Chapter 3 Chapter Three
Since Su Qin left, there has been no discussion on the political arena, anxiety appeared in the scholar street, and all the scholars packed their luggage one after another, and set off to find other places.Qin Gong didn't want to stop him either, and the bustling Shizi Street in the past gradually became deserted.
After the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, Zhu Yuan saw that Duke Qin was still unresponsive, so he immediately ordered Jia Sheren to pack his luggage and prepare to go back to Zhongnan Mountain.In fact, there is no luggage, except for a few clothes that can be changed and washed, there is a pile of bamboo slips, which they have collected from Xianyang or scholars from various countries over the past few years, and they plan to transport them to the mountains for beginners to study and appreciate.
Because there were too many bamboo slips, they called two carriages, which were parked in the courtyard for a while.Zhuyuan looked at a large pile of bamboo slips, and then looked at the two carriages, and estimated that they still couldn't fit them. Besides, even if they could, moving to Hanquan would not be easy, so he squatted down to choose.Jia Sheren carried the bamboo slips picked out by his senior brother one by one to the cart, filled the cart, arranged them neatly, and tied them firmly with hemp rope.
Jiasheren tied it up for a while, looked up at Zhuyuan, and thoughtfully said: "Brother, we haven't found a great sage for your lord, so we're going back now, won't you scold me?"
Zhu Yuan was still picking out the bamboo slips, without raising his head, he sighed, "Oh, the one who should have come has already come."
Before the words landed, a deep voice at the door continued: "You shouldn't be leaving, so you want to leave?"
Zhu Yuan and Jia Sheren were startled, looked up to see Duke Huiwen and Chi Liji standing at the door, knelt down and kowtowed: "Cao Min kowtows to your lord!"
Duke Huiwen came over hurriedly, helped them up, and said with a smile, "You two gentlemen are welcome."
Zhuyuan and Jia Sheren thanked each other and stood aside with their hands folded.
Duke Huiwen glanced at the fully loaded cart, then looked at the bamboo slips waiting to be loaded on the ground and another empty cart, then turned his head to look at Zhuyuan and Jia Sheren: "You two really want to leave immediately. ?"
Zhuyuan and Jia Sheren looked at each other and nodded.
"Ah," Duke Huiwen sighed softly, "Si Ying came here and wanted to beg the two of you to do a great thing, but I didn't want the two of you to leave."
Zhu Yuan was stunned, and looked at Duke Huiwen intently: "What does Your Majesty want the grass-roots to do?"
"Look for Suzi and ask him to come to Xianyang again."
Zhuyuan and Jia Sheren were extremely shocked, for a long time, neither of them spoke, turned to look at Chiliji, seeing him was even more confused.
Hui Wengong smiled slightly: "You two must be thinking, Su Zi came to the door, but the widow abandoned him, and Su Zi slapped his ass and left, but the widow had to chase after him hard. son?"
Everyone present laughed.
However, Duke Huiwen suppressed his smile and let out a long sigh: "Alas, what you don't know is not that the widow does not use Su Zi, but that the fate between Su Zi and the widow has not yet arrived!"
Duke Huiwen's inconstant attitude towards Su Qin caused Chiliji, Zhuyuan, and Jia Sheren to stare at Duke Huiwen intently.
Duke Hui Wen glanced at them: "I heard that Mencius, a native of Zou, said: "Heaven will send a great mission to the people of Sri Lanka, and they must first suffer from their hearts and minds, work their muscles and bones, starve their bodies and skins, and empty their bodies." , The reason why he suppresses and suppresses again and again is just to dampen his vigor and encourage his resolve so that he can make great use of it.”
That's a pretty excuse.The three of them looked at each other, and then turned to Duke Huiwen.
"Ah," Duke Hui Wen sighed again, "Who would have thought that Su Zi was a quick-tempered person, and he would leave as soon as he said it, but the widow was caught off guard. Hearing that Su Zi was leaving, the widow hurriedly asked people to chase him, but unexpectedly, Daxue was confused. , but failed to fulfill his wish. Later, Aiqing in Xili searched again, and learned that Su Zi had left Qin. Recently, I have thought about this matter. Although Su Zi’s emperor’s strategy was too eager, he is a great talent in governing the country. I would like to ask you two to work hard Go there and try to invite Suzi back, but tell him that I would like to entrust state affairs to each other!"
Zhu Yuan slowly shifted his gaze to Jia Sheren, who nodded.
Zhu Yuan clasped his fists and said: "Your Majesty is far-sighted, and the grass-roots will know it today. It is Su Zi's fortune that you value Su Zi so much. Tomb-sweeping day is approaching, and the grass-roots people want to go back to Hanquan to visit the grave of their ancestors. The search for Su Zi is left to She Do people do it, does your majesty think it is appropriate?"
Duke Hui Wen turned to Jia Sheren, cupped his hands and said, "Since that's what you said, there is Mr. Lao Jia."
Jia Sheren bowed back and said, "Sheren is willing to do a little work."
February is sunny and spring, the weather is getting warmer and the vegetation is luxuriant.
On the side of Su's threshing field at the north end of Xuanli Village, Tian Shun'er led Di Shun'er, Niu Niu and a few children from the neighbor's house, chirping and playing hide-and-seek beside several haystacks.When Tian Shun'er hid, he quickly ran to the nearby shack, ready to get into the haystack of the shack.Unexpectedly, as soon as he reached the door, Ah Hei sprang out, he was about to bite, but seeing Tian Shun'er, he quickly wagged his tail and lay in front of him.Tian Shun'er went around it, and wanted to enter the door again, but Ah Hei grabbed his trousers in one mouthful, walked back around, and blocked the door with his body, preventing him from going in anyway.Seeing that there was not much time left for him to hide, Tian Shun'er panicked, pushed Ah He away and rushed into the door.
However, at this moment, Tian Shun'er suddenly stopped, as if stunned.
Next to a pile of hay in the corner of the thatched shed, Su Qin, with fluffy hair and blue complexion, sat upright on the ground like a statue, with his back to him, holding bamboo slips in his hands, studying hard.Xu Shi was so engrossed in reading that he didn't even notice what happened at the door.
A burst of drowsiness struck, Su Qin's eyelids sank, his body swayed, and the bamboo slip almost slipped from his hand.Su Qin stabilized his body, picked up an awl that was placed next to him, and stabbed it into his thigh with a "chuss".Seeing the awl go straight down, Tian Shun'er hastily closed his eyes.When he opened his eyes again, he saw that Su Qin had put the awl back on the ground and was studying again with the bamboo slips in his hand.Tian Shun'er looked down and saw that Su Qin's ankle was bleeding.Looking closely at that ankle, there are streaks of purple blood stains on it. Needless to say, his black trousers have already been stained with blood stains, but it's just invisible.
