The mountains remain the same, but the old friends are new

Chapter Quote:

Ten years of footprints and ten years of heart, traveling all over the mountains and rivers to see peace;

When old friends meet, they all smile, and then they know that this is the way home.

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Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, it was already the first year of the Jingkang reign. Over the past decade, Yan Qing had traveled extensively across the country. He had climbed the snow-capped Kunlun Mountains, visited the cliffs of the South China Sea, and shared the lonely smoke of the desert beyond the Great Wall, as well as the charming bridges and flowing waters of the Jiangnan region.

That spring, while visiting a hermit in Mount Zhongnan, he suddenly received a letter from Lu Junyi, saying that Liangshan was about to hold a ceremony to celebrate the 30th anniversary of its founding and inviting him to return for a reunion.

Yan Qing calculated the time and realized it had indeed been ten years since he left Liangshan. During these ten years, although he had been traveling, he had always maintained contact with Liangshan. He knew that his brothers were safe, that the Jing'an Army was growing stronger, and that the Eight Hundred Miles of Water Margin was becoming more prosperous.

He decided to go back and take a look.

It was late spring when I returned to Liangshan. The waters seemed wider and the docks busier. Newly built watchtowers soared into the sky, and the water fortresses stretched for dozens of miles. Compared to ten years ago, Liangshan was even more imposing and majestic.

As soon as the boat reached the shore, a loud voice was heard:

"Xiao Yi! You're finally back!"

Yan Qing looked up and saw familiar faces standing on the dock. Lu Junyi and Wu Yong stood at the front, followed by Lin Chong, Qin Ming, Hu Yanzhuo, and other old comrades. Surprisingly, even Li Jun, who was away overseas, had made the special trip back.

"Master! Scholar! Brothers!" Yan Qing quickly went ashore to meet everyone.

Lu Junyi patted his shoulder and looked at him carefully: "I haven't seen you for ten years, Xiaoyi is even more charming than before!"

Wu Yong waved his feather fan and said with a smile, "I knew you would arrive today."

The most surprising person was Li Kui. This once rough-mannered man was now a commander of the Jing'an Army. Although his voice was still as loud as a bell, his demeanor was more composed.

"Brother Tie Niu has changed a lot." Yan Qing said with a smile.

Li Kui scratched his head and laughed innocently: "It's all thanks to Mr. Lu and the scholar's good teaching."

The crowd escorted Yan Qing up the mountain. The road had been widened and paved with bluestone. Shops lined the roadside, the cries of hawkers lingering incessantly. The school hummed with the sound of reading, the clinic was in perfect order, and the workshops hummed with machinery. It looked like a bustling town.

"Now, under Liangshan's rule, we have 100,000 civilians, 50,000 elite soldiers, and 1,000 warships," Lu Junyi said proudly. "The imperial court has granted us special permission to collect our own taxes and appoint our own officials."

Yan Qing noticed that a new martyrs' temple had been built next to the Juyi Hall, where Song Jiang's spirit tablet was enshrined and incense was very popular.

That night, a grand banquet was held in the stronghold. Not only were all the leaders present, but many of their families were also present. Yan Qing saw Lin Chong's son, Xu Ning's daughter, and even Zhang Qing's son, Zhang Nianqing, who was already a handsome young man.

"Nianqing, come and meet your uncle Yanqing." Zhang Qing called to his son.

The young man bowed respectfully and said, "I, your nephew, have often heard father talk about my uncle's deeds."

Yan Qing helped the boy up, feeling a surge of emotion. In his previous life, most of these children never made it to adulthood, but in this life, they were all able to grow up healthily.

After three rounds of drinks, Lu Junyi stood up and said, "Today, all the brothers have gathered together to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the founding of the village, and we also have a happy event to announce."

He looked at Wu Yong and said, "Scholar, you go ahead and speak."

Wu Yong smiled and stood up. "After ten years of operation, our foundation in Southeast Asia has been firmly established. Brother Li Jun has been named the King of Zhennan in Siam, and Tong Wei and Tong Meng have also established a firm foothold in Champa."

Li Jun continued, "Not only that, we've also opened up a sea route to India. From now on, our Liangshan merchant ships can sail directly to the Western Ocean."

Only then did Yan Qing realize that the development of Liangshan over the years had already exceeded his imagination.

The banquet lasted until late at night. Yan Qing sat on the observatory with some old friends, reminiscing about the past.

Lin Chong sighed, "Thinking back to when I was a coach in Tokyo, I never imagined I'd be in this situation today."

Qin Ming interjected: "If it weren't for Brother Xiaoyi, we would probably have made the same mistake again."

When the conversation got to the emotional point, everyone fell silent. The moonlight was like water, pouring down on everyone.

After a long while, Lu Junyi said, "Xiao Yi, now that you're back, don't leave."

Everyone looked at Yan Qing expectantly.

Yan Qing looked at the lights of the thousands of houses below the mountain and slowly shook his head: "Master, brothers, Liangshan is what it is today thanks to you. My mission was completed ten years ago."

