125 Finale
◎The mountains and rivers stretch thousands of miles, and the spirit is high and mighty!◎
In late autumn, Chang'an's skies are high and the clouds vast. In front of the vermilion-lacquered gates of the Imperial College, carriages and horses flow like dragons, and a crowd of dignitaries gathers. The ancient locust trees in the courtyard are stained golden, and fallen leaves cover the bluestone paths, rustling underfoot. Students, dressed in their traditional Chinese robes, engage in heated debates in groups of three or five, while others sit alone in the corridors, diligently poring over bamboo slips. The air is filled with the youthful exuberance that characterizes youth.
After five days of lectures, Huo Taian's name once again shook the court and the country like thunder, attracting countless students' admiration.
The Imperial College's enrollment was unprecedented, a cultural and educational event rarely seen since the founding of the Han Dynasty. The crowds were so dense that they practically broke down the entrance to the Imperial College, and seven or eight out of ten of them came because of Huo Yan's fame.
Seeing this, Huo Yan immediately posted another notice: Imperial College is recruiting students today. All students who enter our school will receive free food and lodging! Those who excel in the end-of-year exam will have a chance to see the emperor!
With this move, he turned the Imperial College into a preparatory class for the imperial examinations and a direct train to the emperor's disciples. It didn't matter if you were poor, as knowledge could change your destiny. As long as you were excellent, you would be provided with food, accommodation, and an audience with the emperor.
When you come in, you don't have to worry about being excluded. The teachers in my Imperial College are not afraid of trouble.
The Imperial College is a school for officials, which is different from the basic education he popularized. Under his leadership, there must not be a mix of good and bad people!
"To enter our school, one must undergo an examination," he said in a calm tone. "If one is illiterate and cannot even read, even if one has lofty ambitions, the Imperial College would not dare admit one, fearing that it would harm the country and the people."
After this notice and these words were issued, many students did not leave Chang'an, waiting for enrollment. Huo Yan happily prepared the examination papers every day. His printing factory worked non-stop day and night, delivering tens of thousands of examination papers.
The commentators thought that he was as relaxed as a cat, wandering around aimlessly every day, saying something to this person and chatting with that person. It was not until the three questions came out that the commentators realized that he was really brave enough to write. He made a few cut-out sentences at the beginning, but stopped pretending at the end.
Three test questions, asking for advice from students all over the world.
First, taxes and levies are the lifeblood of a country. How can they be abundant?
Second, how did the Champion Marquis and the Great General subdue the barbarians in the past? How should they do now?
Third, how can we alleviate the people's hunger and cold? What is the root cause of the people's starvation and cold? What is the solution?
The examination lasted half a month and there were more than ten thousand papers in total.
Huo Yan and all the learned doctors of the Imperial College worked day and night to review the answer papers.
The flickering lights illuminated their frowns, sighs, and helpless expressions, casting huge and busy shadows on the walls, and the air was filled with the fragrance of paper.
Huo Yan would sometimes frown in thought, writing notes on the side of a scroll. Sometimes he would sigh helplessly and gently push a scroll aside. Huo Qubing, who had been summoned to read the second article, seemed even more irritated, tapping his fingers impatiently on the table and occasionally letting out a suppressed snort that almost sounded like a mocking laugh.
The words are gorgeous as brocade, but they are empty and full of clichés.
There are people who pick up the ideas of their predecessors and piece them together into articles, which can be found everywhere.
Most students only see a small part of the world, have a narrow vision, and find it difficult to see the overall picture.
Huo Yan is sought after by the Imperial College. She is the most gorgeous flower among thousands of flowers, and the most dazzling pearl on the crown.
He selected them over and over again, very carefully, but there were only more than ten papers on his desk that he was satisfied with, and he couldn't help feeling deeply depressed.
Huo Qubing was even more impatient than him. He felt very uncomfortable sitting on pins and needles in front of the table full of bamboo slips, and thought it would be better to kill the Huns.
He picked up another scroll, glanced at a few lines, then sneered and mercilessly slammed the bamboo slip on the table. He looked up at the crowd and uttered a four-character comment in a resounding voice: "What a waste of paper!"
His disgust was beyond words.
Huo Yan was stunned.
Are you so irritable?
The barrage of comments burst into laughter.
[Bingbing: What a waste of my brother's paper! Cut this piece of junk down!]
[Yanyan, let me see the paper that can help Qubing break through defense!]
Huo Yan, curious as he was, took it. He glanced through it briefly and frowned, saying, "Although the writing is crude, it's still readable. Why did you do this, brother?"
Huo Yan was attracted by the movement and curiously reached out to take it. He unfolded the scroll, his eyes quickly skimming over the slightly childish handwriting, his brows slightly furrowed. "Although the writing is crude and unbearable, I don't want to read it. But don't you say you don't read this?"
Huo Qubing chuckled briefly, then poked angrily at a key point on the paper with his slender, powerful index finger. "Ah Yan, look here! He said he wants to attack Dayuan and Loulan together! To achieve victory in one battle!"
Huo Yan's expression was blank for a moment.
Huo Qubing added, tracing his fingers through the air. "Dayuan lies in the heart of the Western Regions, and Loulan guards the eastern gateway. There are more than three countries separating the two! Thousands of miles separate the east and the west! The Gobi Desert, the snow-capped mountains! I'm afraid this fellow hasn't even opened a map to look at it?"
It's just like showing off one's skills in front of an expert or challenging someone else's authority.
The key is that his exaggeration is flashy and there is a hint of incitement in his words, as if he is saying that Wei Qing is not smart enough and Huo Qubing is unwise, and he is the most powerful person in the world, and he can easily capture the Western Regions.
This reminded Huo Qubing of Liu Che's pre-war mobilization, and he was confused.
"This couldn't have been written by His Majesty!"
He hurried to see the name, directly removed the seal covering the name, and saw the name clearly, which was crookedly written as Li Guangli.
Huo Qubing frowned, "Li, Guang, Li."
Huo Yan: ...
How could this not be considered as his brother’s guess?
After a moment of silence, Huo Qubing raised his wrist and the paper fell accurately into the corner.
“Not recording.”
The tone was firm and decisive, leaving no room for negotiation.
[It’s the idiot General Li Guangli, hahaha.]
[It was General Ershi, but the second one is true. His expedition to Dayuan with Emperor Wu of Han is still a legend today.]