Tian Shun'er didn't care about hiding, so she turned around and ran away.A few children just found the door, and when they saw him coming out, they shouted happily and were about to rush to catch him, but Tian Shun'er pushed them away and ran back home.
"Grandma, grandma—" Tian Shun'er shouted in surprise and surprise when he was approaching the door.
"Tian Shun'er, what's your name?" Su Yao, who was sifting rice in the yard, shook the sieve without raising his head.
"Grandma, Uncle Zhong...he..." Tian Shun'er ran under the toon tree, leaned against the tree, and panted heavily.
"What's wrong with your Uncle Zhong?" Su Yao couldn't help being startled, put down the sieve, and looked up at Tian Shun'er.
"Uncle Zhong... he used an awl to pierce... his thigh!" Tian Shun'er panted.
"Tian Shun'er, what nonsense are you talking about?" Su Li's wife, who was doing needlework in the room, drove out, and said half-coolly, "Your Uncle Zhong is so smart, you don't do anything, you don't talk about eating and drinking, How can you pierce yourself if you want people to deliver delicious food to your mouth every day?"
"Mother!" Tian Shun'er was in a hurry, "How dare I talk nonsense! It's true, I saw Uncle Zhong take an awl with my own eyes—" imitating Su Qin and slamming it on his thigh, "It's just a slap, blood Flow down the legs, the feet... the ankles are full of blood marks!"
Su Yaoshi was startled, unable to say anything, threw down the sieve, stumbled and ran out of the yard.
Su Dai's wife with a big belly also came out. Seeing Su Yao's panic, she hurriedly asked Su Li's wife, "Sister-in-law, what's the matter?"
"What else can I do?" Su Li's wife glanced outside the courtyard door, "Mother's precious son is stabbing himself with an awl!"
"Pierce yourself?" Su Dai's wife was surprised, "This...this...how did the second brother become like this?"
"Humph!" Su Li's wife said angrily, "I'm spoiled by my mother, you eccentric guy!" After a short pause, "Sister, tell him, let him sell it well, and he will sell it to everyone, but he will sell it again. For Lizheng with the surname Liu! Did you know that he only sold that piece of land for 30 gold? Not to mention, I heard that he exchanged the thirty gold for tall chariots and horses, fur clothes and brocade clothes to show off everywhere. And that Ah Hei was also bought with a bag of coins! Tell me, Which dog is worth a bag of money? I’ll tell you the truth, I’ve been heartbroken since I knew about it, and sooner or later I’ll see Ah Hei. That beast must be slaughtered!"
Hearing that Ah Hei was going to be slaughtered, Tian Shun'er became anxious, and knelt on the ground with a plop: "Mother, don't kill Ah Hei, please!"
"Get off!" Su Li's wife yelled at him, "You little bastard, you know what a fart! Plow the land with your university, if you don't plant the land well, you will be like your Uncle Zhong. , I have to use an awl to pierce my thigh, it hurts you to death!"
After being scolded by her, Tian Shun'er didn't dare to mention Ah Hei again, so she got up and slipped out of the courtyard quietly.
Su Li's wife's words reminded Su Dai's wife of the awl, and she couldn't help crying: "Second brother is like this, it's all my fault!"
Su Li's wife was stunned for a moment: "Silly girl, how can he blame you for his behavior?"
"A few days ago, my mother said that her awl was blunt and not easy to use, so she asked me for an awl. I lent the awl to my mother, and my mother lent it to my second brother. This...isn't it because I hurt my second brother?" Su Dai's wife was still wiping tears.
Su Li's wife was stunned for a moment, then laughed and said: "Okay, okay, what time is it, how can my sister cry? If you cry, my son will definitely hear you. My son will also be sad when he sees his mother sad. My son It’s not a good thing to be sad when you’re about to be born!”
After what she said, Su Dai's wife stopped crying and said in surprise: "Sister-in-law, are you serious?"
"How can my sister-in-law lie to you? Come here, let my sister-in-law listen, what are you doing?" Su Li's wife said, giggling, and put her ear to Su Dai's wife's big belly.
"Sister-in-law, he's kicking!" Su Dai's wife smiled through tears.
Su Li's wife heard it for a while, raised her head and said cheerfully: "Well, what my sister said is that he is kicking. This kid seems to be a little naughty!" After a short pause, he seemed to think of something again, "Hey, What date did Magu calculate for the girl?"
Su Dai's wife said without hesitation, "According to Magu, she will give birth in three days!"
"That's it," Su Li's wife praised, "Magu's calculations are really amazing! To tell you the truth, Tian Shun'er and your girl are only three days away from Magu's calculations, and Di Shun'er is even more amazing. Well, it is exactly the same as her, the only difference is the time!"
"Well," Su Dai's wife agreed, "Sister-in-law is right! The head of the house wants me to not go anywhere these days, just lie on the bed, but my mother wants me to walk around in the yard. I don't know what to do Already!"
Su Li's wife smiled and said: "The third child knows nothing, I have to listen to my mother about this matter!"
Su Dai's wife hummed and laughed too.The two sisters-in-law chatted about the matter of having a baby, and each sentence got into the ears of Xiao Xi'er who was picking up shoe soles under the eaves of her own house.Thinking of how hard it is for me to get married, it's okay to say that I have nothing to do after passing the door. I haven't even seen what a man looks like. Xiao Xi'er's grievances will not be hit, and her hands will gradually freeze there, and her head will be buried. Going down, the tears couldn't stop streaming down the eyelids.
Tian Shun'er slipped out of the courtyard gate, stunned outside the gate for a while, and then ran to the threshing ground in the north of the village again. As soon as he arrived, he saw that Shun'er and Niu Niu were waiting at the gate of the grass shed, stretching their necks to look inside the gate.Ah Hei wagged his tail at the door, seeing him running, quickly ran up to him, and licked his fingers.Thinking of what mother said that she would kill it with a kitchen knife sooner or later, Tian Shun'er's nose turned sour, and she bent down to pet Ah Hei, who wagged his tail more and more joyfully.
Tian Shun'er was about to get up, when suddenly Shun'er grinned and backed out of the door, and after a while, Su Yaoshi walked out of the room with that scary awl in his hand, wiping away his tears.
Su Yaoshi stood at the door for a while, wiped away tears with his sleeves, walked towards Tian Shun'er tremblingly, waved to Di Shun'er at the same time, and Di Shun'er hurriedly followed.Su Yao glanced at them one by one, sighed and said: "Oh, Tian Shun'er, and the rest of you, from now on, no one is allowed to enter the hut again."
Tian Shun'er nodded a few times.
"It's not allowed to play on this field either. The village is so big, where can't you play?"
When they heard that they were not allowed to play in the threshing floor, none of the children spoke.
"Did you hear that?" Su Yao shook the awl in his hand.
Seeing the sharp bloodshot awl, several children said in unison: "I heard it!"
