Chapter 34
The snow, which had been falling for a long time, gradually stopped, the dark clouds in the sky dissipated, and the moon showed a ray of light in the shallows of the clouds.
Zhonggu Tunnel was very lively at the moment, because tonight was New Year's Eve, Xie Chen specially asked the cook to prepare a more sumptuous meal, and people from the Duwei Mansion also came to inspect and comfort the soldiers and sent them a lot of meat, so although the soldiers did not go home for a reunion tonight, they were still very happy.
Xie Chen finished his meal with them, said some encouraging words about their hard work, and then let them enjoy themselves.
He returned to the tent and was about to wash up and rest when someone in the tent asked softly, "Captain Tunnel, are you ready to rest?"
Xie Chen stood up suddenly. Could it be that his brother’s reply had arrived?
He suppressed his excitement and said, "No, what's the matter?"
The soldier came in with a package, and when he saw Xie Chen, he took out a letter from his bosom, "Captain Sui, this is the reply from County Magistrate Lin and the things he was going to pass on."
Xie Chen's eyes moved slightly, "Let it go, you've worked hard today."
Before the soldiers could bow and leave, he took the letter impatiently.
With excitement and anxiety in my heart, what would my brother say in the letter?
My brother Zhongxuan, reading your letter is as good as seeing you.
When he saw the words "my brother Zhongxuan", his fingertips moved slightly. He could almost imagine how Lin Shuge looked when he was writing the letter, with tenderness between his brows and a serious expression.
Today, the letter arrived and I feel at ease. My younger brother has been away from home for many days, and I am worried about him all the time. My brother is still young. Although I cannot bear to see you suffer so much and go into danger, I know that there must be something unspeakable in your heart.
After reading this, Xie Chen couldn't help but recall the scene when Lin Shuge asked him why he insisted on going to the Duwei Mansion. In fact, if he hadn't been interrupted that day, he would definitely have told his brother everything.
But his brother knew that he must have something to hide, so he stopped asking him and just hoped that he could take care of himself.
He thought about Lin Shuge's eyes at that time, which were gentle but with a hint of heartache, and he wished he could fly back immediately to reunite with his brother.
He calmed down and continued reading.
However, Lin Shuge suddenly changed the subject in the letter and told an interesting story.
I had nothing to do when I woke up this morning, and saw snow piled up in the yard. Out of interest, I happened to find a snowman, which looked very cute. Ayuan and Axuan were very happy to see it. I looked closely at his expression, and it was quite similar to the way you looked when I first saw you.
Xie Chen thought to himself: The snowman I build will definitely be very cute and interesting, but is this what I look like in my brother’s mind?
He shook his head, and then Lin Shuge picked up some interesting stories to share with him, which made him feel very warm.
But it was written at the back of the letter.
The foreign enemies, the Huns, are cruel and bloodthirsty by nature. My brothers must not underestimate the enemy when fighting against them. In my early years, I once discovered an object that was a powerful weapon for cavalry combat. I am enclosing this letter to you, hoping it will help you drive out foreign enemies.
Xie Chen flipped through the pages with suspicion, and sure enough, there was a piece of paper attached to the back of the letter. On it was a semi-oval object, consisting of a stirrup handle and a stirrup ring, with the word "Stirrup" written next to it.
Xie Chen knew at a glance how important this thing was, and his brother actually gave it to him directly.
The battles between Dayan and the Xiongnu were mostly cavalry against cavalry, but training a cavalryman is not a simple matter. First of all, the soldiers must be able to ride horses and have superb horsemanship. Otherwise, when two soldiers charge into battle and use weapons to chop each other, they will easily roll off their horses if they are not careful.
For ordinary soldiers, learning to ride a horse, getting on and off the horse was a problem. Even if they learned to ride a horse, it was very hard for soldiers to fight on horseback with their legs crossed on both sides of the saddle without any support.
If there were stirrups, wouldn't they be very helpful in horse riding and fighting?
However, the manufacturing process of this thing must not be leaked to outsiders. Otherwise, if the Huns get it, wouldn't it be making things difficult for others? This matter must be reported to Captain Zhao in person.
Xie Chen thought about it again. There were no iron mines where the Huns were and the barbarians were crude and unproductive. Even if there were, they would not be able to smelt them themselves. He suppressed his thoughts and continued reading the letter.
It is bitterly cold at the border, so I have prepared clothes and medicine for you and asked the soldiers to bring them to you. Please take care of yourself and we hope to see you again.
On this festive occasion, I wish my brother peace and happiness every year.
My brother's name is Huaiting.
Xie Chen slowly closed the letter, placed it next to the pillow, and opened the bundle.
There were several layers of clothes stacked inside, including underwear. He touched it gently and it was very soft and warm, but not as bulky and thick as the cotton-padded robe. This must be a new idea his brother came up with.
Xie Chen picked up his clothes, took off his outer robe and put it on. It was indeed warm. The northwest winter wind felt like a knife, but it felt warm when he put it on.
He put the clothes away immediately after trying them on. He had been fighting for days and had not yet washed them, so he couldn't let his new clothes get dirty.
He carefully folded his clothes and put them into his bag, but unexpectedly he took out a package that looked bright red.
He picked it up and saw that there was "Peace and Good Luck Every Year" written on the paper. When he opened it, he found several strings of coins.
Xie Chen raised the corners of his lips, and the coldness between his eyebrows melted instantly. It turned out to be the New Year's money given by his brother.
He carefully placed the lucky money and the letter next to his pillow, and after washing up, he prepared to lie down and sleep with his brother's New Year's blessings.
I just closed my eyes and suddenly remembered that my brother didn’t seem to mention the jade rabbit hairpin he gave him. Does he not like it?
The more he thought about it, the harder it was to fall asleep. He could only sit up, pick up the letter beside his pillow and start reading again.
