Original intention
The mountain dweller led the two forward, but Jingwan stopped and asked, "Is there another way out of the mountains?"
She remembered chatting with the old mountain villager when she arrived, and he had said that there was only one road in and out of the mountains.
The man deliberately raised his voice and said confidently, "There really is only one road! You outsiders don't know the way, so you'd better stick close to me! If you get lost, be careful of encountering tigers in the mountains!"
Jingwan bit her lip and remained silent. Lu Chang, who was beside her, asked her if her feet hurt. He was about to squat down and carry her on his back when he saw her shake her head. She continued to follow the mountain people, but when she saw the direction in which the moss was growing on the tree trunk, she stopped and refused to walk any further.
Although she was in the carriage, she overheard her cousin's conversation with his friend at the city gate.
The area south of Dafeng Ridge is shrouded in miasma, so dense that you can't see anyone every five steps. Judging from the direction the moss is growing, this person is trying to lead them south!
She pulled Lu Chang's hand and took two steps back, looking at the mountain man with a wary expression: "Cousin, we can't go any further, this man is going to take us to the south side of the mountain!"
Lu Chang had become wary as early as when Jingwan stopped for the second time, and after hearing what Jingwan said, he immediately went to arrest her.
The mountain dweller was skilled in martial arts but not as good as Lu Chang. After being captured, he committed suicide by poisoning himself, making it difficult to find out his identity.
After he breathed his last, Lu Chang looked at the corpse, wondering who had come to Lingnan to kill him.
Jingwan was also scared, but she still held Lu Chang's hand tightly and said with a serious face, "Cousin, don't be afraid. I know the way back. I'll lead you, and we won't get lost."
Lu Chang laughed out loud. He couldn't help but touch the little face covered in sweat and said, "Okay! I'll go with you!"
Just like many years ago, he followed behind her, believing without reservation that she would lead them out of the mountains.
Some people's abilities are innate, and no matter how hard others try, they can't match these talents. Lu Chang especially admired Jing Wan's ability to find her way around; in a war, there would be no risk of getting lost!
Her sense of direction is terrifyingly strong. No matter how complicated the road, whether in the desert or in the mountains, she can remember the route after walking it once. She doesn't need any markers or maps; it's an innate instinct.
Because he often travels outside, he has plenty of experience. If there is a road he has never traveled before, he can figure it out on his own by relying on his experience.
Lu Chang was even a little jealous.
And she did indeed lead him out of Dafengling, just as he had said.
On the way back to Jinning, Lu Chang noticed Jingwan's unease. He knew what she was afraid of. That night, the two stayed at an inn, and Lu Chang applied ointment to her little feet as usual.
We had already made sure she walked less when she came, but she still got a few blisters. Jingwan didn't seem to care. She used to run around in the mountains a lot when she was little, and she had calluses on her feet. Later, she stayed at the Gao family's house, and her mountain climbing skills became rusty, so even her feet couldn't withstand the blisters.
After applying the medicine, Lu Chang didn't rush to leave. Jingwan swung her little feet and watched her cousin sitting on a small stool looking at her.
He asked her, "Are you scared?"
Jingwan's eyes betrayed her fear, and she nodded. Of course she was afraid. The mountain people had clearly planned to kill them, but who wanted to kill them, and why, remained a complete mystery. They might escape this time, but there might be another. A sword hung overhead, a constant reminder of when it would fall!
Lu Chang took her hand and assured her, "Don't be afraid, I will protect you!"
Jingwan lowered her head, not wanting Lu Chang to see her disappointment. She lowered her eyes, swayed her feet, and remained silent.
Lu Chang stood up, bent down again, and gently hugged her.
He was reluctant to let go of the soft, fragrant bundle. He closed his eyes, unwilling to loosen his grip, when he heard Jingwan say, "Cousin, I'm worried about you."
Lu Chang opened his eyes, his nose stinging with tears. He had always considered himself resolute, yet she always managed to make him cry so easily.
If he were to live the rest of his life alone, he would have fewer worries and concerns, seemingly free and unrestrained, but in reality, he would be like a kite that has lost its string and cannot find its way.
But now that she's with him, he's willing to put on the shackles.
Ever since returning from Ding County, Lu Chang felt as if he and Jing Wan had returned to the past. The way she looked at him was no longer distant or polite, as if he had returned to when he was sixteen, with the girl in his arms laughing wildly at him.
He was worried that it was just his imagination, or that he was only thinking about her, so he could only keep his joy to himself and continue to stay by her side.
The kitchen at home has always served Northwest-style dishes, with the cook occasionally making some local dishes. A few days ago, we decided to give her a change of pace and took her out to eat some local delicacies. We were worried that she wouldn't like them, but unexpectedly, she found a kindred spirit and has been pestering us to go out to eat ever since.
For example, the raw shrimp dish is unforgettable after just one bite. The slender, live shrimp are drizzled with sauce and vinegar and then covered with a hot lid.
When the waiter brought the dish to the table, some small shrimp even jumped off the plate. Afraid that she wouldn't dare to eat them, she unexpectedly picked up a shrimp that had jumped onto the table by the tail, put it in her mouth and chewed it. Her eyes widened immediately, and she picked up her chopsticks and began to eat heartily.