Su Qin in Xuanli Village has long been a topic of discussion in the city and countryside of Luoyang.After six years away, he came back to analyze the property and sell the land, and Gao Che went to Qin and returned to the wasteland, which became the talk of teahouses in the countryside.This time, he used an awl to pierce his thigh again, and after Su Li's wife publicized it, it quickly spread to the surrounding villages like a gust of wind.
The ancient city of Henan is located on the west bank of Luoshui River, and it was a feudal city of the Western Zhou Dynasty.In the afternoon of the same day, in an old teahouse on Yinan Street in Henan Province, a group of idlers sat around the hall in the workshop, drinking tea while listening to one of the people chatting.
The man was about forty years old, with a thin head, gestured with both hands, and beamed with joy: "Listen, everyone, there are really all kinds of miracles these years. Have you heard that there is Yili Town in the east of Yishui, and there is a town in the north of Yili Town. In Xuanli Village, there is a household named Su in the village, called Su Hu—”
Someone interjected impatiently: "What are you talking about, isn't he the idiot from Xuanli Su's family? What's wrong with him?"
"What's wrong?" The skinny man gave him a white look, "You have to know, tell me!"
The man clicked his tongue and stopped speaking.
The thin man suppressed his words, sipped his tea, and glanced at everyone: "Which one of you still knows?"
"Do you know what?" A person walked outside the door and asked.
Everyone turned around and saw that it was a young man who was nearby, who hurriedly got up and bowed.The thin man also got up and bowed, and said with a coquettish smile, "What kind of wind brought Young Master Lu to this poor place!"
Young Master Lu chuckled, waved his hands and said: "Excuse me, excuse me! Sit down!" He lifted up his brocade robe, sat down in a prominent seat, and looked at the thin man, "What did you just say?"
Everyone sat down, and the thin man bowed and said, "Returning to the young master, the villain is saying that the second boy of the Su family in Xuanli Village is crazy about reading!"
"Oh?" Young Master Lu was very interested, and asked, "Why are you crazy?"
"This..." The thin man hesitated to speak.
Young Master Lu took out a handful of copper coins from his sleeve, put them on the table with a "snap", and said to Xiao Er: "Xiao Er, serve tea, this Young Master treats you today, everyone has a share, this is tea money! "
Xiao Er received the copper coins and made him a pot of tea.Everyone saluted again, Young Master Lu returned the salute, and then turned his gaze to the skinny man: "Speaking of it, why is that kid crazy?"
The thin man just took a sip, and gestured exaggeratedly: "Hey, if you want to ask why you are crazy, young master listen to me carefully. The second boy of the Su family, named Su Qin, was a weirdo when he was a child. He is a fool and does not do his job. Six years ago, he, Ada, managed to marry him a wife. This kid has just finished worship and has not yet entered the bridal chamber, but he can't be found. This person has been gone for several years, and finally returned last year. At home, the old man Su thought that he had changed his mind, was full of joy, and separated the family and properties. Who would have thought that he would sell the fifteen acres of land under his name as soon as he got the land deed. It is said that he sold it to Lizheng Liu's family, and won Jin San 10. Listen, everyone, that land was rewarded by Zhou Tianzi to the ancestors of the Su family. It was all good land, but that boy only sold it for thirty gold. Horses, fur clothes and brocade clothes, went to the state of Qin with unlimited scenery. As a result, within three months, the tall carts and horses disappeared, and the fur clothes and brocade clothes disappeared. A broken luggage roll came back to the door, and the old man Su was so angry that he had a stroke on the spot, no, he became a paralyzed man." Shaking his head again and again, he sighed, "Oh, man!"
Young Master Lu was stunned: "Listen to this for a while, that kid is not crazy!"
"Not crazy?" The skinny man stared and said, "You can't live in a good house, you marry a new wife and you don't sleep, you live with a black dog in a thatched hut in the open all day long, you don't wash your face, you don't change your clothes , never going out for a month, or sitting stupidly, or talking to himself, at first glance, his hair is messy, his beard is black, three points look like a human, and seven points look like a ghost. Not to mention, I just heard Said, he also stabbed his thigh with an iron awl, and his legs were bloody, young master, tell me, isn't he crazy?"
Young Master Lu asked anxiously, "Why did he pierce his thigh with an awl?"
The thin man responded casually: "I heard that he was reading the bamboo slips, and when he got sleepy, he used an awl to pierce them."
"Well," Young Master Lu nodded again and again, "This story is good. I'll tell the old man when I get home later. The old man forces me to read all day long, so I'll ask him to read it. What would you like?" Paused for a moment, suddenly remembered something, and glanced around, "I heard that a qin player came to the tea house these few days, he wants to play the qin, and even the cattle and sheep shed tears, is there such a thing?"
The skinny man nods.
"Where are people?" Young Master Lu looked around.
The thin man pouted towards the door, and everyone looked there in unison.Young Master Lu looked up, and he saw an old man in ragged clothes curled up there.The old man blinked his eyelids a few times and struggled to stand up.
Seeing that it was an old beggar, Young Master Lu frowned slightly, and said to himself: "I am a decent luthier, how can I be a beggar?" Turning to look at the thin man, he seemed to be in disbelief, "That luthier is a This person?"
The thin man nodded again.
Young Master Lu frowned again, and opened his mouth to shout: "Hey, old fellow, my young master was only interested in hearing about this strange event, and almost forgot about the real thing. My old man heard that you played the piano very well, so he told me to invite you to come to my house." Play a few tunes," took out a handful of copper coins from his sleeve, raised his hand and threw it in front of the old man, "This is reward money, you order it!"
The luthier didn't seem to hear him, didn't pay attention to him, and didn't even look at the copper coins on the ground. He just bent his body and stood up with difficulty.The thin man got up in a hurry and rushed over to support the luthier.The violinist glanced at him, bent down to pick up the violin case, hugged it in his arms, and walked out step by step.
Young Master Lu was in a hurry, got up and caught up a few steps: "Old guy... No, no, old man, stop!"
The luthier still ignored him and walked forward.
Young Master Lu chased after him a few more steps, and shouted: "Mister, I will reward you with one gold! No, three gold!"
The luthier still did not stop.
Young Master Lu was stunned, stomped his feet, and spat at the luthier's back, "Bah! You old bastard, you don't know how to flatter!"
It really complied with Magu's estimate.On the third day, just after dawn, Su Dai's wife covered her stomach and groaned.Su Dai was in a hurry and called Su Yaoshi.Su Yaoshi also heard the call earlier and walked to the door.
"Dai'er, call Magu quickly. Hearing this voice, she is about to give birth!" Su Yao ordered.
