Chapter 46 fourth quarter

Hundreds of knights escorted a convoy into Xuzhou City and stopped in front of the Zheng Mansion. The housekeeper Ma Wu led all the servants who had already been waiting outside the gate, and now they all greeted him.Xiaocui lifted the curtain from the first car, called Ma Wu "Dad", then pointed to the motorcade behind and said, "The second and third cars behind are the lady's luggage, and the other cars behind are loaded." It is a gift from Prime Minister Cao to Mr. Zheng. This is the gift list." He said and handed a big red envelope to Ma Wu, then turned around and took Bai Shao from the first car.Ma Wu said to Bai Shao: "Everyone in the house knows that Miss is coming back to visit her relatives. Your Excellency is waiting in the study early in the morning." Bai Shao nodded, and walked up the steps to enter the gate of Zheng's mansion surrounded by everyone.

As soon as he entered the door, he heard the sound of reading aloud. In the first courtyard, hundreds of Zheng Kangcheng’s disciples sat neatly on the ground, reciting Kun’s hexagram “Classical Chinese” up and down: “A family that accumulates goodness will surely have lingering celebrations; The king, the son murdering his father, did not happen in one day and one night. The origin and origin of it gradually passed away, and it was not early to distinguish it. "Yi" said: "When you walk on the frost, it is as hard as ice." It is upright, and 'square' is righteous. A gentleman respects the straight inside, and the righteous outside the square. Respect righteousness and establish virtue. .Although there is beauty in yin, if 'Han' is used to follow the king's affairs, he can't dare to succeed. The way of authenticity, the way of wife, the way of minister, the way of authenticity can't be accomplished, but the way of generation can end." Bai Shao squinted her eyes and listened to express her understanding , while quietly walking in front of the crowd with Ma Wu and the others.

In front of another door stood five or six disciples of Zheng Kangcheng, nodding their heads to welcome Bai Shao and others to enter. In the second courtyard, hundreds of disciples sat neatly on the ground, reciting other scriptures.When Bai Shao heard this, she frowned slightly, and she could hear what everyone was saying: "Tao can be said, it is very Tao; name can be named, it is very famous. Nothing, it is called the beginning of heaven and earth; Being, it is called the mother of all things. Therefore, there is nothing, If you want to observe its wonder; if you want to see its beauty often, these two come from the same place but have different names. Knowing what is good is good, but what is not good is already. Existence and non-existence are born together, difficulties and easy are complemented by each other, long and short are compared, high and low are incline to each other, voices and sounds are in harmony, front and back follow each other, and are constant. It is the sage who does nothing and teaches without words. ;All things are created without beginning, born without existence, created without relying on, and accomplished without dwelling. Husband only dwells without dwelling, so we will not go away.”

Bai Shao followed Ma Wu and the others quietly through the crowd reciting on the ground. Ma Wu introduced to her in a low voice: "This is what I recite." Seeing Bai Shao's doubts, Ma Wu explained in a low voice, "In the past, adults taught students to focus on Confucius and Mencius, and recently they added Lao Zhuang." Bai Shao nodded slightly . Several disciples stood silently at the gate in front of the courtyard, and also saluted Bai Shao.After entering this gate, there is a larger courtyard in front of you. There are two or three hundred disciples sitting neatly on the ground, reciting scriptures in rhythmic rhythm.Bai Shao listened again, and still said: "Holding an elephant, the world goes. Going without harm, peace and peace. Pleasure and bait, passers-by stop. The exit of the Tao is insipid and tasteless. Seeing it is not enough to see, listening to it is not enough to hear. If you want to use it, you must strengthen it; if you want to weaken it, you must strengthen it; if you want to destroy it, you must strengthen it; if you want to take it, you must firmly give it. This is called "twilight "The soft and the weak are stronger than the strong. The fish must not escape from the abyss, and the sharp weapon of the country must not be shown to others. The Tao is always doing nothing but doing everything. If the king can guard it, all things will be self-transformed. Transform and want to be made, I will suppress it with nameless simplicity. Suppress it With nameless simplicity, the husband will not want to. If you don’t want to be quiet, the world will be self-righteous." Surrounded by Ma Wu, Xiao Cui and others, Bai Shao passed through the middle corridor silently.