Lu Chang really disliked eating such fishy-smelling food. He forced himself to eat a shrimp, but swallowed it immediately without chewing, and then drank a mouthful of liquor to suppress the fishy smell in his mouth.
He looked at Jingwan, who was engrossed in eating, and realized that she loved seafood. She had also eaten most of the "jumping tart" dish. The waiter told her that it was best eaten with wine, which led her to order another pot of Sanhua wine. She drank two cups and left the restaurant drunk.
After returning home, Lu Chang carried her back to the restaurant, took off her shoes, and then had Fang Juan bring over hot water to wipe her face clean.
She was so drunk that she was in a daze, but she still opened her eyes, looked at the person in front of her, called out "cousin," and then fell back asleep sweetly.
Lu Chang pinched her still chubby face as he watched her fall asleep.
He had been in such a good mood these past few months that he didn't want to stay in the government office for long, and he took all his official business home. Unfortunately, it was the end of the year, which was the time for the Great Wei to evaluate its officials.
The officials and governors from the imperial court were all in the Chaozhou government office, and the Left Accountant carefully checked the Chaozhou population, taxes, and disaster situation.
The officials in Chaozhou were lazy and inefficient, so the number of households in the city never increased, and taxes were naturally not collected. There were too many vagrants, some of whom became bandits in the mountains and others became thieves in the city. The people wished they could nail their doors shut at night to prevent thieves from breaking in. From the household registration system to public security, there was nothing to look good about the city. The only bright spot was Fang Huai's achievement in promoting education.
Before the official document from the court promoting officials arrived, Lu Chang was secretly happy for Fang Huai, thinking that such a capable person should eventually be promoted to Lingnan, so as not to waste his time in Lingnan.
After the New Year, the Ministry of Personnel did send a promotion document, but it was not Fang Huai who was promoted, but the governor who had been scheming everywhere to get a promotion. One of the main reasons for his promotion, besides the influence of the Feng family, was the excellent performance of the Chaozhou Confucian Academy.
Although this governor was unable to take up an official post in the capital, he did escape the "decapitation without bloodshed" Chaozhou and was transferred to Jiaozhou, outside the mountains, as its prefect.
Jiaozhou is a land of fish and rice, with flat and vast land. It has enjoyed favorable weather for many years. Even if you don't become an official, it would be a blessing to live there as an ordinary citizen.
That day, Lu Chang read the official document twice before finally believing the truth. He slammed the document on the ground and rushed to the archives to find the documents that the Left Censor had checked that day. Only then did he realize that Fang Huai's achievements in promoting education had all been attributed to the governor.
He was furious and wanted to take several colleagues to the governor to demand an explanation.
The officials looked at each other, but none of them were willing to go with him. One of them advised him that Fang Huai was too honest and that the officialdom loved to bully honest people. He would do the work, but he would not get any credit.
Lu Chang ignored him and picked up his book to go find the governor. Although it was his duty time, the governor was not at the government office. Instead, he was at home packing his things, preparing to move his whole family away from Chaozhou.
But the trip was ultimately in vain; the governor simply said, "What can you do to me?"
He returned to his office intending to submit a memorial to the court to impeach the governor, but Fang Huai stopped him.
“Sir, please forgive me. I come from a poor background and have no parents or family to rely on. Others don’t need to worry about offending someone like me.”
Lu Chang said it was unfair, but Fang Huai smiled lightly: "There are many unfair things in the world, what is mine? Some people are born disabled, some people are able-bodied, do you think that's fair? Some people are born with no worries about food and clothing, some people are born to bear the sins of the living, do you think that's fair?"
Lu Chang's face tightened, refusing to accept his explanation: "You have been in office for many years without ever slacking off, working diligently every day. Among the officials of Chaozhou, you are the only one who enjoys a good reputation among the people. You have given so much, yet you have gained nothing. Are you content with that?"
“I am willing!” he said firmly. “Sir, I run schools, I use my salary to support those poor children, I set aside my dignity to beg for donations. When I do these things, I never think about whether they will help me get promoted or get a higher rank! It is only because these things allow me to be worthy of the title of instructor, and allow me to live in this world with a clear conscience! Even if I remain a lowly instructor, I am willing to do so!”
Lu Chang could tell from his eyes that he wasn't lying.
He was defeated by Fang Huai and finally understood why he had worked diligently for ten years but was only a minor instructor.
Looking at Fang Huai, who was so calm in front of him, Lu Chang suddenly felt that the court had not only let down millions of people, but also many officials, big and small, who, like Fang Huai, had the world in their hearts and did not care about fame or fortune.
Why extinguish such passion with ice and snow?
What future can such a court possibly have? What hope can the people living on this land possibly have?
Unfortunately, he was just another Fang Huai! Aren't their fates also at the mercy of others?
Beneath his wide sleeves, Lu Chang clenched his fists, and the thoughts he had deliberately suppressed resurfaced in his mind, lingering for a long time.
After the governor left, the court arranged for a new governor to take office, but the identity of this new governor really surprised Lu Chang.
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