[I've been a disciple for many years, yet I haven't won a single victory. This time, it's even more incredible. Before I even start, I'm already knocked out by Qubing!]
[Qubing really couldn't help it, and even made himself laugh.]
[People really laugh when they are speechless.]
…
Finally, after rigorous screening, the best of the best were chosen, and the Imperial Academy inducted five hundred new recruits. These five hundred young talents, like newborn tiger cubs, entered the Imperial Academy with vibrant energy. They would later become county governors, shepherds, and shepherds, or command strategic positions, or join the military and achieve great success. Almost all of them shone brightly in their respective fields, earning them the nickname "The Great Han Warriors."
The Imperial Academy was in a new mood. Huo Yan once again invited all the officials to hold a grand January lecture. Liu Che also joined in and lectured on Confucianism for several days.
As soon as the lectures concluded, Huo Yan boldly implemented a new system: six supplementary subjects—geography, finance, laws and ordinances, water conservancy and agriculture, military affairs, and diplomacy—were made compulsory for all students! Examinations were also reformed, with the year divided into two quarters, spring and autumn, with three exams each, at the beginning, middle, and end of each quarter. Talent was selected based on merit, regardless of family background or established rules.
The performance appraisal system has also been reformed. It is divided into two quarters a year, with three exams in each quarter. Only the most talented are selected, without any restrictions.
These students were talented and had a solid foundation. They had doctoral students teaching them in other subjects, so they were progressing smoothly. However, the military subject was giving Huo Yan and everyone else a headache.
Zhao Po Nu and his men are brave, but they can't even recognize a few words. How can we expect them to teach systematically? Pu Duo and his men can read, but their military strategy is to follow the general! The general will win, the cavalry general will win!
Not to mention their occasional boasting about how “I followed the general back then and I chopped the Huns’ horses and men in half with one blow of my sword.” They would brag endlessly, and even Huo Yan was afraid of them.
And he asked the champion marquis Huo Qubing to come and teach the art of war in person, haha.
As his brother spoke, his thoughts drifted to the majestic steeds of the Great Wall, the fierce wind and sand of the grasslands, and the preparations needed for a surprise attack.
After listening to the entire class, Huo Yan felt heartbroken.
Even with this confusing and erratic lecture, there were still students brave enough to ask him questions! Huo Yan could only sigh, "He truly is a natural born general, beyond the reach of mere mortals like us!"
[Ayan: Listening to your words is like listening to a conversation (angina pectoris.jpg)]
[Ayan is really powerless.]
[Students: I don't understand, but he's a champion! Just ask!]
…
In desperation, Huo Yan went to see Princess Pingyang overnight and asked General Wei Qing to take charge.
Princess Pingyang almost laughed out loud and agreed repeatedly.
However, Wei Qing was even more amazing. He talked about how to roast sheep outside the Great Wall and how to find water sources, and the children were so excited that their mouths were watering.
Huo Yan suddenly remembered that he and his brother learned military tactics from his uncle. His uncle was the same, but he just couldn't learn it!
He didn't know how his brother learned it. His brother and his uncle were born to be generals, so they might not be on the same page.
But he knew that the Xiongnu sheep had a milky flavor and were very tender. They were delicious if they were slow-roasted until the fat melted and sprinkled with salt. They were also delicious if they were stewed with snow water.
Don't ask, the answer is that my brother and uncle like to eat like this every day whenever they go to the Xiongnu.
Especially his brother, he would lead the troops as soon as he said so, and the Huns didn't dare to breathe, and had to prepare them and send them over.
When he thought about the "little military seedlings" that he had carefully nurtured and were crying out for food, and that they would soon become like him and only knew that the Huns' sheep were delicious, he felt extremely heartbroken, as if he saw a fine uncut jade in danger of being wasted.
Life is like this, just like him. I went out with my brother to eat lamb. What's wrong?
He gritted his teeth, stamped his feet, and gave Huo Qubing a death order: "Go home! Write the Art of War! I don't ask you to be on par with Sun Wu, but at least you have to become a Huozi who will be passed down through the ages!"
Thus, the newly promoted Huo Qubing handled military affairs during the day, deploying troops and patrolling the camps. At night, he was escorted back to his mansion by his younger brother. Under flickering candlelight, he would hunch over a large wooden desk and ponder, trying to condense the ever-changing, inexpressible, and instinct-driven winning strategies on the battlefield into words for future generations to ponder.
In less than three days, he placed a copy of "The Art of War" with dripping ink and the fragrance of bamboo and wood on Huo Yan's desk.
At the time, Huo Yan was busy with the trivial matters of establishing the "Han Veterans Retirement Center" in the western suburbs of Chang'an. He was overjoyed to hear that his brother had completed a military book so quickly. He dropped the atlas in his hands and picked up the scroll as if it were a treasure. He took a deep breath, and with the feeling of a pilgrim, he slowly unfolded it with anticipation.
On the huge white paper, there are only three big characters that are so powerful, so unrestrained, and almost bursting through the paper.
Fast! Accurate! Ruthless!
Huo Yan: ...
The air seemed to freeze.
Silence is better than words at this time.
He blinked, and blinked again, to make sure he was not mistaken.
[This, hahahaha! The essence of "Huo Zi's Art of War": I am Huo Qubing, I fight however I want! I will win!]
[Ayan: Is this the classic I've been waiting for?!]
[Bingbing: The truth is simple! I’m the one who will fight!]
[He was born knowing how to fight. If you don't believe me, ask Liu Che. He was superstitious about Qubing and his uncle.]
…
"My Grand Marshal, General Huqi, I have a question for you." Huo Yan's voice was filled with a soul-searching question. He raised his head and looked at his brother, who had a look of "quickly praising me" on his face. "Is there any chance that Huo Zi's Art of War will... be published?"
Huo Qubing raised his eyebrows, pursed his red lips, and then retorted confidently: "Have you ever seen a general in his twenties staying at home writing military strategies? And Huo Zi! I'm only in my twenties! Why would I do that old man's work?"
"Also, we have to be faster and more powerful than the enemy."
He said, raising his chin, "You don't understand war!"
Huo Yan held his forehead, feeling his temples pounding again. He was so disappointed in his son: "If I wasn't afraid that you would die next year and leave now, and develop a chronic illness, I would have scraped together enough money to send you off to Siberia to expand the territory! You'd save me from getting mad here!"
Huo Qubing, instead of being annoyed, became interested. His gaze was as sharp as a hawk spotting its prey. "Siberia? Where is it? Is it further north than Mobei?"
