91 Summer in Chang'an City
◎Huo Qubing: It's me!◎
Huo Yan slept soundly. When he awoke, it was daylight. He stretched, washed, and thanked his host. It was past court time, and the patriarch, Sima Tan, had already left. Sima Qian was still speaking to him, but Huo Yan waved his hand, saying he was going to visit Sima Qian's mother and grandmother.
"I came here so hastily yesterday, and if I leave today without saying goodbye, my aunt will be so sad."
As he spoke, he took the gift list from Shi Ye, glanced at it, nodded slightly, stood up, and then warmly pulled Sima Qian's hand, "Brother, please go quickly, don't keep your aunt waiting!"
Sima Qian couldn't help laughing when he was held by his hand, and his mouth was almost grinning from ear to ear. Huo Yan was happy that he could remember to prepare gifts and pay his respects to his mother. The more thoughtful he was, the more he treated him as a friend.
"It's okay. You've always pleased Mother more than I do."
Huo Yan also smiled and went to see his grandmother first. Coincidentally, his mother was there too, so Huo Yan bowed to them together, presented the gift list in his hand, and said a few polite words to apologize for disturbing them so late at night.
The two ladies also knew that he had entered the mansion last night. Seeing him standing in front of them with his hands hanging down, smiling gently, they were filled with smiles for a moment. Sima Qian's grandmother pulled him aside and asked if he had slept well and whether he wanted to stay in the mansion today and talk to Sima Qian for a while.
Huo Yan smiled and agreed readily, and then said some witty remarks which made the two ladies laugh and praise him again and again.
Logically, the Sima family, with its long-standing traditions of respecting propriety, should have disliked Huo Yan, a son of a slave-born outsider. While the Wei family was powerful, they couldn't prevent others from using his background to criticize him. But Huo Yan was simply too good; he was the kind of child that Chang'an parents loved most. Not only was his status noble and his talent exceptional, but more importantly, his character was also noble. The story of him banging his head against a pillar to protect Liu Che's humiliation spread widely, and everyone praised him as a gentleman. Furthermore, he was close friends with Sima Qian, always treating them with respectful courtesy. He also showed support and care for Sima Qian, even going so far as to provoke Wang Wenshu to help him. Since then, Sima Qian has always remembered and praised him, and the wives of the Sima family have also been grateful, treating him with kindness, giving him gifts that were three times more generous than those given to others during festivals and New Year celebrations.
Huo Yan talked with the women in Sima Qian's family for a while before leaving with Sima Qian.
"Brother Sima," he chuckled, his red robe rippling as he walked, "Do you want to be an official?"
Sima Qian paused for a moment, then picked up his pace again and asked, "Am I not a palace attendant?"
Huo Yan walked slowly with his hands behind his back. He paused subconsciously when he heard this. He couldn't help but laugh and said jokingly, "Do you want to take another step forward, Sima Langguan? I need you."
There was a hint of vitality between his brows, and the silver fish bag around his waist gleamed in the light.
"Perhaps the people need you."
Young historian, would you like to put down your pen, put down your onlookers' eyes, come to my side for a while, and walk side by side with me?
Sima Qian's heart skipped a beat. He took a step forward and walked side by side with him to the gate. After a long pause, he said, "Ayan, how can I help you?"
Huo Yan walked side by side with him, tilting his head slightly. For a moment, his expression was almost gentle and compassionate, but it quickly disappeared, as fast as Sima Qian's illusion. The young man laughed heartlessly, "Oh, Brother Sima, you believe everything I say. It's just that the magistrate of Huang County in Donglai County is vacant, and I want to find you."
During the reign of Emperor Wu of Han, there were many counties in Jiaodong region close to the sea, such as Huangxian, Muping, and Wendeng under the jurisdiction of Donglai Commandery. The county magistrates of these counties all had jurisdiction over the coastal areas.
Huang County is located close to the Bohai Sea, in the area of present-day Longkou City, Shandong Province. The local county magistrate was in charge of coastal fisheries, salt industry and other related affairs as well as public security in coastal areas.
Huo Yan took a liking to this place. Jiaodong has been a major salt-producing region since ancient times, and the local people have long been engaged in salt production, mastering relatively mature salt drying and salt boiling techniques. Huangxian County is located north of the Bohai Sea, with a long coastline and mudflats suitable for salt drying. The local climate is also relatively suitable, with abundant sunlight and strong winds, which are conducive to the evaporation of seawater.
He had asked for the position of magistrate of Huangxian, a medium-sized county. Liu Che would have given it to him if he wanted it, but he was about to go to the battlefield, and increasing salt production was urgent. Waiting for his return would be a waste of time. He had many good men under his command, but they had not been certified as filial and honest officials and had not gone through the necessary procedures to obtain the 600-stone official position. Although he could force them, he did not want to abuse his power and leave loopholes for others to exploit. Sang Qian and the others were suitable, but they had tempers like firecrackers. He was going to govern the local area, not to quarrel with others.
After much thought, Sima Qian is still the most suitable one.