Su Dai didn't say anything, and ran out the door.Su Li's wife and Xiao Xi'er also rushed over upon hearing the sound. Su Yao ordered Xiao Xi'er to boil water and cook, and asked Su Li's wife to stay in the house with her to make some emergency preparations.Seeing that everyone was busy working, Su Li couldn't get in his hands, let alone listen to the groans of his younger brother and daughter-in-law, so he simply took the farm tools and went to work in the fields.
After a while, Magu followed Su Dai into the courtyard in a hurry, and called out: "Old sister!"
Hearing Magu's voice, Su Yao breathed a sigh of relief, and greeted her with a smile: "It's his aunt who is here, hurry up, please come to the house!"
Magu laughed and said, "I'm not going to hide it from you, my sister had a good dream before dawn, and she woke up with a smile on her face. She got up and went to the yard, thinking about the beautiful things in her dream, when your youngest came to call It's gone." He was talking and laughing, but his feet didn't stop, he walked into the back room a few times, came to Su Dai's wife's couch, touched her belly, listened for a while, and said with a smile: "Yes, my little one. The guy can't hold back for a while, he's about to get out!"
Hearing Magu's voice, everyone felt much more relaxed, Su Dai's wife's groaning also slowed down, and she smiled slightly: "Magu, once you come, I feel more at ease."
Magu patted her on the shoulder and said with a chuckle: "Good girl, with Magu here, you can rest assured! To tell you the truth, within a radius of ten miles, which family's younger sons and yellow-flowered girls are not playing Magu?" Aunt came into the world with these hands?"
Everyone laughed together.
Everyone tossed about for a long time, but the little guy didn't seem to be in a hurry, and he still refused to show his face until Mao Shi.Su Dai's wife also seemed tired, moaning loudly and softly, appearing weak.
Magu comforted her and said, "Good girl, stop humming, close your eyes, save your strength, and use it to give birth to a child later." Turning her head, she told Su Li's wife, "Su Li's family, you put the water away again. Heat it up." Turning to Su Yaoshi, "Old sister, go and cook a bowl of egg soup, put ten jujubes, the jujubes should be boiled a little bit." After a moment, he seemed to think of something, "Hey, why don't you see me? Where's Xiaoxier?"
Su Li's wife continued, "Second sister is lighting a fire in the kitchen."
"Call her over!" Magu seemed to be giving an order.
Su Li's wife went out, and after a while, led Xiao Xi'er into the courtyard of Su Dai's house.
Hearing the sound of footsteps, Magu came out to welcome her, and said angrily, "I said Xiao Xi'er, when did Magu offend you? I've been here for so long, and I haven't seen you face to face?"
Xiao Xi'er murmured, "I...I...don't come here anymore."
"Come on, girl, let Magu take a look." Magu couldn't help saying, she stepped forward and pulled Xiao Xier over, looked her up and down, and said to her, "Open your mouth and stick out your tongue."
Xiao Xi'er was at a loss, she opened her mouth and stuck out her tongue, Magu looked at the coating on her tongue and said in a daze, "What's the matter, the second boy has been back for so long, and still hasn't made any movement!" Changing her tone, she chuckled a few times, " Girl, there are no outsiders here, so tell Magu, when will you need Magu for your belly?"
These words are of course poking at Xiao Xi'er's sore spot, but now that something good is coming, she can't cry, and she can't shed tears, so she just lowered her head and gritted her teeth without saying a word.
Magu seemed to understand, and scolded Su Qin, saying: "Second boy is really useless, my daughter has been married to him for six or seven years, even if a piece of deserted land should grow a seedling!"
"Magu," Su Li's wife said with a chuckle, "You can't underestimate people. Either the second sister will not give birth, or she will be twins!"
"It's so kind!" Magu also laughed.
Xiao Xi'er couldn't bear it anymore, her eyes got wet, she buried her head and went out, ran into her courtyard, lay down on the couch, covered her head with the quilt, and cried hard.
At this moment, Su Dai's wife moaned loudly, and the amniotic fluid flowed out.Magu and Su Yao went all out, and within half an hour, they finally heard the cry of the baby.
Su Dai, who had been pacing back and forth under the big toon tree, heard the cry and was pleasantly surprised. He walked into his courtyard in three steps and two steps, and was about to enter the house when he almost bumped into Su Li's wife who came out of the inner room.
Su Dai hurriedly stopped, feeling anxious, unable to speak: "Sister-in-law, are you alive?"
Su Li's wife gave him a white look: "The baby is crying, can you still have a baby?"
Su Dai scratched his head dumbly, and smiled awkwardly: "Yes, yes, sister-in-law, the younger brother wants to ask, is he the same as the younger brother or his mother?"
Su Li's wife burst into a smile: "Just saying that it's a boy and a girl, it's still beating around the bush! Let me tell you, my sister-in-law said she was an official, so what could be wrong?"
Su Dai cupped his hands and bowed to the ground: "Thank you, sister-in-law!" After bowing, he stomped on the ground vigorously, turned around and ran towards the main room, and ran to Su Hu's bed in one breath, knelt down and said urgently : "Ada, hi, it's a boy!"
Su Hu grinned a few times: "I heard it! As soon as the cry came out, Ah Da knew it was a plow handle!" Hehe laughed a few times, "Dai'er, tell your mother, give your daughter-in-law more calls!" kill the eggless hen, and stew it for her to drink!"
This is the first time Su Hu has smiled since his stroke.
Seeing Ah Da's happy appearance, Su Dai's voice choked up, nodded and said: "Dai'er wrote it down. Ah Da, my baby is waiting for you to name it!"
Su Hu laughed, and said with a smile: "Ah, I thought about it a long time ago, the sky is right, the earth is right, this kid should be called Nian Shun'er!"
Su Dai muttered a few times: "Nian Shun'er? Nian Shun'er!" He rubbed his hands happily, "Well, this name is right!"
Although Su Dai's wife gave birth to the baby, the milk did not catch up.Nian Shun'er held the nipple and sucked it for half a day, but couldn't get any milk, so she started crying.
Xiao Xi'er lay on the couch, every time Nian Shun'er cried, Xiao Xi'er's shoulders twitched.Nian Shun'er cried louder and louder, Xiao Xi'er finally couldn't bear it anymore, wiped away her tears, opened the curtain, walked out of the yard, took a look around, and turned into the kitchen.
According to Magu's instructions, Su Yaoshi is cooking red date soup for Su Dai's wife in the kitchen, and then using the boiled clear soup to stew eggs.You can't cook jujubes on a high fire, so Su Yao stuffed the stove with firewood. The fire was low, but there was more smoke, and the whole stove was full of smoke, which made her cry and cough repeatedly.
Xiao Xi'er ignored the thick smoke and moved into the stove step by step, staring at Su Yaoshi blankly with red eyes.
Su Yaoshi rubbed her eyes, looked up and saw it was Xiao Xi'er, put down a handful of firewood, and looked at her in surprise: "Xiao Xi'er?"