Huo Yan immediately spread out a massive world map on his desk. He picked up a cinnabar pen and used his fingertips to circle and dot the vast northern region, finally landing on a single point. "Here, this is it."
Huo Qubing leaned in for a closer look, sighed softly, and casually crossed his legs.
"Oh, here. Not far from the vast ocean, desolate and deserted, nothing interesting."
He slid his slender fingers along the lines of the map, with a hint of contempt, "But your drawing is wrong. My Han Dynasty is the Celestial Empire, and it should be the center of the world."
He looked up at Huo Yan, his eyes gleaming with eagerness. "Then you take charge. I'll explore the north next time to see where the vast ocean ends."
After he finished speaking, he placed his hand on the picture and then laughed softly.
Under the lights, it flickers and shines.
"The world is in my hands."
This statement is very childish, but Huo Qubing's wildness and vitality are impressive.
Young Master Chang'an is even better than the genius!
Huo Yan ignored his words about the center. Instead, he picked up his cinnabar pen and clearly outlined the trade route winding westward on the map. "Brother, be at peace. Once we get through that damned next year, I won't stop you. Then, you'll wait in Shuofang. I'll sell envoy passes and send them to the Western Regions, or even further west." A shrewd calculation flashed in his eyes. "If they dare die on their envoy's territory, or disrespect the Han Dynasty, you will immediately lead your troops to punish them! You can destroy their country, but if they don't want to, station troops there and make them provide money and food! Wherever we fight, we'll feed them! If they want peace, they must obey and do business with me."
The two brothers laughed together, looking like two big devils.
Of course, for the Western Regions, which are being targeted now and will be turned into a punching bag in the future, it is like being possessed by a ghost.
Huo Yan had laughed enough and paused. Seeing the growing glint in his brother's eyes, he threw out another bait, coaxing, "If you find land boring, I've built several new large ships in Kuaiji County for military use. You could take your men to the Southwestern Yi first to practice your skills. That old fellow Sima Xiangru is still there."
Huo Yan's family fortune had long since become the backbone of the empire, just enough to support the embryonic form of several monopoly organizations spanning the East and the West. He was adept at these tasks.
"However," Huo Yanqing said, "when it comes to training naval forces, I'm afraid Uncle Guang and Maichen are more adept at it."
This idea was too wild and novel, but it precisely touched Huo Qubing's restless heart. He loved it! But Huo Yan's last whisper made him instantly furious.
"Ha!" Huo Qubing snorted coldly and said arrogantly, "Just a navy! What's wrong with me, Huo Qubing!"
I can do it! I can do it!
Huo Yan looked at the burning fighting spirit and unwillingness to admit defeat in his brother's eyes and shook his head helplessly, and could only nod.
No one knew what Huo Qubing had realized, but the next day, Marquis Guanjun gathered his men and rushed to Kuaiji.
Huo Yan looked out the window at the whistling cold wind and the gradually falling snowflakes, and forcibly pulled him back from his horse: "Don't go until the spring of next year! The sea route is frozen, do you want the soldiers to freeze to death on the ship? What's the rush?"
The beginning of spring was not a big deal, as the fifth year of Yuanshou flew by in the busy government affairs, military school preparations, and border trade negotiations.
The sixth year of Yuanshou, which Huo Yan feared the most, finally arrived.
Even though Huo Qubing's body had recovered to the same state as before, Huo Yan was still afraid of death.
Afraid that the nightmare that haunted him would come true.
Fortunately, Imperial College is back on track.
Zhu Maichen was recommended by Huo Yan to serve as the prefect of Kuaiji. Dongfang Shuo and Zhufu Yan enjoyed their daily battles of wits and courage with these talented yet unruly students.
The "Han Veterans Retirement Center" has begun to take shape in the western suburbs of Chang'an, and the resettlement and pension of disabled old soldiers are in order. In Shuofang Commandery, Shi Ye and Xiahou Shichang cooperate well with each other and, in accordance with Huo Yan's strategy, gradually govern the surrendered Xiongnu tribes so that they can speak Chinese and learn Chinese characters.
Under Sang Hongyang's strong promotion, new policies such as the state-run salt and iron industry, the equal-field system, and the equalization of transport prices were systematically implemented throughout the empire.
Time goes by so fast that it's frightening.
At the beginning of spring, Huo Yan was as if he were facing a formidable enemy, and he stayed by Huo Qubing's side every step of the way. He had left the position of Minister of Agriculture vacant for so long that he resigned, and Sang Hongyang was so anxious that he scratched his head in the office of the Minister of Agriculture, and he was always under the dark cloud of his head.
Huo Yan's "clinginess" made everyone who could see him not far from Huo Qubing look at him sideways.
Huo Qubing didn't take it seriously. Ah Yan had restrained himself. At least he followed him and didn't lock him up at home. He could also help him with official business occasionally.
With Huo Yan's generous help (as a ghostwriter), he and Wei Qing finally painstakingly produced the first chapter of "The Art of War," a book co-authored by Wei and Huo. Every word was a gem, the essence forged on the battlefield. This book was sent to the Imperial Academy, but except for a few gifted geniuses who read it with rapt attention, the rest felt like they were reading a book from a foreign language. Excuse me, goodbye!
Isn't this a cruel yet effective screening? For a general, innate intuition is crucial.
Spring was drawing to a close, and the vegetation was lush and green. The waters of the Taiye Lake shimmered. Huo Qubing remained as energetic as ever, attending daily military exercises, riding horses in Chang'an, and playing cuju and polo. He was as healthy as could be.
However, an urgent news was like a thunderclap, exploding the seemingly peaceful Chang'an.
Emperor Liu Che was ill in Dinghu Palace outside the capital. He was seriously ill and could not get up. The imperial doctors in the palace were helpless and had to entrust his son to the care of others.
Crown Prince Liu Ju was suddenly thrust into the spotlight, spending his days alongside Huo Qubing and Huo Yan, learning the ropes of governing the country. Though still childish, the young prince's features were tinged with a heavy worry that belied his age.
Huo Yan checked Liu Che's pulse, and the chaotic, weak beats confirmed his suspicions. He pressed the corners of his lips down, afraid he couldn't hide the upward curve of his lips that was filled with relief and a hint of secret pleasure.
Good girl, he praised in his heart.
