The old friend has gone west, and the lingering sound
Chapter Quote:
Farewell to an old friend by the Xunyang River, a solitary lamp illuminates the night voyage;
Future generations will judge the merits and demerits, so let’s just look at the bright moon shining on the river.
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Yan Qing and Dai Zong traveled day and night, arriving in Jiangzhou late at night. Fishing lights twinkled on the Xunyang River, and Song Jiang's official ship was moored at the dock. Its lights were ablaze, yet an indescribable loneliness permeated the air.
"Xiao Yi...you're here..."
Seeing Yan Qing, Song Jiang, who was lying on the sickbed, struggled to sit up. Yan Qing hurried forward to support him, but saw that the once powerful and influential timely rain had now become emaciated, with only his eyes still retaining their former clarity.
"Brother Gongming, why didn't you inform me earlier when you were so sick?"
Song Jiang waved his hands weakly: "Life and death are determined by fate. Why bother disturbing my brothers..."
Wu Yong came in from outside and saw Yan Qing. He sighed and said, "The imperial physician has examined him and said that he is ill from overwork and a relapse of an old injury..."
Yan Qing sat down by the bed and felt Song Jiang's pulse. His heart sank. This pulse was weak and floating, a clear sign of exhaustion.
"Brother, if you have any unfulfilled wishes, please feel free to tell me."
Song Jiang gazed out the window at the river and said slowly, "My greatest wish in life has been to lead my brothers on a bright path. Now... that wish has been fulfilled."
He turned his head with difficulty and looked at Yan Qing: "But there is still one thing that worries me...that kid Li Kui..."
It turned out that Li Kui had been temporarily dismissed by Lu Junyi because of his reckless temperament and repeated disobedience to military orders in the Jing'an Army. He is now living in Jiangzhou.
"I have asked Dai Zong to call him." Wu Yong whispered.
As he was speaking, he heard hurried footsteps outside. Li Kui rushed in. Seeing Song Jiang's appearance, he knelt down in front of the bed with a plop.
"Brother! Why are you so sick? Is it those corrupt officials..."
"Iron Ox!" Song Jiang shouted at him, causing a violent coughing fit. "Don't talk nonsense!"
Yan Qing supported Song Jiang and said to Li Kui, "Brother Tieniu, Brother Gongming is ill and needs to rest."
Li Kui then noticed Yan Qing and was surprised and delighted: "Brother Xiaoyi! You've come just in time! Go and persuade Brother Gongming, let's go back to Liangshan!"
Song Jiang sighed deeply, "Tie Niu, you and I are both officials appointed by the imperial court now. How can we just leave like that?"
"I don't want to be an official anymore!" Li Kui stiffened his neck. "I just want to follow my brother!"
Watching this scene, Yan Qing suddenly recalled the tragic death of Song Jiang by poison in his previous life, with Li Kui also martyred. Although that tragedy was avoided in this life, the deep brotherly love was still moving.
Late at night, Song Jiang took the medicine and fell into a deep sleep. Yan Qing and Wu Yong came to the bow of the boat and looked at the bright moon in the middle of the river.
"Scholar, Brother Gongming's illness..."
Wu Yong shook his head: "The imperial physician said that at most he has more than a month left."
They were both silent. The river breeze blew across their faces, bringing with it the coolness of late autumn.
"Xiao Yi, there's something I've always wanted to ask you." Wu Yong suddenly asked, "If you hadn't been reborn, what would have happened to Liangshan?"
Yan Qing gazed at the shimmering river and slowly recounted his past life experiences: the suspicion after being recruited, the brutal campaign against Fang La, the tragedy of Song Jiang being poisoned, the desolate separation of his brothers...
Wu Yong was stunned after hearing this. After a long moment, he sighed, "So... So we were so close to that ending..."
He bowed solemnly to Yan Qing and said, "On behalf of the entire Liangshan community, Wu Yong thanks Xiao Yi for his kindness in bringing him back to life."
The next day, Lu Junyi also arrived from Daming Prefecture. Seeing Song Jiang's appearance, the commander of the Jing'an Army couldn't help but tear up.
"Brother Gongming, I have already submitted a petition to the court requesting that you be allowed to return to Liangshan to recuperate."
Song Jiang shook his head: "That's not necessary... In my life, I've risen from a minor official in Yuncheng to the leader of Liangshan, and then to an official appointed by the court. I have no regrets..."
He asked everyone to help him sit up and looked out the window at Xunyang Tower: "I remember that year I wrote anti-government poems there. Now that I think about it, it seems like it happened in a past life."
In the last moments of his life, Song Jiang appeared unusually calm, and he arranged his funeral affairs one by one, keeping them in perfect order.
To Lu Junyi, he said: "Sir, I entrust Liangshan to you. Remember to combine firmness and flexibility. You must protect your brothers and be worthy of the trust of the court."
To Wu Yong, he said: "The scholar is resourceful, but sometimes too stubborn. In the future, you should listen more to other people's opinions."
He earnestly admonished Li Kui: "Tie Niu, you need to change your temper. Listen more to Mr. Lu and Xiao Yi..."
Finally, he left Yan Qing alone.
"Xiao Yi, I know you have no ambitions for the imperial court. After I leave, you can continue your wanderings."
Yan Qing was choked with sobs and could not speak.
