"My dear!"
The awkward tone broke the silence between the two.
Rong Xi turned around instantly and saw Jin Jili laughing at him. The heaviness in his heart eased a little, so he waved.
Jin Jili rushed over and called out again, grinning, "My dear!"
It seems that if you call it a few more times, your pronunciation will become more proficient.
"Brother Sizhi, I'll go back to my room first." Rong Xi smiled gently, then said to Jin Jili, "Let's go."
Jin Jili followed closely behind with a bright smile.
Only Qin Ke stood outside the house for a long time.
The sound of his heartbeat almost made his ears ring, and he exerted a great deal of self-control to maintain his composure.
This feeling is unprecedented.
He stood in front of the house and saw that the door was old and slightly mottled. In a trance, the lonely and sad look on Rong Xi's face when he left just now forcefully entered his mind.
I couldn't help but take a step forward, but then I paused.
Entering a house or leaving it all depends on a single thought.
He chuckled to himself. The God of War of the Great Wei, even if he was afraid in his heart, he still moved forward bravely, instead of shrinking and hesitating like he is now.
After all, the God of War is just an ordinary person.
He stood still for a long time before slowly walking into the house. Seeing that the light in Rong Xi's bedroom was on, he walked to the door and knocked lightly.
Rong Xi sat on the chair, feeling a little blocked in his heart as he thought about Qin Ke's shock and silence just now.
After knowing each other for a long time, Qin Ke recognized and supported all his ideas, and he was reluctant to give up this friendship.
However, sexual orientation cannot be changed. If Qin Ke distanced himself from him because of this, he would have to bear the consequences.
Suddenly there was a knock on the door. Rong Xi got up and opened the door. He was slightly stunned when he saw Qin Ke outside.
"Brother Sizhi?"
Qin Ke's expression was solemn, his eyes were serious, "Rong Dalang, I have no right to interfere with your preferences, nor do I intend to interfere. Although it is unethical, it is not wrong at all."
He paused, his expression softened, "Don't worry, I admire your talent, and the rest is unimportant."
Rong Xi felt deeply comforted to be able to say these words.
He smiled and said sincerely, "I have never been worried about this. Brother Sizhi, I am very grateful for your sincere words."
The young man stood with his back to the light, his face hidden in the darkness, but his eyes were bright, clear and fearless.
"No need." Qin Ke heard his heartbeat again, "You did nothing wrong. You don't need others to judge you."
A warm feeling surged in his heart, and Rong Xi smiled even more.
"It's cold, let's go inside." Qin Ke said, turned around and left.
There were many nobles who molested and played with boys, and Qin Ke had heard of all of this.
However, his family had strict traditions, and he entered the camp at a young age. Later, he fought against the enemy in the northern border and had never had physical contact with anyone.
Both men and women.
There were countless noble ladies in Shengjing, but he had never been moved by them.
But now, he is still lingering in the moonlight by the river and is reluctant to leave. Does this mean he has fallen in love?
At the hour of Mao the next day, before Rong Xi could see him off, Qin Ke rode his horse back to the capital.
Before leaving, he had made careful arrangements, and Rong's house is now as airtight as an iron barrel, making it extremely difficult for outsiders to break in.
If Rong Xi were to travel, there would be secret guards accompanying him to ensure that nothing goes wrong.
After Rong Xi got up, he did not see Qin Ke, so he went to his bedroom himself and saw that the couch was clean and the person had left.
I suddenly felt lonely.
"My dear! Water!" Jin Jili came over with a cup and handed it to Rong Xi.
He was obviously very happy to learn new words.
Rong Xi dispelled the worries in his heart and said with a smile: "Not bad."
"Here, drink it." Jin Jili grinned and placed the cup in Rong Xi's hand attentively.
The water in the cup was warm, Rong Xi took a sip, "Today we are still washing the inkstone and learning the language of the Great Wei."
The golden hair dances with the head, brighter than the morning sun, and the eyes are as blue as the sky, making people forget their worries when they see them.
Seeing that he was really funny, Rong Xi couldn't help but laugh out loud.