Wei Qing was deeply worried and privately asked about the whereabouts of the legendary doctor Chunyu Tiying. Huo Yan just shook his head and said, "Since she last treated me and my brother, she has been traveling around and no one knows where she is."
After he finished speaking, he patted Wei Qing's hand again.
"Uncle, you should take better care of yourself. The current state of the country is uncertain, and the Crown Prince is still young." He looked at the fatigue and sadness in Wei Qing's almond-shaped eyes and sighed softly, "I will do my best to find Madam Chunyu."
Inside the temple, the alchemist prayed for days without stopping.
Liu Che was sometimes drowsy and mumbling, and sometimes lucid for a moment.
In the afternoon of January, he regained consciousness and dismissed all the eunuchs and palace maids who had stood by with bated breath, leaving only Wei Qing. Lying on the dragon couch, even the brocade quilt and ornate blanket could not hide the grayness and dejection of his face. He held Wei Qing's hand, his breath weak as a thread.
"Zhongqing, I'm afraid I won't live long. The Crown Prince is still young, so I entrust him to you. You should discipline him..." He breathed hard, his eyes fixed on Wei Qing, "You should also... take care of yourself..."
Wei Qing was already in tears, sobbing uncontrollably, his forehead banging heavily on the cold, smooth stone bricks. "Your Majesty, Your Majesty is blessed with great fortune, you will definitely be able to do it."
Zhongqing, I leave everything to you.
In his words, there is the trust and reluctance that has come from decades of mutual understanding between the monarch and his subjects without any suspicion.
Liu Che betrayed everyone in the world, but he never betrayed Wei Qing.
Liu Che stretched out his hand tremblingly, wanting to wipe his tears, but he was powerless: "I... can no longer protect you. I am waiting for you in Maoling. You... don't have to worry and come find me..."
In fact, they want you to be buried alive with them, they want the queen to be buried alive with them, they even want Qubing and Ayan to be buried alive with them...
Just like a tiger king who, at the end of his life, kills a strong enough prey to demonstrate his strength, the dying emperor wants to destroy everything and take away all his beloved creatures.
But humans are just plants and trees, and when the time comes, they can’t bear to let go.
I can’t bear to leave you, and I can’t bear to leave the Han people either.
Big man, I entrust this to you as well.
"If the prince betrays you..." He didn't say anything, tears already forming in his eyes, "I can't... protect you anymore."
In the end, he was only afraid that the general in front of him, who had supported half of his empire, would suffer the same fate as Han Xin.
Even though he knew it was impossible.
Wei Qing's heart was broken. He didn't want to hear these farewell words anymore. He suddenly drew out the sword given by the emperor from his waist, and with a "clang" sound, he crossed his neck. The sharp blade instantly left a bloody mark!
With tears in his eyes, he said resolutely, "Your Majesty, please stop talking! Your Majesty, please drink the medicine quickly! If Your Majesty wants to go, I, Wei Qing, will go with you today!"
"Zhongqing! Put down your sword!"
Liu Che's eyes were bloodshot and he struggled to get up from the couch.
"His Majesty--!"
Blood oozed from Wei Qing's neck, but the pain did not subside at all.
The king and his minister, one looked haggard and struggled to crawl under the bed to try to stop him; the other threatened to die, his neck stained with blood, and his scene was horrific.
There was crying and shouting in the hall, and the situation was terrible.
Just at this moment, the palace door was suddenly pushed open!
Huo Yan and Huo Qubing rushed into the hall after hearing the news. Seeing this scene, it was like being struck by lightning and the sky was falling!
[What kind of tear-jerking, melodramatic costume drama is this?! A movie star-level performance!]
[This is the first time I’ve seen a pig cry so sadly.]
[If Liu Che is killed, then my uncle will also die. So should we kill my uncle?]
…
Huo Yan was stunned for a moment. "I knew I'd allowed Liu Che to die, but now the sky has fallen! The earth has collapsed! My uncle wants to be buried alive with me. Should I see Liu Che off to death?"
Damn it, what kind of magic potion did Liu Che use! Damn it! Damn it, old immortal!
F*ck me!
"uncle!"
"His Majesty!"
While Huo Yan was stunned, Huo Qubing reacted extremely quickly. He sternly ordered the frightened eunuch to support the staggering Liu Che, while with one hand he held down Wei Qing's sword-holding wrist tightly, and with the other hand he quickly covered the wound on his neck.
"What's going on here?"
Huo Qubing was filled with anxiety and anger, and with the fact that Liu Che was about to die, and days of worry and fatigue, he felt stars in front of his eyes, his blood boiling, and with a "thump", he fainted straight to the ground!
"Get rid of the disease!"
Liu Che and Wei Qing let out heart-wrenching screams at the same time, and the sound, mixed with the Taoist chanting, echoed in the empty palace, adding to the desolate atmosphere.
Huo Yan saw that both of them fell down at once, and he felt his vision go dark. He forced himself to rush over, holding Wei Qing's bleeding neck tightly with one hand, and quickly feeling for Huo Qubing's pulse with the other.
The steady beating from his fingertips made the heavy stone in his heart fall a little - he was just furious!
He quickly asked someone to bring a golden needle. His hands trembled for a long time before he leaned over and accurately pierced Huo Qubing's Ren Zhong acupoint.
Wei Qing was completely devastated by Huo Qubing's fainting, and his originally suppressed sobs turned into grief-stricken howls.
Liu Che was beating his chest and stamping his feet on the couch, tears streaming down his face. He was coughing violently and vomiting dark red blood foam, and his front was a mess.
Huo Qubing was lying in front of Huo Yan, it was already hopeless enough. Wei Qing was crying over there, and blood was dripping from the wound on his neck. Now no one was afraid to come over. Liu Che was howling like he was dead.
Huo Yan covered Wei Qing's wound tightly with his hands, and tears came to his eyes due to the stimulation.
"Uncle, please, don't move!"
He took out the needle for Huo Qubing while crying.
"Brother, brother." He didn't even dare to wipe away his tears. "I can't live like this anymore."
Liu Che is a disaster star, he is a disaster star!
Huo Qubing was awakened by the sting of the golden needles and coughed violently as he pushed himself to his feet. Huo Yan's tears kept dripping onto his face. His face was as pale as paper. Looking at the chaotic scene before him, with all the commotion, tears and blood staining his clothes, he was so angry that his vision went black again. His chest ached and he shouted hoarsely, "You two! Stop, cough cough, stop making such a fuss! Don't you think our family is in chaos enough?! Do you have to... do you have to finish everything here today before you're satisfied?"