There is another courtyard gate in front of it, also guarded by seven or eight disciples, also silently saluting Bai Shao. After passing through this gate, in the larger courtyard in front of you, hundreds of disciples sat quietly in rows, without a single sound.An old Taoist priest with fluttering white hair sat cross-legged facing the crowd, his eyes slightly lowered, as quiet as a stone statue.Bai Shao and the others passed through the meditating crowd from the middle corridor, and arrived at Zheng Kangcheng's study in front.A dozen of Zheng Kangcheng's disciples were standing outside the study room, at this moment they silently saluted Bai Shao and invited her to enter.Ma Wu walked into the door two steps ahead, and reported softly: "Master Zheng, Miss is here." Then, Bai Shao also entered the study.

Zheng Kangcheng was sitting cross-legged on the couch, with several disciples standing on the left and right, and incense was burning on the table.Bai Shao saluted and said: "Grandson Bai Shao pays respects to grandfather." Zheng Kangcheng originally lowered his eyes slightly, but now he slowly opened them and said, "My grandson Bai Shao, I have been waiting for you for a whole year, and I finally waited for you." I'm back." As he spoke, he raised his hand to give a slight signal, and the disciples on the left and right retreated outside the room.Only Zheng Kangcheng, Bai Shao, Ma Wu and Xiaocui are left in the study.Zheng Kangcheng said slowly word by word: "Do you still remember the original intention you made when you left Zheng's mansion for Xudu a year ago?" " Zheng Kangcheng said: "Where is the eradication of thieves? Where is the elimination of harm?" Bai Shao stared down at Zheng Kangcheng without saying a word.Zheng Kangcheng slowly said one sentence at a time: "Half a year ago, I sent steward Ma to visit you in Xudu, and brought a secret letter from oral transmission, do you still remember?" Bai Shao said: "My grandson remembers." Zheng Kangcheng Said: "Whether you remember or not, I will recite the following face to face today: "My grandson Baishao: my grandfather has only three sentences in this letter: 1. Don't forget the oath before leaving, respect and support the orthodoxy of the great man, do your best, and go through fire and water Don't give up, don't be deceived, and you will achieve great things in the end; 2. Your father's death is approaching, and only revenge can comfort the spirit in heaven; 3. My life is seventy-three, and like a saint, I know that my life is coming to an end I hope that in the rest of my life, I can hear what my virtuous grandson has done, and die with peace in my eyes.'" Zheng Kangcheng recited every single word slowly, and said, "Grandpa did memorize well, right?"

Bai Shao said: "Not bad." Zheng Kangcheng said: "How good is it? Don't forget the oath before leaving, respect and support the orthodoxy of the great man, and practice this righteousness. Have you done this righteousness? Don't hesitate to go through thick and thin, don't be deceived, and you will eventually achieve great things , do you understand what it means not to be bewitched and achieve great things in the end? Leaving aside the orthodoxy of the Han Dynasty, how can you avenge your father's blood and hatred to comfort the spirit in heaven?" Bai Shao remained silent.Zheng Kangcheng then taught slowly: "You replied to a secret letter at that time, do you remember the original text?" Bai Shao nodded.Zheng Kangcheng said: "Not only do you remember, but I also remember as my grandfather. Now you might as well recite it again and listen to me face to face." Bai Shao thought for a while, and recited: "Grandfather's lesson: the lesson learned before leaving, through the ages The righteousness of the Spring and Autumn Period, the spirit of my father in the sky, I have never dared to forget a single day in the past half a year. I am eager to look forward to it. It is hard to hear that I have not fulfilled my promise so far. Let Bai Shao think again, think again, do it again. But It's feasible, death is not a pity, why would you go through fire and water?"

After Bai Shao finished reciting, she stood there motionless. Zheng Kangcheng said: "Although you said that you never dare to forget, even though you know that your grandfather is looking forward to it, but you still say that you have not fulfilled your promise so far, which is really difficult. What is the difficulty? You said again, let you think again, think again , again, again. Why do you have to think again, think again, do it again? It’s just that you can’t think through it, you can’t understand it, you can’t make it through, so that you can’t do it. You say it, but it’s doable. Are you afraid of going through fire and water? It just means that if you want to do something clear, you are not afraid of death, but if you don’t know it, it will be difficult to do it. Is that what you mean?"