Xiao Xi'er knelt on the ground with a plop, and cried: "Mother—"
Su Yao suddenly understood what was on Xiao Xi'er's mind, stretched out his hand to stroke Xiao Xi'er's hair, and let out a long sigh: "Oh!"
Xiao Xi'er buried her head in Su Yaoshi's knee, sobbed for a while, then raised her head and begged: "Mother, I...I want to have a baby, give birth to a baby..."
"Alas," Su Yao sighed again, tears streaming down her cheeks, "Girl, get up."
Xiao Xi'er didn't move, she raised her tearful eyes and looked at her mother-in-law.
Su Yao stood up, took a basket from under the chopping board, and handed it to Xiao Xi'er: "You take this basket, and when it gets dark, you will still deliver Qin'er's food."
Xiao Xi'er choked up and said, "He...he...he doesn't want to see me."
Su Yao sighed again: "Oh, mother has no other choice." After a short pause, she encouraged her, "If he wants to blame, just say that mother asked you to give it to me. Xi'er, you are suffering, Qin My son is also suffering. You must know that his injury is deeper than yours! Go ahead, people are not grass and trees, how can you be ruthless? Qin'er is a person who knows and knows righteousness. He is in trouble right now. If you treat him well, he will remember it. .”
Xiao Xier nodded with tears in her eyes.
The sun went down and it was dark.
Su Qin walked back and forth in the thatched shed, his pace getting faster and faster.Ah Hei squatted on the ground, staring at him, his black dog head twisting back and forth as Su Qin moved.
After walking for a moment, Su Qin's steps suddenly slowed down, walked to the bunk, sat down with knees together, and called softly: "Ahei."
Hearing the cry, Ah Hei hurriedly stood up and walked over wagging his tail.
Su Qin stretched out his hand and patted it on the head: "Ahei, come on, sit down and listen to me."
Ah Hei obediently squatted opposite Su Qin, his eyes fixed on Su Qin.
"Ah Hei," Su Qin said slowly, "Mr. said, 'If you don't use it, you can't do it.' These days I have studied and thought over and over again, and I said that Qin's strategy is completely in line with the way of the master taught by the master. You Say, why did Duke Qin abandon it and not use it?"
Ah Hei seemed to know that Su Qin was talking to it, and whined.
Xiao Xi'er walked outside the thatched shed and was about to enter the house when she suddenly heard Su Qin talking to someone inside. She was startled and stepped aside the door.
"Alas," Su Qin sighed, "You mean, you didn't understand? What? You figured it out, you mean the king's heart is unpredictable? Yes, the king's heart is unpredictable. I can see what Qin Gong did. , Knowing that he has great ambitions in his chest. The great ambition of a king is to unify the world and rule the world. I said that with a unified strategy, it should be right in the middle of my heart, but I don’t want to be defeated again and again. What’s the reason?"
Ah Hei yelled twice.
"What?" Su Qin stared at Ah Hei in surprise, "You mean, I'm wrong, Duke Qin doesn't have the heart to rule the world?" After thinking for a while, he let out a long laugh, "Nonsense, absurdity! I have been watching the world for a long time Well, the three kings of Chu, Wei, and Qi may not have this kind of heart, and the kings of other countries may not have this kind of heart, but the Duke of Qin must have this kind of heart!"
Almost at the same time, a flash of light flashed across Su Qin's heart, blinked his eyes several times, and repeated repeatedly: "Only Mr. Qin, this heart must die! Yes, this heart must die! This heart must die..." The voice became louder Speak slowly, then close your eyes and fall into deep thought.
After a while, Su Qin suddenly opened his eyes, almost bounced off the ground, and laughed several times: "Hahahaha, I got it! I got it! Ah Hei, I got it!"
Seeing that Su Qin was so excited, Ah Hei frantically wagged his tail and yelled at his side.
Su Qin was still very excited, and continued: "The heart of Duke Qin must be to annex the world. The sage said, 'If you want to hide it, you must open it; if you want to be weak, you must strengthen it; if you want to destroy it, you must strengthen it; Therefore promote it; if you want to take it, you must give it.'" Suddenly stunned there, there was a moment, and repeated, "'If you want to shed it, you must open it', that is to say, 'If you want to open it, you must open it' So Shezhi.'"
Su Qin suddenly seemed to see the sun through the clouds, and punched the wall with a fist: "If you want to open it, you must hide it! Su Qin, Su Qin, where is your wisdom? The sage said, 'Fish should not escape from the deep, and the sharp weapon of the country should not be shown to others. .'Qin Gong annexed the heart of the world, how can you make it clear to the world?"
Su Qin thought hard for several months, and once he got it, he was half excited, half regretful of his stupidity in Qin, and kept banging his head against the wall, repeating in his mouth: "Su Qin, Su Qin, you are such a fool, Mr. Qin How can you let your heart be revealed to the world!"
The more Xiao Xi'er heard it, the more she felt that something was wrong. She decided that Su Qin was crazy, so she pushed open the door, broke into the room, and stared at Su Qin with wide eyes.
Seeing the unexpected woman, Su Qin was stunned suddenly, and the ecstasy just now made her flush clean.
The two looked at each other.
After a while, Su Qin calmed down, returned to reality, looked at her and said slowly: "You...why are you here?"
Seeing that Su Qin was fine, Xiao Xi'er was stunned for a moment, and suddenly realized that she was too reckless, so she stammered awkwardly: "Xi'er...Xi'er...deliver...meal for husband."
Su Qin looked at her coldly: "Didn't I tell you that I only let my mother give it to me?"
Xiao Xi'er gradually calmed down: "Mother...can't get away, let...let Xi'er see you off."
Su Qin said coldly: "Take it back, I'm not hungry."
Xiao Xi'er suddenly knelt down and begged with tears, "Husband——"
Su Qin waved his hands impatiently: "Okay, okay, stay here, let's go."
But Xiao Xi'er seemed to be determined, she just didn't move, she cried: "Husband——"
Su Qin frowned: "Tell me, what else is there?"
Xiao Xi'er kowtowed repeatedly, crying uncontrollably: "Su Dai's family... gave birth to a baby."
"Oh," Su Qin nodded, "Got it."
Xiao Xi'er just knocked her head on the ground, but still refused to move.
Su Qin was stunned: "Got it, you should go back."
Xiao Xi'er kowtowed again, her voice becoming more and more choked: "Husband... Husband, Su... Su Dai's family... gave birth to a baby... a baby."
Su Qin suddenly realized what Xiao Xier meant, and was shocked.
After thinking for a while, Su Qin frowned, lit the oil lamp, grinded the ink, picked up the pen, found a piece of bamboo slips, and lay down there to write.For a while, Su Qin read it carefully, nodded, and handed it to Xiao Xier: "You can give birth to a baby if you take this."