Although the voice was weak, it carried a deep sense of powerlessness.
"Ayan, stop crying. Those who need treatment should be treated, and those who need burial should be buried!"
He smiled at Liu Che who was still vomiting blood and said, "You better treat it well. If you can't cure it, we will all die and accompany you together."
Liu Che vomited blood foam again.
Huo Yan deftly bandaged Wei Qing's wound with a clean cloth. Listening to Huo Qubing's breathless denunciations of Liu Che for his "pretentiousness" and "adding to the chaos," he felt a strange sense of relief, as if years of pent-up resentment had been released. However, this was followed by a deeper sense of frustration and helplessness.
Because he had to detoxify Liu Che!
It was obvious that my uncle had made up his mind to die with Liu Che. He wanted Liu Che to die, but he could not accept his uncle's death as a result!
He swore in his heart: Liu Che's life was saved by his uncle. When his uncle dies, he will personally send this old man Liu Che to be buried with his uncle!
I hate it!
But for now, put away your murderous intent and lay down your swords. But since you are protecting him, you must kill him.
Perhaps because he had expelled some of the toxins from vomiting blood last time, Liu Che actually felt that his health was slowly improving.
Huo Yan was waiting in the theater.
The girl with a veil on her face walked straight in with a breeze and a frost on her face.
"Brother, what does this mean?"
The tone was cold and contained a threat.
"Are you going to be my enemy?"
Huo Yan raised his eyes and looked calmly at the most intelligent and rebellious student he had taught, as if he was looking at a disgruntled child.
"Ashi."
"I often send novelties to Zhuyi and Juer. What can a book prove?"
He spoke with a double entendre and a sharp look in his eyes: Don't be stupid, you can't threaten me.
Yang Shi raised his lips in a cold arc: "The emperor is seriously ill and suspicious, so he may not listen to this. At worst, both sides will be destroyed!"
"You're crazy!" Huo Yan's voice suddenly turned harsh, then turned into a strange, bewitching whisper, "You don't want to die either, my child!"
"If my plan fails, the worst that can happen is that I die!" Yang Shi said decisively, his eyes burning with ambition. "If my uncle becomes hostile to him because of my brother, I might be able to reach the top faster."
Huo Yan chuckled, his hand climbed up to Yang Shi's neck and slowly tightened.
"If you kill him, your uncle will die too. I don't want to kill him, don't you understand?"
He looked directly at Yang Shi, with a knowing look on his face. "I didn't mean to kill you. Killing your father wasn't a big deal. But you jumped out of the chessboard I set for you and sacrificed the lives of those 20,000 civilians. That was very disobedient."
The last three words sound light, yet they weigh more than a thousand pounds.
Liu Yan's expression froze for a moment, a myriad of complex emotions swirling and colliding in her eyes. Finally, the simple, grateful faces of the Jiaodong people and the tired yet vibrant eyes of the laborers emerged vividly in her mind.
Huo Yan's left hand, with an irresistible gentle strength, gently brushed across her brow, just as he had taught her calligraphy and painting when they were young. But his voice was cold: "The bottom line cannot be touched. My child, you have crossed it."
Yang Shi burst into laughter. She bit Huo Yan's hand that was strangling her neck with all her might, her eyes filled with mockery: "Brother, you taught me poetry, literature, and strategy, but in the end, you misjudged me!"
Huo Yan's pupils shrank, and he dropped his hand. "You didn't kill those civilians?"
Yang Shi laughed until tears came out, staring straight at Huo Yan like a poisonous snake, gently putting his face on Huo Yan's shoulder, his tone cold.
"You have a kind heart. You taught me, Liu Yan, to be kind, so how could I not have one?"
Huo Yan didn't say anything, just nodded. He sat down and asked someone to serve Liu Yan some tea.
"Good boy, come and sit down. I'll give you something in exchange for his life. Okay?"
Liu Yan felt that there was no one in the world more two-faced and scheming than Huo Yan.
But she only believed in Huo Yan.
Because as long as she doesn't cross his bottom line, he will be willing to help her.
So she also sat down, her eyes burning, her heart frank, and returned to the negotiating table.
"Yunzhong is the Li family's territory. I, through Li Cai, have settled those 20,000 people in Yunzhong County! They are intact!" She straightened her back, her eyes blazing with enthusiasm. "I really need my brother's help. That old man hasn't allowed me to leave the palace with the other townspeople and hasn't given me any fiefs! If he doesn't give it to me, I'll fight for it myself! I want to help Ju'er ascend to the supreme throne! People say that cultivating literary and martial arts is the way to serve the emperor. Brother, I, Liu Yan, am also talented and have ambitions to rule the world! I also want to show my skills in this world! So I want a fief that belongs to me, close to Yunzhong. If possible, I want to marry into the Li family and swallow Yunzhong up."
What she wanted was true freedom and power! A fiefdom of her own, where she could display her talents and govern the land!
Those 20,000 civilians were the people she had prepared for her future fiefdom!
Taking advantage of Gongsun Jingsheng's involvement in the military rations case, she secretly made a deal with Li Cai and Yu Xuan, using Gongsun Jingsheng's large sum of money in exchange for the 20,000 civilians who should have starved to death. She even deliberately leaked clues about Huo Yan's poisoning to Li Cai, putting herself in the game and exposing herself to Huo Yan, betting that he would help her get rid of that old man Li Cai.
Unfortunately, she thought Huo Yan would not kill Gongsun Jingsheng, so she would pretend to be infatuated and marry him, and then go to Yunzhong to plot her own plan. Unexpectedly, Huo Yan killed Gongsun Jingsheng, the fool, and cut off her shortcut to leaving the palace.
She could only drag it on.
Liu Che looked down on her and was reluctant to give her a fief.
She couldn't leave the palace, and these people had no money or food to support, so they became a hot potato!
God has no pity on her! He won't even give her a penny that her elder sister and younger brother have!
She had no choice but to "kill the sky" - to replace it with a sky that could give her a chance!
She is a woman and cannot go up, so she can only gamble!
Her eyes were filled with a desperate determination: "I know that my brother used me to get rid of Jiang Chong and Liu Che, and I also used you to cover up the evidence. Huo Yan, we are the same kind! The same kind of people!"
She chuckled and revealed her interests.
"Brother, you must be very unhappy that the Li family has occupied Yunzhong and even Yanmen. How about we join forces?"