Bai Shao was silent for a while, and said: "When I first came to Cao's mansion, my grandson never dared to forget his promise to kill thieves. But killing people is the greatest thing in the world, and it must be very reasonable to do this. One day I found the reason to do this." She paused for a moment, and then said, "If it is about governing the world, I have seen the emperor, Liu Huangshu and others, and their morality and wisdom are all inferior to Cao Cao. When it comes to dealing with people, Cao Cao's simplicity, honesty and boldness are far above him." Bai Shao paused again, looked at Zheng Kangcheng who was sitting there motionless, and then finished speaking, "If you really get along with someone like His Majesty If you get along with someone like Liu Bei, it is rare to be at ease. My grandfather doesn't know, Cao Cao..." Zheng Kangcheng stretched out his hand to intercept Bai Shao's words, and sighed: "This is a traitor who is loyal and a hypocrite. Sincerely. I once said to Uncle Liu Huang and others that there are two greatest things in the world, one is the law of heaven and the other is human affection. Sometimes human affection is so great that there is no natural law.” He picked up a pen holder by his leg and showed it to Bai Shao. : "Look, the same pen holder, you stand there and see the front, what I sit here and see is the back, front and rear, left and right, far and near, high and low, the same pen holder is different. Once a person has a feeling of partiality When you look at the laws of heaven, there is a difference between the front, the back, the left, the left, and the distance. Cao Cao is a treacherous and cunning man, and he comforts you that a little girl is indeed more than intelligent; but if you have a love character in your heart, you will be out of shape when you look at the laws of heaven, the righteousness of the spring and autumn, and the right and wrong of the world. Alright. Well, you have been away from home for a year, and you came back today to visit your relatives. My grandfather will not tell you long stories. I just said that you decided to go to Cao’s Mansion a year ago. I agree with you to go to Cao’s Mansion. There is an original intention and an agreement , I have one ambition, and that is to help the big man eliminate thieves and harm. But..." At this point, Chi Shao rushed into the study like a ball of fire, jumped to Bai Shao's side, and shouted: "Sister , you are finally back!" Zheng Kangcheng glared at Chi Shao, Chi Shao saw that Zheng Kangcheng was discussing seriousness with Bai Shao, immediately made a grimace, and let go of Bai Shao's hand.Zheng Kangcheng then said to Bai Shao: "However, in the past year, you have not fulfilled your ambition and our agreement."

Bai Shao was silent for a while, then replied: "I really can't do anything." Chi Shao added a sentence next to it: "Eliminate thieves and harm, revenge, what can't be done? If I were you, I would have done it on the first day." Bai Shao turned his head to look at Chi Shao, stretched out his hand and said, "Take Lend me your sword." Chi Shao was stunned, not knowing what Bai Shao was going to do, looked at Zheng Kangcheng, then at Ma Wu who was standing by the side, then took off the saber she carried with her, and handed it to Bai Shao together with the sheath Shao.Bai Shao gently pulled out the sword, returned the scabbard to Chi Shao, then stretched out her hand and said to Xiao Cui behind her: "Take out the 'fish intestines'." Xiao Cui looked at Bai Shao with wide eyes.Bai Shao insisted on reaching out to ask for it.Xiao Cui carefully took out the Yuchang Sword from a cloth bag that she carried with her.Bai Shao said: "Hold the scabbard." Xiao Cui carefully held the Yuchang sword sheath with both hands, Bai Shao held the hilt and gently pulled out the Yuchang sword.