Xiao Xi'er took the bamboo piece, and because she couldn't read, she stared at it with wide eyes: "Husband, what is this?"
"It's a divorce letter." Su Qin said lightly, "Take it and rush back to your mother's house tomorrow, and ask you, Ada, to find another family for you, won't you give birth to a baby?"
"Husband——" Xiao Xi'er screamed, and fainted.
Late at night.The Su family compound was completely dark.
Su Yao did not sleep.Su Yaoshi quietly stood by Su Hu's couch, with his ears erect alertly, listening to the movement in the yard.The milk from Su Dai's family came later in the afternoon, Xiaonian Shun'er ate to the full and slept soundly.Others, etc., also fell asleep.
"He's big," Su Yao pushed Su Hu, "What time is it?"
"It's past three o'clock."
"Well, it looks like it's done." Su Yao became happy.
"Ai," Su Hu sighed, "This second boy, let me die with regret!"
"He is big, Qin'er is not a heartless person." Su Yaoshi argued, "A few days ago, I heard that he stabbed his thigh with an awl. I was scared to death and thought he was crazy. But I went in and saw that he was studying there. It looks good everywhere. I asked him why he used an awl to pierce his leg, and he said that after a few pricks, he would not feel drowsy. Alas, you said that Qin’er stayed in that room all day, nothing happened, and he was drowsy. If I slept for a while, it would be fine, but I used my own thigh as a rape, I couldn't figure it out."
"Where's the awl?"
"Let me take it back."
"This kid doesn't cry when he sees the coffin. He's already like this. His heart is still not dead, and he is still dreaming of the dream of wealth. Are you anxious?"
"If he and Xiao Xi'er fall in love tonight, maybe everything will be settled and everything will be fine."
"Well," Su Hu nodded, "Xiao Xi'er married into our family, it doesn't matter what she says, she has to explain to others. I reckon, this kid is not a god, and he should have some humanity after holding on for so long. If this It's done, let Xiao Xi'er be happy, even if I die, I can still close my eyes."
Su Yao was waiting to reply when footsteps came from the courtyard.
Knowing that Xiao Xi'er had returned, Su Yaoshi held her breath and listened attentively.
The footsteps are very heavy, and it seems to be moving step by step.
Su Yao was startled, glanced at Su Hu, saw that he was also listening, and whispered: "He is old, listen, why is he walking so slowly?"
"Don't be hurt?" Su Hu said thoughtfully.
"Go, go!" Su Yao spat at him, "I'm in my twenties, and I'm not a child, how can I get hurt?"
"Where are you thinking?" Su Hu glanced at her, and argued, "I mean her lame foot."
While speaking, Xiao Xi'er had moved back to her courtyard.Su Yao felt worried after thinking about it, quietly got down on the bed, opened the door, and walked to Xiao Xi'er's yard.
The courtyard door was open, and Su Yao leaned over the door to listen, there was the sound of weeping, followed by the sound of silk being torn.苏姚氏正在思忖她为何撕帛，里面再次传来“哐当”一声，显然是啥硬物什翻倒于地了。苏姚氏凭借直觉，陡然意识到什么，急奔过去，用力推门，门并未上闩。苏姚氏扑到里屋，见小喜儿脖子上套着抹布，人已悬在梁上。
