Chapter 378: Fear of Delay

The location of that tomb and tombstone is excellent.

It's just opposite the Gu family courtyard, just across the street.

As early as the Wang Mang period, all the houses around the Gu family courtyard had been returned to the imperial court.

After so many years, although this street is still in use, the houses around it are not for sale, so there is nowhere to buy one.

Not to mention that they could openly build tombs in a prosperous area not far from the center of the imperial capital.

This has nothing to do with whether you are rich or poor. It is really too outrageous.

Even if we use the metaphor of a folk funeral, it is not very auspicious, not to mention building a tomb in the middle of a bustling city, or in the imperial capital where every inch of land is valuable. How many dishes can you have to eat to drink like this?

It is not an ordinary person who can accomplish such a feat.

Shang was originally talking about the dramatic changes in the world during the Xia Dynasty, but when he noticed Gu Dan's gaze, he gradually stopped talking.

The two of them continued walking forward in silence.

All kinds of sounds came into my ears along the way: the sound of crutches, the sound of feet hitting the ground, the sound of wheel tracks rolling, the sound of horses neighing, the sound of pedestrians talking, laughing and cursing. Being in the mortal world, the world of red dust rolls in, full of the smell of fireworks.

Only the two sides have been carved by wind and rain, and the houses everywhere look a bit dilapidated, obviously lagging behind the prosperous imperial capital by an era.

The roads are new and spacious, smooth and pliable enough for people to ride horses or drive cars; the houses are old and quaint, with the indelible marks of time left by wind and rain.

The pedestrians on the road were laughing and playing, full of vigor; while the houses on both sides were silent, quiet and peaceful.

During the Xia Dynasty, which lasted for more than a hundred years, these completely different things were surprisingly brought together quite harmoniously, making people feel no sense of separation.

This place has become an integral part of the Xia Dynasty.

"Since you left, the late emperor has stipulated that this street can be repaired, but no construction is allowed on the houses on both sides of the road. Even if they can no longer withstand the ravages of time, they can only be maintained, and not torn down and rebuilt."

At this time, Shang spoke again, but he was talking about his old friend.

"Why is that so?"

Gu Dan asked.

"The late emperor was afraid that you would not be able to find your home when you came back."

Shang laughed.

A lot of changes took place in the Xia Dynasty.

But many things haven’t changed.

What changes is life; what remains unchanged is the original intention since its establishment.

In the imperial capital of the Xia Dynasty, every day there were countless ambitious students eager to make achievements, countless celebrities and patriots who wanted to realize their ambitions here, and countless merchants coming and going.

Countless people gathered here, bringing vitality to the Xia Dynasty.

Old things gradually disappeared, tall buildings were built, the roads were wide and broad, and the people with their heads held high could proudly talk loudly to everyone, because they all belonged to the Xia Dynasty. This was the greatest pride, the pride of everyone in the Xia Dynasty.

The Xia Dynasty became more and more prosperous, and the imperial capital became more and more prosperous. Sometimes when Shang walked on the avenue, he would feel dazed for a moment, or even feel a little strange.

Apart from here, it is very difficult to find the scenery of ten years ago in the imperial capital.

Not to mention that it can remain unchanged for a hundred years?

Change is certainly not a bad thing. Countless people of noble character and lofty ideals have worked hard to enable future generations of people to live a better life.

But, in the midst of change, it might as well leave something behind, a way home.

When people get old, they tend to be nostalgic.

Gu Dan didn't say anything. The late emperor Shang mentioned should be Emperor Chengping, but he was not familiar with Emperor Chengping and they had only met a few times.

However, walking on this brand new avenue and looking at the old houses on both sides of the street, although it seems a little out of place with the surroundings, it can be called a unique landscape.

For those who are truly familiar with them, they can also evoke the deepest thoughts hidden in their hearts.

Gu Dan seemed to become increasingly silent, and even his steps became much slower.

But no matter how slowly, the familiar houses still passed by one by one and fell behind me.

It didn't take too long for Gu Dan to finally reach the Gu family courtyard, but he did not look at the courtyard. Instead, he came to the tomb opposite the door and looked at a tombstone erected in front of the tomb.

【Tomb of Prime Minister Cang of the Xia Dynasty】

Clear eyes noticed the words on the tombstone.

The strokes are vigorous and powerful, and the calligraphy is very good.

That stone tablet was a very simple bluestone tablet. Considering the standards of the prime minister of the Xia Dynasty, it was undoubtedly not in line with his status. Even the tomb mound in front of him looked extremely simple and rustic, not worth boasting about.