A few days later, Rong Xi led the masters and servants of the Rong family to the ancestral tomb to offer sacrifices.
Three animals are offered as sacrifice and paper money is turned into ashes. Rong Xi and Rong Lian knelt down solemnly.
The cold wind was raging and snow was falling to the ground.
After the sacrifice, everyone was covered with snow. Liu He felt sorry for Rong Xi and hurriedly held an umbrella for him.
Unfortunately, he was old and weak, so Rong Xi said gently, "Mr. Liu, I can do it myself."
Pretend to hold the umbrella handle.
A hand quickly grabbed the umbrella handle. Rong Xi looked up and saw Jin Jili smiling ingratiatingly, as if seeking credit.
Liu He glared angrily.
"Mr. Liu, Jili can hold the umbrella. You and Zishi can share the same umbrella."
After Rong Xi's instructions, Jin Jili smiled triumphantly, and Liu He had no choice but to share the same umbrella with Liu Zishi.
Fortunately, I brought an umbrella with me today, otherwise the return journey would have been ravaged by the wind and snow.
At the same time, in the Changxin Marquis Mansion in Shengjing.
After offering sacrifices to the ancestors, Qin Ke gathered in a room with his relatives. Although he fought in wars for many years and was rarely with his parents, the family affection between them grew deeper.
He lived alone in the Prince's Mansion because his mother and father disliked him and did not want him to disturb their time.
That's what they say, but it may not be the truth.
"Ake," Princess Mingyi asked with a kind expression as she sat down, "Do you have someone you like? If so, I'll ask someone to be your matchmaker. If not, there are countless noble ladies in the capital, I'll choose one for you first, and then you can..."
"Mother," Qin Ke said helplessly, "I have no intention of getting married for the time being."
Princess Mingyi knew his personality, and that he would not tolerate harsh words, so she said, "Mother only hopes that she can have a grandchild as soon as possible, alas."
Qin Ke pursed his lips and said nothing.
Seeing this, Princess Mingyi had no choice but to continue asking, "What does the girl my son likes look like?"
A figure appeared in his mind, Qin Ke's eyes softened and his long eyelashes seemed to be shining.
"He has a gentle temperament, is kind and generous, and has great talent."
He couldn't help but blurt out the words, his heart seemed to be burned, a feeling that it should be like this arose spontaneously.
Princess Mingyi was relieved to see that he had come to his senses, so she said with a smile: "Granddaughter of Grand Tutor Ning has a gentle temperament, outstanding talents, and a kind heart. She is a rare beauty."
Qin Ke shook his head. The talent he was talking about was not the proficiency in poetry and songs, but the talent that benefited the country and the people.
Seeing that he was not interested, Princess Mingyi thought for a few breaths and asked again: "Do you have a preference for appearance?"
Qin Ke shook his head again.
As long as someone is in your heart, why should you care about appearance?
Princess Mingyi sighed deeply, her face unhappy, and she lightly rebuked: "This is not allowed, that is not allowed, what do you like?"
Qin Ke did not want to talk about marriage anymore. "Mother, the emperor ordered me to be the military equipment supervisor. I have not completed my studies yet and have no intention of getting married."
"Get married and start a career. Get married first, then start a career. If I wait until that damned military equipment supervisory office is completed, I will be half buried in the ground."
Princess Mingyi pinched his arm a few times as a punishment.
She was born into wealth, and later had a harmonious relationship with her husband. Her only son was the God of War of the Wei Dynasty. This made her extremely happy and glorious.
The only thing that made her regretful was that Qin Ke had not yet started a family.
"My son is unfilial, please don't be upset, mother."
Qin Ke has always been a man of his own ideas, and no one can shake his decision. If he does not want to get married, no one can force him to do so.
I am afraid that my mother is anxious, so I ask His Majesty to grant me a marriage.
His expression suddenly became serious, he half-knelt in front of Princess Mingyi, and spoke in a soothing tone.
"You are a princess, your father is the Marquis of Changxin, and your son is a prince. You are extremely honored. The emperor now trusts me and has ordered me to take charge of the Military Equipment Bureau. The Military Equipment Bureau is not yet completed, and no one knows its purpose. If the Military Equipment Bureau plays an important role in the court in the future, even if the emperor still trusts me, do you think some villains will be willing to be lonely?"