苏姚氏急趋一步，一把抱起她的两腿，颤声惊叫：“闺女呀，你——”朝外大叫，带着哭音，“快来人哪——”
苏姚氏拼尽力气托住小喜儿，苏代、苏厉、苏厉妻等也都听到叫声，急冲过来，七手八脚将小喜儿救下。
由于苏姚氏托得及时，小喜儿只不过憋个耳赤面红，远未绝气，手中紧紧地握着一块竹片。
苏代取过一看，是苏秦写给她的休书。
苏姚氏将小喜儿扶到榻上躺下，再也不敢离去，当晚与小喜儿一道歇了。
苏代、苏厉见事闹大了，只好走进堂屋，跪在苏虎榻前，将小喜儿寻死一事扼要说了。苏代迟疑一下，从袖中摸出苏秦的休书，摆在榻前几案上。
苏虎看着休书，脸色乌青，大口喘气。好一阵儿，苏虎缓过气来，闭上眼睛，老泪横流：“唉，不把老子气死，他……他是不甘心哪！”
“阿大，”苏代迟疑一下，“二哥怕是——”
苏虎睁开眼睛，目光落在他身上。
“外面风传，二哥怕……怕是走火入魔，得上癔症了！”
苏虎又喘几下，连连点头，扭头转向苏厉：“厉儿！”
苏厉应道：“在。”
“唉，”苏虎长叹一声，“看样子，二小子真还就是这个病。赶天亮了，你到王城走一趟，寻个治癔症的医师，不究咋说，有病就得治。”
“阿大放心，厉儿天亮就去。”
翌日晨起，苏厉早早起床，拿上干粮，出村径投王城。
刚过伊水，苏厉迎头碰到从河南邑茶馆一路赶来的琴师。琴师步履艰难，越走越慢，陡然间一个趔趄，栽倒于地。苏厉急步上前，将琴师扶起。
琴师两手颤抖，似是走不动了。苏厉扶他坐到旁边的河堤上，小声问道：“老人家，您不要紧吧？”
琴师望他一眼，摇头。
苏厉从袋中掏出一张烙饼：“老人家，您想必是饿坏了，吃块饼吧！”
琴师再次望他一眼，点点头，用颤抖的手接过烙饼，吃力地咬上一口。苏厉从腰中解下水葫芦，打开塞子：“老人家，来，喝口水润润。”
琴师连喝几口，感觉上好一些，朝他打一揖道：“年轻人，老朽谢你了。”
苏厉回过一揖，见他已是老弱不堪，怀里却抱一个大盒，不无担心地问：“老人家，您……您这是去哪儿？”
“老朽欲去轩里，说是过去伊水就到了。”
苏厉指着河对岸偏南一点的轩里村：“老人家，您看，那个村就是轩里。”
琴师望望那个村子，点头道：“谢你了。”
苏厉看看身后的伊水，又看看琴师：“老人家，这阵儿水浅，没摆渡，水冷，我送你过河吧！”
琴师又打一揖，谢道：“年轻人，谢你了。”
琴师复啃几口饼，喝几口水，苏厉拿过他的盒子，扶着他走下河堤，来到水边。苏厉脱去鞋子，挽起裤管，背上琴师，拿上琴盒，趟下水去。因是二月，河水虽冷，却是极浅，最深处也不过没膝。不一会儿，苏厉已将琴师背过河去。
过河之后，苏厉本欲返身而去，又实在放心不下老人，略想一下，轩里村也就到了，干脆好人做到底，送他去他想去的地方，再去王城不迟。
这样一想，苏厉穿上鞋子，打一揖道：“老人家，您到谁家，晚辈送您去。”
琴师颇为感动，回一揖道：“老朽正要打问你呢。有个苏士子，说是住在此村。”
轩里村只他一家姓苏，苏厉听出他问的必是苏秦，拱手问道：“老人家说的可是苏秦？”
琴师微微点头。
“真碰巧了，苏秦正是晚辈舍弟。”
琴师怔了下，喜道：“是碰巧了！听说苏士子病了，可有此事？”
苏厉略显惊讶地望他一眼，点头：“是哩。舍弟是生病了，晚辈这正打算去王城求请医师呢。”
“是哪儿病了？”
苏厉指指心，又指指头：“想是这个不大好使了，估计是癔症。老人家，您是——”
“呵呵呵，”琴师笑了，“要是这病，你就不必寻了。老朽此来，为的就是诊治士子！”
苏厉又惊又喜，当即跪下，朝他连拜数拜：“晚辈替舍弟谢老人家了！”
“苏士子现在何处？”
“就在村北打谷场边的草棚里。老人家，先到家里喝口热汤，再为他治病不迟。”
“不了。”琴师摇头道，“老朽这对你说，欲治苏士子之病，你得依从老朽一事。”
“老人家请讲。”
“不可告诉家人，也不可告诉苏士子，你只需指给老朽草棚在何处，这就够了。”
苏厉略怔一下，点点头道：“就依老人家。”
窝棚里，苏秦席坐于地，冥思苦想。
一只陶碗盛满稀饭，碗上摆着两只馒头和两棵大葱。馒头、稀饭早已凉了。
阿黑蹲在离他不远的地方，眼巴巴地望着那只馒头。
苏秦缓缓睁开眼睛：“阿黑！”
阿黑“呜”地欢叫一声，摆尾巴走到前面。
“蹲下。”
阿黑蹲坐下来。
“我对你说，我苦思数日，总算想明白了。说秦不成，未尝不是一件好事。”
阿黑“呜呜”两声，歪着脑袋望他。
“什么？你不明白？我知道你不明白，这不是在对你说吗？附耳过来，听好！”
阿黑依旧歪头望他。
“在鬼谷之时，先生曾说，治世始于治心，治心始于治乱。方今天下，治乱之道唯有两途，或天下一统，或诸侯相安。天下诸侯各有欲心，使他们相安甚难，因而我与张仪之志，皆在一统。纵观天下，能成此功者唯有秦国，我本想辅助秦公成此大业，咸阳一行却让我如梦初醒。阿黑，你可知晓其中缘由？”
阿黑呜呜又是几声。
苏秦站起来，在房中一边踱步，一边继续唠叨：“秦人崇尚武力，故以商君之法治国。商君之法过于严苛，不行教化之功，毫无悲悯之心。如此恃力恃强之邦，即使一统天下，亦必以强力治国。以强力治国者，必不行天道。不行天道，如何能服人心？天下一统而人心不服，一统又有何益？”
阿黑摇摇尾巴，眼睛瞄向摆在碗上的馒头，又是舔舌头，又是流口水。苏秦捡起一只馒头，扔给阿黑。阿黑“呜”一声噙住，兴奋地冲苏秦直甩尾巴。
苏秦望着阿黑，苦笑一声，摇头道：“唉，你个贪嘴的阿黑啊，一统之路既走不通，你说我该怎么办呢？天下诸侯个个如你，一块骨头足以让他们打成一团，如何才能去除他们的欲心，让他们妥协、和解、和睦相处、彼此不争呢？或至少让他们暂先搁置争议，放下刀枪，平心静气地坐下来共商未来呢？”
阿黑不再睬他，蹲在那儿津津有味地吞吃馒头。
苏秦轻叹一声，摇摇头，复坐下来，闭上眼睛，再入冥思。
天色黑沉下来，繁星满天，月牙斜照。
苏秦正自冥思，远处忽然传来一声琴响，复归静寂。虽只一声，苏秦的身心已是一颤，急忙屏息聆听。不一会儿，琴音断断续续地随风飘来，时远时近，时高时低，如颤如抖，如飘如缈，如丝如缕，似一股清凉之风灌人肺腑，直入心田。
苏秦耳朵微微颤动，整个身心完全被这飘渺的琴声垄断。
有顷，琴弦陡然一转，如泣如诉，声声悲绝。
随着时断时续的琴音，苏秦眼前渐渐浮出一幕幕鲜活场景。
——空旷的原野，干裂的田园，呼啸的北风；一个饱经风霜的老艺人拖着沉重的步履，身背一把古琴，艰难地跋涉；
——黄土坡上，一个骨瘦如柴的妇女吃力地撅起屁股在挖野菜；村头，一个半大的孩子领着几个饿得直哭的弟妹，站在一处高坡上，盼望他们的娘亲早点归来；
——村头，衣不遮体的一老一少挨门乞讨，每到一家门前，他们就会跪下，不停磕头；
——挺着大肚子的新妇望着灵堂上崭新的丈夫牌位，哭昏于地；
——几个老人推开一扇破门，从里面抬出一具死去多日的孤老尸体；
——市场上，两个半大的女孩子背上各插一根稻草，一个妇人守在旁边，一刻不停地抹泪；
——战场上，尸体横七竖八，无人掩埋，一群群的乌鸦低空盘旋，纷纷落在腐尸上，呱呱直叫，争相抢食；
——村庄的空场上，里正征丁，村人聚集，多是老人、妇女和儿童；里正一个接一个地念着名字，从人群中走出的几乎全是半大的孩子或年过花甲的老人；
...
