30 The second year of Yuanguang
◎Huo Qubing: Ah Yan, at least try harder.◎
One is old and the other is young. One has fine lines on the corners of his eyes, while the other is still young and childish. They are facing each other silently across the small table.
After a long while, Dong Zhongshu was not panicked at all and asked softly.
"Have you ever done anything inappropriate to offend Young Master Huo?"
He no longer spoke in a frivolous and casual tone, but rather as if he was treating a friend who had met for several years and was like an enemy, with caution, yet with an indescribable closeness.
Huo Yan nodded and shook his head, speaking frankly.
"I've heard your comments before, and I'm not offended. I admire you." He sneered and said, "Mr. Dong's coercive words today are the real offense."
Dong Zhongshu remained silent, saying, "My dear boy, I have offended you. What do you want to do?"
Huo Yan chuckled, and the child's clear voice seemed to blend into the rain.
"Don't you know, sir? I've called myself the Little King of Thunder and Lightning."
He smiled playfully as if the tension just now was all an illusion.
The veins on Dong Zhongshu's forehead jumped with joy.
Who wouldn't be annoyed by such a two-faced person who is insensitive to wind and rain?
But this incident made the old man's eyes shed the scrutiny and calculation that had always been there, and instead they were filled with a clarity that seemed to see through everything and a little warmth.
"Child, what is electromagnetic induction? What is the Little King of Thunder?"
Huo Yan smiled. "If you use Master Dong's theory of the connection between heaven and man, it'll be like a blast. I'll bring down divine punishment and chop the bad guys into dust."
His voice ends with an upturned tone and his words are cunning, like a little fox. His sudden gloomy expression makes it difficult for you to discern his intentions.
"Including Mr. Dong."
Dong Zhongshu laughed.
"I am a rotten tree that is about to leave the court. I will be struck dead by the purple lightning and blue thunder. I only hope that new buds will sprout soon to greet the thunder, so that the world will be renewed."
The reason why Confucianism survives to this day is entirely due to one word: change.
It became unrecognizable in the hands of Dong Zhongshu, adapting to the imperial power and an empire in its prime.
Huo Yan was the new sprout of Confucianism selected by Dong Zhongshu.
No, Huo Yan was the minister he had chosen to inherit his teachings.
As soon as they met, he knew that this young boy had a sincere heart and his eyes were so clear and upright, reflecting the suffering of the people. He was not just a subject of His Majesty, but a subject of the world.
So, he had been a teacher all his life, but how could he bear to see those eyes? His heart was unable to stand up, so he imprisoned himself in Chang'an.
The rain stopped in the courtyard, and the plum branches were beaten to pieces, leaning against the corridor, looking very awkward. Dong Zhongshu stood up and broke off the most awkward branch and handed it to Huo Yan.
He asked directly, "Would you like to travel with me to cultivate your mind?"
Huo Yan sighed, pushed Mei Zhi away, and ignored the old man's evil intentions, just wanting to leave.
Whoever picks up your plum blossom, whoever wants to be your disciple, stamps the Confucian stamp, and goes on your journey, I am in Chang'an, I am not going anywhere!
Dong Zhongshu smiled again and threw the plum branch away. His eyes seemed to see everything clearly, his words were gentle, and his face was kind.
"You have excellent talent and a pure heart. Tomorrow I intend to visit your elders and ask you to travel with me and see all the creatures in the world."
If you don't agree, I will go find your elder. He means well, but Huo Yan hears it as a threat.
He used great strength and overturned Dong Zhongshu's desk with a smile. All of a sudden, cups and plates fell to the ground, and some of them were broken into pieces.
The culprit's little red mole was faintly visible, and he looked very cute, but his eyes were as cold as ice.
"You don't understand human language, so we have nothing to say."
What we are talking about now is leveraging each other's strengths, and what we will talk about later is business.
The sky had cleared up, and the yard was filled with the smell of moist earth and a hint of water.
Huo Yan stood up, looked at the mess of cups and plates on the ground, and threw a golden pill casually.
The golden pill made a crisp sound as it entered the pottery cup.
