Chapter 271 Treating a National Hero
Xie Lingjiang did not go up with them, but stood quietly in the shade of the trees below the stage.
It is worth noting that she was carrying a rather inconspicuous dark-colored wooden box on her back.
"Lianghan".
"Your Excellency."
Li Dalang and Yan Liulang climbed the steps together, ascended the high platform, and approached.
Li Dalang called out softly, his tone somewhat embarrassed.
Ouyang Rong, with a skirt knife slung across his waist, silently got up from the ground and handed the wine pot in his hand to the nearest old craftsman.
The other veteran craftsmen were also carrying several wine jugs. The young county magistrate must have been drinking with these veteran craftsmen, and it's unknown what they talked about.
Ouyang Rong calmly saw off the group of apprehensive old craftsmen, dusted off his hands, and turned to look at the two friends who had arrived.
He didn't ask any more questions.
He sat back down, patted the ground beside him, and nodded to them.
Li Dalang and Yan Liulang went over and sat down one by one.
At the edge of the high platform, the river wind blew sharply like a knife. The three of them stood side by side, their clothes and hair fluttering in the wind.
On the Dragon-Slaying Platform, which has been used by Emperor Sui and Lady Liu to worship countless brave and wronged souls over the past century, only three figures remain.
"There's no more wine. I won't stand on ceremony with you guys."
Ouyang Rong said with a smile.
Li Dalang couldn't help but say, "It seems that Lianghan has changed a lot since he recovered from his illness and came down the mountain."
"What's changed?" he asked with a smile. "Have you lost weight?"
"Yes, but more so... in terms of presence." Li Dalang glanced at him a few more times and said softly:
"In the past, its momentum was sharp and unparalleled, forging ahead like a sharp sword."
"Now, it's like a sharp sword being sheathed, its edge concealed, giving it a more profound and mysterious feel, making it even harder to see through..."
"The teacher and my junior sister said the same thing."
Ouyang Rong nodded, his reaction indifferent, and continued with his work.
"Lianghan, this is..."
Li Dalang and Yan Liulang looked over and found a wooden bucket next to him with a towel draped over the rim. The bucket was half full of water and shone brightly in the sunlight.
Ouyang Rong had already rolled up his sleeves. He grabbed a damp towel, unfolded it, folded it into a square, placed it on his palm, and carefully wiped a section of the floor beside him.
Li Dalang could vaguely see dried red stains on the floor.
Ouyang Rong suddenly spoke:
"The old craftsmen said that back then, his body was facing the direction of Butterfly Creek and the county town, but his head, which was split apart, was facing them in the audience behind him."
Li Dalang couldn't help but say, "Regarding Brother Ashan... Lianghan, please accept my condolences."
Ouyang Rong shook his head.
Under the midday sun, the damp towel quickly dried. He wiped the sweat from his brow with the back of his hand, then wringed out more water from the towel and bent down to carefully wipe the floor, his profile serious.
"That's not true. Actually, I didn't feel sad at all; in fact, I was quite happy."
He nodded:
"After recovering from my illness and coming down the mountain, I suddenly realized something. This idea might be a bit strange. Do you want to hear it? It might be a bit long-winded."
"Of course." Li Dalang sat up straight. "I would like to hear the details."
"I've always felt that in this life, one needs to set a goal or something to look forward to, to strive and to forge ahead."
"That's how I used to relentlessly push forward."
"In the past, I also hated those who were complacent and just wanted to get by."
"But later we found that this principle does not apply to everyone, and it also negates the rights of many innocent people."
"Because sometimes, just 'living' itself is already difficult and requires a lot of effort for many people, so how can we ask for anything more?"
"How is this any different from 'Why don't they eat meat porridge?'"
"Upholding such high standards is nothing more than a subconscious attempt to make oneself appear noble and special, thereby gaining a sense of superiority from others, which serves as a distorted motivation."
At this point, Ouyang Rong smiled.
"No, Lianghan, you're being modest," Li Dalang shook his head vigorously, unable to hold back his words.
"Actually, not only me, but also my father, mother, sister, and many other people who know Lianghan, see Lianghan as very special."
"You always make it hard to predict your next move, and you exude a spirit of riding the waves, as if nothing in this world can stump you."
Li Dalang's square face, covered in a beard, gradually flushed red, and his tone became somewhat agitated:
"I believe that Miss Xie and the others felt the same way I did. As soon as they saw Liang Han, they felt that they could overcome any difficulty and their confidence was restored."
"This is one of the reasons why everyone trusts you."
"How could such a talented man not be a rare gem in this world?"
Ouyang Rong was slightly taken aback, glanced at Li Dalang again, and gently shook his head:
"There's no need to mythologize me. I'm not special. For example, Ah Shan is no different from me."
