Duanzhou was a place for the transfer of military horses and a transportation hub. Passengers from the north and south traveled here like cattle and horses. To the south was the rich and prosperous capital, and to the north was the increasingly dangerous northern border. Duanzhou was located in a safe hinterland that was neither in the center nor in the north.
It possesses both the elegance and charm of the capital city and the open-mindedness of its people, blending with the culture of northern ethnic groups.
There is an unwritten rule that the further north an army marches, the more dangerous it becomes, and there are no more prosperous places like Duanzhou. Therefore, the army would tacitly allow soldiers on their way to their final destination of comfort.
Over time, beauties from both the Central Plains and other ethnic groups became increasingly common here, with graceful women opening their doors to welcome guests on every street.
Chang Lili squinted at Meng Yuxiu as she spoke, saying, "Are you planning to wait until I fall asleep...?"
Before she could finish speaking, Meng Yuxiu pinched her face, shook his head left and right, and said, "You know quite a lot, you little fool."
Do you think I don't understand your constant longing and yearning? I grew up in the streets and alleys of the city, and I know the true nature of men.
"Then what are you going to do?"
"Listen to audiobooks."
To attract customers, restaurants usually invite opera troupes or storytellers to liven up the atmosphere. Today, the restaurant where they stay is filled with a storyteller in a blue robe banging a gavel on a three-foot-wide platform.
Meng Yuxiu led the lost-thinking Chang Lili to a table his men had reserved. On the small square table were several dishes of dried fruit and melon seeds, as well as a pot of tea. It seemed they really intended to listen to the story here.
Chang Lili sat down, still suspicious, and said, "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"I saw you've been traveling all day and wanted you to rest early, but I know what kind of nonsense is going through your head," Meng Yuxiu said teasingly. "You didn't come with me just because of those rumors, did you?"
Chang Lili looked around, ate a melon seed, and said, "Oh, you should have said so earlier. I was worried you would break the family rules, that's why I was thinking such things."
"What family rules?"
"I just made this," Chang Lili said seriously. "One of the Meng family rules is that you are not allowed to go to brothels, you are not allowed to hug or kiss other women, and you are not allowed to stay out all night."
Chang Lili looked at Meng Yuxiu with a warning gaze.
Meng Yuxiu smiled faintly and said, "I know. You're already this fierce before we're even married. I'm afraid I'll be locked up at home by you from now on."
Chang Lili said, "If you don't behave, I'll lock you in the house."
Meng Yuxiu poured her a cup of tea, looked at the storyteller in front of him, smiled without saying a word, but a hint of tenderness appeared in the corner of his eyes.
The subordinates at another table vaguely heard their future general's wife saying things like "disobedient" and "lock her up," while the general looked on with indulgence.
I couldn't help but feel a deep respect for this young and petite general's wife. It seems that signs are already emerging about who will be in charge of the general's mansion in the future.
Chang Lili was unaware that she had already subtly earned a reputation for being "fierce" among Meng Yuxiu's men. After listening to a storyteller for a while, she learned that Meng Yuxiu had told her hundreds of times how he had killed three thousand enemies, how he had repelled the enemy army for three hundred miles, and how he had recovered lost territory.
"...The last emperor of the previous dynasty was incompetent and tyrannical, causing the loss of our land. Almost all of the thirty-two cities in our northern border fell into the hands of the barbarians. The people of the north suffered terribly, barely surviving under barbarian rule for several years, enduring endless humiliation. Fortunately, there was General Meng..."
This is a passage that Chang Lili doesn't often hear.
Having left the capital, and being in a more open place, storytellers would occasionally mention the previous dynasty.
Chang Lili listened attentively.
Meng Yuxiu looked at her profile and asked in a low voice, "What's wrong?"
"It's quite interesting."
"Never heard of it before?"
"I've heard of it, but only briefly, and I don't really understand it. Every time I hear it, I feel that my general is truly amazing."
Born into the Han clan, with neither merit nor family, he single-handedly became the guardian deity and victor of the Yun Kingdom.
"However, why do I rarely hear anyone mention the previous dynasty?"
“It was His Majesty’s request,” Meng Yuxiu said. “In the first few years of His Majesty’s reign, he ordered that no one should mention a single word about the previous dynasty.”
Why?
Meng Yuxiu looked at her and, amidst the noisy background, whispered, "After all, it's about usurping the throne and killing the emperor."
The words "usurpation and murder of the emperor" startled Chang Lili, who looked at Meng Yuxiu with great surprise.
Meng Yuxiu's expression was indifferent, as if he were talking about something very ordinary.
He was the great hero who usurped the throne and killed the emperor; his actions were both treasonous and unparalleled.
For some reason, Chang Lili's heart skipped a beat. She looked at Meng Yuxiu, remained silent for a while, and then said, "Why did you do that?"
"It's just going with the flow," Meng Yuxiu said. "The previous dynasty was poor and weak, and the country was constantly embroiled in civil war. I just happened to be recruited by His Majesty, and I just happened to become the one who assisted him in ascending the throne."
Meng Yuxiu said, "However, it is a treasonous act after all, defying the will of the world. His Majesty is also afraid that public opinion will be overwhelming, so he has ordered that this matter not be mentioned."
Chang Lili understood the principle of "the victor is king, the loser is villain," but she still felt a little strange when she heard Meng Yuxiu say these things.
If the world is governed by the Way, and the ruler is not, then assist him to bring peace to the world. But if he raises an army, where will the Way be? Wouldn't the world be thrown into great chaos?
This was the first thing Chang Lili thought of.
But the one on the dragon throne now hasn't done anything wrong either. The world isn't fixed in anyone's name. Dynasties have changed hands since ancient times, haven't they?
Seeing that she seemed lost in thought, Meng Yuxiu asked, "What's wrong?"
"It's nothing." Chang Lili took a sip of tea. "I just feel a little melancholy, and think that the world is so unpredictable and cruel."
“Beneath the throne are only flesh and blood,” Meng Yuxiu said. “You’ll find out soon enough.”
Chang Lili raised an eyebrow, looking at Meng Yuxiu's well-defined face, realizing that something might happen in the capital.
Before they could ask any more questions, applause broke out around them. A young boy carrying a copper basin went from table to table asking for tips. When he passed by Chang Lili's table, he said a few nice words, "Miss, you are so beautiful."
As Chang Lili handed over the silver, she said, "What girl? Call me young master!"
The little boy ran off with a grin.
There was more drama to come, but Meng Yuxiu had already decided not to listen and got up with Chang Lili.
Chang Lili walked alongside him outside and said, "Actually, what you just said was a bit off."
"What's wrong with it?"
“I’m going against the grain,” Chang Lili said. “I don’t know much about that period of history, but I think you were a good general. The people of the world were able to live in peace and security because of you. History isn’t a business transaction; it’s not about give and take. It can only move forward. Some things that are not suitable will be eliminated and forgotten. You were right.”
He didn't know if Chang Lili would still be able to say those words after learning the truth, but at this moment, Meng Yuxiu felt as if something scalding hot had rolled over his heart.
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