Before the princess could respond, he continued trying to persuade her.
"Mother hopes that you will get married, and will select a virtuous and noble lady for you. However, those with noble birth must be powerful. If you form a relationship with the Marquis of Changxin, rumors may arise. Although I am not afraid, I don't want to be entangled in dirty trivial matters. If you choose a small family, mother will definitely be unwilling. Is that right?"
After Qin Ke's argument, Princess Mingyi felt more depressed.
She said unhappily, "What do you think?"
Qin Ke asked solemnly: "Mother, do you wish me a smooth life and not have to walk on thin ice?"
Under the emperor's favor, if you take a wrong step, you will lose everything.
Princess Mingyi understood what he meant, but she was depressed and did not want to answer.
Qin Ke chuckled, "Don't be upset, mother. If I marry, I will marry the one I like. If not, I will never marry."
"good!"
The heroic man suddenly rushed in, and when he saw Qin Ke, his eyes were full of admiration, "My son's words really suit my heart."
Qin Ke stood up, "Aye."
Princess Mingyi glared at him and said, "You two, father and son, are just talking nonsense!"
Despite this, he tacitly agreed with Qin Ke's words.
The whole family is favored, like floating clouds, no one knows when it will fall. She only wishes that the family of three can live in harmony and have a smooth life as Ah'er said.
That is enough.
As for future generations, even Qin Yuan, that idiot, doesn't care about them, so why should she worry about it?
Finally getting his parents' consent, Qin Ke's melancholy gradually dissipated, and he felt that the gray sky was also very lovely.
Since returning to Shengjing from Linxi, all he thought about was Rong Dalang.
He was not a fool, nor did he want to escape; he was just at a loss as to what to do.
Although Rong Dalang likes men, he has no feelings for Hongye.
He had already acted recklessly before, so he must not scare Yu Rong Dalang again.
The winter solstice has passed and the weather is getting colder. Rong Xi couldn't stand the cold, so he had no choice but to hire a craftsman to build a warm kang.
The heated kang had not yet been built, but I heard that the war in the north was getting intense.
"The news has already reached Shengjing, how could it be false?" Cheng Hao sighed, "Every year, the Northern Rong invade the border around the winter solstice, and the Prince of Qin will rush to defend the border."
Rong Xi opened his mouth slightly and was about to ask how this year was.
"He didn't need to go this year, but the garrison commander was seriously injured and the situation was not good, so he had to go."
After Cheng Hao finished speaking, he saw the worry in the young man's eyes, so he comforted him, "Prince Qin is invincible in battle, and he will definitely be able to drive out the Rong people."
Rong Xi suddenly felt sad, recalling Qin Ke's previous statement that the God of War was also a mortal.
He shouldered the hopes of countless people and experienced countless bloodshed before he earned the title of God of War.
"Forget it," Cheng Hao stopped talking about the war and asked him, "When will the new materials be ready?"
Rong Xi came back to his senses and replied, "It will be done in a few days. Then please ask Uncle Cheng to take some time to visit Rong's house."
When Rong Xi returned home from the workshop, he was in a depressed mood, and happened to meet Chen Chuangu who came to look for him.
"Brother Chen, what do you want from me?"
Chen Chuangu's face was serious. "Qin Sizhi is going to the northern border. I also want to go north, so I came here to say goodbye to Dalang."
Rong Xi nodded and said with concern: "Take care, Brother Chen."
Seeing him like this, Chen Chuangu smiled handsomely and patted his shoulder, "Don't worry, Dalang. The Northern Rong are just big beasts with their teeth pulled out. There is nothing to be afraid of."
After he finished speaking, he took out a few porcelain bottles and handed them to Rong Xi.
"Before Qin Sizhi returned to Beijing, he asked me to prepare this for you and told me to tell you that the way to defeat the enemy requires perseverance."
Chen Chuangu teased, "I've never seen Qin Sizhi be so considerate to others."
Rong Xi's heart skipped a beat, and he smiled gently, "It's Xi's luck."