[I knew it was Xiaoyan.]
"But Xiaoyan, your brother has plenty of people. He wants to take over the Li family, so why would he need you?"
[Xiaoyan is a big gamble!]
[Because she is a woman, she is weak and can only rely on others.]
[Tsk, for men it's called marriage alliance, for women it's called climbing up the social ladder. That doesn't make sense. I support Yang Shi! Princess, fly boldly!]
Ah Yan: My student wants to make a big move! When Yang Shi just said he was using him, he laughed. He seemed a little pleased that his student was so smart.
[Hahaha, ever since he found out that Yang Shi didn't kill Min Fu, Ah Yan has stopped being so aggressive. He's not even angry about being exploited. He really loves teaching smart students.]
[I'm the only one who feels that the teacher-student relationship of exploiting each other, loving and hating each other is so touching!]
Huo Yan's heart relaxed when he heard "20,000 people are safe", but then he was stirred up with endless sadness and tenderness by the exposed ambition and ruthless questioning.
Yangshi is the smartest child.
He looked at the ambitious girl in front of him, as if he saw the little girl who was quietly reading in the corner of the palace.
He stretched out his hand, and gently placed it on the top of her hair, just like he had done when they were little, "Smart girl, of course I will choose."
No one knew that his hands behind his back were shaking violently with fear - he almost killed his most proud student, the one who looked most like him.
He taught Yangshi everything!
Liu Yan's tears finally rolled down, but she stubbornly refused to bow her head and looked back at Huo Yan persistently, just like when she asked him for help with difficult questions when she was a child.
"Brother, why is it so difficult for me? Why is the world so cold and indifferent?"
Why? Why is it that what men in this world can do with dignity is a thousand times more difficult for me?
Huo Yan gently wiped the tears from her cheeks with his fingertips, his voice low and firm.
"Because you have always been braver than them...my child."
Liu Yan looked up.
"Why are you sad?" Huo Yan patted her shoulder gently. "The Yang Shi I taught you only knew how to grab it and fight for it. I won't just fight for myself, I'll fight for everyone in the world, for all the women in the world. Ayan has always been such a high-spirited and unyielding girl!"
Yang Shi looked at him and said, "Brother can create the prosperity of Jiaodong. I, Liu Yan, can also create another miracle in Yunzhong! I will fight for the fiefdom myself! Those 20,000 people are in Yunzhong!"
Yunzhong was once the sphere of influence of the Li family, but now, she has 20,000 people in Yangshi! With the help of Huo Yan!
It is still unknown who will win!
The wolf is howling!
She was full of ambition, but Huo Yan didn't rebuke her. Instead, he chuckled softly, his laughter filled with admiration and affection. "Don't lose."
Yang Shi was startled for a moment, then pulled the corners of her lips apart and let out a laugh mixed with relief and sorrow. "Hahahahaha, I've always thought that you were so cold to me. It was like my father disliked a woman like me. I didn't expect that you just disliked me for wantonly killing innocent lives! Brother," her laughter gradually faded, and her eyes held a final, inquiring look, "Do you... regret teaching me?"
Huo Yan suppressed all smiles, straightened his clothes solemnly, and bowed deeply to Yang Shi, the student he had poured his heart and soul into. "Chun He has the princess as his disciple. He is even better than me. Why should I regret it?"
Feed them with poetry and books, and they will develop talents.
Feed them with courtesy and righteousness, and they will grow in kindness.
The thing Huo Yan regretted least was teaching Yang Shi.
"Success, Chunhe will escort the princess. Failure," he raised his head, his eyes burning, "Chunhe will help the princess rise again!"
Liu Yan's tears welled up again. She had never received even a shred of favoritism or understanding from her father, Emperor Liu Che, but from this man before her, she had felt unconditional favoritism and support.
The girl who was once trapped in the deep palace because of her intelligence and precocity, even if she had thousands of schemes, could hardly see the vastness of the world.
Until that day, her brother A Yan, who came to teach his younger brother, quietly came to her side, opened a page of the book for her alone, and told her the legend of a woman named Qin Liangyu.
"With a broom sweeping away the barbarians, the sound of joy shook the earth. Let's see, in the future, the first painting of a beauty will be in the Lin Pavilion."
Young Yang Shi whispered these lines, and for the first time, a fire that transcended the palace walls ignited in her eyes. She looked up and said firmly to Huo Yan, "Brother, I can do this, too."
Now, she is going to put this "can" into practice.
Yang Shi curled up the corners of his lips, with his usual cunning tone.
"I know brother has better choices, but brother chose me, which is so difficult. So, I will make another promise to brother. If there is another storm in the future, I am willing to kill him for you! I promise that Yunzhong will be your strongest backing." She suddenly stepped forward and hugged Huo Yan with all her strength. The posture and expression were exactly the same as Huo Yan's.
Huo Yan smiled and hugged her back, "Princess, you've won the first battle."
Yang Shi chuckled at the words, loosened his hand, and cast his gaze towards the vast sky outside the palace. With the joy of breaking free from a cage, he said: "Brother, Chang'an is too small. I want to go... to a place farther and greater."
There are thousands of miles of mountains and rivers, and I am going to dress up and head to the next one!
Huo Yan's lips curved into a gentle arc: "Yeah. Go ahead."
[Wow, tears welling up! Teacher-student inheritance! The torch is passed on!]
[When I was teaching the three of them, Ah Yan liked Yang Shi the most. Yang Shi is just great!]
Huo Xiaoyan is the proudest. He wants the best students, and you are the best.
[Princess, go! Go build your Cloud China!]
…
Under Huo Yan's "diligent" care, Liu Che's health miraculously improved day by day, even the imperial physicians were amazed. Huo Qubing's sixth year of Yuanshou slipped quietly by amidst this thrilling, chaotic turmoil, like the eastward flowing Wei River, never to return.
When the spring breeze of the first year of Yuanding blew, Huo Yan suddenly realized that Huo Qubing fainted that day due to anger, it seemed that... was his death?
The sense of absurdity washed over Huo Yan like a tide. He was stunned at first, then the corners of his mouth couldn't help but curl upwards, eventually turning into a thunderous, hearty laugh that doubled him over, tears streaming down his face.
“Haha ...
There's no way around it, this ending is just... too funny! Nothing could be more ridiculous than fate's tricks on people!