He waved his hand, then turned to Li Dalang, who seemed hesitant to speak, and continued earnestly:
"After experiencing Ah Shan's situation, I suddenly realized a principle that is even more universal."
"Everyone in this world lives wearing a 'mask'."
"These masks are not something bad imposed on us; more accurately, they are identities that we are born with or acquire later in life."
"Identity masks come in all shapes and sizes, and everyone has one. The difference is that some people's masks are heavy, while others' masks are light."
"But whether it is heavy or light, it is something that must be borne and should be taken seriously."
"Like Ah Shan, he is an identity mask that he was born with. He is a 'son of man,' an 'elder brother,' and also a 'son of Longcheng,' a member of this land beneath his feet."
Ouyang Rong turned around, his slightly tanned, thin face revealing a bright smile:
“I’m not sad. Ah Shan understands his identity very well.”
"As an elder brother and as a son, he stepped forward without hesitation that day to save his sister and mother."
"As the brave son of Longcheng, on that day, facing the traitors and villains on this land, he raised his head high in defiance."
"His scathing rebuke and hearty laughter violently awakened the numb villagers below the stage."
"This is the heavy mask that Ah Shan has put on himself. It is his passionate choice. How can I cry like a woman afterward and try to steal and tarnish the glory that rightfully belongs to him?"
Ouyang Rong questioned, and also questioned himself.
He sat back on the ground, looking at the sky:
"There is no need to grieve in moderation, what is there to grieve about?"
"The only thing that bothers me is that he has to wear an extra mask, an identity mask that should be mine to bear..."
Li Dalang and Yan Liulang were stunned. They saw the young magistrate in front of them take out a bronze mask from his sleeve as he spoke.
With a clatter, he casually tossed it to the ground, stared at it, and whispered:
"At that time, for some vague and distant place, I temporarily took off this mask of identity and got rid of all other masks, and went alone to find the so-called pure land."
"But this is... the responsibility I should have taken on."
Ouyang Rong paused for a moment, then suddenly turned his head, his voice ringing out powerfully in the wind, each word distinct and clear:
"A mask has weight, and identity is responsibility."
"Upon closer examination, I, Ouyang Lianghan, also wear many masks and bear many responsibilities."
"I am Aunt Zhen's only 'nephew',"
"I am the junior sister's 'senior brother'"
"I am the teacher's 'eldest disciple',"
"I am the 'Master' that Ashan and Aqing affectionately call out to me."
"I am the 'parent official' of the millions of people in Longcheng."
"I am even regarded as a 'righteous gentleman' by people all over the world!"
Ouyang Rong suddenly bent down, picked up the bronze mask from the ground, put it into his sleeve, turned his head, and calmly spoke:
"Now that I've recovered from my illness and returned from the mountain, I will no longer try to escape these masks."
"From now on, these are my identity and my responsibility."
Yan Liulang scratched his head as he listened, while Li Dalang remained silent for a moment before saying with a dazed expression:
“What Lianghan said makes a lot of sense and is very insightful, but… isn’t Lianghan putting too much pressure on himself by being so responsible?”
Ouyang Rong smiled broadly, then waved his sleeve and pointed to the distant blue sky:
"What pressure? This is indeed the hell that outsiders call Avici Hell, but I'm not going to be some saint or savior to completely wipe out hell."
"I have simply counted the masks one by one and fulfilled my responsibilities. In this world, there are too many derelict and irresponsible people who have failed to see their own masks clearly."
"If my existence can motivate those around me to make things a little better, that's enough. Even if it can never be eradicated and I'm condemned to hell, what's wrong with that?"
“Dalang, Liulang, I used to think that I couldn’t do it alone, that I couldn’t be a savior by myself. But then I saw Ahshan stepping forward, and I suddenly realized that we could.”
"us?"
Yan Liulang and Li Dalang couldn't help but mutter to themselves, pondering the two words.
Ouyang Rong nodded vigorously: "Yes, it's us!"
Silence fell over the high platform for a moment.
Li Dalang lowered his head and thought for a while, then nodded emphatically, immediately raising his head and saying:
“Lianghan, I also have my own identity and my own responsibilities. I am here today because of my responsibilities.”
Ouyang Rong asked, "What?"
Li Dalang gently pushed the food box he was carrying forward:
"My family is waiting for you to return to Meiluyuan."
"Although I know Lianghan has things to do, I can't just stand by and watch my parents worry so much, so I have to do something too. That's why I've come here today, even though I'm ashamed to say so."
I hope Lianghan will not take offense.
Ouyang Rong shook his head and said, "It's nothing, I understand."
Li Dalang clenched his fists, placed them on his knees, leaned forward, and said:
"Lianghan, you should already know about my family's situation and circumstances after the envoy from Luoyang sent gifts last time."
"I am truly sorry for concealing this information before, as I was afraid of being implicated."