The two said no more, Chen Chuangu said goodbye, and headed north in the wind and snow.
After a few days, the raw material was calcined into mature material by kiln workers, and Rong Xi mixed it with gypsum to make cement.
The container is built with earth to form a three-dimensional rectangle, with steel bars inserted vertically inside.
The steel bars were forged using the method he taught Jiang Weiping.
Then mix cement with sand and gravel, add water and stir evenly, and pour it into a rectangular frame to form block concrete.
After it solidifies, the soil peels off, and the moisture is removed, the shape becomes neat.
When Cheng Hao saw it, he was surprised and asked someone to hit it with a hammer, but surprisingly, the damage was very small and it was very solid.
"Uncle Cheng, if we use this to build the city wall, it should be more solid than yellow mud." Rong Xi asked with a smile.
Although the border city walls were built relatively solidly, mostly using rammed earth and brick and stone on the outside, they were slightly less solid than concrete.
In fact, the material made by mixing glutinous rice paste with lime can be more solid, but the amount of glutinous rice is limited, and it is not easy to obtain materials in the numerous cities and houses of the Wei Dynasty.
The city wall of Mengshan County is built with loess, making it easy to attack but difficult to defend.
Although this place is not a strategic location, the military equipment supervision workshop set up in Mengshan now has a strategic significance that is no less than that of the border.
Cheng Hao was startled and said hurriedly: "This thing must not be made public, I will go find Shen Mingfu."
Rong Xi did everything personally regarding the cement, so outsiders did not know the secret. Even if they had heard of it, they would not know how to forge it, so Rong Xi was not worried.
After returning home, he was writing at his desk. Jin Jili jumped to the front of the house and wandered around for a long time. He saw Rong Xi get up through the window and hurriedly knocked on the door and came in.
"Ji Li, what do you want to talk to me about?" Rong Xi put the letter in his sleeve and asked him casually.
Jin Jili hung his head and said awkwardly, "My dear, I have nothing to do."
He did not call himself a "servant", and Rong Xi did not care.
Liu Weng and Zi Shi had deep-rooted ideas about hierarchy, and Rong Xi was unable to change them, so he could only follow them.
"What are you good at?" Rong Xi asked with a smile.
Since Jin Jili entered the house, he often stuck around. When Liu Weng and Zi Shi saw this, they were annoyed by his "seeking favor" and thus began to want to "fight".
This fight is nothing more than an attempt to steal work so that Jin Jili has nothing to do.
Rong Xi was really confused and amused.
Hearing this, Jin Jili scratched his head and said, "I can swim."
"You have to wait until spring comes and the rivers and streams melt before you can go swimming," Rong Xi touched his head with his hand and smiled gently, "If you have time, go find Xiyan and learn the language of the Great Wei."
Jin Jili was very obedient and went to Rong Lian's courtyard.
The winter snow had just stopped, and the courtyard was covered in silver, the light was dazzling.
Rong Xi tightened his fur collar and cloak, walked through the snow to the outside of the courtyard, and called Liu Zishi.
"Give this letter to Mr. Feng." He placed his trust in Liu Zishi's hands.
Liu Zishi nodded obediently and said, "I will definitely send it to you." After saying that, he turned around and was about to leave.
"Wait." Rong Xi suddenly regretted and took the letter back. His eyelashes drooped slightly, hiding his emotions. "Forget it, there's no need to send it."
The war in the north was tense, so he stopped adding to the trivial matters.
"My dear?" Liu Zishi saw that he was in a bad mood and couldn't help but worry, "Are you okay?"
Rong Xi shook his head and smiled: "Nothing."
A few days later, Rong Xi refined some more cement and marked out an acre of land behind the house.
Jin Jili came excitedly because he saw there was something he could do.
"My lord, give me your orders."
Rong Xi then ordered him to use concrete as a bonding agent and build a wall with bricks and stones.
The wall was no higher than the knee. After it was dry and solid, Engineer Feng was invited to build a wooden frame.
He had ordered the kiln workers to burn a piece of glass, and after the frame was built, the glass was inlaid on it to make a house.
But it is different from ordinary houses.
