldiers came from a distance. Judging from their clothing, they belonged to Yu Lin. The captain on horseback had never seen him before.
But at first glance, he looked like a nice young man. Although the soldiers were dusty, their formation and spirit were not bad at all. They held their heads high and held their chests high, majestic and domineering. What surprised Su Zhi was that there was a prison car behind those soldiers.
The shackles and torture instruments inside the car are very complete, and the prison car is brand new, very clean and very strong.
Su Jian was always a peaceful person, and Su Ren told him to keep a low profile before leaving, so when he saw the group of soldiers from a distance, Su Jian quickly ordered the vehicle to pull over to make way. Watching the group of soldiers passing by the vehicle one by one, Huo Guang's eyes narrowed.
The only person who can command Yu Lin is the emperor, and this team of Yu Lin heading towards Shu County is probably not trying to catch any corrupt officials, because those corrupt officials have court lieutenants and lieutenants to take action, so it is definitely not possible to work Yu Lin.
Simple.
"Teacher!" Huo Guang touched Su Ren.
Su Ren smiled and nodded, watching the group of people disappear into the dense forest at the foot of the mountain, and smiled slightly: "Fortunately, I left early. If I had been a step later, I would have been in a prison car, haha!"
Su Ren knew about this. He had received the news from Chang'an five days ago. Even the emperor's instructions to Jiang Chong and Liu Qumao were accurate, so Su Ren left early. I met these people today.
He could only smile. After climbing over the mountain ridge in front, he saw that it was getting dark and he could not rush to the town store to stay overnight. The group had to sleep in the wild. Su Jian was busy greeting Huang Shisan and the people led by Man Niu to set up camp, and sent people to hurry up.
Light a fire and boil water. There are women and children in the team. They cannot withstand the wind and cold.
Su Ren, Han Qing, and Huo Guang stood on the edge of the cliff and looked at the mountains in the distance, letting the autumn wind roll up their clothes and hair. By now, there was already a problem between Su Ren and the emperor, and it was a very big problem.
As for the villain who is causing trouble, this can be seen clearly from the soldiers in the group in the afternoon. Looking at the man standing in front, Huo Guang didn't know how that man would deal with it. If he really fought back, the whole world would be destroyed.
Maybe there will be a storm, that person has such strength. But he also understands that that person never thought that what he imagined would happen, but now that the emperor has become aggressive, no one knows how that person will respond.
The sky in the distance is dark and dark, and even the originally bright stars have dimmed their light. This is deep in the Qinling Mountains, and there are only a few tiny stars that are looming from somewhere very far away.
The light spots were flickering. Perhaps because they were a large group and there were many retired soldiers, the tigers, leopards, wolves and insects in the forest did not dare to make the slightest sound. The wind had stopped, and Su Jian arranged for his mother and wife
, and then came over to ask Su Ren and others to come over for dinner. This place is not comparable to Chang'an, let alone Laojun Temple, so the food is simple and ordinary, but everyone knows clearly that the life of the head of the family is not easy now, and everyone speaks silently.
Support, even though Huang Shisan was doing a rather noisy job, he stayed by Su Ren's side obediently and refused to leave.
The dry pancakes are poured with broth and soaked in a bowl. It is convenient and comfortable to eat, and the most important thing is that it makes you hungry. With Su Ren's current strength, there will be no shortage of meat in the bowl. Looking at the half bowl, I don't know what kind of meat it is.
Su Ling, Su Jian's just three-year-old son, looked around and poured all the stuff in his bowl into Su Ren's bowl. Maybe the probability of such a thing happening is very high, and no one has the slightest idea about it.
Surprised, Su Ren just shook his head and smiled and continued to eat his own. Soon, Leng Mei's voice was heard lecturing his son. As for whether a similar incident would happen next time, everyone thought it was possible.
Su Ling's little episode did not disrupt the original rhythm of the Su family. After a day's journey, the women, children and children rested early. Su Ren and the sleepless people sat by the fire and chatted. Everyone had a tacit understanding.
He didn't mention what happened after arriving in Chang'an, but only picked some interesting things to talk about, which made everyone laugh. Naturally, the person who talked the most was Su Ren. His life had been the richest among so many people after decades of ups and downs.
, if I started from the time I came to Laojun Monastery to give the lecture, I’m afraid I wouldn’t be able to finish it in ten days and a half.
When Su Ren, Han Qing and Huo Guang were the only three people left by the fire, Han Qing shook his head and smiled bitterly: "I don't think you are optimistic about it! But Mr. has treated people with true love for so many years, whether they are servants, guards, or old friends and children, he will never leave him."
, it is truly a great event in the world. I have experienced both prosperity and bloodshed. There are only a few people like you, whether they are princes, generals or poor people."
Su Ren shook his head and said: "This is not good. It is easy for others to take the blame. In the future, there will be no one to take revenge."
Han Qing was speechless, then laughed.
No matter how long the journey is, it comes to an end. When Su Ren appeared in Chang'an, almost the whole of Chang'an went silent for a moment. Some people thought that he finally came; some thought how he came; some thought why he came; some thought
What is he here for? Although Su Ren has not appeared in Chang'an City for five years, there is always a little place for him in the forgetful heads of Chang'an people. Because of Su Ren's appearance, some people suddenly became active and some stopped.
With the hurried footsteps, some people's smiling faces turned into frowns, and some people's frowns instantly relaxed. It can be said that the city of Chang'an made a 180-degree turn in an instant.
Before Su Ren could settle down his family, an endless stream of visitors entered the Su family. Almost the same as five years ago, these people from different walks of life and classes, from porters to court dignitaries, flocked to the Su family. Su Ren
Just like five years ago, I am polite to everyone. Since I am a guest, I will naturally treat them warmly. Even if I have never seen them before, I will say a few words with a smiling face. In short, these guests come away feeling resentful and leave satisfied. (To be continued.