If the place where they stayed wasn't so shocking, this grave would not seem out of place if it was thrown in the wilderness.

"Prime Minister Cang chose this location before he died and insisted on being buried here."

Shang walked behind Gu Dan, a step behind him, and said softly, "The late emperor and I have advised him, but Prime Minister Cang refused to listen. Even this bluestone tablet and the words on it were made by him."

"That bastard never listens to me."

Gu Dan cursed.

He still remembered that the little bastard Cang burned all the notes left to him by Master Ji in order to keep the little girl warm. His crime was extremely heinous.

Also buried with him were the books he needed to study.

Therefore, Cang was hung on a willow tree and beaten by him.

Knowing it is wrong, but refusing to change.

"ha"

Shang smiled softly and said, "Since you left, Prime Minister Cang has served as the Minister of Rites for nearly ten years. Together with me and Master Xun, he compiled the code of laws of the Xia Dynasty and made great contributions to the country.

After that, Master Xun resigned to focus on Confucianism, so Prime Minister Cang also served as Prime Minister until two years before his death, when he retired and lived here. "

Shang pointed to where Cang's grave was.

Staying in the same place during life and after death, I can only say that he is worthy of being called Cang.

"Two years after Prime Minister Cang took office, Master Xun left the Xia Dynasty and traveled around the countries, and I founded the Legalist School. Prime Minister Cang is a disciple of Mozi, a senior brother of Master Xun, my teacher, and your junior.

As prime minister, he coordinated the conflicts between the government, Mohism, Confucianism and Legalism. He had a say in every aspect.

It is also because of Prime Minister Cang that there is no one dominant party in the Xia Dynasty. Whether it is Mohism, Confucianism, Legalism or the power of the emperor, as long as it can make the Xia Dynasty better, Prime Minister Cang will not have any concerns due to sectarianism or differences in philosophy, and no one can say that he is biased. "

Shang said slowly.

Although Cang is not very serious, he has a high status and is indeed talented.

He was a disciple of Mo Qiu, a junior fellow of Xun Ke, a junior of Gu Dan, and a teacher of Shang.

Whether it is Confucianism, Mohism, or Legalism, even the government has to give him some face.

After Xun Ke left the Xia Dynasty, no one was more suitable for the position of prime minister than Cang.

Apart from being criticized for his personal style of doing things, Cang has never neglected anything in his work.

"Stop praising me, stop praising me. If you keep praising me, I'm afraid he will show off to me in my dreams at night."

Gu Dan spat.

"Haha, there's more than just that."

Shang casually began to talk about Cang's dark history, "When Prime Minister Cang was in office, he loved prosperity and beauty, had more than a hundred wives and concubines, and indulged in wine and meat and singing. He was wild and unrestrained, which amazed people at the time, and people in the court often impeached him for this.

Even in his later years, he retired from his official position, his teeth fell out, and he had difficulty swallowing food. He sucked human milk every day and was over a hundred years old, so he could be called a centenarian.

There was even a trend of liking to drink human milk in the imperial capital. For a time, wet nurses were very expensive in the imperial capital. This gave the late emperor a headache for a long time.

Before he died, he held my hand and asked me if he could secretly change the history books. He didn't ask for much, just to prevent stories like "wet nurses are expensive" from being passed down.

"Ha ha."

Gu Dan also laughed and jokingly asked, "Have you changed it?"

"History books are written down, and every word is of great weight. How can we change it?"

Shang pretended to be helpless and spread his hands, "I just feel a little sorry for the late emperor."

The two people were chatting and laughing in front of the grave.

Anyway, the person being mentioned cannot suddenly dig up the pile of dirt and protest against injustice.

The living can point fingers at the dead.

If you don't agree, jump up and hit me!

Cang was probably convinced.

Because he didn't jump.

"Prime Minister Cang's life is the envy of others."

Finally, Shang concluded.

It really makes others envious.

Mozi, Master Xun, and Mr. Gu.

They are all the most outstanding people among the best.

But Cang was able to grow up beside these three people at the same time - at least he was taken care of.

Even Qin Lisheng and Gong Shangguo, who were slightly inferior, were played with by Cang by pulling their beards.

Among the most outstanding heroes in the entire Xia Dynasty, all of them had been trampled under Cang's feet. There was probably no one else who could have achieved this.

How many people want to see those names that are still unattainable after being branded for years, but it is extremely difficult, but to Cang, they are just ordinary things.

What a great sage and teacher, what a Confucian leader, what a guardian of the Xia Dynasty.

Did n't you still have to carefully hold my urination?

Although Cang is very unremarkable, it is precisely this unremarkableness that makes him have such an enviable mouthful of silver teeth that they are almost broken.