A cold light suddenly filled the entire study. This time, Zheng Kangcheng, Chi Shao and Ma Wu were shocked, not knowing what Bai Shao was going to do.Bai Shao held the red peony sword in one hand, and the fish intestine dagger in the other hand, and then lightly cut the sword with the fish intestine sword, just like cutting vegetables, peeling off strands one by one, and within a few strokes, the red peony The sword was shaved in half.Chi Shao was dumbfounded.Zheng Kangcheng was also a little taken aback.Bai Shao returned the bald sword to Chi Shao, turned around and took the scabbard of the Yuchang sword from Xiaocui, inserted the sword body carefully, then handed the Yuchang sword to Xiaocui to put away, turned to Zheng Kangcheng and said : "This short sword is called Yuchang, and it is a sword handed down by Gou Jian, King of Yue in the Spring and Autumn Period. Cao Cao gave me this sword when he saw me for the first time, and then fell asleep soundly to the sound of my piano. He treated me so honestly, my grandfather You said, on this first day alone, can I kill him?" Zheng Kangcheng had just recovered from the scene of cutting the sword, and at this time, his eyes were slightly lowered, and he sat cross-legged and said: "Cao Cao is just doing something to kill him." Pretend to be sleeping soundly in front of you to show your sincerity." Bai Shao shook his head slightly: "Grandpa didn't know, but when I played the piano, his snoring sound was the same. He still snores as before. I pulled out half of the sword and stared at him through the light of the sword for a moment, and he still snored as before. At that time, I only needed to swipe the sword lightly, and he would be separated. But I couldn’t do it .” Zheng Kangcheng was speechless for a while.Chi Shao turned the half-cut sword in her hand and looked at it, but was also speechless for a moment. Bai Shao went on to say: "Later, on the second day, the third day, the fifth day, and even the tenth day, the twentieth day, and the thirtieth day, I thought every day, if Cao Cao did something unreasonable today, I would Fulfill the promise I made in front of my grandfather, eliminate thieves and harm. But I have never encountered such a day. I have also promised myself that if Cao Cao is rude to me today, I will do it. But day after day, I still haven't met this day. That's why I asked my grandfather to allow me to think again, think again, do it again, and do it again, it's really difficult." Zheng Kangcheng was silent for a while, and said: "Grandfather still said that just now, human feelings are different, depending on the laws of nature, front and rear, left and right, distance and height are all different. Cao Cao bullied the country and exercised power, and the Han Dynasty will eventually be destroyed in his hands. .” Bai Shao said: "Although the Han Dynasty has a history of four hundred years, could it be that it will never change? The Tang and Wu revolutions followed the heavens and responded to people. These words were spoken by the sage Confucius. My grandfather taught me to read the scriptures thousands of times. Yes. Could this be a false statement? Your heart is attached to the emperor, and Uncle Liu, isn’t it just because their surname is Liu? But does your grandfather know that you promised Liu Bei half a year ago and wrote to Yuan Shao to ask for help? What kind of trick did Liu Bei use at that time? ?” Zheng Kangcheng was a little surprised: “How do you know about this?” Bai Shao went on to say: “He carries a fan with the word ‘external potential’ written on it, and a piece of precious jade on it. The word "Zheng Yan" is engraved on it, Mr. Zheng's Zheng, the words and words, it seems that he has always remembered what his grandfather said in the past. But do you know the ins and outs of this fan and this jade?" Zheng Kangcheng lowered his eyes, obviously being a little bit shocked, and said after a while: "I understand what's going on after the fact. It's hard for Liu Xuande to be so good-hearted. It's really not easy to help the Han Dynasty." Bai Shao said: "My grandfather once said that Kong Shengren wrote a sentence in his biography: use up reason to the death. Please tell my grandfather again." Zheng Kangcheng said: "Poor reason, poor world The truth of all things. Exhausting the nature, the disposition of all things in the world. For example, human feelings are also one of the dispositions. After exhausting the principles and dispositions of all things, one will know the destiny. What do you mean by asking me to say this today, but, due to human feelings, you and I may have different understandings of 'destiny' in the end. Well, these things will not be disputed today, and I will talk to you in a different direction." Zheng Kangcheng's tone softened when he said this, and he paused for a while.Ma Wu took the opportunity to present the big red envelope, and said, "The gift list from Cao Cao." Zheng Kangcheng slightly raised his hand, and said, "Just accept the order." Then he said to Bai Shao: "Bai Shao, from you Grandfather has always been in poor health, especially last summer when he was seriously ill, thanks to practicing Taoist hundred-day foundation building skills, he was able to turn the crisis into safety." Bai Shao also changed his expression, nodded to show that he understood.Zheng Kangcheng went on to say: "When a person is young and proud, he reads Confucianism, Confucianism, Confucianism, and Confucianism, and even reads about military strategists and legalists. Reason." Zheng Kangcheng paused again, and Bai Shao nodded again.Zheng Kangcheng raised his finger and looked out of the window: "This is why you came into Zheng's residence and saw many