Yuan Zu's letter was sincere and full of deep emotion. He compared Donglingzi to the ancestral temple and respected his younger brothers as brothers. He also summarized his theories and added his own thoughts. The letter was so powerful that it shook the heart and moved everyone who heard it.
This is not only a letter, but also a petition.
After finishing the letter, Yuan Zuzhi affixed his own private seal, "This way, even if I don't believe it eight out of ten, I can believe it five out of ten."
Hu Xu blew the ink dry for him, then carefully folded it, wrapped it in a layer of oil paper to prevent moisture, sealed it with two carp seals, and handed it to Yuan Zuzhi.
Yuan Zuzhi stroked the fish pattern and solemnly entrusted it to Xu Jiang.
"Madam Xu, I entrust this matter to you."
Xu Jiang took it carefully and promised, "Don't worry, sir. I will definitely tell my friend to deliver this letter as soon as I find him."
Yuan Zuzhi bowed to her, and she quickly returned the greeting, "Sir, this is truly humiliating."
"This matter has been handled several times thanks to Madam Xu, and she deserves a generous reward." After saying this, he instructed the boy to ask the lady for the money.
Xu Jiang was at a loss for words. "Don't worry, sir. It won't be too late to thank you after you find the book."
"You and your friend have taken the trouble to help me, so how can I neglect you? Please pass the money to him for me. The journey is difficult, so just think of it as a farewell glass of wine for him."
Having said this, Xu Jiang couldn't refuse, so she had to accept it. She secretly made a note in her heart that if she really found the book, she would deduct it from her reward.
"Happy! I'm really happy today!" Yuan Zuzhi laughed heartily twice, and quickly ordered the boy to move two jars of good wine from the cellar, and asked someone to serve the dishes.
Several of his friends were also happy for him. Lou Jing asked the little boy to fetch the guqin and said with a smile, "I'll play a tune to cheer Brother Yuan up."
Li Tongxue said, "Why not play the song 'Plum Blossom Introduction' to suit the occasion?"
Du Hui clapped his hands and said, "Yes."
Lou Jingluo pointed, "Then let's do 'Plum Blossom Introduction'!"
Xu Jiang sat back down and thought of something else. She wanted to ask Yuan Zuzhi for advice, but she saw that he was singing with Lou Jing, so she invited Hu Xu, who was free, to come over.
While listening to the music, the two of them flipped through the records of the Thousand Buddha Caves in Kucha, discussing the whereabouts of the group of monks.
"This group of monks originally numbered a dozen or so, but only nine remained when they passed through Qiuci. The journey from Qiuci to the Central Plains was a thousand miles long, and coupled with the turmoil of war, they suffered losses along the way. It's hard to say whether they ever reached the Central Plains." Hu Xu flipped through the records and found no further information about that group of monks. He calculated the dates and months and said to Xu Jiang, "If we really want to trace their whereabouts, we need to find the documents from that time when they entered the pass. However, after so many years, I think those documents are difficult to collect and would be difficult to find."
Xu Jiang nodded, "I think so too."
"What does the boss want with them?"
"Most practitioners are determined and hard to waver from their goals. They originally intended to head north to Loulan, but suddenly changed their course and headed east to Dasheng. This change must have been due to an opportunity."
Hu Xu's wisdom was like a red furnace lighting up the snow. "The Dong family suspects they encountered Zichu in the Thousand Buddha Caves?" He pondered for a moment and then said, "If they encountered Zichu in Qiuci and were persuaded by him to change their route to Dasheng, then as long as they can find his whereabouts, they can obtain more information about the Dongling disciples."
Xu Jiang gave him an admiring look. "As you said, there's no way to confirm whether this group of monks has reached the Middle-earth. Searching for them in Dasheng is no easier than searching for Dongling disciples in the Anxi Protectorate."
"It's not completely hopeless. We can look for it slowly. There's no rush anyway. Leave this matter to me. If I can find it, it will be a way to repay the teacher's kindness." After Hu Xu finished speaking, he took the book in his hands.
"Okay." Xu Jiang nodded, and then asked him a few more questions about the imperial examination. Seeing that he was confident, she felt relieved, drank a glass with him, and wished him good luck.
Lou Jingna had finished playing a piece and saw the two of them huddled together, whispering, so he asked, "What are Zhuchun and Madam Xu talking about so happily? Tell us."
Yuan Zuzhi snorted, "Why should I tell you about young people's affairs? Aren't the nagging of us old guys enough to fill your ears?"
Lou Jing replied, "I'm just tired of hearing you old guys nagging, so I want to listen to what the young people have to say."
Seeing that the two were about to argue again, Xu Jiang quickly distracted the two enemies and said, "I just want to ask Zhu Chun about some of the information in the note. There is nothing else to do."
"Look at your small nose and eyes." Yuan Zuzhi was in a good mood and did not argue with him. He invited everyone to drink and eat.
Because of the plum blossom viewing, the dishes were exquisitely prepared, mostly vegetable and fruit stews and cakes, with very little meat or fish. Xu Jiang took a few bites and found the taste light, but not bland, and very pleasing to the stomach.
While they were eating, a pretty maid came over and said, "Master, the mistress and the young lady are coming to the Plum Pavilion to fumigate their clothes."
"It must be Yanyan's idea. Well, the plum blossoms are in full bloom, let her have her fun." Yuan Zuzhi nodded and then instructed the maids, "Just tell them to be careful. The ground in the plum forest is slippery, don't fall."
"Yes." The maid heard it and left again.
Soon, a burst of playfulness came from the depths of the plum forest, and Xu Jiang couldn't help but look over.
The practice of burning incense and fumigating clothes was popular in the capital, and was considered elegant. Seeing Xu Jiang's curiosity, Yuan Zuzhi said, "It's boring to sit around with us old men. Madam Xu, why don't you go and see what your little girl is doing?"
"That's exactly what I meant." Xu Jiang stood up smoothly, said goodbye to everyone, and went to the plum forest.
Seeing Hu Xu staring at her, Lou Jing said, "Zhuchun, come and have a few drinks with me."
Hu Xu turned and smiled at him, "Okay."
Yuan Zuzhi said: "Don't let him drink too much, he has classes tomorrow."
"Old bastard." Lou Jing scolded with a smile, "You are all more protective of yourselves than the other."
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