就在苏秦的心眼随着悲悯、凄婉的琴音浮想联翩时，琴声却在一声撕心裂肺的悲鸣之后，戛然而止。
苏秦陡然一惊，猛然睁开眼睛，大叫：“先生，先生——”急急翻身爬起，推开房门，冲到谷场上，冲旷野里高喊，“先——生——”
四周静寂无声，仿佛这里根本不存在琴声似的。
阿黑似是明白苏秦要找什么，“噌”地一下急蹿出来，汪汪叫着，冲向一个方向。苏秦紧紧跟在阿黑身后，边跑边喊：“先生，先生，你在哪儿？”
回答他的只有风声和跑在前面的阿黑的汪汪声。苏秦撒开两腿，跟阿黑一阵猛跑，跑有一时，猛听前面再次传来“嘭”的一声弦响，继而又是静寂。
阿黑叫得更欢了。
苏秦急奔过去，终于在几里之外的伊水岸边寻到琴师。
堤边土坡顶上，琴师两手抚琴，巍然端坐。
苏秦放缓步子，在离琴师几步远处，跪下，拜过几拜，轻声叫道：“先生！”
琴师一动不动，也不回答。
“先生！”苏秦又叫一声，琴师仍旧端坐不动。
苏秦起身，走前几步，再次跪下，叩道：“先生，晚生苏秦叩见！”
仍然没有回复。
苏秦怔了下，跪行至琴师跟前，见他两眼紧闭，已经绝气。方才那声沉闷的“嘭”声，是他用最后的生命弹出的绝响。
苏秦跪在地上，泣道：“先生——”
一轮新月弯弯地挂在西天。夜风拂来，并无一丝儿寒意。
苏秦环视四周，见此地位置最高，河水在此打个大弯，俯瞰河谷，两端望去，皆是宽敞而畅直，旁有两棵老树和几束荆丛，实乃一处风水宝地。
苏秦知道，这是琴师为自己寻到的最后安息之地，随即回家，拿来一把铁铲，在坡上一铲接一铲地挖下去。
月牙落下去，天色昏暗，阴风习习。
苏秦越挖越深，一直挖至丈许，方才爬上土坑，将琴师抱下，再将那架陪伴他多年的老琴摆在他面前，让他永远保持抚琴姿势。
苏秦在墓中朝他又拜三拜，复跳上来，一铲一铲地培土。
及至东方发白，一座新坟堆突起于河坡。
苏秦回到草棚，寻到一块木板，研墨取笔，郑重写下“天下第一琴”五字，插上坟头。
做好这一切，苏秦面对木牌，复跪下来，对琴师诉道：“先生，这是您选定之地，请安歇吧。”又跪一时，复拜几拜，声音哽咽，“先生，您的诉说，苏秦已知。您所看见的，苏秦也看见了。您所听到的，苏秦也听到了。”
苏秦再拜几拜，慢慢站起，转身走去。然而，苏秦刚走几步，身后传来一阵沙沙的风声，接着是一声更响的“啪哒”。阿黑似是看到什么，狂吠起来。苏秦一惊，回头急看，他所立下的那块木牌竟被一股不期而至的旋风拔起，远远搁在一边。
见阿黑仍在狂吠，苏秦喝住，不无惊异地走过去，拾起牌子，朝渐去渐远的旋风深揖一礼：“先生，您不必过谦。苏秦昨晚听到的，堪称天下第一琴音，即使鬼谷先生所弹，也不过如此。”言讫，重新回到坟前，将牌子插回坟头，再拜几拜。
不及苏秦起身，又一股更大的旋风再次袭向木牌。因苏秦插得过深，木牌虽然未被拔起，却被吹得歪向一侧。苏秦思忖有顷，抬头一看，见不远处有根约鸡蛋粗细的枯树枝，过去拾起。
苏秦手拿树枝，走到木牌前面，比量一下，两端握牢，朝膝头猛力一磕，只听树枝“咔嚓”一声脆响，折成两截。
苏秦一手拿住一截枯枝，掂量用哪一截支撑木牌更合适一些。看着看着，苏秦眼中闪出灵光，迅速起身，将折好的两截树枝合并在一起，再朝膝头猛力磕去。许是用力过猛，苏秦手捂膝头，疼得龇牙咧嘴，手中的两截树枝却依然如故。
苏秦再怔一会儿，一阵狂喜，扔掉一截，只磕其中一截，树枝再断。苏秦发疯般四处搜寻，捡来一大堆粗细不等的枯树枝，如法炮制，先单个折，再两截合起来折，再三截一起折，再四截一起折，再五截折。即使最细的树枝，只要合并在一起，力量陡添一倍，合并到一定程度，即使用尽全力，竟也折它不断。
苏秦心中如同注进一束光亮，这些日来的所有迷茫尽在这一悟中悄然化解。
是的，单枝易折，孤掌难鸣，这是连三岁孩童都明白的常识。然而，就是这个常识，让苏秦于顷刻之间，悟得了治理天下之道。苏秦不无兴奋地抱起被他折作一截截的枯树枝，用力抛向空中。一段段枯树枝随着晨风飘落于坟前坟后。
苏秦朝坟头缓缓跪下，连磕几个响头：“谢先生示我以天下相安之道。”
拜毕，苏秦起身，“呸呸”几声朝手心连吐几口唾沫，搓上几搓，抡起铁铲将坟头新土扒开，复将“天下第一琴”的木牌深埋进去，再将新土细心堆起。
苏秦看了一阵，甚觉满意，复跪下来，再拜道：“先生，即使鬼谷先生在此，也会许您这块牌子。既然您不想张扬，晚生这也遵从您的意思，将牌子埋入土中，让它永远陪您。”
苏秦在坟头又跪一时，起身，拍拍两手，迈开大步，信心十足地走向不远处的村落。
当蓬头垢面的苏秦容光焕发地走进村子时，阿黑在他身前蹦前跳后。一群孩子正在村边玩耍，一个大孩子远远看到苏秦过来，大喊一声：“快跑快跑，疯子来喽！”
众孩子见到苏秦，作鸟兽散，唯有天顺儿怔在那儿，怯生生地望着苏秦。
阿黑跳到天顺儿跟前，舔他，围着他撒欢。天顺儿却不理它，只将两眼眨也不眨地盯着苏秦。苏秦走过来，蹲下，张开胳膊，小声叫道：“天顺儿！”
“仲叔。”天顺儿走前一步，怯怯地轻叫一声。
苏秦朝他微微一笑，抱他起来：“天顺儿，走，跟仲叔回家去。”
那个大孩子飞也似的跑向苏家院落，边跑边叫：“不好喽，疯子把天顺儿抱跑了！”地顺儿、妞妞及另外两个孩子则不怕他，跟在后面，不远不近地保持距离。
苏秦抱着天顺儿还没走到家里，左邻右舍早已围上，没有人说话，大家无不大睁两眼，直盯盯地望着叔侄二人。正在院中修理农具的苏厉、苏代闻声走出院门，未及说话，苏厉妻就已从灶房里冲出，看到苏秦将天顺儿抱在怀里，竟是傻了，愣怔半晌，朝地上扑通一跪，不无惊恐地结巴道：“他……他仲叔，您别……天顺儿，快……快下来！”
天顺儿见娘这么跪下，不知发生何事，从苏秦怀中出溜下来，向娘走来。苏厉妻一见，不顾一切地飞身扑出，将天顺儿一把搂在怀里，好像他刚从虎口里脱险似的。
苏秦望她一眼，神态自若地走过来，对苏厉揖道：“大哥。”
苏厉见他疯病已好，回揖道：“二弟。”猛然想起昨日那个老人，“老人家呢？”
“老人家？”苏秦听出他指的是琴师，反问道，“大哥如何知道他？”
苏厉怔了下，只好说道：“是大哥背他过河来的。”
“谢大哥了。”苏秦朝苏厉再揖一礼，不无忧伤地缓缓说道，“老人家……走了。”
“二弟，”苏厉急了，“你怎能让人家走呢？他专为诊治二弟而来，二弟病好了，无论如何，我们都得好好谢谢老人家。”
苏秦低