It turns out that all the painstaking efforts and hard work over more than ten years were ultimately just to resolve a...angry attack?
[Hahahaha! I can't hold it in anymore! I've been preparing my ultimate move for over a decade, just to prevent myself from fainting?!]
[It was a mistake after all (laughing and crying.jpg) Champion Hou has a fantastic physique!]
[Bingbing: Blame me? Who made them act in a Qiong Yao drama? I can't handle this kind of stimulation!]
…
After overcoming the difficulties, Huo Yan finally stopped treating Huo Qubing like a prisoner and let him "wander around" like a wild horse.
In the first year of Yuanding, Su Wu, holding the imperial seal, took Li An, who was studying at the Imperial College Bowang Hou Chu Huaye, on a diplomatic mission to the countries in the Western Regions to declare the majesty of the Han Dynasty.
As soon as they left, they were detained for their sharp words. Huo Qubing, the champion marquis who was squatting in Shuofang, saw the time and immediately led his cavalry to sweep across the entire Western Regions like plowing the ground and sweeping the snow. His powerful posture scared the kings of the Western Regions so much that they ran thousands of miles to Chang'an to pay homage to the emperor.
The Han had always been a scoundrel against foreigners, so Huo Yan naturally showed no mercy to them. He stationed troops, opened trade, demanded rare treasures, introduced improved crop varieties... and squeezed every last ounce of profit out of them. After squeezing out every last ounce of profit, he waved his hand and issued another batch of "Special Passes for Han Envoys."
Spend some money, die outside, add a line to the history books, and let your son enter the Imperial College without taking the exam.
You won’t suffer a loss if you buy it, and you won’t be cheated if you buy it!
Go! Those who bear this certificate represent the Celestial Empire! If you perish in a foreign land, regardless of the cause, the Han cavalry will arrive!
A year later, Grand Marshal Huo Qubing's expedition began again. However, this time his goal was the sea!
The huge shipyard that Huo Yan had run in Kuaiji County for many years and had just been nationalized was now full of sails.
In order to prove that he "can do everything, including navy", Huo Qubing could no longer hold back and impatiently boarded the newly launched flagship "Fubo", leading the newly built huge fleet and setting sail to the sea amid the farewell gazes of the people of Kuaiji and the cries of seagulls!
The first stop was Penglai, the fairy island in the East China Sea that Liu Che had specifically requested and that Huo Yan had mentioned.
As a result, they didn't find the fairy island, but instead turned the island upside down and was occupied by a group of short and ugly natives who called themselves the "Land of the Rising Sun" and still used stone tools!
The Han army had never fought such an easy battle. It was like a tiger among a flock of sheep, crushing them with ease.
When they returned, the fleet brought back a boatload of dejected captives, ready to be sold.
"So short! With rat-like faces and eyes, a bunch of squid!" Huo Qubing, returning victorious, bared his teeth and described the situation vividly in front of all the civil and military officials, causing them to burst into laughter. "How dare you brag about being the emperor where the sun rises? My Han Dynasty is the real sun! The sun at its zenith! These bastards are far worse than the Xiongnu! They are no match for him!"
Huo Yan deeply agreed with Huo Qubing's action of thoroughly cleaning up the island and eliminating future troubles. He then asked Sang Hongyang to send the captives to the coldest mines in the Western Regions to do hard labor, just like disposing of garbage, under the euphemism of "resource recycling."
Since Huo Qubing came into being, the Han Dynasty no longer has any slaves in its own country.
[The Han people do not produce slaves, they are just slave carriers! (dog head)]
[I heard you're called the Land of the Rising Sun? Have you asked me, the Great Han? Lights out!]
Less than half a year later, Huo Qubing's restless heart began to stir again. This time, he wanted to go to the extremely cold Siberia that Huo Yan had mentioned!
Huo Yan held his little nephew Huo Shan, who was growing stronger and stronger, and sighed helplessly as he watched the team moving away in a cloud of dust.
Little Huo Xian was in his arms, and said in a baby voice, "Father..."
Huo Yan: ...
Yes, Huo Qubing was away from home all year round, and the child thought he was his father! Huo Yan didn't know whether to laugh or cry, so he had to hold the little guy in his arms, pointing to the huge portrait hanging on the wall, and teaching him over and over again: "Look, this is your father."
Huo Qubing's expedition lasted several months, traversing ice and snow. Upon his return, he not only brought back the biting cold of Siberia but also, quite openly, snatched away several blond, blue-eyed, high-nosed, and deep-set women. This attracted the entire city of Chang'an, who flocked to see these unprecedented "alien creatures," all of whom were eventually taken into the imperial court by Emperor Liu Che.
Huo Qubing had no interest in these foreigners. He pulled out a bulging leather bag from his bosom and stuffed it into Huo Yan's pocket like a treasure. "Here! I stole the rhizome those yellow-haired guys dug up in the snow! Is it the... Siaya potato you mentioned?"
Huo Yan untied the leather bag and looked at the unattractive tubers covered in mud inside. Then he looked at his brother's dusty but energetic face, which was full of the words "Praise me!", and was speechless for a moment.
At sea, he is the Pirate King who roams the seven seas; on land, he is King Huo who sweeps across the world.
What on earth was I worried about back then? It was truly groundless worry, a worry for nothing!
I'm so worried that my hair is turning gray!
Time flies. With the graduation of the first batch of students of the Imperial College, the "Han Warriors" are like fresh blood injected into the huge body of the empire, filling various key positions.
Huo Qubing, also known as "Huo Zi", was finally restrained by Huo Yan and Wei Qing again, and began to write the second chapter of his art of war with great difficulty.
After all, with the arrival of a new and more reliable labor force, Wei Qing and Huo Qubing, the twin pillars of the empire, could finally unload some of their burdens and go out together to have fun!
Thanks to his outstanding financial management skills, Sang Hongyang was promoted to the position of Imperial Censor as he wished, and the Ministry of Agriculture completely became Huo Yan's world.
Princess Yangshi was married to Yunzhong County by Huo Yan. With her strategic planning, she fooled the Li family, which had deep roots but was becoming increasingly corrupt and arrogant. After five years, she finally succeeded in swallowing up Yunzhong County.
At this moment, she was ambitiously implementing new policies in Yunzhong, establishing girls' schools, recruiting refugees to settle and cultivate the land, and proving to the whole world that the world is not a man's world, and that I, a woman, can also govern the place.