"I'll take this golden pill as compensation for your loss. You'd better buy some good teacups, or the tea will wither and you won't have any bowls to water it."
After saying that, he strode down the stairs and walked straight out of the house.
"Please ask Ah Yan to inform the Taizhong doctor to prepare the dishes and chopsticks tomorrow."
Dong Zhongshu lifted up the small case and spoke loudly.
Huo Yan sneered, turned back, and overturned his small case again.
"Old man, you'd better sleep with your eyes open tonight."
Dong Zhongshu laughed heartily and pulled him into his arms, the muscles in his arms bulging.
He also traveled and studied when he was young, and when he saw injustice, he would draw his sword and fight off bandits.
"Why are you so fierce, Yan'er?" He smiled and increased his strength, completely restraining Huo Yan. "You are so sincere, but you still don't follow me. You haven't made up your mind yet. When will you get used to the evil winds of Chang'an? You have to keep digging yourself into a dead end."
Huo Yan suddenly threw out the silver needles in his hand, but finally retracted them all and just punched him in the face.
"What does it have to do with you? Dong Zhongshu, you're meddling too much!"
Dong Zhongshu took the fist and smiled gently.
"Just think of me as an old man, poor and destitute, and happy to see you, asking your elders for some money to take you out for some fun."
Filled with the lingering scent of plum blossoms, he gently patted Huo Yan's back.
"You are different from your uncles, child. I have met your uncles before. They are all noble and magnanimous men, capable of surviving in Chang'an City while also possessing a broad mind. They are the emperor's eagles, without needing to leave the four corners of the world. Their hearts are full of splendor, and one day they will soar high and spread their wings."
"But you are not, Ah Yan. You have made up your mind, so why don't you dare to meet Wan Fang, the one who made you decide. You are blind to the sky and deaf to the suffering. When you were young, you lived a life of luxury, favored by the emperor, and loved by your family. If you continue like this, you will be a high official with a bright future. How can you set your heart to be true? How can you be considered by the people of the world? How can you, a long-winded bird, fly high?"
His words had already touched Huo Yan's heart, but he remained expressionless, his back straight. "Then there's no need for you to be kind. I don't practice Confucianism!"
Dong Zhongshu rubbed his little face and said with a smile, "I dare not ask you to be my disciple. I don't know how you will commit a serious crime in the future. I don't want to be executed because of you."
Huo Yan slapped his claws away with a defiant look on his face.
"Since you fear execution, then don't get involved with me. Have you forgotten that you're entering the Wei Palace? If I commit a serious crime, I'm sure His Majesty won't kill me because of my uncle and aunt. But I'm not sure about you. So please stay away from me. I'll find my own way. I've taken note of your advice, but I won't rely on you for anything else."
Dong Zhongshu sighed and let him go.
No matter how much he loves talent, he will not gamble his life on it.
Huo Yan saluted and walked forward again.
This time I didn't look back.
The withered plum tree slowly dropped two petals.
The ground was covered with fallen petals, but Dong Zhongshu was staring at the new buds on the old plum tree.
"Ayan, walk slowly. Be careful of the rain getting your shoes wet."
This time, Huo Yan did not refute his address. He just waved his hand and casually stepped across the muddy puddle, leaving two drops of mud on the corners of his clothes.
We haven't met since then.
Dong Zhongshu stood up, picked up his pen, and wrote the first article in a Confucian journal.
We must always consider the newly established Confucianism.
Huo Yan returned to the Wei Mansion, took two steps at a time, and jumped over the threshold of the Wei Mansion.
The doorman behind him saw his lively look and couldn't help but laugh and urge him on.
"Hurry up, young master! The ponies are all out."
Huo Yan turned his head and grinned at them, then ran down the corridor towards the stable at home.
The little beauty who was lying on the ground taking a rest was the first to notice him. She twitched her ears twice. The beast, which was of considerable size, suddenly stood up, its dark golden eyes full of surprise.
Huo Qubing patted his tiger's head, looked up, and saw Huo Yan. His frosty face brightened considerably. He walked up to him, looked him up and down, and then stroked his hair and asked, "You're late for half an hour, Ah Yan. Did you encounter anything on the way?"
