Old friends reunite and reminisce about the past.
Shen Qingci was handling official business at the Prime Minister's residence until late afternoon. He had just finished reviewing half of the memorials piled on his desk when a servant suddenly announced softly from outside the door: "Prime Minister, there is a visitor from the border who calls himself 'A Shi' outside the residence, requesting an audience. He says he is an old acquaintance of yours."
"A-Shi?" Shen Qingci paused, her brows furrowing slightly. The image of a rugged hunter with dark skin, carrying a bow and arrows, gradually came into focus from the depths of her memory. In this peaceful and prosperous era, why would he suddenly come to the capital? Despite her doubts, she still instructed, "Please invite him to the study."
A moment later, footsteps approached. Shen Qingci looked up and saw that the newcomer was dressed in a moon-white silk robe with dark patterns, a black jade belt around his waist. The once weathered features of his face had been softened by time, and a touch of refined elegance had appeared between his brows. If it weren't for his still bright and sharp eyes, Shen Qingci would hardly have recognized him as the hunter who had once fought off a pack of wolves in the snow.
"Prime Minister Shen, how have you been?" A Shi stepped forward quickly, bowing respectfully, but unable to hide the excitement in his eyes.
Shen Qingci quickly stood up, walked forward and took his hand. Her fingertips touched the thick calluses on the other's palm—marks left from years of holding a bow and working hard, yet it still looked the same as before. "Ashi, it really is you!" Shen Qingci's voice was filled with a hint of surprised joy. "It's been so many years, and you've changed so much. Please sit down and have some tea."
As the servants served him tea, Ashi held the warm teacup, his gaze sweeping over the writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone in the study, as well as the "Border Peace Map" hanging on the wall. His eyes welled up with tears: "If it weren't for the Prime Minister and his wife's righteous help back then, I would have been buried in the snowstorm of Ningguta long ago, and I wouldn't have the peaceful life I have today."
He put down his teacup and slowly recounted his experiences over the years: "After leaving the border camp, I used the travel expenses you gave me to start a business selling furs and tea in the northern desert. At first, it was just a small business, but thanks to the border people who were grateful for your kindness in guarding the border back then, they took good care of me. In recent years, the border has been peaceful and the trade routes have been smooth, so my business has gradually grown, and now I have managed to accumulate some wealth."
As he spoke, A Shi took out an exquisite wooden box from his bosom and pushed it in front of Shen Qingci: "This is the best snow down from the northern desert. The people specially asked me to bring it, saying that the winters in the capital are cold and they wish to protect the Prime Minister from the wind and frost." Opening the wooden box, a ball of snow-white and soft fox fur came into view. Its fine texture clearly indicated that it was an extremely rare and precious item.
Shen Qingci looked at the ball of snowflakes, his heart filled with mixed emotions. He remembered the days on the border when Ashi single-handedly drew away the Xiongnu cavalry to protect him from injury; he remembered the fresh game Ashi brought him when Su Yunqing healed his wounds; he remembered the days and nights they spent supporting and watching over each other in the wilderness. "You're too kind," Shen Qingci pushed the wooden box back, "Protecting the people is my duty, there's no need for such a generous gift."
“Prime Minister, you are mistaken.” Ashi stubbornly pushed the wooden box back to him. “This is not for you alone, Prime Minister. It is the sentiment of the people on the border. Back then, you pacified the Xiongnu and built border defenses, freeing us from the suffering of war and allowing us to farm and do business in peace. We will always remember this kindness.”
Seeing his resolute attitude, Shen Qingci had no choice but to accept it, and then asked, "Old servant, you stayed at the border with me back then, how are you now?"
Mentioning the old servant, A-Shi smiled with satisfaction: "The old servant is in very good health. He helps me manage the accounts of the business now, and in his spare time he grows vegetables and raises birds. He lives a comfortable life. He often talks about you, saying that if he has the opportunity, he must go to the capital to visit you and your wife."
The two reminisced about their glorious years on the border, talking about Lord Wang's integrity, the soldiers' shared life and death, and the changes on the border over the years. Before they knew it, an hour had passed. The aroma of tea filled the study, and time seemed to flow backward to those days intertwined with war and warmth.
As the sun set, A-Shi rose to take his leave: "Prime Minister, you are busy with official duties, so I will not disturb you any longer. I am relieved to see that you and your wife are well during this trip to the capital."
Shen Qingci saw him off at the gate of the mansion and ordered people to prepare generous gifts of silk, tea, and books, which he handed to Ashi: "Please take these things back to the border and distribute them to the people. Please give my regards to the old servant and tell him that Yunqing and I will definitely return to the border to visit when we have time."
Ashi accepted the gift and bowed deeply: "Thank you, Prime Minister. I will certainly convey your sentiments. May the Prime Minister and his wife enjoy good health and longevity, and may the Great Jing be forever at peace."
Watching A Shi's departing figure, Shen Qingci was filled with emotion. Their former comrades-in-arms, forged in hardship, had now found their own paths, while the land they had once protected was now bathed in the warm sunshine of a peaceful and prosperous era. This friendship, transcending time, was like a fine vintage wine, growing ever more mellow and enduring.
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