He stood up and pointed at the distant starry sky. "After ten years of wandering, I've learned one thing: everyone has their own path to follow. Liangshan is your destination, but it's not mine."

Wu Yong sighed softly, "I knew I couldn't keep you."

The next day, Yan Qing said goodbye to his brothers one by one.

At the Martyrs' Shrine, he lit a stick of incense for Song Jiang: "Brother Gongming, did you see that? Liangshan... is doing very well."

At the school, he gave a lecture to the children. When the class was over, Zhang Nianqing chased him out and asked, "Uncle Yanqing, are you still leaving?"

"yes."

"Why don't you stay? Everyone wants you to stay."

Yan Qing patted the boy's head and said, "Uncle wants to go and see what this world we have protected really looks like."

Finally, he arrived at Golden Beach, where all his brothers came to see him off, just as they had done ten years ago.

Lu Junyi handed over a package: "Here are the contact information for the Jing'an Army branches in various places. Wherever you go, you'll have your brothers to look after you."

Wu Yong handed over a scroll: "This is my new book, 'Water Margin New Story', which records the story of this life."

What surprised Yan Qing the most was that Li Kui gave him a short sword: "I made this with my own hands. Keep it for self-defense."

Yan Qing thanked them one by one and boarded the boat they came in.

Just as the boat was about to leave the shore, the sound of horse hooves was suddenly heard. A rider on a fast horse came galloping towards them, and the rider shouted:

"Master Yan, please stay! His Majesty has a decree!"

The one who came was Wang Duzhi. He held the imperial edict in his hand and read aloud:

"By the Will of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims: Marquis Xiaoyao Yanqing, whose merits have been felt by the nation and whose virtues have been passed down to the common people, is granted a red-lettered iron certificate, hereditary and unchangeable. The territory of the Great Song Dynasty is yours to roam freely. This is my decree!"

This was an unprecedented grace! The red-lettered iron certificate was equivalent to a golden medal of immunity from death. Hereditary succession meant that Yan Qing's descendants could also enjoy this privilege.

Yan Qing knelt to receive the imperial edict: "Your Majesty, I accept the order and thank you."

Wang Duzhi whispered, "Your Majesty has asked me to tell you: The Song Dynasty will always be your home."

The boat finally left the shore. Yan Qing stood at the bow, looking at the people waving on the shore, and suddenly remembered the oath he made many years ago when he was reborn:

"In this life, I must live a carefree life and not worry about worldly affairs."

Now it seems that he has indeed achieved a carefree life, but he has not been able to completely ignore the world. But strangely, he has no regrets.

When the boat reached the middle of the water, Yan Qing took out the jade hairpin left by his mother and gently stroked it. The sunlight shone on the hairpin, reflecting a rainbow of colors.

He suddenly understood that the meaning of this life is not to be self-sufficient, but to leave a beautiful change for the world to the best of one's ability.

Ahead, where the water and sky meet, a red sun is rising.

Yan Qing smiled slightly and stretched out the long pole.

In this life, he changed the fate of Liangshan and found his own path. From now on, he is a true free and easy traveler.

The green mountains remain, and the sunsets are still red.

(End of full text)

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Chapter 72 End (Final Chapter)

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Postscript: I see the green mountains are so charming

Standing at the bow, letting the river breeze blow my clothes, my journey in this life has come to an end.

I once thought that if I could live my life again, I would be able to be as hard-hearted as a rock and live a truly carefree life. But when I saw Mr. Lu about to embark on that road of no return, saw Wu Erge still have to endure the pain of a broken arm, and saw Brother Gongming still have to drink that cup of poison... my heart couldn't be hardened after all.

So he secretly planned and maneuvered, trying to find a way out for his old friend in the cracks of fate. It was said that he couldn't bear it, but perhaps it was more to make up for the regrets of his previous life - the self who could only watch everything happen without being able to do anything.

In this life, the official lived to a ripe old age, my second brother passed away in Liuhe Temple, Li Jun became a king overseas, and Sanniang's embroidery shop was peaceful. Seeing my brothers each getting what they deserve, I finally understood that the greatest freedom is not to be alone, but to have a clear conscience.

Before leaving, His Majesty asked if I would receive a reward. I simply requested the word "free and easy." This isn't about being aloof, but rather a deep understanding that the political world is not my calling. Only in the secular world can I find peace. In this life, being able to hold an umbrella for an old friend in the shadows, and giving them a gentle push on their destined trajectory, is enough.

Before we parted, the official said, "Liangshan will always be my home." Little did he know, home is where brothers are. But I, a mere passerby, am destined to be a mere visitor—now that I'm seeing you're all well, it's time to move on.

As I write this, I suddenly recall the time I first woke up after my rebirth. In a teahouse in Daming Prefecture, I stared out the window at the bustling crowd, unsure of where to go. Looking back now, it's been a grueling journey, but it's been worth it.

If you ask me if I regret meddling in your affairs, I can only say: If I had it to do over again, I would still choose to secretly adjust your horoscopes. Because seeing you all well is what brings me joy.

The green mountains remain, and the old friends are all happy. This is very good.

——Yan Qing on his travels