"To our shame, after witnessing Liang Han's strategies and actions in Longcheng, we were all amazed and regarded him as an unparalleled national hero."
"My mother said that my father has been unable to eat or drink, and has been unable to sleep or eat properly these past few days. He is worried that Lianghan can lend a hand and give him some guidance."
“My father truly wished to treat Lianghan as a national hero.”
Ouyang Rong was somewhat taken aback by his friend's direct question. For a moment, he lowered his eyes and remained silent.
"My sister and I have both witnessed this, and as family members, it is difficult for us to stand idly by."
"To be honest with Lianghan, Amei had been urging me to come and talk, saying that Lianghan and I are good friends and that I'm easily swayed by emotions, while she's good at clarifying the pros and cons but not at this kind of thing."
"But after listening to Lianghan's words, I suddenly felt that Lianghan had too many 'identity masks' and too much pressure. I was afraid that adding more responsibility would drag Lianghan down and my conscience would be uneasy."
"Such a thing is definitely not what a friend would do."
"But on one side are family, and on the other are close friends. It's a real dilemma."
Li Dalang made no attempt to hide anything.
Ouyang Rong glanced at him sideways.
He glanced at the exquisitely presented food box, then at Li Dalang, whose face was a mixture of expectation and self-reproach, and suddenly asked:
Was the name 'Su Fu' a pseudonym before?
He paused, then said with a half-smile:
"Dalang has never said what his full name is. I don't even know his name. This doesn't seem like a close friendship."
Su Dalang quickly said:
"I almost forgot to mention, my surname is Li and my given name is Fusu."
"Fusu?"
Ouyang Rong shook his head. "A bad name." But after a pause, he nodded and sighed softly, "A good name."
Li Fusu was puzzled and looked confused.
"Your family certainly knows how to name things."
Ouyang Rong muttered to himself, his gaze returning to the food box in front of him.
"Lianghan, just call me Dalang."
"Um."
Ouyang Rong opened the food box himself. Inside was ice. After opening the lid, a cold mist rushed out, making him feel refreshed.
The food box has several layers. The top and bottom layers are filled with ice, and the three middle layers each contain a plate of refreshing snacks.
Li Fusu proactively moved aside the top layer of ice and brought out the first plate of food from below, introducing it as follows:
“This is a crispy mountain made by my mother. It’s a unique iced treat from the palace. My sister and I have loved eating it since we were little. Lianghan, you should try it too.”
Ouyang Rong looked down and felt that it resembled ice cream from his previous life.
This shaved ice dessert called "Su Shan" seems to be made by pouring a dairy product called "Su" and honey onto crushed ice, then freezing it into the shape of a small mountain. It has a wonderful taste.
Currently in the Great Zhou Dynasty, only nobles can afford to enjoy it.
Ouyang Rong picked up the silver spoon, took a bite, put down the spoon, picked up the crispy mountain, and handed it to Yan Liulang:
"Liu Lang, take this to your junior sister, you should try it too."
"Yes, Your Excellency."
Li Fusu had no objection and served the second serving of iced food.
Look, it's a bowl of chilled drink. On a hot summer day, cool steam rises from the bowl, and just looking at it makes you feel refreshed and thirsty.
"This bowl of chilled rice wine was brewed by my father and me together over many days. Lianghan, try it, it's sweet and sticky, and not intoxicating."
Upon hearing this, Ouyang Rong raised an eyebrow. "You all cooked all of this yourselves, right?"
The whole family pitched in to serve him, showing their utmost sincerity.
Ouyang Rong was deeply moved.
Immediately, his gaze fell on the last plate of iced food in the box.
"This was prepared by your younger sister."
"That's right."
Li Fusu nodded and brought it out.
Ouyang Rong glanced at it.
With its emerald green stripes, bright red flesh, and scattered black seeds, what else could it be but a watermelon?
He thought for a moment and asked, "So, it seems your sister planted this melon, or did she cut it herself?"
Li Fusu coughed twice, covering his fist, and said sincerely:
"Ahem, my sister picked this melon herself. She said it's ripe, Lianghan, have a taste."
"..."
Ouyang Rong's lips twitched slightly.
What a wonderful choice, picked out by hand.
Ouyang Rong had no doubt that the young lady in plum blossom makeup might have simply bent down, tapped the melon with two fingers, then walked away with her hands behind her back, leaving her maid Caishou to take it back and cut it open.
Hmm, not bad, that's very far-fetched.
Ouyang Rong was speechless and amused.
Li Fusu felt a little nervous and looked at his profile as he buried his head in eating melon seeds.
Waiting for a friend's response on a certain matter.
Here I am! Though late, I'm here, and I keep my word! Also, I'm afraid I'll oversleep, so the update tonight might be a little late, not exactly midnight.
(End of this chapter)
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