In the Xia Dynasty, anyone who looked at Prime Minister Cang’s resume could not help but feel jealous.

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Even Emperor Qizhi once said: Prime Minister Cang's life is rare in the world.

Is it really Cang that is rare? Or is it the environment in which Cang grew up?

Even if one is of average talent, it is impossible to achieve nothing in such an environment.

Not to mention that Cang is not that bad. Apart from his somewhat unusual personal style, his talent and learning are not very groundbreaking at best, but his strength is unquestionable.

The first two prime ministers of the Xia Dynasty were Gong Shangguo and Xun Ke.

How could the person who could take over be such a good-for-nothing? It's just that ordinary people prefer to hear the unreliable side of big shots, because that's what makes it interesting and memorable.

As for what he did and what efforts he made during his tenure, ordinary people don't care that much.

Now that everything has been concluded, it will be up to future generations to judge.

Gu Dan walked to the bluestone stele.

The palm of the hand fell gently.

It feels cold to the touch.

There is no warmth at all.

Wind blows, sun shines, rain falls and snow falls.

The bluestone stele is still clean, probably because someone wipes it frequently.

But inevitably there will still be some mottled traces of time imprinted on it, carrying the heaviness of time.

He won't speak again.

Never again.

Good or bad.

In the end, there is nothing but a handful of earth, a grave, and a stone tablet.

This is the proof that man has been here.

Gu Dan remained silent for a long time.

He brought up Cang himself.

The only descendant who was raised from infancy to adulthood.

To say that there is no emotion is to deceive yourself.

But he was no longer willing to endure the feeling of watching his descendants die again and again, unable to do anything.

Time is like a knife, but it leaves no marks.

Just engraved in my heart.

So he did not wait until he grew old, nor wait until everything familiar in the Xia Dynasty was settled and irreversible, before he walked away into the distance.

Maybe there will be a way somewhere further away.

But, no.

The pain of life is nothing but separation and death.

When revisiting an old place, which one is more fortunate or unfortunate, not being able to see it or meeting it quietly? Gu Dan doesn't know.

He has lived for many years, seen many people pass away, and met many people. They are all different, there are saints, heroes, seekers, people who enjoy themselves, and low-level monks who struggle hard but cannot be liberated. Those people's lives are not exactly the same, but they all have the same destination.

Is this the greatest injustice or the greatest justice?

Gu Dan doesn’t know either.

The white and slender fingers gently stroked the surface of the bluestone stele.

In a trance, Gu Dan seemed to see a child waving at him. The little guy was so small, only the size of a few palms.

But soon, he grew up rapidly.

From the babbling child.

To the teenagers who are causing trouble everywhere.

Then to young people who have started a family and a career.

In the blink of an eye, it even became a little "hateful".

The speed was so fast that Gu Dan was caught off guard and didn't even have time to say anything.

When Gu Dan came to his senses, there was no baby in front of him, only a cold bluestone tablet.

There was a line of words engraved on it that was devoid of emotion and warmth.

It is left for future generations to identify.

"have a good rest."

Gu Dan said so.

He turned and walked towards the Gu family courtyard.

Shang also followed.

He said softly: "Prime Minister Cang once told me that if I could see you again, I would like me to bring you a message."

"What?"

Gu Dan asked.

“Don’t close the door.”

“.”

Gu Dan stood in front of the gate of the courtyard.

The iron lock was covered with rust.

He reached out his hand, grasped the iron lock, and squeezed it gently.

The door that had been closed for more than sixty years opened again.

Not everything is the same as before.

The yard of the Gu family compound was already covered with a layer of dust, as if the shadow of time had turned into a veil, covering everything.

The willow tree in the yard that had been replanted by Gu Dan and had long since survived had also withered and decayed, showing no signs of life at all.

Trees also have an age and cannot resist the passage of time.

Even the various exotic flowers and plants that Xiaoying had carefully planted on both sides of the wall and courtyard in the past had disappeared, leaving only some remnants in the corners of the wall.

Yes, the more exotic the flowers and plants are, the more careful care and maintenance they need.

Otherwise you won’t live long.

Without Xiaoying taking care of the yard, the flowers became unattended and withered away sadly.

But amidst the oldness of the courtyard, there is still a spot of vitality.

It was a blooming flower, as bright as the scorching sun.

Its entire body is as bright red as fire and as crystal clear as glass. When it blooms, it is like the scorching sun falling on the earth, and its faint fragrance fills the garden.

Amidst the old and dilapidated scene, it still blooms brightly, like a fairy plant left in the world.

Sunflower.

(End of this chapter)