The house is enclosed on all sides, with only a small door on the south side that is only wide enough for one person to pass through.
The sun shines brightly after the snow, reflecting on the glass surface, so dazzling that it is difficult to look directly at.
"My dear, what is this house used for?" Liu Zishi had no idea what he meant.
Except for the brick and stone bottom, the rest is made of glass. The scene inside the house can be clearly seen. It is definitely not habitable.
Rong Xi patiently explained: "Glass can be used to keep out the cold. After being exposed to sunlight, the room will be as warm as spring."
"Really?" Liu Zishi and others were all surprised.
"Brother, I wonder what this house is used for?" Rong Lian was puzzled.
This house is quite closed, and neither humans nor animals can stay in it for long.
Rong Xi kept Liu He in suspense and asked him with a smile, "Do you have any rapeseed at home?"
Liu He nodded, "Sir, do you want me to go get it?"
He saved the rapeseed to plant after the cold winter.
"Tomorrow I'll trouble you to get the seeds, and we'll plant them together." Rong Xi said with a smile.
Although he didn't know why they were sowing seeds in the glass house, Liu He didn't hesitate at all, "My lord, your words are sincere. I will do the rough work, so please don't get involved."
"No problem. The emperor personally visits the farmland during the spring ploughing season. I am just a commoner, so why can't I?"
Rong Lian also agreed, "I'll go with my brother."
The master and servants of Rong's house all rushed to sow seeds.
The next day, Rong Xi led a few people in the glass house, some bending over, some squatting, and carefully placing the rapeseed in the soil.
Liu He had the most sophisticated skills, and Rong Xi and the others were not familiar with common affairs, so he had to carefully teach them the method of sowing.
"I never thought that there are so many truths in matters of the fields." Rong Lian was filled with emotion, as if he had reached a higher level.
Rong Xi smiled, "When my second brother first enters the government, if he is sent to a distant place, he must personally visit the people so that he can hear about their sufferings. If he only sees the files in the government office, is blinded by his ears and eyes, and leaves the people outside the high walls, how can he properly govern the area?"
What he said made Rong Lian fall into deep thought.
A dozen years of reading books by sages are nothing more than the key to becoming a bureaucrat. If one gets an official position in the future, satisfying the needs of the people is the right way to be an official.
My mind suddenly became clear.
Rong Lian could not help but stand up and bow deeply, his eyes showing reverence, "Brother, I will keep your words in mind."
When I think about it carefully, my brother was only born a few months earlier than me, but he has such a broad mind, which is really admirable.
The longer I spend with my brother, the more I admire him.
Rong Xi's words were just a casual remark, but they made Rong Lian's heart tremble. He felt quite ashamed, so he said, "Second brother, you are too kind. I am just talking about it on paper."
After saying this, he buried his head in placing the rapeseed.
After the sowing was completed, Rong Xi placed a straw mat beside the seeds and told Liu He: "Cover the seeds with the straw mat when the sun sets, and take it off when the sun rises."
Liu He obeyed the order.
After returning home, Rong Lian asked curiously: "Brother, if this method can be used to grow vegetables, it will be a blessing for the people. However, glass is expensive and ordinary people cannot afford it. Brother, this action must have a deep meaning?"
Rong Lian was indeed perceptive. Rong Xi smiled gently and said, "Whenever new things come out, they are all in the hands of noble families. However, the world changes, maybe decades or hundreds of years, and now the new things mentioned will definitely be in the homes of ordinary people."
His power is limited, and to popularize the cause, thousands of people must work together.
Rong Lian was lost in thought, while Rong Xi turned and went into the house.
When Rong Erlang came to his senses, Rong Xi was gone.
Brother hasn't answered yet what the deeper meaning of this move is!
A few days later, in the northern border town.
Qin Ke entered the camp in the snow, and Chen Chuangu entered the tent and said, "Qin Sizhi, there is a letter."
"Where did it come from?"
"Linxi," Chen Chuangu teased, "Guess who wrote it."
Qin Ke glared at him coldly, "Give it to me."