Song Jiang smiled and said, "In this life, it is my blessing to have met a brother like you. You have changed the fate of Liangshan, and also changed the fate of me, Song Jiang..."
He pulled a scroll of manuscript from under his pillow. "This is 'Anecdotes of Liangshan' that I've written over the years. It records the deeds of my brothers. Take it with you...as a keepsake."
On the third day of the eleventh month, Song Jiang passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 42. He had lived two years longer than his previous life, and it was a peaceful death.
The news shook the nation. Emperor Huizong issued an edict posthumously awarding Song Jiang the title of Zhongwu Lang, bestowing upon him the posthumous title of "Yili," and burying him with the rites of a county duke—the highest honor a military officer could receive.
On the day of the funeral, the Xunyang River was covered in white sails. Not only were all the former Liangshan soldiers present, but officials and heroes from all over the country also came to pay their respects. The people of Jiangzhou spontaneously held memorial services along the river, their cries resounding to the heavens.
Yan Qing, Lu Junyi, and Wu Yong personally carried the coffin. Li Kui cried so hard that he almost fainted several times and was forcibly helped down by the crowd.
"Brother Gongming passed away peacefully," Wu Yong whispered to Yan Qing, "He saw the best possible ending for Liangshan."
After the funeral, everyone held a banquet at Xunyang Tower, which was both a farewell to Song Jiang and the last reunion of the brothers.
After three rounds of drinking, Lu Junyi stood up and raised his glass: "This toast is to Brother Gongming! May his spirit in heaven bless Liangshan's foundation to last forever!"
Everyone responded in unison, their voices shaking the roof tiles.
Then, Lu Junyi filled another cup: "This cup is for Xiao Yi! If it weren't for him, I'm afraid we would all repeat the mistakes of our previous life!"
Yan Qing quickly stood up and said, "You are too kind, sir. Liangshan's current success is the result of the joint efforts of all of you brothers."
Li Kui suddenly burst into tears: "Brother Gongming is leaving, and Brother Xiaoyi is leaving too. Will Liangshan still be Liangshan in the future?"
Yan Qing walked over to him and patted his shoulder: "Tie Niu, Liangshan is not in a place or a city, but in our hearts. As long as the brotherhood exists, Liangshan will always be there."
That night, Yan Qing came alone to the riverbank. Seeing the dim moon and sparse stars, and the twinkling fishing lights, he couldn't help but recall the desolate life of his brothers after Song Jiang's death. In this life, although Song Jiang was gone, the brothers had found their place, and the foundation of Liangshan was forever solidified. This was perhaps the best possible outcome.
"Xiao Yi."
Yan Qing turned around and saw that it was Lu Junyi.
"Master, haven't you rested yet?"
"Let me talk to you." Lu Junyi sat down beside him. "What are your plans next?"
"Let's continue our travels." Yan Qing looked at the bright moon in the river. "Maybe we'll go to the frontier, or maybe sail on the East China Sea."
Lu Junyi took out a letter from his pocket and said, "This is what His Majesty asked me to pass on to you."
Yan Qing unfolded it and found it was a handwritten letter from Huizong. Besides words of condolence, the letter also specifically mentioned: "...I am deeply comforted to hear that you are traveling. The Great Song Dynasty is a land where every place can be your home. If you need anything, local authorities are available to assist you..."
This clearly gave Yan Qing a talisman.
"Your Majesty is extremely kind to you." Lu Junyi said with emotion.
Yan Qing put the letter away and said softly, "Sir, after I leave, Liangshan will be in your hands."
"Don't worry," Lu Junyi promised solemnly, "As long as I, Lu Junyi, am here, I will ensure the safety of Liangshan."
The next day, the brothers said goodbye and left one after another. Yan Qing also packed his luggage and prepared to continue his journey.
Before leaving, he went to bid farewell to Song Jiang's tomb. In front of the tomb, incense smoke curled up and offerings were neatly arranged, which showed that people came to pay homage to the tomb frequently.
"Brother Gongming, I'm leaving." Yan Qing poured a glass of wine and sprinkled it in front of the tomb. "Go with peace of mind. Liangshan...will get better and better."
When he stood up, he saw that a plum tree had appeared next to the tomb, and its buds were about to bloom in the cold wind.
After leaving Jiangzhou, Yan Qing did not travel far away immediately, but returned to Liangshan first.
Liangshan Lake was now more prosperous than when he had left it. The water fort had been expanded, the docks were busier, and the sound of reading could be heard from the school on the mountain. Lu Junyi had indeed lived up to his trust.
He did not disturb anyone, just stood on the golden beach for a while and then left quietly.
In this life, his fate with Liangshan has come to a complete end.
When the first snow of late winter fell, Yan Qing was on his way to Mount Zhongnan. Amidst the swirling snowflakes, he suddenly remembered the vow he had made many years before, at the beginning of his rebirth: in this life, he would live a carefree life, never to concern himself with worldly affairs.
Now it seems that he didn't fully achieve it after all. But strangely, he has no regrets.
Perhaps, true freedom is not about being self-sufficient, but about leaving some beautiful changes for the world to the best of your ability.
The snow fell heavier and heavier, and Yan Qing's figure gradually disappeared in the wind and snow. Ahead, there was a longer road waiting for him.
Behind him, the story of Liangshan continues, and the Song Dynasty remains as picturesque as ever. In this life, he changed the fate of so many people and finally found his own path.
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Chapter 71 End
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