Huo Yan looked at the piles of reports from various places, records of the salt and iron government, expenditure reports, and the ambitious plan sent by Yang Shi from the clouds, but he couldn't smile at all.
He is so tired!
He wanted to go out and play, too! He wanted to bask in the sun! He wanted to feel the ocean breeze! He wanted to explore the unknown world like his brother!
Unfortunately, Huo Guang is still gaining experience in the border counties. Although he has made remarkable achievements, he still has little experience. At the current rate of promotion, he will not be able to return to the central government to share the heavy responsibilities with him within ten years.
Either explode in silence or become perverted in silence?
Huo Yan believed that he was not capable of going crazy, and was too lazy to explode.
So, he made a shocking decision - to run away!
A physical bucket filled with his personal collection of books, nautical charts and beloved fishing rod.
When Huo Qubing and Wei Qing were once again excitedly planning to "go to the sea" to explore the farther ocean, Huo Yan showed a meaningful smile.
Kuaiji Shipyard? That's his! Zhu Maichen, his subordinate.
Without saying a word, he took Huo Xian, who was already able to run and jump, and directly boarded the largest logistics supply ship, following leisurely behind.
"Han'er," Huo Yan said, holding his nephew as he stood on the tall ship's tower. The sea breeze ruffled his sleeves. He pointed at the excited Huo Qubing and Wei Qing on the flagship ahead and said with a smile, "Have you heard the story of One Piece?"
Huo Xian opened his big round eyes and shook his head in confusion.
Huo Yan's eyes flashed with cunning as he pointed at the unfamiliar islands covered in dense jungles that were about to land. "Look! Those two in front are them!"
Huo Xian looked at the war-like figures of his father and great uncle in the sunlight, his mouth opened into an O shape, and he let out an extremely loud and adoring cry.
"Wow--!"
My father is so cool! My uncle is so cool too!
Let’s go! Let’s go pirate with Zhongfu! (bushi)
[Little Huo Xian's future essay: My heroic father and great-uncle! And my super cool Zhongfu!]
Huo Yan leisurely followed his invincible uncle and brother, watching them command with ease and capture resource-rich islands in the blink of an eye, bringing spices, gems, gold, silver, rare animals and plants onto the ship continuously.
He took Huo Xian with him and spent every day on the logistics boat basking in the sun and fishing, and his life was extremely comfortable.
Huo Xian soon became friends with a small octopus that had strayed onto the deck, and they had a lot of fun playing with it.
When the generals in the front conquered a large piece of fertile land and returned triumphantly on board the ship carrying boxes of gold, they would always habitually look back at the most stable logistics ship.
On the deck, Huo Yan was sitting cross-legged, playing a game called "Shrimp Fighting" with Huo Xian. The two of them were holding straw sticks and laughing so hard at the jumping shrimps that they were rolling on the ground with joy.
Seagulls soared across the blue sky and azure sea, emitting long cries. The sun generously sprinkled the deck, gilding everything with warm gold.
It's a long time.
[Fighting at the front, life and death, peaceful and tranquil in the rear!]
[This is life!]
However, at this moment, Chang'an City was in chaos!
Liu Che in the Weiyang Palace was able to remain calm when Huo Qubing and Wei Qing left the capital, after all, he was used to it.
But this time, when the eunuch reported tremblingly that "Grand Minister Huo and Master Huo Shan... have also gone out to sea with the fleet", Liu Che was completely devastated!
"What?! A Yan also ran away?" Liu Che felt a black screen before his eyes and almost followed in the footsteps of Huo Qubing who fainted from anger.
The people he had tried so hard to keep by his side, one after another, all ran away! Even little Shan'er was kidnapped!
The huge city of Chang'an seemed to become cold and empty in an instant.
"Rebellion! They're all rebelling!" Liu Che was so angry that he paced back and forth in the hall, slamming the table. But he soon found that besides being helpless and furious, there seemed to be nothing else he could do.
After all, it was he who signed the order for that fleet.
Crown Prince Liu Ju was quite calm. He was already accustomed to his father's temper, and it wasn't like the sky was falling.
He simply dragged his family with him, including his mother Wei Zifu, his wife Shi Liangdi, and his young son Liu Jin, and headed straight for Yunzhong County, which was governed by his elder sister! He even took Huo Guang with him.
Empress Wei Zifu held her little grandson Cao Zong in her arms, looking at the vast and free grassland scenery outside the car window. She listened to Wei Chang, Zhu Yi and Yang Shi talking about the construction of Yunzhong and the prosperity of women's schools, and a long-lost, relaxed smile from the heart appeared on her face.
Feng Ling, as Yang Shi's right-hand man and teacher in the girls' school, also talked to her and thanked her for her kindness in the past.
It seems that the air is sweet when the old man Liu Che is not around.
Wei Zifu was even a little reluctant to leave her homeland.
Liu Che found himself a real lonely man, his entire family was emptied out! For the Nth time in these years, he felt the pain of being abandoned by the whole world.
He gnashed his teeth and thought: Wait until Zhongqing comes back! I want to go out too! I'll leave Liu Ju at home to look after the stall!
At this time, on the sea, Huo Yan was lying on a specially made bamboo couch, enjoying the warm and pleasant sea breeze and the gentle sunshine, like a piece of soft butter almost melting in the sunshine.
Wei Qing sat aside, looking lovingly at Huo Xian who was chasing seabirds on the deck.
Huo Qubing came over and looked at his brother's slightly red cheeks. He smiled and gently turned him over to let him get even heat. He joked, "Ayan, you're sunburned like a little turtle that can't turn over."
Huo Yan was sleeping soundly in the dim daylight. He mumbled vaguely and did not respond.
Huo Qubing looked at his brother's defenseless sleeping face, his eyes filled with a gentle smile. He also lay down on the deck beside Huo Yan, stretched out his limbs, let the sea breeze play with his hair, and soon they were sleeping together, head to head, shoulder to shoulder.
Quiet and beautiful.
Wei Qing looked at the two brothers sleeping in each other's arms, just like they did when they were young, and his heart was filled with peace and satisfaction.
He embraced Huo Xian who was running over, pointed at the two figures, and said in a gentle and distant voice: "Xian'er, did you see that? When your grandfather and uncle were young, they also slept like this. They were very well-behaved back then, and your uncle never made any noise..."
The sea and the sky are one color, and the waves are vast and blue.
The years are peaceful and the family is by my side.
The mountains and rivers are vast, and the days are long!
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