First, his family background is suitable, and second, his personality is suitable. Sima Qian looks like a weakling, and he will not disagree with anyone and will just do it right away. He definitely values harmony.
More importantly, how could the person who felt the farmers’ difficulties and wrote poems to give them clothes have the heart to give up and stop the people from suffering?
He was thinking over and over again, and he said, "I believe Brother Sima will be able to bring peace to Huang County."
"Six hundred shi?" Sima Qian chuckled. "Ayan, are you asking me to ascend to heaven in one step?"
His father, Sima Tan, the Grand Historian, had a salary of six hundred dan.
Huo Yan shook his head. He pulled out a scroll from his sleeve and handed it to him.
Sima Qian looked in the direction of his finger and took a breath of cold air, "This, this, this..."
"Memorial on Increasing Salt in Huang County, Jiaodong".
Ayan, this means he needs to make salt.
He laughed bitterly, "I can't do that!"
If Ah Yan wanted him to take charge of household registration and education, he could do it. If he wanted to take charge of finance, he could also bite the bullet and give it a try.
But making salt really made it difficult for him.
Huo Yan's beautiful eyebrows suddenly curved, the gorgeous color melted away, revealing a bit of heavy tenderness.
"Whether you are willing or not, I am here."
What are you afraid of? I'll take care of you.
As soon as he said this, Sima Qian finally exhaled the cold breath that had been hanging in his chest. For a moment, he felt a sense of relief, as if everything had been settled. He grasped the scroll in his hand and bowed deeply, his brows and features gentle, his eyes still clear. "Thank you, Yan, for your help."
Huo Yan finally smiled with relief. He reached out and lifted Sima Qian's hand as he bowed, "Brother, I'm sorry for embarrassing you."
Sima Qian lowered his head and looked at Huo Yan's hands. These hands were really well-shaped, slender and white. Such beautiful hands should have been born on Ah Yan. As he thought about this, his expression suddenly changed. He gently turned over Huo Yan's left hand and asked, "What's the matter with this scar?"
Huo Yan didn't take it seriously and laughed heartlessly, "Brother Sima, don't you allow people to be naughty when they are young?"
Sima Qian sighed and let go of his hand. The wound was clearly a fleshy one, otherwise there would still be a scar that hadn't healed after all these years. Literary men were known for their fickle moods, and Sima Qian was even more so. He couldn't help but feel a little uncomfortable, muttering, "You're so deceitful that you won't even call me Zichang."
It's just a little bit of willfulness between friends. Don't you consider me as a friend?
Huo Yan raised his eyebrows and said, "Zi Chang."
Sima Qian recovered instantly and said excitedly, "Ayan is nineteen years old this year and will come of age next year. Has your family thought of a guest of honor? Actually, we can invite Mr. Dong."
The main guest in the ceremony is a key figure in the ceremony. He is usually a person of high moral character and familiar with etiquette. He is usually an elder, teacher, or prestigious family friend of the recipient. Dong Zhongshu was often invited to attend. Sima Qian invited Dong Zhongshu.
Huo Yan's usually meticulous mind missed a clue. A coming-of-age ceremony? What? He was busy next year and had no time to prepare. Should he invite guests? How many? Would it be a problem if he didn't invite the right people?
Is inviting Dong Zhongshu to eat for free? No, Dong Zhongshu inviting him is almost the same.
But his brother is the same age as him, so does he need to buy two of them?
[The coming-of-age ceremony is still very troublesome.]
[First, divination is performed. Then, a distinguished guest who is well-respected and familiar with etiquette is invited to serve as the main guest for the ceremony. The person being crowned and all related personnel are informed of the date of the ceremony in advance so that everyone can prepare.]
[It’s quite troublesome anyway.]
[Ayan, this seems to require a dad.]
[Generally speaking, the father is the officiant of the ceremony and is responsible for preparing for it, deciding the date, inviting guests, etc.]
[Uncles can be fathers, but they can’t be the main guests.]
[If Tetsuko comes, he'll probably be happy.]
…
Zheng Bin is highly respected, uncle? Never mind, his uncle is immoral and just keeps being sarcastic every day.
Zhengbin is familiar with etiquette, but forget it, his uncle would hug him and ask for money every day, he has no shame at all.
[Sang Hongyang?]
His adoptive father loves money and is shameless in asking for it.
[Lord Father Yan?]
He has nothing to do with virtue.
…
Huo Yan thought for a moment and finally decided to put it aside. He said casually, "Well, I'll do it when the time comes."
It’s not because he is surrounded by bad people that he can’t find the right person!
So annoying, it doesn't matter whether it exists or not.
Sima Qian laughed. Just as he was about to say something, he saw a group of soldiers from the Jianzhang Camp galloping past. Passersby retreated, and dust flew up in the air. Blood still clung to their foreheads, but they were laughing freely. Their black armor was stained with grass and leaves, and they were dragging a dead bear behind them.
Huo Yan stared at these bastards. Damn, where in the woods have they gone again? Their faces are covered in blood.