Ganzhou County.
Today is the first day of the Lunar New Year. Lin Shuge slept in for a rare time and felt refreshed when he woke up. He stayed up too late last night and Lin Qingyuan and Lin Xuan were still asleep. He washed up, got dressed and prepared to go out for a walk.
It was noisy outside. It seemed that everyone got up very early for the New Year. Many people had already gotten up to clean the house and cook.
There are many people living in the yard rented by the Lin family. Every household is next to each other. It looks very prosperous at first glance, and there is really a New Year atmosphere.
After wrapping dumplings yesterday, Lin Qingyuan suddenly remembered the red words. He didn’t know what they were used for yet, so he asked Lin Shuge for an answer.
Lin Shuge took out the peach charms and couplets he had bought and said, "Let's go and put up the couplets."
"Is this called a couplet?" Lin Qingyuan looked at it curiously.
Lin Shuge looked at his brother's eyes which were round and said, "That's right. Couplets are posted on doors just like peach charms. They have the function of praying for blessings." He added, "Come on, Ayuan, hold it for me. I'll go mix the paste." ”
The three brothers and sisters worked together to paste the peach charms and couplets on the door, which looked very festive.
"Brother, the couplet is like a flame."
Lin Shuge leaned forward and said with a smile: "Then I wish us a prosperous life in the future."
"Brother, it's time to light the firecrackers." Lin Xuan reminded.
Gunpowder had not yet been invented in this era, so people would burn bamboo to make popping sounds during the New Year to ward off evil spirits and misfortunes.
Lin Shuge looked at the firecrackers that had been set off and picked up a broom to clean up.
Suddenly, the door opened and Lin Qingyuan walked out of the room. "Brother, I got up late. Let's go quickly after dinner. We agreed to go to worship our father and mother last night."
It has been a long time since Lin Shuge came here, but he has never had time to go there. It happened to be the New Year holiday, and Lin Xuan and Lin Qingyuan have not gone to school yet, so the three siblings can go to worship together.
After the meal, the three of them set off with incense, candles and offerings.
Most shops were closed during the Chinese New Year and there was no way to rent a carriage, so Lin Shuge had to walk with his brother and sister-in-law.
The graves of Lin's father and mother were in the old house in Qingxi Town, so the three of them had to walk a long way.
Lin Shuge had walked the road back to the old house many times and was quite familiar with it. After walking for half an hour, he finally arrived at Qingxi Town.
Lin Qingyuan and Lin Xuan looked at the place where they had lived since childhood. They felt homesick and stood by the roadside without moving.
Lin Shuge asked curiously, "Why are you suddenly not leaving?"
"Brother, we will come back later, right?"
"Of course, I'll bring you back to stay for a few days in the summer when it gets hot."
Lin Shuge knew what the twins were thinking. After all, this was their home where they had lived for many years, and it would definitely be difficult for them to let go.
"Let's go to the mountain first."
The graves of Lin's father and mother are on the mountain behind the village. Villagers go up the mountain to chop firewood and rake leaves, so the mountain is not overgrown with weeds and difficult to walk on.
Lin Shuge recalled the news he had read about someone returning to his hometown to worship his ancestors but not being able to find the ancestral grave. Fortunately, the road was easy to travel and he had the memory of his original body, otherwise he might not have been able to find it.
Walking up the path, there is still some unmelted snow on the roadside, and if you are not careful you will slip if you step on the dry grass covered with snow.
Finally, two short tombs appeared in sight. They were the tombs of Lin’s father and mother.
Lin Shuge stepped forward and cleared away the weeds that were growing on the grave one by one. Lin Qingyuan and Lin Xuan also came over to help.
After clearing the weeds, Lin Shuge put away the incense and candles he had brought as offerings, lit the candles, and kowtowed three times with his younger brother and sister-in-law.
"Father and mother, I've brought Ayuan and Axuan to see you. Don't worry, we are living well now. I've been promoted as an official and have a salary that is enough to support the family."
He paused for a moment, then continued, "When spring comes, I will send Ayuan and Axuan to school. You don't have to worry too much down there."
I'm sorry for occupying your son's body, but I promise to treat Yuan and Xuan as my own siblings and will never let them suffer.
"Ayuan, Axuan, if you have anything to say, just say it. I'll go over there and take a look."
Lin Shuge took out the remaining offerings and incense sticks and worshiped facing west.
He was worshiping his original body. When he came, his original body had indeed died. His soul came here, but he didn't know where the original body's soul had gone.
He watched the candle burn out silently, then bowed towards the west. No matter which world you are in, may you be well.
"Brother, we are fine." Lin Qingyuan said in a hoarse voice.
Lin Shuge turned around and took a look. The twins' eyes were red, and they had obviously just cried. He rubbed their heads one by one and said, "Let's go. Let's go back."
"good."
The three siblings returned the same way they came. They were filled with anxiety and anticipation, but the atmosphere was depressing on the way back.
"Zhou Erlang asked us to go to the hot springs. Do you want to go?" Lin Shuge took the initiative to break the atmosphere and changed the topic to a happy one.
"Hot spring?" the twins asked in unison.
"Yes, hot springs are good for your health, and Jiro also said that we should have barbecue together after the hot springs."
"Go, go, I want to go." Lin Qingyuan changed his previous silence and said excitedly.
"Where is Axuan?" Lin Shuge asked.
"Since my eldest brother and Ayuan are going, I will go too. I have never soaked in a hot spring before." Lin Xuan said reservedly.
“Then go back and have a good sleep, and go early tomorrow.” Lin Shuge made the final decision.
There are still some dumplings left. I can fry them and take them with me to fill my stomach tomorrow.
Having made up their minds, the three siblings finally changed their mood and went home together.
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