Perhaps because his face was too stern, Chen Chuangu was slightly startled and took the letter from his arms. "Looking at the handwriting on the envelope, it's not Rong Dalang."
Why are you in such a hurry? Chen Chuangu sneered in his heart, thinking that Qin was probably in trouble.
Qin Ke's expression relaxed when he heard this. He opened the letter and read it, then he chuckled.
There was a sudden tenderness in his eyes and brows, which seemed to be able to melt the heavy snow outside the tent.
When Chen Chuangu saw this, he held his forehead and sighed.
The letter must have mentioned Rong Dalang, and only Rong Dalang could make Qin Sizhi look like this.
"Da Lang has made a new instrument?" he asked curiously.
Qin Ke took the letter in his heart, glanced at him, said nothing, and went out of the tent to organize his troops.
Chen Chuangu: “…”
Such stinginess is really a disgrace to the name of the God of War!
At the hour of You, Qin Ke returned to his tent and sat down at his desk with his pen in hand.
The coldness of the northern frontier, with its iron cavalry and spears, makes one miss the peace and tranquility of Linxi even more.
Since Rong Dalang was reluctant to write letters, he sent a letter back.
A few days later.
Rong Xi was busy refining cement and building a secret room in the basement of the workshop.
Suddenly, Cheng Hao's cheerful voice was heard: "Da Lang, there is a letter from Northern Xinjiang, and there is one for you."
Northern Frontier!
Could it be Qin Ke?
Rong Xi thanked him and took it. When he saw that the handwriting on the envelope was actually written in pencil, he immediately smiled, with joy on his face.
This handwriting is undoubtedly from Brother Sizhi!
However, he had not finished his official business and had no time to read the letter, so he carefully put the letter in his arms and threw himself into the work of the construction workshop.
At 3 p.m., he rode home, went straight into the study, and spread the letter on the desk.
After watching it carefully several times, Rong Xi's heartbeat was pounding in his ears, his cheeks were hot, and there was a smile on the corners of his lips. It seemed as if boiling magma was pouring into his body, surging and swaying.
In fact, it’s just one sentence on the paper.
The moonlight by the river is so beautiful, and I miss it so much.
"My dear, would you like to have dinner?" Liu Zishi suddenly asked outside the door.
Rong Xi was so frightened that he kept the faith to himself. But when he calmed down, he suddenly felt ashamed.
It's just a letter, why do you feel so guilty like a thief? Moreover, Zishi was standing outside the door and couldn't see clearly.
"Let's eat."
After he finished speaking, he took out an empty wooden box and placed the letter inside. However, he was still hesitating in his heart whether he should reply to the letter.
During the meal, Rong Lian saw that he was absent-minded and had no appetite, so he said with concern: "Brother, you are busy with official duties, so you need to take care of your health."
Rong Xi came back to his senses and said with a smile: "Thank you for your concern, second brother."
Seeing that he seemed different from usual, Rong Lian was quick to notice and asked again, "Brother, are you worried about something?"
Hearing this, Rong Xi wanted to deny it, but when he saw Rong Lian's handsome face, his mind suddenly became hot, and without thinking too much, he asked, "My second brother and Mr. Liang have a deep affection for each other. If Mr. Liang sends you a message, how will you respond?"
This question was too broad. Rong Lian was stunned for a moment, then hesitantly said, "I must respond to everything in the letter."
It is better not to answer this question.
After dinner, Rong Xi returned to the study, spread out papers on the desk, and was completely lost for words for a moment.
After a moment, he stood up, took the box, picked up the letter and looked at it again. The candle was about to burn out, but not a single word had been written.
I gradually felt tired.
Suddenly I heard the sound of wind outside the window, and thinking of the cold weather in the northern border, I felt worried.
Before the candle burns out, write on the paper.
Take care of yourself.
The author has something to say:
If you want to defeat the Northern Rong, why do you want to invade the border? This resulted in a long-distance relationship between the two, alas!
PS: When writing this article, my writing speed has really dropped a lot. Ten thousand words is too far away o(╥﹏╥)o Six thousand words can still give me a break, and I can get up the next day and continue writing. Ten thousand words is too difficult! (I hit myself in the face)
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