Huo Yan tilted his head and let him rub it, then stepped forward to hold the reins of the horse for him.
"Brother, if I follow Aunt Chunyu and leave Chang'an for a while, will you forget me?"
The two of them walked slowly on the flat horse field, chatting to each other casually.
After a long time, Huo Yan asked.
He stared at the mud puddle on the ground, not daring to look at Huo Qubing's reaction.
Huo Qubing was stunned for a moment, "Ah Yan, are you leaving?"
He seemed to have never left Ayan, and they were always inseparable.
Huo Yan's face didn't look good.
He didn't want to leave, didn't want to leave his brother, didn't want to leave his uncle, didn't want to leave everyone.
But Chunyu Tiying had mentioned to him many times that it was impossible to improve medical skills if he stayed in one place for a long time.
Moreover, he had indeed stayed in Jinxiuwo for too long and was protected too well, and he seemed to have lost sight of his ambitions.
He wrote the inaugural words, but he had never seen the world. He only made some sour remarks under the favor of the emperor and the protection of his uncle. How could he have established his mind and destiny?
Dong Zhongshu was right. Chang'an City was too dangerous. His future path might be difficult. Without a firm enough heart, he might not be able to go on.
Maybe he should plan a long trip for himself someday.
"I need to leave for a while, but not now."
"Then on that day, I'll go with Ayan."
Huo Qubing rode his horse, pulled the reins, drew his bow and shot an arrow. The bird fell, and the little beauty beside him pounced on it.
Since you can't bear to let go, you should hold on to it even tighter.
Otherwise, what should I do if I miss you?
Huo Yan's expression suddenly changed from gloomy to cheerful, his eyes suddenly lit up, and he also bent his bow to shoot birds. Although he missed any, he still hummed a song happily.
"We ordinary people are so happy! I've decided to build another steel plant and give you a golden saddle and jade bridle, so that you, my brother, can become the most handsome man in Chang'an City."
Huo Qubing shot another bird and curled his lips.
"The tortoise-shell bed you mentioned last time is nowhere to be found!"
If it weren't for accommodating A Yan, he wouldn't like running on flat ground.
Hunting deer in the mountains is still the most interesting.
Huo Yan whipped his horse, but was dragged by the horse and ran in a curve.
“Buy it! I’ll buy it when I get back!!!”
Huo Qubing was afraid that something might happen to him, so he followed him closely. When his eyes fell on his crooked posture, he felt really helpless.
"Little brother, you're the one riding the horse, not the horse riding you. Try harder."
[Oh my god, what a perfect answer.]
[Ayan's heart is beating fast.]
[Oh my god, Daer, stop laughing. Your face is breaking from laughing.]
[I miss you, so sweet.]
[Ah Yan, if you don't get a high-bridge saddle and stirrups for this dish, you'll fall off.]
[You're already making steel, so why not also make cement, glass, and so on? That's not too much of a difference.]
[Blast furnace steelmaking, this project was invested.]
[I'll upload a file to you later.]
[You pull it, it won't bite you.]
[My brother's complaints are the most deadly.]
[At the same age, some people hunt rabbits in the mountains, while others move around like snakes, hhh.]
…
【Author’s words】
Dong Zhongshu is right. If you want to serve the people wholeheartedly, you must go and see them. Only when you know what they are like can you consider them.
Either you continue to talk nonsense, or you make up your mind.
A Yan's understanding of the people's plight has always been limited to Chang'an City, at the feet of the emperor, and he has never seen what true suffering is.
After seeing all living beings, we can then talk about establishing a mission for them.
A Yan's state of mind also requires more walking.
Perhaps it is only after seeing the suffering of all living beings that one realizes that heaven and earth are indifferent and that one should be independent and serve the people.
My brother was really handsome at the critical moment. He didn't say much, but he could dispel all his doubts with one blow.
A Yan must have a journey.
Ahhh, my brain is broken, it was the second year of Yuanguang.
I must repeat: Dong Zhongshu is not a good person!!!
If you meet someone like him in real life who gives you advice in a condescending manner and wants you to be his yes-man, you must slap him hard!
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