There was no doubt that the leader was Huo Qubing. He was like a wolf, very sensitive to gazes. He subconsciously turned his head for a moment, and the moment their eyes met, a scorching light suddenly lit up in the young general's eyes, and a smile bloomed on his lips.
Amidst the flying dust, Huo Qubing rode his horse past the threshold of Sima Mansion. Behind him, the young men from Jianzhang Camp whistled and followed like a pack of wolves, their horses' hooves trampling the ground in mottled light and shadow.
Huo Yan narrowed his eyes, curling his fingers in his sleeves, cursing inwardly. Then, Huo Qubing let out a long laugh. Before Huo Yan could react, Huo Qubing leaned forward, grasped his wrist, and wrapped his arm around his waist. Huo Yan felt dizzy, and the next moment, he was being dragged onto the horse's back, his back slamming heavily into Huo Qubing's arms.
Huo Qubing, like an eagle, snatched the chick and ran away, leaving Sima Qian alone at the door. He sighed in frustration, "Oh, could it be me who praised Ah Yan?"
Huo Qubing had no idea that he had disturbed Sima Qian's request, and even if he knew, he wouldn't care.
Amid the long neighing of the Arabian horse, the two brothers were almost pressed chest to back, and the steed of blood mixed with sweat rushed into their nostrils.
"Hold on tight!" Huo Qubing pulled Huo Yan's arms around his waist and shook the reins violently. "Go!"
"Huo Qubing! You're probably going to have to drink three days of bitter soup!" Huo Yan gritted his teeth, his ears burning from the sudden flight. "Let me down!"
"No. I'll take you out to play." Huo Qubing laughed, his arms wrapped around his waist like an iron hoop. The Ferghana horse raised its hooves and neighed loudly, turning its head. His wolf cubs followed suit. "Now we have an eagle. Do you want one, Ayan?"
Dust billowed in his face, the wind howled. Huo Yan struggled in vain, and in despair, he grasped the horse's mane, turning back to glare at Xiahou Shichang. "Where have you been? Your face is covered in blood, Shichang, you've done the same!"
Xiahou Shichang shrank his neck.
It was so much fun to follow Champion Hou that he couldn't help himself.
Huo Yan was about to fire at Zhao Po Nu, but Huo Qubing had already smeared his face with his bloody sleeve, "What are you afraid of? It's not my blood, it's the bear's!"
Huo Yan's anger suddenly boiled over. He stiffened his neck and roared, "I think you're a scoundrel! If you don't give me a beating for three days, you'll tear the roof off the house!"
The young men in Jianzhang Camp burst into laughter. Some blew sharp whistles, while others shouted, "Ayan, we busted a bandit den a few days ago! The general killed seventeen of them by himself!"
Huo Qubing raised his chin proudly upon hearing this. His sweat-soaked hair plastered to his forehead, gleaming like honey in the sunlight. He suddenly pulled out a large string of jade pendants from his bosom and hung them all on Huo Yan.
Huo Yan looked closely and saw that they were all amulets.
Huo Qubing stroked his hair, and the raging rage in Huo Yan's heart was extinguished by the slap. In a blink of an eye, only a little gray remained, and it was impossible for it to rekindle.
He tilted his head towards Huo Qubing's arms and found a comfortable position like a cat.
"Huo Guanjun, where are you going?"
Huo Qubing laughed, suddenly tightened his arms, and leaned forward with Huo Yan. The Ferghana horse suddenly accelerated like an arrow.
"Hold on tight—!"
The wind whistled past his ears, and Huo Yan, who had been calm, subconsciously clenched Huo Qubing's wrist guard. The rapid and heavy heartbeat echoed from his chest, resonating with the sound of horse hooves, making his spine tingle, as if he was back in the days of the Xiongnu.
"Huo Qubing! Write the letter of apology yourself!" He gritted his teeth and cursed in the howling wind, but couldn't help but raise the corners of his mouth.
Huo Qubing laughed.
"Then I won't help you write flattering words to your uncle."
The young men from the Jianzhang Camp followed closely on horseback, their laughter and the clatter of horse hooves startling birds. Amidst the rising dust, this group of high-spirited young men seemed ready to trample the entire world under their feet.
Some outsiders didn't know who they were. Everyone in Chang'an was so relaxed. The people of Chang'an looked at the backs of the group of young men as they walked away and shook their heads. "That's Guanjun Hou and Huo Xiaolang. Even if they poked a hole in the sky, it wouldn't be surprising!"
As he spoke, a smile couldn't stop spreading from his eyes.
The summer in Chang'an City is bright and brilliant.
【Author’s words】
I'm too sleepy, otherwise I would have updated ten thousand times.
I'm really sleepy.
I gave Ah Yan a name that reads, "Hibiscus just blooms, fragrant grass grows tall." Spring is warm and the scenery is bright, so Ah Yan's name should be Chunhe. Is that okay?
But what about the word "qubing"? There is no historical data. How about I make one up?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