disciples recite it. This is my will." Bai Shao nodded again.Zheng Kangcheng said: "This year, you went to Cao's Mansion in Xudu. You were deeply involved in the world, and the human relationship was strong. You couldn't escape. When you come back this time, your grandfather has some arrangements for you. I wonder if you will obey them?" Bai Shao didn't speak, and listened to Zheng Kangcheng's continuation. Chi Shao seems to have known it for a long time, and now she looks at Bai Shao with some concern. Zheng Kangcheng said: "I want you to also practice the Taoist hundred-day foundation-building exercise. In addition to reading and reciting this exercise, there is a whole set of rules for meditation. The most difficult one is not to speak for a hundred days." At this time, Ma Wu explained to Bai Shao from the side: "My lord did not say a word within a hundred days when he practiced this hundred-day foundation-building skill." Bai Shao was a little surprised, she was thinking about it.Zheng Kangcheng said: "If you obey your grandfather's arrangement, starting from tomorrow, you will practice this Taoist hundred-day foundation-building exercise. You will not be able to speak for a hundred days. This means that you will live in Zheng's mansion within a hundred days and no longer want to return to Xu. It's a matter of the capital. I think you can't agree with this arrangement." Zheng Kangcheng looked at Bai Shao, who narrowed his eyes slightly and didn't answer.Zheng Kangcheng went on to say: "The world is too deep, the human feelings are too strong, and it is often difficult to see the principles of heaven and destiny. If after a hundred days—not a hundred days, after ninety days, you still intend to stay in Cao's mansion, then your grandfather will let you go." To go to Xudu, plus a few days on the way, to Cao's mansion, one hundred days of silence is enough. If you keep your mind and desires away from the world for a period of time, you can at least do everything you can to kill yourself After a hundred days, you will know where your true principles, true temperament, and true destiny lie." Zheng Kangcheng paused for a while when he said this, and sighed: "I know that such an arrangement is difficult for you to figure out and obey." There was a moment of silence in the study. Chi Shao, Ma Wu, and Xiao Cui all looked at Bai Shao from different directions. But Bai Shao said: "I am willing to obey my grandfather's arrangement." Zheng Kangcheng and everyone were stunned.Bai Shao went on to say: "I am willing to stay away from the world for a hundred days, and spend my life to the fullest." The room was very quiet.Zheng Kangcheng looked at Bai Shao for a while, nodded and said: "You have always been different. This practice of keeping silent for a hundred days in isolation from the world will make you extraordinary again. Starting tomorrow, you will not speak a single word for a hundred days, and practice rigorously. Yu, poetry, calligraphy, piano and painting are all acceptable. If you want to write letters to Cao’s Mansion in Xudu, that’s fine too. After practicing for a hundred days, if you still want to go to Cao’s Mansion in Xudu, your grandfather will send you there. If it’s enough for a hundred days If you don't want to go to Cao's mansion again, your grandfather will allow you to withdraw from this noisy world. Grandfather has specially arranged a small quiet courtyard for you in the back garden, and now let Ma Wu and Chi Shao lead you there. There is already a The female priest is waiting, she is the Taoist master I invited just for you." Zheng Kangcheng paused at this point, and looked at Bai Shao with kindness and strictness: "Bai Shao, what else do you want to say?" Chi Shao looked at Bai Shao worriedly.Ma Wu and Xiao Cui also looked at Bai Shao. Bai Shao stood quietly for a while, bowed to Zheng Kangcheng and said: "Grandson Bai Shao received the grandfather's order, and I will go to the quiet courtyard to meet the master." After saying this, he knelt down, saluted Zheng Kangcheng solemnly, got up and went out. Zheng Kangcheng watched Bai Shao walk out of the study. As soon as Bai Shao leaves the study, Chi Shao follows closely.Ma Wu and Xiao Cui also followed one after the other.Pass through the large sitting crowd in front of the study and come to the back garden.Chi Shao said: "Sister, I can't speak for a hundred days, it's too much suffering." Bai Shao followed Ma Wu and walked forward without saying a word.After walking for a while, Chi Shao said again: "Are you really so hard to deal with this Cao Cao?" Bai Shao said nothing, but still walked forward. After a while, Chi Shao thought of Cao Pi whom he saw last year when he was shooting Cao Cao in Xuzhou, and asked with some wandering eyes: "I can't deal with the old one, what about the young one?" Bai Shao understood it and looked at it lovingly Glancing at Chi Shao: "Which one do you ask?" Chi Shao feigned anger and beat Bai Shao.Bai Shao said: "Just that young general you want to kill with one arrow? Cao Pi is the prefect of Xudu, and he governed Xudu in a year. He doesn't pick up the roads, and doesn't close the house at night. How can you go with him who wants to kill thieves? Together?" Chi Shao sighed, still dreaming a bit and said: "If the national traitors are gone, the young general can be left behind." Guided by Ma Wu, the two sisters came to a clean and elegant courtyard.On the grass at the gate of the courtyard, a middle-aged female Taoist priest was sitting cross-legged with her eyes slightly down.Ma Wu stretched out his hand and introduced to Bai Shao: "This is Master." Bai Shao walked forward quietly, and bowed to the female Taoist priest as a disciple.